A relaxing vacation is nice. But a wild vacation, where you can immerse yourself in the best natural animal attractions just a short trot from Noble House hotels, is always better.
Bird Watch in the City [Seattle, WA]
Urban spaces aren’t usually the first places that come to mind when you hear “wildlife.” But the Seattle Audubon Society is trying to fix that with their early morning bird walks through areas like the Washington Park Arboretum and the Olympic Sculpture Park, introducing groups to little-known local winged species, like the blue and purple Steller’s jay and the great horned owl.
Where to Stay The Edgewater Hotel
See a Rare Species of Tiny Island Deer [Big Pine Key, FL]
The 8,500-acre National Key Deer Refuge is home to the rare miniature species of Florida Key deer that have existed only in the lower Keys for the last 13,000 years. The likeliest place to catch sight of these endangered toy-like creatures in the preserve is at a site known as the Blue Hole, an abandoned rock quarry that forms a freshwater lake – a valuable haven for the deer, especially early in the morning or at sunset when they are the most active.
Where to Stay Little Palm Island Resort & Spa // Ocean Key Resort & Spa
Everglades Swamp Walk [Naples, FL]
Trained naturalists and expert photographers from the Big Cypress Gallery in Ochopee, 40 minutes east of Naples, lead two- and three-hour tours into Big Cypress National Preserve, at the northern corner of the Everglades. But this isn’t a walk on a maintained path. In order to get up close to the pileated woodpeckers, spoonbills, snakes, and even alligators that call this place home, you’re expected to wade waist-deep in the clear limestone-drained swamp water. Dress to get wet, and don’t forget your camera – or your courage.
Where to Stay LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Snorkeling through the Caves [San Diego, CA]
There’s a never-ending rainbow of marine life to be seen in the seven famous sea caves of La Jolla, including bright orange garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovel nose guitar fish, and blankets of lush kelp. La Jolla Watersports offers guided snorkeling tours to the best spots in the cove to see spectacular underwater rock formations, plant life, and amazing marine creatures – guaranteed.
Where to Stay Kona Kai Resort & Spa
