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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada Giving Condo Vibes

    August 17, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Let’s explore the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada! Located to the west of MGM Grand and walkable to the OYO Casino (formerly Hooter’s) are these boutique style condos that were formerly apartments, apparently a timeshare as well but you can book individually regardless or with your Wyndham points. After you check in, they will send you across the way to the timeshare desk to try to lure you into time-wasting deals such as a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville cruise from Florida, seeing Vegas shows, $125 gift card, 30,000 Wyndham points and a “free” 2 night vacation where you have to attend another…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    September 30, 2024

    Three Time James Beard Award Winner Chef Sherry Yard Tantalizes Tastebuds with Tanzy Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona

    November 28, 2018

    Top 10 Locations for Alfresco Dining in America

    June 24, 2024
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Unique Things to Do in Montego Bay, Jamaica

    June 29, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Courtesy of S Hotel Montego Bay in Jamaica, an all-inclusive resort located on pristine Doctor’s Cave beach, offers a medley of activities and tours to explore outside of the resort and encourages visitors to do so as much as possible! If you are not staying with the hotel, there are a variety of ways to take a tour including the old fuck around and find out where you just wander the Hip Strip streets nearby and a ton of people will offer you everything from weed to private tours. For solo female travelers, you are good to go doing most anything by daytime…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Hitting Up Virginia Beach, VA Early in the Season Makes Bonding with Locals a Breeze

    April 25, 2019

    Behind the Scenes with P.J. Whelihan’s at WIP Wing Bowl 2017

    March 14, 2017

    Explore with Cassie Celebrates 5 Years of Lifestyle and Travel Blogging

    March 5, 2020
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Escape to a Fairytale Fever Dreamscape at Il Falconiere in Cortona, Tuscany Italy

    June 1, 2026 /

    Luxury Wine Resort in Cortona Tuscany, Italy Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Behold the beauty of Il Falconiere Relais & Spa, an elegant 17th-century country residence on the hillsides of Cortona, Tuscany! This was truly a hidden countryside gem in Italy and welcome restful retreat of relaxation, nature and wellness, carefully crafted to be delightful fairytale couture by Silvia and Benedetto Baracchi. Cypress trees, umbrella pines, olive trees and vineyards as far as the eye can see are spotted with stone buildings with terracotta-colored walls while the healthiest, shiniest chickens and roosters roam the grounds. Flowers were blooming everywhere for spring which was intoxicating to the senses. Relais…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Ancient Theater in Orange, France is the Most Preserved Roman Theater in the World

    January 19, 2026

    Workhorse Brewing Company, a New Hidden Gem in the Philly Suburbs

    June 26, 2019

    The Big Island Secrets of Hawaii

    July 10, 2023
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Best Hidden Gem Hiking in Las Vegas, Nevada

    March 16, 2026 /

    Story by Cassie Hepler, submitted images Because moving your body is the only way to keep it moving until you’re an old fart… You would think that walking flat – not even up a mountain or hill – would not produce many results. But alas, it does! A body in motion stays in motion and if you can just keep moving forward, that is the key to longevity and life. Currently they say get in 10,000 steps a day however sometimes that is impossible. For me, if I have a goal to reach that seems to motivate me more. That and being a couch sloth for a full day usually…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Omni Mount Washington Resort & Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire

    September 30, 2024

    Prescott Pines Inn Gets Makeover, Adds Vino Prescott Wine Bar to Northern Arizona

    April 21, 2025

    Sabores de Tucson Festival Celebrates Mexican Culture, Community and Culinary Flavors

    June 2, 2025
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada Besides Gambling

    March 9, 2026 /

    Story and videos by Cassie Hepler, Submitted Photos I’ve never enjoyed gambling. Watching my hard-earned money disappear within seconds and not returning anything tangible is not my idea of a good time. I do however like to watch people gamble as a lot of my friends enjoy it. I legit learned in two hours watching someone that Blackjack, or 21, is literally counting cards except you’re not supposed to count cards. I also learned that if you get free play from a casino (which seems to be drying up like the desert in summer), to just stick to penny slots and hit buttons. For real, I have no clue WTF…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Lehigh Valley Humane Society’s Garden Paw-ty at Domaine Pterion Vineyard

