Author: Petite Retreats

5 Things to Do in California’s Monterey Bay Area

Did you know that Monterey was the first capital of California? Fun fact – Monterey was the state capital from 1774 to 1849. Did you know that this beautiful bayside city is considered the “Sardine Capital of the World” thanks to these tiny fish that populated the waters here and the subsequent canning boom of said little fishes? Monterey is rich in history and is definitely worth a look-see when glamping at nearby Marina Dunes RV Resort. Here are five things not to miss…

1. Monterey Coast Trail: With 18 miles of paved trail, this is a great way to experience scenic ocean views, frolicking sea lions, sea otters, and coastal birds and access all the things along the way like the fabulous aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf and more. You can choose to bike or walk this beautiful coastal trail.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium

2. Monterey Bay Aquarium: While the Aquarium has been in the news lately due to a certain t-shirt sported by Taylor Swift, this place is known for so much more like its unique, 28-foot high Kelp Forest, a multitude of interactive exhibits, including the newest exhibit “Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean”, and the more than 35,000 creatures that make their home here.

3. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: From the amazing shoreline views to the wildlife spotting and whale watching, do not miss the opportunity to visit what is considered the “crown jewel of California’s state parks.” Birders will enjoy a hike on the Bird Island Trail while China Cove and the Gibson Beach Trail offer hidden caves and high cliffs. Lovers of sea lions will want to hike the Sea Lion Point Trail to catch a glimpse of the sea lions lounging on the rocks. Don’t miss the historic Whalers Cabin, accessible from the Cabin Trail, which leads to this cabin built by Chinese fishermen in the 1850s.

Outside of the Historic Mission, Carmel Mission
Outside of the Historic Mission, Carmel Mission

4. Small-town Charm: There are several small towns in the area worth a visit and they include Salinas, home to the National Steinbeck Center that pays tribute to author John Steinbeck who was born and raised here; Pacific Grove, home to the Point Pinos Lighthouse and the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, which is best when visited during migration season from November to February; Castroville, which is considered the “artichoke capital of the world” and is home to the world’s largest artichoke statue; and Carmel-by-the-Sea, home to the historic Carmel Mission, the unique Fairy Tale Cottages built in 1926 and plenty of shops and eateries. 

Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Park
Glamping Cottage at Marina Dunes RV Resort

5. This and That: Don’t miss the murals in Sand City, the setting sun at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, the clam chowder at Old Fisherman’s Grotto in Monterey, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive.

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The Coolest and Warmest Winter Glamping Destinations

According to iges.com, the hottest travel trends this winter include digital detoxing, embracing the weather and the classic “traditional winter getaways” which means heading out of the cold and into the sunshine. Here are a few ways you can be trendy when glamping with us this winter:

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver

Embracing the Weather: This means going to the snow and for our glampers, it means places like Leavenworth, Washington and Mt. Hood or Bend, Oregon. Book a yurt, glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver and enjoy this oft-voted “best outdoorsy town” in the country! Ski or snowboard at Mt. Bachelor, snowshoe in Deschutes National Forest, which offers several snowshoe trails, or try fat-tire biking in the snow or indoor ice skating at the Pavillion. Plan to be here to enjoy WinterFest, scheduled for February 13-15, 2026, that will include an ice carving competition, a wine walk, live music and snowsports competitions.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

The Mt. Hood Tiny House Village is a great place to glamp when enjoying the Mt. Hood Territory in winter. Try night skiing or cosmic tubing at the Mt. Hood Skibowl, take a guided tour of Mt. Hood National Forest on a snowmobile, or a moonlight snowshoe tour around the iconic Timberline Lodge.

Winter at Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Winter at Leavenworth Tiny House Village

Leavenworth, Washington is always great in winter with opportunities for downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, sledding, snow tubing, ice fishing and a visit to a reindeer farm. Icicle Ridge Winery offers winter wine walks (icicleridgewinery.com) and the millions of twinkling lights will continue to illuminate the quaint Bavarian-style downtown through February. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Leavenworth for a great winter glamping getaway here.

