Posts

A common myth surrounding Washington State is the belief that it rains almost all the time here. In reality, whether or not the weather ruins your outdoor plans depends on where you are visiting. If your travels take you west of Seattle to the town of Shelton, you can expect a bit more water falling from the sky than you might be used to. But all of that extra water means you can expect the woods surrounding the town to be a bit more beautiful than you’re used to as well....

For fans of bookstores and tea shops, “Wander” is a good verb to describe the opportunities to discover downtown Champaign and the University of Illinois campus, with Jane Addams Bookshop and Teamoji as two anchor destinations for driving and walking tours. These businesses are a blend of the old and new, starting with a bookstore that was established in 1984 in a three-story building. For book lovers, there’s no better day trip in Illinois!...

Tennessee is known for its varied topography and vast opportunity for fun, outdoor-centric vacations in the mountains and along the Cumberland Plateau. On the western edge of the state you will find the famed city of Memphis, and just outside of it is the beautiful Lake Windermere. It’s a hidden gem of a lake, ringed by blooming, seasonal foliage and leafy trees, and we found a hidden Memphis cottage that just may provide the getaway you’ve been craving....

There’s a lot to discover on Door County’s Washington Island – beautiful beaches, historic buildings, and scenic views. But, you need some transportation. Some people opt to take their cars to the island via ferry; others bring their bikes over. But for a carefree – and car free – adventure in Wisconsin, consider hopping aboard the Viking Train. This open air ride will take you to some of the island’s best sites and you can leave the driving to them....

If you’re looking for a sweet getaway that will bring you close to animals, look no further than Hill House Tortoise Sanctuary, a cool Airbnb in Southern California. The desert ecosystem in Joshua Tree is the natural habitat of the resident tortoises. Look forward to meeting some new shelled friends! You’ll love the atmosphere in Joshua Tree. Not only will you get to experience the desert landscape, but you’ll also be just six miles away from the downtown area....

Is there anything like a home-made dessert to take you back to the nostalgia of sweet childhood memories? We think not! Sometimes, all you need is a delectable, fresh-baked cookie to take away the stress of daily adult life. If this sounds good to you, you’re in luck. Take a look at this local cookie shop in Memphis, Tennessee, for your next cookie fix. Made From Scratch Cookie Company is a locally-owned company dedicated to creating delicious, home-baked, small-batch desserts....

From translucent domes to traditional Navajo hogans, unique Airbnbs in Arizona abound. One of the coolest you’ll ever stay in is the Taylor Mountain Cave Inn Retreat, located in the secluded town of Dolan Springs. This remote hideaway is outfitted with all the modern luxuries you need to stay comfortable – plus, you get to sleep in a real cave! How cool is that? Situated on over 100 acres of remote desert terrain, the Taylor Mountain Cave Retreat is easily one of the most unique Airbnbs in Arizona....

Are you on the hunt for a fun and new dining experience in South Jersey? One of the most unique restaurants in New Jersey, Firehouse Bar & Grill, is located in a historic firehouse right in the heart of Egg Harbor City. The building itself is the former Egg Harbor City Firehouse, which was built in 1918 and remained the city’s main station until 1974. Facebook / Firehouse Bar & Grill At the time it was built, Egg Harbor had decided to merge all three of its smaller fire departments, and the larger building accommodated their equipment....

Don’t let the summer season pass you by without making a trek to a town known as “The Gateway to the Smokies.” Waynesville, North Carolina is an ideal way to make your summer complete, with loads of things to do, places to see, shopping to be done, and restaurants to explore. And with historic B&Bs, Waynesville is a weekend getaway waiting to happen. Take a look: The town of Waynesville is known as the Gateway to the Smokies....

If you are looking for places to take pictures in Delaware, know that the seaside, wildlife refuges, historical locations, and quaint little towns all beg to be photographed. If you’re lucky enough to live or visit here, you have access to some remarkable shutter-snapping opportunities. Take a look at these 11 pretty places to take photos in DE. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Smyrna James O’Guinn/flickr U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr This national wildlife reserve on Delaware Bay offers nearly 16,000 acres of places to take pictures....

