USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “NORTHEAST” RHODE ISLAND

RHODE ISLAND: THE OCEAN STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

It doesn't matter if you take a trip across the state line or the border, being far from home can be exciting and also a bit stressful. When considering traveling, it is important to think of the best mode of travel. Traveling by car can offer many more sights and opportunities for side trips. Traveling by train can offer a chance to relax and get some work done if they wanted. Planes can cover ground fast but don't allow much movement and one cannot get off the plane in flight. Each mode of travel has its own advantages and disadvantages to be considered. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Welcome to the City of Warwick!Conveniently located in the heart of the Ocean State, Warwick is surrounded by all the wonders of Southern New England. Our unique blend of breathtaking vistas, miles of retail stores, comfortable lodging, premier golf courses, and first-class dining helps to make Warwick a vibrant, popular destination. With more marinas and moorings than any Rhode Island community, 39 miles of spectacular shoreline, and fresh and salt-water beaches, Warwick also offers a relaxing seaside getaway.

ALDRICH MANSION
836 Warwick Neck Ave.
(401) 739-6850
www.aldrichmansion.com

Aldrich Mansion is situated on a majestic seventy-five acre estate on scenic Narragansett Bay. It was built during the "Golden Years" of Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, a Rhode Island native born to poverty but destined for greatness. The estate once held a Teahouse, since destroyed by fire. It was here that Abby Aldrich, one of the Senator¹s eight children, wed John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (father of Nelson A. Rockefeller, formerly Governor of New York and later Vice President of the United States).

Today, the elegant and charming atmosphere of Aldrich Mansion serves as the perfect site for wedding receptions, bridal and baby showers, birthday and anniversary parties. With its panoramic view of the Bay, the Mansion also serves especially well as a serene location for conferences, meetings and seminars. In the summer of 1997, Aldrich Mansion played host to the filming of a major motion picture, Meet Joe Black, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. The film was released in November of 1998.

ASPRAY BOAT HOUSE
Now a community center and meeting hall, this building used to be a
boathouse. This is the headquarters for the Gaspee Days Committee, the Pawtuxet Village Association and Pawtuxet Land Trust.

THE BANK CAFE
Located at 40 Post Road, the Bank Cafe was built in 1815 by the Rhodes family in the Federal style. A two and a half story structure, the Bank Cafe was originally the first bank in the area. The top floor was once a finishing school for girls, but since 1874, when James Tinker assumed ownership, the building has been used almost exclusively as a dining establishment. The bank's original vault was used as a wine cellar. Currently a private dwelling.

DRUM ROCK
Drum Rock Road off of Rte. 117, near Rte. 95

Legend has it that this rock once created a deep, booming sound, like a drum. The common story is that Indians once used Drum Rock for sending messages. We do know that this was once a great gathering place for tribes converging near the Pequot Trail.

The rock itself was delicately balanced on two points and could be easily moved by hand, or rocked by the wind, and with that rocking, it created the distinctive sound.

At one time, the rock was the symbol of Apponaug, its image replicated for parades. Today, Drum Rock is silent, having been moved from it¹s original position because it made too much noise for nearby neighbors.

Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum
4157 Post Road
(401) 884-4550
www.cloudshill.org

Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum is a Rhode Island nonprofit corporation operating an historic Victorian home located in Warwick, Rhode Island as a museum for the public.

The house is an important part of the history of the City of Warwick and the State of Rhode Island. It was built in 1872 by William Smith Slater for his daughter, Elizabeth Ives Slater, on her marriage to Alfred Augustus Reed, Jr. It has remained in the family since it was built, passing from female to female until reaching the current owner.

WARWICK CITY HALL
3275 Post Rd.
(401) 738-2000
www.warwickri.gov

Built in 1893-94, this building features a six-story clock tower which is visible for miles around. Designed by the architectural firm of William R. Walker & Son, City Hall cost $75,000 to erect and was built to replace the Town House, clerk's office and stables which had stood on this spot for the previous sixty years. On the second floor is the Town Scale and Council Chambers, while the remainders of what once were the city's jail cells are in the basement. Tours of the building are available.

WARWICK CITY PARK
40 Asylum Road
A 126-acre park, located down Asylum Road. Salt water beach, plus bathhouse and kiddie play area. There's also hiking, bike paths, and ball fields. Legend has it that the first clam bakes took place here in the late 1800's.

GEORGE B. SALTER MEMORIAL GROVE
Narragansett Parkway
This small park on Narragansett Parkway overlooks the Bay and hosts many of the events for Gaspee Days. Recently renovated by the City of Warwick, Salter Grove is a beautiful place to spend the day.

