Tag: apple picking

5 Things to do in Door County, Wisconsin

Did you know that Door County, Wisconsin is nicknamed the “Cape Cod of the Midwest?” Thanks to its miles and miles of coastline, tiny fishing villages, craggy landscape and overall charm, Wisconsin’s popular peninsula fits the moniker. Whether you come for the outdoor adventure (hiking, biking, kayaking, and more) or the unique food experiences (fish boils, all things cherry, or the Scandinavian fare), Door County makes for the perfect glamping getaway. Book a glamping cottage, cabin or yurt at Tranquil Timbers Campground, and check out these five things we found to do here: 

Tranquil Timbers Campground
1. Explore Washington Island

Take the ferry ride across Death’s Door and explore this interesting island that offers everything from unique architecture to scenic vistas, plus a few surprises that include a lavender farm (fragrantisle.com) and a pub that will give you more information on Angostura bitters than you will ever need (Nelsen’s Hall Bitter’s Pub & Restaurant.) Check out Stavkirke, a unique church built in the Norwegian architecture style, climb the 186 steps of Mountain Park Lookout Tower for an amazing view, or enjoy a stroll on the limestone rocks of Schoolhouse Beach. 

Washington Island Stavkirke
2. Do the Wine Trail:

A great way to see the area is via the Door County Wine Trail which features nine wineries spread out through tiny towns that make up Door County. The trail not only gives you the opportunity to sample the wines unique to the area but also to see the charming towns that make Door County a great destination. For more details visit doorcountywinetrail.com.

3. Visit Peninsula State Park

Wisconsin’s third largest state park encompasses over 3,700 acres with plenty of shoreline, plus miles of hiking and biking trails, and the 60-foot high Eagle Tower which offers spectacular views of Green Bay. Enjoy a picnic at Nicolet Beach, check out the 18-hole golf course, or take a tour of the historic Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. You can spend days here and never do the same thing twice!

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse at Peninsula State Park
4. Discover the History of “The Door”:

Officially, Door County was established in 1851, but the history of the area goes way beyond that. To learn all about how Door County came to be, there are plenty of places to visit. Consider a walking tour of Ephraim to see architectural heritage relating to the Moravian and Norwegian settlers; or for Belgian heritage history, visit the Belgian Heritage Center. For farming history visit the Washington Island Farming Museum or Heritage Village. The Alexander Noble House dates to 1875 and features period furniture and decor while the Jacobsen Museum is set in a lakeside cabin and exhibits historic artifacts as well as natural items.

5. Experience Fall:

From leaf peeping to apple picking, there’s plenty of fall to experience here. Festivals to consider include Autumnfest (September 12 in Baileys Harbor); Harvest Fest (September 19 in Sturgeon Bay); and the Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival (October 2-4 throughout the area). Go apple picking at Seaquist Orchards in Sister Bay, eat some cheese at Renaud’s Swiss in Sturgeon Bay and check out the corn maze at Red Barn (redbarnmaze.com). For a fall color show, check out Skyline Road in Peninsula State Park; Ellison Bluff County Park and Cave Point County Park.

Sister Bay, Wisconsin

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Best Glamping Cabins to Stay Cozy in this Autumn

It’s autumn and that means cozy cabins are the must-have for your fall glamping adventures. Think rustic, wooded and perfect fall vibes. Check out some of our great cabins that are the perfect accessory to your fall-fun agenda.

A Cabin in the Woods: Head to Door County, Wisconsin’s popular peninsula for a glamping cabin in the woods experience at Tranquil Timbers Campground. The cabins here are set on 50 acres of wooded wonderland and offer the perfect place to enjoy fall colors. Outdoor opportunities here include exploring Peninsula State Park with its fishing, biking and hiking opportunities, apple-picking in the numerous orchards and strolling the charming towns. The Door County Fall Lighthouse Festival is set for October 4 when all 11 of the historic lighthouses will be open for visitors.

Cabin at Seaside RV Campround
Cabin at Seaside RV Campround

A Cabin by the Sea: You can’t get much closer to a cabin by the sea than with a glamping cabin accommodation at Thousand Trails Seaside on Oregon’s picturesque coast. Fall is the perfect time for spotting migrating gray whales while you stroll the beach. For guaranteed marine life views, head over to the Seaside Aquarium which has several touch tanks and underwater exhibits. It’s also a great place to feed the seals! A visit to Seaside is not complete without a walk on “the Prom,” Seaside’s historic 1.5-mile historic promenade along the shore which also has access to several restaurants and shops.

Cabin at Lake George Escape Campground
Cabin at Lake George Escape Campground

A Cabin in the Mountains: Lucky, lucky glampers – there are two choices if the mountains are calling you. The East Coast option is Lake George Escape Campground in the amazing Adirondacks. Late September in the Lake George area is a leaf-peepers dream as the colors are typically in their glory. Enjoy the fall air and the color show by hiking the numerous trails that range from easy to challenging. For a list of trail ideas, head to visitlakegeorge.com/outdoors/recreation/hiking. If you want a seat for the color show, consider a scenic drive on Route 9N or a drive to the top of Prospect Mountain. Fall events in Lake George include the Adirondack Balloon Festival scheduled for September 19-22 or the Lake George Oktoberfest and Fall Festival set for October 11-13. For a Pacific Northwest mountain adventure, rent a cozy cabin at Mt. Hood Village Resort and hop aboard the Fall Harvest Train, which is considered one of the most scenic rides that goes through the Hood River Valley (mthoodrr.com). Another fun fall experience would be to take the 35-mile self-guided Hood River Fruit Loop and visit the orchards in the area. Fall hikes could include the 3.3-mile hike to Tamanawas Falls, the Trillium Lake Loop, an easy hike that could include a lakeside picnic and the more aggressive hike at a little over 8 miles at Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain which offers great views of Mt. Hood.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bay Landing
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bay Landing

A Cabin in the South: Again, two choices for the lucky fall glamper. There’s a cozy cabin waiting in Bridgeport, Texas at Thousand Trails Bay Landing. Once you’re settled in here explore the area which includes Fort Worth attractions including the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens which will be in full fall color bloom come September and the 138th State Fair of Texas which runs September 27 to October 20. Canoe or kayak the nearby Trinity River or hike Eagle Mountain Park which has 10 miles of trails. If you’re Tennessee-bound, reserve a cozy cabin at Thousand Trails Natchez Trace and drive into Nashville to enjoy the art and music scene that is Music City USA. Or take to the great outdoors and hike trails in the area which include the moderate Meriwether Lewis Loop Trail or the easy Old Trace Trail.

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