Latest news with #UnderCanvas
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
12 family-friendly resorts that are even better after dark
12 family-friendly resorts that are even better after dark Show Caption Hide Caption 2025's must-see astronomical events: Eclipses, supermoons & more 2025 will be a fascinating year for astronomy and space exploration enthusiasts, with several unmissable events on the calendar. unbranded - Newsworthy Many travelers these days aren't slowing down after the sun sets. Nocturnal tourism – commonly known as noctourism – has been a major travel trend for 2025, with vacationers interested in everything from stargazing and chasing the Northern Lights to exploring destinations when temperatures are cooler and sunburns aren't a concern. As a Florida resident, I definitely understand the appeal of activities that take place after the sun goes down, especially during the hot summer months. In some locations, families don't even have to leave their hotel or resort for some amazing after-dark experiences. Here are my picks for the best family-friendly hotels and resorts for noctourism activities. 1. Tenaya at Yosemite Fish Camp, California Surrounded by the natural beauty of Sierra National Forest and just two miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park, Tenaya at Yosemite is already a great hotel option for amateur astronomers. But it gets even better with the resort's Night Skies Package, available through Dec. 31, 2025. The package includes a two-night stay, a blanket for staying warm after dark, a National Geographic star guidebook so you know what you're seeing, a guided flashlight hike to explore the resort at night, and the chance to peer through telescopes at Jackson Road Loop Trail Meadow with the help of expert astronomers. The resort (read our full review here) also offers the Sierra Stargazing program Wednesday to Saturday nights from April to October, which are led by an expert local astronomer. 2. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado, Puerto Rico Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve isn't just a great place for a luxe beach vacation. The oceanfront resort is also a spot where families can enjoy the destination after dark. Its Ambassadors of the Environment program offers immersive noctourism experiences for children, adults, and families, including night snorkels using waterproof flashlights and the Wonders of the Night activity featuring storytelling, telescope viewing, and laser-guided constellation spotting. And for adults, a moonlight massage provides a memorable self-care experience. 3. Under Canvas Multiple locations As part of its Mindful Approach ethos, Under Canvas designed its camps to limit light pollution, maximize open spaces, and fit within the natural topography of the land where they're located. As a result, stargazing is easy to do here, and the brand's Zion, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell-Grand Staircase, Grand Canyon, and Moab locations were recently recognized as the world's first official DarkSky-certified resorts. Under Canvas's new We Own the Night campaign celebrates this achievement, offering complimentary camp programming like astronomy talks, full-moon hikes, star parties, and starbathing meditation sessions to encourage guests to look to the skies. 4. Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock Sedona, Arizona Located amidst a certified Dark Sky Community with clear high-desert skies and minimal light pollution, Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock offers both stunning red rock views and excellent star viewing. The resort holds stargazing sessions on Friday and Saturday nights by The Porch at ShadowRock Tap + Table, which also conveniently hosts family-style fireside s'mores for double the fun. Or you can gaze at the skies from your private patio if you book one of the resort's Fire Bowl Suites. 5. Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo Jalisco, Mexico Set on a private peninsula along Mexico's 'Happy Coast,' Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo occupies 2% of a protected nature reserve. Which means it's a great spot for outdoor activities day and night. Families can take part in the Small Wonders Night Exploration, a lamplit experience led by the resort's resident team of biologists and bug experts. There are also private starlit dinners, s'mores on the beach, and movies under the stars to go along with daytime fun like snorkeling, birdwatching, and swimming at the resort's three-level pool and private beaches. 