Matador Network's Blog, page 379
November 17, 2022
Where To Stay, Eat, and Play in Pasadena
You’ve already seen Pasadena and may not know it. Once a wealthy enclave northeast of Los Angeles, Pasadena is so full of big houses and trees that it’s a favored filming location. Wayne Manor in the old Batman TV series is a hilltop mansion in the city’s San Rafael neighborhood, and the stately house across the street from my school regularly pops up in random movies like Starsky & Hutch. This list goes on: The home of Mad Men’s Don Draper is across the street from the Father of the Bride house. You could go to Pasadena just to admire the photogenic residence and leafy streets — so verdant the Arbor Day Foundation cites Pasadena as a top US “Tree City.”
But it also turns out that a few of Pasadena’s rich residents of a century or more ago also collected art — a lot of art — and commissioned spectacular homes — a few of which are now museums. Add in one of the world’s top science universities, a major NASA facility, and a world-famous observatory and you may wonder why you haven’t yet been to this little nook at the foot of the San Gabriel mountains. Here are the best things to do in Pasadena.
Where is Pasadena? How do I get there?How do I get around Pasadena?The best times to go to PasadenaThings to do in PasadenaWhere to eat and drink in PasadenaWhere to stay in PasadenaWhere is Pasadena? How do I get there?Pasadena is part of Los Angeles County, but is an independent city with its own mayor. It’s 10 miles northwest of Downtown LA along the twisty Pasadena Freeway, the West’s first highway.
The nearest airport to Pasadena is the John Wayne Burbank Airport, although Pasadena is not too far from Ontario International Airport due east. The 30-mile drive to LAX can take 45 minutes or twice that time, depending on LA’s notorious freeway traffic. If you are in Downtown LA, you can take the Metro Gold Line light rail to Pasadena.
How do I get around Pasadena?Pasadena has walkable sections — like Old Town Pasadena or the Lake Street area, but it’s mostly a typical SoCal city that requires you to traverse big stretches in a car. You’re best off having a rental car or planning on taking Ubers or Lyfts.
The best times to go to PasadenaFall and spring are all great months to visit Pasadena, with cool mornings and moderate daytime temperatures. Winter is especially nice, as the sky tends to be less hazy, so you can see every crag in the always lovely and occasionally snow-capped mountains. Summer, on the other hand, can be too hot — with temperatures regularly topping 100 degrees. If you do go then, be sure you have easy access to a swimming pool.
Things to do in PasadenaNorton Simon Museum
Photo: Kit Leong/Shutterstock
Name the best known European artists from the 15th to the 19th centuries — such as Boticelli, Rembrandt, or Goya — and their works likely grace the walls of the Norton Simon Museum. The Norton Simon also has the fullest collection of 20th century Impressionists and post-Impressionists west of the Mississippi. Degas paintings and sculptures abound, alongside works by Picasso, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and so on. Downstairs is a spectacular selection of art from 12 South and Southeast Asian countries spanning India to Indonesia.
After marveling at works from the world’s most influential artists inside the museum, head out back for a cup of tea, a grilled cheese sandwich, and yet more art. The outdoor cafe next to the lilypad-dotted pond leads to a planted garden holding sculptures by Rodin, Renoir, Henry Moore, Gwynn Murrill, and many others.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Students, military, and kids under 18 are all free.
Where: 411 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91105
The Huntington
Photo: Noah Sauve/Shutterstock
Photo: Jose Gil/Shutterstock
Until very recently, this must-see spot in Pasadena still went by the mouthful “The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.” Considering that everyone in Pasadena just calls it “The Huntington,” it’s a relief they finally adopted the more concise label. They probably held onto the longer name because most locals visit The Huntington for its botanical gardens alone — and neglect its world-class art collection and prestigious research library.
That’s understandable: The gardens are so beautiful they were used as the site of Heaven in the NBC series The Good Place. The 130 acres hold 16 themed gardens representing different locations, ecosystems, and even types of plants. The Chinese Garden, created in collaboration with designers in China, is always a favorite, while the rose garden vies with the herb garden as the most fragrant. You can admire orchid and bonsai collections, amble through the California and Australia Gardens, or gape at 90 distinct palm tree species in the Palm Garden.
If you have the stamina for it, the Huntington’s art collection — housed in the former mansion of Henry and Arabella Huntington — is worth it. Its wealth of British art, among the largest outside the UK, is matched by an abundance of American works from John Singleton Copely to Andy Warhol, including noted female artists like Miki Hayakawi. Even the library has over a thousand years of research materials. Its maps; Medieval manuscripts; ancient scientific treatises; rare photographs; and literary works in Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and English draw scholars from dozens of countries every year.
Advance reservations are required to access The Huntington. Prices are $25 for adults; $21 for seniors, students, military; $13 for kids aged four to 11; free for those three and under.
Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
The California Institute of Technology
Photo: Kit Leong/Shutterstock
This compact university campus is home to fewer than 2500 undergraduates and graduates. But this institution, its faculty, and many of its students are involved with some of the most significant astronomy and aerospace endeavors in the world — whether at the NASA Jet Propulsion Library or via astronomical observatories in Hawaii, California, Chile, and elsewhere. Most who tour CalTech are prospective students, but the reflecting pools, palm trees, and low-water gardens are a nice counterpoint to the cutting edge science occurring within its austere, modern buildings. The Caltech Women’s Club also hosts free two-hour architecture tours focusing on the historic portions of the campus built over 90 years ago; those tours occur on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10:30 AM. You could also check out the interactive map and design your own tour.
Where: 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Photo: Sundry Photography/Shutterstock
Although owned by NASA, JPL is managed by Caltech, so you might want to visit after your morning stroll through Caltech — if you reserve it well ahead. JPL opens up tours two months in advance — so check the JPL tour reservation page. Tours typically start with a presentation on JPL’s many exploits, which include building and operating the Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and Ingenuity helicopter, which flew on the red planet. The tour also takes you to the Spacecraft Assembly Facility, where these pioneering robotic space vehicles are created, and the Space Flight Operations Facility. That’s the dark, auditorium-like room you see in the movies, where everyone is nervously monitoring their screens during take-off. This very cool room is also a National Historic Landmark.
4800 Oak Grove Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91109
The Mount Wilson Observatory
Photo: Kit Leong/Shutterstock
Technically, the Mount Wilson Observatory is in Los Angeles — but its mailing Where is in Pasadena and anyway it’s just twenty miles from JPL up Highway 2. The uphill drive is a lovely activity on its own, as you’ll get to explore the soaring Sierra Madre range that serves as such a striking backdrop to leafy Pasadena. If it’s particularly hot in town, the cool temperature among the pine trees at 5,715 feet will be quite welcome, as will the sweeping views of Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles.
The Mount Wilson Observatory is on Matador’s list of the best US observatories to visit, not just for the mountain-top setting, but because it was once the most important observatory in the world. Over a century ago it housed the world’s largest operational telescope and later its first 100-inch telescope, used regularly by Edwin Hubble himself. The observatory contains a total of four groundbreaking telescopes, which you can learn about at its Astronomical Museum. The Visitors’ Gallery is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To see the 100-inch telescope up close, reserve tickets for two-hour guided tours — offered weekends at 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and kids 12 and under.
The Rose Bowl
Photo: Grindstone Media Group/Shutterstock
The century-old football stadium and National Historic Landmark is still worth a visit, even if the UCLA Bruins aren’t your team. Its location in the Pasadena Arroyo, or canyon, with the Sierra Madre mountains behind it, coupled with its historic architecture, explain why it’s the site of the first major college football game every year on January 1 (January 2nd, if the first is a Monday). It just looks good on TV — and of course it’s not freezing in SoCal.
You can admire the stadium from outside, especially if you are there for the massive Rose Bowl Flea Market on the second Sunday of each month, or if you opt to join the many Pasadena locals who walk or jog around the stadium — seeing as its flanked by wooded hillsides. Sports fans can join a $20 tour ($17 for kids from age five to 12 and seniors), which include a look at the preserved 1922 locker room, the currently used locker rooms, the press box, and some luxury suites.
Where: 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103
The Gamble House
Photo: Sundry Photography/Shutterstock
Better known in Pasadena as the Greene & Greene House, this wooden house is one of the most interesting examples of Craftsman architecture you can find. You can only enter The Gamble House on a one-hour guided tour ($15 for adults: $12.50 for teens, students, and seniors; free 12 and under). Buy your tickets in the Carriage House, which was Doc’s garage in Back to the Future. The docents are very knowledgeable and will point out multiple fascinating details. Among the minutiae are subtle artistic touches in every bedroom, including in their walls, handmade bed frames, and bespoke furnishings. Designed by brothers Charles and Henry Greene, who studied woodworking and metalworking before attending MIT’s School of Architecture, the many details explain why this house is considered such a work of art. Indeed, there’s no space to hang art on the intricately paneled walls themselves — and none is needed.
