Tag: Washington Island

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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Where to Stay in a Yurt for an Unforgettable Trip

Aside from being the ultra-hip accommodation as the glamping trend continues to gain popularity, a yurt offers so much for a glamping getaway. If you’re new to glamping, or a tried-and-true camper looking for something different, you will quickly find out that the yurt offers a very unique space that has all the amenities you could imagine. Cable TV, bathroom accommodations within the space, comfy bunks, a kitchenette, electricity and plenty of room for activities! Plus, you don’t have to duck when you stand up. This all goes without even mentioning the sense of well-being that is associated with the modern versions of these age-old dwellings. The circular shape of the yurt is said to provide a sense of connection as well as relaxation. So, booking a yurt for your next glamping trip would be an ideal way to get back to being connected with family, friends, nature and your well-being. Here are some options:

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

California: Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs in Oregon House has three yurt accommodations, one of which is pet friendly. Located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this location is excellent for hiking and trail-riding, plus there are onsite activities provided by the 120-acre private lake including boating, fishing and swimming. If you’re looking to get in some white-water rafting, consider a yurt stay at one of the two yurt options at Thousand Trails Snowflower in Emigrant Gap which is nearby to the Truckee River. The town of Truckee has some great historical museums, as well as dining and shopping opportunities. Planning to explore Yosemite National Park? If that’s on your getaway list, book a yurt at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes. With 5 yurts, choose your location of a meadow setting, hillside setting or riverside setting.

Yurts at Mt. Hood Village
Yurts at Mt. Hood Village

Oregon: Yurt accommodations in Oregon include coastal locations (Thousand Trails Pacific City and Thousand Trails South Jetty), near Portland in the beautiful Mt. Hood area (Mt. Hood Village Campground) and in the town of Bend, considered the “outdoor playground of the West” (Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver). Bend offers four yurt options, with one being pet-friendly; Mt. Hood has two, both of which are pet-friendly, while coastal locations Pacific City and South Jetty offer two and four, respectively. While Bend offers hiking, biking and craft breweries, the Mt. Hood area is known for the Timberline Lodge and outdoor activities as well as annual festivals like the Huckleberry Festival and Sasquatch Festival. Coastal adventures at both Pacific City and South Jetty include lighthouse tours, beachcombing and countless dune trails to explore.

Thousand Trails Circle M Yurt
Thousand Trails Circle M Yurt

Pennsylvania: The beautiful rolling hills of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, combined with a yurt accommodation at Thousand Trails Circle M sounds like a perfectly peaceful glamping getaway. Choose from one of the two yurts located here and explore Lancaster County. Bike trails range from easy rides (the Conestoga Greenway is 1.3 miles) to more strenuous (the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail is 14 miles), while hiking trails are numerous and varied as well. Of course, there is the option to immerse yourself in the Amish culture with traditional dinners and tours or take a ghost tour, shop the Lancaster Central Market, which has been operating for over 300 years or take a cool covered bridge tour of the 30 surviving covered bridges in the area.

Yurt at Thousand Trails Mt. Vernon
Yurt at Thousand Trails Mount Vernon

Washington: With five different glamping locations with yurt accommodations in Washington State, you can “yurt” your way through this fabulous Pacific Northwest destination feeling super connected to nature all along the way. Thousand Trails Grandy Creek is your gateway to Puget Sound and all things Mt. Baker while Thousand Trails Mount Vernon is great for nearby hiking trails and day trips to the San Juan Islands. Thousand Trails Long Beach is perfect for a glamping beach getaway and a stroll on the town’s historic boardwalk while Thousand Trails Paradise puts you in Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens territory. Looking to visit Seattle, consider a yurt accommodation at Tall Chief Campground and you’re less than 30 miles from Seattle attractions like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture.

Wisconsin: “Explore the Door” as they say when you visit the 75-mile-long peninsula known as Door County. The yurt accommodations at Tranquil Timbers Campground sleep five and are the perfect place to call home while you do all the exploring of this great area that has outdoor activities, art galleries, quaint towns, plenty of shopping and dining experiences, and “uniquely Door County” experiences like fish boils and goats on restaurant roofs (Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant). Peninsula State Park is great for hiking and biking while those in the know say the villages of Egg Harbor and Fish Creek are best for shopping. Take the ferry over to Washington Island for a change-up in the beautiful scenery and visit Nelsen’s Hall for a traditional shot of bitters!

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