In this roundup, you’ll find plenty of plant-based and vegan-friendly restaurants, ethical fashion stores, lower impact modes of transportation, and environmentally conscious things to do in and nearby the Windy City.

After living in three different Chicago neighborhoods and living nearby *not to be dramatic* since I was born, I’ve slowly but surely expanded my collection of favorite conscious Chicago spots I love. And now I’m sharing those all with you!

And there certainly is no shortage of things to do in Chicago! But before we get to those, I want to share about a glamping-style nature retreat just outside of the city. Because: sometimes you just want to disconnect and do less.

Getaway House: A Sustainable Chicago Escape

Whether you live in Chicago and want to plan a weekend escape, or you’re visiting the city and want to add on an extra leg to your trip, Getaway’s outpost in Michigan will be just what you’re looking for.

What is Getaway? It’s likely you’ve seen their internet famous cabins on Instagram, but perhaps you’re still curious what Getaway is all about.

Getaway House offers modern, tiny cabins surrounded in nature. To date, there are 20 different outposts (i.e. locations) that Getaway offers, all about two hours away from major cities in the United States. Each outpost has several 1-bed and 2-bed cabins.

My husband and I visited the Chicago Outpost in Grand Junction, Michigan in May of 2022. This location is also known as Getaway Barber Creek. It was about 2 hours 15 min away and a 15-20 minute ride outside of the beachside city of South Haven.

The location was ideal for enjoying the great outdoors without totally being in the middle of nowhere. We had been to South Haven before, but our experience at Getaway was completely different! South Haven can get quite crowded while Getaway’s tiny cabins are a quiet escape into nature.

Here’s an overview of the key things to know about Getaway and their Chicago Outpost!

The Getaway Cabins

Getaway’s sleek cabins are a glamping style accommodation — you have everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Inside the cabin, you can expect to find all your basics: bed, small table and chair, equipped kitchen, and private bathroom.

The queen-sized bed (or beds if you get a 2-bed cabin by the wide window overlooking nature is certainly the main attraction! Truly the view is even more impressive in person — especially if you get nice weather on your trip.

The kitchen is stocked with all your cooking essentials from cookware and utensils to dinnerware and silverware. There are also a few cooking ingredients like salt, pepper, and olive oil. There’s also a mini-fridge and electric stove top with a kettle. Plus you have dish soap, a sponge, and cloth towels to clean your dishes as well!

Also on each cabin’s kitchen counter, there are a few provisions available for purchase. You can find responsibly-sourced coffee, tea, and my personal highlight: a perfectly portioned s’mores pack with ingredients to make 4 s’mores. Roasting marshmallows over the campfire totally transported me back to my favorite summers in childhood!

And the bathroom has everything you need as well: a toilet, shower (with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner inside), and bath towels.

Outside of the Cabins

Since this is glamping, what’s outside of the cabins is just as — if not more — important!

Similar to what you’d find at a campground, you have your own outdoor space to relax and soak up the great outdoors. But you’ll have far more space than a typical RV or camping lot, which is quite nice. Getaway also strategically places the cabins so that you probably won’t even see your neighbors. (Socially distant by design, as they say!)

Next to each cabin at the Getaway Chicago Outpost, you’ll have: space to park, a picnic bench, Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, and bundles of logs for purchase.

On our Getaway trip, we cooked and ate all of our meals outside using both the fire pit and our camping stove. (If you don’t have a camping stove, don’t worry! You could also use the indoor electric stove inside the cabins.)

More Near the Cabins

At Getaway Barber Creek, there was a small lake nearby with a little enclave exclusive to Getaway guests, so you could pack your swimwear to take a dip or bring / rent a canoe. 

There were also several trails within a 20 minute drive and a couple of large public beaches along Lake Michigan. So bring your hiking gear and maybe even your bike if you’d like to get active on your getaway!

Finally, as I mentioned in the beginning, South Haven is just 20 minutes away from the Getaway grounds and it’s a super cute beach town along Lake Michigan.

For more ideas on what to do on your Getaway trip plus a packing list, check out my full Getaway Review.

You can book a Getaway cabin here

Use code CONSCIOUSLIFE for $25 off your booking

Ethical Fashion and Eco-Friendly Shops in Chicago

Thrift Shops

Want to shop sustainably in Chicago? There are a LOT of secondhand shops around the city. Here are a few to check out:

Buffalo Exchange

Neighborhood: Wicker Park

This fun and eclectic secondhand shop is full of unique pieces. And it’s located in one of the go-to spots for preloved finds in the city: Wicker Park.

Monarch Thrift Shop

Neighborhood: Avondale

This social enterprise secondhand store sells preloved goods in an effort to raise money for their 3 core missions: break cycles of youth homelessness, rebuild lives, and reduce recidivism.

Knee Deep Vintage

Neighborhood: Pilsen

Opened in 2008, Knee Deep Vintage is on a mission to curate the best unique and fashion-forward vintage clothing from around the world. Their staff has decades of experience and is committed to helping their customers find exactly what they’re looking for.

Mr. and Mrs. DIGZ

Neighborhood: Lakeview

Dedicated to being Chicago’s premiere designer consignment boutique, Mr. & Mrs. DIGZ carefully curates preloved designer items from labels like Prada, Eileen Fisher, Michael Kors, and Alice + Olivia to give them a new life. Mr. & Mrs. DIGZ also offers services like styling, personal shopping, and estate buy-outs.

Ethical Fashion & Decor Shops:

There are also many small boutiques where you can find sustainably-sourced and ethically-made goods!

Andersonville Galleria

Neighborhood: Andersonville

Andersonville Galleria hosts over 100 independent artisans in their space. This is a great spot to support locally-made goods in a convenient spot. The galleria is open 7 days a week.

Dearborn Denim

Neighborhood: Andersonville

Dearborn Denim & Apparel creates high-quality denim jeans in classic styles that were designed, cut, and sewn in the United States. They also sell other apparel, belts, and accessories at their North Clark Street location.

The Shudio

Neighborhood: Pilsen

The Shudio is a boutique in Pilsen with eco-conscious jewelry handcrafted locally in Chicago from vintage and recycled materials, unique, handmade cards, and natural, gender-neutral fragrances made with essential oils.

Milk Handmade

Neighborhood: Andersonville

Milk Handmade is a small boutique with handcrafted goods and pieces from many local and independent designers.

Neighborly

Neighborhoods: Lincoln Square and Wicker Park

This Chicago-based shop curates handmade, ethically-sourced, locally-made, and earth-friendly goods. Expect to find home and lifestyle products, from kitchenwares to artwork.

Sustainable Chicago Eats: Organic, Plant-Based, Farm-to-Table, and Mission-Driven Restaurants in Chicago

While known for our deep dish pizza and Chicago style hot dogs, there are also a growing number of vegan, vegetarian, farm-to-table, and mission-driven locally-owned restaurants in the city.

For a long list of restaurants that source farm fresh, local ingredients check out Chicago Farm & Table.

Belli’s

Neighborhood: Pilsen

Belli’s is an independently-owned and woman-owned healthy local market and cold pressed juice bar The plant-based store offers made-to-order smoothies, fresh salads, vegan food, health lattes, and cold-pressed juices.

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

Neighborhood: Gold Coast

This farm-to-table spot is focused on seasonal, sustainably-sourced ingredients. Blue Door Kitchen & Garden serves lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch. If you’re in Chicago during the warmer weather months, definitely request to sit outside — they have a gorgeous garden seating area!

Chicago Diner

Neighborhoods: Lakeview and Logan Square

Since 1983, Chicago Diner has been serving meat-free cuisine at it’s traditional-style diner. They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner, plus some pretty incredible desserts, including their (rightfully) award-winning vegan milkshakes.

Chicago Raw

Neighborhood: Gold Coast

Completely vegan and entirely raw, this spot has healthier versions of all of your traditional favorites, like lasagne, burgers, and chocolate. The raw raviolis are really good, and they also have delicious smoothies.

