Tag: miami florida

Top 5 Must-Do Experiences in Vibrant Miami, Florida

Just about any travel guide you consult for reasons to visit Miami will include the beaches, the nightlife and, of course, the weather. We know of one great reason for sure – the fabulous glamping accommodations at Encore Miami Everglades that include deluxe lodges and cabins. Plus, this gorgeous and lush tropical getaway is just 30 minutes from Miami, though you feel like you’re in a true nature retreat. So, book a stay at Miami Everglades and check out five more reasons we found to make your Miami getaway a glamping trip to remember.

1. Explore City Beautiful: Coral Gables is less than 20 minutes from Miami and definitely worth a visit. The city’s tree-lined boulevards, Spanish and Mediterranean architecture, and the plentiful historic landmarks make it easy to see why the city is nicknamed “City Beautiful.” Check out the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, which has a collection of rare tropical plants set on 83 acres. Another interesting must-see when visiting Coral Gables are the “Seven Villages of Coral Gables” which were designed to reflect villages from around the world and include the French Normandy Village, Chinese Village, and Italian Village. Visit bikewalkcoralgables.org for maps of self-guided tours of the Villages as well as the Coral Gables landmarks.

2. Monkey Around: A visit to Monkey Jungle (monkeyjungle.com) provides an opportunity to see several species of monkeys in their natural habitat. Opened in 1935 by animal behaviorist Joseph DuMond, this 30-acre wildlife park is home to over 300 primates. The Rainforest Adventure Tour is a great way to see squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and more in a rainforest setting.

Cabins at Encore Miami Everglades
Cabins at Encore Miami Everglades

3. Millionaire’s Row: If you want to see how Miami’s rich and famous live, take a guided boat tour of Millionaire’s Row (tourscanner.com or miamionthewater.com). See if you can spot any of the Row’s residents, that include Jennifer Lopez and Shaquille O’Neal, soaking up the sun. Both tours also provide spectacular views of the skyline and Biscayne Bay.

4. Visit Little Havana: Take in the Cuban cultural experience with a visit to Little Havana (which can be reached via Miami’s free trolley service). Calle Ocho is where you can find the locals conversing, playing dominoes and the Paseo de las Estrellas, which is equivalent to the Walk of the Stars, and pays tribute to Cuban, Latin, Hispanic, and African American musicians, actors, and artists with ties to the community. While you’re here, take a Little Havana Food and Cultural tour (available through miamiculinarytours.com) or visit an authentic cigar factory (check out casahabano.net for info on a factory tour).

Night time Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades
Night time Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades

5. Hit the Beach(es): There are more than 15 beaches in Miami and each has a different flair. For example, Oleta River State Park offers a 1,200 foot sandy beach great for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. South Beach is the most famous with the iconic Ocean Drive backdrop while North Beach is a popular music venue that features the North Beach Bandshell. Crandon Park Beach has a Family Amusement Center and a Nature Center and Haulover Beach is good for kite-flying and picnicking. For more Miami Beach choices, go to visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/best-beaches-of-miami-florida.

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Top 5 Galentine’s Getaways

If you’re a fan of TV’s Parks & Recreation, you know that we have the character Leslie Knope to thank for making Galentine’s Day a thing. Celebrated on February 13, the day is designated for “ladies recognizing ladies.” Show your gal pals all the love you feel for them this year and enjoy a Galentine’s Getaway to these top spots.

Nashville, Tennessee: Book a glamping stay at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village and get ready to experience Nashville and the surrounding neighborhoods with some of your best gal pals! Head into Nashville to experience the one-of-a-kind honky tonks that line the city’s world famous “Lower Broadway.” More musical fun can be found at the Ryman Auditorium whether you’re taking in a concert or just a guided tour of this historic music venue. What’s a girl’s trip without a few Instagram shots so make sure you check out the murals around town that provide the perfect backdrop for these photo opps (visitmusiccity.com/trip-ideas/nashville-murals). Nashville’s neighborhoods provide another option for interesting things to do – check out The Gulch, SoBro and Capital View for all kinds of fun. Need more space than a tiny house affords? Natchez Trace also features a gorgeous lodge which sleeps up to 15 and a number of cozy cabins!

Miami Everglades RV Resort Cabin
Miami Everglades RV Resort Cabin

Miami, Florida: There’s more than the beaches to enjoy when the gals gather for Galentine’s Day in Miami. Of course, if you’re looking for prime beach time, the best beaches in Miami include Lummus Park (said to have postcard worthy views), the iconic South Beach (SoBe to the locals), and Crandon Park, when you’re really there for the beach. Then there’s Coconut Grove (mark your February calendars for the 19-21 which is the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival) – an historic Miami neighborhood with dining, shopping, and the occasional live peacock strutting your way. Located in Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark that offers 34 rooms on view at the estate as well as 10 acres of formal gardens, is another must-see when taking in Miami.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village - Scarlett Tiny House
Scarlett Tiny House at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

Portland, Oregon: Portland is for Pittock Mansion, Powell’s City of Books, and plenty of Instagram worthy pics. It’s also a great destination for pals – as in gal pals this Galentine’s Day. The aforementioned Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style chateau built in 1914 as the home of publisher Henry Pittock. Visitors can choose from guided or self-guided tours of the mansion, the Gate Lodge, and the grounds (pittockmansion.org).  A Portland landmark, Powell’s City of Books is billed as the world’s largest new and used bookstore. Plenty of choices for that book group discussion can be found here! As for the photo opps – check out the marquee at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for a very large “Portland” backdrop, the Old Town Portland sign (another historic landmark), and underneath the St. John’s Bridge at Cathedral Park. A great place to stay is in an adorable tiny house at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, which is about 45 minutes from the city.  

