5 Must-Go Fairytale Adventures

If you’re looking for a destination outside of the box, we’ve got you covered! You can skip the long hot lines to the roller coaster, the crowded beach and the concrete jungles this year. From obscure to grandiose, here’s a not so ordinary, extraordinary list of unconventional places to add to your next traveling journey. The following five destinations are mystical, magical and sure to take you away from our busy world for a much needed fairytale inspired adventure.

Photo Credit: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Wilson Park- Fayetteville, Arkansas

This magical park goes back to the turn of the 20th Century and includes a one-mile Fairytale hiking trail, a bridge leading to a castle over a spring, beautiful trees and benches that look like flowers. Much of the wonder to be seen is the work of local artist Frank Williams. The park has attractions for all ages and is dog friendly.

Photo Credit: Used with written permission from Ancient Lore Village

Ancient Lore Village- Knoxville, Tennessee

This incredible other-worldly village is based on the book, “Bookee’s Trek: Outcasts to Inner Earth” by founder Tom Boyd.

While you’re there you can learn archery, axe throwing, go on a guided story tour or a scavenger hunt and even run into fairies and elves. The village has several events including movie nights, trivia nights, workshops, writer’s retreats and more. The village also offers lunch and dinner menus, Sunday brunch and picnic baskets. There are treehouses and cottages that can be rented or you can purchase one of their available packages.

The Ancient Lore Village is more than a unique destination. Every aspect of the Village from the lodging to the activities is based on the ownership’s philosophy of Hospitality with a Purpose.

National Nordic Museum- Seattle Washington

The Ballard neighborhood of Seattle Washington is a hub of Nordic culture. The early 1900s brought immigrants from the Nordic regions of Europe resulting in a strong heritage center in Ballard. The National Nordic Museum greets visitors with a giant wooden troll to set the stage for a walk through thousands of years of history. For a truly magical and immersive step back in time you’ll want to visit Skål Beer Hall. You will feel as if you have stepped back in time as this tavern boasts old world decor, Viking Feasts, Nordic food and its famous mead.

James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden- Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Take a peaceful stroll amid 30 wooden sculptures surrounding a woodland cottage in this forest garden near the coast of Lake Michigan. All sculptures were made by local artist and painter, James Tellen from 1942 until his death in 1957. You’ll see merry elves, a woodcarver, saints and more at this free peaceful destination.

Boldt Castle- Alexandria Bay, New York

You can’t have a storybook summer without a castle on the list. This one has all the great ingredients for our final destination, a giant castle on an island, a love story, gardens and of course a tower and drawbridge. The castle began construction on Heart Island in 1900 by George Bolt, owner of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. He built the estate for his wife Louise, but stopped construction when she died in 1904. After 73 years of vacancy, the Thousand Island Bridge Authority purchased the property and restored it making it a place for all to visit.  The castle was based on 15th century French Renaissance architecture with a goal to recreate a Rhineland castle. Many believe that if you stand at the edge of the heart-shaped pool on the island you will be granted a wish.

~Violet Wisdom