We love a good ruins hike in Maryland. While some abandoned hikes in the Old Line State are more well known than others, the following hidden spot may be new to you. The best part is that this abandoned trek is less than a mile in length. In fact, it’s less than a half-mile in length! Read on, and add this easy, historic hike to your Maryland bucket list. Ready to seek out the little known Simpsonville Mill in Maryland?...
Harrisville, West Virginia. What do you know about it? It’s a small town in northwestern West Virginia and the county seat of Ritchie County. It was founded by Thomas Harris, who moved his family here in 1807. It was chartered in 1832 under the name “Solus”. It was renamed Harrisville in honor of the founder’s nephew (a General) in 1895. And to this day, it is home to the oldest and longest continuously operating five and dime store in America, which opened here in 1908....
Tucked away in Port Orange is an abandoned theme park in Florida with a unique history. Before you start picturing Busch Gardens and Disney World-style theme parks, this isn’t anything on that grand scale. However, anyone who grew up in the area likely knows what Bongoland is, and now whenever anyone visits Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens in Port Orange, they’ll also get a glimpse of the theme park from days gone by....
One of the best aspects of living in the Midwest is experiencing all four seasons. Since the weather here is always changing, Hoosiers are great at making the best out of every situation and this is especially true with wintertime activities. Here in Indiana, a little snow won’t stop us from having a good time. That’s why you need to know about the igloos at Urban Vines Winery and Brewing Co....
Florida is no stranger to having some of the most unique overnight accommodations around. For example, we just featured a humongous safari-themed Vrbo in Florida that is like spending the night in the jungle! But this particular overnight accommodation is something quite rare – a retired railroad caboose right in Lake Placid. Situated right near active railroad tracks, you can watch a train pass by five days a week while also staying overnight on your very own....
You may have heard of Headlands Beach and its famous dunes, but there’s another Northeast Ohio spot with forest, sandstone ledges, and nearby dunes. These little-known sand dunes are situated near a park with stunning scenic overlooks, charming hiking trails, and beautiful picnic areas… and these pretty spots are breathtaking in each and every season. In fact, the landscape looks like a world from a fairytale… and even a bit like a small-scale Cuyahoga Valley National Park....
Motorists traveling on the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway may find keeping their eyes on the road difficult. The park consists of 82,000 acres of federal land including more than 120 trails spanning through the vast Appalachian Trail and the Mountains to Sea Trail. Within these diverse offerings, hikers up for a shorter trek can enjoy the Stuart’s Knob Trail, while grabbing a view of Fairy Stone Lake in Virginia. Stuart’s Knob Trail System is one of two trail systems located in Fairy Stone State Park, along with this Virginia Historical Marker....
Have you ever taken a gondola ride in Colorado over one of our stunning mountains? Seeing an aerial view of these incredible peaks is truly a sight to behold and is even better when comfortably seated in an enclosed gondola. Where does one go to experience this? Colorado has a handful of options, the newest of which is at the iconic Steamboat Resort: Opening Christmas Eve 2022 is the first stretch of the brand-new, state-of-the-art Wild Blue Gondola....
A hike to a playground in Iowa can make a visit to Margo Frankel Woods State Park especially memorable. One playground is positioned near the parking area, but there’s a joy to be found in discovering another. A detour that leads up the stairs from the two-mile, out-and-back trail leads to a second play opportunity for children, who will like finding it as a hidden surprise. That’s part of the charm of the Margo Frankel Trail....
Despite the fact that everyone seems to start a little early, the official start of the Christmas season really seems to begin the day after Thanksgiving. But, there are a few things you need to accomplish before it’s truly Christmas in Maine. Once you’ve done these things, consider yourself ready for the main event! Watch your breath while singing Christmas carols in the cold Maine air. David Lounsbury / Flickr Try the Kennebunk Christmas Prelude for one of the most festive versions of this tradition....