Dill Pickle Food Co-Op

Neighborhood: Logan Square

Stock up on snacks and cooking ingredients at this collectively-owned, community-centered grocery store. Dill Pickle Food Co-Op also has grab and go options like soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch on the run.

Farmhouse Chicago

Neighborhood: River North (they also have a “Farm Bar” located in Lakeview)

Farmhouse Chicago sources their ingredients sustainably and locally in the Midwest. The brunch, lunch, and dinner spot is much more approachable than a typical farm-to-table style restaurant.

Frontera Grill

Neighborhood: River North

Frontera Grill is an award-winning Mexican restaurant by Top Chef, Rick Bayless. They source many local, seasonal ingredients, they compost, and the building is LEED certified. While there aren’t a lot of meat-free choices on the menu, I did have two vegetarian dishes here that were incredible!

Justice Cream

Neighborhood:

This woman of color-led nondairy creamery is on a mission to drive a solidarity economy through ice cream. The cooperative donates 100% of profits to grassroots movements.

Lula Cafe

Neighborhood: Logan Square

A cute café and “boheme bistro” with many local, fresh ingredients and plenty of vegetarian options. Founded in 1999, they were at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement in Chicago.

North Pond Restaurant

Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

Situated overlooking a pond and the Chicago skyline, this restaurant offers an intimate setting and a menu that features exceptional seasonal ingredients. The small restaurant supports small, local farmers, growers and producers.

Original Soul Vegetarian

Neighborhood: Park Manor

Just as it sounds, this restaurant has your typical Southern soul food in vegetarian form. Their menu of comfort foods include items like meat-free chicken wings and burgers.

The Kitchen

Neighborhood: River North

The Kitchen is a beautiful, chic restaurant using organic, sustainably-sourced and local ingredients in their fresh dishes. If you’re making a stop during a warmer time of year, request a table outside overlooking the river.

Uncommon Ground

Neighborhoods: Lakeview and Edgewater

As the first certified organic rooftop farm in the US and first organic brewery in Chicago, Uncommon Ground is leading the way for sustainable restaurants and bars. They’re open for brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Vaca’s Creamery

Neighborhood: East Wicker Park

This all-vegan ice cream shop offers oat milk soft serve, vegan milkshakes, and vegan sundaes (flavors include s’mores and cosmic cake). Check out more vegan-friendly ice cream shops in Chicago here.

Sustainable Coffee Shops and Cafes in Chicago

Back Of The Yards Coffee

Neighborhood: Back Of The Yards

As one of the only Latinx and woman-owned coffee companies in the US, this coffeehouse has a four-pronged mission they refer to as their SEED: Social Impact, Economic Development, Environmental Responsibility, and Direct Relations. From how they source their coffee to who they hire, everything Back Of The Yards Coffee does is guided by this mission.

Everybody’s Coffee

Neighborhood: Uptown

More than just a coffee shop, Everybody’s Coffee opened their cafe “to be a place of welcome for everybody and to provide a space of connection and creativity.”

Created by a racially diverse group of founders, Everybody’s Coffee is committed to supporting their community, actively fighting racism and inequity, and has partnered with Cornerstone Community Outreach — an organization that helps feed + house families experiencing homelessness in Chicago.

Fairgrounds Cafe

Neighborhoods: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Hyde Park, North Loop, Downtown (Millennium Park), Fulton Market, River North, and Bell Works

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea is an aesthetically pleasing cafe with a range of espresso, matcha, tea, elixirs, and of course: coffee. A play on words, Fairgrounds is both a reflection of the cafe’s commitment to fair business practices and embracing the youthful adventure of a fairground.

Intelligentsia Coffee Bar

Neighborhoods: Old Town, Wicker Park, Logan Square, South Loop, Lakeview, and Downtown (by Millennium Park)

Intelligentsia is a Chicago-based roaster and coffee shop chain that purchases their coffee beans direct from their growers. (No middlemen means more money in the pockets of the coffee bean farmers.)

Metropolis Coffee Company

Neighborhood: Edgewater 

USDA organic and Fair Trade certified, Metropolis Coffee Company is dedicated to serving ethical, sustainable and high-quality coffee! Their café in Edgewater is super cozy, and often filled with students from nearby Loyola University (my alma mater!). Metropolis also sells their coffee in many other cafés and restaurants around the city that you can find here.

Sawada Coffee

Neighborhood: West Loop

A small coffee shop of the renowned barista and latte art expert Hiroshi Sawada. Order yourself a matcha or an espresso drinks with beautiful latte art. They have plenty of vegan milk options.

Outdoor Things To Do and Places to Go in Chicago

Urban vacations don’t usually correlate with outdoor activities, but with more than 8,300 acres of green space, nearly 600 parks, 70 nature and bird sanctuaries, and 29 beaches, there’s certainly plenty to do outside in Chicago!

Green City Market

Chicago’s year-round farmer’s market Green City Market lifts up Midwestern farmers and growers, promotes ecological stewardship, and offers a bustling market for local and sustainably sourced food in Chicago.

The Nature Museum

Of course we can’t have sustainable travel guide to Chicago without the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! The family-friendly museum is open all 7 days of the week 10am – 4pm. Check out their events calendar too for plenty of educational activities and workshops.

Green Spaces & Parks

Millennium Park

As one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the United States, you’ve likely heard about and seen photos of this iconic park. But trust me, it’s still worth a visit! I’ve been there upwards of 30-40 times and still find it’s beauty breathtaking. (Just be advised that there will be large crowds on the weekends, so try to plan to check it out Monday – Thursday if possible.)

Grant Park

Just a few steps away from Millennium Park, you’ll find another gorgeous–and slightly less crowded—green space, Grant Park. This is a really lovely spot to explore during the spring and summer when the flowers have bloomed!

The 606/Bloomington Trail

Set along an abandoned rail line, the 606 is newly restored and renovated park with nearly 3 miles of recreational trail and open green space.

Lincoln Park

This area encompasses nearly 7 miles of lakeshore and includes the Lincoln Park Cultural Center and the Lincoln Park Conservatory, which is a beautiful (and completely free) space filled with exotic plants. There are also paths for walking and biking in the area.

Garfield Park Conservatory

This spot includes 2 acres of green space under glass and 10 acres outside. They also host eco-centered events such as a beekeeper demonstration and composting workshop.

Lake Michigan Beaches

Despite being known more for its blizzards than beaches, Chicago is actually a great city for laying on the sand.

There are 29 beaches along Lake Michigan to choose from in the city. Some popular beaches with amenities (like restrooms, kayak rentals, beachside bars, etc.) are Oak Street Beach, North Avenue Beach, Montrose Beach, and Ohio Street Beach. For a more quiet, out of the way spot, Loyola Beach is worth checking out.

Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is my favorite place to walk along after work or place to hang out on the weekends. The mile-long path along the Chicago River has restaurants, bars, boat tours and kayak rentals. I highly recommend City Winery for enjoying a glass of wine by the water.

Concerts in the Park

One of the best parts of being in the city during the summer (besides the rooftop bars) is the Grant Park Music Festival – a FREE series of outdoor concerts June through August. And these aren’t just any old concerts, they feature leading classical vocalists and instrumentalists in the city. (Including my Aunt who’s a singer with the Chicago Symphony Chorus!)

Getting Around with Cleaner Transportation in Chicago

Great! So we have all of these fun things to do, stores to shop in, and restaurants to eat at… but how do we get to them? Here are three sustainable ways of getting around in the city.

Public Transit

Chicago has a reliable and affordable public transit system with hundreds of bus routes and numerous L lines. “L” is the nickname for elevated trains—they run on tracks over the city like the photo above. You can buy an unlimited one-day pass for $10 and a one-week pass for $28 through the Ventra vending machines available at the various train stops. (Note: These passes are NOT sold on the buses.)