Escaping the Weather: Most likely you’re heading to the sunshine. Our choices would include a colorful cottage at Encore Tropical Palms to do the theme parks or a trip to The Keys with a stay at Encore Fiesta Key or Encore Sunshine Key. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts runs January 16 through February 23, 2026, while the Key West Food and Wine Festival is set for January 26-February 1, 2026. South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach is an option for a glamping getaway with a stay at Carolina Shores RV Resort. Mild daytime temps and cooler nights are a nice trade-in for sub-zero snow days! Activities here can include golfing, strolling the Boardwalk, visiting the many museums or enjoying the beauty of Brookgreen Gardens in winter. On the West Coast, plan a glamping getaway to Thousand Trails Pio Pico or Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs to explore the San Diego area in winter. Gray whales are migrating from December to April, so now is a good time for whale watching. Speaking of migrating, it is also the migratory season for thousands of birds so check out the San Diego River Estuary.

Vacation Cottages at Thousand Trails Palm Springs
Vacation Cottages at Thousand Trails Palm Springs

Digital Detoxing: This type of getaway may not necessarily mean absolutely no screens, but probably something more along the lines of being present, being in nature and really taking it all in without multi-tasking going on. Exploring national parks, taking long hikes in the forests and woodlands, walking rugged shorelines and spending quality time with friends and family is most likely the itinerary for this kind of trip. One of the best destinations for spiritual renewal may be Red Rocks State Park in Sedona, Arizona. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and explore the red sandstone canyonland with its healing vortexes. Another option is Joshua Tree National Park in California, another spot chock full of serene landscape vistas and energy vortexes. Book a glamping cabin or cottage at nearby Thousand Trails Palm Springs. Yosemite in winter is a wonderland with opportunities for skiing and snowshoeing at Badger Pass Ski Area and hiking the trails that remain open in winter. Book a yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes for a great glamping getaway.

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Glamp Near Some of the Most Iconic Landmarks and Locations

Thanks to social media, any of you list makers can always get some ideas from Instagram, Facebook, and other various online sources for listicles that regularly pop up letting you know how many people have visited these locations, viewed these landmarks, visited these national parks etc. We took a tour around some of these lists to see what you can mark off when glamping nearby with us:

One list includes US landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, the Las Vegas Strip, and Disney World. We can make this easy for you:

To visit the Hollywood Sign, book a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon and drive roughly 45 miles to see this iconic bit of LaLa Land. Fun fact, the original sign, which was built in 1923 to advertise a real estate development, read HOLLYWOODLAND. A great spot to view the sign is from the Griffith Observatory which can be reached via a hike through Griffith Park.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas
Cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas

To experience the bright lights and high energy of the Las Vegas Strip, book a glamping cabin at Thousand Trails Las Vegas and stroll the roughly four miles where highlights include the nightly fountain show outside the Bellagio Hotel, a gondola ride at The Venetian, the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat, and the Insta-worthy “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign!

Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms
Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms

Florida’s Walt Disney World is considered an unofficial landmark as the iconic castle is known world-wide so that works for our purposes. And apparently you are never too old to enjoy the fun here. In March 2024, Magnolia Jackson celebrated her 106th birthday with her first trip ever to the Magic Kingdom. Book a colorful glamping cottage at Encore Tropical Palms in Kissimmee and let the magic in!

Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes Campground
Yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes Campground

Then there’s the National Parks checklist – how many of the 63 US national parks have you visited? Start tackling that list by glamping with us when you head to Yosemite which is famous for the Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome, plus just down the road from Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. 

Cabin at Seaside RV Campround
Cabin at Seaside RV Campround

How about the most beautiful small towns in America? That’s another easy one list makers include California’s Carmel by the Sea (book a glamping stay at Marina Dunes RV Resort); Cannon Beach, Oregon (book a charming glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Seaside); and Sedona, Arizona (glamp at a tiny house at Thousand Trails Verde Valley).

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5 Things to Do in Orlando, FL

Boasting more than 250 days of sunshine each year, a trip to Orlando is an option if you’re seeking the rays. It’s also a favorite spot for thrill-ride lovers, hikers, bikers, birdwatchers, festival-goers, foodies…and the list goes on. In a nutshell, Orlando has something for everyone. Here are five things to see, not including the fabulous glamping accommodations at Encore Tropical Palms or Thousand Trails Orlando , if you’re Orlando-bound:

1. Take the International Drive: I-Drive, as it’s known in Orlando, is almost like an all-inclusive destination for everything from food to fun and more. There are outlet malls, plenty of restaurants (check out the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure or Taverna Opa for an authentic Greek experience); attractions such as the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe or Not; a chocolate museum (The Chocolate Museum and Cafe); gator shows (Gator Golf); plenty of golf options from mini-golf courses to Top Golf simulators and whole lot more on this one exciting strip. For all the fun on I-Drive, visit internationaldriveorlando.com.

