Otesaga Resort Hotel Archives : TRAVEL/FOOD

“This year, people seem to have gotten a jump on hauling out the holly and decorating everything that’s not moving,” writes my friend Mindy Bianca, owner of Mindy Bianca Public Relations. “But we suggest taking that holiday spirit on the road and having a few experiences that could result in the best gift of the season: memories made with family and friends. From reindeer prancing through Kentucky to a gingerbread display that hits it out of the park in New York, there’s no shortage of merry and bright adventures waiting in some of MBPR’s client destinations. Get ready to unwrap some one-of-a-kind happenings that will make your season extra bright this year.”

Run, Run Reindeer

The Reindeer Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to embrace the magic than spending time with Santa’s favorite critters? This hands-on farm experience lets you get close to a team of more than eight not-so-tiny reindeer, plus you can take a ride on a festive sleigh, stroll through holiday-themed displays and ice sculptures, and spend time with the jolly guy himself. New this year, the farm just added a zipline, so if the sight of these creatures playing reindeer games inspires YOU to really know how to fly … have at it!

These Halls are Decked

Houmas House in Ascension Parish, Louisiana

“Let it snow” might not be the theme of a Louisiana Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the holiday season is any less jolly here. At Houmas House Estate and Gardens, the Southern Christmas vibe is strong, with majestic oak trees draped in twinkling lights and a grand historic home decked out like something straight out of a classic holiday movie. Guests can stroll the beautifully lit gardens, have a cup of cheer and enjoy delicious culinary offerings.

Santa’s Little Helpers

Storybook Holiday in Frostburg, Maryland

Photo courtesy of the City of Frostburg.

Frostburg, located on the Mountain Side of Maryland, is home to the nationally recognized Storybook Holiday event, complete with the ever-popular Elf Olympics, kid’s activities, a Christmas market, shops, a featured children’s author and a parade led by none other than Jack Frost himself. Fitting for a town named “Frost”-burg, Mr. Frost closes out the day’s activities by hosting a town-wide snowball fight. The 21^stannual Storybook Holiday is scheduled for Saturday, December 7. Even if you can’t make it to town on that particular day, Frostburg is one of the most charmingly decorated holiday towns on the East Coast throughout the season.

Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas

Dollywood Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Company.

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, but what if you could enjoy all the cozy vibes without the food prep and dirty dishes, laborious set-up and take-down of decorations, and the ensuing stress? Have yourself a merrier little Christmas at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Cozy accommodations, carolers and holiday-themed packages (including one featuring a tree in your room) will make your stay as sweet as sugar plums. And just in case your holiday barometer measures in this way: This part of east Tennessee was the set for a bonafide Hallmark movie, “Christmas at Dollywood,” back in 2019.

Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas

The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York

Photo courtesy of the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

The Otesaga Resort Hotel is the place to stay during a visit to Cooperstown, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. Each year, The Otesaga’s culinary team pulls out all the stops to create an amazing gingerbread creation that’s proudly displayed throughout the holiday season. This time they’ve hit a home run by building a gingerbread replica of historic Doubleday Field. For nearly 100 years, this celebrated baseball stadium has seen everyone from Hall of Famers to lucky kids play America’s pastime here in the village. Now it’s been transformed into gingerbread and royal icing.

If you’re dreaming of a merry and bright holiday season, gather your loved ones, pack your favorite holiday sweaters (ugly or not) and get ready to make memories that will last way longer than the extra pounds you pick up during this festive time of year.

Good news! Grand Isle, a part of southeast Louisiana that bore the brunt of Hurricane Ida’s impact last summer, is making great strides toward recovery. The famed Grand Isle State Park remains closed, but beaches and trails around the island are open, as is the shuttle boat that takes visitors to Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge. This is all wonderful news not only for the residents of this little island but also for fans of ecotourism.