WARWICK MUSEUM OF ART
3259 Post Rd. (401) 737-0010
warwickmuseum.org
Admission:
General admission is free, except for certain events.
The Warwick Museum of Art, located next to City Hall in Apponaug, continues to bring qualitative, significant, and culturally relevant works of art to the city of Warwick. Group and solo exhibitions are hosted in two galleries, the Main Gallery and the new Small Works Gallery on the first floor. Our poetry series, The Mad Poets Cafe: An Evening of Spoken Word Performances takes place every fourth Saturday of each month. Poets from Rhode Island, Boston, New York, and elsewhere read original works. Live theatre and independent film is also part of our commitment to artistic excellence. WMOA is proud to host the improvisational comedy group Unexpected Company, whose standing-room only performances each and every Sunday evening have delighted hundreds.


REFERENCE SITES
http://www.visitwarwickri.com

http://www.warwickri.gov/

 “I’ve been in Rhode Island a lot…Man, Rhode Island's a good place. 
It's a really good place." 
- Taylor Swift 

Live life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “NORTHEAST” RHODE ISLAND

RHODE ISLAND: THE OCEAN STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

A vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed, refreshed, and invigorated. Whether you are just now starting to plan your next vacation, or are merely looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read all the articles about travel. So take away some of the stress of making travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation contact me!

It may take just 45 minutes to drive from one end of Rhode Island to the other, but this tiny state offers more than its fair share of broad sandy beaches, green parks, vibrant cities and a wealth of historic attractions. Rhode Island's capital city, Providence, underwent a major facelift in the 1990s, giving it something of a renaissance; visitors will now find the city lined with beautifully landscaped pedestrian walkways and Venetian-style footbridges.

For those looking for some seaside activities, top sailing spot Newport is an all-seasons resort, offering an attractive harbour that is rich in colonial history, and in easy reach of bone-white beaches.

Rhode Island's size has also never deterred the state from making some ground-breaking political decisions: it was the first state to declare independence from Great Britain on 4 May 1776, and the first, in 1774, to pass laws against slavery.

Rhode Island's climate is milder than that of the other New England states. Winters are relatively cold with temperatures ranging from -6.1 to 2.2°C (21 to 36°F) and summer temperatures averaging between 17.2 and 27.2°C (63 to 81°F). Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.

Things to see and do in Rhode Island

Festivals

Enjoy Newport's summer jazz and folk festivals. Classical music takes center stage in July during the Newport Music Festival (www.newportmusic.org). In August the Apple & Eve Newport Folk Festival and the JVC Jazz Festival in Newport, one of the oldest and best known in the country, draw music-lovers to Fort Adams State Park.

Jazz and folk festivals

Enjoy Newport's summer jazz and folk festivals. Classical music takes center stage in July during the Newport Music Festival (www.newportmusic.org). In August the Apple & Eve Newport Folk Festival and the JVC Jazz Festival in Newport, one of the oldest and best known in the country, draw music-lovers to Fort Adams State Park.

Museum of Natural History and Planetarium

Spend a day at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium (www.providenceri.com/museum), looking at collections containing over 24,000 archaeological and ethnographic specimens, with the focus on Native American and Pacific Island heritage.

National Wildlife Refuge

Take the one-hour ferry trip from Point Judith to Block Island to see the National Wildlife Refuge and the magnificent 60m- (200ft-) high Mohegan Bluffs (http://lighthouse.cc/blockisoutheast).

Newport

Sail into the pretty harbor at Newport. Many of the town's magnificent mansions (including those built by the Vanderbilts and the Astors) are open to the public. Visit the Touro Synagogue (www.tourosynagogue.org), the oldest synagogue in America, and the White Horse Tavern, built in 1673 by a pirate.

Providence

Visit the state capital, Providence, and wander through Waterplace Park, a 1.6-hectare (4-acre) urban park that surrounds a tidal basin. Admire many finely restored homes on the East Side, and Brown University's 18th-century buildings.

Sailing

Sail into the pretty harbor at Newport. Many of the town's magnificent mansions (including those built by the Vanderbilts and the Astors) are open to the public. Visit the Touro Synagogue (www.tourosynagogue.org), the oldest synagogue in America, and the White Horse Tavern, built in 1673 by a pirate.

Slater Mill Historic Site

Tour the Slater Mill Historic Site (www.slatermill.org) in the city of Pawtucket, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.

