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West Virginia is a state well known for its unmatched natural beauty and plethora of outdoor activities available to visitors. One place to experience both of these offerings is Monongahela National Forest in the eastern part of the state. Among other things, this roughly 900,000-acre woodland offers tourists a wide range of hiking trails geared toward every skill level. If you’re looking for a more easy-going excursion, we recommend the Douglas Falls Trail in the northern part of the forest approximately three miles south of the town of Thomas....

Florida is home to some pretty incredible state parks, preserves, and recreation areas. It’s not every day that you can go from the wetlands to the scrub pines to a first-magnitude spring in one state. We have another state park that is worth checking out and you might just need a few days of exploration. Clocking in at 85,000 acres, Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve is considered to be the largest state park in Florida....

For the first time in 18 years, you will have the opportunity to see five different planets align in the night sky over Massachusetts. And, yes, you’ll be able to see them with your naked eye! Be sure to get outside at least one night in the month of June for this remarkable celestial event. Look up to the night sky starting June 3, 2022, to see the alignment of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn....

If you’re planning for a fun fall tradition this year, check out the Volcan Valley Apple Farm in Julian. It’s one of the most popular fall activities in the area, and once you go, you’ll be able to see why! It’s a great orchard choice for apple picking in Southern California. Volcan Valley Apple Farm gives you a big bag of apples for just $15, and you’ll be so excited to take them all home....

No one likes to know where the most dangerous places in Tennessee happen to be, but it’s definitely a great thing to know. We’ve scoured the most recent release of crime statistics put forth by the FBI (see link at the bottom of this article) and have made a list of the most dangerous places in our dear state. Does this mean they’re terrible to live in? Nah. Tennessee is pretty fantastic – you just may not want to venture out too late at night....

There’s a rock quarry-turned nature preserve in North Carolina that is unexpectedly awesome. Consisting of 83 acres, Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve is a nature preserve as well as a historical site featuring huge, rounded boulders that are plutonic by nature. The park itself features an old rock quarry and tons of granite outcroppings that cover the mountain surface like icing on a cake. Located south of Salisbury and east of the town of Granite Quarry, Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve includes picnic tables and shelters, a number of trails, a blacksmith shop, and a quarry overlook with long-range views that extend more than 50 miles on a clear day....

How far would you drive for the best barbecue – burnt ends, to be specific – in Missouri? No matter how far you have to drive to this Missouri restaurant, you’ll forget all about the distance traveled after that first bite. In fact, you may be on the verge of meeting your new favorite barbecue joint. A family-owned barbecue joint, A Little BBQ Joint in Independence blends classic BBQ dishes with a quirky atmosphere to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience....

What’s the advantage to visiting one (or six) of South Carolina’s least visited state parks, you ask? How about fewer people to share the landscape? If you’re in the mode to seek out less traveled spots throughout the state, then take this little road trip to six little-known state parks in South Carolina. Load up the car and let’s get going. Here’s an interactive map you can pull up to use along the journey....

Alabama boasts many incredible waterfalls. While some of them are quite easy to find, many others are somewhat hidden and require a hike to reach them. One of these hidden waterfalls is Sougahoagdee Falls, which is tucked away inside North Alabama’s William B. Bankhead National Forest. Many people are surprised that this mystical waterfall is hiding within the forest, and they’re very excited when they finally discover it. To learn all about Sougahoagdee Falls, including how to reach it, continue reading....

You don’t need to be a huge architectural fan to have heard the name Frank Lloyd Wright at least once in your lifetime. Wright was an American architect, designer, and educator who designed more than 1,000 structures over 70 years of work. With notable accomplishments like Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, it’s hard not to be impressed by his innovation. However, there is only one private home in Florida that was designed by Wright throughout his career!...

We have a lot of great small towns in Georgia, and one of the best around is Helen. This little town’s population is under 1,000, but it’s got so many great qualities. Not only is it in the gorgeous northeast region of the state surrounded by mountains, but it’s also got a fantastic waterfall and scenic state park. Even more notable than its natural beauty is the town itself. The buildings here are styled like a German village....

Do you like music and music festivals? If so, the Montauk Music Festival is one that you should not miss. It’s an annual event that’s held every May that showcases the immense talent of the musicians on Long Island. It takes place in Montauk Point State Park and at many other venues around town. Read on to learn more. The Montauk Music Festival is incredible! People come from all over Long Island and elsewhere to attend this free event every May....

A cold winter in Maine is exactly what some of us are here for. We can’t deny that snow is beautiful and the state is often at its best during these colder months. But, when things begin to thaw, the excitement can’t be overlooked. The greener the state becomes, the more we start looking for fun things to do. And we think the best spring festival in Maine might just be this one in Kennebunk....

How surprised would you be to discover that Historic Route 66 is considered perhaps the best Missouri drive? Probably not too surprised, right? After all, the historic road is a centerpiece in Missouri, boasting some of its most famous attractions – from Meramec Caverns in Sullivan to the Route 66 Mural Park in Joplin. Whether you plan to drive all or some of the historic road in Missouri, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind adventure....

There are many ways to enjoy the Oregon Coast: beach combing and kite flying, swimming and surfing. Even for those who choose a “long walk on the beach” as their preferred mode of beachgoing, there are options. For instance, you might venture to a scenic overlook at Ecola State Park. Or trek to a real-life, honest-to-goodness Secret Beach. Or, as with today’s featured trail, stroll along a beautiful boardwalk trail in Oregon that winds through a stunning swath of coastal forest....

If you’re planning a trip to the Peach State, there is certainly no shortage of places to stay in Georgia. Luxury island resorts, quirky retro-themed hotels, camping (or glamping) in state parks… the possibilities are virtually endless! Today, we’re featuring a unique Airbnb in Georgia that looks straight out of a fairy tale. This historic cottage boasts gorgeous decor and incredible grounds that look worthy of a botanical garden. If you need a relaxing and magical getaway, this cottage in Rutledge is just the spot for you....

We may not technically have any National Parks in Georgia, but we’ve got some wonderful sites like National Historical Parks and National Battlefield Parks that are managed by the National Parks Service. Many of them are conveniently close together: did you realize you can visit five NPS-managed sites in Georgia in just one road trip? This is a fantastic weekend trip for anyone looking to learn more about history and see our state’s natural beauty....

We love road trips in Connecticut, but gas is expensive. It can cost a small fortune to fill up the car for a lengthy road trip. Add in extra cost for food and attractions and it’s out of budget for many families. If you want to get out and explore the Nutmeg State but don’t have the money or time for a lengthy road trip, don’t sweat it! We’ve gathered up a few of our favorite spots for a short but sweet road trip in Connecticut that’ll take you to a quartet of great places in the Litchfield Hills....

Nashville is normally touted more for their fried chicken than their tea, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a solid couple of places for you to pull up a chair and sip away – with your pinky out, preferably. These six tea rooms in Nashville are a charming step away from the grind, perfect for folks who are looking for a bit of sweetness in the middle of a crazy week....

There are plenty of small towns located across the face of Tennessee, but there are only a few that maintain a sense of good, old-fashioned hospitality against a summer vacation backdrop. Winchester, Tennessee is home to fewer than 10,000 people, but every summer a solid cluster of return visitors make their way to the nearby Tims Ford Lake. If you’re in search of a summer town that’s perfect for long, lazy days on the lake, a Saturday spent shopping downtown, and a good meal at a hometown eatery, then you’ve found it....