Where: 4 Westmoreland Place, Pasadena, CA 91103
Where to eat and drink in PasadenaThe ArbourDespite being the birthplace of famed cookbook author Julia Child, Pasadena isn’t bursting with inventive cuisine — but you will find high-quality ingredients here. The Arbour sources its produce from local farms for starters like Shaved brussel sprouts or its red beet salad. The lobster risotto is hard to resist, as is the dark chocolate mousse for dessert. One of the best things about The Arbour is the wood and concrete interior, softened with hanging plants — sleek, but also welcoming.
Where: 527 South Lake Avenue, suite 120, Pasadena, California 91101
The Parkway GrillThe Parkway Grill is a special night out kind of place, where families might dine with their CalTech students to celebrate graduation. It’s upscale, but you can find reasonably priced items as well. The whole ginger fried catfish is an eye-watering $56, but there are excellent wood fired pizzas and pastas on the menu for half that price. Note also that portion sizes are generous; you could easily share that tasty catfish. And while it does have white tablecloths, the brick walls and steel-beamed ceiling give it a more relaxed vibe.
Where: 510 South Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105
Bone Kettle
Photo: Bone Kettle
This Asian-fusion restaurant is not for everyone, but those who love it keep coming back. As the name suggests, bone broth is big here — but the Indonesia inspired cuisine also offers vegan options. Small plates could include clams with Chinese donuts or fried oxtail tips with Thai chili, or stay veggie-forward with citrus soy shishito peppers or roasted Bali-style eggplants. It’s definitely a boisterous, sharing dishes kind of place — but luckily the wood-paneled space is too small to get loud.
Where: 67 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
Where to stay in PasadenaWe hope you love the hotels we recommend in Pasadena! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
The Langham Huntington
Photo: Booking.com
Photo: Booking.com
Photo: Booking.com
Photo: Booking.com
When it opened in 1914, this grand hotel was a weekend escape from Los Angeles, offering views of the Sierra Madre mountains from its upper rooms and everything from expansive gardens to swimming pools across its 23 acres. Today the public areas are still impressive and it’s understandable why plenty of outdoor weddings take place on the hotel grounds. Rack rates are $350 per night, which are understandable given the upkeep of the grounds and historic spaces. If you prefer firm mattresses, ask them to remove the too-soft pillow top.
Where: 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, California 91106
Hyatt Place Pasadena
Photo: Booking.com
Photo: Booking.com
Pasadena doesn’t really have a cache of boutique hotels, but it does get a lot of business visitors to places like CalTech, JPL, and corporations like Parsons — meaning you’ll find your Hilton, Sheraton, Westin, and the like here. Of the major chains, our vote goes with the Hyatt Place for its updated, off-white interiors, larger swimming pool, and central location between Old Town Pasadena and the Lake Street area.
Where: 399 E Green Street, Pasadena, California 91101 
A New ‘Visit Native California’ Campaign Highlights the State’s Indigenous Communities
California has it all. And now, California wants to help visitors embrace it all. Tourism officials and tribal leaders are working together to launch Visit Native California, a statewide initiative designed to encourage visitation to Native communities throughout the Golden State.
Before Europeans arrived in what is today California, at least 64 languages were spoken in the region. In California today, 109 federally recognized Native tribes represent about 720,000 residents.
“Visit California is honored to create a platform that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Native Americans who have called this place home for thousands of years,” Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta says. “We’re committed to partnering with California’s tribes and creating spaces to uplift and honor their voices, communities and cultures.”
Photo: Visit California
A primary goal of Visit Native California is to highlight the music, art, nature, and history that have shaped tribal communities for generations. Leaders involved in the project, funded via a $1 million grant from the American Rescue Plan Act, believe it offers an opportunity for visitors to become better informed about the history of tribal lands.
The funding will allow Visit California to create and share stories on the Visit Native California platform, which will be housed online at VisitCalifornia.com. Stories will celebrate the spirit and diversity of California’s people and promote visitation to tribes’ cultural heritage tourism experiences.
Native storytellers will help expand the California Responsible Travel Code emphasis on preserving the state’s cultural heritage and natural resources, while bolstering the people who provide and promote Native experiences across the state.
“Cultural tourism is so important to us for many, many reasons,” American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association President and CEO Sherry Rupert said during the official announcement in September. “As the state with the highest population of Native Americans, and one of the nation’s leading tourism destinations, California is poised to drastically boost national Native tourism promotion and interest with this undertaking.” Also speaking at the brand new Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in downtown Palm Springs, Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reid D. Milanovich commented, “This project, this site, it gives my tribe the opportunity, the ability to share our culture.”
Photo: Visit California
The plaza, which opens in 2023, incorporates the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, the outdoor Oasis Trail, and Spa at Séc-he (which translates to “the sound of boiling water”) at the sacred mineral hot spring. Other tribal sites promoted by Visit Native California include the Barona Cultural Center and Museum in Lakeside, California, the Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, and in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the Satwiwa Native American Cultural Center that has a replica of a traditional Chumash dwelling. Among the suggested activities for visitors are observing colorful inter-tribal powwows, taking guided walks with Tuolumne County’s Me-Wuk tribe members to see ancient native drawings and bird singing performances, and joining Klamath River adventure tours in a dugout canoe guided by members of the Yurok Tribe.
The Visit Native California site is scheduled to launch in March 2023.
Airbnb Founder Goes ‘beyond the Airbed’ by Hosting Airbnb Guests in His Private Home
In 2007 Brian Chesky and his roommate Joe Gebbia blew up some air mattresses and allowed three guests to stay in their home, birthing the idea of Airbnb (airbed and breakfast, as the pair were reportedly proficient at whipping up a few eggs in the morning). Fifteen years later, the company has amassed over 4 million Airbnb hosts worldwide. Now Chesky, CEO and co-founder of the company, is inviting guests into his home again in San Francisco, California. Only this time, guests will hardly have to settle for an air mattress on the floor. Instead, they will enjoy a stunning guest suite and time with Chesky and his golden retriever, Sophie.
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
If you have ever been curious about Airbnb’s beginnings, this suite’s artwork includes personal photos and artifacts from the early days of Airbnb. Guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the Castro neighborhood and the rental is furnished with an armchair, a desk, and a plush queen bed with a much more comfortable mattress. Guests will also have access to two large closets and a full bathroom with a large shower, and they can hang out in the living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that let the light flood in or the outdoor patio with a fireplace along with a stunning view.
The home is near the Mission, Castro, and Noe Valley neighborhoods, with many great boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops nearby. If guests prefer to cook over takeout, the spacious chef’s kitchen upstairs has everything you need, but you’ll also be just a short walk from San Francisco favorites like Bi-Rite ice cream and the world-famous Tartine bakery for fresh bread and pastries. Be sure to get out and enjoy neighborhood favorites like the beautiful Dolores Park.
Chesky’s listing is available for booking now on Airbnb.
Hotel Hygge Offers a Taste of Danish Comfort in Buellton, California
A few years ago, the Danish concept of hygge — which lacks a direct translation but generally means the ultimate feeling of coziness and contentment — swept the United States. People in America were apparently ready to embrace all things hygge (pronounced hoo-guh), and that hasn’t slowed down. At the newly renovated Hotel Hygge in Buellton, California, one of the best small towns to visit in 2023, finding hygge is as easy as pulling up to a motel room.
Central California is not a bad place to go searching for hygge. I grew up in nearby Lompoc, and recently made my first trip back the region in almost a decade. Much has changed, but many of the things that I loved about the area have stayed the same. There’s the world-class wine, of course, as well as award-winning breweries that embody West Coast craft beer. The weather is still unbeatable, morning fog and all. Plus there are few views that make me feel more content than vineyard-covered hills and the ocean in the distance.
These draws bring travelers from around the world. Many are wine travelers curious to see and taste Central Coast wine and sip from the filming locations in the cult-favorite 2004 movie Sideways. Others are there to bike — cyclists will especially appreciate the 44-mile Drum Canyon Loop, which is easily accessible from Hotel Hygge.
Hotel Hygge is owned by Highway West Vacations. The company started in 2013 with Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground in Buellton not far from Hotel Hygge. Today, the hotel group owns more than 10 RV, glamping, and boutique hotel properties in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, and New Hampshire.
In addition to the properties owned by Highway West Vacations, Buellton and the surrounding small towns of Solvang, Los Olivos, Lompoc, and Santa Ynez aren’t exactly lacking for boutique accommodations. That said, as I quickly learned when looking into hotels ahead of my trip, what is available books up fast — especially during wedding season. Revived options like Hotel Hygge offer not just more places to stay, but enjoyable places to stay.
Hotel Hygge: Rooms, amenities, and what’s nearby
Photo: Hotel Hygge
Photo: Hotel Hygge
Photo: Hotel Hygge
All of Hotel Hygge’s rooms are pet friendly. There are four room sizes: Hygge Queen (has a queen bed), Premium Hygge Queen (queen bed but more space), Hygge King (has a king bed), and the Deluxe Hygge King (a corner room with a king bed, dining nook, and more space than the standard King).
