The Carriage House is the newest offering at Sunset Hills Cottages, and it’s just as amazing as you’d expect! Sunset Hills Cottages is quickly developing a reputation as the place to stay in Branson Missouri. The Carriage House will continue to help that reputation grow. Sunset Hills Cottages is located in Branson Missouri, just minutes from the Branson Strip and Silver Dollar City. To check prices or availability, click here.

As mentioned above, the Carriage House is the newest addition to the property, and the owners went all out to provide another outstanding lodging option! This nearly two year project is finally complete, and is  ready to welcome guests with an unforgettable getaway.

The Carriage House is a 1 Bedroom (with KING SIZE bed), and 1 Bathroom cabin with a full kitchen! This new unit combines the best of indoor and outdoor living. With over one-thousand square feet of luxe living space, this cottage is ideal for the ultimate romantic retreat.

Inside the cottage, is beautifully decorated, and features, a 55” TV, a full fridge, stove/oven, dishwasher, microwave, and Keurig. WiFi & Netflix are provided. The property has a perfect 5.0 rating on AIRBNB, and the hosts are considered Superhosts within the AIRBNB platform. This is the highest rating given out.

The outdoor living area is second to none, with its own private patio, personal hot tub, and firepit. As with all the cottages. The Carriage House is just steps away from the beautiful swimming pond that features an infinity edge and multiple cascading waterfalls.

The Carriage House is located on 7 and a half acres just North of Branson. Sunset Hills is an absolute paradise and is Branson’s First and only Adult Only Resort! This is the perfect combination of privacy and seclusion, all while being just minutes from some of the Midwest’s best shows and attractions.

For more nearby lodging options, click here. For a list of Missouri’s best parks and locations, click here. For a list of nearby family activities, click here.

Cache River State Natural Area is situated in southernmost Illinois within a floodplain carved long ago by glacial floodwater of the Ohio River. When the Ohio River adopted its present course, it left the Cache River to meander across rich and vast wetlands. Among the outstanding natural features are massive cypress trees whose flared bases, called buttresses, exceed 40 feet circumference. Many are more than 1,000 years old, including one that has earned the title of state champion bald cypress because of its huge trunk girth, towering height and heavily branched canopy.

The Cache River State Natural Area holds onto some of the highest quality aquatic and terrestrial natural communities remaining in Illinois. Wetlands within this area are so important to migratory waterfowl and shorebirds that in 1996 the Ramsar Convention collectively designated them a Wetland of International Importance, only the 19th wetland in the United States to receive the distinction.

Totaling 14,960 acres in Johnson, Massac and Pulaski counties, Cache River State Natural Area is composed of three distinct management units – Little Black Slough, Lower Cache River Swamps and Glass Hill. They provide food, cover and water for an incredible diversity of plant and animal species, more than 100 of which have been listed as endangered or threatened by the State of Illinois.

The site offers a wide array of recreation opportunities, including hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing and seasonal hunting programs. Pictures used in this article are owned by Cindy Long and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

There are eight named hiking trails, and more than 18 miles of designated foot trails exists within Cache River State Natural Area. Other than Little Black Slough Trail and Tupelo Trail which are considered moderate in difficulty, the trails are easy to walk. A 5-mile segment of the 45-mile-long Tunnel Hill State Trail passes through the region, providing expanded opportunities for hikers and cyclists.

For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in Illinois, click here. For nearby lodging, click here. For the best family activities, click here.

Apple River Canyon State Park is in the hilly northwest corner of Illinois in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. Limestone bluffs, deep ravines, springs, streams and wildlife characterize this area. Apple River Canyon State Park is located at 8763 E. Canyon Road in Apple River Illinois. For more information, click here.

Apple River Canyon State Park was once a part of a vast sea bottom that stretched from the Alleghenies to the Rockies, the scenic canyon area was formed by the action of the winding waters of the Apple River. The park was established by the State of Illinois in 1932, and today consisting of 1,907 acres.

Camping at Apple River Canyon State Park is a fun experience and the park offers 49 Class “C” sites without showers in the Canyon Ridge Campground and 6 group sites in the Walnut Grove Youth Campground. Reservations are accepted by clicking here.

