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Central Oregon is a place of beguiling beauty, with the High Desert an immensely fascinating place with historic significance and great geographical variety. This is epitomized in the Lava Cast Forest, an expanse near Bend and Sunriver, Oregon, that’s home to 7,000-year-old lava tree cast formations. It’s a wondrous wasteland that’s hauntingly, sublimely beautiful, and on the Lava Cast Forest Trail, a paved, mlle-long loop, intrepid explorers can traverse straight through this captivating place....

Is there anything more delicious than a massive, over-the-top milkshake? Delectable ice cream piled high with candy toppings: sounds pretty great to us. When you’re looking to get a milkshake in Connecticut, does it get any better than Scoops and Sprinkles? This ice cream parlor in Rocky Hill serves up some of the tastiest shakes around, and you can also get other sweet treats here like ice cream or sundaes....

When you plan to visit Nevada’s famed Virginia City, don’t forget to stop by the Silver Terrace Cemetery! If you enjoy your history lesson paired with a good ghost story or two, you won’t want to miss this unique attraction. Set against the windswept hillsides of Virginia City, the Silver Terrace Cemetery is quite breathtaking, too. It’s a spooky, yet beautiful, route into Nevada’s history that will bring the past back to life....

With so many fantastic islands to explore, planning a trip to Hawaii, or even just a weekend getaway to a neighboring island, can be difficult – especially on a tight schedule and budget. In reality, it would take years to explore everything just one Hawaiian Island has to offer, but unfortunately, most of us only have time for the highlights. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with the three things you need to do on each Hawaiian Island, listed in descending order from the large Hawaii Island to the small isle of Lanai....

Hoosier National Forest offers 204,000 acres of rich, preserved natural space in south central Indiana. This park alone accounts for almost half of the public forest land in the state. As a result, the community is committed to its care and preservation. There are many ways to enjoy this space, but perhaps one of the most underutilized is by enjoying Tipsaw Lake, a serene oasis offering year-round campsites. Perhaps because of its location tucked in the Hoosier National Forest, the Tipsaw campsite area is rarely full, which means more peaceful connection to nature for travelers like you....

There are so many great small towns in Alabama. While many are drawn to our larger cities, we have a ton of perfectly charming little towns that are ideal for a weekend escape. We’ve gathered up a few of our favorites that are great, whether you’re looking to get away simply for an afternoon or spend an entire weekend there. You’ll definitely want to add all these spots to your Cotton State bucket list!...

The swinging bridges in Iowa are one of its biggest hidden treasures. These old-fashioned spans may feel rickety and dizzying at first, but they’re well-maintained prides of their towns and provide some of the best views in the state. Some of them even have a surprising history behind them. On this one-day road trip, you’ll see three of the state’s most storied bridges in a drive that takes you from the north to the state’s eastern border....

There are few places more peaceful and fascinating in New Mexico than Bandelier National Monument. A historic site home to the preserved abodes of the Ancestral Puebloans, many of the sites here date back to the pre-Columbian era. This is as close as you’ll get to staring ancient history in the face – and you can see it all without breaking a sweat. The Main Ruin Loop Trail is a paved loop trail in New Mexico that’s accessible to all ability levels and is one of the most fascinating hikes you’ll ever take....

Planning a visit to Natchez? You won’t have a hard time finding somewhere to stay. With more than 40 bed and breakfasts, it’s known as the Bed and Breakfast Capital of the South. However, if staying at a Natchez inn doesn’t appeal to you, you’ll find lots of other options, including a train-depot-turned-Airbnb! When trying to decide where to stay in Natchez, we suggest that you choo- choo- choose the Train Depot Condo....

There are several different species of ticks in Texas that carry diseases, but the lone star tick just might be the worst of them all. Found in the eastern portion of the state, this tiny insect has a bite that can cause lifelong meat allergies. We Texans love our meat, so staying vigilant while hiking is of utmost importance. Amblyomma americanum - or the Lone Star tick, as it’s more commonly known - is indigenous to the eastern U....

