As 2018 comes to a close, I wanted to thank all of you for your kind words and support as I kicked off this new adventure into the world of blogging. Trying to figure out how all of this stuff works has been fairly challenging at times, but for the most part, it’s been an exciting and rewarding experience and I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store!

Throughout the year, I have really enjoyed sharing so many fun and interesting places with you, and I hope you have found some inspiration here for creating unique adventures of your own.

And before we say goodbye to 2018, I wanted to share the Top 10 Most Read Posts of the year, just in case you missed any of these fascinating places and want to check them out in the New Year!

#10. Finding the Underground River in Pottersville, NY: The Natural Stone Bridge and Caves

Explore the natural wonder where water travels underground, over rocks, and through various caves in upstate New York.

If you’re in the Lake George area, a visit to the Natural Stone Bridge is a day trip you need to take. The location is stunning, and it’s so fascinating to see what time and nature can do to a place!

#9. Where Moviemakers Find Everything But the Kitchen Sink: Eclectic/Encore Props

Ever wonder where the props for movies and TV shows come from? Read more to find out!

Eclectic/Encore Props was one of the first places I visited with the New York Adventure Club, and this place blew my mind. I never really considered where everyone goes for their props for movies and TV shows, but seeing the massive collection of props all in one place was quite a treat. If you’re not planning to rent props anytime soon, you can still visit with the Adventure Club, and this place will leave you in awe!

#8. What Lies Beneath NYC’s City Hall Park: Tour the Old City Hall Subway Station

Do you know what lies beneath City Hall Park? Learn how you can tour the old City Hall Subway Station!

Most New Yorkers are probably aware there is a retired subway station hidden below City Hall Park, but only a small number have ever visited it! We were lucky to join a tour several years ago, and it still stands out as one of my favorite NYC experiences. Read more if you want to learn how you can visit, too!

#7. Top 5 Things to Do in Geneva, Switzerland

There’s plenty to see and do in Geneva, Switzerland. Check out these top five things you should do if you visit this gorgeous city!

I got to go to Geneva this fall for work, and I was delightfully surprised by how much I loved the city! These were five of the highlights from our trip, and I definitely recommend all of these unique and interesting activities if you have a chance to visit this beautiful city. Click through to the article to see some crazy video, too!

#6. There’s a Castle in Pennsylvania That’s Kinda Amazing: A Day at Fonthill Castle and the Mercer Museum

Did you know there is a castle in Doylestown, PA?? And that it’s kinda amazing? Check out the highlights from my recent visit to Fonthill Castle and the Mercer Museum.

This may be the most fun place I visited in 2018. It was super quirky and made me feel like I had stepped inside a Harry Potter book. This is a fantastic day trip from NYC or Philly, and it will not disappoint.

#5. Pumpkins Ablaze! A Day at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze and Croton Gorge Park

Take a day trip to the Hudson River Valley and visit Croton Gorge Park and the famous Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze!

The Hudson River Valley is gorgeous in the fall, and the Great Jack O’Lantern blaze has become one of my favorite fall activities. We recently headed back up there this November and plan to make an annual tradition out of visiting. The displays and designs are so creative, and the Blaze will bring the kid out of any jaded New Yorker. Check for tickets for next year’s Blaze in late summer 2019!

#4. Staten Island FunPark

Enjoy a fun afternoon of go-karts, mini-golf, and batting cages at the Staten Island FunPark!

This is the post that started it all! My very first post on VisitAllthePlaces.com. 🙂 And the Staten Island FunPark is a great place to spend a few hours. Go check it out when they reopen for the season in Spring 2019!

#3. Catacombs by Candlelight: Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Want to wander through the catacombs of one of NYC’s oldest Catholic Churches? You can!

This post highlights how to take Tommy’s New York’s tour of Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the catacombs hidden below. We loved learning about the history of Little Italy and the early days of the Catholic Church in NYC. It’s not a ghost tour, as the name may imply, but it was incredibly interesting!

#2. Exploring Ellis Island’s Abandoned Hospital Buildings

Explore the abandoned hospital buildings of Ellis Island through this fascinating hard-hat tour!

If you’re into abandoned buildings, this is the tour for you. There is a massive fundraising push in progress with the goal of restoring the hospital, but in the meantime, you can walk through the abandoned buildings, which look and feel as though they’ve been trapped in time. This was definitely one of my favorite experiences of 2018!

And finally…the number one most visited post of 2018 was…

#1. A Week Houseboating the Erie Canal

Looking for a unique vacation idea? Try houseboating the Erie Canal in a rented houseboat!

This post includes links to our day-by-day adventure on the Canal this summer, including our full itinerary and my Top 10 Tips for Houseboating the Erie Canal. This series was so much fun to write because we had such a blast during our week on the Canal, and we hope others will consider renting their own boat this summer. It is a one-of-a-kind vacation experience, and we look forward to a repeat visit in the future!

---

I’ll be taking a break from writing during the holidays, but I look forward to sharing more unique, unusual, and unexpected places with you in the New Year.

Until then, I wish you all Happy Holidays and a very merry and Happy New Year!