Indiana is a much, much more fascinating and enriched state than most folks tend to think of it as. Truth is, there’s no real end to the list of things to do, see, and experience, and we’ve gone ahead and created a handy-dandy list of one dozen of those hidden gems in Indiana to add to your to-do list for the next year! You can visit one per month, or create a road trip out of them and do ’em all in a day or two… it’s up to you!...
Getting outdoors during winter in Indiana can be a challenge, but that’s why we’ve got this list of seven winter hikes in Indiana to motivate you. Featuring excellent views, easy trails, and events, these state parks have everything you need to find a relaxing spot to meditate on the past year and the one to come. Pack up the car with your favorite winter packing essentials and get ready for some adventures in the Hoosier State!...
There is something so comforting about cozying up in a library, especially one that offers book lovers a true escape from reality. In North Dakota, we have one state library that is as beautiful as it is rewarding. The North Dakota State Library in Bismarck is something out of a dream in architecture, but that’s just one aspect of this wonderful book enthusiast’s paradise. The North Dakota State Library in Bismarck, ND, is a spectacular library that is government operated....
Invasive species are never a welcome sight anywhere. After all, who WOULD be excited upon learning that critters more than capable of thriving in Indiana and, as a result, decimating native flora and fauna, have arrived? Other times, instead of total decimation, they bring threats that did not previously exist to the table, like the likelihood of a severe bite with truly nasty consequences, much like the invasive little beast we’re going to cover today....
From gold mines to airplane boneyards, there’s no shortage of abandoned places in Arizona guaranteed to send a chill down your spine. One of the scariest places in America is Fort Courage, a defunct trading post near Petrified Forest National Park and the New Mexico border. Reminiscent of a real Army fort, this former Route 66 tourist attraction is quickly succumbing to the elements. It’s one of the most creepy places in Arizona....
You can’t make a PB&J without the J. You can’t make a jelly donut without it, either. For the best PB&J of your life (not to mention the best jelly donuts), use the most delicious fresh jam or jelly to be found in West Virginia — plus, it comes in all sorts of locally grown, locally made, locally sold options that are all low in sugar and high in flavor. It’s homemade jelly that tastes every bit as good as the stuff your grandmother used to make!...
Who’s up for starting a new Christmas tradition in Pennsylvania? If you’re still looking for fun ways to create magical memories, plan a visit to one or more of these main streets at Christmas in Pennsylvania. Each exudes the magic of Christmastime, with enchanting light displays and decorations, window displays, and a full menu of holiday activities! Check them out: Bethlehem Christmas City Discover all that the Christmas village of Bethlehem has to offer, beginning with a stroll down the glistening Main Street....
While we’re all for getting outside with our kids, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up with a visit to a good, old-fashioned museum. At The Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tennessee, the great outdoors and STEM team up for enough fun, entertainment, and educational value to last a lifetime. The Adventure Science Center is a state-of-the-art facility geared towards engaging young minds in a new fun way… although you will find that as an adult you’ll learn quite a bit yourself!...
Stargazers delight at the remote Colorado town of Westcliffe, a certified Dark Sky community. What exactly is a Dark Sky community? This designation is not given out lightly (pun intended). If you live near a city, you are probably familiar with light pollution disrupting your view of the Milky Way. Westcliffe is among only 33 Dark Sky communities in the world, a classification that guarantees stargazers a view unspoiled by light pollution....
Utah has no shortage of incredible natural wonders, and you can add to the list a jaw-dropping natural hot spring oasis known as Mystic Hot Springs. True to its name, this magical destination has been frequented by Utah residents and visitors for centuries. Today, it’s part of a larger hot springs resort where you can visit for the day or even spend the night. Here’s more on this unique day trip you’ll surely want to add to your Utah bucket list....
If you have a hankering for some delicious ribs, pulled pork, chicken, or burgers, take a look at the following list of five of the best bbq restaurants in Vermont. As you’ll soon learn, you’ll be able to taste your way through the state by stopping at each Vermont bbq restaurant during this delicious day trip. While the following road trip only requires a couple of hours of driving time, be sure to allocate plenty of time for all the eating you’ll do during this memorable outing....
Most of us pick our dining spot du jour for, say, a certain dish or special. Craving the best Nashville hot chicken sandwich of your life? Head to Freight House. In the mood for burgoo stew? Head to Moonlite Bar-B-Q! When a restaurant specializes in one particular dish, ordering is easy. At Windy Corner Market, however, you’ll face quite a culinary conundrum. Do you order an amazing plate of barbecue? A juicy burger and fries?...
Six simple machines were identified by Renaissance-era scientists: the lever, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw. These simple machines form the building blocks of all more complex machinery, enabling an infinite variety of physical work to be done more easily and efficiently by using leverage to amplify force. Sound a bit complicated? In some ways. But in others, it’s a concept simple enough for children to grasp — especially children who visit the Six Simple Machines Discovery Zone, a unique playground and park at the Heritage Farm Museum & Village in West Virginia....
Fennville is a small town in Allegan County that’s home to fewer than 2,000 people. Known for producing some of the best wines in the state, there’s one hidden gem of a restaurant that’s a great spot to stop in for a hearty meal and maybe even some live music. At first glance, The What Not Inn may not catch your eye, but don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you…there’s greatness being cooked within these walls....
Some of Arizona’s best attractions… aren’t actually in Arizona at all. Just south of the border with Utah lies one of the largest natural bridges on earth, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and its grandeur definitely needs to be experienced to be fully understood. It’s the world’s largest natural bridge in Arizona that’s not even in Arizona (whew!). There’s so much to do on the pristine Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as a whole: boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming, among other activities....
There’s far from a shortage of things to do in New Jersey. Aside from taking a hike or going shopping, one of the best family fun activities is spending the day in a museum. To help you get started on planning a day of exploration and learning, check out the following free museums in New Jersey that are both fascinating and fun! New Jersey State Museum, Trenton Facebook/New Jersey State Museum Due to its massive collection, the museum is a population destination for families and school trips....
Southern California is perhaps most well-known for its bigger cities, like Los Angeles and San Diego, but we have our share of small towns also. If you have the chance, step away from the hustle and bustle and visit one (or more) of these pretty-as-a-postcard small towns. You just may feel like you have been whisked away and dropped into a storybook. Ojai agcaddesigns/Flickr Ojai, at the northern edge of Ventura County, envelopes visitors in small-town charm....
One of the best winter cabins in Arizona is perfect for those snowy days when all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a book and a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Nestled at the base of the San Francisco Mountain Range in Flagstaff, this cozy VRBO rental offers second-to-none views of the wintery landscape, and there’s a good chance you’ll never want to leave. This beautiful, A-frame cabin is located just five minutes from the entrance to the Arizona Snowbowl, making it an especially ideal getaway during ski season (although the views are gorgeous year-round)....
Now, since Chicot State Park is Louisiana’s largest state park, it’s pretty popular. Pulling up to enjoy 6,400 acres of some of Louisiana’s most stunning scenery far away from major cities is one of the reasons this serene space is so loved. Of course, the lake itself is the other reason. Lake Chicot is a popular fishing hole, but what you may not realize is that there’s an eight-mile canoe trail that reveals even more of this beautiful park....
Oklahoma has many unique dining experiences that are well-known and loved. From famous steakhouses to historic cafes, chances are you’ve experienced some great food if you’ve been to the Sooner State. Especially in Oklahoma City, where there are so many iconic restaurants to try. A newer addition to the dining options in the state’s capital city, The Joinery is very unique. Not only do they offer great food, craft beers, and cocktails, but each floor in the building is something different....
