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Explore With Cassie

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

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  • 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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    Cassie Hepler

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

    January 12, 2026
    St Joseph Catholic Church

    Rent a Car and Road Trip through Northwest Kansas

    January 15, 2024
    Inn at Palm Springs

    Inn at Palm Springs, California is an Oasis in Coachella Valley

    November 1, 2020
  • Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Cool Down at Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast

    June 17, 2024 /

    Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Welcome to my first time on the Oregon Coast but most certainly not my last… Checking off another travel box off the bucket list was visiting Portland, Oregon and driving out to the stunning Pacific Northwest Coast. Working with nearby Wilsonville, Oregon, I was connected with the friendly folks at Cannon Beach, Oregon and so happy it all came to fruition. With limited time and a pretty packed schedule, I was up and at ‘em, excited and ready to enjoy that salty air probably way too early Friday morning. What can I say, I love the beach! I also learned on the drive from Beaverton,…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    National Dog Show Brings Good Boys and Girls to Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

    March 17, 2024

    Holiday Gift Guide for Last Minute Shoppers

    December 19, 2023

    Eat Art at The Garden Restaurant & Explore European Artists in Philadelphia

    August 26, 2024
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Hey You Guys! Calling The Goonies Movie Buffs to Astoria, Oregon

    May 29, 2024 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I’ve been wanting to visit the Goonies house since I first saw the movie! And it was always on my to do travel bucket list – that and the Oregon Coast as well. So when the press trip worked out well for exploring Wilsonville, Oregon who then connected me with the Cannon Beach tourism board, it was on like Donkey Kong. However in my confused travel state, I didn’t realize it until well after I had explored the small beach town above and tacked it on to the drive back toward the airport as suggested by the amazing staff at the tourism center.…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Supporting Small Businesses at Pecan and Wine Festival in Camp Verde, Arizona

    May 12, 2025

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

    April 25, 2019

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

    March 2, 2026
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Relax in the Small Town of Wilsonville, Just South of Portland, Oregon

    April 10, 2024 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Never travel for business during Spring Break! That’s the first moral of this story as I always have to learn things the hard way… I booked a flight at the crack o’ dawn through Southwest so I could hit the ground running on a Monday morning to make the week last extra long. In theory, it’s a good idea during any other time of the year and you will fly through security at Phoenix Airport with time to spare. But this time was a Spring Break shit show at 5 a.m. with lines crawling down the hallway with the progression of a snail.…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Inn at Palm Springs

    Inn at Palm Springs, California is an Oasis in Coachella Valley

    November 1, 2020

    CiderFest Brought Hardcore Fun to Woodford Mansion in Philly’s Fairmount Park

    December 30, 2023

    Explore 5 Hidden Treasures Just Outside of London, England

    October 28, 2024
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Being an Actor, the Raw Truth Behind the Hollywood Glamour

    September 30, 2023 /

    Story by Irina Abraham Hollywood is on strike, they say. Having worked as an actor for years and having been a part of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA,) I’m having a hard time with this statement. It assumes that all actors are Hollywood actors, but the truth is a lot of us have never been close to Hollywood studios. I spent over a decade in New York City working in TV, film, and theatre, and there is very little Hollywood glamor in my memories. Have I missed something? I decided to go to my former colleagues who are currently working actors in New York City, and ask what the life…

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    Irina Abraham

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

    June 26, 2019

    Relax at the Low Key Westin Hotels & Resorts in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    February 3, 2025

    Irvine, California has Surprisingly SoCal Vibes in Orange County, California

    October 13, 2025
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Philadelphia’s Nightmare Before Tinsel Halloween Pop-up Complements Day of the Dead

    October 21, 2020 /

    Nightmare Before Tinsel follows strict adherence to face-mask protocol. Meet the new abnormal normal. “Terror is a passion which always produces delight when it does not press too close.” —Edmund Burke Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “How you pull up, Baby? How you pull up?” I pull up like I am all about the total experience. No summertime shore trip happens unless I watch Jaws first. The night before touring a nuclear facility, I popped The China Syndrome into my DVD player. A medical operation on my schedule guarantees a viewing of the suspenseful Coma the evening before I’m anesthetized. I intentionally scare myself. Apparently, I’m in good company, particularly…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Mark Calderon of Color Me Badd Talks I Love The 90’s Tour, Lip Sync Battle, Taylor Swift and More

    October 28, 2016

    Get Some Sweet Bay Views and Tasty Food, Brews at Tuckers Tavern in Long Beach Island, N.J.

