What To See & Do

Best Strawbery Banke Museum Summer Concert Guide

A summer visit to the Strawbery Banke Museum is one of the most unique ways to experience the New Hampshire Seacoast. From mid-June through late August, the museum’s Tuesdays on the Terrace concert series brings live acoustic music to the historic grounds, creating an evening that combines local entertainment with one of the most significant historical sites in New Hampshire. Whether you enjoy folk, blues, Americana, soul, or country, the weekly performances offer something for every music lover.

Located in the heart of Portsmouth, Strawbery Banke Museum spans 10 acres and features 32 preserved historic buildings, heritage gardens, traditional crafts, and interactive exhibits that showcase centuries of American history. During the summer concert series, the open-air Kennebunk Savings Terrace becomes an inviting venue where guests can relax with lawn chairs or blankets while enjoying performances surrounded by beautifully preserved colonial architecture.

The family-friendly atmosphere makes these concerts especially appealing. Visitors may bring a picnic dinner or purchase snacks, ice cream, popcorn, and beverages on-site. Dedicated children’s evenings featuring interactive entertainment provide additional options for families planning a summer outing. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, as registration ensures weather updates should performances move indoors.

Beyond the concert, there are countless things to do in Portsmouth, NH. Spend time exploring Market Square, enjoy a harbor cruise, browse local boutiques, or dine at one of the city’s acclaimed waterfront restaurants. If you have additional time, nearby Exeter offers another opportunity to experience the charm of the New Hampshire Seacoast, with its walkable downtown, seasonal farmers market, and community events. Visitors interested in discovering things to do near Portsmouth will find plenty to enjoy throughout the region’s historic coastal towns.

Stay at One of the Best Hotels in Exeter, New Hampshire

After an evening at Strawbery Banke Museum, unwind at one of the premier hotels in Exeter, New Hampshire. Located only about 20 minutes from Portsmouth, our beautifully restored 1809 Federal-style boutique inn provides an exceptional home base for exploring the coast. Elegant guest rooms feature antiques, original artwork, luxurious linens, and fireplaces in most accommodations, creating a comfortable retreat after a day of sightseeing.

Each morning begins with a thoughtfully prepared à la carte breakfast, while evenings offer exceptional on-site dining at Ambrose and Otis, two restaurants showcasing seasonal ingredients and Modern American cuisine. Whether you are planning a unique summer getaway focused on historical sites in New Hampshire, exploring New Hampshire coastal towns, or attending the Strawbery Banke Museum concert series, our boutique inn offers the ideal combination of historic charm, outstanding hospitality, and convenient access to the region’s most memorable attractions. Book your stay today.

The Anchor of a Northern California Golf Getaway

Chester, California is finally getting the recognition for golf it deserves, and Bailey Creek Golf Course is the reason why. This 18-hole championship course sits below Mount Lassen with Lake Almanor at its edge, and it plays every bit as well as it photographs. Pair a round here with the cluster of respected courses near Graeagle, about an hour and a half south, and you have enough golf to fill a long weekend on a variety of courses.

Homer Flint designed Bailey Creek in 1999, and the course stretches to 7,040 yards at par 72, with more than fifty sand bunkers, four lakes, and Kentucky bluegrass fairways that hold their color all season. The sixth hole is the one everyone remembers, a single tree planted dead center in the fairway, Flint’s small joke on golfers who try to cut the corner. After the round, the clubhouse grill serves tri-tip and homemade chips, and the patio view of Lassen is worth lingering over.

Bailey Creek is a public course open to golfers of every skill level, with tee times booked directly through the course and PGA instruction available for juniors and groups alike. It sits about ten minutes from downtown Chester and just down the road from St. Bernard Lodge, making the lodge the closest comfortable base to the course.

More Golf Near Graeagle and Lake Almanor

Once you have played Bailey Creek, Plumas County has enough golf to fill a full week, most of it clustered around Graeagle. Plumas Pines Golf Resort, also a Homer Flint design, runs along the Feather River through sculpted fairways at 6,504 yards and par 72. Graeagle Meadows opened in 1968, the original course in the area, with elevated tees that open onto views of the Mohawk Valley and five surrounding peaks.

For a tougher test, Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club in Clio is regularly ranked among the top 20 public courses in California, its 550 acres threaded with seven streams and a signature downhill par 3 through a bowl of towering pines. Grizzly Ranch Golf Club near Portola brings a similar caliber of golf with plenty of climbing holes, and it has been ranked the top public access course in the entire Sierra Nevada. Golfers chasing something more dramatic can drive out to the Dragon Golf Course at Nakoma Resort, framed by a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired lodge.

Golfers who prefer a shorter, quieter round can head to Lake Almanor Golf Course, a relaxed nine-hole option in the pines close to the lake.

Bailey Creek Golf Course should be the anchor of any golf trip to this part of Northern California. It is the closest championship course to St. Bernard Lodge, and its reputation holds up a special trip on its own. Book your tee time, then reserve your room, and you have a golf weekend that does not feel like anywhere else you have played.

Stay Near Bailey Creek Golf Course at St. Bernard Lodge

Golf is rarely the only reason people come to this stretch of Northern California. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a twenty-minute drive from the lodge, with bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and a summit hike up Lassen Peak that rewards the climb with views across the entire region. Lake Almanor sits close by for boating, fishing, and paddling on water clear enough to see straight to the bottom. Add the Pacific Crest Trail, horseback riding from the lodge’s own stables, and a handful of quiet mountain trails, and a golf trip here tends to stretch into several extra days.