Winter and spring are still bickering here in the Natural State, but eventually the warm weather will win. Yet another way to celebrate the season in Arkansas is with a dazzling lunch tour through P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home and Moss Mountain Farm. Enjoy the farm-to-table meal, meet feathered friends, and take a walk through the numerous gardens. Let’s see what beauty awaits during this one-of-a-kind tour. This dreamy estate is about to be open for its spring season of tours....

Did you know that Rutgers University in New Brunswick is home to one of the state’s most beautiful botanical gardens? Visit Rutgers Gardens to enjoy a walk through stunning scenery and thousands of beautiful plants. This is such a great place to spend the day! Rutgers Gardens is truly a magical place! The signature giant Adirondack chairs are just one of the beautiful landmarks here, and each of the individual gardens offers something new to show off to visitors....

Bullets, booze, and brothels. There’s a reason why the Old West is more commonly called the Wild West. While plenty of places were tame rather than lawless, other towns in New Mexico fully lived up to their violent reputation. Here are 10 old west towns in New Mexico: Las Vegas Flickr/Diann Bayes To most people who lived in Las Vegas in the second half of the 19th century, Vicente Silva was a philanthropic saloonkeeper....

Texas beaches are notorious for being crowded during the summer, and visiting on weekdays or outside of peak hours doesn’t always help. A better solution is to skip the most popular destinations altogether and opt for lesser-known spots. From city parks to gulf-side oases, these 10 hidden beaches will take your summer to a whole new level. So next time you’re researching “beaches near me” in Texas, keep an eye out for these oases!...

There’s nothing better than enjoying the fall weather: the crisp air, a nice hot beverage, your favorite sweater, and of course, one of our favorite things to do in the fall in Indiana, finding the perfect pumpkin. It’s that special time of year when local farms swing open their gates for good old-fashioned farmyard fun, and we’ve got some of the best pumpkin patches in Indiana you’ll want to check out this season....

The Queen City is filled with bustling neighborhoods, historic buildings, and towering skyscrapers, but there are also plenty of spots to get away and escape the city/suburban life, as you’ll soon see with this list of the best hikes in Cincinnati. This list of trails within and around our city are all under three miles, are rated easy to moderate, and all of them provide a relaxing way to get some fresh air and enjoy the natural beauty of the Queen City....

When you’re in Valentine, there’s no better place to get a high-quality meal than at the Peppermill Restaurant & EKV Lounge. It’s a destination unto itself, boasting a menu full of delicious fresh dishes and a staff that’s always happy to help. Step in and enjoy some of Nebraska’s finest beef and other lunch and dinner treats. The Peppermill has been around since 1986 when, as the current owners put it, three family members “were misguided enough to enter the restaurant business....

The Oregon Coast is home to 11 lighthouses. They are beautiful, historic and were once very important for seafarers. And, believe it or not, many of them are reported to be haunted. Paranormal activity has been witnessed at several lighthouses, and the mysterious legends surrounding these structures are downright spine-chilling. Read on if you’re in the mood for some good ghost stories; these haunted lighthouses in Oregon are sure to satisfy your appetite for all things creepy and spine-tingling!...

Three cheers for spring and some of the best hikes in Pittsburgh! Hang up the winter coat. Put away the hats, the gloves, and the boots. Spring is here! Now’s the time to get outdoors. Breathe in the fresh air, and reconnect with nature. The perfect way to do that? Slip on your hiking boots (or comfiest shoes) and embark on one of these easy and beautiful spring hikes in Pittsburgh (and a bit beyond)....

There are many spectacular hiking trails near me in Alabama. If you’re a fan of hiking, but don’t enjoy taking long, strenuous hikes, you’re in luck. In addition to Alabama’s long and strenuous hiking trails, many short trails are also located throughout the state. Some are even less than five miles long, including the eight hiking trails listed below.These eight trails are also some of the best hikes in Alabama, so don’t forget to add them to your outdoor bucket list....