    July 24, 2017

    Deco on the Delaware: Picnic in Roaring 20’s Fashion at Glen Foerd Mansion in Philadelphia, PA

    September 25, 2018
  • Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Oscar Nominee Rian Johnson Cuts a Sharp Figure at Philadelphia Film Festival’s Knives Out Screening

    February 19, 2020 /

    Lights, Camera, Action … with a heavy on the lights! Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “We must look a little closer. And when we do, we see that the doughnut hole has a hole in its center. It is not a doughnut hole, but a smaller doughnut with its own hole, and our doughnut is not holed at all!” – Benoit Blanc (Knives Out) The 2019 Philadelphia Film Festival (PFF) wrapped with yet another successful year (its 28th!) in the can. Running 11-days through October, the festival showcased 110 films at the Philadelphia Film Center. I had the distinct honor of attending the red-carpet premiere of the critically acclaimed Knives Out…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Fox 29’s Karen Hepp’s Tasty Talks Rocks at Yangming in Bryn Mawr, PA

    July 17, 2018

    Feeling United by Flowers at the 195th PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

    April 20, 2024

    A Unique, Online Gift Guide for Last Minute Holiday Shoppers

    December 11, 2018
  • Day Trips,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Sit Back and Relax with a Fun Night Out at Movie Tavern in Collegeville, PA

    October 10, 2018 /

    Photos, story by Jill Beckel Sick of doing the same thing weekend after weekend? Then you’ve got to check out the Movie Tavern! The Collegeville, PA Movie Tavern includes everything for the perfect date night or a night out with friends and family. All you have to do is buy your movie ticket at the counter once you arrive and then choose your seats. We chose to see Ocean’s 8 starring eight actress powerhouses. Once seated, you can press the button on your arm rest for service and your waiter or waitress will come right over to take your order! The Movie Tavern’s drink and food menu was large and we had a hard time…

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    Jill Beckel

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

    October 27, 2025

    Lehigh Valley Humane Society Hosts Second Annual Garden Party

    September 20, 2022

    Tropicana’s Chelsea Tower Brings Atlantic City, New Jersey Good Luxe

    December 5, 2018
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Chris Tucker Sells Out Comedy Shows at Philadelphia’s SugarHouse Casino

    July 11, 2018 /

    Story by Tyra Gardner, photography provided by publicist Chris Tucker’s World Tour came to Philadelphia initially for one show in February at SugarHouse Casino but when the show sold out, Chris added another show to appease humor hungry fans. Chris had been on tour for so long that Philadelphia was missing him and could not wait to see what he would bring. It had to have been at a minimum 15 years since his last tour. Chris Tucker, in my opinion, brought SugarHouse down. Chris Tucker is originally from Atlanta, GA and was featured on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam during the 1990’s where he was a fan favorite with his impressions and…

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    Tyra Gardner

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    Save on Lodging, Food in Bermuda with Celebrity Cruises

    June 27, 2017

    Philadelphia’s Bellevue Hotel Hosts Historic Hotels of America Reception

    January 9, 2019

    A 300-Day Nomad’s Guide to Why Slow Travel is Superior

    February 16, 2026
  • Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    iPic Theaters Mixes Movies, Chefs and Crafted Cocktails for a Luxury Escape in Scottsdale, AZ

    May 31, 2018 /

    Story by Cassie Hepler, photos courtesy of iPic Theaters Imagine going to the movies in your own first class VIP pod for two. Now imagine pressing a button to have ninja waiters dressed in all black suddenly appear at your beck and call to deliver you chef created menu items (like steak!) and crafted from scratch cocktails. This place does exist and it exists in Arizona only in Scottsdale at iPic Theaters… a perfect luxury escape from those sweaty summer days or nights! You know how all the theaters are finally catching on to lounge chair style movie chairs instead of the stiff-as-a-board old school style? Well, iPic was the…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    February 23, 2026

    Live Out Your Wild West Fantasies at White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona

    August 18, 2020

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Recent Posts

  • Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada Besides Gambling
  • Best Las Vegas, Nevada Photo Spots from a Model and Photographer
  • Exploring the South End of the Strip at The Berkley, Las Vegas in Nevada
  • A 300-Day Nomad’s Guide to Why Slow Travel is Superior
  • Online Dating Abroad Without the Hassle

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