Watersports

Join in the state's numerous watersports, from canoeing, scuba diving, parasailing and deep-sea fishing, to every type of sailing in this yachtie's mecca. Most cruises, sailing lessons and charters depart from Newport. Narragansett Bay is home to yachting regattas as well as a thriving fishing industry.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

The painter leaves his mark. And I just put in two statues in Rhode Island that I'm working on. And I think that's going to make me last longer than me. 
-- Anthony Quinn

 

Live Well, Laugh Often and Travel Much!

        

         

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “NORTHEAST” MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS: THE BAY STATE

BY Clay Larroy

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carryon bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

The article below offers an interesting perspective on Massachusetts.

Travel Massachusetts - Must See Nature, Historical Sites, and Favorite Local Events

By Michelle Linden

Everyone knows about Cape Cod and Boston as great travel destinations. But there are lesser traveled gems like Cape Ann and Western Mass. Below, I have suggested some of my favorite holiday trips. Explore Massachusetts and keep coming back for more!

Gloucester / Rockport - Gloucester and Rockport are the gems of Cape Ann. Both towns offer art communities, real fishing communities, great beaches, whale watches, and more. Gloucester has recently become famous as the real life and Hollywood home of the Perfect Storm. If you are looking for history (these towns were founded shortly after the Pilgrims landed), great seafood, art, beaches (try
Good Harbor Beach or Wingaersheek Beach), festivals such as St. Peter's Fiesta, the Folklife Festival, or the Fish Festival.... visit Cape Ann and be amazed!

Salem - Travel to Salem and learn a little bit about America's sad and
scary past. Due to the hysterics of two young girls, the town of Salem (which at that time was actually located in what is now Danvers) began the Salem witch trials in 1692. Sadly, at that time, persecution of witches was not uncommon, but these trials are among the most famous. 24 people eventually died as a direct result of the Salem witch trials. Today, you can visit several museums dedicated to this piece of history. Among them are, the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum,
and the Witch Dungeon Museum. Salem is now a popular destination for present day witches.

National Seashore - Travel to see the dunes at Cape Cod's National
Seashore, and you will see a federally protected sea shore. There are over 40,000 acres of dunes sprawling across 40 miles running the length of Cape Cod. To truly enjoy the views, the salt air, and the crashing waves.... rent a bicycle and ride along an old Indian trail. The ride will also give you a glimpse of old new England wealth and summer spirit as you pass by historic mansions and towns.

Martha's Vineyard - Martha's Vineyard as long been a popular holiday
destination for travelers around the world and across the continent. Charm is overflowing on this island. Take a ferry from Wood's Hole and explore the cranberry bogs, sand dunes, and New England architecture of Martha's Vineyard. For an alternate trip, check out Nantucket.

Pop Goes the Fourth - Nowhere in the United States is the Fourth of July as big a holiday as in Boston. Every year the Boston Symphony Pops Orchestra plays outdoors, synchronized with the fireworks display along the Esplanade. Travel to Boston for the 4th of July and you will not be disappointed.

The Freedom Trail - No Boston holiday is complete without a trip down
the Freedom Trail. A red line known as the Freedom trail circles around the city of Boston, leading you to some of the most important historical sites pertaining to the United States' Independence. Highlights of the walk include, Old Ironsides, Boston Common, the Paul Revere house, and the Old State House. You can pick up the Freedom Trail at any point and walk a part or walk the whole thing. Travel the Freedom trail and realize why Boston is a great city for history and walking.

Foliage Tour - Mohawk Trail, otherwise known as Rte. 2, is by far the
most popular foliage tour in Massachusetts. Fall is an unbelievably beautiful time in New England, and Massachusetts is certainly no exception. No matter where you travel during the fall foliage season, you are sure to seem some amazing colors. Apple picking goes hand in hand with leaf peeping, so feel free to get off the beaten trail and wander around some of the more rural areas. If you have time, join in a hayride and drink some great hot apple cider!

Mount Greylock / Appalachian Trail - Mount Greylock has long been the inspiration for American writers. Today the protected lands cover 12,000 acres including the highest point in Massachusetts. Features include the Bascom Lodge, over 70 hiking trails, and amazing views. If you are interested in hiking a portion of the Appalachian trail, there is access through this park.

You can explore the nature and history of Massachusetts for years and never see at all. The beach will continue to call you, the foliage with amaze you year after year, and the museums and history will keep you thinking and learning. Enjoy the state and realize why the locals never need to leave!

Michelle is a travel buff who has recently moved away from Hawaii, but is anxiously awaiting the day when she can return. In the meantime, she occupies her time by helping others compare and select vacation options.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

https://ezinearticles.com

One of my very favorite poets was a Massachusetts poet named Robert Lowell.

