Month: June 2022

5 Things to Do in Gettysburg

Planning a trip to Pennsylvania this summer? If you are, don’t forget to visit historic Gettysburg. In addition to the Battlefield sites, there is a lot more to do in this little piece of Pennsylvania. First things first – book a cabin stay at Drummer Boy Camping Resort. With 95 wooded acres and just minutes from downtown Gettysburg, it’s the perfect spot to soak up nature, history and all the reasons why more than 1 million people visit here each year. Drummer Boy has great cabin and cottage accommodations, a pool and onsite fishing opportunities, and is close to everything. Or, cozy up in a cabin at Round Top Campground, located 15 minutes from downtown Gettysburg. Once you’re settled, here are 5 things you don’t want to miss.

Gettysburg National Military Park and Museum: The site of the 1863 battle which was considered the turning point of the Civil War, the museum provides visitors with so much up-close-and-personal history from the battlefield tour to the exhibits, films, and memorabilia available through the Films, Cyclorama, and Museum Experience. Living History program tours are available weekends from June 10-12 through August 14-16. Children of Gettysburg is a new family-friendly program that provides insight as to what it was like for a child living near the battle. For details, visit gettysburgfoundation.org.

The National Apple Museum: An interesting museum where visitors can learn all about the apple and fruit tree industry in Adams County. FYI, apples are the state’s fourth largest agricultural commodity and Pennsylvania is the fourth-largest apple producing state. The museum includes an assortment of antique picking and harvesting equipment as well as farm implements and a replica of an 1880s kitchen. There is an 18-minute video, “Apples, Apples, Apples.” A summer concert series runs on Friday nights through September 2. There’s also an orchard and gift shop. For information, visit nationalapplemuseum.com.

Cabin at Drummer Boy Camping Resort
Cabin at Drummer Boy Camping Resort

Tours, Tours, and More Tours: Check the website at gettysburgghosttours.com and you’ll find a whole lot more than just ghost tours. There’s the Lincoln Tour which follows the steps of President Abraham Lincoln when he visited Gettysburg to deliver the now famous Gettysburg Address. There’s also the Craft Beer and Spirits Tour which incorporates history, ghost stories and, of course, spirits of the drinking variety. Another fun tour is the Walking Tour of the Taverns of Gettysburg which includes Civil War history, details about the Temperance societies in Gettysburg, and more unusual but true stories. A great site for tours in the area is gbltg.com.

Battle of Gettysburg Anniversary: On July 2, an all-day event to commemorate the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg will be held at the historic Daniel Lady Farm. The event will feature living history activities, battle reenactments, cavalry demonstrations, and tours of the historic house and barn. Visit gbpa.org for details.

The Historic Round Barn and Farm Market: First off, one reason to visit is that this is one of the last surviving round barns in the U.S. Secondly, the fruit and veggies available here, which include apples, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes and more, are amazing. Plus, there are also baked goods to take back to camp from pies to muffins to breads, all sourced locally. And once you’ve eaten your fill and bought all you can, take a minute to just bask in the beauty of the rolling hills of the scenic Pennsylvania countryside. For information and Barn hours, visit roundbarn.farm.

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June is Great Outdoors Month

June is Great Outdoors Month and while the event was designed to get people outside, if you love to glamp, most likely your focus on the great outdoors is a year-round thing. Still, it’s always a great idea to enjoy the outdoors and glamping in June is a great start. We found a few more motivators for some solid outdoor adventure this June.

Glamping in Chehalis, Washington
Glamping in Chehalis, Washington

Camping has been a popular outdoor activity for ages (after all, it was the only way to live for millions of years). As for recreational camping, the early 1920s seem to be the start as Americans ventured out from their neighborhoods and found camping a wonderful way to see the world. After World War II, camping became much more popular and camping equipment became much more accessible. Recently, the term glamping has been making waves and it’s the perfect combination of living the outdoor lifestyle surrounded by beautiful scenery, while still having the creature comforts of the great indoors. Our resorts offer unique rental accommodations like tiny homes and cabins, have plenty of amenities, are in great locations, and many are pet friendly. No “roughing it” required. Visit petiteretreats.com to see where you want to glamp during Great Outdoors Month.