Regardless of the room size, each comes with a TV, WiFi, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and bathroom filled with Malin and Goetz soaps. This being a motel, parking is right outside each room’s door. Communal areas in the middle of the lot have fire pits, picnic tables, and a bocce ball court. Hotel Hygge guests are free to use the hot tub, fitness center, and pool at another nearby Highway West Vacations property, Sideways Inn.
Some of the technology to avoid face-to-face contact with staff that hotels embraced during the height of the pandemic makes the guest experience more seamless today. A virtual service assistant called Ivy handles requests and questions. I used it to check in and out, as well as to ask about local restaurants and bars (staff can chime in through the service, and they sent suggestions for nearby wineries Brickbarn, Foley Vineyard, Dierberg Vineyard, and Buscador Winery, as well as La Tequila for food and live music).
It became clear to me after two nights at Hotel Hygge that there’s plenty of comfort to be found in the rooms, of course, but also the comfort of knowing that I was never far away from delicious wineries, breweries, and restaurants.
The Best Costa Rica Yoga Retreats To Reset and Recharge in 2022
From the picturesque beaches to the lush rainforest, Costa Rica is an idyllic place to unwind, refocus, and get in tune with nature and yourself. Because let’s face it, it’s not easy to get into the namaste mood when you’re racing across town to the yoga studio to make it to your class on time because your meeting ran late. You owe it to yourself to escape for a week, to let go of the day-to-day stress, and sink deep into your lotus pose. To help you plan your wellness vacation, here are the best Costa Rica yoga retreats.
We hope you love the Costa Rica yoga retreats we recommend. Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Northern Costa RicaCentral Costa RicaSouthern Costa RicaNorthern Costa RicaBodhi Tree Yoga Resort
Photo: Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort
The Balinese-inspired Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort is located in the tranquil Nosara jungle in Guanacaste, yet is also only a five-minute walk to the Pacific Ocean.
Here you can enjoy a variety of fitness classes, including yoga, pilates, or spin; or go surfing, try meditation, or relax in a sound bath. You’ll love taking classes in the open-air yoga shalas with hardwood floors and views of the surrounding jungle while you’re getting your “Om” on. After a challenging workout, head to the spa to take your wellness to the next level with a treatment such as reiki, Ayurvedic massage, acupuncture, or cupping. Or deepen your relaxation with a Bodhi treatment that includes exfoliation and massage followed by a body mask that is left on while being cocooned in warm banana leaves. Stay the night in a high-end villa, bungalow, or casita with an outdoor shower, air conditioning, WiFi, and security. Dine on locally sourced, organic food at the Bodhi Tree Buffet or grab a snack and a glass of wine at the Bodhi Bar.
Address: Bodhi Street, Nosara, 50206, Costa Rica
Essence ArenalGo beyond your yoga practice at the Essence Arenal, which is a hotel, spa, permaculture farm, and eco-residential community that sprawls across 22 hectares of hilltop jungle.
The yoga retreats focus on relaxation, breathing, detoxification, self-love, and weight loss. Be ready to practice daily yoga, improve your eating habits, deepen your concentration, and embrace relaxation. Outside of yoga, you can enjoy various activities, such as cooking and kombucha-making workshops and wild animal viewing. Or visit the spa for treatments such as lymphatic drainage, reflexology, and a mud detox. For a unique experience, consider staying in one of the treehouse tents.
Address: Alajuela Province, El Castillo, 20213, Costa Rica
El Sabanero Eco Lodge
Photo: Booking.com
Practice yoga at the El Sabanero Eco Lodge with rustic bungalow accommodation just outside Tamarindo. You’ll be surrounded by a lush jungle environment where you might encounter local wildlife, such as sloths and monkeys.
There are a variety of yoga retreats to choose from, including those that combine yoga and meditation. Or, for a more spiritual journey, book a retreat that lets you expand your mind with ayahuasca or bufo alvarius. While there, you can also enjoy the infinity pool, take a shuttle to the nearby beach, book an excursion to explore the surrounding area through zip lining, horseback riding, tubing, and more. Vegetarian meals are included, so you can feel good about eating healthy for yourself and the planet.
Address: Cana Fistula District 3, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica
The Goddess GardenLocated in Cahuita, on the Caribbean Coast, you can participate in a yoga retreat a The Goddess Garden resort that includes interpretive dance.
Take your yoga practice beyond the studio and connect with nature in the jungle and on the beach. Or bring the whole family for a retreat. If you want to get some insight from your ancestors, you can also take part in a shamanic ceremony that includes traditional medicines from the Mexican and Andean cultures, such as yage or bufo alvarius. Other native medicines used include kambo, sananga, and xhangra.
Address: Playa Grande, Cahuita, Costa Rica
Central Costa RicaThe Retreat
Photo: Booking.com
It’s worth making a trip to Costa Rica to experience The Retreat, situated on a crystal quartz mountain on the Nicoya Peninsula — a Blue Zone (where residents live well into their 90s).
Created by global wellness guru, author, chef, and life-coach Diana Stobo, the resort focuses on wellness, nutrition, and nature. Take a daily yoga class at the yoga house that overlooks the Pacific Valley. Book a wellness package to focus on what your body and mind need, such as resting, emotional healing, fitness, disease prevention, or detoxification. Visit the Vida Mia Spa to supplement your stay with a specialized treatment, including a travel recovery massage, garden fresh herbal scrub farm-to-spa ritual, infrared sauna, chromotherapy, or crystal healing. This is the place to expand your yoga practice to include alternative yoga techniques. In addition to hatha yoga, you can try yoga nidra (yogic sleep), pranayama (breathing), or shankaprakshalana kriya (yogic cleansing).
Address: Barrio Jesús de Atenas, Alajuela Province, Atenas, Costa Rica
AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness CenterEmbrace the jungle environment at the AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center, halfway between San Jose and the Pacific Ocean. The eight-acre property is at nearly 2,000 feet in elevation, which means you’ll enjoy vast views of the surrounding forest and mountain landscape.
Start your day with a gentle hatha yoga class to strengthen your body and refocus your mind and end with a thoughtful guided meditation to work on being more present. An all-inclusive yoga package is available that includes lodging, meals, daily yoga and meditation, a massage, a tour of Carara National Park, airport transfers, and an amethyst BioMat.
Address: San José Province, Turrubares, 10111, Costa Rica
Doce Lunas Hotel
Photo: Booking.com
Escape to the Doce Luna Hotel where you can finally enjoy some time to relax, unwind and focus on yourself. Explore the five-acre garden jungle property, relax by the pool, witness wildlife in action, dine at the open-air restaurant with locally sourced cuisine…and of course, enjoy yoga.
The resort is located just a few blocks from Jaco Beach, which is a fun excursion for a dip in the ocean or a night on the town. If you’re traveling with your family, a family suite is available. Dogs are welcome too. Rooms include air conditioning, a refrigerated mini-bar, cable television, and WiFi.
Address: Jacó, 61101, Costa Rica
Southern Costa RicaBlue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa
Photo: Booking.com
The Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa goes beyond just the practice of yoga, it incorporates mindfulness into the design of the resort.
Prioritize your inner Zen through daily yoga, meditative labyrinths, WiFi-free mornings, rainforest exploration, silence, and beach walks. It’s located on Playa Tamales beach on the Osa Peninsula, with access to the warm waters of the Gulf of Dulce (or Gulfo Dulce). Fine-tune your yoga practice with one-on-one guidance from a highly qualified yoga instructor. The yoga wellness retreat package includes round-trip local airfare, daily yoga, a spa treatment, a guided hike, accommodations, three meals a day, and an airport shuttle. Make time to hit the spa for chakra balancing, a chocolate wrap, sea salt scrub, or acupuncture combined with traditional Chinese medicinal techniques. After you’ve had enough downtime, take advantage of exhilarating excursions in the area, like zip lining, rappelling, horseback riding, or kayaking.
Address: Osa Peninsula, Provincia de Puntarenas, Punto Jimenez, 1004, Costa Rica
Luna LodgeOverlooking Corcovado National Park, the all-inclusive Luna Lodge is nestled in a tropical rainforest with the opportunity to embrace the natural surroundings.
Stay in a bungalow, guest room, or safari tent. Leave all your worries behind and focus on your yoga poses on the 1,600-foot open-air platform with all the equipment you need provided. It’s not all about yoga though. You can also get a tarot card reading, have a tantra massage, indulge in chocolate therapy (for the skin), participate in a cacao ceremony, or try forest bathing. There are a variety of yoga and wellness retreats offered throughout the year. In 2023, The Luna Awakening Academy will open, offering yoga that combines vinyasa, kundalini, restorative yoga, and meditation.
Address: Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Anamaya Resort
Photo: Booking.com
Not only can you do yoga at the Anamaya Resort, but you can also swim under a waterfall, indulge in meals made from food grown on the Anamaya Farm, try watsu (water therapy), have a cranial sacral session, or just float in the saltwater infinity pool.
