Category Archives: News & Updates

Gifting Memories

We know how difficult it can be to choose the perfect gift for someone who means so much to you. So, why not gift your loved ones with something that will last them a lifetime?

Whether you are giving a gift for an adventurous wanderer, that special someone, or the whole family, we know there is something here for everyone.

Gifts for the adventurer:

  • Give a gift that lasts all summer long! Boating in DC and Boating in Boston both offer season passes, available to purchase at any time of the year, even the offseason. Visit the DC website or the Boston website for more information.
  • Giants Ridge is the perfect destination for a winter break ski trip with the family. Gift them ski lift passes, rentals, or season passes this Holiday season. Visit Giants Ridge’s website for more information.
  • Get them out of the house and on the water with Lake Roosevelt Adventures houseboat rentals. Check out the website to see all the options.
  • Send them down south to Flamingo Adventures in the Everglades to warm up their winter season. With beautiful weather, views, kayak and canoe rentals, their newly-built eco-tents, or houseboats, what more would they need? Visit the Flamingo Adventures website to book a room and rent their floats!

Gifts for the romantic:

  • Wakulla Springs dinner cruise is the perfect evening out for you and your loved one, or to gift to the happy couple in your life! For more details, Wakulla Springs’ website.
  • A night’s stay that will surely make memories is at the gorgeous Lodge at Breckenridge in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado. Visit the website to see so many options for their next stay. (Best part? They are pet-friendly!)

Gifts for the whole family:

  • Need an activity to get the kids working together? Take the family down to East Potomac Tennis Center for junior tennis lessons. What a great way to get them outside and enjoying each other’s company! Visit their website to learn more.
  • Does your family love animals and the outdoors? Rock Creek Park Horse Center is the perfect location for riding lessons, trail rides, and even family volunteering! Gift the kids’ an experience and get the whole family out there! Visit the website.

Of all the presents, the best is the gift of knowing you gave the perfect gift without the stress of the stores!

Five Adventures for Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day has two main definitions: 1) a day off from work or school and 2) the unofficial end of summer. But, why is it on the first Monday of September? And why do we even celebrate it? Well, it was intentionally planned to be a break for those working men and women at the halfway point between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. (Crazy, but true – we looked it up!)

To celebrate our break from work, here are our five picks to sit back, relax, and enjoy nature at its finest before the madness of the holiday season commences.

Rock Creek Park Horse Center | Washington, D.C.

Rock Creek Park Horse Center is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. Deep in the woods of Rock Creek Park, you can find peace in the company of horses and those who love them. Now, we know you might be saying, “I didn’t even know there was a forest near Washington, D.C., let alone IN it.” Yes, it’s true! They offer boarding, camps, lessons, and trail rides for equestrians at all skill levels. The horses there project calmness and compassion to all people around them.

For Labor Day, we suggest experiencing the joys of riding the trained horses through the nature trails. The ride lasts about one hour and is led by an experienced Trail Guide at a walking pace. Riders must be 12 years or older. Visit their website for more information.

Pavilion Café | Washington, D.C.

During your day off, you might want to explore the city of Washington, D.C., without the hustle and bustle of people. Visit the National Gallery of Art’s Sculpture Garden and their Pavilion Café. The Pavilion Café has delicious food throughout the year, including flatbread pizzas, toasted sandwiches, hot entrees, and a Sunday brunch! Throughout the summer, it hosts a Jazz in the Garden event every Friday and then turns into an ice staking wonderland in the winter (just in case you want to plan a future trip).

Since most D.C. workers aren’t at the office on Labor Day, this is a prime opportunity to visit the Pavilion Café and enjoy the beautiful art pieces throughout the garden. Hours from Labor Day to Mid-November are Monday- Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. Visit their website for more information on their menu as well as group reservations.

food at pavilion cafe

Watkins Glen State Park | Watkins Glen, New York

Watkins Glen State Park is a part of the Finger Lakes State Parks and has 19 beautiful waterfalls and 833 steps to get to the top of them all. After hiking through the waterfalls, experience Watkins’ Olympic-sized pool and campsites throughout the park. For Labor Day, we would suggest it all!

If you are into racing, you might already know this place. Watkins Glen State Park is home to the Grand Prix, and when you visit their town, you can tell that it is just one of their many pride and joys! During the first weekend of September each year, there is a re-creation of the Grand Prix during the Vintage Grand Prix Festival. This year, it is on September 6th, so you have some time to plan your weekend getaway. Visit their website for more information.

Lake Welch | Stony Point, New York

What if we told you that within the wooded hills of the Ramapo Mountains in New York, you would find a half-mile-long sandy beach? Stay with us, because Lake Welch Beach within Harriman State Park could be your dream Labor Day weekend getaway that you didn’t know you needed. The park offers swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking, and camping in Beaver Pond Campground only a few minutes away.

