Want to get away close to home? Try cabins, castles and yurts in the Bloomington area
Cabins, castles and bungalows, oh my!
Visitors to Bloomington and residents looking for a fun escape can enjoy many staycation opportunities in and around the city, including in a yurt.
Erin White, director of leisure, marketing and media for Visit Bloomington, said the beauty of vacation rental properties is their availability and diverse options. The Visit Bloomington website includes tons of rentals from owners who asked to be featured.
People want to integrate themselves into a community to get an authentic vibe, White said, and these destination spots allow vacationers to immerse themselves in neighborhoods, explore local parks and coffee shops and experience nature.
Oftentimes, families may be traveling with extended relatives such as grandparents, she said, and want to stay in a central space with common areas to cook meals together and enjoy each other’s company.
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“I think that’s something that a lot of people have really missed out on over the last couple of years,” she said. “These types of spaces and rentals give you the opportunity to connect with your family or friends in a unique environment and make those memories.”
Mongolian center yurts
One option is the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center yurts. The location has modern amenities but not a lot of technology, allowing visitors the chance to disconnect and have a peaceful stay, White said.
The property, at 3655 S Snoddy Road, is scenic and serene, where visitors will hear birds and animals and have the opportunity to connect with nature.
“A lot of writers will use the yurts as kind of a little hideout if they’re in the middle of a project,” she said. “Or if they want to break that writer’s block.”
Out in the woods near Lake Lemon
Another place to stay is the Red Rabbit Inn, located off the beaten path near Lake Lemon.
“It’s a fantastic space,” White said. “It really does make you feel like you’re out in the woods, which is exactly the type of experience that people, especially over the last few years with COVID, have been looking for.”
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Joyce Porvaznik and her husband built the inn on their 15-acre property in 2007. Visitors stay in a modern yet rustic cabin on the property, Porvaznik said, and the second cabin is for her friends and family.
“I just needed a new adventure,” she said. “And I like to meet new people.”
The naturally-lit cabin in the woods overlooks a pond and has a welcoming hot tub. Porvaznik leaves a supply of baked goods, milk, juice and coffee for visitors.
'Castle' near IU
The Califin Castle, located near the IU Athletics Sports Complex, has castle-like spires and architectural details. White said it’s a perfect place for families, couples or small groups to vacation for a game weekend. The property also has a built-in trampoline for visitors to enjoy.
“Engage your youthful spirit at your own risk,” she said.
More options in the area
Lydia Davey Crosby, senior communications manager at Hipcamp, said the platform connects private landowners with outdoor lovers. Hosts are expected to follow federal, state and local regulations and have at least two acres of land to share. If a violation occurs, hosts are given the opportunity to become compliant before the listing is removed.
Landowners set the price for each site, which offers everything from basic camping sites at $5 a night to luxury glamping sites at $800.
One stay 30 minutes from Bloomington in Spencer is 15-acre Dugger Family Farm. Visitors will stay in a cabin with a porch that faces a private pond. They will have fresh eggs, coffee, homemade bread or jam in the fridge upon arrival. It’s a scenic stay with fields and animals such as goats, donkeys and alpacas, Crosby said.
“It’s just a chance to kind of disconnect from the hustle and bustle of your daily life and go and enjoy some peace and quiet,” she said.
A more adventurous stay in Nashville is Hoosier’s on the Ridge. The forested country land offers three different tenting sites for visitors to enjoy and participate in outdoor activities like golf or yoga, Crosby said.
Sobremesa Farm in Bloomington is a 9-acre farm run by folks who live out one of Hipcamp’s community values, Crosby said, by leaving their farm better than they found it. Visitors can go biking, hiking and wildlife watching.
“If you want to do tent camping, but also support small businesses, local businesses, this is a great way to do it,” she said.
Since the start of the pandemic, people have been exploring the outdoors more, and campgrounds have gotten overcrowded, Crosby said. Outdoor experiences like these offer people a memorable and private opportunity to spend time with friends and families.
Reach Luzane Draughon at ldraughon@gannett.com or @luzdraughon on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington getaways include vacation rentals, private camping sites
