Best Place To Stay in North Cascades National Park: Sun Mountain Lodge Review

Sun Mountain Lodge Review: Winthrop, Washington

Welcome to a paradise tucked away in the heart of the Pacific Northwest – Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop, Washington. This enchanting destination offers an unforgettable experience that combines stunning natural beauty, a wide range of activities, and luxurious amenities. If you're seeking a perfect getaway, especially when visiting North Cascades National Park, look no further. Here's why Sun Mountain Lodge deserves a spot on your travel bucket list!

LOCATION: 10/10

With North Cascades National Park at your fingertips, the location here is excellent. The town of Winthrop which is about 15 minutes down the hill, is a fun cowboy town that has cute shops and restaurants.

Sun Mountain Lodge is located on top of a hill that allows you to look into valleys and see other mountain ranges in the distance, which is gorgeous.

Activites: 10/10

From horseback riding to kayaking to a special Cowboy dinner, Sun Mountain Lodge has an abundance of activities that will keep you busy during your stay.

Horseback Riding:

This was my favorite activity I did while staying at Sun Mountain Lodge! The guided trail ride was excellent and we were taken through forests, meadows, and to a beautiful overlook of the mountains. It was my first time horseback riding so I was a bit nervous, but they made me feel comfortable and explained everything perfectly for safety and comfort.

Kayaking on Lake Patterson:

Kayaking on the property was such a great experience! Super easy to get in the water and we had the lake all to ourselves. There was an Eagles nest which was really cool to see from the kayak. I would recommend going kayaking in the morning because this lake can get pretty breezy in the afternoon. You can also go fly fishing on the lake as well!

Cowboy Dinner:

If you are staying at Sun Mountain Lodge, you must go to the special Cowboy dinner that they put on! It was such a wonderful evening where they take you in a horse-drawn carriage to a beautiful spot in the woods. There you enjoy wonderful comfort food and live music. The company was excellent and the blueberry cobbler pie at the end was to die for!

Once you are done with dinner, they take you back in the carriage and drop you off at the hotel entrance. This was a magical experience and I highly recommend it for all ages!

AMENITIES: 10/10

Sun Mountain Lodge has two outdoor pools and 2 hot tubs which are great ways to unwind, especially after a long day of activities and/or hiking in the national park. There are also an extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails right on the property which was very cool.

Pro tip- go in the hot tub at night and look up to see all of the amazing stars above!

food: 10/10

We found the food on the property to be excellent, so much so that we didn’t even go into Winthrop to get food during the trip. There were a variety of options on the menus and we were very happy with the quality of the food and the service in the restaurants on property.

Dining Room:

Had an absolutely wonderful dinner at the Dining Room in Sun Mountain Lodge. The food was incredible and the filet mignon was the best my boyfriend had in a very long time! We also enjoyed the strawberry burrata appetizer and the chocolate cake for dessert was delicious. Whether if you’re staying at the lodge or not, I definitely recommend eating at the dining room for a nice dinner.

Wolf Creek Bar & Grill:

The Wolf Creek Bar & Grill which is also on the property was a great lunch spot! We got the charcuterie board and the mac and cheese. Both were delicious and it was a great place to fuel up before more outdoor activities.

summary:

Overall, Sun Mountain Lodge is a hidden gem in Washington that needs to be added to any outdoor and nature enthusiast’s bucket list. Especially being so close to North Cascades National Park, this is a perfect destination. I had such a wonderful stay and loved the town of Winthrop as well.

Top 10 Things To Do In Tofino & Ucluelet: Vancouver Island, Canada

Vancouver Island, Canada, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, and the coastal towns of Ucluelet and Tofino are among its crown jewels. In this travel blog post, we'll uncover the top 10 things to do in Ucluelet and Tofino, ensuring your visit to Vancouver Island is nothing short of spectacular.

