The Lodge at Woodloch has spectacular views and amenities that will allow you to rejuvenate in luxurious pampering. Photo courtesy The Lodge at Woodloch
Outdoor Retreats
Nestled in Pennsylvania’s lake region, a peaceful upscale getaway called The Lodge at Woodloch is great for couples—children under 18 are not allowed. “The total focus here is to get back into your own health and well-being. Our programs are dedicated to focusing the mind, nurturing the body, and uplifting the spirit in every way,” says Kathy Casper, director of sales and marketing for The Lodge at Woodloch.
You can enjoy a personalized spa vacation experience at The Lodge that allows you the opportunity to truly relax, renew, and rediscover your essential self. Soaring walls of windows invite the outdoors in while sunny terraces and covered porches beckon you to lounge.
Looking for a more family-friendly lodge resort? Something with activities like hiking, biking, fly-fishing, kayaking, and much more? The Lodge at Glendorn in Bradford, Pennsylvania might just fit the bill. “Year round, you can head out on one of the many rivers located near us with one of our Orvis-endorsed guides for the entire day. A midday stop on a secluded river island comes complete with a gourmet lunch prepared by your guide. It’s an incredible way to spend the day relaxing,” explains Stephanie Schafer, administrator at The Lodge at Glendorn.
This summer, for the very first time, Glendorn will offer horseback riding. “We have activities for people of all ages. Here, you get to become part of the Glendorn family,” says Schafer. The Lodge at Glendorn is a 1,280-acre estate that offers luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and activities. In this very private setting, you can explore miles of private brooks and ponds or spend the day in a drift boat along the Clarion River.
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is a fun-filled destination for animal lovers of all ages.
Aviary Attractions
For those of you who are fond of birds, the National Aviary in Pittsburgh is one of the best anywhere, offering an opportunity to experience a wide variety of birds in indoor settings that emulate their natural habitats. Over 600 birds including birds of prey, flamingos, and penguins are all born and raised at the facility. Each habitat is carefully constructed to create the best possible living conditions for the birds.
Visitors can get an intimate view of the birds through many of the aviary’s programs. “The ‘Trainer for a Day’ program allows people to come in and spend a day working with a member of our staff, learning how to be a zookeeper,” says Erin Estell, assistant director of Animal Programs. “We also have a newer program called the ‘Raptor Experience’ where people can learn about the birds of prey…[and] how we prepare their diets and train them.”
The National Aviary is a one-stop locale for avian education and has something for all ages of bird lovers from live outdoor shows that include parrots and birds of prey to bird feedings and nature walks.
The aviary is a place to connect with your sense of animal conservation and be entertained by the wonders of these incredibly intelligent and often elegant birds.Just a few short hours south of Maryland, you’ll find another great place to experience birds in their natural habitats through the outdoor exhibits at Sylvan Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck, North Carolina. Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and Eco-Center is dedicated to educating people about the importance of conservation and research, focusing on waterfowl and wetland habitats.
Founded in 1989 by internationally-renowned aviculturalists Mike and Ali Lubbock, the avian breeding center cares for more than 2,500 individual birds, including over 1,000 hatchlings reared each year. Adjacent to the breeding center is Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, which together form the world’s largest waterfowl collection and the second largest bird collection in the United States.
The Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Breeding Center is home to over 170 species of birds—more than half the known species of ducks, geese, and swans–along with cranes, parrots, and many other birds. “The park is a continentally-themed aviary with birds that represent South America, North America, Africa, Australia, and Eurasia. It’s great for people of all ages to experience our birds up close and personal,” says Brent Lubbock, marketing and public relations coordinator, Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. “We have incubators, so visitors can see our baby birds hatching year round.”
Just west of Charlottesville, Virginia, Wintergreen Resort promises gold excursions with breathtaking views.
Golfing Getaways
Rather chase a little white dimpled ball than a gaggle of fine feathered friends? For golf enthusiasts, consider one of the many spectacular destinations convenient to the Mid-Atlantic. For a resort modeled after the classic upstate New York getaway, check out the Crystal Springs Resort Grand Cascades Lodge in Hamburg, New Jersey—home to two 18-hole golf courses (Wild Turkey and Crystal Springs) and one nine-hole golf course (Cascade). “We have seven golf courses in the area and three onsite at the resort. Crystal Springs is one of the top 50 golf courses in the country and overlooks quarries and cliffs,” says Natasha Wright, public relations manager at Crystal Springs Resort.
A lavish revival of classic Adirondack-style lodges, Grand Cascades is one of the finest properties in the region. The strong wooden beams, natural stonework, and forest-green color reflect the surrounding mountains and densely wooded terrain. Guests will be swept away by the amazing indoor tropical Biosphere Pool Complex, a newly opened Reflections Spa and world-class dining at the award-winning Restaurant Latour & Wine Cellar.
For mountain golf in the Virginia highlands, Wintergreen Resort can’t be beat. Located just west of Charlottesville, Virginia near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wintergreen Resort offers “the finest collection of mountain golf holes east of the Rockies,” says Dana Quillen, vice president of sales and marketing for Wintergreen Resort.
This stunning setting offers a true mountain golf experience you and your playing partners won’t soon forget. Devils Knob, the highest course in Virginia at 3,850 feet, is known for cool summer temperatures and outstanding conditions. Or, golf year-round on their nationally ranked Stoney Creek course located in the valley, featuring 27 holes designed by the “U.S. Open Doctor” Rees Jones.
“After a round of golf, the Winter Garden Spa features rejuvenating or relaxing treatments for the tired golfer. The Devils Grill offers fine dining, and if you want a casual meal, the Copper Mine Bistro features tapas with a Mediterranean flair,” says Quillen.
It’s hard to go wrong with any of our choice getaways, but with so many great options in the Mid-Atlantic region, your possibilities are limitless.
Jennifer K. Dansicker is the Special Projects Editor for ChesapeakeHome.
Contacts:
Crystal Springs Golf Resort: crystalgolfresort.com or 973-827-4357
The Lodge at Glendorn: glendorn.com or 814-362-6511
The Lodge at Woodloch: thelodgeatwoodloch.com or 866-953-8500
National Aviary: aviary.org or 412-323-7235
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park: shwpark.com or 252-826-3186
Wintergreen Resort: wintergreenresort.com or 800-266-2444