6. Yavapai Lodge Grand Canyon, Arizona Book a stay at Yavapai Lodge and you'll have easy access to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, which is open 24 hours a day and is an ideal spot for seeing why the Grand Canyon has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. The hotel adds to that experience with its Stargazing Package that includes overnight accommodations, a pair of Celestron binoculars, a Petzl LED headlamp with night vision, a National Geographic night sky guidebook, and a pocket star finder. Yavapai Lodge has also partnered with local NASA Solar System Ambassadors to host Night Sky Talks each month. The free noctourism events include a James Webb Space Telescope talk and a star-viewing party. 7. Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon Cannonville, Utah The first glass-dome resort in the U.S., Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon offers a stay that's truly out of this world. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass allows you to sleep under the stars without having to rough it, as each climate-controlled dome features high-end mattresses and private baths. The resort makes the most of its secluded 80-acre setting with activities like campfires and s'mores and stargazing tours. It's also just 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, an International Dark Sky Park that hosts full-moon hikes and weekly stargazing programs. 8. Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas Atlantis is known for over-the-top amenities like its massive water park. But its Marine Life Camping Adventure offers families the opportunity for some after-dark fun, too. The noctourism experience includes kayaking alongside dolphins at dusk, an exclusive twilight snorkel, a behind-the-scenes nighttime tour with Atlantis's expert Sea Keepers, and an overnight stay under the stars in climate-controlled tents set along the shores of the resort's Dolphin Cay. It's definitely a unique way to experience the popular Bahamas resort. 9. Evergreen Lodge, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, and Firefall Ranch Groveland, California If you're visiting Yosemite National Park, you won't go wrong with a stay at sister properties Evergreen Lodge, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, and Firefall Ranch. And after a day at the park, you can turn your attention to the night sky with a stargazing session at one of the resorts. You'll get to look through a Unistellar telescope with the help of a Star Guide, who uses a high-powered laser pointer to spotlight constellations, star clusters, and other stellar sights. And you'll want to make sure you fuel up before the astronomical action at the resorts' nightly s'mores-making sessions. 10. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Tucson, Arizona Tucson serves as the headquarters of DarkSky International, so of course it's a great place for stargazing. Stay at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and you can take part in a complimentary, family-friendly stargazing adventure in partnership with the University of Arizona's Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter. Offered three times a week, the experience includes guided telescope observations and provides insight on everything that's visible in the Sonoran Desert night sky. 11. Carneros Resort and Spa Napa, California A relaxing escape in the middle of California wine country, Carneros Resort and Spa offers plenty of fun for kids and grownups. Book one of the cottages here and you can add on the Camp Carneros kids set-up that includes a tent, sleeping bag, lanterns, and a kid-friendly campfire with s'mores kit. You can also rent one of the resort's telescopes to admire the stars from your cottage backyard, reserve a private backyard movie night experience, or enjoy a complimentary movie under the stars on the resort's lawn. 12. ADERO Scottsdale Resort Scottsdale, Arizona The only Autograph Collection Resort in a certified Dark Sky Zone, ADERO Scottsdale Resort offers a signature night sky program called Find Your Way. The complimentary experience includes a private star-viewing session upon request using high-definition telescopes, exclusive use of the Star Walk 2 mobile app, and Friday night sky tours with the resort's 'Star Dudes' (based on seasonality). And the area near the resort will become even more stellar with the new International Dark Sky Discovery Center opening later in 2025. 12 family resorts that are even better after dark originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
Travel Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Tauck will offer glamping in the American West in 2026