    July 22, 2024

    Concord, California Offers Country Cool Coastal Vibes in Small City Setting

    October 3, 2018

    Explore One of the Most Magical Villages in France, Cotignac

    December 15, 2025
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Best Las Vegas, Nevada Photo Spots from a Model and Photographer

    March 2, 2026 /

    Best Photo Spots in Las Vegas, Nevada Story and videos by Cassie Hepler, Photos by Delfin I’ve been modeling professionally since college at Penn State University as a side hustle while I earned that Communications degree. And let’s face it, models were the original influencers but, like professional. After graduating and delving into the world of journalism fully in Philadelphia, I wrote a column at The Times Herald. At that point it was taboo to apparently model and have a brain so I was called into the office for questions about my modeling. My response was, “And this is a problem how…?” They had no response and released me back…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore Spiritually Uplifting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona

    June 14, 2018

    Explore the World’s First Mountain Climbing Cog Railway in White Mountains, New Hampshire

    September 23, 2024

    Explore the Largest Medieval Gothic Palace in the World at Palais des Papes in Avignon, France

    January 12, 2026
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Exploring the South End of the Strip at The Berkley, Las Vegas in Nevada

    February 23, 2026 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I almost gave up on Las Vegas, Nevada. My first visit was with the vagtastic voyage gals via Philadelphia in 2010 I think for a blow out birthday bash at The Luxor which yes, some of those stories will forever stay in Vegas. Fast forward to the last couple of times I visited and honestly, it was giving Get Out vibes each time. I couldn’t see the allure or appeal of staying anywhere on the strip, it just seemed too fast and stressful. When you go from city to city, there is no downtime only chaos and confusion to the next spot. I…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Hitting Up Virginia Beach, VA Early in the Season Makes Bonding with Locals a Breeze

    April 25, 2019

    Award-Winning Treno Pizza Bar Features Fantastic Pig Roast in Westmont, NJ

    October 2, 2018

    Interview with Author Irene Levy Baker of 100 Things to do in Philadelphia Before You Die

    November 23, 2016
  • Day Trips,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    The Mob Museum in Las Vegas is like Mafia School with a Speakeasy

    October 27, 2025 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Once upon a time, I worked for a South Philly political rag of a newspaper called the Philly Record. I was assistant editor and also there to bring some new fangled social media and ideas to the joint. The owner, the late Jimmy Tayoun, was once was a ward leader, Democratic member of Philadelphia City Council and of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He also had quite the rap sheet afterwards as he spent 40 months behind bars for: obstruction of justice, mail fraud, tax evasion, racketeering, taken bribes, paid bribes, and told an ex-associate to lie to a grand jury. So imagine…

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    Glamping in an AirStream at The Cozy Peach at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona

    March 1, 2024

    Pretty in Pink at Philadelphia’s Morris Arboretum’s Cherry Blossom Festival

    June 7, 2018

    Sleep in a Glamping Dome at Tirrito Farm in WillCox, Arizona

    July 1, 2024
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Universal Horror Unleashed Haunts Las Vegas at Area 15 Entertainment District

    October 20, 2025 /

    Story, photos and videos by Cassie Hepler (unless otherwise noted) Universal Horror Unleashed comes to haunt Las Vegas, Nevada! This first-ever, year-round horror entertainment experience by Universal Studios lives inside a huge warehouse in AREA15 Entertainment District with four terrifying haunted houses inside including my favorite Universal Monsters, Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Scarecrow: The Reaping. The horror extends to the bloody food and beverage offerings, with themed bars and food locations serving craft cocktails and grotesque bites in select areas, and a retail location with the most unique collectible merchandise. Actors dressed as various spooky season creatures lurk about waiting to scare you at any…

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    The Flower Fields

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    February 20, 2024

    The Mob Museum in Las Vegas is like Mafia School with a Speakeasy

    October 27, 2025

    Prescott Pines Inn Gets Makeover, Adds Vino Prescott Wine Bar to Northern Arizona

    April 21, 2025
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025 /

    Iconic, indeed! Loews Hotel Philadelphia’s 33rd floor really made for some exquisite panoramic views at the fireworks’ watch party. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “I’ve learned through the years that it’s not where you live, it’s the people who surround you that make you feel at home.” – J.B. McGee “You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn’t depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” ― Trenton Lee Stewart Not to put too fine a point on it, but it’s…

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    Philadelphia’s Bellevue Hotel Hosts Historic Hotels of America Reception

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