2. Board the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit: Get a feel for what it was like to be aboard the Titanic (before the iceberg) in an opulent recreation of the ill-fated ship that has more than 300 artifacts, full scale room replicas from the ship, and costumed actors to give you the feeling it’s 1912 all over again. Guided tours are available as well as other options that include the Titanic Gala Dinner and the Titanic Teatime Experience. For information, go to titanicorlando.com.

Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando
Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando

3. Be a Spectator: Orlando is home to many sporting teams, and depending on the time of year, you can catch multiple games in a single trip. The Orlando Solar Bears are an NHL affiliate, and the hockey season here begins in October and extends to April; the NBA’s Orlando Magic play their home basketball games at the Amway Center and the regular season runs October to April, and Orlando City is the team for soccer and regular play begins in February. Orlando is also a great homebase to catch Major League Baseball’s spring training games, aka the Grapefruit League, played in several nearby locations including Tampa (NY Yankees) and Lakeland (Detroit Tigers).

Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms
Cottages at Encore Tropical Palms

4. Enjoy a Festival or Two: Any time of year here, you can find a festival celebrating heritage, music, food and more. Some biggies include Universal’s Mardi Gras (held in late winter each year); EPCOT’s International Food and Wine (July to November annually); and EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays (set for November 24 through December 30 this year). To find a festival to coincide with your visit, go to orlandoinsidervacations.com/annual-events-in-orlando-kissimmee.

5. Visit Mount Dora: Just about 40 minutes outside of the popular and populated Orlando, you will find the small-town charmer of Mount Dora. Visitors to this lakefront town (the lake being Lake Dora) will love the historic buildings, shops, green spaces, and authentic southern charm found here. Mount Dora fun fact – Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower came here for a winter retreat. One fun way to see the historic buildings and the town is to take the one-hour, narrated historic tour aboard the Mount Dora Trolley. There are also opportunities for fishing (Lake Dora); antiquing (Renninger’s); shopping in the historic downtown and browsing modern art (Modernism Museum).

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Where to Go Glamping in the Most Sustainable Cities

Why not choose your next glamping getaway by supporting one of the cities named to the 2025 Greenest Cities in America list? These cities are known for increasing green spaces, supporting local green initiatives, offering eco-conscious tourism and in general, doing their part to make a difference. WalletHub named 100 cities on the list, and these are a few to consider on your next glamping trip: 

Thousand Trails Pio Pico
Thousand Trails Pio Pico

San Diego comes in at #1. From banning plastic bags to having 43% of their electricity come from renewable sources, San Diego knows it is cool to be green. In fact, according to WalletHub, San Diego’s green energy helps keep it from being an excessively hot city environment. One great thing about San Diego is that the trolley system can take you all around the city and beyond (for routes, visit sdmts.com/transit-services/trolley). For green spaces to visit, consider Balboa Park, the 1200-acre public park that houses the San Diego Zoo, plus museums, gardens and walking trails. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is considered “a wilderness island in an urban sea” featuring miles and miles of unspoiled beaches and wild landscapes which are home to many species of migrating birds. Book a glamping stay at Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs or Thousand Trails Pio Pico. 

Yurts at Thousand Trails Thunderbird
Yurts at Thousand Trails Thunderbird

Seattle, Washington makes the top 10 at #6. With initiatives like food scrap collection, food waste reduction as well as extensive parks and green spaces, Seattle is pretty, pretty green. Book a glamping cabin or yurt at Thousand Trails Thunderbird and explore the aptly named Emerald City. Green space tourist options include Olympic Sculpture Park, located on the waterfront overlooking the Salish Sea or Gas Works Park, a 19+ acres park built on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant. Of course, Pike Place Market with its abundance of fresh produce and flowers is a great spot to visit. Continuously operating since 1907, this market really knows how to do it from the flying fish show at the fish market to the incredible views of Puget Sound, this is another list maker when in Seattle.  