According to statista.com, in 2020, approximately 63 million Americans hiked, making hiking the second most popular outdoor activity, second only to running. Hiking has great benefits for both mind and spirit. Why not book a Petite Retreats glamping accommodation and hit the hiking trails this June? Consider a tiny house in Leavenworth, a cozy cabin in Wisconsin at Yukon Trails, or a colorful cottage by the water in the Florida Keys. Hikes can include Bygone Byways in Leavenworth, Witches Gulch in Wisconsin’s Upper Dells, or the Hammock Trail in The Keys’ Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park.

Dark Sky at Joshua Tree National Park
Dark Sky at Joshua Tree National Park

Enjoy the great outdoors under the cover of night at a Dark Sky Park. Certified Dark Sky Parks can be found in Florida at the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (stay at colorful cottage at Tropical Palms); Joshua Tree National Park in California (book a cabin or cottage rental at Palm Springs RV Resort); Lyndon B. Johnson State Park (book a cabin rental at Medina Lake in Lakehills, Texas or a tiny house at Verde Valley near Sedona, Arizona). Dark Sky Parks are known to have exceptional quality when it comes to starry nights so here’s to happy stargazing! More ideas for outdoor fun include marathon outdoor scavenger hunts, biking, birding, volunteering for outdoor cleanups, fishing, boating, swimming, paddling, canoeing – the list proves there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy Great Outdoors Month. Don’t waste a minute of your June indoors – book your stay, go glamping, and enjoy the great outdoors!

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3 of the Best Glamping Accommodations for Summer

We all know the popularity of camping has taken off in the past few years and more people are camping than ever before. And of course, glamping has gone from a little know activity to being the “only way to camp” for some. So, what’s the difference? In reality, you’re still camping but glamping notches up the accommodations for sure. Check out some of the best glamping accommodations offered by Petite Retreats.

Yurt at Tranquil Timbers Campground
Yurt at Tranquil Timbers Campground
  1. Yurts: These circular domed tents date back to the 5th century and the word yurt actually translates to “home” in many languages. Yurts are spacious yet cozy and the yurts at Petite Retreat locations have kitchens and TVs –  just like home! Yurt glamping opportunities can be found in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin. Make it a beach experience and rent a yurt at Oregon’s Pacific City or a wooded wilderness adventure at Wisconsin’s Tranquil Timbers, on the state’s magnificent Door County Peninsula.

  2. Tiny Homes: Tiny homes are exactly that – all the comforts of home but just consolidated into 200 to 350 square feet! The tinies at Petite Retreats locations are decorated straight out of a magazine, located in some of the most popular vacation destinations, and really provide one of the best glamping experiences you may ever have. Our tiny homes have kitchens, bathrooms and sleeping lofts as well as plenty of space for indoor living when you’re done with outdoor adventure. From a location standpoint, renting a tiny home near Nashville, Tennessee, the beaches of New Hampshire or the Florida Keys, the woodsy Pacific Northwest, or the gorgeous Arizona Red Rock Canyon are all possibilities.

  1. Completely Unique: Have you ever camped in a covered wagon? Or a real glamping tent? Check out these unique accommodations at Petite Retreats.

The Glamping Tents, located at beautiful Marina Dunes, have queen-sized beds, two bedside tables with lamps, and cozy outdoor spaces, too. With a glamping tent, it’s like spending the night in your own bedroom. No need to pitch a tent or blow up the air mattress. When you’re done with the day, settle into bed, switch off the lamp and enjoy a comfortable sleep with the moon and stars as nightlights. Marina Dunes is adjacent to the Marina Dunes Preserve and a short drive to Monterey, where attractions include Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Covered Wagon option is the perfect accommodation when you choose to glamp at Rancho Oso in Santa Barbara. Bedding down in the Covered Wagon at this western-ranch style campground will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time, except you have electricity. The Covered Wagon has camping cots and plenty of outdoor space for activities, including the glamping favorite: a campfire. Other unique accommodations at Rancho Oso include a tipi and western-style cabins. This is a fantastic location if you want to go to the beach, explore the wine country here, or beautiful downtown Santa Barbara. The campground itself offers a Western Village and horseback riding.

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