Category Archives: News & Updates

Top 5 Last Minute Labor Day Weekend Getaways

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It’s never too late to start planning a summer vacation… until it is. Stop scrambling to find a summer-day-saving destination this Labor Day weekend, and let us do it for you! From hiking Mount Rainier, an active volcano 14 thousand feet above sea level, to lounging in a perfectly heated hot tub on a luxury house boat in the middle of Lake Roosevelt, the key to savoring the rest of your summer lies below.

The Lodge at Stehekin

1 Stehekin Valley Rd, Stehekin, WA 98852

The minute you step out of your cozy Swissmont lodging it’s like you’ve landed on another planet. With views of the pristine Lake Chelan greeting you every morning, it’s hard not to appreciate the majesty the North Cascades National Park has to offer. Explore the lake by kayaking or take in the sights while you fish. Discover the park with the Rainbow Falls Red Bus Tour, through several hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, backpacking or even horseback riding.  LEARN MORE

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Bear Mountain Inn

3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove, NY 10986

Escape the city this Labor Day to the splendors of Bear Mountain State Park. Enjoy an abundance of wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, and white-tailed deer while scaling the many Bear Mountain hikes. The top of the mountain rewards you with vibrant summer views of Bear Mountain and the Hudson River. The Hessian Lake offers kayaking and fishing or you can take a dip in the Bear Mountain Pool. You can even get your shopping done down the road with the Labor Day sales of the Woodbury Commons Outlets. After a fulfilling summer day, cool down with an ice cold beverage and delicious meal at the 1915 Restaurant before retreating to your cozy Bear Mountain accommodations. LEARN MORE

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The Lodge at Breckenridge

112 Overlook Dr, Breckenridge, CO 80424

Spend your Labor Day in awe of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The Lodge at Breckenridge will immediately have you stunned with the spectacular sights seen from the deck and from the comfort of your room. You can also enjoy the summer mountains through hiking group guided tours, on horseback, or through venturing out on your own with a variety of different trails. Aside from the delightful Traverse Restaurant & Bar located at the Lodge, a quick trip into the quaint Breckenridge town will offer a slew of dining options. LEARN MORE

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Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier National Park

47009 Paradise Rd E, Ashford, WA 98304

It’s no question Mount Rainier is one of the most overwhelming spectacles in the nation. At 14,410 feet above sea level, this active volcano and its surrounding park have almost 40 different beautiful trails waiting to be explored. Celebrate Labor Day scaling as many hikes as you can, seeing the gorgeous wildflowers while they’re still in bloom, discovering an abundance of wildlife, and learning about Mount Rainier National Park first hand. You won’t be the only one celebrating either! This year marks Paradise Inn’s centennial anniversary. For the past 100 years Paradise Inn has been greeting guests with amazing hospitality and caring service. They don’t plan on stopping now! LEARN MORE

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Lake Roosevelt Adventures

1250 Marina Dr, Davenport, WA 99122

End your summer with a week of bunking in a luxurious houseboat on the stunning and secluded Lake Roosevelt. Whether your boat comes with an onboard waterslide, a top-deck hot tub, a gas BBQ, or all three and more, the only true way to experience Lake Roosevelt is on a houseboat. When you’re not on your water home you can be exploring the outer area with fishing, bird & wildlife watching, hiking, and hunting. With only a limited amount of houseboats available, we suggest you reach out to Lake Roosevelt Adventures before all of their houseboats are booked! LEARN MORE

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Bonus Summer Recreation Destinations

 

Fairfield Inn & Suites

11625 Lakeridge Pkwy, Ashland, VA 23005

What better way to keep the thrills of summer alive than a theme park? Fairfield Inn is just a 19-minute drive from an exciting Kings Dominion adventure. The Ashland area is also full of microbreweries and wineries, has a luxurious spa, a cultural arts center, two golf courses, and a Botanical Garden all within a 20-minute drive. After you’ve finished your Labor Day weekend itinerary you can retreat to the warm welcome of the Fairfield Inn & Suites for a relaxing stay in their acclaimed accommodations. LEARN MORE

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Boating in DC and Boating in Boston

Washington, D.C. Locations | Boston Locations

Perhaps one of the most common last minute summer activities in both the Washington D.C. and Boston metropolitan area, these boathouses will give you and your crew a great day on the waters of your favorite cities. With 7 boathouses in DC and 5 in Boston, one of these locations is bound to have the boating experience you’re looking for. (Weather permitting)

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Top 5 Things to Do in DC over the 4th of July Weekend

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Lounging on a bed of beautifully manicured grass, family and friend’s enjoy celebratory beverages under a sky lit by the patriotic explosions of fireworks. Unfortunately, your view is through a television screen and you’re lying on the couch. Don’t be that person this year! Free yourself of this boring fate on 2017’s Independence Day weekend with one of these five festivities!

Boating in DCWhat: Boating on the Potomac with Boating in DC
Where: Key Bridge Boathouse, National Harbor, Thompson’s Boat Center, Washington Sailing Marina
When: Friday, June 30th – Tuesday, July 4th

Key Bridge Boathouse: Friday, Monday, & Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The “4th of July Fireworks Paddle” has limited boats left. Reserve now!