There are so many ways to embrace your wellness journey, a week might not seem like enough time. Swing in a hammock from your ocean view room, start your day with sunrise yoga, end your day with sunset yoga, enjoy bird watching (with more than 700 species in the area), and hunt for rare orchids. One of the best features of this resort is that it’s only a five-minute walk to the famous Montezuma Falls with three pools. Nearby is also the charming, bohemian town of Montezuma.
Address: Anamaya Rd, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Playa Cativo LodgeIf luxury is what you’re looking for, this is one of the best Costa Rica yoga retreats. Playa Cativo Lodge is a secluded, beachfront eco-luxury lodge situated on a 1,000-acre tropical rainforest reserve accessible via a 30-minute scenic boat ride. Not only that, but you also have the 35,000-acre Piedras Blancas National Park to investigate.
With a customizable Wellness Experience, you can brave the outdoor plunge pool, sip a detox drink made from ingredients grown at the on-site farm, practice daily yoga, and mindful movement, take a guided tour of the tropical rainforest, hike through the Piedras Blancas National Park, and be pampered with a treatment at the Lotus Wellness Spa. Be sure to also take advantage of activities in the area, such as whale and dolphin watching, mangrove kayaking, stargazing, or artisanal handline boat fishing.
Address: Puntarenas, Golfo Dulce, 60701, Costa Rica
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5 Wineries in Brazos Valley That Showcase the Best Wines in Texas
As the lanes on Highway 290 narrow from four to two, you pay less attention to the radio and more to the rolling green landscape of Bluebonnet Country. Before you know it, you’re in the middle of the Brazos Valley Texas, a quaint area of the state that often gets lost in the shuffle between the high energy and soaring rush of Houston and Austin.
But it’s here, among the wildflowers, railroad tracks, and blinking yellow stoplights that you can reconnect with the world. You’ll also be surprised to learn that the Brazos Valley Texas houses a Texas wine scene with unbelievable depth and variety. It doesn’t pretend to be Napa because it doesn’t have to be.
It’s also here where you can understand what it is to experience, not just visit, a small Texas town. In the Brazos Valley, you’ll find yourself hooked on the food and the wine, but you’ll keep coming back for the people you’re bound to meet.
How to get to Brazos Valley Texas
Photo: Travel Texas
The Brazos Valley area begins roughly half an hour northwest of Houston and comprises cities such as Navasota, Brenham, Bryan, and College Station, plus their surrounding communities and counties.
If you plan to fly into the area, the closest and largest airport would be George Bush Intercontinental Airport in north Houston. If you’re driving into the area from Houston, you’ll head up Highway 290 until you reach the Brenham area.
What to do in Brazos Valley TexasVisit the wineriesThe Texas wine scene has exploded from a handful of wineries a few decades ago to currently over 500 across the state. The Brazos Valley hasn’t been quiet during this boom, becoming home to several excellent family-centric establishments that dot the heart of Bluebonnet country.
Messina Hof Winery
Photo: Messina Hof Winery
The Messina Hof Winery legacy began in the 1970s with a single acre of land and a Texas A&M graduate student looking to conduct a study on grape feasibility in Texas. Fast forward to today and Messina Hof is the most awarded wine in the state that now produces over 200,000 gallons of wine each year.
Thousands of travelers from across the state and country flock to the estate each year to take part in the wine tours, dine at the on-site restaurant, and stay at the award-winning resort in Bryan.
In recent years, Messina Hof has expanded their winery operations to locations in Grapevine, Harvest Green, and Fredericksburg as the Bonarrigo family continues to pursue their passion for producing the most appetizing Texas wines on an international level.
Where: 4545 Old Reliance Road, Bryan, Texas 77808
Texas Star WineryA short distance from the birthplace of the Texas flag in Washington County is Texas Star Winery, which boasts a venue that accommodates both intimate tastings and large gatherings of wine aficionados.
It’s a small operation that produces limited batches of amazing Brazos Valley Texas wine, but if you can get your hands on a bottle (or two), you’ll become a fan for life. Like the other businesses on this list, owners Jim and Susan Chisolm remain committed to not only their flourishing business but the community at large.
“We bring in [a number of] unique visitors a year. It’s amazing. And they all go through that little town, which helps the community too,” Jim says. “We do have repeat folks who come back. We have friends and family, all that kind of stuff, but a lot of unique people. It’s simply amazing to see.”
While we lean towards the Sunset Red, which is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese, or the delicious Blueberry Wine, Jim is a little more liberal when it comes to people’s preferences when they visit the winery.
“Try all the drys, all the reds or whites or fruits. Just whatever your heart desires.”
Where: 10587 Old Chappell Hill Road, Chappell Hill, Texas 77426
Chapelton Vineyards
Photo: Natalie Lacy Lange
Chapelton Vineyards is the vineyard Dionysus would have set up if he were Texan. Even the Greek god of wine would be impressed with the landscape of this winery that sits in the nearby town of Washington.
Turns out, so are the locals.
“We’ve just loved the support from the local community,” says Allie Ferguson, general manager at Chapelton Vineyards. “And now we are getting a lot of people from the Houston area. Katy and Cypress have been a great support as well, so we’ve been very busy.”
Rows of Merlot, Tempranillo, and Blanc du Bois grapes line the 14 acres of rolling hills that surround the extravagant tasting house. It’s over-the-top and ostentatious, even by Texas standards, but somehow it feels right at home among the green and fertile land.
The star of the show for Chapelton Vineyards and owners Kurt and Michelle Lyn, beyond its selection of savory wines, remains their patrons.
“I would love [for Chapelton Vineyards] to be a place where people can come and feel like they can celebrate anything with life,” explains Ferguson.
Where: 14858 Whitman Rd, Washington, Texas 77880
Saddlehorn WinerySaddlehorn Winery sits in Burton on 390 acres of blessed Texas soil, just one mile removed from Highway 290 that connects Houston to Austin. Its location and laid-back atmosphere, thanks in part to charismatic owner and spinner of yarns Stephen Morgan, make it an ideal first stop on a wine tour of the Brazos Valley.
That’s a situation not lost to the winemakers in the area.
“No one wants to drive 80 miles to visit one winery,” notes Morgan. “They want to hit at least three or four to make it worth it. So the fact that we have five now in the area, we have a destination for wine tourism. There’s a high amount of cooperation amongst us.”
Saddlehorn opened its doors over a decade ago and has progressed steadily with the times, through economic downturns and expansions into a renovated 12,000-square-foot horse barn. He’s seen the local wine scene rise with a few missteps.
Despite it all, Morgan remains a cheerful storyteller and vintner, welcoming anyone who enters Saddlehorn’s doors to try as much of their hand-crafted wines (especially the Black Spanish offerings) as they want.
Where: 958 Farm to Market Road 1948 North, Burton, Texas 77835
Threshold VineyardsPhoto: Theshold Vineyards
Just outside of Navasota lies the family-run Threshold Vineyards. On any given day you can find multiple generations of the Jeter clan roaming “the farm,” as they call it, working diligently on their award-winning product.
At the end of every harvest and wine-making season, the feeling of sharing something special with other families is the underlying motivating factor at Threshold Vineyards.
“We’re very family oriented. And so we’ve tried to create an environment that’s not stuffy,” winemaker Josh Jeter shares. “We want to make wine approachable but quality driven. So, we have families come out here with their whole family, kids, and they enjoy the grounds. They enjoy the area and [we’re] just a place for them to kind of unwind, relax, and enjoy this piece of south Grimes County.”
When you visit Threshold Vineyards, we recommend the heavily praised Blanc Du Bois, which carries grapefruit and pear aromas while finishing with intriguing notes of green apple.
Where: 14615 County Road 318, Navasota, Texas 77868
Visit the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham
Photo: Natalie Lacy Lange
A visit to the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, Texas, is a must for anyone who loves ice cream. Founded in 1907, the creamery is one of the oldest and most popular ice cream brands in the country, which is an extraordinary feat given that it’s only available in 34 percent of the United States.
Today, it’s still known for its delicious ice creams and fan-favorite tour experience. Visitors can tour the facility and see how ice cream is made, learn about the company’s history, and enjoy samples of their favorite flavors in the Blue Bell Country Store, including flavors that haven’t been released to the general public.
The Blue Bell Creamery also has a museum on site, which features vintage advertisements and artifacts from the company’s early years. The tour and the museum are a great experience for families of all sizes and should occupy a can’t miss position on your travel itinerary.
Where: 1101 S Blue Bell Road, Brenham, Texas 77833
Experience small town Texas
Photo: Catalena Hatters
How does one get the full small town Brazos Valley Texas experience? By ditching the car and walking the sidewalks of its downtown. This is the only way you can get to know the real spirit of a city.
The shops that line communities such as Chappell Hill are a perfect start. Stopping in and chatting with Chupacabra Leather Company owners and best friends Steve Moreland and Stefan Akers can open your eyes to the unique challenges that face businesses such as Chupacabra’s, which specializes in leather goods such as holsters, scabbards, and custom belts.