You can find schedules and transit times here on Chicago Transit Authority’s website. Google Maps also generally has pretty accurate times and navigation for getting around on Chicago buses and trains.

And Chicago is one of the few American cities with a convenient train system from the airports. If you’re getting in from Midway Airport, take the orange line, and if you’re getting in from O’Hare International Airport, take the blue line. It’s only $5 to get anywhere you want to go in the city from the airports, and just $2.50 to get anywhere from the city to the airports.

Biking

With 303 miles of bike lanes in the city, Chicago is also pretty biker-friendly. But no need to haul your bike over, there’s a popular rental system throughout the city, called Divvy. Bike rentals are $3 for a trip or $15 for a day. While you may be a bit nervous to ride through a city you’re unfamiliar with, there are 19 miles of bike path right along Lake Michigan.

Walking

And of course, if it’s nice weather, Chicago is a beautiful city to walk through. I still discover little gems when I decide to take the “long route” and walk instead of riding the train or bus.

Do you have any questions about your trip to Chicago? Any places you’ve been that you think should be added in the list? Let me know in a comment below or DM me on Instagram!

You May Also Want to Check Out:

5 Unique Eco Accommodations in the U.S. for a Sustainable Getaway

What is Responsible Tourism — and Why Does it Matter?

The Conscious Style Guide to NYC

The post Your Sustainable Chicago Guide: Restaurants, Shops, and Things to Do appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

Do you remember the last time you fully unplugged and had truly unstructured free time? If you were like me and drew a blank at that question — you could probably use a getaway!

But not just any getaway: I’m talking about a disconnected retreat away from the daily demands of work or school and into nature. Not one of those trips that leaves you thinking “I need a vacation from that vacation!”

This past weekend, my husband and I ventured to a tiny cabin at Getaway House Chicago in Barber Creek to relax, unplug, and recharge. I’m sharing a complete review of our stay there and PLENTY of tips to help you prepare if you decide to go on your own Getaway retreat as well.

Note: this guide was sponsored by Getaway and I was given a free two-night stay as part of the partnership. As always, I only partner with brands I truly love and all opinions in partnership content are my own. 

In this review, I’m sharing:

• What Getaway House exactly is
• Where you can book Getaway cabins
• What to expect during your Getaway stay
• Getaway’s sustainability
• How long to stay
• What the Getaway Chicago Outpost is like
• Things to do (and not do!)
• Packing list suggestions 
• Final thoughts on Getaway
• A discount code for you to use!

What is Getaway House?

Where Can I Book a Getaway Cabin?

Okay let’s talk logistics. At the time of publishing, Getaway has over 20 outposts available to book across the United States. 

Getaway is also offering campgrounds for the summer in a couple select locations with “all-set” and “DIY” options.

Each Getaway Outpost has one bed and two-bed cabin options. The one bed cabin could fit up to two adults or two adults + one child and the two bed cabin could sleep four adults or two adults + two kids.

In the West, they offer outposts near Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle. 

In the Southwest: Austin + San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.

In the Midwest: Chicago (this is the one I visited!), Kansas City, and Minneapolis.

In the Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte + Raleigh, Nashville, and New Orleans. 

In the Northeast: Boston (two outposts), New York (three outposts), Pittsburgh + Cleveland, and Washington D.C.

How Much Do Getaway Cabins Cost?

With over 20 locations, this is going to vary! But you can actually get a three-weeknight pack for $350 or three any-night pack for $450 that you can use at any location. There are four-night and six-night packs available as well.

The Getaway Chicago Outpost (Barber Creek) is $139+ for a one bedroom cabin.

What to Expect at Getaway Cabins

I think the best way to describe Getaway is a glamping style accommodation. You could think of it as a mix between a cabin and RV camping or tiny home living.

Indoor Amenities

Your essentials are covered: basic furnishings and bed, bedding, electricity and charging outlets, kitchen with a stovetop and sink, private bathroom with a shower and toilet (with plumbing and everything), and an AC / heat unit.

I got a question on Instagram asking if the cabin got hot or sticky at night and the answer is no! You can close all of the windows and use the AC unit if necessary. You can also keep the windows open during the day since there are bug screens.

The bed is certainly the highlight of the cabin! It’s queen-sized, super comfortable, and best of all: is right along a wall-sized window overlooking the natural landscape. We live in an apartment that overlooks a forested area and we were still impressed by how immersive that view was.

One of our questions about the window was if we could put a shade over it in the evening. And the answer is: yes! 

There is a blind you can pull over the window. You’ll still see the sun peaking through in the mornings, but I liked that personally since I prefer to wake up with the natural light.

There are a few steps leading up to the elevated bed in the one bedroom cabins. We used these steps as our luggage storage area. There is also an accessible cabin option at Getaway Barber Creek with a bed lower to the ground.

The kitchen table is small (again, it’s a tiny cabin!), but that was totally fine for us since we ate all of our meals outdoors anyway. 

Also to note: you’ll see a reminder to conserve your hot water and wait a little bit in between showers. We’re quite used to taking short showers though and washing dishes in a water-efficient way (i.e. not keeping the faucet on the entire time) so we did not experience any issues with running out of hot water.

Outdoor Space

Getaways are designed for you to maximize your time outdoors. And certainly, you will! The outdoor space is expansive — far more than what you would get at a typical camping spot. 

At first I expected that we would see other people as you would at RV campgrounds, but Getaway positions the cabins strategically so that you’re overlooking nature and not staring at other cabins. 

Outdoor Amenities

Included with your cabin, you have your own picnic bench, adirondack chairs (two for one-bed cabins, four for two-bed cabins), and a fire pit. 

There is also a bin with firewood bundles for purchase as well as a fire starter to buy. And, there are lighters inside the cabin that you’re free to use as well.

Basically, Getaway provides everything you need, and nothing you don’t! Speaking of which… let’s talk wifi.

Do the Cabins Have Wifi?

Because Getaway’s mission is to help you disconnect from your everyday routine, there is no wifi and the Outposts don’t have the best cell service (or any at all). The cabins even have “phone lockboxes” for you to store away your devices to help you disconnect.

This might make some people a bit hesitant at first, but I was actually looking forward to this aspect. I’ve been trying to disconnect more often — especially since reading the book Stolen Focus — but the temptation can be real. It certainly helps to not even be able to access the internet.

It felt great to leave my laptop and work behind, and not even feel the slightest bit bad about it. 

Pro tip: download a map of your trip to Getaway and of your Getaway Outpost in advance, given the lack of service and wifi!

Getting There

Getaway’s Outposts are around 2 hours away from major cities. Since they’re in more rural areas, you will most likely need to drive your car or rent a car for your stay there.

Pro tip: The sign to the Getaway Barber Creek was pretty discretely marked, and I’ve read similar things from people who visited other outposts. So once you get close, keep a close eye out for the entrance!

Check-In and Check-Out

Your entire Getaway experience is socially distanced by design. You don’t have to interact with a single other person if you don’t want to, and that includes check-in. However if you have any issues, they do have staff on site to help out.

Getaway will text you your cabin name and unlock code about 30 minutes before your check-in time. Super straightforward and simple! I really liked that we didn’t have to worry about a key during our stay.

The check-out is even easier. All you have to do is pack up your stuff and lock the door behind you. If you use any of the provisions (basically like a hotel minibar), they’ll send you the final charges afterwards.

Can I Bring My Dog? 

Yes! Getaway has some tips for traveling with your pup here. It’s an additional $40 fee to bring your dog as well, which includes a little welcome treat upon arrival.

I believe Getaway as a general guideline to keep dogs leashed outside at all times, but you’ll want to especially make sure of that in the Getaway Barber Creek location since coyotes are native to the area.

Is There Parking?

Yup! At Getaway Barber Creek, we were able to pull up right next to our cabin.

What if I’ve Never Camped Before?

As I mentioned, Getaway is somewhat of a mix of glamping and staying in a cabin. It would be a great introduction to camping / glamping even if you’ve never done something like this before.

