Saratoga is a charming city in Upstate New York, surrounded by nature and beautiful hiking trails. In Saratoga, you will find delicious wineries, breweries, horse racing events, and more. We share how to spend a long weekend in Saratoga during the summer, fall, winter, and spring. In a future post, I will write a FULL list of things to do in Saratoga!
Why not spend your evening trying local wines from the Saratoga Winery? You can sit inside or outside and listen to live music. You can also order appetizers and have a delicious meal. Make a reservation at the Saratoga Winery.
Friday- Enjoy Water Sports at Lake George + Go to a Rooftop Bar in Downtown Saratoga-
Lake George is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. You can rent a boat, go kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, or relax at Lake George. At night, go to a rooftop bar in Downtown Saratoga called The Saratoga City Tavern.
Saratoga is known for its breweries and wineries. We recommend trying local beer at Druthers Brewing Company on your first night in Saratoga. Other Breweries to pick from include Whitman Brewing Company, Artisanal Brew Works, Pint Sized, The Saratoga City Tavern, and Henry Street Taproom.
Friday- Attend Oktoberfest-
Oktoberfest is an annual fall festival where you can enjoy beer and traditional German foods.
The apple is the official fruit of New York State. Did you know? There are more than 400 varieties. The best places to go apple picking in Saratoga are Wildwood Farms, Saratoga Apple Inc, and O A Borden and Sons Inc.
The nature in Saratoga is stunning and the fall foliage is beautiful. The best hikes are Geyser Creek Trail, Spring Run Trail, and Skidmore North Woods.
There are so many restaurants to try in downtown Saratoga. If you love Mexican food, go to Cantina, but if you are in the mood for tapas, make reservations at Boca Bistro!
The best places to go skiing in Saratoga for the weekend are Willard Mountain, West Mountain, Maple Ski Ridge, Oak Mountain, Gore Mountain, and Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area. There are seriously SOOOO many to select from! I personally LOVED Gore Mountain the best and West Mountain. If you want to drive a bit further from Saratoga, go to Whiteface Mountain.
Thursday: Shopping and Dinner in Downtown Saratoga-
We recommend making reservations at the Olde Bryan Inn or Forno Bistro for a delicious meal in downtown Saratoga. After or before going to eat, you will find small shops along the streets of downtown, including Spoken Boutique, Caroline and Main, Piper Boutique, and more!
The best places to go golfing are Saratoga Golf and Polo Club and Saratoga Spa Golf Course. If you prefer mini golfing, visit Pirate’s Cove Adventure in Lake George.
Saturday: Hiking and then Brunch and Cocktails at the Merc!
The Caribbean is the place to go when you need a break from your fast-paced, everyday life. The people are warm, inviting, and friendly. The culture is laid-back. The islands have beautiful marine life filled with dolphins, coral, rays, turtles, and rainbow-colored tropical fish. The sunsets are breathtaking! Book your trip to the Caribbean today! Below are the 12 best places to visit in the Caribbean Islands!
Part 1: The Lucayan Archipelago
The Lucayan Archipelago consists of both Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.
#1: Turks and Caicos
The Turks and Caicos Islands are British Overseas Territory located in the Atlantic Ocean consisting of the larger Caicos Island and smaller Turks Island. Both tropical islands are known for tourism.
Things to Do:
A. Jet Skiing-Jet skiing in Turks and Caicos is a thrilling activity that anyone can enjoy. You can rent a jet ski outside any beach resort in Turks and Caicos.
B. Historical Shipwreck: The famous La Famille Express shipwreck in the Turks and Caicos is a must-see. This landmark is located about two miles (3.2km) off Long Bay Beach in the Southeast.
C. Conch Bar Caves: The Conch Bar Caves is a limestone cave formed by acidic water.
D. Horseback Riding on the Beach– Horseback riding on the beach is a fun, unique, and calming experience that I highly recommend. Book a tour to ride along the beautiful beaches of Turks and Caicos.
Did you know? The Bahamas has the third largest barrier reef in the world.
Things to Do:
A. Perfect Spot to Go Scuba Diving- The Bahamas is home to the Andros Barrier Reef. You can snorkel or scuba dive with tropical fish, shipwrecks, sting rays, dolphins, and sea turtles. Brave divers can head to Tiger reef and dive with Tiger sharks.
B. Underwater Caves- Lucayan National Park was created to preserve the largest underwater cave systems in the world. You can visit Bens Cave and Burial Mound Cave on foot.