Why you should visit Tofino & Ucluelet:

This area of Vancouver Island was my favorite and the most beautiful in my opinion. The views of the rugged coastline, beautiful nature, and small-town feel made me fall in love with these two towns. To get to both of these destinations, it is a couple of hour drive from the Parksville area, but is most certainly worth it.

Where to stay in tofino bc:

• I highly recommend staying at Duffin Cove Resort in Tofino during your time in this area. I stayed 3 nights and it was the perfect amount of time to explore the area!

Here’s the top 10 things to do in Tofino & Ucluelet:

1) Explore the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet

Looking for the best hike on Vancouver Island? This was my absolute favorite! I highly recommend doing it in the morning for it to be the least crowded. The views are amazing and this is a must-do if you have to decide to do only one thing in the area.

2) Go kayaking with Paddle West Kayaking in Tofino

Linked here is a video highlighting my experience! This was a great adventure that allowed us to get out on the water during our time in Tofino. Our guide was knowledgable about the area and we learned a lot about the wildlife of the region when paddling.

3) Do a zipline adventure with Westcoast WILD Zipline

This is a must-do when driving to Ucluelet or driving back to the eastern side of Vancouver Island from Ucluelet. The views on the zip line were incredible and all were over beautiful bodies of water including a gorge, river, waterfall, and more.

4) Walk around Tofino and go into the little shops for cute souvenirs

The downtown area of Tofino is adorable and I recommend walking around and exploring. Make sure to get a cute souvenir when you’re in town. I recommend doing this before you have dinner at Shelter restaurant which is my next recommendation!

5) Have a relaxing dinner at Shelter restaurant in Tofino

The Shelter restaurant is nestled right on the water and has gorgeous views. Highly recommend getting the burger and truffle fries here, it was delicious! We also saw Orcas go by us during dinner which was a truly special and rare moment.

6) Visit the Ucluelet Aquarium

The Ucluelet Aquarium is a unique, educational experience. It features local marine life in a sustainable and informative setting, making it a great activity for families.

7) See the sunset and have dinner at The Great Room at Long Beach Resort

We had our absolute favorite dinner here dining at the Great room in this resort. You can eat here even if you aren’t staying at the resort. The food was delicious and I love the chicken with the truffle polenta. The dessert you must get for the most unique flavor combination! Come here for sunset and make sure to get a reservation for a good table by the window.

8) Go on a boat tour to see whales and other wildlife

This is one thing I didn’t have time to do during my trip to the island but I have heard amazing things across companies so if you have the time, you should add this to your list!

Jamie’s Whaling Station has amazing reviews online so would recommend going with them.

9) Walk around the Ucluelet harbor

After hiking the Wild Pacific trail, I recommend walking around the Ucluelet harbor for beautiful views and a quaint atmosphere. A harbor walk is always nice and you can grab a bite to eat around this area too.

10) Hike the Rainforest trail between Tofino & Ucluelet

This is a relatively easy hike that you can definitely take your kids on! It was a peaceful walk through the rainforest and we did it early in the morning to avoid crowds. This hike is in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, where you can hike along rainforest trails, explore sandy beaches, and witness stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

Summary:

Overall, Tofino and Ucluelet are two beautiful towns on Vancouver Island that you need to visit!!

Plan your visit today and immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of Vancouver Island's coastal paradise.

Ultimate Guide: Top 10 Things to Do in Naxos, Greece

Why you should visit Naxos, Greece:

Naxos is a beautiful island near Santorini and Paros that has incredible turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and amazing food. I would say that some of the best food I had during my trip to the Greek Islands was on Naxos.

In this travel blog post, I will guide you through the top 10 must-do activities on Naxos, ensuring that you make the most of your visit to this enchanting destination. Immerse yourself in the ancient villages, relax on stunning beaches, and indulge in authentic Greek cuisine. Let's explore the best of Naxos!

best hotel in naxos, greece:

Wondering where to stay when you visit the island of Naxos?