Tauck will expand its North American land tours next year with a new collection of itineraries in the West, offering glamping for the first time. Guests booking Paradise Valley, Yellowstone & the Tetons will spend two nights glamping at Under Canvas West Yellowstone, which features safari-like tents near Yellowstone's west entrance. The eight-day trip starts in Paradise Valley in Montana and ends in Grand Teton National Park. The eight-day Wild, Wild West Family Adventure, which is part of Tauck's collection of itineraries for families, will include a three-night stay at ULUM Moab, an outdoor resort with suite-style tents that have king-size beds outfitted with heated mattress pads and Parachute brand linens. Western Horizons: Mesa Verde to Moab includes one night at Far View Lodge inside Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. The new trip marks Tauck's return to Mesa Verde for the first time in more than 10 years. Highlights include riding the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and visiting Durango's hot springs over the course of nine days. Tauck CEO Jennifer Tombaugh said, "For 2026, we're thrilled to raise the bar and feature some truly fun and unique accommodations to help our guests connect more deeply to the places we visit." Tauck will offer stays at Under Canvas Yellowstone in 2026. Photo Credit: Tauck New tours in Mexico and Nova Scotia Tauck also is introducing Mexico City and Oaxaca, an eight-day trip that explores Mexico's history, art and cuisine. Itinerary highlights include a private visit at Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul, a trip to Teotihuacan's pyramids and visiting Xochimilco's floating gardens. A Week In … Nova Scotia will take travelers on an eight-day journey of the seaside Canadian province, including visits to Lunenburg and Baddeck and a whale-watching cruise on the Bay of Fundy. Tauck will operate 29 itineraries in North America next year, including four designed for families. The brand is expanding its Small Group journeys, which average 24 guests, and Even Smaller Group trips, which average 15 guests.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UNDER CANVAS ANNOUNCES NEW OUTDOOR COLLECTION BRAND FEATURING UNIQUELY LOCAL PROPERTIES CONNECTED TO NATURE
DENVER, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Under Canvas, Inc., the leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality, announced the Outdoor Collection by Under Canvas, a new portfolio of properties that offer nature-based stays and experiences curated with place and purpose in mind. The first two properties, The Fields of Michigan and Bar N Ranch both demonstrate Under Canvas' exceptional hospitality and feature upscale accommodations such as safari-style field tents, contemporary cottages, classic cabins and lodge rooms. The announcement comes after the company's recent close on the acquisition of The Fields of Michigan, a working blueberry farm with tent and cottage accommodations and amenities including a pool, upscale dining, massage services and expansive blueberry fields for guest picking. Within easy reach of Chicago and Detroit, the 30-acre property is minutes from the bustling summer hub of South Haven, Michigan, and offers 23 private guest accommodations with access to watersports, beaches, bike riding trails (with complimentary bikes offered for guests) and seasonal events. Field tents and cottages include ensuite bathrooms, contemporary furnishings, electricity and private firepits, and The Willow serves as a communal dining space for guests, offering small plates and shareables, beverages, evening s'mores, and a Supper Club on weekends. The Fields camp will welcome guests from May 1-November 2, 2025. Also in the new Outdoor Collection is Bar N Ranch, a traditional, western lodge in West Yellowstone, Montana, owned by Under Canvas. Set on a beautiful 200-acre valley property, Bar N Ranch is located just 6 miles from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park and also offers access to Grand Tetons National Park. Accommodations include spacious lodge rooms with fireplaces and individual log cabins with one to four bedrooms. Summer activities include fly-fishing, horseback riding, hiking, whitewater rafting and guided tours of nearby Yellowstone National Park. Bar N Ranch will re-open for the 2025 season on May 8, 2025, and is now accepting reservations for stays through October 6, 2025. About Under Canvas The leader in upscale, outdoor hospitality, Under Canvas is the ultimate outdoor destination experience. Its safari-style accommodations perfectly embrace their natural surroundings while featuring indoor luxuries, allowing guests to discover their outdoor self in comfort and style. Under Canvas operates 13 camp locations: North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley, West Yellowstone and Glacier in Mont.; Moab, Zion, Lake Powell - Grand Staircase and Bryce Canyon in Utah; Mount Rushmore in S.D.; Great Smoky Mountains in Tenn.; Grand Canyon in Ariz.; Acadia in Maine, and new in 2025, Yosemite in Cali. and Columbia River Gorge in Wa. To grant further access to the nation's most coveted national parks, Under Canvas expanded their footprint in the luxury outdoor hospitality space with the launch of ULUM, a bespoke resort brand that debuted its first location in Moab, Utah in spring of 2023. For more information, please visit and View original content: SOURCE Under Canvas Sign in to access your portfolio