C. The Beaches- Did you know? The Bahamas is home to more than 2,000 beaches. The beaches are nothing short of relaxing and peaceful. The best ones include Cable Beach, Cabbage Beach, Taino Beach, French Leave, and Love Beaches.
The Greater Antilles consist of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands.
#3: Cuba
Cuba is a fascinating country known for the colorful colonial cities that crawl with 1950s Cadillacs and turquoise-colored beaches.
Things to Do:
A. Cenotes: Did you know? Cuba is home to Cenotes. Cenotes are an ideal spot for a relaxing swimming experience. Cenotes have calm waters, and the area is closed off by caves.
B. Waterfalls: Topes de Collantes is a massive park full of hiking opportunities and waterfalls to explore. The Vegas Grande Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls to go and swim in!
C. Vintage Car Tour: A vintage classic car tour is a great way to explore the neighborhoods in Cuba. Witnessing or driving the cars in Havana from 1950 will make for a unique experience in the Caribbean.
#4 Jamaica
Jamaica has a fascinating culture and natural sites like waterfalls and lagoons.
Things to Do:
A. Rafting– The Martha Brae River is a great place to go rafting! You can book a tour that will take you along the river on a 30-foot bamboo raft. Do not forget to bring some cash because you can purchase a few fresh coconuts from the locals along the way.
B. Glowing Lagoon near Falmouth- Another natural site in Jamaica is the natural lagoon that lights up. The lagoon has algae that glow in blue strobes. The best way to experience this is to book a boat tour.
C. Dunns River Falls- Did you know? In Jamaica, you can walk up a waterfall. Visitors can climb natural rock stairs at Dunns River Falls. You can soak in natural pools the entire way and enjoy the foamy water.
Puerto Rico is a large Caribbean Island of 3,500 square miles in the West Indies. The island of Puerto Rico is rich in festivals, traditions, art, and music.
Things to Do:
A. Local Rum Tasting- Bacardi, the most popular rum in the world, has a massive distillery across the bay from Old San Juan. This tour will not only teach you all about the history of the Bacardi family, but you will also learn how to taste rum properly. You need to try their Pina Coladas!
B. Hot Springs- The Coamo Thermal Springs is another one of those natural wonders that makes Puerto Rico a pretty cool place. The Hot Springs is along a cold river in the town of Coamo. The hot water comes naturally from the earth. This tour will take you to several different hot springs!
C.Old San Juan- San Juan is the second oldest European-established capital city founded by Spanish colonists in 1521. The colorful streets of Old San Juan are nothing short of unique.
The leeward islands are in the hurricane band of the Caribbean, so it is generally best not to plan a vacation between July and October. These islands include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, British Virgin Islands, Saint Barthelemy, Saba, Sint Eustatius, St. Kitts, and Nevis, U.S. Virgin Islands, Monsterrat, and Guadeloupe.
#6- Saint Thomas
St. Thomas is one of the three United States Virgin Islands, along with St. Croix and St. Johns. This place is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world!
Things to Do:
A. Sailing at Sunset with Cocktails and Appetizers- The warm breeze compliments stunning views on a 54-foot catamaran sailboat. From firsthand experience, this activity is one you do not want to miss. The sunset was beautiful, and the appetizers were delicious. Did I forget to mention? You can order unlimited fruity drinks. The customer service was outstanding, as they were very kind and upbeat.
B. Illuminated Kayak After Dark- Kayaking after dark is a rare activity that I thought was exciting and different. We most definitely witnessed a few wild fish while kayaking. The LED-lighted kayaks paved the way for a magical narrated adventure.
Brewers Bay
D. Brewers Bay- Brewers Bay is a great spot to go snorkeling. Bring snorkel gear and an underwater camera to get some great pictures! We were lucky enough to witness a sea turtle at Brewers Bay.
A. Beaches- What makes Anguilla beaches the best in the world? The white, powdery sand stretches for miles, and pristine waters make Anguilla the best beach in the world.
B. Boat Tour- The crystalline waters are straight out of a postcard. The best way to explore them is on a boat. Stop at Little Bay and Sandy Island for the best views.
C. Water Sports- The best watersports in Anguilla are to go jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kitesurfing!
Antigua is home to 365 beaches and offers a diverse experience. Antiqua is beautiful year-round with perfect weather. The best place to watch the sunset is at Galleon Beach!