Getaway makes sure you have all of your essentials so that you can sit back and relax.

They also have handy guides for things like how to start a fire, how to stargaze, or how to make s’mores.

Pro tip: Check out these How to Getaway archives for even more resources on what to pack and how to prepare no matter the season and who you’re traveling with — or if you’re traveling solo!

Is Getaway Sustainable?

Here at Conscious Life & Style, environmental and social responsibility are among our highest values. Sustainable travel can look many different ways. Here’s how Getaway stacks up:

Transportation

The biggest impact of travel is likely how you’re getting there. This is especially true when taking a flight. What’s nice about Getaway’s locations is that they are just two hours away from major cities (and not near airports in most cases) so you won’t need to take a flight to get there. So the fact that we could just drive our Prius to the location was a major benefit to me!

Since the Getaway locations are quite secluded in nature, you probably won’t be able to rely fully on public transit to most locations and will need to take your car or do carsharing. If you’re driving an electric car, you can use an app like PlugShare to find nearby charging locations.

Immersed in Nature

Generally, there isn’t a more environmentally conscious way of traveling than camping! But not everyone wants to (or is able to) “rough it”, so that’s where Getaway comes in. 

You can overlook nature’s wonders, witness wildlife firsthand, and connect with the rest of the living environment more closely from the comfort of Getaway’s tiny cabins.

Logistically speaking, this is more environmentally friendly because the Getaway grounds do not involve clearcutting and destroying native habitats to build their outposts like a massive resort complex would require. 

Also, the tiny cabins are well, tiny. So they require fewer resources to build and less energy than large luxury cabins or hotels would.

Taking a more holistic perspective of sustainability, Getaway’s cabins also support a deeper connection to nature. Their outposts are set up in a way that makes glamping feel accessible even for self-described “non-outdoorsy people” or “city folks”. (Similarly, their campgrounds help ease people into camping by covering all the basics!) Most Getaway outposts offer accessible cabins too.

And when we foster an appreciation of and get to know the rest of the living world a bit better, we can develop a deeper relationship with nature. In turn, this motivates us (or reinvigorates us) to keep fighting the good fight for the future of our planet.

We also know that in every activism of sustainability journey, we must prioritize rest. I like to think of this as personal sustainability — if we’re not making time for self-care from time to time, we’re on a one-way street to burnout.

Part of Getaway’s founding mission is to “help people restore balance to their lives”, after all.

Simple Living

Similarly, Getaway’s tiny cabins give people a taste of tiny home living. There were several times during our stay that I thought: hm, I think I could live like this!

In essence, Getaway allows us to reconnect with what matters — and disconnect from what doesn’t. 

When everything else is telling us that we need to consume more and live bigger to be satisfied, a Getaway weekend is a reminder to slow down and prioritize what matters most and what truly fuels our soul.

The Cabins

Inside the cabins, you’ll find plenty of reusable items to help limit waste too. They have biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bottles in the shower as well as a larger sized dish soap instead of single-use or short-term use toiletries.

Getaway also includes dish towels, plates, bowls, silverware, and other utensils in the kitchenettes to help you cook at the cabins and avoid using disposable dinnerware.

(Below I share more details on what to pack for your Getaway.)

The cabins also have a reminder to conserve hot water and have a recycling bin, though I do wish they included a compost as well for food scraps! 

Other Initiatives

Getaway has several other sustainability and responsibility projects. They host artist fellowships, donate to One Tree Planted with every booking, and are giving away 365 nights at Getaway locations to those advocating for change as part of their “Year of Rest” initiative. 

How Long Should I Stay?

I would recommend booking at least two nights since the idea is to disconnect and getaway, so you won’t want to feel rushed with just an overnight stay.

Beyond that, it would depend on your availability, the Getaway location you’re selecting, and what type of vacation you’d like. 

If you want to just relax at your Getaway for a weekend to unwind from work and other demands, two nights is a nice amount of time to come back well-rested. If you stay three or more nights, you could have time to totally do nothing and also some time to take part in a few activities (depending on the Outpost you visit).

What To Do On Your Getaway

You might be a bit hesitant about an escape into a tiny cabin in the middle of a forest without cell service. Our constant connection to our devices has gotten us accustomed to not having a single moment without something to do. But, I promise you, that you will not miss wifi or your phone on your Getaway!

Here are some ideas for what to do.   

First, What Not To Do

Work. Take care of what you need to beforehand and leave that laptop at home if you can! The exception might be if you want to do some deep work, like write a long essay, work on a novel, or think deeply about a project. But it’s not exactly an ideal time to check emails!

Scrolling on your phone. In the off-chance that you do have some service at your outpost, you can still put it away in Getaway’s Phone Lockbox so you’re not tempted to scroll social media!

Host a party or play loud music. Getaway Outposts are designed to be quiet retreats into nature. Respect your neighbors and keep the stereo music boxes at home!

Things To Do On Your Getaway

Now for what to do on your nature retreat!

In the Cabins

A Getaway trip is the perfect opportunity to do nothing — and not feel guilty about it. Sleep in or go to bed early, sit and look at the sunrise or the stars, observe the birds or other wildlife, meditate, or just enjoy a few moments of solitude doing absolutely nothing at all.

Getaway also provides some books to read as well as crayons and a coloring sheet.

Additionally, you could bring your own books, journal, and coloring books or other artistic projects.

My husband and I also cooked a lot and took our time enjoying each meal conversing with each other. The time without your phone is a great chance to connect more deeply with family, your partner, a friend, or yourself if you’re traveling solo.

What To Do Nearby (Getaway House Chicago)

The idea of the Getaway is to enjoy unstructured, unscheduled free time. Upon arrival, Getaway provides you with a map of nearby activities, sites, and stores, which we relied on for our trip. 

This means that you don’t necessarily need to plan out activities to enjoy your time at the Getaway cabin. 

But I thought it might be useful to share our experiences at Getaway’s recommended spots so that you can choose activities that you think you’d enjoy — and so you can pack accordingly!

Kal-Haven Trail

This was an easy, well-paved trail that runs over 30 miles. It is a great trail for biking — I would say the trail was 80% bikes when we walked along it. If you’re bringing your bike on your Getaway trip, this is definitely the trail for you! 

The trail head also has plenty of parking, basic bathrooms, and even free bike repair tools! 

However, the trail wasn’t exactly what we were personally seeking on a hike. You have to walk along a main road towards the beginning and then walk under a major highway and along a river with a good number of boats. The trail started to get more secluded in nature later on, though we turned around slightly before the 2 mile mark.

In short: I recommend this trail if you want an easy walk or long bike ride, but not if you want a challenging or quiet hike. 

Black River Preserve

This trail, on the other hand, was exactly what we were looking for! It’s a slightly more challenging dirt trail rather than pavement but it’s so worth it. I would call it a medium level. You need proper footwear and you’ll have to be careful when the trail is wet, but there aren’t any steep inclines or anything.

What I loved about this area was how quiet and peaceful it was — we only saw one other person the entire time. This meant that we could spot a lot of wildlife and get an uninterrupted experience in nature.

That said, you don’t want to forget your bug spray before heading here and you definitely want to wear long pants. It was 90 degrees and humid when we hiked and I still wore leggings tucked into mid-calf socks. I was glad I did because some areas of the trail we went on were grassy and could pose a risk of ticks.

The trails we took at this preserve are going down in my all time favorite trails because it was just so unexpected. I didn’t know such a lush, beautiful environment existed in the Midwest, let alone a couple hours away from home!

Other Trails

If we had more time, I would have loved to check out a few of the other nearby trails! Some of the other ones Getaway suggested were: Swan Creek Trail (13 minutes away), 48th Street Trailhead Wakazoo Hiking Trail (20 minutes away) and Van Burren Park Dunes Trail (50 minutes away).

If you’re interested in any of these trails, I’d suggest looking them up on AllTrails ahead of time to check if they’re the difficulty level you’re looking for. You can also find reviews, photos, and downloadable trail maps.

