If you’re ever feeling a little burnout from your busy Midwestern life, take a weekend to tackle these best hikes in Iowa that show off some incredible views along the way. You’ll get to take in miles of Iowa’s best natural and historic treasures as you are reminded just why you love to live in the Hawkeye State. Next time you search “hiking trails near me” in Iowa, keep an eye out for these short and sweet gems!...
If you’re looking to explore a bit more of this beautiful country but don’t want to drain your checking account, we have some great news. You’ll be able to access every single U.S. National Park for free on August 4th! In honor of The Great Outdoors Act, the National Park Service has announced that all admission fees will be waived for visitors on August 4th, 2022. More than 400 parks are taking part in this nationwide event, so there’s bound to be one near you....
Memorial Day. You’ve heard of it. Of course you have. But here’s what you may not realize: to many in West Virginia, Memorial Day has another name as well. We call it Decoration Day, and it’s a chance for us to remember and honor not just soldiers who have died, but also any loved ones – family, friends, sometimes even strangers – who are no longer with us by beautifying and decorating their graves....
Are you looking for a way to relax and relieve some stress? Then, a day of friendly felines and a stroll through the park may be just what you are looking for. So start your morning with a cup of tea and a cuddle from a furry friend at KitTea Cat Lounge, then discover a new trail at Bernal Heights Park. You’ll be feeling restored and recharged after this fun day in Northern California....
With 45 Kentucky State Parks, it’s easy to play favorites. And, with places like Cumberland Falls State Resort Park that have pretty much everything you could possibly want in terms of outdoor recreation, well, we don’t blame you for visiting the same spots time and time again. Central Kentucky is the land of the Daniel Boone National Forest after all, and there are numerous state parks within this expanse that offer endless opportunities for recreation....
There are plenty of hikes throughout Minnesota that promise views of the changing trees, rivers, sunsets, and the like. However, until you have laced up your hiking boots and hiked to Fantasia Overlook via the Superior Hiking Trail, you have not experienced the breathtaking views that Minnesota has to offer. While Minnesota may not be the first place people think of when thinking of phenomenal hiking views, this 5-mile trail in Silver Bay, Minnesota, gives all other forest trails a run for their money....
For many Michiganders, fall is the most wonderful time of the year. In fact, some folks wait all summer long for that first hint of crisp weather and changing leaves. Here in the Great Lakes State, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the arrival of a new season – but one fun event might just stand out as the best fall festival in Michigan. Mark your calendar and start planning for an unforgettable gathering....
Are you looking for a Colorado community to call home? Or do you have kids and constantly find yourself looking for new and exciting playgrounds? If you answered yes to either (or both!) of these questions, today’s post is for you, as we recently discovered this Colorado community and its amazing storybook-themed parks: Welcome to the beautiful and welcoming Cordera neighborhood! Cordera Facebook Located in Colorado Springs, the neighborhood was built to be a “rare community where kids can still be kids,” which they accomplish through family-friendly homes and innovative trails and parks....
It’s always the perfect time to go hiking in South Dakota! The Little Elk Canyon Trail will immerse you in beautiful scenery, and is the perfect getaway from the everyday stress of life. Take a look! The Little Elk Canyon trail is five miles round trip. It’s rated as moderately difficult, but most people in relatively decent shape should be able to handle it. Todd Curtis/Alltrails The trail starts out on a nice, wide gravel pathway through the trees....
You might think it’s impossible to choose the most beautiful place in Southern California, and you’re right! But certainly one of the most strikingly gorgeous places in the whole region is Newport Beach in Orange County. From the sweet neighborhoods to the amazing ocean views, if you’re looking for a pretty place to enjoy this season, Newport Beach is for you. The beach itself is, of course, the first thing you’ll notice upon arriving in the area....
When Buckeye State residents start thinking about summer, one warm-weather activity really stands above the rest. Is there anything better than river tubing in Ohio during the dog days of summer? Our state has so many phenomenal natural lazy rivers. In other places, people have to go to expensive water parks and fight the crowds to experience what we have right here in nature! We’ve gathered up a few of our spots for river tubing in Ohio; check them out below....
We can all probably agree that we’ve got a ton of unique attractions and destinations all across the state. However, none is quite as unique as the bridge to nowhere in Missouri. While it might not lead anywhere right now, this iconic bridge has its fair share of supporters, all hoping it has a vibrant future. If you’ve ever passed through Boonville, you’ve likely noticed the bridge that leads to nowhere....
Here in Kentucky, it doesn’t get more iconic than The Brown Hotel. Acclaimed for its lux accommodations, fine dining, and rich history, there’s nowhere in the world quite like The Brown. And in terms of the hotel’s most iconic asset, the hot brown reigns supreme. Created in 1920s, the open-faced turkey-and-cheese melt was put together by Chef Fred Schmidt as a comforting and hearty midnight snack for the hotel’s tired musicians and performers....
While we’re all for heeding Hermione Granger’s library-going advice, there’s also something so beguiling about a classic children’s bookstore. We’re talking about the independent, locally run, charming little children’s bookstores of The Shop Around The Corner variety; and luckily, we have one of those right here in Oregon! We’re talking about Green Bean Books, a picture-perfect children’s bookstore in Portland, Oregon that’s irresistibly charming for budding bookworms… and big bookworms, too!...
There are a surprising number of ways you can divide up the United States into two. One method is to take the 48 contiguous states (this method excludes the distant Hawaii and Alaska) and find the halfway point of those. When measured by that technique, the halfway point of the United States is in… you guessed it, Kansas! The little town of Lebanon is so small it’s barely a blip on a map, but it’s got the honor of being the Halfway Point of the Contiguous 48 States....
There’s something so magical about encountering a bridge in the middle of the woods. Will a troll pop out from beneath the wooden planks? Perhaps you’ll see a pixie whiz past your head, leaving a trail of fairy dust in her wake? If you’re looking for some enchantment, there’s a bridge trail in Texas that takes you over a babbling brook and through the forest for a whimsical woodland adventure. It’s like entering a storybook!...
Just when you thought you’ve been to one steakhouse, you’ve been to them all, here comes Gallery Chophouse in Tampa, Florida. This unique steakhouse offers some seriously giant cuts of beef, not to mention amazing crafted cocktails, too. But, we would be remiss to not tell you right off the bat about the giant Tomahawk steak that is encrusted in gold. That’s right, your next fine dining, five-star meal is about to get a whole lot more decadent....
Time truly is a thief. It seems that before you know it, March fades to August (yikes) quicker than any of us dare hope. While you can chase waterfalls all year long, the spring and summer months are the best times to search for “waterfalls near me” and check out the inspiring views! So, we thought finding a couple of day trips for those long summer days would be a perfect adventure....
There aren’t many waterfalls in Florida. This is a fact that can be easily confirmed by searching online for “waterfalls near me.” And while there aren’t many waterfalls in Florida worth boasting about and certainly none that reach Niagara Falls status, that doesn’t mean the state is completely void of cascades. There are quite a few hiking trails with waterfalls in Florida. In fact, a super short trail is all it takes to reach one of the best waterfalls in Florida!...
Summertime in Wyoming is a short season, but you can make the most of it if you plan your day trips out in advance! Make plans to discover Curt Gowdy Hidden Falls outside of Cheyenne and you’ll find a gorgeous destination that’s refreshing on a hot summer day whenever you find yourself thinking “are there any waterfalls near me?” Head to the beautiful Curt Gowdy State Park in Cheyenne to discover a world beyond your wildest imagination....