Things to Do:
A. Beaches- The best beaches to visit in Antigua are Honeymoon Cove, Sea Grape Beach, Eden Beach, and Royal Palm Beach.
Half Moon Bay
B. Surfing at Half Moon Bay- Half Moon Bay is a beautiful stretch of water outlined by soft white sand. The beach has large waves perfect for surfing and sits against a backdrop of luscious hills and palm trees.
D. Climb up to Boggy Peak or Shirley Heights- Reach the most elevated point in Antigua at Boggy Peak, which sits at 1,300 feet. It is a great hiking spot with an expansive view of the tropical vegetation below. Shirley Heights is a military complex that sits at 492 feet above sea level and is also a lovely place to go hiking. Book a tour to see Shirley Heights!
E. Shopping at Redcliffe Quay- Redcliffe Quay is a cozy district that appeals to art lovers with tons of souvenir stores to go shopping.
F. Devil’s Bridge-Devil’s Bridge is an arched limestone bridge near Indian Town. You need to visit with caution and be vigilant. Children must go only at a distance for safety reasons. It is difficult to walk across due to the slippery limestone that coats the bridge. Book a tour to see Devil’s Bridge and Shirley Heights!
The windward islands consist of Dominica, Martinque, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.
#9- Barbados
Barbados is 21 miles long and 14 miles wide and is the third most developed country after the US and Canada.
Things to Do:
A. Animal Flower Cave-Animal Flower Cave is a natural sea cave. There is a restaurant located right next to the Animal Flower Cave. The cave itself is super rocky and slippery.
B. Mount Gay Rum Distillery- Visit the world’s oldest distillery where rum is produced in Barbados at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery. The guided tour will teach you how rum is created and give you a few different types of rum to try. In Barbados, they call getting tipsy the same as getting sweet.
C. Andromeda Botanic Garden- The Andromeda Botanic Garden is a relaxing place to stroll near Bathsheba Beach. Bathsheba beach has a few rock formations and huge waves on the eastern coast. The strong currents make swimming dangerous.
D. Turquoise Beaches- Worthing Beach is a beautiful white sand beach that everyone will enjoy spending the day. You can rent a beach chair and umbrella at this beach and relax amongst the beautiful sound of the ocean as you feel the breeze hit your face.
Did you know? St. Vincent and the Grenadines are home to 36 volcanic islands full of white sand beaches and palm-lined bays.
Things to Do:
A. Snorkeling and Sailing in the Tobago Cays-Tobago Cays Marine Park is home to five small islands, coral gardens, and marine life. Snorkelers and divers can spot sea turtles, stingrays, barracuda, and shoals of reef fish.
B. Clear Kayaking at Villa Beach- We recommend going kayaking at Villa Beach!
C. La Soufriere Volcano Hiking Tour- This hiking tour will take you to the highest peak of La Soufriere Volcano. The volcano is at 1,234 meters above sea level. This volcano is still active last erupting in 1979. Along the way, you will learn about the uniquely adapted plants and animals, see the rainforest, and witness the views of the surrounding countryside.
D. St. Vincent Botanical Gardens- These delightful gardens were established in 1765 and take over about 20 acres filled with tropical plants and trees.
Trinidad and Tobago are two islands, which gives you twice as many reasons to visit.
Things to Do:
A. Argyle Falls- The highest waterfall in Tobago is Argyle Falls, which is about a 175-foot cascade that tumbles down three tiers into a deep pool at the bottom.
B. Englishman’s Bay- Englishman’s Bay, surrounded by the rainforest, is one of the best beach spots for snorkeling.
The ABC islands are a perfect place to plan a trip any time of year because they are out of the dreaded hurricane belt. These islands are Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
#12- Aruba
Palm Island
Aruba is a perfect destination to relax at the beach. The island is 21 miles long in the southern part of the Caribbean. Aruba enjoys warm weather and sunny skies year-round, with an average temperature of 82F.
Things to Do:
A. Conchi / Cura di Tortuga (Turtle’s Cove)- Aruba’s unique natural pool, surrounded by rugged terrain, is located inside Aruba’s natural park, Arikok. A jeep tour will take you to this natural pool and the Indian Caves.
B. Indian Caves-The jeep tour I wrote about above will also take you to the three Indian Caves in Aruba. The Fontein Cave is the most popular, as it has drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings. The Quadirikiri Cave is famous for its large bat population.
C. Sea Bob Snorkeling- Mangel Halto is a secluded beach located on the southeast coast of Aruba, where you’ll find excellent snorkeling areas and even a shipwreck. The Sea Bob Snorkeling Tour will be the time of your life!
