Local Events | Petite Retreater

Wonderful Wisconsin: Door County

Sunset • Wisconsin’s Door County

Wisconsin’s Door County has five state parks and over 250 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. It is also home to iconic Wisconsin fish boils, a restaurant with goats on the roof, and 11 quaint towns with cute names like Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, and Sturgeon Bay.

Come discover this 75-mile long peninsula and stay with us at Tranquil Timbers and choose one of the unique accommodations offered here, including cabins, cottages, and yurts! It’s a true glamper’s paradise.

Yurt • Tranquil Timbers Camping Resort • Sturgeon Bay, WI

Regular summer events in Door County include the Egg Harbor Farmer’s Market which is held in Harbor View Market every Friday (May 24-October 25) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (weather permitting). Fish boils are regular events at least five of Door County’s restaurants. If you haven’t experienced a fish boil, please make this a must-do – it’s a local tradition not to be missed. And, with more than 250 miles of shoreline, there’s always a beach calling your name. In fact, there are 53 public beaches in Door County. The beach in Egg Harbor is arguably the most popular on the peninsula and Schoolhouse Beach was recently named “most romantic.”

June is jam-packed with fun as the Door hosts several events including Goat Fest, the Steel Bridge Songfest, the Door County Beer Festival, and the Fyr Bal Festival (not to be confused with Fyre Festival).

On Saturday, June 8, it’s all about the aforementioned goats. The fun kicks off with the Roofing of the Goats, as the goats are led to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant where they will take up residence for the summer season on the restaurant’s roof. Yes, you read that right. The festivities will also include live music, children’s events, food and beverages, and a Swedish Pancake eating contest.

A songwriting and performance festival that benefits the preservation of historic Sturgeon Bay, the Steel Bridge Songfest is an annual favorite and a one-of-a-kind experience. In fact, it all began to raise funds to save the Michigan Street Steel Bridge, a Veteran’s Memorial in Door County. The bridge is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The fest itself brings together singers and songwriters to the Holiday Motel, Door’s County first ever motel, where they occupy the rooms and collaborate to create music. It all culminates with live performances. The Holiday Motel is now the world’s only fully operational motel featuring live music, collaborative songwriting retreats, and a radio station that broadcasts from the hotel. This year’s event is scheduled for June 14-15. For information, visit www.steelbridgesongfest.org.

The Door County Beer Fest on Saturday, June 15, celebrates craft beer. The event will also include local foods, live music, and culinary artisans all gathered to say cheers to Wisconsin’s more than 150 craft beers.

The Fyr Bal, also set for June 15, celebrates the Scandinavian heritage of the town of Eprhaim, as well as the arrival of summer. The event will include a bonfire to burn the “Winter Witch” as well as fireworks over the harbor. There will also be food booths, live music, and artisans.

July brings fireworks displays throughout the towns to celebrate Independence Day as well as the Door County Folk Festival July 12-16 and the Plein Air Festival, July 24-29. Presented by the Peninsula School of Art, this festival gives attendees an inside look at the galleries and artists who make painting the landscape of Door County a beautiful experience.

National Selfie Day

June 21 is National Selfie Day. Established in 2014, this day, according to NationalCalendar.com, was designed to “encourage people to take creative (appropriate) selfies and share them on social media.” Of course, this may be something you do on a daily basis, so maybe on National Selfie Day you should go all out and make sure your post is amazing! One way to do that is to make sure wherever you’re snapping the perfect pic of yourself offers outstanding scenery. We’ve listed a few of the more iconic locations to provide the perfect selfie backdrop. Also, if you choose to participate, you should post your pic on social media with the tag #NationalSelfieDay. For more information, visit www.nationalselfieday.net.