“[On the most challenging custom orders] You know we learn how to measure a belt without asking a lady’s waist size, because you can never ask,” Moreland admits with a straight face.
A stone’s throw away you’ll meet local artist TJ Jones, who operates the Texas Artisans at Chappell Hill which houses a surprising number of regional creators and their artistic wares.
The same can be said for Thomas Craft Confections in Brenham, the Muddy Waters Bookstore in Navasota, or the mad scientists at KinderHill Brew Lab in Bryan. Each stop is an opportunity to not only shop small and support local neighborhoods and communities but to meet the hard-working people behind these endeavors.
Where to eat and drink in Brazos Valley TexasMescalito CoffeeThere are coffee shops, and then there’s Mescalito Coffee. The humble brag about Mescalito Coffee is that it’s the best coffee you’ll have between Houston and Austin. The truth is that it may be the best coffee you’ll have in Texas.
You’ll know this is more than just bold talk when you encounter the line of smiling faces, customers ready for a cup of their morning coffee. Luckily, the amazing staff moves the queue quickly, but they never skimp on quality. When you visit, be sure to order the Mertz Special, a local favorite, which is a dirty chai tea latte with oat milk (a shot of espresso is the‘dirty part).
One sip and you’ll understand why locals say it’s always worth the trip.
Where: 100 E Alamo St, Brenham, Texas 77833
Blue Willow CafeFor brunch at Blue Willow, indulge in the tweaked eggs benedict with house-made hollandaise sauce, and ham on toasted English muffins and served with herbed cream cheese, spinach and tomato.
When it’s dinnertime, the cheese ravioli with roasted butternut squash topped with homemade alfredo sauce, fried onions, sauteed spinach, and pecans is a soulful delight that deserves your attention.
Our favorite off-menu item? Bread pudding with a French toast topping. Chef Tammie Mills wouldn’t share her recipe secrets, but trust us when we say it’s delicious. When you make your reservations at Blue Willow Cafe, you’ll need to beg her to add it to the evening’s dining experience.
Where: 12513 W Washington St, Burton, Texas 77835
Rail & RyeHave you been to Rail and Rye? That’s what folks want to know when you’re in Brazos Valley. The local hotspot impresses with a look that challenges posh spots around the country, a rooftop bar that captivates customers every weekend, and a menu that will intrigue and excite all types of appetites.
The double pork chop with sweet potato mash, broccolini, and shallots, in a watermelon rind chutney, and the shrimp and grits are two heavenly dishes. But it’s the braised beef short rib that may have you looking for local real estate before your dinner is finished. The beef short rib is fall off the bone tender, and a main reason Rail and Rye stays high on people’s list of can’t miss restaurants.
Where: 101 Railroad St, Navasota, Texas 77868
Where to stay in Brazos Valley TexasAnt Street Inn
Photo: Natalie Lacy Lange
Brenham’s Ant Street Inn is, in a word, exquisite. Since purchasing the Ant Street Inn in 2011, owners Suzy and Keith Hankins have continued the transformation of this historic hideout in the heart of downtown into an idyllic celebration of traditional splendor and comfort.
Comforts such as the deluxe New Orleans room offers travelers a canopied and draped queen-size bed in an area adorned with artwork from New Orleans. A three-piece parlor set for relaxing or watching television, and a spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, twin sinks, and a tub designed for two complete the look.
“[Visitors] really like the little touches as much as the grandness… of the furnishings and the decor,” Keith Hankins explains. “All the decor is period — 1870s to 1890s — and it’s all authentic.”
Where some other hotels desire to carve out their own niche, away from competitors and other store owners, the Ant Street Inn keeps its place in the community at the core of everything it does.
“I wish I could be really, really arrogant and say that people come to Brenham just to stay at the Ant Street Inn,” Hankins says with a laugh. “That’s not the case. People stay at the Ant Street Inn because they want to come to Brenham. And they want to be within walking distance of everything that downtown has to offer. [They] see how cool downtown Brenham is…and they want to be in the center of all that. And here we are.”
For all the attention to detail, Suzy and Keith continue to find that it’s the little things, such as the hotel’s free Blue Bell ice cream perk, that keep smiles on visitors’ faces.
Where: 107 W Commerce St, Brenham, Texas 77833
P.A. Smith HotelWhen Stephen Scheve first spoke with his wife, Janice, about buying the dilapidated P.A. Smith Hotel in 2017 and restoring the broken down historic building, he met slight resistance.
“She thought I was inebriated,” he says with a chuckle. “But we decided to do it.”
What the couple has done with the P.A. Smith Hotel, though, goes beyond a simple rejuvenation of a downtrodden property. They have created something truly majestic. It’s a stunning composite of historical beauty and high-end luxury that corporate resorts around the world strive for but often miss the mark on.
The hotel finds repeat visitors in attention to detail, whether you consider the rainfall shower features and muslin blankets or the hotel’s signature custom bedding and the swanky speakeasy located on the second floor.
“This is all about creating an experience. We want to pamper people,” Scheve says. “We want them to think of not only about having a really good night’s sleep, but that they get treated here with… a hand-in-glove sort of treatment.”
Where: 111 Railroad St, Navasota, Texas 77868
The Stella Hotel
Photo: The Stella Hotel
The Stella Hotel in Bryan is an award-winning blend of comfort, outstanding hospitality, and Texas pomposity.
It’s located just minutes from Texas A&M’s main campus so the lobby decorum is decidedly Aggie-like, but that doesn’t scare off travelers from around the country.
Here, you’ll find all the modern amenities such as complimentary WiFi, 55” HDTVs, Frette bathrobes and wraps, plus on-property restaurants such as Campfire, Hershel’s, and POV for when the munchies attack.
It’s beautiful, centrally located, and everything you want in a ritzy, but still somehow casual feeling, hotel experience. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the grounds are immaculately kept.
About the only thing you won’t find here are Alabama Crimson Tide fans. But, naturally, they’re still welcome.
Where: 4100 Lake Atlas Dr, Bryan, Texas 77807
More like thisNational Parks9 Spots To Visit on the Perfect Big Bend National Park Road TripAirbnb Just Made It Easier To List Your Home on the Platform
Airbnb just made it easier to rent out your home, or just a room, while you travel. The company’s 2022 Winter Release includes the launch of Airbnb Setup, a fresh process for listing your home on Airbnb that also doubles as a sort of mentorship program for new hosts. Aspiring Airbnb hosts will now receive guidance and personalized expertise to help them optimize their listing to earn as much revenue as possible.
Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to list your home.
Once you sign up with Airbnb Setup, the company will pair you with an experienced Superhost to guide your journey up through your first hosting.
“Today, just like back then, more people than ever are looking for ways to earn extra money,” Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said in a video announcing the program. He went on to say, “Airbnb Setup is designed around a simple idea – that the best way to do something new, is to do it with someone who’s done it before.”
The program matches you with a Superhost near you who can answer questions about the hosting process. Whether you choose to list a spare bedroom, a backyard cabin, or an entire mansion, the setup process has been changed to make it faster and easier. This includes the option to allow only experienced Airbnb users for your first booking, eliminating the risk of allowing someone into your home who hasn’t earned the trust of the Airbnb community.
In addition to pairing new hosts with a Superhost, Airbnb Setup adds the following perks.
Guest identity verification: In Spring 2023, the company will expand identity verification to all booking guests traveling to the top 35 countries and regions on Airbnb.Reservation screening technology: Also in Spring 2023, Airbnb will launch proprietary reservation screening technology in the US and Canada with the goal of reducing the chance of disruptive parties.$3M damage protection: Damage protection has been tripled from $1 million to $3 million and covers the home and contents.Auto and boat protection: Airbnb expanded damage protection to cars, boats, and other watercraft parked on property.Art and valuables protection: A wider range of fine art, jewelry, and collectibles will now be repaired or replaced at the appraised value.Easier to file a claim: The company sped up the process for hosts can now file a claim for damage protection.This Endangered Missouri Language Is Named After a Tree
On a quiet stretch of state highway located some 60 miles southeast of St. Louis, blink and you’ll miss the sign that announces you’ve entered Old Mines. The unincorporated area in Washington County, Missouri, is dotted with small towns and tiny hamlets, and at the community’s heart is St. Joachim’s Catholic Church. At first glance, there’s not much else here, but just beneath the sleepy rural facade is a rich linguistic history that dates back centuries.
St. Joachim’s Catholic Church. Photo: Erika Ebsworth-Goold
Many who live in Old Mines today are descendants of French settlers who first arrived nearly 300 years ago. They trapped furs, farmed, and mined the land of its rich mineral deposits. And as they made the area their home, those settlers developed their own form of French, adopting new words and phrases that drew upon many influences, including Spanish, English, and Native American languages. A far cry from what many of us learned in school, it is its own distinct dialect.
