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The Great Lake State has an abundance of beautiful natural scenery. Visitors may feel a bit overwhelmed by just how many opportunities there are to go hiking and enjoy the wilderness just outside of their chosen vacation destination. For those staying in the town of Saugatuck along the shore of Lake Michigan, we’ve narrowed your many choices down to three hikes that we think will give you the best sampler of the watery wonderland that is Michigan....

Only a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and nestled on the Columbia River is the town of Astoria, Oregon. It is the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Besides its interesting history, this town has some delicious food! Astoria’s restaurants offer unique and fresh food. Local produce and the finest ingredients go into preparing dishes. Astoria is a charming town right on the Columbia River. David Grant/Flickr There’s lots to do in this beautiful town surrounded by water and pine trees....

The hammerhead worm is a relatively new invasive species that’s making its way across lawns and gardens in the United States, and they’ve been found in Louisiana. These slimy squiggles of doom are a potential threat to our good friend, the earthworm, and you’re going to want to know what to do if you come across one, because it’s not as easy as just squishing them. In fact, you should never try to kill them like that....

Where do you go when you want some peace and quiet? If you’re a Minnesota nature lover, you likely head outdoors. There are dozens of state parks, trails, and recreation areas for people in every region to enjoy. Some of the most well-known spots, like Gooseberry Falls or Fort Snelling, are wonderful ways to get outside. But there are many more parks that are off the beaten track. In southeastern Minnesota, the little-known Beaver Creek Valley State Park is one example....

Good Earth Farm Market may be the best kept secret in Delaware. This tiny, tucked-away gourmet grocer also serves some of the best farm-to-table meals you’ll find on the East Coast. This coastal hideaway is tucked just a short distance from the shoreline, and it’s a beautiful place to visit for a meal or a gourmet goods shopping spree. Facebook / Good Earth Market You’ll find Good Earth Market in Ocean View, not far from Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, or Ocean City, Maryland....

There is a bounty of beauty across Grafton Notch State Park’s expansive 3,129 acres in Maine’s Oxford County. The green space is situated between two mountain ranges, an impressive number of waterfalls, and a cave. Thanks to a robust trail system from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, hikers are able to bask in the natural glory of the surrounding landscape. Grafton Notch State Park was established in 1963 and, over time, grew in size as Maine’s state government acquired additional land to bring the site to its current sprawling status....

Arkansas is a state that’s replete with natural beauty. If you are looking for amazing hikes with gorgeous, breathtaking views, you are definitely in luck. If you are looking for a view that is off the beaten path, however, you’ll want to check out the unmarked waterfall trail in Arkansas that leads to Sidewinder Falls and Swamp Falls. These two gorgeous waterfalls offer unparalleled views, but getting there is not for the faint of heart!...

Calling all explorers! Although Maryland is filled with lengthy hikes, there are also shorter treks that are just as beautiful. The following trail is less than a half mile in length and leads to a waterfall! Bring the family on this short and sweet hike that makes for a memorable local day trip among nature. Patapsco Valley State Park covers a massive 32 miles in Maryland, sprawling parts of both Howard County and Baltimore County....

Are you one of the many people who love prime rib? If so, you’re in luck! Alabama is home to a variety of restaurants that serve this mouthwatering dish, including Magnolia Blossom Cafe. For information about Magnolia Blossom Cafe, including details regarding how to enjoy as much prime rib as you’d like, take a look below. Magnolia Blossom Cafe is a family owned and operated restaurant in Robertsdale, Alabama that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner....

While, you can practically drive right up to the beautiful Moss Glen Falls in Vermont, there are some waterfalls that require a bit of hiking and searching. The path to Old City Falls isn’t as clearly marked as other waterfall hikes, but if you’re able to follow it to the secret waterfall, it will be well worth the search. Old City Falls is located in Strafford, Vermont. Melissa Pendleton/Google reviews...

