Category: Halloween

Dog Friendly Salem Massachusetts Guide

7/6/2024

If you are looking for a fun trip to take this Summer (or Fall!) with your 4-legged friends,
Salem Massachusetts is one of the most dog friendly places I have ever experienced, and I highly recommend going there at least once in your life, and bring your fur babies along for the ride!

For my sister's 30th birthday this past May, I decided to surprise her with a road trip to Salem, Massachusetts with our three fur babies.

The drive from Massillon, Ohio (where we got our rental car) to Salem was about an eleven hour drive. We split it up on the way there, stopping at the Chautauqua Lake Visitor Center which was about three hours from Massillon. I highly recommend stopping here, it is a very nice rest area, and we had a picnic looking out over the lake with the dogs. From there we drove five hours to Albany, New York staying at the dog friendly Econo Lodge.

The next morning we picked up some coffee then drove the three hours to Salem.

We stayed at the Salem Inn, a gorgeous dog friendly Inn that I highly recommend! There was no additional charge for the dogs, like at a lot of places, the room was stunning, there was this magical spiral staircase, they had complimentary treats for the dogs, and they provided free parking just a couple blocks away.

Where to Stay in Salem, Massachusetts;

Probably my favorite part about the Salem Inn, and one of the main reasons I chose this place to stay at, was that anywhere you need to go in Salem is just a couple steps outside their front door. We didn't use the car once, every day we grabbed the dogs and walked to all of the greatest places in Salem!

Fun Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Salem;

Experience Blackcraft Cult

Blackcraft Cult is one of the coolest stores I have ever been in. And the second we walked in with the dogs all the workers were coming over and petting the dogs and giving them treats! You definitely need to experience this place with the babies!

Blackcraft Cult Coffee Shop

While you are shopping in Blackcraft Cult, you must stop into their in-house coffee shop and get yourself and your pups some coffee and some pup cups!

Walk Around Town

One of the best things to do in Salem with your dogs is to just walk around! There is so much to see, and so many things to do while walking around Salem. You can pretty much walk into any store that you pass while walking along.

Pop into Black Cat Salem

Black Cat Salem is a store that you need to experience to believe! It has some of the coolest knick knacks to buy, and plus you can get a picture on this throne!

Go on a Midnight Ghost Tour

While you're inside the Black Cat, be sure and ask them about their walking ghost tours (or just book online like I did)! We went on the adult only tour, and the dogs all came along, and they (and us) loved walking around the city at night, led by our amazing tourguide, learning about the city's history and ghostly happenings.

Eat on the Patio of the Flying Saucer Pizza Company

The Flying Saucer Pizza Company has one of the best vegan pizzas I have ever experienced, and if you eat it on the patio your pups can eat with you!

So start planning your Dog Friendly trip to Salem, Massachusetts today!

Peace Love and Salem Massachusetts
Jess <3

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11 Unique Things to Do in Ohio in the Fall

9/26/2020

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11 Unique Things to Do in Ohio in the Fall

I am a true Ohio-an. Born and raised in Northern Ohio!
While true that I have left it a lot to go explore, and at times live in different places around this incredible world, I always end up back here.
There is just some kind of a pull, an invisible almost magnetic draw, that ensures I will always return to Ohio.
My family is definitely a huge part of it! My immediate family, as well as my huge extended family that I seem to run into anytime I leave the house.
But there is something else, something I have only begun to realize as I got older and spent more time away. Ohio is a very special place, and now that I am back for good, I want to share with everyone why Ohio is so amazing, and tell you all the great places and experiences that can be found here!

Today I will be talking about Ohio in the Fall, because having spent the last 3 falls in the South, I am even more excited about being back in Ohio during my favorite season!
I personally think that Ohio is the absolute perfect place to spend your Fall, whether visiting for a short time, or if you live here!
There is something just perfect about Ohio in the Fall, a combination of the leaves changing, the absolutely perfect Fall weather, the abundance of Fall activities, and a feeling in the air that you just can't describe.
So here are the 11 coolest most unique things you can do in Ohio in the Fall!

1. Get scared shi*less at the Mansfield Reformatory.
The Mansfield Reformatory is so freakin' cool I don't even know where to start! It is a historic prison that you can take a tour of, or just wander around at your own pace. And Shawshank Redemption was filmed here, so it's a must-visit just because of this! Because of how haunted it is, they also have a haunted house here, paranormal explorations, and you can even spend the night locked in a cell! Read about my time at The Reformatory.
Where it's located; Mansfield, Ohio

2. Experience the craziest little bookstore you will ever see.
A1 bookstore is a tiny, crowded, insane little bookstore located inside A1 Towing, on the little backstreets of Navarre, Ohio. It is definitely an experience! Spend hours digging through towering piles of books and crammed bookshelves, to find that perfect book to cuddle up with in front of a roaring fireplace, cup of hot chocolate in hand (am I the only one who just got super excited thinking about this?!).
This little place is so off the grid, they do not have a website, so just plug the address in your GPS and have a fun little road trip!
6067 Navarre Rd, SW, Canton, OH 44706
(330)477-0908
Where it's located at; Navarre, Ohio (I know the address says Canton, but I consider it Navarre :P).

3. Visit Mohican State Park.
With it being the "Canoe capital of Ohio" Mohican State Park is most popular during the summer months, but it definitely has a lot to offer during the Fall months as well! Zip lining, horse back riding, camping, and cabin rentals, just to name a few! The gorge is also an amazingly beautiful thing to see! Or just go for a drive, and witness the splendor of an entire forest's leaves changing color.
Where it's located at; Loudonville, Ohio.