Lake Ct. Overlook

Unfortunately this overlook is now blocked by trees and it’s in a neighborhood without public parking, so you can skip this sight. 

North Beach and South Beach

Just 20 minutes away from the Getaway outpost, you’ll find South Haven’s two popular Lake Michigan beaches: North Beach and South Beach.

We visited during a hot sunny Memorial Day Weekend, so the beaches were quite crowded when we were there. But it was still really lovely to check it out and walk along the beach. 

The North Beach offers more space, so I’d recommend heading there first instead of the South Beach if you’re going to be visiting during a popular weekend as well. The North Beach also has an outdoor playground and swings.

Pro Tip: there isn’t any natural shade at these beaches, so bring an umbrella, hat, beach tent, or all of the above to protect yourself from the sun!

Biggby Coffee

We had never heard of Biggby Coffee before, but turns out it’s a Michigan-based small coffee chain. We bought some iced drinks here during our time exploring South Haven. The iced matcha latte with almond milk was delicious.

If you’d like to check out a totally independent coffee shop, I’d suggest Bunde’s Bakery Cafe for your caffeine (or pastry!) fix. 

More in South Haven

South Haven is an adorable beach town with cute shops, cafés, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and plenty of boating. If you’re staying at the Chicago Getaway Outpost for a longer time or want to make a stop on your way back home, you might enjoy checking out South Haven.

I will say that it’s not exactly a nature escape and can be quite busy in the summer, so if you want a more disconnected getaway, you could skip it and save it for another time.

What to Pack

As with any trip, your exact packing list is going to depend on your specific needs and planned activities. But I hope that this list can help you get started! (We took our trip during the summer, so you may have different needs for a cold weather trip.)

• Reusable water bottle (the tap water is drinkable/potable)
• Basic toiletries (each cabin already provides biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash)
• Bug spray (a MUST! we used Milk + Honey’s natural mosquito repellent)
• Citronella candle (you can find camping friendly candles packaged in aluminum)
• Aloe and/or itch relief lotion
• Sunscreen 
• Sneakers and/or hiking boots depending on the time of year
• Backpack if you’re going on a hike or bike ride
• Clothes that you would wear hiking and/or camping
• Longer socks (yes, even in summer if you’re hiking in grassy areas, since there is the risk of ticks)
• Swimwear and beach towel if you want to go swimming (Getaway provides the bath towels)
• Blanket for outside and/or inside depending on the weather
• Slippers or flip flops for inside the cabin
• Pajamas or loungewear
• Food storage containers for storing leftovers and/or packing lunches for hikes
• Books (Getaway provides a collection of books as well)
• A journal + pen or knitting gear or anything else you like to do on a slow weekend

Food and Cookware

We were able to cook 100% of our meals at our Getaway cabin. Here are some tips!

The mini fridge is decently sized for a two to three night stay but isn’t huge, so just bring enough for the weekend. There is no freezer, so don’t bring anything that has to stay frozen.

Pro Tip: For some inspiration, check out Getaway’s Campfire Cooking Recipes ahead of your trip!

We cooked everything over the firepit or on the camping stove we packed. You could also use the electric stovetop they provide inside, but it was such nice weather when we went on our Getaway, we wanted to cook everything outside.

Getaway provides the essentials like plates, bowls, silverware and cutting knives, a cutting board, pot, pan, wine opener, lighter, and wooden cooking utensils along with dish soap, dish towels, and a sponge.

They also have salt, pepper, sugar, and olive oil, though the oil and sugar are in small plastic packages, so you might want to bring your own to minimize waste.

Getaway also has some provisions available for purchase. At our location, we had coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a s’mores package.

I brought my own loose leaf tea and tea steeper since I am quite partial to Earl Gray, but we used the s’mores set during our stay. It wouldn’t feel like a real camping experience without s’mores, afterall!

The s’mores package comes with exactly enough ingredients to make four s’mores: eight graham crackers, four chocolate squares, and four vegan marshmallows. Since we were just staying two nights, the package was quite convenient so we didn’t overbuy ingredients and end up wasting food.

Roasting marshmallows slowly over the fire took me back to some of my favorite childhood memories. And I loved showing this tradition to my husband who’s from Germany and hadn’t done campfire s’mores before. This was definitely a highlight for us, and for just $5, it’s sort of a must! 

(Note: I am mostly plant-based but make some exceptions occasionally. If you’re 100% vegan, you will want to bring your own chocolate for s’mores!)

Luggage Space

Lastly in terms of packing tips, I would suggest using a smaller suitcase or duffle bag if you’re able to. As to be expected in a tiny cabin, there isn’t a ton of space for a bunch of suitcases. You can always leave a few extras (like blankets or bulky jackets) in your car.

Final Thoughts on Getaway 

Each Getaway outpost will be slightly different, but there are many aspects that are the same. In essence, Getaway wants to make it as accessible, convenient, and enjoyable to disconnect from work and technology and escape into nature.

As they explain on their website, Getaway Outposts “are designed to be more than a destination, but a way to create distance from the relentless demands of work, schedules, and technology.”

After my experience on a Getaway, I would say that they nailed this mission!

My husband and I both loved our time at Getaway Barber Creek. It was truly relaxing, rejuvenating, and restorative. I only wish we could have stayed longer! (Seriously on the way back, I was thinking about the next weekend we could make time to escape there again…)

I hope that this review helped you decide if Getaway is right for you and gave you a useful overview of what to expect on a Getaway trip. 

Curious to try it out? You can book your Getaway here.

Getaway Discount Code

Last but certainly not least, if you decide to book your own Getaway adventure, use the code CONSCIOUSLIFE for $25 off your booking at any location!

Pin this guide for later:

The post Getaway House Chicago: Your Ultimate Guide on What to Expect, Pack, and Do (or Not Do) appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

Below, we’ve put together a list of our favorite sustainable accommodations throughout the United States to make planning your next trip a breeze. 

What Are Eco-friendly Accommodations?

There are several ways accommodations can be sustainable. This can look like renewable energy use, reducing or recycling water usage, providing recycling and composting, and using eco-friendly products. 

Eco accommodations may design or furnish their building using sustainable materials and they may support the local community or recommend ecologically and socially responsible activities. 

While there are different ways accommodations can be eco-friendly, it should be clear what measures they are taking to lessen their impact on the environment and community. 

Why is Sustainable Accommodation Important?

The hotel industry has long operated in a way that isn’t sustainable. Hotels consume and waste a large number of resources and even campsites or cabins in natural environments don’t necessarily properly dispose of their waste or take their surroundings into account.

Accommodations don’t just have an environmental impact on their locations, but a social and economic one as well. Hotels provide jobs to local people, but if they don’t pay a fair wage, that’s not sustainable. 

In addition to offering a place to stay, accommodations play a vital role for tourists because they refer guests to tour companies, restaurants, spas, and shops, and offer guests local tips. Large corporate chain hotels and resorts usually partner with other corporations that don’t support the local economy. They may also recommend unsustainable activities. 

Sustainable accommodations can help combat this by recommending eco-friendly activities and supporting local businesses. 

Are Airbnbs Eco Accommodations?

In short, it depends. Airbnb has long been a popular accommodation option when traveling. Unfortunately, many Airbnbs aren’t locally owned and are run by large property management companies. They often contribute to gentrification and rising rent in desirable neighborhoods, similar to large hotels and resorts. 

Choosing to stay in eco accommodations that are run by locals can prevent this. 

What to Look for When Booking Eco Accommodation: 

It can be tricky to figure out if your accommodation is sustainable. Many places do sustainable things but may not use the term eco-friendly or have recognizable certifications. Alternatively, accommodations might make sustainability claims while not living up to them. 

