Enjoy Your Vacation While Leaving a Smaller Carbon Footprint
Unfortunately, tourism usually equals a negative environmental impact. But there are ways to travel without sacrificing your green lifestyle. One of the best ways to stay green is to keep it close to home. Whether you’re looking to rough it outdoors or stay on the shore in style, here are three of the best spots in the U.S. that involve water, fun for the whole family and eco-friendly tourism.
Hit the Beach Responsibly in Florida Vero Beach Hotel and Spa in Vero Beach, Florida, is a Green Seal-certified resort that goes above and beyond the standard to save energy and water. The hotel rewards its guests for being equally eco-conscious by offering discounts for parking for hybrid vehicles. The nearby Shark Bait rental shop sets you and the family up with fun ocean activities that give you a great and guilt-free workout. Sea kayaking, snorkeling and paddle boarding are great ways to work up an appetite and enjoy the ocean without polluting it. Just don’t forget your organic sunscreen, as new research shows that chemicals in old sunscreens are damaging coral reefs around the world.
Check out the Untouched Marine Life in Alaska It may be a little bit farther to travel, but the Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge works hard to counter the emissions it takes to get there, making it worth the trip. Located in Homer, Alaska, this small, eco-friendly lodge maxes out at 12 guests and is rated one of the top 10 eco-resorts in North America. With no other restaurants or stores on the property located in the heart of the Kachemak Bay State Park, you feel like you have the place to yourself.
The resort runs entirely on wind energy and hydropower, and it goes the extra mile not to interfere with the untouched wilderness on its doorstep, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Enjoy watching whales, seals and all kinds of wildlife enjoy the pristine surroundings right from your front porch. And if you have a group of 6 or more, you can have the run of the place for your whole stay.
Catch Fish in Montana Papoose Creek Lodge in Cameron, Montana, is in the Madison River Valley, 40 minutes from Yellowstone National Park. Even though the national park is one of the country’s crown jewels of wilderness, Papoose Creek Lodge is pretty special all on its own. Papoose is a full-service luxury lodge with the option of pioneer-style cabins and camping grounds. You can go canoeing, birding, horseback riding and hiking through 25,000 acres of gorgeous mountains and ranch land. However, that’s not why most people visit Papoose — they go because it just so happens to be one of the best creeks for fly fishing on the planet. But don’t forget that you’re just a stone’s throw from Yellowstone, and that means higher prices on bait and tackle. To avoid high prices, stock up that tackle box with plenty of fishing gear before heading out.
Happy Travels! Stay tuned for more!
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