I had a wonderful stay and experience at Naxos Island Hotel. Just a few yards from Agios Prokopios Beach, the 5-star Naxos Island Hotel features a rooftop pool with a restaurant, enjoying panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. It offers a wellness center with hot tub as well. It was also located across the street from one of my favorite restaurants on the island.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Naxos, Greece:

1) Go to Rotanda Naxos for lunch and enjoy one of the most beautiful 360-degree views on the island

Rotanda Naxos was hands down the best restaurant to go to on the island of Naxos. It had 360-degree views of the island and ocean views right from our table. The property had gorgeous gardens and the food was also delicious.

2) Take a catamaran tour with Actionseaze catamaran tours

This experience that departed from Naxos Old Town was a wonderful day trip experience that took us to beautiful crystal clear coves to swim in. The food they served us for lunch was some of the best food we had on our entire trip, so highly recommend booking with Actionseaze if you want to do a catamaran tour on Naxos.

3) Visit Agios Propieros beach

This beach was gorgeous and was my favorite on the island of Naxos. It’s only a two-minute walk from Naxos Island Hotel so highly recommend staying there if you want to be close to a beautiful beach!

4) Eat at Giannoulis resturatant for a wonderful tavern experience and the BEST dessert I had in all of Greece!

This tavern was right across the street from Naxos Island hotel and I ate here several times during my trip. The food was amazing and the dessert they come around with was something I wish I could buy back here in the states!

5) Explore the old and beautiful streets of Naxos Old Town

After the catamaran tour I took, I explored Old town since that is where the boat docked. Make sure to wear good walking shoes when walking around Old Town! The shops were so much fun to go in and out of and I couldn’t get over the beautiful streets.

6) Explore the ancient villages

Naxos is home to many picturesque villages, such as Apiranthos, Filoti, and Halki. These villages are filled with traditional architecture, quaint tavernas, and friendly locals. We rented a car and it was very easy to get up to these towns ourselves.

7) Take a Day Trip to the Small Cyclades: small Cyclades islands, including Koufonisia, Iraklia, Schinoussa, and Donoussa are within a boat ride away from the island of Naxos.

8) See the sunset from the Apollo temple

This is the best spot on the island of Naxos to watch the sunset, so make sure to add it to your list for when you visit.

9) Visit Plaka beach

If you are looking for another beach to go to, this beach is accessible by car and is in a different area of the island. I didn’t get a chance to visit during my trip but have heard great things about the area of Plaka.

10) Drive up to Mount Zas to see incredible views
On your way to the small villages and Rotanda Naxos, make sure to stop at Mount Zas to see 360 degree views of the entire island of Naxos.

Overall, I think Naxos should definitely be added to everyone’s bucket list. It was such a beautiful island that I think is often skipped by most tourists who visit the Greek islands. I can’t emphasize how amazing the food was and how beautiful the beaches were. It was a very family-friendly island too!

Discover Zion National Park In Utah: Must-Do Activities & Restaurants in Springdale

Why SHOULD YOU VISIT zion national park?

Zion National Park is one of my favorite national parks I have ever been to! If you do it at the right time of the year, the hikes are amazing and there is so much to do there. Once you see these Zion National Park photos below, you will want to add it to your bucket list.

where is zion national park?

Zion National Park is located in Springdale, Utah which is about a 3-hour drive from the Las Vegas Airport. We rented a car from the Las Vegas Airport and drove to Springdale as that had the best flight schedule during our dates. I highly recommend to go from Las Vegas to Zion National park for a good and easy travel experience.

The closest airport to Zion National Park is St. George Regional Airport, which is about a one-hour drive to the park. Flight schedules here will be harder to line up and getting a rental car in the area of this airport can also be a challenge.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR ZION NATIONAL PARK?

Flanigans Resort and Spa in Springdale is the perfect place to stay when visiting Zion National Park. The location is just minutes out of the park entrance and they have gorgeous grounds and amenities including a pool, hot tub, spa services, on-site restaurant, and a hiking trail.