The following questions can help you determine if your accommodation is eco-friendly before booking:

• Where do they get their electricity from? How do they minimize electricity use? 
• Do they take measures to lower water waste and usage? 
• Do they recycle or compost? Is it easy for guests to? 
• Do they limit washing towels or bedsheets during your stay?
• If your accommodation is in a natural environment, how do they safely dispose of waste? What measures do they take to lessen their negative impact on the surroundings? 
• Do they hire local staff? Do they provide fair-wage employment?
• Do they partner with any environmental or local organizations? 
• Do they offset their emissions?
• Do they use sustainable toiletries or cleaning products?
• Do they promote eco-friendly activities and local businesses? 
• If they are a larger hotel, do they have any third-party certifications to back up sustainability claims?

Where to Find Sustainable Accommodations: 

(Note that this guide may include affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to book an accommodation through one of these links.)

Thanks to an increased demand for eco-friendly accommodation, finding sustainable places to stay is easier than ever. Large platforms like Booking.com now allow you to filter sustainable properties.

These platforms can help you find eco accommodations: 

• Ecobnb
• Fairbnb
• Ecohotels
• Green Pearls
• Book Different

To get you started, we’ve featured our favorite eco accommodations in the US below. 

Getaway – 20+ Locations

Conscious Life & Style Partner

Sustainable Highlights: Sustainable Amenities, Gives Back, Promotes Eco-Friendly Activities

Average Nightly Rate: Depends on Location (take $25 off with code CONSCIOUSLIFE)

Pack Discounts: 3-Night Pack for $450, 6-Night Pack for $850 (available across locations)

Getaway has over 20 outposts throughout the United States within two hours of most large cities. Getaway makes it possible to disconnect from our busy lives and enjoy nature thanks to their tiny cabins and campgrounds. 

Getaway provides the best of both worlds: eco camping or enjoying a tiny cabin. Their eco-cabins make it possible to disconnect in nature with all the amenities and comfort of a hotel. Their campgrounds make it easy to camp sustainably with or without your own equipment. 

I’ve personally stayed at the Getaway House in Catskill, New York. As an avid camper and glamper, I was so impressed with their facilities.

What Does Getaway Include: 

Each Getaway house has a fully equipped kitchen, 1-2 very comfy Queen-sized beds, a private bathroom, picnic table, fire pit, and chairs. The cabins also offer a gorgeous window wall so you can wake up looking out into the woods. 

Each outpost has limited cell service and no wifi to help you relax (in addition to a phone lockbox). Plus, they provide activities such as crayons, a radio, and a thoughtful selection of books. 

With their well-stocked kitchen, you can cook throughout your stay to limit food and packaging waste. You can also purchase some of their natural provisions, like their fantastic ethically sourced coffee and tea. I would highly recommend enjoying the s’mores kit over the campfire!

Getaway provides drinkable/potable water and stocks the shower with biodegradable toiletries from Pharmacopia. This ensures that the natural environment is protected.

How Getaway Conserves Resources and Gives Back: 

Guests are encouraged to conserve hot water, as well as limit their consumption as some cabins have limited supplies. The water pressure is fantastic, however. 

Getaway uses energy-efficient lighting. The bathroom light and fan are timed while the provided portable lantern is chargeable instead of battery operated. 

Getaway is passionate about providing this experience to all. They have accessible cabins and offer artist residencies. The company has also partnered with Rachel Cargle, The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and Mirr to give away “A Year of Rest” (365 nights) to change makers advocating for meaningful action.

Additionally, for each cabin booked, Getaway makes a donation to One Tree Planted.

Getaway Campgrounds: 

Getaway recently launched two campgrounds in New York and Tennessee for the summer. You can choose between their All-Set or DIY campsites. Each All-Set site has a sustainable canvas tent already set up, while the DIY requires you to bring your own. 

Each campsite has a private bathroom and a kitchenette and they provide disposal, recycling, and water refill stations. 

So whether you choose one of their cabins or campgrounds, Getaway makes it easy to have a sustainable retreat in nature!

Book Your Getaway (use code CONSCIOUSLIFE for $25 off your booking!)

Shore Hotel – Los Angeles, California

Sustainable Highlights: Green Activities, Sustainable Furnishings, LEED Gold Certified

Average Nightly Rate: $199 USD

If you’re looking for eco-friendly hotels in Los Angeles, look no further than Shore Hotel. This sleek, ocean-view hotel combines sustainability and luxury. 

Located in the heart of Santa Monica, Shore’s location is within walking distance of numerous attractions. You can rent bikes directly at the hotel, making green transportation easy. 

They are LEED Gold Certified, which ensures they meet certain sustainability standards. Shore has a Green Concierge that will give you sustainable tours of the property if you want to learn more.  

One unique thing about Shore Hotel is that its furnishings and building materials are made from recycled and natural materials. They get most of their electricity from solar panels, including their solar heated pool. 

In your room, you can expect to find ample natural lighting and energy-efficient controls that shut off automatically when you leave. Plus, they provide organic food and biodegradable toiletries. 

Hotel Felix – Chicago, Illinois

Location: Chicago, Illinois 

Sustainable Highlights: LEED Silver Certified, Energy Efficient, Sustainable Decor

Average Nightly Rate: $148 USD

Hotel Felix is a fantastic boutique hotel located in the heart of Chicago. This makes it easy to explore the city by foot or bike while traveling. Here you’ll find all the comforts of your typical hotel, such as a business center and fitness center, without all the negative impact. 

Hotel Felix is the first hotel in Chicago to be LEED Silver Certified. They took sustainability into account when designing the property. They renovated the building in a way that limited waste and upcycled it to create the sculptures out front. 

Hotel Felix takes measures to conserve its resources by using low-impact lighting, motion sensor in-room controls, preventing water waste, and sorting recycling onsite. 

They stock fair-trade goodies like organic locally roasted coffee, and chocolate. They use eco-friendly cleaners and the carpet is made from recycled materials. 

Casa Gallina – Taos, New Mexico

Sustainable Highlights:  Supports Local Artisans, Fair-Trade Amenities, Organic Local Garden

Average Nightly Rate: $225 USD

Located in idyllic Taos, Casa Gallina offers several artisan casitas. This locally run property is set outside the city center, so each adobe house provides a tranquil retreat in nature. 

Casa Gallina focuses on supporting local artisans which shows throughout every inch of the property. Their houses are furnished with thrifted, upcycled, or artisan-made decor.

Each house has a fully equipped organic kitchen to help you cook sustainably. They provide Fair-Trade Certified coffee, chocolate, and soap. They even have their own organic garden on sight, so you can purchase local, farm-to-table food. 

Casa Gallina will happily recommend eco-friendly activities throughout Taos like hiking, biking, and shopping. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for proximity to the city but also to enjoy nature. 

WildSpring Guest Habitat – Port Orford, Oregon

Sustainable Highlights: Eco-friendly Amenities, Sustainably Designed, Gives Back

Average Nightly Rate: $248 USD

If you’re looking for a beautiful coastal retreat, tucked away from the city, then WildSpring Guest Habitat is for you. Run by a local couple, this space was sustainably designed with the environment in mind. 

Each cabin was constructed by “responsible contractors” in order to have the least negative impact on the surroundings. Everything is built from natural materials and their native vegetation is sustained by rainfall. 

WildSpring has five different cabins, with a kitchenette and sustainable, local toiletries. They furnish the rooms with upcycled or vintage furniture. All appliances and lights are energy-efficient while the property was designed to provide optimal natural light. 

WildSpring provides recycling and composting. They give used food waste to a local farm and donate unused food to the local community. They’ve partnered with the Clean Water Program and even donate $1 per stay to a local organization. 

More Guides Like This:

What is Responsible Tourism — and Why Does it Matter?

Your Sustainable Camping Guide: 10 Tips for a Positive Impact

Getaway Cabin Review: Your Ultimate Guide on What to Expect, Pack, and Do

About The Author:

Alicia Briggs is a writer & editor specializing in slow travel & sustainable living. She’s worked in journalism since 2016 and currently writes for a variety of publications such as Sustainably Chic and Hidden Lemur. She has been a full-time traveler since 2018 and runs her own blog, Learning the Local Way, where she covers responsible travel & living tips.