4. Get lost in a corn maze/Get scared in a corn maze.
With Ohio being a very agricultural place, not only is it gorgeous in the Fall, but all those corn fields make for some excellent corn mazes! We have an abundance of family friendly corn mazes, and also haunted corn mazes! Let me tell you, if you've never been to a haunted corn maze, it is a Fall Bucket List must!
Since we have such a large plethora of corn mazes, here is a site that you can search by location for corn mazes, both haunted and not.
Where it's located; All over Ohio.

5. Eat a cinnamon roll the size of your face at the Cinnamon Face Place.
Ok, it's not really called the Cinnamon Face Place, but that's what we used to call it back in the day! I didn't even know the actual name of this place and had to look it up today for this article hahaha.
Simply Cinnamon prides itself on having huge cinnamon rolls, and at only $3.25 a pop, these face-sized babies complete with a flavored latte will not disappoint your basic Fall instincts.
Where it's located; Bolivar, Ohio.

6. Visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While not a football fan, I do know that football and Fall go hand in hand, and what better way to celebrate Fall than to visit the Football Hall of Fame!
I've only visited here once. I helped set up the event space for when Dan Marino came, and that was super cool, because I am not a football fan, but I am an Ace Ventura fan! It was a very cool space, and I definitely recommend it for football fans. Book your tour at the Football Hall of Fame.
Where it's located; Canton, Ohio.

7. Visit the Wayne County Fair.
Since the Wayne County Fair is Ohio's foremost agricultural fair, it makes for a really cool Fall activity. Fair food and 4-H projects, what can be better?! Check out all the scheduled events happening at the Wayne County Fair.
Where it's located; Wooster, Ohio.

8. Take a lantern ghost tour of Zoar.
Zoar is a small community of less than 200 people, founded over 200 years ago. It is rumored to be quite haunted, and having worked at a restaurant there, I can confirm such rumors are true! Although I wanted to, I never went on the lantern ghost tour because I would get out of work too late, but am looking forward to joining this year! While you're there, be sure to eat at The Firehouse Grille, where I used to work at. It is super haunted! And while you're there, ask if the hotel in the same building is open to the public. It wasn't when I worked there, but I got to crash there on Halloween night after our Halloween party, and had quite the haunted experience!

9. Drink a hot coffee and eat an adorable Fall themed homemade pastry at McB Cafe-Cup of Joy.
I am writing this post from my comfortable corner table, and as I'm lazily watching the locals sit and relax in this absolutely adorable and cozy little cafe, I have no trouble believing their motto that "It is all about community." I am imploring you this Fall to ditch the 'Bucks, and spend your coffee money at local owned cafes that have ten times the character, and are supporting other local small businesses, and the community. Like McB Cafe.
Where it's located; Brewster, Ohio.

10. Catch a once in a lifetime interactive performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Watching a live performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show should be on your Bucket List anyways, so while you are living it up in Ohio for Fall, you must see it at The Canton Palace Theatre! The Historic Canton Palace Theatre is completely breathtaking-it's worth a trip there just to see the gorgeous interior! The annual Rocky Horror Picture Show showings occur every October for Halloween, and includes live actors on stage acting along with the movie being projected on the screen, complete with prop bags and lots of interaction! It is a can't miss! Get your tickets now!
Where it's located; Canton, Ohio.

11. Visit the Factory of Terror Haunted House.
While I may be a bit biased (I worked here for several years), saying that the Factory of Terror is a three time world record winner speaks for itself! This one of a kind Haunted House is more than a mile long, and consists of five crazy unique attractions. These include an insane mirror maze, multiple completely different themed houses, and even a bar! You can't miss the Factory of Terror during Fall time in Ohio. Read my article I wrote about working at the Factory of Terror.
Where it's located; Canton, Ohio.

So be sure to plan some fun activities in Ohio this Fall!

Peace Love and Ohio in the Fall
Jess <3

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The Munsters Halloween Costumes

10/31/2016

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Happy Halloween to all!
I hope you all had a fun, and a safe Halloween weekend, and a great actual Halloween today! If you're looking for more Halloween fun, you can check out all of my Halloween posts today, since you probably won't for another year!
So who's dressed up for work today? Well I'm not, because my Monday job is this blog, and I'm sitting at home in my pajamas :)
If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you'll probably have seen me and the husband's Halloween costumes this year, they were a huge hit! Here's some pictures of us...

We dressed up as Lily and Herman Munster, from the 1960's tv show, The Munsters.
If you've never watched it, we highly recommend it! It is now on Netflix, so there's no excuse to not watch it!

Here are some more pictures, just for fun's sake!

We went with the black and white version, since that's the version you see on the show, since it is in black and white!

Here's how I made my dress! I bought this dress (I think it was an old wedding dress) from Salvation Army, and this sheer blouse also from Salvation Army. I cut the sleeves from the blouse and attached them to the dress, then cut up the rest of the blouse, to make the "wings" that you see hanging from the sleeves. I had some black fabric laying around (any self respecting crafty lady does!), so I cut it up and sewed it to the dress, and voila! This gorgeous Lily Munster dress! I already had the bat necklace (because why wouldn't I).
Nick's costume was pretty easy. He already had the black pants, and we bought the sweater and jacket from Salvation Army (of course!). His head is a plastic piece that we bought from a local Halloween store, that he attached with latex.