Throughout Minnesota, hundreds of hiking trails loop through state parks and nature areas. There’s something for everyone, whether you prefer exploring thick forests or taking in wildflower fields. And lucky for us, there are plenty of trails to explore no matter your experience or ability level. These are some of the best hikes in Minnesota, and as an added perk, each one is under 3 miles, so you won’t have to sacrifice an entire day....

Fruit picking is the next best thing to buying fresh grown produce straight from the farm. Why let someone else do the work, when you can choose the best fruit yourself? Here are seven fruit farms in Illinois that let you do just that. It’s the time of year for collecting berries. Rather than searching through plastic cartons at the store for the perfect bunch, pick one yourself at one of these pick-your-own farms in Illinois....

Pennsylvanians are a proud bunch, aren’t we? We have plenty to be proud of, too. Whether you live in a big city, a tiny village, or a small town, you will probably agree that Pennsylvania’s small-town pride runs deep. Here are just a few reasons that we’re so proud of small-town Pennsylvania. See if you agree. Everyone knows everyone else. Flickr/AK Rockefeller You can’t do much in a small town in Pennsylvania without everyone knowing about it....

Odds are, if you’ve ever visited Wilmington, Delaware, you’ve hit up Brandywine Creek or Alapocas Run State Park once or twice. This lush trail in Delaware is a unique, woodsy escape from the city and a gorgeous beach alternative when the temperatures drop. Whether you’ve biked, walked, or picnicked in this scenic state park, it’s likely you were enjoying the colorful trees, delicious smells of the wild spicebush, and drinking in the creek views....

It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in the Buckeye State for a few years or for multiple generations, you’ll agree that our roots run deep. Head to a place like Bender’s Tavern in Ohio, and you’ll immediately feel like family, no matter where you’re visiting from. That’s because family is a theme at this legendary tavern. In fact, it’s been operated by the same family for three generations! Here’s more on what you can look forward to when you visit this time-tested restaurant located in the heart of Canton....

Editor’s Note: Since the publication of this article, Betty Danger’s has permanently closed. A while ago we introduced you to Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge, an MN restaurant with A LOT of character. Now, it time to meet Psycho Suzi’s little sister – Betty Danger’s Country Club. This restaurant and bar is truly one of the most fun and fascinating places you’ll ever go in Minnesota, and a beloved part of the Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood....

Do your summer plans include watching live music, spending days on the river, and lazing away the hours in a pool with a drink in your hand? If so, you’re looking for The Cottonwood Cove Marina & RV Resort. It’s got plenty to love, but our favorite part is definitely the 21+ pool with its very own swim-up bar. Nonstop summertime fun awaits in Blair, a small community about 30 minutes from Omaha or an hour from Lincoln....

Editor’s Note: Cronk’s Cafe has permanently closed since the publication of this article. October 31, 1913 was one of the most significant dates in American history, and yet many people today couldn’t tell you why. On that famed day, the first transcontinental highway was dedicated! The Lincoln Highway ran coast-to-coast from Times Square all the way to San Francisco, through 13 states. Route 30 runs for miles across Iowa, and many people make the journey on this quiet country highway each year....

From cascading waterfalls found within lush rainforests and pristine beaches in a variety of colors to incredible rock formations, magnificent caves, and the magical spot where flowing lava enters the ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible natural attractions. With nearly 11,000 acres of natural beauty to uncover, we could write about a thousand fantastic natural attractions found across the Hawaiian Islands, but these 17 are some of our favorites....

If you love delicious dairy products, you’ll want to ‘moo’ve yourself on over to Kalona, Iowa. Here you’ll find the Kalona Creamery, a dairy factory that has produced outstanding cheese, butter, and more since 1946. The creamery has a big fan base. In fact, in 2014, when it closed due to increased regulatory requirements, fans started a #savethesqueak campaign. The creamery opened back up a year later and it hasn’t looked back....