Pin this post for later:

The post 5 Unique Eco Accommodations in the U.S. Perfect for a Sustainable Getaway appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

While I had originally thought that Nashville wouldn’t really be my kind of city — I’m not a huge fan of country music, I eat a plant-based diet, and you’re far more likely to find me at a wine bar than a sports pub — there really was something for everyone to enjoy in Music City. And this included plenty of eco-friendly things to do, eat and see!

The city is an especially fantastic place to visit if you live in Midwest or South regions of the United States, because it’s easier to skip the carbon-intensive plane ride and drive an efficient car or, even better, take a train instead!

I had an amazing time during my short trip to Nashville, so I wanted to pull together guide with a few conscious things to do in the city so that you can enjoy your time there as much as I did.

And, admittedly, I wanted to relive my trip there a bit until I’m able to go back. So, let’s dive in!

Where to Stay: Mason Lofts

Conscious Life & Style partner

If you’re looking for a sustainable stay in Nashville, Mason Lofts should be at the top of your list.

Mason Lofts is an eco-friendly and low waste ‘aparthotel’ (apartment + hotel), which basically means they blend the best of both worlds!

I’m always a fan of smaller boutique hotels that offer a more personalized experience and I also like staying in apartments through sharing sites because of the affordability, space, and additional conveniences, like a kitchen.

So, a boutique apartment hotel like Mason Lofts is basically all of this in one: you get the service of a boutique hotel plus plenty of space to cook, dine, relax, and even do your laundry.

And as a Proud-certified property with 3 ADA-friendly units (which feature stair-free access, roll-in showers, handicap garage spots, and accessible beds), Mason Lofts is also an inclusive accommodation.

Kitchen:

As you’ve probably experienced, eating out every meal when traveling not only gets expensive, but can lead to a whole lot of waste with single-use packaging if you’re eating and drinking on the go. So eating some meals at your accommodation can reduce waste as well as your travel expenses.

But Mason Lofts doesn’t have just any kitchen — they have a low-waste, fully equipped kitchen stocked with all reusable dishware, as well as refillable amenities purchased in bulk such as coffee, sugar, spices and oil + vinegar.

The coffee in the rooms is definitely a highlight as it is freshly ground from the local Three Brothers coffee shop! The team at Three Brothers did some tests to find the perfect coffee for a Keurig machine, so guests at Mason Lofts can have a delicious customized coffee to use in the reusable K-cups that are provided in the kitchens.

And if you need to go shopping for some food, Mason Lofts also provides reusable shopping bags so you can avoid using plastic bags, even if you don’t remember to pack your own reusables!

Plus, you can toss food scraps, coffee grounds, tea, and compostable products in the compost bin at your aparthotel room!

Mason Lofts has partnered with Compost Nashville, which is a service that can compost all types of food scraps, even including meat and cheese.

Perhaps the coolest highlight about Mason Lofts’ kitchen though is that they have a pollinator-friendly edible garden that guests can go outside to pick from and cook with! (And they let a part of the lot remain ‘wild’ so that wildlife can have a safe space.)

Compostable Products + Composting:

All too often, I’ve seen restaurants, hotels, and other locations offer compostable products… with no where to actually compost those items.

Mason Lofts, though, not only offers compostable paper products (like tissues) but actually has a compost where you can discard them.

Through their compost, as well as recycling efforts, Mason Lofts is able to divert over 90% of ‘waste’ from the landfill!

Bathroom:

In addition to refillable bulk amenities in the kitchen, you’ll find refillable shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion in the bathroom sourced from closed-loop brands.

Even the toilet paper at Mason Lofts is low waste. They source from Who Gives a Crap, which is a brand making their toilet paper out of recycled paper.

Supporting Local:

Another great part about supporting smaller boutique hotels is that they are often very intentional about supporting the local community.

Mason Lofts offers quality products as well as optional curated add-on packages with items sourced from local businesses such as Village Bakery + Provisions and Three Brothers Coffee.

Transportation:

The largest environmental impact of traveling is the transportation. So in addition to prioritizing lower impact travel to Nashville, there are also ways to choose more eco-conscious transportation while you’re here.

Mason Lofts makes eco-friendly transit around Nashville a whole lot easier through their partnership with Earth Rides.

You can get discounted rates on bike rentals for exploring the nearby area. And for longer distances, Mason Lofts has partnered with Earth Rides which offers a Tesla black car service, so you can get around the city 100% electric.

While Mason Lofts is located in a quieter part of the city in the West End neighborhood, the aparthotel is just a 10 minute drive from the downtown area.

Check Out the Apartments at Mason Lofts

Where to Shop: Ethical Fashion Stores

ABLE

Going to ABLE was undeniably my number one stop on our whole trip! We got to not only see the ABLE retail store, but we got a behind-the-scenes tour of the whole ABLE operations, including their jewelry workshop. The tour is open to the public and is $40 per ticket. The ticket price actually includes a free piece of personalized jewelry which is worth more than $40, so it’s totally worth it.

Here’s a glimpse at the beautiful store and their jewelry production process:

Nisolo

I’ve been a fan of Nisolo for years, so I was really looking forward to seeing their flagship store in Nashville. I even wore my trusty Nisolo Serena Sandals for the occasion. Unfortunately, the store was closed when we got there because we went on a holiday weekend, but at least I got to snap a pic in front of the store!

BATCH (in the Nashville Farmer’s Market)

This stop was actually a bit of a surprise. We visited the Nashville Farmer’s Market and happened upon the “Market House” area with food, drinks, treats, and shopping.

One of the stores I enjoyed visiting in the Market House was Batch, a shop with products made locally or from Nashville-based brands. I spotted bags and jewelry from ethical fashion label ABLE there, as well as beauty products from Thistle Farms, a brand with natural home and beauty products made by women survivors.

Other Things to Do

Nashville Imagine Recordings Studio Tour

This recording studio tour was my second favorite activity we did in Nashville (after the ABLE tour)! We got a rare glimpse into the process behind making a new record right in the heart of Music Row in Nashville.

And what was unique about the tour we went on was that we didn’t just get to watch what was happening, but we felt like we were really part of the process. We sat inside the glass doors of the recording studio, got to be inside the control room, and ask the artist and musicians questions directly.

Centennial Park

We were only here briefly, but it’s a beautiful park to relax and get a little dose of green in the city!

Farm-to-Table and Veg-Friendly Restaurants

Adele’s (Plant-Based Options)

Adele’s is a farm-to-fork restaurant with fresh dishes made using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.

Their menu shifts based upon availability of ingredients, but I had a salad with kale, pecorino, anchovy dressing, breadcrumbs and shared a side of JW potatoes with my parents. Both were delicious!

Jeni’s Ice Cream (Vegan Options)

I had heard fantastic things about Jeni’s Ice Cream and wanted to visit for a while, so I was excited to happen across a Jeni’s location in the Nashville Farmer’s Market!

Jeni’s has a few vegan options, including the Texas Sheet Cake flavor that I tried made with coconut ice cream and chocolate cake crumbles. (And yes, it was just as amazing as it sounds!)

Acme Feed & Seed (Vegetarian Options)

First, I have to preface this by saying, Acme Feed & Seed wouldn’t be the top place I’d recommend for folks passionate about sustainability. We went here because we heard great things and seen fantastic reviews of Acme, plus I spotted quite a few vegetarian options on the menu.

And the food was great! However, what I was not expecting, was that the utensils and cups were single-use (who knew I had to bring around my own reusable cup and utensils to a sit-down restaurant!!).

Also note that this location is quite crowded, given the restaurant’s location on the busiest street in Nashville.

Merchant’s

Another spot we found because of its great reviews and vegetarian options, Merchants was a nice conveniently located spot for lunch or dinner. My black bean veggie burger wasn’t the best I’ve had, but the place was nice and the service was friendly.

