Tag: Marina Dunes RV Park

Dive Into 5 of the Best U.S. Aquariums

June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month. We’ve highlighted great zoos before so in this round, we’ll go deep diving to highlight some of the best aquariums in the U.S. Some fun facts – the London Zoo opened the first aquarium in 1853 and the first U.S aquarium was opened in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in 1873, and was later moved to Washington DC. The home of the aquarium was moved several times within DC and then ultimately, the National Aquarium, as it became known, was closed in 2013 and moved permanently to Baltimore.

Travel + Leisure magazine came out with a list of top U.S. aquariums in December 2022. Plan to glamp nearby and take a look at these underwater marvels.

California: The Monterey Bay Aquarium (montereybayaquarium.org) has the distinction of being the first aquarium to showcase a living kelp forest. Opened in 1984, it welcomes over 2 million visitors annually who can see more than 81,000 animals and plants representing 771 species. T+L gave it a nod for being a leader in ocean conservation and education. Located on Cannery Row in beautiful Monterey, the aquarium can boast many “firsts” and “onlys” – for example, they are the only U.S. aquarium to exhibit bluefin and yellowfin tuna, ocean sunfish, pyjama squid, and salmon snailfish. In addition to being the first when it comes to kelp forests, the aquarium was also the first to successfully exhibit and release great white sharks. Plan to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium when glamping in a fabulous vacation cottage at the amazing Marina Dunes (yurts coming soon!), and stroll through the more than 200 exhibits to see otters, sharks, jellyfish, penguins, and more.

Cottage at Thousand Trails Pine Country
Cottage at Thousand Trails Pine Country

Illinois: The Shedd Aquarium (sheddaquarium.org) on Chicago’s beautiful lakefront Museum Campus is one of the older U.S. aquariums, opening in 1930, but remains the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere. The five-million-gallon aquarium has 32,000 animals, including Pacific white-sided dolphins, of which the Shedd is one of only three aquariums to showcase this acrobatic water wonder. Rent a glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Pine Country in Belvidere and take the roughly 1.5-hour drive into Chicago to visit the Shedd. The centerpiece of the aquarium is the Coral Reef Tank, which is literally in the center of the main floor, houses a giant green sea turtle, angelfish, sharks, and cownose rays. Divers drop in to feed the fish several times a day. The Amazon Rising exhibit has piranhas and anacondas, while the Wild Reef has eels, stingrays, and sharks.

Tuxbury Tiny House Village | South Hampton, NH
Tuxbury Tiny House Village | South Hampton, NH

Massachusetts: Rent a truly spectacular tiny house at Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, New Hampshire, and plan to spend the day at the New England Aquarium located in Boston Harbor (under an hour’s drive). Boasting the biggest shark and ray tank on the East Coast, the New England Aquarium (neaq.org) opened in 1969 and the museum’s main feature, the Giant Ocean Tank, opened in 1970, and, at the time, was the largest circular ocean tank in the world. Other exhibits include sea jellies, seadragons, penguins and Atlantic harbor seals, which can be viewed without entering the museum as their exhibit is just outside the front doors. Visitors can enjoy special meet and greets with the Atlantic harbor seals and create art with them (these are special events with additional costs and reservations required). The Shark and Ray Touch Tank is a great way to get up close and personal with these creatures!

Oregon: The Oregon Coast Aquarium (aquarium.org) is just minutes from Thousand Trails Whalers Rest where you can choose from glamping cottages and cabins at this Oregon coast retreat. T+L liked this aquarium for several reasons including the giant octopus and the Indo-Pacific Coral Reef. We’re partial to the puffins which make their home on the Oregon coast and have an exhibit in the aquarium. The aquarium has several Ambassador Animals including a Virginia Opossum named Otis, Wilson the Barn Owl, and two Western Pond Turtles named Cuff and Link, who have the special job of educating visitors through presentations and amphitheater talks. Don’t miss the Octopus Cave, which is home to a giant Pacific octopus. Celebrating 31 years in 2023, the aquarium recently welcomed a new sea otter named Earle! Come say hello to Earle and all his friends this summer.