Glamping Cabin at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace
Tiny house at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace

Nashville makes the list thanks to its greenways systems and renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. With over 100 miles of paved greenways trails, it’s easy to explore Nashville and its neighborhoods by biking or walking. The city’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a 19-acre urban park in downtown Nashville that features fountains, walkways and rows of tulip poplars, Tennessee’s state tree. Another urban park, Centennial Park offers 130 acres of green space plus a stunning replica of the Parthenon, which is a nod to the city’s nickname, The Athens of the South, due to its many universities and colleges. Another outdoor option is Old Hickory Lake, a 22,500- acre reservoir on the Cumberland River with fishing, swimming, hiking and boating opportunities. Book a glamping stay at the Natchez Trace Tiny House Village.

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Eerie Adventures & Cozy Cabins to Stay in this Fall 

When we say spirited, we’re not talking about breweries and distilleries, but instead highlighting opportunities to glamp near some of the spookiest locations around the country. A different kind of spirit, so to speak and some that may have you screaming all the way back to your cozy glamping accommodations! 

If you’re staying at a tiny house in Arizona’s Thousand Trails Verde Valley, take a drive up to Jerome, a historic ghost town that was once a booming mining town. And while the whole town is considered haunted, some of the spookiest places include the Jerome Grand Hotel, which was formerly a hospital that treated the miners. Noted ghosts include a former elevator operator who was crushed by the elevator, the former caretaker who perished in the basement and a mysterious ghost cat that roams the third floor. 

In part due to the massive loss of life during the historic 3-day Battle of Gettysburg, the battlefield at Gettysburg National Military Park is considered the most haunted battlefield in the US but the entire town has been known for plenty of paranormal activity. Book a glamping cabin or cottage at Drummer Boy Camping Resort and see what you see, or don’t see! Check out Sachs Bridge where the spirits of three hanged Confederate soldiers urge visitors to “go back” or the Gettysburg Hotel where the spirit of Rachel, a Civil War nurse, who apparently wanders both the hotel and streets looking for soldiers in need of medical assistance. Plenty of options for ghost tours of Gettysburg can be found through gettysburgghostours.com.  

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village at Night
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

Book a tiny house stay at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and spend the day visiting the sights of nearby Portland (about 45 miles away). Of course, there is plenty to see here but if you’re looking for some paranormal sightseeing, visit the Pittock Mansion, which was the dream home built by Henry and Georgiana Pittock who sadly both passed shortly after moving into the home. But it sounds like they are still hanging around as visitors to this now public landmark have reported smelling roses when there are none around (Georgianna’s favorite flower) as well as reports of a painting of Henry as a child that moves from place to place, all on its own! 

Cabins at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes
Cabins at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes

If you’re glamping at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes in California, you may want to head west to see just what makes the RMS Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach, one of the most haunted places in the US. This ocean liner, which started out as a luxury cruise ship owned by the famed Cunard Line, has several ghosts aboard that include former crew members and workers. Visitors can choose to take one of several tours of the ship but those looking for the spirited version may want to consider the one-hour Haunted Encounters tour or the two-hour Paranormal Ship Walk. Check out queenmary.com for information.  

Group of friends sitting around a campfire outside a cabin at Thousand Trails Orlando
Glamping Cabin at Thousand Trails Orlando

Although it is home to the Magic Kingdom and all kinds of family fun, Orlando can also be a spooky place and not just because of the theme park’s Haunted Mansion ride. Book a glamping cottage or vacation trailer at Thousand Trails Orlando and see the dark side of the “Theme Park Capital of the World.” The ghost of serial killer Ted Bundy, and possibly the ghost of his last victim, are said to be seen roaming around the Orlando County Regional History Center as this location housed the courthouse where he was sentenced to death. If you don’t believe a place that is home to the Magic Kingdom can also be haunted, check out one of the many ghost tours offered including americanghostadventures.com and orlandohaunts.com.  

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5 Things to Do in the Mt. Hood Area 

Considered a year-round playground in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon’s Mt. Hood area has plenty of reasons to visit. First off, who can resist a tiny house glamping stay as autumn begins its descent in the Pacific Northwest? Book a tiny house at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and set off to discover the natural beauty, outdoor adventure and whole lotta fun found in this beautiful part of Oregon.  

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

1. Bagby Hot Springs: Take a dip in the natural, geothermal spring complex in Mount Hood National Forest and let the waters work their wonders. Also known as Bagby Hot Springs, visitors can soak in communal or private cedar tubs in the roughly 138-degree water. Soaking in the waters is said to improve circulation, relieve stress, reduce inflammation and promote better sleep. For information and location details, visit bagbyhotsprings.org. 