St. Bernard Lodge is a Hotel near Lassen National Park set on ten acres just outside Chester, built around a historic property that has hosted travelers since the 1920s. Rooms come with a full breakfast, and the on-site tavern makes dinner or a drink an easy walk from your door. It is a straightforward, central place to stage a few days of golf, hiking, and everything else this part of the Sierra offers. Check availability and book your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bailey Creek Golf Course

Who owns Bailey Creek Golf Course?
Bailey Creek is a public golf course open to golfers of all skill levels, with tee times available directly through the course rather than through a private membership.

How do I book a tee time at Bailey Creek Golf Course?
Tee times can be booked directly through Bailey Creek Golf Course, and the course also offers PGA instruction for juniors and groups.

What is the scorecard like at Bailey Creek Golf Course?
The course plays to 7,040 yards at par 72, with more than fifty sand bunkers and four lakes worked into the layout.

Is there a restaurant at Bailey Creek Golf Course?
The clubhouse grill serves food after your round, including a well-known tri-tip plate, with patio seating that looks out toward Mount Lassen.

Where is the closest lodging to Bailey Creek Golf Course?
St. Bernard Lodge is about ten minutes from the course, making it the closest comfortable place to stay for a Bailey Creek golf trip.

Best Canyon Road Art Tour Near Top Santa Fe Lodging

Santa Fe stands out as one of the most compelling art destinations in the American Southwest, and the Canyon Road Art Tour offers a direct introduction to its creative culture. This half-mile stretch of Canyon Road in Santa Fe is home to more than one hundred galleries, studios, and sculpture gardens, making it one of the most concentrated art districts in the country. For a weekend or couples getaway, it provides a walkable way to explore both historic and contemporary Southwestern art.

The Canyon Road Art Tour combines guided insight with independent discovery. Visitors can join a public or private walking tour to gain a deeper understanding of artistic techniques, regional influences, and the stories behind the work. Along the way, Canyon Road galleries showcase everything from Native American art and Western landscapes to abstract and modern sculpture. Stops such as Wiford Gallery and Blue Rain Gallery highlight Indigenous artists, while Meyer Gallery and McLarry Fine Art focus on contemporary interpretations of the American West. Additional galleries introduce glasswork, bronze sculpture, and large-scale installations that reflect the diversity of Santa Fe’s art scene.

Beyond Canyon Road, there are many things to do in Santa Fe that complement the experience. Visitors can explore Museum Hill for additional cultural institutions or spend time in the historic plaza, where shops, restaurants, and Native artisans create a vibrant atmosphere. The city’s dining scene adds another layer, with restaurants offering creative takes on New Mexican cuisine using regional ingredients.

Santa Fe Lodging Near Canyon Road

Choosing the right Santa Fe lodging enhances the entire experience. Staying close to Canyon Road allows guests to walk to galleries, return for a midday break, and continue exploring at their own pace. Comfortable accommodations with thoughtfully designed guest suites, private patios, and curated décor provide a relaxing retreat after a day of art and exploration.

Guests can enjoy amenities such as daily breakfast prepared with fresh ingredients and complimentary refreshments available throughout the day. The welcoming atmosphere and attentive service make it easy to plan each outing, whether that includes additional Canyon Road galleries or other things to do in Santa Fe. Pet-friendly options also make travel more convenient for those bringing companions.

A Canyon Road Art Tour paired with well-located Santa Fe lodging creates a memorable Southwest getaway. Plan your visit and book your stay to experience the best of Santa Fe’s art and hospitality.

Best Places to Visit in Vermont in the Mad River Valley

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Vermont, you might be picturing mountain views, covered bridges, charming villages, and vibrant local culture. The Mad River Valley brings all of these experiences together in one remarkable destination. Centered on the towns of Waitsfield and Warren, this region offers a unique blend of outdoor recreation, agricultural heritage, artistic expression, and small-town character, making it one of the most rewarding places to explore in Vermont.

A drive through the valley reveals working farms, scenic country roads, and sweeping views of the Green Mountains. Along the way, visitors discover local markets, independent businesses, waterfalls, and some of the state’s most beautiful landscapes. Whether you are planning a day trip or an extended adventure getaway, there is no shortage of things to do in Vermont.

Outdoor enthusiasts can spend time at Sugarbush Resort, where year-round activities include hiking, scenic chairlift rides, golf, and winter skiing across two mountain peaks. Nearby, Mad River Glen offers a distinctive Vermont experience with its skier-owned cooperative model and historic single chairlift. The mountain’s commitment to preserving traditional skiing culture has made it a favorite among generations of visitors.

Waitsfield serves as the cultural heart of the valley, featuring locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and community events. The Waitsfield Farmers Market brings together regional growers, artisans, and food vendors, creating a lively gathering place throughout the warmer months. Art lovers can explore Mad River Valley Arts and Bundy Modern, while food enthusiasts can enjoy seasonal menus inspired by Vermont farms and producers.

The Mad River itself is another major attraction. Popular destinations such as Warren Falls and Moss Glen Falls offer beautiful scenery and opportunities to enjoy Vermont’s natural beauty. Cyclists are drawn to quiet roads that wind past historic covered bridges, rolling farmland, and mountain vistas. In autumn, the valley becomes one of the best places to visit in Vermont, as vibrant foliage spreads from the valley floor to the surrounding ridgelines.

Stay at a Bed and Breakfast in Vermont

Staying at a Bed and Breakfast in Vermont truly makes your getaway even more special. West Hill House B&B provides an ideal home base for exploring the region. Located on a peaceful hillside with views of the Green Mountains, the property offers easy access to Waitsfield, Warren, hiking trails, local dining, and outdoor recreation. Guests enjoy comfortable accommodations, a homemade breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Vermont. Book your stay today and discover why the Mad River Valley remains one of the best places to visit in Vermont.