Washington: Book a cozy glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Thunderbird in nearby Monroe to plan to visit to the Seattle Aquarium (seattleaquarium.org), which has daily events such as All About our Otters, All About our Washington Waters, and All About Our Harbor Seals. In addition to the daily events, there are six major permanent exhibits including Pacific Coral Reef; Birds & Shores, and Marine Mammals. T+L likes that the aquarium is very interactive. Visitors point out the Window on Washington Waters tank where divers interact with Pacific Northwest fish while visitors get to watch! Touch pools allow up close and personal experiences with star fish, sea urchins and anemones while the 360-degree Underwater Dome gives the feeling of being right under the water with the fish! The Seattle Aquarium can be found on scenic Elliott Bay.

Rescuing sea turtles at Loggerhead Marine Life Center
Rescuing sea turtles at Loggerhead Marine Life Center

And a bonus idea for Florida visitors, check out the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), located in Juno Beach, Florida. Loggerhead turtles are found in our world’s seas, specifically the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. The LMC is a sea turtle research, rehabilitation, education and conservation center. To find details about the best time to visit LMC and what you can expect when you arrive, go to marinelife.org.

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Take a Vacation, Please!

A not so pleasant statistic is that the U.S. falls well below other countries when it comes to paid time off. Europe is far ahead of America when it comes to providing paid time off for employees. According to a May 2022 article in Travel + Leisure, Austria provides 25 days of paid annual leave, plus another 13 for public holidays, totaling 38 paid days off. France and Spain each offer 36 in total and Germany provides 30 days. The U.S. average is 10 days a year.

An even sadder statistic is that 54% of Americans don’t use all their vacation days. A 2019 study by the U.S. Travel Association showed that U.S. employees left approximately 768 million vacation days unused in 2018. And most Americans say they have too much work to do to take vacation time. That sounds pretty counterintuitive since studies show that vacation can reduce stress and increase productivity upon return to work. 

Before burnout hits and you make a mistake that could find you with plenty of days off, we suggest you get out and glamp! Hit the beach, climb every mountain, go off the grid, and for heaven’s sake, turn off your computer and work phone (we know you need the personal one for the Instagram shots of the great vacation you’ll be documenting)!

And, while experts suggest 8 days is the sweet spot for a full recharge, long weekends and a few days here and there could be just the recipe that helps Americans have their cake and eat it, too, when it comes to work/life balance.

One way to recharge is through grounding, or earthing, by walking barefoot in the sand. Grounding is said to reduce stress and tension levels. Glamping locations that allow plenty of silky, soft sand underfoot could include Oregon’s coastal getaway spots, cozy cabins at Pacific City and Seaside RV Resort. Another idea – combine grounding with the benefits of the relaxing colors of the tiny house rentals at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys and you’re well on the way to a destressing vacation. Plenty of sand for grounding or other fun can be found at Marina Dunes, which is adjacent to the Marina Dunes Preserve on California’s Monterey Peninsula. An ultra-cool glamping tent or high end cottage is the way to relax here.

How about a long weekend getaway that’s not too far from home, but far enough to leave the office woes behind? Is Seattle your place of business? Take a quick two-hour drive to Leavenworth, rent a tiny home at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village, and enjoy the outdoors. Fish, swim, hike, bike, or simply sip some wine in the Bavarian-styled village of Leavenworth. If Nashville is where you make the big bucks, take a break and head to the new Natchez Trace Tiny House Village. In a little over an hour, you can be relaxing in a perfectly appointed tiny house with lakefront views and fishing and hiking available onsite, plus the 3-mile lake here offers kayak and canoeing opportunities.