Other Recommended Spots That We Didn’t Get to:

The Wild Cow – vegan and vegetarian restaurant (with some gluten-free options)

The Café at Thistle Farms – fresh food, coffee, and tea made with locally-sourced ingredients. Thistle Farms is a social enterprise that employs women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.

Have These Spots on Your Travel List Too?

Conscious in Chicago: Sustainable Shops, Restaurants and More in the Second City (my home city!)

The Conscious Style Travel Guide to New York City

Pin to Reference Later:

The post Your Ultimate Sustainable Nashville Travel Guide: Best Spots to Stay, Shop, Eat & Drink appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.

However, the city also has a big sustainability scene, with plenty of ethical shops, green initiatives, slow food restaurants, vegan bakeries and the like. I especially noticed the availability of Fair Trade & organic coffee options and the farm-to-table dining spots!

During the week my boyfriend and I spend in New York City, we came across quite a few photo-worthy and review-worthy spots. So without further ado, here are my highlights from our trip. I hope that this list of of the conscious places we saw and activities we did, along with the sustainable-minded places we dined and sipped at will give you some ideas for your trip to NYC!

Ethical Fashion Shops

Probably one of the first things you think of when you hear NYC is fashion (just me?). The number of stores in New York is pretty staggering and I was happy to see quite a few ethical fashion storefronts here too. We didn’t dedicate a ton of time to shopping in New York since there were so many other things we wanted to do in a short period of time, but here were a few of the sustainable shops we paid a visit to:

Reformation (SoHo, Lower East Side, LES)

This Los Angeles-based sustainable fashion brand has been on my must-visit stores to shop at for quite some time. So needless to say, I was stoked to go to one of their locations and try on a few pieces. The experience was a bit disappointing — nothing ended up working out well enough and the customer service felt more off-putting than welcoming. Turns out many people have reported similar experiences.

Allbirds (SoHo)

Albirds is a shoe brand making sneakers out of natural materials. And with their claim that they have “the world’s most comfortable shoes”, we had to give them a try. While I can’t say I’ve tried on all the shoes in the world, their sneakers were definitely the comfiest I’ve ever put my feet into! I decided to not make any purchases here because I have enough sneakers at the moment, but Allbirds will be my go-to brand when I do need a pair. (note: these are made with wool, so if you’re looking for vegan shoes, check out my guide to 14 vegan, eco, and ethically made shoes.)

Restaurants & Bars

Westville (West Village, East Village, Dumbo, Chelsea, Hudson and Wall Street locations)

Westville was my favorite restaurant that we went to! They had plenty of vegetarian options and some vegan options too.. I chose from a variety of vegetables and tofu, along with some sparkling rosé! We went to the one in Dumbo, and there are quite a few Westville locations throughout the city as well.

Superiority Burger (East Village)

Okay so going beyond the unassuming exterior, this veggie burger spot definitely had one of the best meat-free patties I’ve ever had. I ordered their original “Superiority Burger”, which was delicious, but a bit smaller than I was expecting. If you’re hungry and want to make a full meal out of this spot, I recommend ordering the “Mega Mouth”.

Narcissca (East Village)

Narcissa is a New American restaurant with seasonal items from their own farm in Hudson Valley. A bit on the pricier end, but worth it if you’re looking to splurge on some high-quality, fresh, and unique food. Their garden seating is beautiful, so be sure to request an outdoor table if you head there during the warmer months.

Sadelles (SoHo)

Sadelle’s is ranked as one of NYC’s best brunch and bagel spots by a few media outlets and is highly rated online, so we decided to give this spot a try. Unfortunately it’s not super vegetarian-friendly, but the food is good and the interior is gorgeous!

Rosemary’s (West Village)

Italian cuisine from fresh ingredients from their own rooftop garden? I was immediately sold on this restaurant the second I read their “About” page! We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the wine was absolutely incredible.

Goodseed (Midtown)

The fast-casual salad spot makes for a quick and healthy bite if you’re walking around Manhattan. Nothing super special, but my salad there was good. They do have a few vegetarian options.

Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company (Astoria, Chelsea)

We heard this was the best spot in NYC to grab a bagel, so obviously this was one of the first stops on our trip! I don’t have a ton of others to compare to, but the bagels were definitely delicious. It was pretty easy to go vegetarian here, but I don’t believe there were vegan options.

Cafés, Smoothies & Sweets

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream & Vegan Ice Cream (Numerous locations around NYC)

Van Leeuwen’s was easily one of my favorite stops in NYC!  They have dairy and vegan choices made from coconut milk. I opted for their vegan “Planet Earth” flavor both times we stopped by this artisan ice cream shop.

Dunwell Doughnuts (East Williamsburg, Lower East Side)

Dunwell is New York City’s first all-vegan doughnut shop and it’s definitely clear they’ve mastered their craft! Loved the cute shop they had and the variety of flavors offered. Since most doughnut shops just have a couple vegan options (if that), this is definitely the spot for vegan breakfast pastry lovers.

Grounded Coffee House (West Village)

Grounded Coffee House is a chill and café with organic and Fair Trade options. I loved the calm vibe here and all of the plants they had in the sitting area!

Joe & The Juice (Numerous locations in Manhattan area)

This juice and smoothie spot is global but they have quite a few locations in NYC. To be honest, I mostly went here for the free, reliable WiFi, but the smoothies and juices looked really good too.

Bars

So these spots aren’t necessarily sustainable, but I wanted to include them because make for a really fun way to spend the night out in the city…

St. Cloud (Midtown)

Living in Chicago, the main skyscraper-type sites of New York City are relatively similar. So, we opted out of the going to the top of the Empire State Building or other observatories. However, one can never tire of rooftop bars! And with a view of Times Square and an ultra-chic lounge, St. Cloud hit the mark. (Well, minus the sky-high prices… but what can you expect at a rooftop bar in the heart of NYC?!)

Left – Top of the Strand. Right – St. Cloud

Top of the Strand (Midtown)

Top of the Strand is another rooftop bar in Midtown with some seriously sweet views. You can have a look straight out at the Empire State Building from the bar at this spot. I enjoyed our view (and the lack of crowds!) at 6pm, but I imagine the experience goes up a notch at night when the buildings are lit up.

Dear Irving (Gramercy)

This speakeasy has a stunning interior, top-notch cocktails, and best of all… reusable metal straws! This was the first bar I’ve seen completely switch over to reusable straws. I definitely could not keep my cool and was was way too excited about a straw for how chic this spot was. But hey, we gotta celebrate the small wins, right?!

Sites

Designing Waste Exhibit

Designing Waste was a fascinating exhibit that we stumbled upon while we were heading to Washington Square Park. The spot immediately caught my eye so we headed in, and to our surprise, the exhibit was completely free!

The project from the Center for Architecture was all about the structural changes that will be required in order to meet New York City’s goal to become zero waste by 2030. Essentially, the goal is that by having the proper waste infrastructure, the right items will be sent to recycling and compost facilities instead of ending up in the landfill. There’s a lot to learn here so stop by if you’ll be in NYC before September 1st when the exhibit closes!

Central Park

And saving the best for last… I have to profess my love for Central Park! I actually didn’t have super high expectations—how great can some trees in the middle of a huge city be? Well, I was definitely wrong. On the outskirts it’s (obviously) filled with plenty of people, but once you get far enough in, it feels as if you’ve been transported to a completely different world. It was a pleasant surprise to find such tranquility amongst all the hustle and bustle. It really made me wish that Chicago had a park of this size!

Do you have any conscious NYC recommendations to add? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram!

You may also want to check out:

Can Air Travel Ever Be Green? 9 Ways to Fly More Consciously

Vegan, Vegetarian, and Organic Restaurants in Paris

When in Rome, Be A Responsible Traveler

Luggage for the Conscious Traveler

The post The Conscious Style Travel Guide to NYC appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.