Grand Isle is a haven for birdwatchers, who gather here each spring to welcome the hundreds of species of birds that touch down here after their long flights over the Gulf of Mexico to fuel up before continuing their migration north. The island residents have worked hard over the past few months to ensure that human visitors have places to stay (cabins and homes are available to rent, plus there are plenty of RV sites on the island) and great food to eat (the seafood in this area can’t be beat!).

Swooping Into Spring

From Alabama to Louisiana, myriad coastal destinations welcome flocks of both birds and human visitors for the spring migration season. Though birds stop along these areas in both the spring and fall, this is the more impressive migration time because thousands of species come to rest and recharge at around the same time as they all make their way north. If the timing is right – like when there are strong storms associated with a front – conditions are prime for what birders call a “fallout,” which occurs when thousands of birds drop from the sky at the same time to escape severe weather and refuel.

They gather in trees and shrubs, adorning them in a fashion that can be compared to looking at thousands of ornaments on colorful Christmas trees. This is a birder’s dream come true because you can see many species in a short amount of time, and spring is the best time for witnessing this spectacular event. To get an inside look at the best places to see migrating species this spring, click here

Flower Power

If you find yourself in the Mid-Atlantic or along the Gulf Coast this spring, we’re sharing two can’t-miss floral experiences for your itinerary (or future bucket list)! In Greater Wilmington & The Brandywine Valley, five spectacular properties await exploration in this season of renewal. Among them, Hagley Museum and Library, Longwood Gardens, Mt. Cuba Center, Nemours Estate, and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.

In Mobile, where blooms burst year-round, a special reason to visit each March is to see just how Mobile earned the nickname “Azalea City.” Two prime locations to experience the bounty of azalea blooms are Mobile Botanical Gardens and Bellingrath Gardens & Home. For a more in-depth look at spring offerings at these gardens and estates, click here

Doggone Egg Hunt in Mountain Maryland

Has Easter gone to the dogs? Seems that way consider that on April 9, Rocky Gap State Park in Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, is hosting its annual Doggone Egg Hunt. The state park is accessible to all members of the family — four-legged ones included. Visitors can bring their pups (costumes encouraged and welcome) for their own free Easter egg hunt. Eggs will contain prizes ranging from dog treats to toys and supplies. The ulti-mutt prize for all attendees includes getting to meet the Easter bunny! The two-legged members of the family will have the opportunity to meet with local vets and dog trainers and sample local food trucks. It’s promised to be a paws-itively good time for both dogs and humans.

Spring Theme Park Festivals in Missouri and Tennessee

Starting in April, springtime festivals burst into the season at Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. Street Fest at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, is likened to a colorful street carnival with performers, stilt-walkers, live musical performances and menus featuring unique food items from around the world. Beginning April 14 and continuing through May 1, the Living Garden’s new aerialists, statue illusionists and giant moving topiaries all come to life on the streets of The City. Check out a sneak peek of the park’s annual calendar of events here.

Meanwhile, in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival has become a beloved springtime tradition. From April 22 to June 5, visitors to the park are sure to be delighted by the displays made up of thousands of brilliant flowers.

Returning guest favorites include the butterfly umbrella and Dolly’s mother sewing together the Coat of Many Colors. The “Food” part of the festival is also a showstopper, with a full menu of items inspired by spring in the Smokies. A roundup of Dollywood’s seasonal celebrations can be found here. .

Back in Bloom Special at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown

The season of spring brings a breath of fresh air and a feeling of “new.” Flowers bloom, grass grows and baby animals start to make their appearances. The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York, follows suit with a new spring special designed to encourage guests to take in the natural beauty of Cooperstown and breathe new life into their upcoming getaways.

The Otesaga’s Back in Bloom Special offers guests their choice of tickets for either the Fenimore Art Museum or The Farmers’ Museum when they book a midweek (Sunday – Thursday) stay from April 3 through May 26, 2022. Rates start at $243, based on availability*. Both museums, which are closed during the winter months, will reopen on Friday, April 1 and this special launches just two days later. To get more details on this refreshing special, click here.