Lyla at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Lyla at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

Speaking of water, blue space (lakes, rivers, oceans, even waterfalls) has been shown to lower stress and anxiety as well as boost mood and psychological well-being, per weforum.org. Rent a cabin at Wisconsin’s Neshonoc Lakeside Camping Resort or Lake George Escape, tucked away in New York’s Adirondacks, with the Queen of America’s Lakes as the centerpiece. Bend-Sunriver is a great place to soak up blue space healing power thanks to the location on the Little Deschutes River, and it offers cozy cabins and yurts.

Narrows Too Camping Resort
Narrows Too Camping Resort

Other destressing options for quick getaways or all those eight days can include forest-bathing (head to our favorite forested glamping options including Yosemite Lakes or our Bar Harbor resorts, Mt. Desert Narrows and Narrows Too). Forest-bathing requires you to take a walk in the woods and be mindful of your surroundings, engaging your senses and stopping every so often to just take it all in. Plus, we’ve got glamping options in the lands of the healing vortexes Arizona’s Red Rocks in Sedona or Joshua Tree National Park in California (check out tiny home or cabin rentals at Verde Valley or a colorful cottage at Palm Springs, respectively.) 

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5 Great July Getaways

According to globalgrasshopper.com (a blog team that consists of “self-confessed travel snobs), the locations listed below are some of the best places to travel to in July. Luckily, the fabulous Petite Retreats glamping accommodations in these locations provide the perfect complement to have one of the best July trips you’ve ever taken!

Citing the idyllic back drop of Frenchman’s Bay, the top-notch eateries and the charm of the downtown area, Bar Harbor, Maine made the list. Make a reservation at either Mt. Desert Narrows or Narrows Too and get set for a New England destination full of food, fun, and outdoor activity. Highlights of a Bar Harbor getaway include Acadia National Park; whale-watching excursions; several history museums and lots of shopping. For something different, consider Diver Ed’s Dive-in Theater (diveintheater.com), which offers a great way to learn about the sea creatures that reside here.

On the other coast – Pacific, that is – the “travel snobs” believe Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a great July pick for a trip due to the stunning scenery and sea life that can be seen here at this time. Toss in the great pics you can take of Haystack Rock with a summer sky backdrop and that’s reason enough. If you need more, there’s the Cannon Beach Farmers Market, which runs every Tuesday; the “BUSKERS in the Park” Thursday night concerts in the City Park, craft brews from Cannon Beach brewpubs, Pelican Brewing Company and Public Coast Brewing, plus outdoor activities that include surfing, fishing, hiking, and plenty of nature walks. Reserve a cabin at Seaside and explore this Pacific Coast gem.

Cabin at Seaside RV Campround
Cabin at Seaside RV Campround

Is there a bad time to visit Monterey, California? We doubt it, but according to globalgrasshopper, Monterey is great in July thanks to the temperature and al fresco dining opportunities. Renting the glamping tent or cottage at Marina Dunes is also perfect in July, so stay with us while you explore July in Monterey. The Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival is set for the weekend of July 16-17 and the 19th Monterey Beer Festival is set for Saturday, July 30. More fun in Monterey includes visits to the charming seaside village of Carmel-by-the-Sea; the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the stunningly scenic 17-Mile-Drive. Oh, and by the way, al fresco dining options can include Abalonetti Bar & Grill and Loulou’s Griddle in the Middle.

Looking to go lakeside? Book a cottage complete with a screened-in porch at Kenisee Lake and head to charming Geneva-on-the-Lake. The lake here is Lake Erie and the quaint town is billed as “Ohio’s First Summer Resort.” The blogging travel snobs like this location because of the numerous lakeside beaches, the zip lines and adventure courses, and the local breweries and wineries. The Vines and Wines Trail has over 30 wineries and vineyards and details can be found at ohiowines.org. The Strip, the town’s version of a boardwalk, is home to shops and restaurants, and other fun attractions like a mini-golf course. Breakwater Beach is great for beach lovers and Geneva State Park will provide a great fix for hiking enthusiasts. Lake Erie Canopy Tours (lakeeriecanopytours.com) receives high praise from users for its patient and professional guides as well as the variety of course options.