The Hollywood Sign: Located in Los Angeles (and just an hour from Soledad Canyon), this American landmark is 352 feet long and spells out the word HOLLYWOOD in 45-foot tall letters. A star is born, for sure!
The Washington Monument: While the monument itself is closed for repairs until August, you can still stand in the forefront and get a great shot with this 555-obelisk built to commemorate George Washington. Conveniently, Harbor View is about 65 miles from Washington D.C.
The Golden Gate Bridge: San Francisco’s iconic suspension bridge is a great backdrop for a selfie. Hike up Hawk Hill, located in the Golden Gate Recreation Area, for a perfect shot.
Disneyworld: A perfect selfie would include Cinderella’s Castle in the background as you smile broadly with Mickey and/or Minnie to complete the shot. The colorful cottages at Tropical Palms are just 10 miles away from the Magic Kingdom.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign: A Vegas landmark since 1959, this 25-foot tall neon masterpiece marks the entry to the famous Las Vegas strip. Stay in a cabin at Las Vegas to prep for the perfect pic.
The Bean: Chicago’s Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as The Bean, is a popular selfie backdrop. Located in the city’s Millennium Park, selfie snappers have been known to get very creative when taking pics with this mirrored landmark.
Cheers Bar: Go where everybody knows your name, or at least your social media handle after you post a pic of yourself with the famous Cheers sign in the background. Head to Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood to find this iconic sign. It is located across from Boston’s Public Garden, which provides some great selfie shots, too! The Tuxbury Tiny House Village is located just an hour from downtown Boston.
Hersheypark: Visit Hersheypark and keep your eyes peeled for an opportunity to take a pic with life-sized candy characters, including a Hershey Kiss, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or a Hershey Bar. The cabins at Hershey are less than 30 miles from Hersheypark. These are guaranteed to be some sweet shots.
The Parthenon: You don’t have to travel all the way to Greece to get this shot. Instead, head to Centennial Park in Nashville and snap a shot in front of this full scale replica of the original in Athens. The adorably themed cabins at Natchez Trace are about an hour from downtown Nashville.
Chief Passamaquoddy: Take a picture with a 40-foot Indian chief in the background. To do so, head to Freeport, Maine (which is about 60 miles from Moody Beach) and you’ll find him standing tall along Route 1. He is also known as the Big F Indian.

Spring Break in Orlando & Kissimmee

Looking for a way to get away this spring? Look no further than Orlando & Kissimmee, Florida! While the Orlando & Kissimmee areas are known for the theme parks, there’s so much more to explore in this area. Here are some of our favorite ways to explore the region in the spring!

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Until June 3, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival brings the kind of joy only spring can bring! During the International Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot is positively bursting with all the colors of the rainbow from over “30 million blooms.” While the flowers and garden displays are certainly the main events, this year’s 25th annual festival also features concerts, special programs and demonstrations, new topiaries and gardens, food specials, and more! Admission to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is included in your day pass for Walt Disney World®. Be sure to visit the Epcot website for more information: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/

Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is a perfect daytime excursion while enjoying spring break in Orlando. Located in downtown Orlando, you’re in the heart of it all with lots of shops, restaurants, and bars to check out. Here, you can rent a swan-shaped paddle boat, see a concert at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre; or just relax amid the flower beds while gazing on the view of Orlando’s skyline! Remember to also check out the sculptures installed around the park by the nonprofit, See Art Orlando. These outdoor public sculptures serve to “enlighten and enrich” the park and the lives of park visitors. For more information about Lake Eola Park, visit orlando.gov.

Ziplining Safari

Take a zip line adventure in Kissimmee! Zip across the treetops at 25 miles an hour at Forever Florida’s Zipline Safari! Thrill seekers of all ages can strap on a helmet and swoosh across the treetops for a sensational activity you won’t soon forget! Forever Florida also offers other outdoor excursions like horseback riding and a trail buggy. For more information and to book an excursion, visit foreverflorida.com.

Seven Seas Food Festival at SeaWorld®

Eat your way around the world when you visit SeaWorld until May 5! Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, visitors can sample over 180 international cuisines and a huge collection of beer, wine, and spirit selections from around the world! This year, the festival has become even bigger and more diverse with new markets like Italian, Vegan, and Caribbean, and a lineup of live performances featuring bands from many genres like Latin, rock, country, and more! Just make sure to purchase a Specialty Dining Pass along with your general admission to SeaWorld® or visit seaworld.com.

