Nature is the finest teacher, but so much of our life is spent inside that we forget to take time to breathe in fresh air and soak up life-renewing experiences outdoors. Reconnecting with nature doesn’t mean you have to leave modern conveniences or even the city behind. Head to Houston, where you can find pockets of natural bliss tucked away in the corners of this urban jungle, or hurry to Little St. Simon Island, Georgia, where you can sink into the slow pace of one of the most pristine destinations left on earth.
BY PLANE: Little St. Simon Island, Georgia
What to do
Imagine a place that can only be reached by boat and is only touched by waves, and you will begin to capture the magic of Little St. Simon Island, Georgia. Unspoiled natural beauty prevails over 10,000 acres of marshland and forest and seven miles of pristine beaches that beckon a limited number of guests to discover. Exploration is a must, so you will find bicycles, kayaks and motorized skiffs to help you survey every secluded corner. Your island wanderings will give you plenty of opportunities to meet the locals, including alligators, dolphins, sea turtles and 280 species of birds. Teams of enthusiastic naturalists schedule daily excursions in open-air jeeps to introduce the ecology of the area.
888/733-5774;littlestsimonisland.com
Where to stay
Once you arrive on the island you won’t want to leave, and with all-inclusive dining and accommodations, you can stay and enjoy every bit of your getaway. Although the staff maintains the highest commitment to preserving the natural state of the island, you can still expect the utmost luxury. Six distinctive cottages, each with the cozy charm of a summer retreat, are tucked beneath sprawling oak trees on the banks of the river. All the comforts of home are available, including a full kitchen, laundry and even an outdoor shower to rinse off sandy toes. The comfort of the guest houses offers families a fireplace indoors and a spacious deck outdoors to enjoy together but separate bedrooms for a little privacy.
Where to eat
Three meals are included in your guest rate, with a regional selection of delicacies served family-style at breakfast and dinner in the main lodge dining room. Lunch is presented seaside, or if there is still more of the island you want to explore, you can have your lunch packaged for a family picnic. Farm-to-table cooking has never been fresher, and you will enjoy selections from the USDA-certified organic garden at each meal. Parents of picky eaters need not worry; just let the staff know about your kids’ favorites, and they will make sure to have them on hand.
BY CAR: Houston, Texas
What to do
It might be the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and oil fields that first come to mind when you think of Houston, but the city is filled with green spaces for a retreat into nature. The popular Children’s Museum of Houston and the Houston Zoo call the expansive green lawns of Hermann Park home. Not only can you check out these award-winning attractions but you can step away from the hurry of the city as you stroll the winding paths of the Japanese Gardens or paddle along the serene lakes in the park. You can also get back to nature without straying too far from the city when you visit Buffalo Bayou Park. This 124-acre park surrounds one of the last natural bayous in Houston and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the Waugh Bridge bat colony that lives in the bayou year-round.
713/522-1138; cmhouston.org
713/533-6500; houstonzoo.org
buffalobayou.org
Where to stay
It’s easy to forget you’re in the heart of the biggest city in Texas when you’re hidden in the 18-acre wooded oasis of the Houstonian Hotel. The hurry of the city fades away as you meander along boardwalks snaking through the lush gardens that connect the three resort pools. Kids from 6 weeks to 5 years old will enjoy fun activities in The Bungalow, while older kids won’t want to leave the Kid’s Gym and its three-story climbing wall. For a special treat, bring the outdoors inside by booking a Camp Out Package, which includes a fully outfitted tent pitched in your room and a bedtime s’mores snack.
713/680-2626; houstonian.com
Where to eat
Whether you choose to dine in the shaded verandah along the lake – or better yet, picnic-style in the park – The Lake House is the perfect place to soak up sun. Located next to Kinderlake in Discovery Green, this casual dining café is known for having some of the best burgers in town. Kids will also be thrilled to find chicken, hot dogs and a whole list of sweet treats on the menu, but it might be hard to keep them in their seats to finish those last few bites. The restaurant is surrounded by fun family activities, including a playground with a splash park and remote-control boats waiting for captains on the shores of the lake. If you’re feeling like you overdid it with dessert, you can always rent a fully stocked game cart and turn the lawn into a sports arena with a game of horseshoes or croquet.
713/337-7320; thelakehousehouston.com