The fight is now on to wrestle that Old Mines French—nicknamed Pawpaw French for the fruit-bearing trees that grow in the area—back from near-extinction. Linguists, historians, and artists are all doing their part to make sure the patois found only in this little slice of the state can stay alive for future generations.
Preserving and remembering Old Mines FrenchIn 1720, Philippe François Renault arrived from France and settled the area. Renault and his team found and smelted lead throughout Old Mines. The French they spoke evolved with them.
“When those settlers saw something they had never seen before out here, they had to call it by some name. And they were storytellers. So, if they didn’t know, they made it up,” explains Cindy Merx, whose husband traces his ancestors back generations in Old Mines. “This is Old Mines French. It has its own dialect, its own words.”
Old Mines’ isolation helped to cement its heritage. The land is bluffy, rugged, tough to tame; people who lived there stayed there. They depended on each other and kept free from outside influence for nearly 200 years. Families spoke their own form of French at home, as did priests at St. Joachim’s, and children were taught the language in school.
But at the turn of the 20th century, a perfect storm of societal change began to erode the tightly kept traditions. Mines were depleted, and men left to find work in an outside world that ridiculed the way they spoke. Schools began teaching only English due to a state mandate in 1888, and priests at St. Joachim’s also gave up French. By the time construction on Highway 21 started in 1922, connecting the area to St. Louis directly, the assimilation was well on its way. It took just a generation for Old Mines French to fade from daily life. Starting in the 1930s, researchers began to visit the area to document what they could of the vanishing language and folktales; locals also tried to engage their elders in the 1970s, when it became sadly apparent there was limited time to do so .
“It was hard because as we tried to get this out of the older folks, many of them would refuse to talk about it,” said Merx. “They wouldn’t speak the language at all, because it was stressed to them as children that they would be looked down on for speaking French.”
The Old Mines Area Historical Society has rebuilt and relocated several original cabins dating back to the 1800s. The goal: to recreate an Old Mines village representing what the area looked like in earlier days. Photo: Erika Ebsworth-Goold
The Old Mines Area Historical Society has rebuilt and relocated several original cabins dating back to the 1800s. The goal: to recreate an Old Mines village representing what the area looked like in earlier days. Photo: Erika Ebsworth-Goold
As president of the Old Mines Area Historical Society, Merx and other volunteers have tried to preserve the local heritage. The group has saved a handful of original Old Mines log cabins dating back to the 1800s. They’ve restored and relocated them to a parcel of land that sits atop a former barite mine. The goal is to re-create an historic village to represent what Old Mines might have looked like in its earlier days.
The group also holds a fête every autumn. During the party, crowds gather to celebrate and reconnect through music, dancing, crafts, and plenty of traditional food. There’s also storytelling, designed to revive Old Mines French — a labor of love that Merx says is well worth the effort.
“We don’t want these things to be lost, and we don’t want them to disappear. It’s who we are, and who our families have been. It’s like taking your grandma’s good china and throwing it out because it’s not needed anymore,” Merx said. “But you don’t do that. It’s the same with our language. You keep it, and you treasure it. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
An outsider on a quest to keep Old Mines French goingAs a child growing up near Vincennes, Indiana, Dennis Stroughmatt heard tales of the French fur traders who once populated the area. He developed an intense curiosity about the land known as Illinois Country, a vast swath of French settlement that stretched across portions of what is now the American Midwest.
“I continued to be interested in the culture and the history of the area,” he explains. “I couldn’t leave it alone.”
Later, while attending Southeastern Missouri State University in the early 1990s, he struck up a conversation with a professor about the state’s French roots. He asked what had happened to the language, and to the people who had once spoken it fluently.
“He told me ‘If you really want to find out more, you need to go to the place where people are still speaking French in large numbers.’ And that’s how I found out about Old Mines.”
A road trip quickly followed. At the time, Stroughmatt knew only a few words of French. He stopped at a small general store in Old Mines..
“I asked a woman inside where the French were. She told me ‘You found us.’ I then asked her if she spoke French and she said ‘Yes, but it’s probably not yours.’”
It wasn’t.
“Primitive but picturesque” was how researcher and language scholar J.M. Carrière referred to it in a 1939 academic paper, written after he’d conducted extensive interviews in the Old Mines region. There are significant differences between the patois he found and standard French. Among the most striking are the words that are Anglicized. In French, “game” is “jeu” or “partie”. In Old Mines French, it’s “guime”. And skillet, that old standby in every Old Mines kitchen? In standard French it’s “poêle”. The Old Mines version is “esquilette”.
There are grammatical differences, too. Some of the irregular verbs are conjugated differently, giving the patois a sound and cadence all of its own.
Soon enough, Stroughmatt was learning Old Mines French firsthand. He met with residents who patiently answered his questions and connected him with others in the community. The young man found himself spending every weekend away from university in Old Mines, and became a fixture in the area. He had just taken up the violin and started to play fiddle at house parties — or “bouillons” as they are known there — and began to pick up the elusive patois the locals called Pawpaw French.
“I learned the language through the songs,” he said.
The relationship has lasted decades. In 1997, Stroughmatt was asked to sing and play at the fête and he now returns year after year. As Stroughmatt became a musical ambassador for the language he loves so much, many of the people he first learned from passed away. It’s been difficult, but he takes comfort in knowing that he’s keeping parts of their tradition alive through music. And when he’s not on the road performing, Stroughmatt teaches at Wabash Valley College in Illinois. He plans to offer a class in Old Mines French there soon.
Musician Dennis Stroughmatt and his band, L’Espirit Creole, perform at the annual fête sponsored by the Old Mines Area Historical Society in Washington County, Missouri. People from all generations gather at the annual fete to celebrate their Old Mines roots, heritage and traditions. Photo: Erika Ebsworth-Goold
Traditional French food, including delicious pastry called croquignoles, is served at the annual fête, sponsored by the Old Mines Area Historical Society in Washington County, Missouri. Photo: Erika Ebsworth-Goold
Volunteers stir rustic ham and bean soup for visitors at the annual fête, sponsored by the Old Mines Area Historical Society, in Washington County, Missouri. Photo: Erika Ebsworth-Goold
“I’m just one guy trying to do what I can,” he said. “For a language to exist, it has to exist in the community. It’s fine if it’s just there on paper, or on a recording, but if it’s not actively being used, it dies. It continues in the spoken word, and that’s how it’s survived so far. It’s still here. Even after nearly 300 years.”
Keeping Missouri French alive through storytellingArtist, illustrator, and University of Kansas lecturer Brian Hawkins stumbled upon Old Mines French after completing his undergraduate studies in 2011 examining ragtime, another cultural phenomenon with deep Missouri ties.
“I was looking in my university library in a section devoted to folklore and history,” said Hawkins. “I found a book, Tales from the French Folk-lore of Missouri and started leafing through it. I was pretty blown away by the fact that there were people in the 1930s who were able to tell folk tales in French in Missouri. I didn’t really know Missouri had these French roots.”
As it had with Stroughmatt years before, a chance discovery at college launched a road trip, and Hawkins also headed to Old Mines.
“The more I spoke to people, and the more people I met, the more I became interested in the history of the community.”
Hawkins, whose art meshes audio clips with stunning visuals, accessed archival recordings of past Old Mines residents reciting their folktales. He knew they would be the perfect fit for his style of storytelling.
“Everyone enjoys watching an animated film, regardless of their age,” said Hawkins. “When there’s an effort to revive a language, I think it makes sense to capture that in animation. You can use archival audio of a native speaker, and you can have visuals so people can follow along. It’s easy to add subtitles. The people in Old Mines were supportive of that idea, and that was how my project started.”
Hawkins is currently working on a full-length feature documentary about the people of Old Mines and their folktales. Like Stroughmatt’s music, it’s an approachable way to learn more about Old Mines French.
“If you hear some of the songs Dennis [Stroughmatt] sings in the archive, they are usually a cappella, a very different format from the way he’s performing today,” Hawkins said. “He’s combined them with the fiddle tradition and created a hybrid that’s beautiful, easy to engage with, and can get people excited about learning the language. We’re working in a similar way to keep it relevant.”
“It’s Not Gone Yet”2023 marks the 300th year since the French first made their way to Missouri. With that commemoration comes big plans to celebrate in Old Mines. The party kicks off on New Year’s Eve with La Guiannée, a medieval French tradition featuring singers going door to door, ringing in the new year. A dinner dance will be held, the Historical Society will host an open house, and the fête will be back, bigger than ever.
And while there’s a renewed resolve to keep the language alive, from time to time there are surprising glimmers proving it isn’t a thing of the past quite yet.
“People try to put the nail in the coffin of our French and say ‘That’s it, nobody speaks it. It’s done.’, says Stroughmatt. “But I was in Jefferson City last year to perform at the Missouri Humanities Council and the son of an Old Mines fiddler showed up. He spoke to me in perfect Old Mines French. We talked for an hour.
It’s not gone yet.”