Mark Lanegan
 

Experience life travel with those you love!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “NORTHEAST” MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS: THE BAY STATE

BY Clay Larroy

Traveling can be a great way to meet new people and experience other cultures. New friends are waiting to meet you in places you have only dreamed of traveling. It can be a wonderful way to see all that the world has to offer. Travel can be a hobby and an adventure that will lead you to unexpected places.  When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Look at the article below for a mesmerizing viewpoint on Massachusetts.

Things to Do in Massachusetts

By Robert Vrabel

Massachusetts in February

Massachusetts is a bustling state that offers both beautiful countryside and a busy city. The state is excellent for weekend trips or family vacations as there are unique events and activities that take place every month.

The Annual Boston Wine Expo is an event that any self-respecting wine enthusiast will not miss. This is the largest consumer wine event in the country and takes place at the Seaport World Trade Center. You will have the opportunity to sample 1800 wines from around the world and meet with the winemakers that produce them. Events within the event include the Grand Tasting, which features the hottest wines at the expo, Celebrity Chef Stages, Tasting Flights, Grand Cru Lounge, The Vintner Dinner, and the Progressive Dinner. This event attracts visitors from around the US and international guests as well.

The Boston Opera House is always featuring events from movies to musicals. The Opera House was built in 1901 for the traveling opera troupes that made their way through Massachusetts. The house has been restored and is in the heart of the theatre district. The house was reopened in 1928 and has hosted a variety of different shows. The venue is a permanent fixture in culture of Boston and features hit Broadway musicals, musicians and Opera.

The Boston Center for the Arts is located in the South End of Boston and is the largest landmark district in the US. The Boston Center for the Arts is a four-acre complex that features The Cyclorama. The Cyclorama is an 1884 panorama painting. The Cyclorama Rotunda is 23,000 square feet and the site of many exhibitions, performances and other community events. The center is home to the Community Music Center of Boston, the Art Connection, the Boston Ballet Costume Shop, three small theaters and a rehearsal studio. The Tremont Estates Building is also located on the grounds and features over 50 artist studios, the Mills Gallery, rehearsal spaces and Hamersley's Bistro.

While in Concord you must visit the Concord Museum. The city was the site of the battle that began the American Revolution as well as many forward thinking individuals and writers of the American literary renaissance. Here you will find the history of Algonkians, Puritans, Revolutionaries, Farmers, Silversmiths, Transcendentalists, Cabinetmakers, Anti-Slavery Activists, Mill Workers and Loyalists. Highlights of the museums exhibitions include the Paul Revere lantern, artifacts from the American Revolution, many of Thoreau's possessions from Walden Pond and the contents of Ralph Waldo Emerson's study.

Rob Vrabel is the co-owner of http://www.2havefun.com, the largest directory of fun things to do. Visit this great directory at http://massachusetts.2havefun.com/ for fun things to do in Massachusetts!

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

https://ezinearticles.com

I thought I would be governor of Massachusetts. I stood on a pile of my old albums and said, 'I'm the only one with a record to stand on.'

 Arlo Guthrie

Live life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “NORTHEAST” MASSACHUSETTS

 MASSACHUSETTS: THE BAY STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

We lead such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience.  When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!

Springfield is the largest city on the Connecticut River, in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, USA. It sits only 24 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut, and only five miles north of the Connecticut state line. Springfield and Hartford are the principal cities in the Knowledge Corridor - the 2nd largest urban region in New England with 1.9 million people, 29 universities and colleges, and 120,000 university students.

William Pynchon and a company of six men from Roxbury, a town near Boston, established Springfield in 1636 at the junction of the Agawam and Connecticut Rivers. Pynchon bought from the Indians the land that now contains the towns of Agawam, West Springfield, Longmeadow, and the city of Springfield for the purpose of establishing a trading and fur-collecting post. In 1641, the town of Springfield, named in honor of Pynchon's English birthplace, was incorporated. Springfield officially became a city in May of 1852.

Springfield's location at the crossroads of New England is the most significant reason for its progress and continuing economic success. The Connecticut River served as an easy and economical means of transportation north and south for early settlers. Midway between New York and Boston and on the road between New York and Canada, Springfield is ideally located for travel in all directions.

From its fur-trading and agricultural beginnings, Springfield gradually grew into a thriving industrial community. In the eighteenth century, the power of the Connecticut River was harnessed. Mills of all varieties grew up and a skilled labor force came into being. Because of the area's location and technological advancements, particularly in metal crafts, the United States Armory was located here in 1794, resulting in further industrial development.

In the nineteenth century, Springfield became a major railroad center and experienced another industrial boom. The city grew, and such industries as printing, machine manufacture, insurance, and finance took hold and prospered. As affluence increased, it became a gracious city with a noted educational system.