2. Steiner Log Church: How often do you get the opportunity to visit a built-by-hand log church? Henry Steiner and his sons built 100 log cabins and two log churches in the forest lands of Mt. Hood over roughly 27 years beginning in 1925. One of the churches, the 1937 Steiner Log Cabin, is now a historical landmark in Oregon and open for visitors to tour. For details visit steinerchurch.com. The church, which has been restored by Steiner’s son Harry and Mike Gudge, has amazing architectural features like basalt fireplaces made from nearby river rock; door handles made from gnarled tree roots and arched window exterior doors. 

A woman and man walk on a trail in the forest in early fall. Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon.

3. Trail Happy: There are countless trails to explore here but a must-do list should definitely include the Mirror Lake Trail, a moderate 4-mile trail with views of Mt. Hood; the Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain Trail, a longer, more difficult hike at 9 miles but you get to see Tom, Dick and Harry, three distinct mountain peaks along the way; and the Old Salmon River Trail, a relatively easy and flat, less than 3-mile trail that come September provides the opportunity to see salmon spawning as you hike along the Salmon River.   

4. Visit the Mountain Towns: Several mountain towns worth a visit can be found a short distance from Welches including Government Camp, which is home to the historic Timberline Lodge and the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum; Rhododendron, named for the colorful shrub that blooms here in spring and offers access to the Ramona Falls Trail; and Boring, which is anything but as it is home to the North American Bigfoot Center which is all about the local celeb, Sasquatch himself.  

Mt. Hood Scenic Byway

5. Mt. Hood Scenic Byway: Of course, the best way to get to know an area is to take a drive and make notes of where you want to stop and visit or head back to. The Mt. Hood Scenic Byway is probably one of the top scenic drives in the US and is definitely a great way to get a taste of what this area of the Pacific Northwest has to offer. The 100-mile roadway takes you past berry farms, wineries, flower and farm fields, rivers, mountains and more.  

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Amazing Getaways to Take This Month 

If you’re looking for an “amazing” September glamping getaway, consider some of the places listed by globalgrasshopper.com as “20 Amazing Places to Visit in September” whether you’re looking for last-minute travel inspiration or want to plan for next year. 

Acadia National Park made the list and our Bar Harbor glamping cabins at Mt. Desert Narrows Camping Resort and Narrows Too Camping Resort are the perfect locations to call home while you explore this beautiful national park which made the list due to less crowds, mild days and the beginning of the fall color show which gives the park a special glow. You might choose to bike the Carriage Trails, enjoy the ocean views and stargaze under the night skies. The park’s Jordan Pond is great for stargazing and September is the perfect time to see the Milky Way in the early evening hours.  

Yurt at Tall Chief Campground
Yurt at Tall Chief Campground

Washington State’s “Emerald City” gets high marks for a September visit thanks to dry weather, less crowds and “flawless views of Mt. Rainier.” Be sure to book a glamping stay in an ultra-cool yurt at Tall Chief Campground for your visit. September’s offerings in Seattle include all kinds of sporting events including home games for the MLB’s Seattle Mariners, the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. The Seattle Cider Summit, which features 42 artisanal cider producers, is set for September 12-13; while the Oktoberfest in Fremont is scheduled for September 18-20.  

Cabin at Alpine Lake RV Resort
Cabin at Alpine Lake RV Resort

Early fall colors and several festivals landed New York’s Adirondack Region on the list and luckily Alpine Lake RV Resort and Lake George Escape Campground are perfect glamping destinations smack dab in the center of the region. The Lake George Jazz Festival is set for September 12-14; the Adirondack Balloon Festival is scheduled for September 18-21, and the Adirondack Harvest Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 20. Take a sunset cruise on Lake George, visit historic Fort William Henry or spend the day exploring nearby historic Saratoga.  

Lake at Thousand Trails Sea Pines
Lake at Thousand Trails Sea Pines

Cape May, New Jersey is a noted September destination because the beaches are quieter and less crowded, but the ocean waters are still warm enough to enjoy. Book a glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Sea Pines and do summer activities in September at the shore. September 13 is the Cape May Harvest Brew Fest featuring craft beers, local artisans and food and the Cape May Oktoberfest is set for September 27 and promises all kinds of Bavarian-themed fun from food to music to dancing. Birders should take note that mid-September begins the migration season for Peregrine falcons and other shore birds so keep your eyes peeled! Other Cape May highlights include the Cape May Wine Trail (it is harvest season, after all), ghost tours (get a jump on the Halloween spookies) and whale watching tours (May through September is peak time for this).  