Fishing is another popular activity enjoyed within the park. The Apple River has a variety of fish including smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, carp and suckers. The river is one of several in the state where the Illinois Department of Natural Resources releases keeper-size trout. Trout require clean, clear, cold water and in the spring, Apple River meets these requirements in the spring, however, the fish do not survive through the hot summer months, so the stream is stocked for seasonal trout fishing seasons.

My favorite activity to enjoy at Apple River Canyon State Park is hiking. The park has five named hiking trails, each varying in in length, and difficulty. The Pine Ridge, Tower Rock, River Route, Sunset and Primrose Trail (accessible) – wind through the woods for several miles within the park. Trails can be hazardous; please stay on the trail. Pictures used in this article are owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Overall this is a great place to get out and explore.

For more of the best parks and Amazing Locations in Illinois, click here. For nearby lodging, click here. For the best family activities, click here.

West Lake Park Beach will reopen this summer after being closed the last few seasons. The reopening comes with some exciting news, the beach is getting a much needed make over! West Lake Park is located at 14910-110th Avenue in Davenport, Iowa. For more information, click here.

West Lake Park is a 620 acre facility offering four lakes for fishing and/or swimming. A boat dock, parking lot, handicap fishing dock, beach area, and paddle boat rentals are available for the water enthusiast.

For the landlubbers – the park offers picnic facilities, playground areas, modern restrooms and two campground areas with electrical, water, and/or sewer hook-ups. Both camping areas have handicap accessible comfort stations.

West Lake Park Beach is expected to reopen Memorial Day Weekend of 2023. The  reopening is the end of a multi year restoration project. The inflatable water-park is made up of two large floating playgrounds. These structures can hold up to 40 kids at a time!

Picture for illustrative purposes only.

As mentioned above there are two campgrounds at West Lake Park. The Park Terrace Campground is open year-round during seasonal park hours. The Summit Campground is open mid April to mid October (weather dependent). Amenities and water are available when campground is open.

West Lake Park is a popular destination for its wide variety of attractions, the park has four lakes, two campgrounds, cabin rentals, kayaking, fishing, a beautiful beach, hiking trails, a playground and more. Its also located just a short drive from Davenport Iowa or Wildcat Den State Park. Wildcat Den has some of the best hiking in the state, and a gorgeous Grist Mill.

For more great campgrounds and lodging options in Iowa, click here. For the best parks and Amazing Locations in Iowa, click here. For a listing of nearby family activities, click here.

Located on the side of Lookout Mountain, just minutes away from downtown Chattanooga, Treetop Hideaways is a boutique treehouse hotel, providing a nostalgic experience resting comfortably in the treetops. The old growth forest on the side of Lookout Mountain just below Rock City Gardens provides visitors with the beauty of nature and a quick drive to any of the nearby attractions. The owner’s desire is that you leave feeling rested, renewed, and energized. Treetop Hideaways is located at 576 Chattanooga Valley Rd, in Flintstone, Georgia. For more information, or to check prices and availability, click here.

From luxurious to rustic, Treetop Hideaways has a treehouse for any occasion.  Who said treehouses are only for children? We believe treehouses can be prefect for grownups too! They built two treehouses to get started, ranging from a luxurious spa in the sky to a reclaimed rustic-style haven!

The Elements Treehouse is one of the most luxurious treehouses out there, complete with heated floors, and a walk-in rain-head shower with a glassed in tree growing through it!

The Luna Loft Treehouse was built with care in an old fashioned barn-raising style. Every part of this treehouse has a story, like the reclaimed 1860’s barn wood, the impressive 16′ tall windows from an old warehouse, and the penny floor in the bathroom.

Five to thirty minutes in any direction you can rock climb, hike, kayak, paddleboard, bicycle, explore caves, enjoy five star cuisine, tour museums and galleries, see national and local bands perform live, find artisan goods or shop major brands like J.Crew and Anthropologie, sip cocktails by expert mixologists, or enjoy a locally made craft beer or whiskey. Treetop Hideaways’ hosts are more than happy to share their favorite destinations as you plan your upcoming adventure. Outside Magazine recently recognized Chattanooga as the nation’s “Best Town Ever”, alongside many other publications praising the region’s recent cultural renaissance.

For more of the best lodging and campgrounds in the area, click here. For the best parks and Amazing locations, click here. For the best family activities in Georgia, click here.