The Top Portugal Airbnbs for an Unforgettable Trip To the Country’s Coasts, Hills, and Cities
Travel to Portugal is all about nature, wine, food, and culture. As such, you want a Portugal Airbnb that complements the experience. Whether you plan to visit the eccentric capital city of Lisbon, stroll the plazas of Porto, hang by the beach, or escape to the hillsides, these are the best Portugal Airbnbs to have an unforgettable vacation.
We hope you love the Portugal Airbnbs we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Beachfront Airbnbs in PortugalTop Airbnbs in Porto, PortugalThe top Lisbon, Portugal AirbnbsBest Airbnbs in Lagos, PortugalBest Airbnbs in Algarve, PortugalPortugal Airbnbs in the hills and countrysideBeachfront Airbnbs in PortugalYou can’t forget the charming coastal towns in Portugal. With their stunning beaches, historic landmarks, and explosive culinary scene, you will want to have a visit on your itinerary. Whether you visit the beautiful islands of southern Portugal or sunbathe on the Portugal beaches or visit the quiet town of Maderia, you surely won’t miss out on the culture of Portugal.
Luxury beachfront villa in Colares
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
The turquoise and blue waters of the Atlantic and the rugged yellows, browns and greens of the Portuguese coast have never come together so well. This luxury beachfront villa in Colares features a massive outdoor chilling area with a pool overlooking the ocean. There’s of course a pergola, and the entire setting gives way to a home that is nothing short of Hollywood-worthy. You can walk to the beach, cruise the sand, and then stroll to lunch or dinner at the plethora of nearby cafes and restaurants.
Sixteen guests, eight bedrooms
Price: $717 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Staying within a natural reserve near the beach is a vacation dream. This Alentenhana house is the living embodiment of that dream. Cozy and convenient, you’ll have easy access to the reserve and the beach. Hiking and long walks are aplenty. When it’s time to chill, the home has a fireplace and a large kitchen perfect for trying your hand at Portugal’s coastal classics (if you master a Cataplana de Marisco, please let us know your secrets).
Eight guests, flour bedrooms
Price: $271 per night
Penthouse Praia luxury surfshack and retreat
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This large penthouse unit sits just above Dona Ana Beach. The waves are nice, the water is comfortable, and the surrounding village is a beach lover’s paradise. Inside are the trimmings of royalty — the kitchen is well stocked and the open plan leaves the sun to fill in the voids. It’s luxurious to the fullest extent, with high thread counts and expansive windows opening to the ocean. And the sunsets over the water are the stuff of legend.
Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $258 per night
Sitting northwest of Portgual is the coastal town of Porto. This second-largest city in Portugal is known for its port wine, colorful buildings, amazing architecture, and views overlooking the Douro River. Dive into these Airbnbs that will surely give you the Porto welcome you’re looking for.
One-bedroom Porto apartment near the Rua de Santa Catarina
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Check out this colorful and bright Airbnb Portugal apartment. This apartment is nestled in one of the city’s popular and liveliest streets and is next to the Rua de Santa Catarina. This space features an open living area with two balcony areas and a fully equipped kitchenette. Discover the city as the apartment in the heart of the city and near popular sites.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $47 per night
Porto’s Casa do Gólgota mansion on the river
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
What if you could have the best of Porto’s vibrant city life and the privacy that comes with staying in a secluded mansion? You can at this luxe mansion on the river — a solar-powered oasis occupying a stretch of property between the ocean and downtown Porto since the 8th Century. Here, you’re literally staying in a piece of history — with all the trappings of modern luxury to boot. If visiting Porto with a larger group, there’s no better place to ensure everyone has space without sacrificing the convenience of urban living.
Sixteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $678 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Coffee on the terrace watching the morning boats go by sounds pretty incredible right now if you ask us. This suite on the Douro River in central Porto is the spot for just that — a top-notch accommodation with a comfortable living space and all the views that brought you to Europe in the first place. Gaze out over the cityscape, walk to cafes and restaurants, and don’t forget the wine — Porto doesn’t wait until 5:00 to indulge, and neither should you.
Fourteen guests, seven bedrooms
Price: $712 per night
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is not lacking in things to do, beautiful architecture, and historical character; this city truly has it all. No matter where you’re staying in Lisbon, you’ll be surrounded by excellent food and pristine views. Take in the electric city with these unique Airbnbs.
Chiado penthouse in central Lisbon
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Lisbon’s historical center is among Europe’s most charming destinations. A stay within it is a must-do for all travelers to Portugal. The way to separate your trip from the rest is to optimize that stay with the best possible property, the most gorgeous views, and the easiest access to the city’s food, cultural highlights, and nightlife. This penthouse apartment does just that. You’ll overlook water and cityscape, walk to everything, and return to a tricked-out pad that resembles something out of a Connery-era James Bond film. Optimization complete.
Five guests, three bedrooms
Price: $690 per night
Amazing penthouse apartment overlooking city center
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Look at photos of Lisbon and you’ll notice one recurring theme. The city’s red-roofed skyline plays a prominent role in defining the character of Lisbon. A stay in this luxurious penthouse duplex lets you take it all in from above — with a glass of local wine in hand, of course. You’ll be right on Bairro Alto, ready to explore the city on foot, though the unit comes with one free parking space in case you do have a car. The interior is equally charming with ample sitting room and a large kitchen.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $275 per night
Luxury villa just east of city center
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Caxias, just east of central Lisbon, is among the most charming places in Portugal. From this colorful luxury villa you’ll have easy access to the city, the beach, and lots of unique dining options that those who never venture from central Lisbon aren’t privy to. Oh, and there’s an absolutely gorgeous pool, which beckons day and night (or both, if you’re like us). This one’s built for groups and smaller stays, and comes with a game room stocked with a pool and foosball table.
Sixteen guests, four bedrooms
Price: $309 per night
This historic city of Lagos, Portugal, is the place for anyone looking for an ultimate beach getaway. If you’re looking to lounge seaside, this is your spot. Check out these Airbnbs that put you right on the coast with stunning views.
Charming unit situated in the city center
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Immerse yourself in this newly renovated Airbnb Portugal beachy space. This cozy home is located in the city’s center and near the historic center. The space has a spacious living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and an open patio area with a private pool, sunbathing, and sitting area.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $140 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Enjoy this modern two-bedroom apartment located in the Marina of Lagos. This modern apartment has a spacious living room with doors that lead to the private terrace with views of the marina and the river and a fully equipped kitchen. The apartment is only a five-minute walk to the historic town of Lagos, a two-minute drive to the Meia Praia beach, and a five-minute drive to other nearby beaches.
Seven guests, two bedrooms
Price: $73 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Truly experience the Lagos beach life with this authentic beach villa. This villa was built with sustainable materials and in the traditional Lagos style and features shades of white wood, lime, and unique architecture. The villa features a spacious living room with a kitchen and two cozy bedrooms. Hang out and soak up some sun in the outdoor area or chill out in the private pool.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $363 per night
The southern spot of Portgual holds its unique charm, characteristics, and history. With its stunning cliffside views, Atlantic beaches, and fishing villages, this town offers anything and everything for everyone of all ages. Get lost in the beauty of the miles of beaches, limestone caves, and bays along the coastline.
Beachfront apartment nestled on a cliff with views of the sea, coast, and marina
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This Airbnb Portgual unit has stunning beachfront views, perched on top of a cliff. This apartment has two large terraces that overlook the ocean below, and the unit has many gorgeous views of the sea, the coast, and the entrance to the marina. The newly renovated unit features modern finishings and has access to the beach that is a quick walk away, and it’s only a two-minute walk to the historic center of the city.
Five guests, three bedrooms
Price: $210 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
If you’re looking for a relaxing romantic getaway for two, this stunning vacation home is the place for you. This home is filled with white and patterned tiles and features Moorish exposed walls. The house has a beach theme throughout and has a spacious living room and kitchen and a large terrace area with outdoor furniture and the perfect space to relax and take in the beautiful weather.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $113 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This modern, bohemian-style apartment features a spacious living room and a well-equipped kitchen area. Relax, put your feet up on the large terrace area, and watch the sunrise or sunset. If you’re looking to explore a bit, the apartment is in the center of the historic center of the old town of Faro and near the Faro Cathedral, the old port of Faro, and traditional restaurants.
Five guests, two bedrooms
Price: $95 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
This secluded country villa was refurbished in 2020 and is located in the middle of vineyards, apple trees, and orchards. The remote home features a spacious living room perfect for entertaining families and friends and a well-equipped kitchen. The home also has a backyard area with stunning views of the Douro Valley area, a pool, a lounge area, and a dining area.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $207 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Have you ever taken a bath outside? After staying in this luxury villa you will have taken several. The outdoor bathtub is just one highlight — this property feels like a wine cellar, and that’s because there is one. There are also many excellent places to sip said wine, including a nook fit for a sommelier and a stove-heated living room comfortable even for large groups. If wine is the ticket to Portugal, this home is the venue.
Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $616 per night
Douro Green in the mountains east of Porto
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Photo: Airbnb
Stately swimming pools are a must when renting Portugal Airbnbs. The Douro Green has one of the finest, replete with a sauna, jacuzzi, and even an indoor gym to match. Gourmet meals are easily prepared in the chef’s kitchen, and taste even better when enjoyed al fresco overlooking the Douro River. The only excursion you’ll need to make is down to the dock to put into the river.
Ten guests, five bedrooms
Price: $502 per night
The 10 Best Lakes in Wyoming for Gorgeous Outdoor Recreation
With more than 4,000 lakes and reservoirs, Wyoming is one of the best states for a classic lakes getaway in outdoorsy surrounds. Whether you’d love to go stand-up paddle boarding on flat waters, fishing, kayaking, boating, or just bird- and wildlife-watch with binoculars from shore, you’ll find plenty of lakes in Wyoming to choose from.
Water levels can vary, so be sure to check before making plans, as high (or low) levels can impact everything from boat ramp access to water clarity. And be sure to take appropriate precautions near the water: be prepared for weather and conditions, always wear a life jacket or PFD as required by Wyoming law, follow recommended water safety practices, and check with land managers at each location to learn important safety information when you arrive. Different counties and lakes in Wyoming have different rules about bear and wildlife safety, and may have advisories about harmful algae blooms.
Where to find the best lakes in WyomingWyoming is a fairly large state, and the best lakes in Wyoming detailed below are scattered across the state. But since the state is generally so rural (and so outdoorsy), you can probably find a lovely lake near wherever you are in town.
Know that weather and seasonality mean some of the best lakes in Wyoming are frozen over come winter, and the parks inside the state’s national parks can be extremely crowded on summer weekends. If you’re visited a lake that isn’t on this list, do a bit of Googling in advance to find out the best times to visit, as well as what amenities (like kayak rentals or campgrounds) will be available nearby during your visit.
Paddleboarding: String Lake, Grand Teton National Park
Photo: Craigshiggins/Shutterstock
String Lake is about as picturesque a spot for paddle boarding as you can find. Inside Grand Teton National Park, this lake is fairly shallow, and a popular place to spend some time on the water with views of the incredible scenery. Be sure to follow the park’s rules about watercraft (which includes paddleboards), including permits and the required aquatic invasive species inspection. Know about the park’s bear safety information and be prepared if you encounter wildlife.
Speaking of wildlife: go early in the morning for the best chance of spotting the park’s resident mammals, like moose and elk. Early mornings usually offer the calmest water, too, since the wind usually picks up in the afternoon. If you don’t have your own paddleboard, rent an inflatable one from a store in Jackson Hole, like Rendezvous Sports.
Kayaking: Alcova Reservoir, near Casper
Photo: Ignore the Compass/Shutterstock
About half an hour from Casper, Alcova Reservoir is a favorite getaway and a convenient place to get out on the water for beginner and experienced kayakers alike.
Fremont Canyon is at the southwest end of the reservoir, and Alcova Resort offers rentals plus a seasonal shuttle service to transport kayakers up the canyon. Boaters can select whether to start paddling at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced drop-off points before making a self-guided journey back to the resort. It’s an ideal lake for paddling in Wyoming if you’re from out of town and don’t have multiple cars to carry kayaks or run your own shuttle. And the views aren’t too bad, especially in Fremont Canyon, which has sky-high rock walls hugging the narrow waterway.
Keeping everyone entertained: Fremont Lake, near Pinedale
Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism
If you want to try something new like windsurfing, or are with a group where everyone wants to get out on the water but can’t decide how to do it, Fremont Lake, near Pinedale, is just the spot to go.
As the second-largest natural lake in Wyoming, it provides opportunities for recreationists to enjoy a wide range of activities, including boating, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, and fishing, and it’s also near numerous hiking and camping options in Bridger-Teton National Forest. Wildlife watchers also love the lake for its abundance of animals, including moose, pronghorn, bears, and many different bird species, including ospreys and eagles (be sure to pack your binoculars). Download a birding app in advance if you think you’ll need help identifying the various calls, tweets, and hoots.
Wildlife viewing: Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National ParkPhoto: Kenny Felt/Shutterstock
While technically not a lake, Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park is an iconic place to watch for wildlife by the water. If you’re lucky (and patient), you’ll have a chance to snap an iconic shot of moose and other wildlife with the dramatic Teton Range in the distance. It’s near one of the most photographed lakes in Wyoming (Jackson Lake), and it’s a pleasant walk between the two (as well as between other nearby scenic spots, like the Willow Flats or Jackson Lake overlooks).
Scenic Oxbow Bend is an ideal place to watch the sun rise or set, and on a calm morning, photograph the mountains’ reflections in the water. Keep an eye out for moose, bears, otters, an array of birds, and other wildlife along the shoreline.
Geyser gazing: Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Photo: NPS/Public Domain
Yellowstone National Park is well-known for having more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, and its West Thumb Geyser Basin is a great place to see some of these wonders along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Stroll along the boardwalks and marked paths for a peek at Big Cone Geyser, Lakeshore Geyser, Fishing Cone Geyser, and many others.
Interpretive signs provide information on the area’s fascinating geology, and the walkways are flat and friendly for visitors with limited mobility. The walkway is a .6-mile loop, and be sure to stay on it the whole time (and also follow the park’s rules, regulations, and recommendations for staying safe around the boiling-hot water).
The best lakes in Wyoming for boating and multi-day tripsIf you’re planning to put your own craft into the water at any lakes in Wyoming, read up on the state regulations around licenses, permits, invasive species inspections, and laws around safety (hint: you need a PDF for each person). It’s not highly regulated, though some state and national parks require additional permits or registrations.
Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park
Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism
Jackson Lake is a favorite among boaters as it’s the park’s largest lake and the only place where water skiing is permitted. It has beautiful views of the Tetons and amenities nearby for boaters, like restaurants, a marina, a general store, and boat parking.
If you aren’t bringing your own boat, you can rent kayaks, pontoons, and small fishing boats from the lake’s Signal Mountain Marina. Be sure to get your boating permit in advance on recreation.gov and stop for the invasive species inspection before getting on the water.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area & Reservoir, near Rock Springs
Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is 91 miles long and in both Wyoming and Utah. With such a large area to explore, a boat is a great way to get around, and it opens up opportunities to do everything from fishing to water skiing to multi-day kayak camping trips.
Lucerne Valley Marina, just a few miles over the state line into Utah, offers everything from paddleboards to houseboats available to rent, plus has a few rustic floating cabins for longer stays. Companies nearby offer multi-day packrafting and whitewater trips, and it’s also home to some of the best fishing in Wyoming. Nearby Two Rivers Fishing Co. in Pinedale is an Orvis-endorsed fishing trip outfitter, so you can count on a world-class fishing experience.
The best lakes for fishing in WyomingFishing is big business in Wyoming, a state known for some of the cleanest and healthiest rivers and lakes in the country. The state has an excellent brochure with all the information you could ever need about fishing, and you can buy fishing permits one of two ways. Either buy it online and print it yourself, or buy one in person at one of the many licensed retailers throughout the state. Anyone planning to fish at any of the parks, rivers, or lakes in Wyoming needs a fishing license, whether you’re a resident of the state or not.
Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests
Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism /@picsbyjmoery
Enjoy lakeside fishing and stunning views at Mirror Lake, in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. A picnic area offers 15 tables, and a number of hiking trails are nearby, as well as an abundance of other recreational activities in the area.
Mirror Lake is one of five lakes in a very small area, lending itself well to fly fishing in the connected rivers. In Mirror Lake, expect to catch several varieties of trout, including brook, cutthroat, and rainbow; the Wyoming Game and Fish Department stocks both lakes yearly.
Glendo Reservoir, near Glendo
Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism /@Tippy13Kristie
At 12,000 acres, Glendo State Park is a hot spot for fishing and boating. The Platte County state park is centered around Glendo Reservoir, which has several boat ramps, an incredible walleye fishery, and opportunities to fish for bass, catfish, perch, and other species. Land lovers can also find hiking and biking opportunities, plus campgrounds with around 550 campsites.
Most people fish from boats, available to rent from Rooch’s Marina or Bellwood Boats. There’s also a fish-cleaning station in the summer at Bennett Hill. According to the park website, the best fishing is late spring through September, but you’ll find anglers out there most weekends outside of winter.
Boysen Reservoir, near Shoshoni
Photo: Kevin Kopf/Shutterstock
Anglers know Boysen State Park is a great spot for fishing, and more than a few of the largest fish ever came from this reservoir. Expect to catch walleye, perch, ling, largemouth bass, and a variety of trout, among other species. It’s one of the best lakes in Wyoming for year-round fishing, and ice fishing is usually possible between mid-December and late March, depending on the weather.
If you don’t have your own supplies, stop by Boysen Marina on the lake’s northeastern side. It offers a restaurant, campground, and general store with everything from bait and tackle to boat repair, cold local beer, and inflatable tubes for lazy summer days.
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