Stay & Play at Tropical Palms RV Resort

Located in Kissimmee, Florida, Tropical Palms RV Resort is a hidden gem set on 69 beautiful sun-kissed acres that are perfect for your Orlando vacation getaway, especially for spring break! Approximately 4 miles from Walt Disney World Resort, 11 miles from the Orange County Convention Center, and within walking distance from Old Town and Fun Spot, Tropical Palms RV Resort is the perfect home base for your spring break adventures.

The colorful and spacious vacation cottages at Tropical Palms are a favorite accommodation option for guests! Complete with private deck, full kitchen, flat-screen TV, sleeper sofa, and available in a variety of floor plans to accommodate any size group! If you want to bring a furry family member, Tropical Palms also has pet-friendly cottages available.

When you choose one of these spacious private cottages or RV sites, you will have access to the Tropical Palms pool, café, shuffleboard, bocce ball, horseshoes, live entertainment, social events, on-site laundry, and much more. Tropical Palms RV Resort makes for the perfect Central Florida spring break getaway!

Make your reservations today and learn more on petiteretreats.com

Winter in Sedona: Sixties, Sunny, and Styling

It doesn’t matter which season you visit Sedona because the magic of the desert and the Red Rocks is there year round. However, if you’re more of a cooler weather person, winter is the best time because the average temperature is around 60 degrees, which makes any outdoor activity enjoyable.

Another thing you will find enjoyable in Sedona is accommodation options at Verde Valley in Cottonwood. Just as unique as the Red Rock formations that dot the Sedona desert, your accommodations at this conveniently located resort are unique as well. Cabins, cottages and the oh-so-trendy tiny homes are available options at Verde Valley.

Rose, Tiny House, Verde Valley RV Resort

Cabins are complete with a kitchenette, flat screen TVs and covered porches while the cottages have private bedrooms, full-sized refrigerators, and flat-screens, too. You certainly wouldn’t be roughing it while taking in the beauty Sedona has to offer! Or, opt to be a trendsetter and choose from one of two tiny houses, Finn or Rose, and enjoy big-time amenities in small-space sizes. While the hospitality of the resort and the cozy charm of your choice of accommodation may find you not wanting to leave “home,” don’t miss everything that makes Sedona, and the surrounding area, so magical.

Take a trip up into the mountains and explore Jerome, a charming ghost town that was once a booming mining town. Stop in at the Douglas Mansion which serves as the history museum for the town and learn all about Jerome. There’s also the Sliding Jail, an actual Jerome jail that slid 225 feet downhill due to the land shifting from so many mining shafts in the area. Jerome also has some neat restaurants, shops, and even a winery.
Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument are where you will find well-preserved dwellings used by the Sinagua people almost a thousand years ago. In 1906, Montezuma Castle was one of the first four National Monuments designated by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Another interesting way to get some historical insight into this area is the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum which is dedicated to preserving artifacts and archeological sites of the area. Visit verdevalleyarchaeology.org to learn more.

If you’re planning to spend a chunk of your winter soaking up the culture, history and Sedona sunshine, there are two big events you’ll want to take note of.

Sedona VegFest cooking demonstration; Image courtesy of Sedona VegFest.

Sedona VegFest 2019 is scheduled for the weekend of January 19-20, 2019, and is a celebration of plant-based eating with exhibits, products, and speakers who are national experts in plant-based nutrition and lifestyle. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official Sedona VegFest page! To stay connected, visit the Sedona VegFest Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

From February 23 through March 3, the Sedona International Film Festival will feature more than 160 films (from documentaries to foreign films), and host celebrities, filmmakers and movie fans alike. For information visit sedonafilmfestival.org.

Image Courtesy of the Sedona International Film Festival

Don’t wait! Make your reservations for your winter getaway with Petite Retreats, today!