Cottage at Kenisee Lake RV Campground
Cottage at Kenisee Lake RV Campground

Historic Boston makes the list and that’s fitting since they really know how to celebrate Independence Day. Aside from the big party on the 4th, Boston is noted for the concerts at the Hatch Shell and Shakespeare on the Common, both free events in July, whale watching and the food and craft beer scene. There are also baseball games at Fenway Park, the historic and very walkable Freedom Trail, harbor cruises, and some of the best Italian dining to be found in the North End (don’t miss the cannoli from Mike’s Pastry)! The Rose Kennedy Greenway is another place where you can always find something going on, including Greenway Food Trucks where over 35 food trucks offer all kinds of specialties from seafood to Korean options daily; a farmer’s market each Tuesday and Thursday and a beer and wine garden. Book a stay at either Sturbridge or Gateway to Cape Cod and head into Boston to discover a great summertime city.

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It’s Earth Day and the Party’s Outside

Celebrating Earth Day can be as simple as loving every little bit of what makes up our great planet. The 71% of it that is made up of water – which includes lakes, rivers, streams and of course, the oceans; or the 21% that is made up of sand; or the 31% covered by forests. And, of course, the best way to love something is to spend time with it. This April 22, get outside and enjoy what this magical planet has offer. Swim in the ocean or kayak a lake, climb a mountain, stick your toes in the sand, or trek through a forest. And, whichever you choose, remember the mantra to leave it the way you found it, if not better!

Tiny House Murphy at Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, NH.

Forest Focus: Book a tiny house stay at New Hampshire’s Tuxbury Tiny House Village and you’re about 90 miles from White Mountain National Forest, which offers all kinds of outdoor activities from hiking and climbing to fishing and rockhounding. Another great tiny house and another great forest can be found in Leavenworth, Washington. Book a stay at Leavenworth Tiny House Village and explore the four million acres of forestland in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest where you can mountain bike, horseback ride, and find plenty of hiking trails.

Tiny House Rudolf at Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA.

Water, Water Everywhere: Explore some of the waters that make up 71% of the Earth – start with the Pacific Ocean and plan a stay in one of the cabins at Santa Barbara’s Rancho Oso. Plenty of oceanfront beaches to choose from here. Looking for a brush with fame? Try Butterfly Beach and keep your eyes peeled for the occasional celebrity. Want to watch a great sunset? Try Hendry’s Beach where your four-legged friends are welcome to take in the show, too! Head to the Florida Keys and you’ll be surrounded by water. Snorkel, scuba dive, parasail, or fish these warm Florida waters. A tiny house accommodation at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a colorful cottage at Fiesta Key make the perfect Keys home base.

Yosemite Merced River el Capitan Panorama.

Mountains of Fun: While most people are familiar with Yosemite’s Half Dome and El Capitan, this magnificent national park is actually home to 20 mountains that exceed 10,000 feet in elevation – the adventurous can choose to climb while the aesthetics of these snow-capped beauties will please just about anyone! Make a reservation for a totally groovy yurt at Yosemite Lakes and then spend Earth Day amid the mountains of Yosemite. How about spending the day around mountains that have magic powers? Head to Sedona to experience the healing powers of the magnificent Red Rocks, specifically Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. Book a tiny house at Verde Valley and soak up that magic. 

Glamping Tent at Marina Dunes RV Park in Marina, CA.

And that sand we mentioned – rent a cabin or a cottage at Oregon’s Pacific City and you’re so close to Cannon Beach and the iconic Haystack Rock; you can spend Earth Day surrounded by soft sand and the sounds of the ocean. Check out the coastal dunes at the Marina Dunes Preserve and stay at in an ultra-cool Glamping Tent at Marina Dunes RV Park.

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