Tag: New York

Step Back in Time in These 3 Historic Cities

This year, the July 4th holiday marked 248 years of independence. But long before the Founding Fathers put together the Declaration of Independence, the United States was staking its claim as a pretty great new nation. Check out some of America’s oldest cities as you travel this July:

Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow
Glamping Cottage at Encore Bulow

St. Augustine, Florida: Roughly 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, Spanish explorers founded St. Augustine, which is considered the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African American origin in the US. That was 1565 and today St. Augustine is a trip back in time with its centuries-old buildings and European feel. Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the US, constructed in 1695. The Colonial Quarter, located on St. George Street gives a feel for what life in St. Augustine was like in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries while Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a living history museum dedicated to telling the story of the settlers life as it was in the 1500s. A glamping cottage at Encore Bulow is the perfect place to stay when visiting this historic area.

Cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod
Cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod

Plymouth, Massachusetts: Book a glamping cottage at Thousand Trails Gateway to Cape Cod and explore Plymouth, Massachusetts, which was established in 1620 when the Mayflower docked on the shores here. There is plenty of Pilgrim and Native American History to be found here. The Plimouth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum that journeys back 400 years in time to tell the story of how America got its start. There is also a historic replica of the Mayflower, the Pilgrim Hall Museum and the Jabez Howland House, the home of the son of two Mayflower passengers. Brewster Gardens is a lovely 2.9-acre park with great views of the water and a walking path. Don’t miss the bronze statue, Pilgrim Maiden, which pays tribute to the brave English women who made the Mayflower voyage to America.

Albany, New York: While Albany, New York has the distinction of being the New York state capital, it is also one of the oldest cities in America, dating back to 1686. Explorer Henry Hudson laid claim to the area in 1609 and the city was named as the state capital in 1797. The New York State Museum, established in 1836, is the oldest and largest state museum in the country and houses exhibits that reflect New York’s cultural and natural history. The Schuyler Mansion, the 18th century home of Philip J. Schuyler, who served as a general in the Continental Army and was also father of Elizabeth Schuyler, wife of Alexander Hamilton, is open for guided tours daily (parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schuylermansion/details.aspx). Another must-see in Albany is the New York State Capitol building, an architectural marvel built in the late 19th century. A great place for insight into the history of New York is the Albany Institute of History and Art (albanyinstitute.org) being one of the oldest museums in the country and operating since 1791. A vacation cottage or cabin at Lake George Escape Campground is a great place to stay when exploring Albany.

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What is…the Best Places to Glamp?

Since 1964, the game show Jeopardy has been a television viewer favorite and has maintained popularity 60 years later with more than 8000 episodes, 39 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. The category topics remain relevant and cover history, art, television, music, science and more with answers ranging from Actinium (the first chemical element) to Zendaya (Spiderman’s girlfriend and so much more.) We thought we’d have some fun with our own clues, à la Jeopardy, and see if you can guess which glamping location we’re talking about.

Clue: This Oregon location is home to a tiny house village that makes the perfect glamping spot to explore this part of the Pacific Northwest.

If you said “What is Mt. Hood Tiny House Village” you’re on the board. Indoors or outdoors, you’re a winner here. Take a ride and enjoy all 105 miles of the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway (roughly 3–4-hour drive, not including stops). Scenery includes of course the mountains, but also vineyards, farms, and orchards. Be sure to see the historic Timberline Lodge. Or choose to bike, hike, and look for Bigfoot. Yes, that Bigfoot – check out the North American Bigfoot Center in Boring (yes, that’s the town name!). The Center includes Bigfoot evidence and historic artifacts as well as all kinds of Bigfoot-themed merch. The Old Salmon River Trail is great for a short hike and, weather permitting, a dip in the water at the sandy beaches along the trail. Another interesting way to explore the area is the East Gorge Food Trail, which is an interesting mix of orchards, vineyards, farmers markets, eateries, cideries and breweries (eastgorgefoodtrail.com).

Clue: Nestled in New York’s Adirondacks, this glamping location offers outdoor adventure on the Queen of American Lakes.

The winning answer here is “What is Lake George Escape Campground”. Pick your favorite glamping cottage or cabin and take on the Adirondacks and all there is to explore here. For some history, check out Fort William Henry to experience life in a British fort, circa 1755, for kitschy, visit the House of Frankenstein Wax Museum with plenty to spook you from waxy monsters to the animatronic ones too! Cruise Lake George, which is known as the “Queen of American Lakes,” on a cruise offered by the Lake George Steamboat Company or hike to Shelving Rock Falls and see the beautiful waterfall. Relax waterside at Million Dollar Beach which is great for swimming and scenic views.

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

Clue: Located in the Granite State, this tiny house village is less than an hour from Boston and less than 30 minutes to Salsbury-Hampton beaches.