In 1990 Springfield was a city of 156,983. It is a multicultural community, and is the regional center for banking, finance, and courts. River, railroads, and highways were the assets that made Springfield what it is today. Its central location now offers the potential for development of high technology communications leading to new growth in the twenty-first century.

The Springfield Museums

220 State Street, Springfield, MA
(413) 263-6800
www.quadrangle.org

Set around a tree-lined quadrangle, the five world-class museums that comprise the Springfield Museums provide visitors with a wealth of exciting imagery and inspirational artwork.  The Museum of Fine Arts, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum and the Museum of Springfield History.  The quadrangle is also home to the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden, a series of full-scale bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss's whimsical creations, honoring the birthplace of Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. For one admission price, visitors can enjoy all five Springfield Museums and the Dr. Seuss Park.

Bright Nights at Forest Park

Sumner Avenue, Route 83, Springfield, MA
(413) 733-3800
www.brightnights.org

Named one of America's Top Attractions by the American Bus Association, Bright Nights in Forest Park is a 2.5 mile-long holiday light extravaganza that attracts visitors from all corners of the globe.  More than 500,000 twinkling lights are part of this unique attraction, which takes place from the Friday before Thanksgiving through the Sunday after New Year's Day.  Highlights include Toy Land, North Pole Village, Seuss Land and dozens of other holiday scenes.

CityStage / Symphony Hall

One Columbus Center / Court Street, Springfield, MA
Business Office: (413) 788-7646 / Box Office: (413) 788-7033
www.citystage.symphonyhall.com

Pioneer Valley residents can enjoy Broadway-style theater, top concerts and performances and internationally-recognized speakers at CityStage and Symphony Hall.  Together, both venues make Springfield shine as a destination for live theater. The 2,611-seat Symphony Hall was built in the early 1900s and recently underwent an extensive renovation. CityStage, Springfield's professional, not-for-profit theater, presents off-Broadway comedies, dramas and musicals from October through April in the intimate, 487-seat Blake Theatre; while the 70-seat Winifred Arms Theatre is host to numerous community events, performances and meetings.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

1000 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA
(413) 781-6500
www.hoophall.com

One of the world's most beloved sports is lovingly enshrined at the 80,000 sq. ft. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  Fans of the sport can see its history come alive with a series of interactive exhibits and rare artifacts.  Springfield native Dr. James Naismith's first concept of the sport involved a peach basket, and its subsequent evolution is detailed, step-by-step.  Guests can shoot baskets, play virtual reality and video games, try their hand at being a sportscaster, test their trivia knowledge and so much more.

The Big E / Eastern States Exposition

1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA
413-737-2443
www.thebige.com

The Big E, New England's largest Fair, takes place every autumn on the grounds of West Springfield's Eastern States Exposition.  For 17 days, attendees stroll the 175-acre grounds and enjoy world-class performers, agricultural exhibitions and competitions, horse shows, an authentic Mardi Gras parade, a big-top circus, a wide array of foods and shopping options, and so much more.  When the Fair leaves town, the grounds host more than 100 annual shows including craft, collectibles, horse, dog, hobby, home, sporting, and trade, drawing more than 800,000 people. Storrowton Village Museum is open for public tours from June through August and offers, tours and programs for school groups.

The Zoo at Forest Park

Sumner Avenue, Route 83, Springfield, MA
(413) 733-2251
www.forestparkzoo.com

More than 200 domestic and exotic animals can be found at the Zoo at Forest Park.  Visitors can talk to a variety of animals, including monkeys, bears, llamas, goats, kangaroos, emus, cougars, wolves, lemurs and a playful leopard.  The attraction also offers Zoo on the Go, private birthday parties and a variety of educational programs that reinforce its mission of promoting public awareness and appreciation for indigenous and exotic animals.

Storrowton Village Museum

1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA
(413) 205-5051
www.TheBigE.com

Located on the grounds of Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., Storrowton Village Museum is a re-constructed 19th century village composed of nine antique buildings around a traditional New England Green. Between 1927 & 1931 each structure was rescued from demolition and moved, piece by piece, to its present location. The Village is the site of tours, special events and educational programs throughout the year. It is also the site of Storrowton Tavern, a restaurant and banquet facility serving New England fare and continental cuisine.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www3.springfield-ma.gov/cos/

http://www.valleyvisitor.com/things-to-do.html

http://wikitravel.org/en/Springfield_(Massachusetts)

“In Boston they ask, how much does he know? In New York, how much is he worth? In Philadelphia, who were his parents?” 

― Mark Twain

Enjoy life and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories you create!