Exploring means we’re always discovering hidden gems, like the breathtaking rock formation that sits along this picturesque trail in Missouri. However, the rock formation is just a sliver of the uniqueness that awaits when you make your way to Pinnacles Youth Park, a gem in its own right. If you’ve never been to this small but mighty park, your first visit likely won’t be your last. A private park that’s open to the public, Pinnacles Youth Park in Boone County is small, tallying just 70 acres....

The state of Tennessee is striped with stunning hiking trails from the banks of the Mississippi River to the west and the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the east. Ramsey Cascades Trail is located in the mountains, and it remains one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the area. We would recommend getting ready for an intense trek through some of the best-preserved wilderness in the state, and make sure you bring your water bottle!...

Nothing says fall is here quite like a trip to the local pumpkin patch. However, in a place with as many streets, buildings, and hullabaloo as Cleveland, it can be a challenge to find a farm that’s super close to home. The solution for all your pumpkin needs awaits in Columbia Station in a local Cleveland area farm that has operated for decades. Here, you’ll find a corn maze, face painting, and so much more!...

Want to spend your day out on the water but you don’t have a boat? No problem, we’ve got you covered. New Orleans Pedal Barge offers some of the most unique boat rentals in Louisiana, ranging from luxury pontoon boats to pedal barges where you and your friends can pedal your way around the beautiful bayous and swamps near New Orleans. Don’t forget your sunscreen! All of the tours start and end at Eddie Pinto’s Marina in New Orleans....

Rocks State Park in Jarrettsville, Maryland, is any hiker’s dream. Not only does it offer the peaceful serenity one craves in today’s budyworld, but it also provides outstanding views throughout its 855 acres of rock-filled forest. There is plenty to do, see, and experience while exploring the park and its many trails. The trail that leads to the rock formation known as the ‘King and Queen Seat’ is among the most spectacular, and has views that are worth photographing from every angle....

Some trails around the Prairie State are quite popular and can be rather crowded. If you want to beat the crowds and immerse yourself in nature, there’s one little-known trail we suggest you hike. Best of all, you will most likely have the trail to yourself. Running Deer Trail at the Everett McKinley Dirksen Park is not only little-known but a magical hiking trail in Illinois. Let’s take a look:...

Ice cream is always a good idea. When the urge to splurge on a sugary sweet treat strikes, there’s an amazing little shop that’s serving up some of the most unique ice cream in Louisiana. These creations are so beautiful, they’re almost too pretty to eat! Almost… Just be sure to home hungry because the portions are enormous! You’ll find The Yard in Baton Rouge. Nick Bogan/Google The original location in Gulf Shores opened in 2017 and since then, they have grown to open up locations all across the southeastern part of the country....

Long before there were thrill rides and water parks in the Wisconsin Dells, the area was covered by a vast sea – and much more recently, a large glacial lake. The geologic and natural history shaped the terrain in some incredible ways, and in the 1800s the unique scenery caused this area to become a tourist destination. A lot has changed in the Dells in recent years, but the timeless beauty of the bluffs and rock formations in the Wisconsin Dells continues to wow visitors....

Arkansas is filled with beautiful hikes as well as scenic drives, but there’s another way to take in the sights of the Natural State. The Arkansas-Missouri Railroad offers a gorgeous train ride through one of the prettiest parts of the state. This 70-mile round trip is simply breathtaking year round. Let’s hop aboard and enjoy the view on this beloved Arkansas train ride. A train ride aboard the Arkansas-Missouri Railroad is an excursion that should be on every Arkansan’s bucket list....

The people who believe the jokes about fruitcake being hard as a rock and inedible obviously haven’t tried the fruitcake from Beatrice Bakery in Nebraska. These cakes are moist, dense, packed with fruit and nuts, and famous worldwide. They’re so delicious you’ll never make another fruitcake joke again. The Beatrice Bakery has been around in one form or another since 1917. That’s when two brothers who owned a bakery came across their German grandmother’s fruitcake recipe....