Call yourself a winner if you answered, “What is Tuxbury Tiny House Village” and keep up the good luck streak by taking a ride into Boston. Walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, enjoy some cannoli and the other delicious Italian foods available in the city’s North End (Mike’s Pastry is often said to be the best cannoli in town!), take in a Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park or experience the vast and varied art collection at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, Massachusetts has plenty of events going on during the summer including the Strawberry Festival set for June 15-16, the Blueberry & Flower Festival scheduled for July 20-21 and July 27-28 and in August plan for the Peach & Sunflower Festival running for two weekends, August 10-11 and August 17-18. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a day at the beach and when you stay at Tuxbury Tiny House Village you’re less than 30 minutes from the beach!

Tuxbury Tiny House Village
Tuxbury Tiny House Village

Clue: Awash with southern charm, these six tiny houses provide the perfect Tennessee glamping getaway with access to city and country attractions alike.

“What is Natchez Trace Tiny House Village?” is what you want to ring in with here. Once you’ve booked the tiny house that best suits you, consider all the options for fun you have here. Those options include the hour drive into Nashville to explore Music City with its lively entertainment scene, great food and plenty of museums; leisurely drives to the charming towns that surround the area, or outdoor adventures on the nearby trails and waterways. For trails near Natchez Trace Tiny House Village consider the Meriwether Lewis Loop, where you can see the grave of famed explorer Meriwether Lewis, or the Fall Hollow Falls Trail to glimpse a 20-foot waterfall. In Nashville, consider a skyline paddle, available through cumberlandkayakadventure.com or visit Harpeth River State Park for canoe and kayak opportunities. Small town visits can include Franklin (don’t miss the Carter House and Carnton Plantation here for Civil War history) and Leiper’s Fork with its distillery, winery, antique stores and shops and the unique Leiper’s Fork Market.

Natchez Trace Tiny House Village
Natchez Trace Tiny House Village

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The Ultimate Guide to Pet Friendly Vacation and Glamping Destinations

Speaking of happy places, if you’re a pet lover, then any place you can travel with your pets has to be a happy place. Here are a few ways you can bring the pup(s) along, glamp, and have the freedom to let them tag along at these dog friendly places.

Cottage at Tall Chief Campground
Cottage at Tall Chief Campground

Seattle, Washington: The pet-friendly cottage at Tall Chief sleeps four humans and is the perfect glamping spot to host a getaway with your pet. Dog-friendly outings when heading into Seattle can include the Washington Arboretum; Gas Works Park, a lovely grassy park built on the site of a former gas works plant that offers paved walking paths and great views of Lake Union; and leashed dogs are welcome to explore the iconic Pike Place Market. Several breweries welcome dogs too including Fremont Brewing and Outer Planet Brewing.

Cabin at Lake George Escape
Cabin at Lake George Escape

Lake George, New York: Our Lake George Escape resort is extremely pet-friendly as all of the glamping accommodations welcome pets. Once you settle in, get ready for an Adirondack adventure with your furry friend. Don’t miss all the opportunities to explore Lake George with your pup in tow – from a brewery (Bolton Landing Brewing Company) or a winery/cidery (Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery) to a hike with views of the Hudson River (Hudson River Park) and a sunset cruise on Lake George (Lake George Waterfront Cruises).

Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver Yurt
Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver Yurt

Bend, Oregon: Choose from a pet-friendly cabin, cottage, or yurt at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver and explore “the outdoor playground of the West” on four legs or two! Most of the Deschutes National Forest is dog-friendly. The North Fork Trail is shady thanks to all the Douglas firs and offers a shorter 4-mile loop as well as a 6.7-mile loop. Of course, you’ll find the Bend Ale Trail here – because Bend is also known as “Beer Town USA” and most of the breweries along the trail welcome pets. If you’re up for shopping for new gear for you and your pet, check out the Patagonia store in Bend which welcomes pets and has some good gear for them (and you), too!

Carmel, California: Carmel is considered one of the most dog-friendly cities in California so it’s no wonder dog-lovers and everyone’s favorite Golden Girl, Betty White, kept a beach house here for over 40 years. Rent the pet-friendly cottage at Marina Dunes and see what makes Carmel so dog-gone pet-friendly. Sip and stroll with your pet and enjoy some of the offerings from the Carmel-By-the-Sea Wine Walk which has plenty of pet-friendly tasting rooms or take to the sugary sand at Carmel Beach, which welcomes dogs. After beach time, check out the Fountain of Woof in Carmel Plaza and let your pet drink from the fountain for good and you can explore the shops here, too! Also, most restaurants that have patio seating welcome dogs as well.

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5 Things to do in Lake George, New York

Feeling like a throwback glamping trip is in order? Consider a trip to the beautiful Adirondacks in upstate New York where the who’s who have been flocking to relax and retreat since the late 1800s. Reserve a cabin or vacation cottage at Lake George Escape and get ready to time travel. BTW, Country Living magazine recently named the town of Lake George to their list of the top small towns in New York. List-making reasons included scenic views, outdoor activity, history, culture, and a lively downtown. Based on that list, we’ve found a few things to do when glamping in Lake George:

  • Scenic Views: From sunrise (check out Prospect Mountain) to sunset (check out Pilot Knob Preserve), Lake George offers plenty of scenery to be seen. The afore-mentioned sunrise/sunset locations can be added to the list that would include the views from the Lake George lakeside trail with wildflowers and steamboat views and the scenic drive on Route 9N (especially in fall).
  • Outdoor Activity: Pick your favorite outdoor activity and you can most probably find it here in Lake George. Wild water fun can include whitewater rafting (check out wildwaters.net) or parasailing over Lake George (check out parasailingadventures.com). Hiking trails include Prospect Mountain (a steep climb but great views); Amy’s Park in Bolton’s Landing (great glimpses of wildlife) and Sleeping Beauty Mountain (again, the views will not disappoint).
  • History: Although it was officially formed as the town of Lake George in 1810, the area has played a major role in history long before then. It was the site of strategic battleground in the French and Indian War and in 1759 it was home to three forts: Fort Gage, Fort George, and Fort William Henry. Visitors today can visit the Fort William Henry Museum. Other historic highlights in the area are Fort Ticonderoga, the Bolton Historical Society Museum for lots of local history, and the Rogers Island Visitor Center which is great for exhibits related to native Americans, the French Indian Wars, and the Revolutionary Era.
  • Culture: The Hyde Collection is a wonderful art museum in Glen Falls with works that span centuries of American and European art. A special exhibit featuring works by Edgar Degas will run through December 2023. The Lake George Dinner Theater is an option with the current production of Sheer Madness running through August 26 while The Sembrich, in Bolton’s Landing, has a variety of musical events running through the summer season.
  • Lively Downtown: Beach Road and Canada Street are Lake George’s busy, bustling main streets filled with shops and restaurants. Handmade gifts, candy shops, clothing and souvenir shops, and even dog-friendly restaurants can be found here. If Fido is along, check out the Adirondack Pub & Brewery.

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Celebrate The Girls with a Getaway

National Girlfriends Day is celebrated August 1 annually. And to be clear, it’s not a celebration of the romantic type, but one for the woman, or women, in your life who are there for you through thick and thin. The ones who show up, the ones who’ve known you since before you were you, and the ones who you may go a long time without seeing and then pick up right where you left off.  If you’re lucky enough to have these kinds of girlfriends in your life, why not celebrate with a girlfriends getaway?

Franklin, Tennessee: While nearby Nashville is also well-suited for a girls trip, Franklin might be a good idea, as well. A little lower key than the neon lights of Nashville, Franklin is great for girl-focused fun, like eating, shopping, cocktailing, and maybe even a walking ghost tour! Book a stay at nearby Natchez Trace RV Campground and you’ll have quick access to Franklin, Nashville, and the surrounding areas. Franklin highlights include the Lotz House Museum, the Franklin Glassblowing Studio, and brunch at The Honeysuckle where you can experience the Biscuit Board, like only the South can offer! More shopping and eating can be found in nearby Leiper’s Fork, anther quaint southern town considered “Nashville’s Backyard,” which is also home to a few celebs. Check out Puckett’s Grocery for great burgers and live music.

Potawatomi State Park

Door County, Wisconsin: Not only is this a great destination because of all the shopping, but the area also offers plenty of outdoor activity to indulge in so everybody gets a little something on a girls getaway here. Get the girls all settled into a cozy cabin at Tranquil Timbers Camping Resort and prepare to explore the Door. Take in a tasting at Hatch Distilling in Egg Harbor which features a craft cocktail menu that changes daily, or hike, bike, or stroll through Potawatomi State Park, which has roughly 20 miles of trails. Speaking of trails, the Door County Wine Trail is also an option. A few don’t miss items are the goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant and an iconic Door County fish boil.

Tuolumne County, California: Tuolumne County is home to Yosemite National Park, which is in and of itself, an adventure. But there’s also whitewater rafting opportunities, shops, and eateries to try in the area’s several small towns, plus wineries and hiking trails. Start off with a yurt rental at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort and get ready for indoor and outdoor fun, girlfriend-style. Enjoy a two-fer when you visit Gianelli Vineyards Winery that offers fabulous wines as well as live music on Friday and Saturday evenings in a tented venue among the vines! Spend a day or two touring the historic Gold Rush towns that include Groveland, Sonora, and Jamestown. Outdoor fun includes horseback riding, whitewater rafting, panning for gold and exploring the wonders of Yosemite.

Cozy cabin at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort in Groveland, CA

The Adirondacks, New York: Imagine the great photo ops when you gather the girls in the beauty of New York’s Adirondack Region for a getaway. Mountain backdrop: check. Lake backdrop: check! With a vacation cottage rental at Lake George Escape, you’re in the perfect location to see why the Adirondacks are a great place to celebrate girlfriends. Toast to friendship at the Adirondack Winery (there are two tasting rooms – the Lake George Tasting Room and the Bolton Tasting Room). Or, head to Million Dollar Beach, one of the largest beaches in Lake George, and take a few beach shots for the ‘gram. Although it is also the most popular beach, there’s plenty of space at this beautiful 51-acre beach. Girlfriends can appreciate history so head to Fort William Henry, a British fort dating to 1755 or the Chapman Museum in Glen Falls which details the history of the area. End the days with a relaxing sunset or dinner cruise on Lake George.

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