See here for a blog post about my experience staying at Flanigans Resort and Spa.

top 5 hikes in zion national park:

1) Angels Landing / Scout Overlook Trail

Everyone knows about the famous and scary Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park. Many hikers have actually died on this trail, but only on the chains section that is end the end of it. You can hike all the way to the top almost before they ask for your permit.

This hike is called Scout Overlook trail and it was my favorite hike in Zion National Park. It is very steep but the views are worth it 100%. Highly recommend starting this hike very early in the morning as it can get very hot and crowded which ruins the beauty of the hike. Some of my favorite photos of the hike are below!

2) Emerald Pools Trail

A waterfall in Zion National Park? Emerald pools trail is one of the best hikes I went on during my time in Utah. The trail had beautiful views but also had the most gorgeous waterfalls. There are three sections of Emerald Pools trails: lower, middle, and upper pools. We did all three pools and they did not disappoint! If you don’t have the time to do all three, I recommend going to upper falls the most, just because you get the closest to the waterfall and it is incredible!

3) Narrows River Walk

This is a very relaxing and beautiful hike/walk that goes along the river. It is mostly shaded which is really nice for a hot day. Note that this hike also gets really crowded, so I would recommend going in the late afternoon, as most people go here in the morning since it’s the farthest stop the shuttle goes to.

4) Canyon Overlook Trail for sunrise

This is a fun and easy hike that takes you up to beautiful views of the rocks of Zion. I highly suggest doing this hike at sunrise for the most amazing colors on the rocks. It’s also important to do this hike early in the day because there is barely any parking and the spots fill up very fast.

5) The Narrows

The famous Narrows hike in Zion National Park is most definitely one you cannot miss if it is open. It is a very long and strenuous hike, and you must have the proper shoes and equipment for it. If you are considering doing the Narrows during your trip to Zion, I highly recommend researching a lot ahead of time. You must also have a permit for this hike.

Note— this can only be accessible at certain parts of the year. When I went in May of 2023, they were closed as the river levels were too high)

top 4 restaurants near zion national park:

1) Spotted Dog Cafe

This cafe is more upscale dining in the Springdale, Utah area and it has delicious food! They are located in Flanigans Resort and Spa which I did a blog post on here (which in my opinion, is the best place to stay when visiting Zion National Park).

2) Cafe Soleil

Cafe Soleil has the most amazing food and smoothies (get the apricot pear one!! It’s so good that I got it three times when I last visited Zion). I highly recommend going here after a long hike for a great breakfast or lunch.

3 Bit and Spur for great drinks, specialty dishes, and a gorgeous patio

4) Oscars Cafe for delicious Mexican food

Note— they don’t take reservations and sometimes there can be a long wait. So make sure to go early or know you can put your name down and then go walk around Springdale

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT:

The best time of year to visit Zion National Park is in May. This is because the park is warm enough for all of the hikes but the crowds are not in full swing yet for the summer. I did a lot of research on this when I was deciding what time of the year to go and another good month would be September.

WEATHER IN ZION NATIONAL PARK:

You may be wondering what the weather is like throughout the year in Zion National Park. The weather changes very fast in the park so make sure you come prepared with multiple layers every day.

In May, the temperatures were around highs of 75/80 degrees Fahrenheit, and at night it was a bit chilly. This is another reason why May is such a great month to visit Zion because the temperatures can become very high in the later summer months.

summary:

Overall, Zion National Park must be added to your bucket list! It is such a gorgeous place and I truly believe everyone should see it in their lifetime. If you are an avid hiker or just want to see beautiful nature, I couldn’t believe the sweeping views this park had.

Another great perk was the shuttle service, the shuttle system in Zion was run very well and we didn’t have to worry about parking once during the trip— which can be an issue when visiting other National Parks.

Anyways, I hope you have enjoyed this blog post about the top 10 things to do in Zion National Park, and that if you are planning a trip there soon, that you have the best time!