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Louisiana truly knows how to get into the Christmas spirit, and once the calendar flips to November, it’s well underway! Here are some of the best Christmas towns in Louisiana to celebrate the holiday season with exciting events and festivals all throughout November and December. Let us know which is your favorite! These are our picks for the best Christmas towns in Louisiana – did yours make the list? Minden, LA Holiday Trail of Lights Known as the Friendliest City in the South, Minden offers thousands of Christmas Lights and nutcrackers along with a number of distinct holiday events....

A homemade meal really can’t be topped, or…can it? Well, you’ll have to decide that for yourself when you follow a delicious homemade meal with a scrumptious slice of pie at this old-school café that’s all about good food. You might find, in fact, that it makes some of the best homemade pies in Missouri. Locals already know that Cooky’s Café in Golden City is the place to go for a hearty meal and a cozy ambiance....

Can you do Route 66 by train? You’ll be happy to hear that the answer is yes! The Route 66 Train is a new way to get your kicks on Route 66, and it involves a short ride on the Amtrak that’s jam-packed with a fascinating history and incredibly scenic views. The Southwest Chief is Amtrak’s route through the American West, running between Los Angeles and Chicago. Instead of embarking on the whole trip, which takes around two days, you can cruise down Route 66 and hop off without ever leaving the state....

When it comes to natural wonders, the most stunning and awe-inspiring of all may just be waterfalls, of which Colorado is chock full! If you want to see all of the tallest and most stunning in one fell (and unforgettable) swoop, take our advice and hop on this road trip to the tallest waterfalls in Colorado! A trip to all of the tallest waterfalls in Colorado will be one epic adventure that you’ll want to enjoy with the whole family....

New Jersey has a rich history that lives on in so many ways. Our state’s achievements and major moments are captured in monuments, museums, literature, and well-preserved historic structures. We also offer a variety of restored living history villages that reflect life in the Garden State at various points in time. While these are all amazing ways to surround yourself with our state’s past, there is another way. There is a variety of abandoned places in New Jersey offering a unique (and often eerie) picture of what once was....

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to tell if a business is doing well. So when you ask around East Tennessee for the best donut, locals will say Peggy Ann’s in Greenville, Tennessee, time and time again. When you hear it dozens of times, you know it must be good. These donuts are the talk of the town, and it’s tough to go anywhere without hearing their name....

When your sweet tooth demands attention, nothing hits the spot quite like a delicious donut. There’s something absolutely heavenly about biting into one of these freshly baked confections, whether you’re a fan of custard filling, simple glazes, or chocolatey goodness. When you’re ready to satisfy your donut cravings, head to this no-frills bakery in the heart of the Motor City. Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, after many years of serving up the best donuts in the heart of the Motor City, Dutch Girl Donuts has permanently closed its doors....

Alaska is an absolute wonderland all year long. There are thousands of hikes all throughout the state, ranging from beginner to difficult. We put together a list of the best hikes in Alaska for you to enjoy all 12 months out of the year! So grab your kit and your hiking buddy, and head on out to any of these unforgettable seasonal hikes in the Last Frontier. While at first you might associate hiking with warm weather, after reading through all of these incredible options, we are sure you will change your tune and appreciate walking through nature at all times of the year here in our stunningly gorgeous state....

In addition to its grandiose landscapes and natural beauty, Montana also has some fascinating history, legends, and stories. Unfortunately, some of them are quite unpleasant. But nothing quite tops the tragic tale of Sacrifice Cliff in Billings, Montana, which comes from an old Native American legend. Once you hear the story, it’s impossible to think of much else when you spot the massive cliff in the distance. Sacrifice Cliff overlooks the Billings area, and the views are fantastic....

Wheeling, West Virginia. This famous city in West Virginia’s northern panhandle is the home of many good things. There’s a record-holding suspension bridge. There’s the fun, famous, family-friendly Oglebay Resort. And there are some best of the best restaurants here in Wheeling, West Virginia, too, including a pickle-themed bar and restaurant, appropriately named Pickles Eatery & Bar. Pickles Eatery & Bar, located at 419 Fulton Street in Wheeling, West Virginia, is a popular local bar and restaurant that serves up a deliciously unique variety of American bar food: sandwiches, burgers, wings, and more....

The Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary is a birders dream! Owned by the National Audubon Society and managed by the Sacramento Audubon Society, this 430 acre riparian forest and wildlife sanctuary draws hikers, nature lovers, and birders. Located near the small town of Nicolaus, and just south of Yuba City, this sanctuary offers more than 5 miles of trails and the possibility of many bird sightings. ejbSF/Flickr Healthy riparian forests will typically have a wide variety of birds....

If you were making a movie about the contrast between California and West Virginia, how would you do it? Would you pair a wholesome West Virginia country girl with a bad-boy Hollywood actor? Would you throw in a Piggly Wiggly to raise some West Coast eyebrows? Would you pit the big name, big city Los Angeles against most definitely not a big name, big city Fraziers Bottom? Well, if you did do all that, you’d probably be sued for copyright infringement, because that’s exactly what happens in the 2004 hit film “Win A Date With Tad Hamilton” which was inspired by and partially filmed in West Virginia....

The Ozarks is one of the most magical places in Arkansas. It’s brimming with enchanting trails, majestic overlooks, jaw-dropping waterfalls, and so much more. And while the natural wonders are magnificent, it’s the manmade gems that really steal our hearts. One such gem is Skylark Cafe in Leslie and it’s the most adorable fairytale restaurant in Arkansas. This small town eatery is like a dream come true, and you’ll want to visit for yourself....

There are certain things Texans will argue over until our last dying breath. We’re an opinionated bunch, after all, and we aren’t willing to sacrifice any of the things that make our state and its people so wonderful (like chili without beans.) See how many of these Texas quirks you can relate to: Buc-ee’s is the king of gas stations… Flickr/Tim Klapdor When Mississippi tried to one-up us by building the largest Buc-ee’s in the country, we clapped back by building an even bigger one....

Ah, it’s that time of year again: time to start planning for the year ahead, including fun stuff like hiking trips, vacations, road trips, and more. We just thought we’d help you out if you happen to be looking ahead by putting together a handy-dandy list of the best small towns in Indiana (one to visit per month all year). Of course, nothing is stopping you from taking these and creating a whole small towns road trip out of ’em, and we’re not here to judge....

It’s easy to find great restaurants in Mississippi. The Magnolia State has all the classic southern choices as well as its own famous inventions. Who hasn’t dreamed of comeback sauce on a catfish po’boy? Yet, sometimes we crave great food from beyond our borders. As lovers of spice, Indian food is a popular and welcome alternative in the ‘Sipp. The vast and ancient art of Indian cooking has many variations, each delightfully delicious and crave-worthy....

There are so many ways to celebrate the crispness of the air and the impending arrival of snow in Connecticut every winter, but there is something truly amazing about attending a festival. Face painting, carriage rides, ice sculptures, pictures with Santa, fabulous street eats, and tractor parades – yes, even tractor parades! – are some of the magnificent things that happen during winter in Connecticut. These celebrations occur at a variety of times throughout winter, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to attend them all!...

Winters in Louisiana are generally pretty mild, especially when you compare temperatures to our friends up north. While it’s true there have been many flip-flop and tank-top Christmasses, there have been a few winters in Louisiana that have made the history books. Historically, the winter of 1899 was the coldest winter in Louisiana, where Minden saw -16° F for a day or two. While Minden hasn’t come close to those temperatures in the last century, we have seen some record-breaking temperatures elsewhere in the Pelican State....

Since Louisiana doesn’t experience the harsh winters that northern states do, we are blessed with the opportunity to camp year-round. Well, except for those times during the summer when we may be watching out for a hurricane. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect campground in Louisiana to spend a few days, then be sure to check out this epic campground where the entire family will enjoy themselves. Hidden Oaks Campground is located in Hammond, Louisiana....

Arkansas can boast about a lot, and that includes the everyday things we use that came from the minds of Natural State natives! Check out these Arkansas inventions created by some of our state’s best thinkers and innovators, and maybe you’ll even get some inspiration for your own patented product. Life in Arkansas doesn’t get enough credit for its delights and wonders… so let’s do just that: appreciate it for a minute....