Nestled in Worcester County is one of Massachusetts’ most enchanting natural oases. Founded in 1986, Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston is actually a fairly new botanic garden. In fact, the gardens are scheduled to be “fully complete” by 2040! It’s hard to imagine how beautiful this place will be in another couple decades. Read on to learn more about the gardens, and why you should visit as soon as possible....
When you think of small-town eateries, what comes to mind? A down-home, no-frills cafe with made-from-scratch cooking? Me, too! At least, this used to be my answer before discovering that one of the nicest restaurants in Colorado is hiding in the small town of Cortez. Welcome to Cortez (population: 9,000 <) and its excellent Farm Bistro! Google/Michael Laird Billed as “comfort food with style,” the Farm Bistro is a genuine diamond in the rough, beginning with its warm ambiance, a la sandstone walls, warm lighting, and unique art....
Choosing a seafood restaurant to try in a coastal area can be quite a challenge, especially when you’re talking about Myrtle Beach, one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Everywhere you turn, there’s another place serving seafood. But not all of those restaurants are award-winning. Voted “Best of the Beach” by locals in The Sun News and Myrtle Beach Herald for multiple years, The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood is not only award-winning, but it’s the largest restaurant in South Carolina, too....
We all love a good road trip. Rolling down the windows. Turning up our favorite music. Enjoying the open road, which is particularly perfect when there aren’t many others out driving. Have you ever wondered, “where are there waterfalls near me?” The following road trip pairs two breathtaking natural wonders – caves and waterfalls. It will take you to a variety of Missouri caves and waterfalls, which happen to be some of the most impressive natural wonders in the state....
Summertime is usually known as vacation time, but don’t count out Maryland’s other gorgeous seasons as well. The following resort is beautiful year-round, even during winter. With cozy fireplaces, an onsite restaurant, and more, Savage River Lodge in Maryland makes for a comfortable stay during the cold season. Read on, and reserve your stay here soon! Savage River Lodge is a hidden gem located in Frostburg, Maryland. Google Maps There are several kinds of accommodations to choose from....
A delicious meal is never far away, especially here in Rhode Island. We’re fortunate to have such an impressive collection of restaurants all over the state that we can always find just the right one to satisfy whatever we’re craving. When that yearning is for one of the best burgers in Rhode Island, you can’t go wrong with a stop at this long-time burger joint. It’s been grilling its famous burgers for nine decades....
Virginia is a beautiful state that was meant to be explored. Boasting both mountains and coastline, Virginia’s terrain is truly unique, and one of the best ways to appreciate it is by embarking on a scenic road trip. Fortunately, we’ve devised a road trip itinerary that will allow you to marvel at beautiful scenery at every turn. So load up the car, pack snacks, and don’t forget your camera as you explore the scenic road trip in Virginia that will make you fall in love with the beauty of our state all over again....
Hiking in Virginia is no small task. First, there’s the selection process to determine which terrain you’re looking for: mountains, streams, beachfront, swamplands, or craggy cliffs, or something else altogether. Next, you must decide how long you’re willing to commit to your adventure: 1 mile or 10? Finally, it’s considering your hiking companions, whether they be pals, family, or four-legged friends, and their skill levels as well as your own. And while it’s certainly a process the perfect hike in Virginia, we’ve outlined a guide for some must-take trails and everything you need to know about them....
You’ve heard of corn mazes, but what about a sandstone maze in Virginia? Head to the Channels to experience the otherworldly. It’s there you’ll discover a labyrinth-like trail that will lead you through ancient rock formations. In addition to being one of Virginia’s best-kept secrets, it’s also among the region’s greatest wonders. Here’s more on the hiking adventure that will truly light up your soul. Southwestern Virginia is a rugged, beautiful terrain that tends to fly under the radar....
Wintertime in Cleveland, Ohio is a season like no other. Brisk, icy, and dreary with endless grey skies and freezing temperatures, Clevelanders have grown to be hardy in face of the seasonal challenges. However, one year was infamously worse than any other. In 1994, the coldest day in Cleveland history was recorded. While a few hours of unforgiving cold might have been tolerable, this particular cold weather event stretched across three long, cold days and laid waste to the city’s infrastructure....