On-site is a beach store for all your needs and a snack shack for all your food indulgences. Have we mentioned there is an array of alcoholic beverages available to enjoy – including White Claw! Enjoy the unofficial end of summer on a beach in New York; everyone would want to hear about it! Visit their website for more information.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park | Weeki Wachee, Florida

Weeki Fresh Water Adventures is the only kayak and paddleboard rental facility located on the river at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida. Enjoy a three-hour, self-guided journey onto the gorgeous, clear waters of Florida’s most tranquil and popular Weeki Wachee River. The 5.5 miles on the river will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty, whether you are on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Throughout your excursions, see native Florida wildlife such as fish, birds, turtles, and the gentle giants of Weeki Wachee, manatees.

They are called Weeki Fresh Water Adventures for a reason – each time you kayak, it is truly a fresh new adventure unlike any other! Visit their website for more information.

And there’s more!

Though we did say five, we are giving you a bonus two! There are so many activities within Florida that are perfect for Labor Day weekend. Below are just a few suggestions on where to go:

Rainbow Springs State Park | Dunnellon, Florida

For Labor Day weekend, you must get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather – especially Florida’s sunshine skies. Rainbow Springs State Park has 1,472 acres of amazing azaleas that turn the whole park into a beautiful portrait with pinks, purples, and whites! The headsprings and campground have a variety of programs, such as ranger-guided walks, snorkeling expeditions, and kayaking. They also have picnic pavilions that are perfect for family reunions (or end of summer celebrations!)

For a place that is rich in natural beauty and cultural history, don’t wait to book your weekend getaway to Rainbow Springs State Park! Visit their website to do just that.

Everglades Florida Adventures | Everglades City, Florida

Everglades City sits perfectly at the end of the Wilderness Waterway that links the Everglades to Flamingo City. With activities such as kayak fishing in the backcountry, canoeing through tunnels, guided paddling excursions, hiking and biking around prairies and wetlands, or observing the diversity of the cypress hammocks from the perspective of a floatplane, many visitors and locals alike flock to Everglades City to experience it all! The most popular visitor attraction is the 10,000 Islands Boat Tour that lasts 90 minutes and takes visitors six miles out to the Gulf of Mexico through the islands in Chokoloskee Bay – the perfect way to spend the day!

These amazing activities are ideal opportunities to see the incredible animals found throughout the area, including manatees, bald eagles, roseate, ospreys, and spoonbills. Visit their website to book your adventure.

National Park Service 103rd Birthday Celebrations

Time to celebrate! This August 25th is the National Park Services 103rd birthday!

Guest Services proudly operates several National Parks, with the list ever-growing. This year, celebrate the beauty and wonder that the National Parks Service has to offer all weekend long. The best part? August 25th is a Fee Free Day – meaning you get into certain parks for FREE! Take advantage of the celebration! Here is a list of exciting, family-friendly events going on at our National Parks on its birthday weekend this year.

Lake Mead National Recreational Area, Nevada

lake mead mohave adventures

You’re going to want to put the phone on “Do Not Disturb” for this one. America’s first and largest national recreational area, Lake Mead has no shortage of activities to fill your weekend. Whether you’re looking to relax on the water, hike through the mountains, or cycle around the canyons, 1.5 million acres of beauty and wonder are waiting for you!

Visit https://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/visitor-services.htm to plan your trip today!

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

mount rainier

Spend your weekend with loved ones away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday lives at Mount Rainier. Here you have unlimited options for the entire family while on your stay at the National Park Inn or Paradise Inn. The kids can enjoy a Junior Ranger Program, and then later, the family can get together for a guided hike through the mountain. The possibilities are endless!

Visit https://mtrainierguestservices.com/ and book now, before the Inns fill up!

National Mall, Washington, D.C.

national mall kiosks

Visit our Nation’s beautiful capital this birthday weekend and take your pick of all the different fun-filledactivities. Spend all weekend exploring museums you’ve never been, take a “Walk with a Ranger,” taste the cuisines of cultures from all around the world, and so much more at the National Mall!

For more info and activities visit https://www.nps.gov/nama/index.htm

North Cascades National Park, Washington

north cascades in washington

Visit The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin where you can customize the experience for your needs! Looking for fun and adventure? Hiking and kayaking are a great option. Or for a more laid-back experience, try horseback riding and fishing. Life is busy and loud, so go for a remote and peaceful getaway at The North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin.

Visit https://lodgeatstehekin.com/ to book your stay for a weekend away.

The weekend is what you make of it, so make sure to plan a trip to one of these beautiful National Parks for an unforgettable late summer get-away. Pack a bag, round up the kids, and leave the laptop at home. This birthday celebration will be one for the scrapbooks!