Santa Barbara, California: Pick from cabins, cottages, or the unique tipi or western cabins at Santa Barbara’s Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort to get your sunny Cali Galentine’s Getaway off to a great start. Without even leaving the resort, the fun begins with horseback rides and a look-see at the resort’s Western Village complete with stables, Conestoga wagons and a welcoming stone lodge. Off-site excursions can include a trip into the Danish-style city of Solvang where you can enjoy a trolley ride around town, visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, and try some tasty Danish baked goods. Another option is Montecito where must-sees include Butterfly Beach and Casa del Herrero, a 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival estate open for tours. Keep your eyes open when you’re out and about in Montecito as a few well-knowns call Montecito home including Oprah and Harry and Meghan. There are also opportunities for wine tours in Santa Barbara, a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo, and plenty of shopping, dining, and sunsets to be experienced.

Cabin at Medina Lake RV Campground
Cabin at Medina Lake RV Campground

San Antonio, Texas: A girl’s trip to San Antonio is a perfect trip if you’re looking to combine history, culture, great food, and some fun on the river. Book a cozy cabin at Medina Lake and you’re less than an hour’s drive to San Antonio. For history, there’s the Alamo – there is no admission fee, and you can choose to take a self-guided or guided tour at this historic location where you can learn about the Texas Revolution. The famed River Walk offers all kinds of fun including eating, shopping, and getting your steps in on this 15-mile scenic walk along the San Antonio River. There’s also nightlife options and river cruises here. Viator offers a San Antonio Food Tour as well as a Ghost Walking tour (viator.com).

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Your Best Fall Self(ie)

New season, new reason to be your best self ever, but don’t look here for tips on doing that. Instead, we’re going to give you some ideas for your best fall selfie – that is, where to go to get the best backdrop for the perfect post, selfie-style.

Your Best Fall Self(ie)

  1. Cloud Gate, Chicago, IL: Fall in the Midwest is certainly a colorful adventure, so if you happen to be enjoying the Lake Michigan Circle Tour (a road trip that will take you through Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin) make a detour to the Windy City and take a perfect selfie at the Cloud Gate sculpture, also knowns as the Bean, in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

    Arrowhead RV Campground | Wisconsin Dells, WI
    Arrowhead RV Campground | Wisconsin Dells, WI
  2. Hawk Hill, San Francisco, CA: From September through November, this location outside of San Francisco is the best place to view the raptor migration on a clear day and a perfect spot for a selfie with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the background. An added bonus – your furry friend, provided they’re leashed, can also join you in the pic.

    Golden Gate Bridge | San Francisco, CA
    Golden Gate Bridge | San Francisco, CA
  3. Covered Bridge Festival, Rockville, IN:  The Parke County Covered Bridge Festival is scheduled this year for October 12th through the 21st, and the 31 historic covered bridges of Parke County provide the perfect selfie backdrop.
  4. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, FL: Take in the breathtaking beauty of the grounds and gardens before the snowbirds arrive and picture yourself (literally) in the opulence of this Italian Renaissance mansion, which was once the winter home of industrialist James Deering.  There’s fountains, statuary, sculpture, orchids (Deering’s favorite) and views of Biscayne Bay that will serve as ideal backdrops for the perfect selfie.
  5. Texas State Fair, Dallas, TX: There are plenty of selfie opportunities at a state fair, but the Texas State Fair is the only place you can take your picture with Big Tex in the background. This 55-foot mechanical cowboy is the perfect companion for your State Fair selfie. Other iconic State Fair selfie companions can include baby livestock and the neon Midway sign.

    Bay Landing RV Campground | Bridgeport, TX
    Bay Landing RV Campground | Bridgeport, TX
  6. Lake Wenatchee, Leavenworth, WA:  The reflection of the fall colors against the 489-acre lake is said to be simply spectacular.  With 12,000 feet of waterfront views, there are plenty of selfie opportunities among this fall color show. To boot, the charming town of Leavenworth hosts an Autumn Leaf Festival from September 29-30, which will provide even more selfie moments.

    Leavenworth Tiny House Village | Leavenworth, WA
    Leavenworth Tiny House Village | Leavenworth, WA
  7. New England Fall Foliage: Numerous photo ops await any leaf-peeper as they make their way through the gorgeous fall color display that is New England in autumn.  Maine’s quaint Bar Harbor and the adjacent Acadia National Park are the personifications of fall colors as is New Hampshire’s South Hampton thanks to its proximity to the White Mountain Forest. Sorry, even without you in the picture, fall color shots are a must-have!

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

Get colorful and creative with your selfies when you stay in a Petite Retreat this fall!