Autumn Classics in Wisconsin

Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort | Salem, WI

The fall leaves crunching beneath your boots as you search for the perfect pumpkin in the patch. Getting an eyeful of magnificent changing colors as you drive the winding roads beneath the forest trees. The crisp air greets you as you step outside onto the porch of your cozy cabin before heading out to taste cider donuts and hike the trails. If there’s anywhere that just exemplifies everything awesome about that precious time between hot summers and frigid winters, it’s Wisconsin, the place for the ultimate fall getaway! Check out some of our favorite excursions below…

Apple & Pumpkin Picking at Country Bumpkin Farm; Open April until Oct 31

Visit the Country Bumpkin Farm for a classic fall excursion! The Country Bumpkin Farm is a family-owned farm in the Wisconsin Dells with plenty of activities for kids of all ages. The farm is open from April until the end of October for guests to visit the petting zoo or pick the best apples and pumpkins of the season to make favorite recipes. They also host a variety of seasonal events like special moonlight hayrides in October and “u-pick” berries in the summer. The Country Bumpkin Farm also has a wide variety of seasonal produce available daily at their store! In September, you can pick up a variety of different peppers, potatoes, squash, and more. For more information about the Country Bumpkin Farm visit countrybumpkinfarm.com.

Yurt Interior, Tranquil Timbers | Door County, WI

Leaf-Peeping Along Door County Coastal Byway

There are plenty of ways to see the fall foliage in Wisconsin – it’s some of the most beautiful in the country! Hop in your car and drive along the Door County Coastal Byway, which stretches over 66 miles on the Door Peninsula, from the City of Sturgeon Bay from Highway 57 down south to Highway 42. As you drive along, expect to see beautiful scenic vistas of Lake Michigan, Green Bay, and the Niagara Escarpment bluffs. Forests, wide open farmlands, and quaint villages situated on the shore. Lighthouses, parks, plus plenty of places to stop and shop, experience live music or theater, hiking trails, golf courses, and much more! Whether you just drive out to leaf-peep and take photos of the foliage, or stop to explore, the highway driving in Wisconsin is a fall season experience not to be skipped.

Fruit Wines & Fall Festivals at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country

Get a taste of something different when you visit Lautenbach’s Orchard Country. This family-owned winery and market in Door County offer specialty foods and over 30 styles of wine made from the fruits grown at the farm. In the fall, visitors from all over come to Lautenbach’s to taste the fruit wines and eat the apple cider donuts! Lautenbach’s also hosts special seasonal festivals to celebrate the seasonal fruit and enjoy the outdoors. This year’s Fall Harvest Fest takes place on Saturday, September 22, 2018, and features free guided winery tours, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, apple picking, apple cider donut eating contest, and more! Be sure to dress warmly for the Winter Wine & Cherry Fest on February 2, 2019, where you can enjoy lots of wine and food tastings, and horse-drawn sleigh rides to really get in the winter spirit. Visit orchardcountry.com for more information.

Cozy Cabins at Yukon Trails | Lyndon Station, WI

Navigating a Corn Maze at Treinen Farm

It’s not really Fall in the midwest without navigating your way out of a corn maze! Visit Treinen Farm, a working 200-acre farm with an award winning 15-acre corn maze! Every year is a different theme for the maze, and this year’s theme is “The Elephant’s Child,” which is based on a tale written by Rudyard Kipling. This farm also grows hay, soybeans, corn, and pumpkins. Treinen Farm also hosts private events, and special events like the Zompocalypse – a zombie-themed evening where participants are encouraged to dress up as zombies or come as a “human survivor” in the “zombie-infested cornfield.” Be sure to visit their pumpkin patch as well! Visit treinenfarm.com for more information.

While you’re leaf-peeping and apple-picking, stay in a cozy cabin at one of our Petite Retreats locations in Wisconsin:

Arrowhead RV Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Fremont RV Campground – Fremont, WI

Neshonoc Lakeside – Neshonoc, WI

Plymouth Rock – Plymouth, WI

Tranquil Timbers – Sturgeon Bay, WI

Yukon Trails – Lyndon Station, WI

Make your reservations today and visit petiteretreats.com!