National Harbor: Friday, Monday, & Tuesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thompson’s Boat Center: Friday–Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Washington Sailing Marina: Monday & Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday–Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Bring your friends and family out to sail, kayak, paddle board, or even bike your way around some of the most legendary locations in the country.

Triple CraftWhat: Burgers, beers and shakes with DC skyline views at Triple Craft
Where: Triple Craft, 1 Marina Drive, Alexandria, VA
When: Friday, June 30th – Tuesday, July 4th 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Triple Craft has an “over-the-top” menu of burgers, beer, and milkshakes that will have you drooling. The only thing that is more impressive than a Triple Craft meal is the unforgettable view provided by the Potomac River and the Washington D.C. skyline. This year’s 4th of July event includes delicious beers from the Honor Brewing Company, live music, and a special one-time-only menu!

Directions to Triple Craft

Jazz in the GardenWhat: Jazz in the Garden
Where: National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Pavilion Café, 7th Street and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC
When: Friday, June 30th 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Treat yourself to a refreshing signature sangria from the Pavilion Café, and then sit back, relax, and enjoy the Jazz show! After all, just like Victor Provost who will be performing that week’s show, Jazz was born in America. The Pavilion Café menu includes a variety of drinks, toasted sandwiches, fresh salads, pizzas cooked to perfection, and a number of other menu items like an assortment of wonderful pastries!

Directions to Pavilion Cafe

island time bar & grillWhat: Indulge at the Island Time Bar & Grill
Where: Columbia Island Marina, George Washington Pkwy, Arlington, VA
When: Friday, June 30th – Tuesday, July 4th 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Island Time Bar & Grill menu offers an affordable variety of appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, and a refreshing array of beer and drink options. Spoil yourself this Independence Day with the sights and sounds of the Pentagon Lagoon while washing your exquisite meal down with a cool beverage!

Directions to Island Time Bar & Grill

 

 

swan boats at tidal basin

What: A “Monumental” Swan Boat Ride
Where: Tidal Basin, 1501 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC
When: Friday, June 30th – Tuesday, July 4th 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Under the gaze of Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson, the glimmering Tidal Basin is waiting for you to join the Tidal Basin Pedal Boat crew in floating around some of the most iconic monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.

Directions to the Tidal Basin

 

National Park Service Selects New Operator for Everglades National Park

New contract will expand and improve visitor services including a new restaurant and lodging at Flamingo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 2, 2017 
General Park Information:  305-242-7700
Media Queries: Denese Canedo, Denese_Canedo@nps.gov, 786-481-7592

HOMESTEAD, Fla – Get ready for new ways to experience Everglades National Park! On May 30, 2017, the National Park Service selected Everglades Guest Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Guest Services, Inc. (Guest Services), to provide visitor services in the park’s Flamingo district. The contract requires construction of 24 cottages and 20 eco-tents by December 2019, but authorizes a total of 40 cottages and 40 eco-tents. Apart from campsites, this will be the first expanded overnight accommodations in the park since 2005, when the previous lodging complex was removed due to severe damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

Under the new agreement, Guest Services will manage all visitor services in Long Pine Key and Flamingo, including campgrounds, boat tours of Florida Bay and Whitewater Bay, a new restaurant co-located with the cottages, and retail. The new accommodations will be environmentally friendly, affording a sustainable visitor experience. The 20 year term of the contract will enable the new operator to invest in needed visitor services and make customer service a priority.

Superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, Pedro Ramos, expressed excitement about the new contract: “Guest Services has a long history of serving our national parks and the millions of visitors that come out to visit them. We are thrilled that we can now move forward with Guest Services to revitalize Flamingo and offer quality services that will enhance the visitor experience at Everglades National Park.” Ramos also expressed his gratitude to Sammy Hamilton and Everglades National Park Boat Tours for over eight years of providing services to the visitors of the Flamingo area.

Gerry Gabrys, CEO of Guest Services, Inc. similarly shared his enthusiasm by stating, “2017 has been a very special year for our organization as it marks a ‘Century of Service’ since our founding in 1917. When we received this tremendous news from the National Park Service, our Centennial Celebration became even more special. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to steward and enhance visitor services within the Everglades – truly one of America’s most iconic National Parks!”

Flamingo is accessed by water, through Florida Bay, or a 45-minute scenic drive through the park. Visitors will be able to walk out their cottage door, and within minutes have the opportunity to see crocodiles, alligators, manatees, sawfish, sea turtles, dolphin, tarpon and more. Flamingo is also a world-class birding and fishing paradise, with rich history of peoples and industries from the Calusa & Tequesta Indians, Guy Bradley and the Audubon Society, to Henry Flagler and agriculture.

Guest Services was selected under the provisions of the 1998 Concessions Management Improvement Act. Guidelines used to evaluate proposals can be found online at: http://www.nps.gov/commercialservices. More information about the company is available at www.guestservices.com.

For more information about Everglades National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/ever or call (305) 242-7700.

– NPS –

The National Park Service has more than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 National Parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

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