If we had to add one to the list, we would have to include Yosemite National Park. Waterfalls are still flowing, the fall foliage is peaking out, the park is less crowded, and Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes just down the road is perfect for a fall glamping getaway. The weather is typically moderate and dry in September, so hikes are pleasant. Saturday, September 27 is free admission day for the park.  

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9 Fun Ways to Spend Your September

Here are nine ways to celebrate the ninth month of the year when glamping with us this beautiful September! 

Glamping Cottage at Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod
Glamping Cottage at Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod

Celebrate the day the Mayflower set sail for America (September 16, 1620) and visit the ship’s ultimate destination at the Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Massachusetts. Book a glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod and you’re about 20 miles from the museums that replicate the original 17th settlement of the English colonists that became known as America’s pilgrims.   

September 16 is National Guacamole Day, and we all know there’s no guac with avocados. Learn all about avocadoes with a tour of an avocado farm – Choice Avocados in Fallbrook, California offers a variety of tours that range from a one-hour farm tour ($29) to an extended tour complete with a picnic lunch ($149). If you’re glamping at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes, you’re about 40 minutes away. For details visit choiceavocados.com. 

Cottage at Thousand Trails Lake & Shore
Cottage at Thousand Trails Lake & Shore

September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day and there are plenty of ways to learn about pirates while staying with us. If you’re staying at Florida’s Encore Bulow head to St. Augustine and enjoy some pirate fun with Black Raven Adventures which offer several pirate themed cruises including an adults-only sunset cruise on Talk Like a Pirate Day. If your glamping getaway finds you at South Carolina’s Carolina Shores RV Resort in Myrtle Beach, Blackbeard’s Pirate Cruise is fun for everyone (myrtlebeachpiratecruise.com). New Jersey’s Thousand Trails Lake & Shore is a good glamping location if you want to board the Sea Dragon, a pirate adventure cruise in nearby Ocean City.  

Cottages at Thousand Trails Wilmington
Cottage at Thousand Trails Wilmington RV Campground

The International Day of Peace is recognized on September 21 annually and the best way to honor that concept is to visit the International Peace Museum. Rent a glamping cabin or cottage at Ohio’s Thousand Trails Wilmington and make the less than 35-mile drive to the museum located in Dayton. Through its many exhibits, the museum seeks to meet its mission to “foster empathy and empower visitors to take steps toward a more peaceful world.” 

Appreciate one of the largest mammals in the world on National Elephant Appreciation Day, September 22. According to islands.com, some of the best elephant exhibits in the US include Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida which is one of the largest habits in the US and also has baby Corra, born in 2023 (glamp at Encore Tropical Palms) as well as San Diego’s Safari Park (glamp at Thousand Trails Pio Pico).  

Take a cue from the apple man himself and celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26 and visit some of the apple orchards around the country. Options can include Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire (glamp at the Tuxbury Pond Tiny House Village); Honey Hill Orchard in Waterman, Illinois (glamp at O’Connell’s RV Campground in nearby Amboy) and of course, the many orchards in Julian, California, which is known as the “Apple Capital of Southern California” (glamp at Thousand Trails Oakzanita Springs.) 

National North Carolina Day is September 28 so make it a point to spend the day glamping in the Tar Heel State. Options can include Thousand Trails Forest Lake in Advance or Thousand Trails Green Mountain in Lenoir. Green Mountain sits on the edge of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has plenty of historic sites to visit including Fort Defiance, the Caldwell Heritage Museum and of course Biltmore, which is about a 60-mile drive but well worth the scenic drive. Forest Lake is a nature lover’s dream set among acres and acres of forest, fields and rolling hills with plenty of trails and opportunities for fishing. Nearby Lexington is known as the “Barbecue Capital of the World” so indulge your BBQ hankerings while enjoying the area’s wineries, shops and “uptown” district considered the retail, cultural and historical center of Lexington.  

Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

September is National Honey Month and just like you can’t make guacamole without avocadoes you can’t make mead, an ancient alcohol drink, without honey. Also known as “honey wine,” mead is made from fermented honey, water and yeast. If you’ve never had a taste, nor visited a meadery, here are a few to visit this month during your travels: Foxes Den Meadery in Yorkville, Illinois (about 60 miles from Thousand Trails Pine Country); Funktastic Meads in Midlothian, Virginia (about 70 miles from Bethpage-Camp Resort); Zymarium Meadery in Orlando, Florida (glamp at Encore Tropical Palms); and Honeytree Meadery in Nashville, Tennessee (book a tiny house stay at the Natchez Trace Tiny House Village).  

Lastly, in September of 1962, President John F. Kennedy spoke at Houston’s Rice University in a speech justifying the $5.4 billion space program with a goal to put a man on the moon. The location of the planned “manned spacecraft center” was on Texas land donated by Rice University. Eventually, the facility became known as the Johnson Space Center named for President Lyndon B. Johnson who championed Kennedy’s space program while serving as JFK’s VP. Today, visitors to Houston can visit Space Center Houston which has all the exhibits that detail the history of America’s amazing space program which landed the first men on the moon in 1969. Book a glamping stay at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe for your visit to the Space Center.  

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Fall Foliage Hikes

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park near Silverton, Oregon.

This fall, make it your goal to be an active leaf peeper. Yes, you heard that right. Leaf peeper – which by definition is someone who visits wooded areas in autumn to check out the changing colors of the foliage. Most everyone is a leaf peeper in some form or another. Maybe you don’t check websites for peak color dates or plan an annual trip around the changing colors but you most likely revel in the beautiful color show put on by Mother Nature and her children of the leafy kind come fall.

Now, we’re asking you to be an active leaf peeper, but we don’t mean just checking out the leaves. We think tossing in a hike – mild, moderate, strenuous, whatever a good hike means to you – while taking in this free, socially-distanced show is a great idea. These hikes are both good for your body and for your psyche.  We did some research and found some of the most popular fall foliage hikes around.

Silver Falls State Park (Silverton, Oregon): A moderate hike at almost 9 miles is well worth the effort as Silver Falls State Park offers hikers the opportunity to see waterfalls in addition to the gorgeous fall foliage. Ten waterfalls in fact, thus the name of the trail, Trail of Ten Falls, can be seen on this great fall hike.

(Plan a stay at one of the cozy cabins at nearby Pacific City while hiking Silver Falls.)

Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle, Washington): The Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle is possibly one of the best color shows contained in one location that you may find. In fact, according to the Arboretum’s website, fall in the Arboretum’s Woodland Garden section may possibly offer the most stunning display of fall colors in the region thanks to having one of the largest collection of Japanese maples in North America. All this beauty can be experienced on nearly one mile of winding stone pathways. How’s that for one-stop peeping? 

Japanese Garden at Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, Washington.

(A great idea is to book a tiny home at Leavenworth Tiny House Village and drive into Seattle. This is a two-fer since fall in Leavenworth is another spectacular show.)

Franconia Ridge Trail (Lincoln, New Hampshire): Waterfalls, a running stream, fantastic views, and plenty of fall foliage can be found on this New Hampshire trail. At just about eight miles and definitely a “hike,” the scenic rewards are plentiful. It’s no wonder this loop was named one of the 10 best hiking trails by National Geographic in 2017.

Tiny House Murphy at Tuxbury Tiny House Village

(Book a tiny home at nearby Tuxbury Tiny House Village for the perfect complement to your fall getaway.)

Potawatomi State Park (Door County, Wisconsin): Driving into Potawatomi State Park in the fall is almost a color show in itself. The contrast between the deep black of the roadway and the yellows and golds of the branches overhead is pretty cool, but wait there’s more! The trails are a carpet of beautifully colored fallen leaves and the views are some of fall’s best. Check out the portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail that runs through the Park.

Tranquil Timbers in nearby Sturgeon Bay has the perfect cabin accommodations for your visit to Door County’s color-fall wonderland.

Ocean Path Trail, Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine): This trail, which stretches along the rugged Maine coastline, is postcard perfect in fall. With the rocky shores of the Atlantic on one side and the Acadia’s beautiful foliage on the other, it’s the perfect mix. Check out the fall leaves at Thunder Hole. Ocean Path is approximately 4.5 miles round trip.

Hiking in Acadia National Park

(Book a cozy cabin at Mt. Desert Narrows or choose from a cozy cottage or colorful cabin at Narrows Too for your fall foliage experience.)