Categories Amy Albers

The North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival is perfect for escaping a holiday rut. If you’re tired of doing the same winter activities yearly, head to Cary, NC, for this fun event celebrating Chinese culture. The festival is ongoing through January 12th at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Chinese lantern-making began in the Han Dynasty, which began in 206 BC. Initially, the lanterns were very simple and were released to signify letting go of one’s “old” self in preparation for the Chinese New Year.

Cary, North Carolina, is part of the Triangle area encompassing Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It is one of those rare gems with a small-town feel while providing the amenities of an urban lifestyle. The downtown area is supremely walkable, which adds to the city’s overall community feel. With weekly and monthly special events happening, any time of the year is a good time to visit Cary, NC. The park, twenty years in the making, is the crown jewel of Cary’s downtown.

What do you think of when you think of St. Louis, Missouri? Beer? Baseball? Maybe even football, now that Missou has joined the SEC. I hear “Missouri” and think of wilderness, of pioneers like Lewis and Clark. It’s a mix, of course, but my outdoorsy side was more than satisfied on a recent trip. My first time in Missouri consisted of adventure, culture, history, endangered animals – and toasted ravioli. Oh my word, the toasted ravioli.