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There is something romantic about a covered bridge. Maybe it’s because they remind us of 19th-century love stories, a moment in time that was a bit sweet, maybe a tad bit simpler. We’ve found five of our most beautiful covered bridges in Tennessee, including Bible Covered Bridge, and have mapped them so you can enjoy a day out and about, touring the state with a picnic basket in tow. If you want to hit them all up, check out the map of covered bridges....

North Carolina is brimming with all sorts of fun adventures. From awesome tree-top activities to a spine-tingling mile-high swinging bridge and rapids made for the ultimate rafting experience, the Tar Heel State never disappoints when it comes to epic outdoor fun. And that continues even if the fun happens to be underwater, as is the case with Fantasy Lake Scuba Park. (Now called Fantasy Lake Adventure Park) But most people don’t know we have an entire park dedicated to scuba diving....

Easy, peaceful, and full of scenic rewards – sometimes, those are our favorite trails to explore. Especially when those trails offer year-round beauty and hidden surprises! Skip the crowds at Idaho’s most popular destinations in favor of a trip to a quiet, pristine river in Eastern Idaho. Here, an idyllic walk along the canyon rim of an ancient caldera to a secret waterfall is the perfect way to spend a day basking in Idaho’s incredible beauty and wild hidden gems....

Cuddle up this December inside a private igloo and enjoy a few hours inside your own snow globe. The Okie Igloo Village has five igloos for rent where you can listen to holiday music, snuggle up next to the fire, play games, and sip hot cocoa. They are available to rent until December 31, so be sure and book soon before they are all sold out. The Okie Igloo Village is located at 16 South Park Street in Sapulpa next to the Route 66 Christmas Chute....

American poet, novelist, and literary critic Robert Penn Warren said, “History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves and of our common humanity so that we can better face the future.” There is much to be learned, both as encouragement and as lessons, from all periods of history. The following historic photos from South Carolina in the early 1900s help us to reflect and find inspiration to move into the future as a better state....

An indoor park is a great place to take the kids when it’s cold outside or the weather is bad. There’s a massive indoor playground in Illinois you need to check out the next time the weather isn’t optimal to be outside. Kiddy Club provides play areas, activities, and more, and it’s all in a large indoor space. Because Kiddy Club was created by two moms looking for a solution to the obstacles of outdoor play (mainly weather and bugs) you’ll find a well-thought-out indoor playground that’s clean, safe, and loads of fun!...

As the snow continues to fall during this winter in New York, we’re seeing more and more of our favorite state parks and familiar landscapes change with the season. Many residents have already crossed Letchworth State Park off of their Empire State bucket list, but what many have failed to do is pay this award-winning destination a visit during our coldest months. New York winters can be cold and brutal, but there’s so much beauty out there to see and explore, too!...

Mississippi has its fair share of urban legends. However, the strangest is the Mercritis Outbreak of the 1950s. Generations of local lore contend that Mercritis was an infectious disease that, among other things, transformed women into homicidal maniacs. Like any other urban legend, there’s no proof the outbreak ever occurred, but that doesn’t make the unusual tale any less intriguing. Take a look: If you look up “Mercritis” online, you won’t find much about it....

We love Mount Rainier National Park for a multitude of reasons. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, it’s full of educational fun, and of course, that looming mountain in the skyline makes for an excellent photo backdrop. As you can probably imagine, Mount Rainier offers some seriously impressive stargazing spots, and it’s one of Washington’s most beloved dark sky parks. If you’ve never seen the moon and stars from this area, you’re really missing out....

There is nothing quite like a good bargain and when you shop at Revive Thrift Boutique in Midvale, you’ll not only receive a good bargain, but you’ll find items that will take your wardrobe to the next level. This isn’t your typical thrift store in Utah. Rather, it is a thrift boutique filled with hand-sorted items in the most hip and classy environment. Revive Thrift Boutique is one large thrift store in Utah that you need to check out for yourself — you never know what treasures you will find....

Northern California is home to several well-known mansions, and a few lesser-known ones, too. Gable Mansion in Woodland, California is a California Registered Historical Landmark and a breathtaking work of art. Located in the small historic district of Woodland, this mansion is the centerpiece of the area. Gable Mansion makes a great backdrop for photos. The beautiful home with Victorian, Italiante, and Gothic details is set against the bucolic backdrop of Yolo County....

The Volunteer State is known for its natural beauty, but what most folks don’t know is that sometimes that beauty has created downright magical places in Tennessee. The rolling hills, the rough caverns hewn from the Cumberland Plateau, the morning light from the peak of the Great Smoky Mountains… the beauty of the Volunteer State is almost unbelievable. If you’re looking to experience the stunning heart of Tennessee, you simply must take this fairytale road trip....

How would you like to jumpstart your holiday spirit with a stroll through a winter wonderland of holiday lights in Minnesota? If so, just head over to CHS Field in St. Paul’s Lowertown, where you’ll find plenty of seasonal fun for the whole family at the GLOW Holiday Festival. The GLOW Holiday Festival is the perfect Twin Cities destination for a fantastic holiday light show. GLOW Holiday Festival/Facebook In fact, the festival fires up more than a million lights to bathe CHS Field in a festive, seasonal glow....

Hot Springs, Virginia is a magical place. Famous for its naturally heated springs, this town has attracted visitors for centuries. Today, it’s home to the iconic Omni Homestead Resort, which boasts a fabulous array of spa-like treatments. One of the most unique is the breathtaking indoor pool, which is spring-fed with mineral water. A quick lap or two is bound to rejuvenate the senses! The Omni Homestead Resort is one of the most historic and stunning places to stay in Virginia....

Sizemore Country Store in the town of Volcano is a hidden gem and makes some of the best burgers in Northern California. The burgers are cooked indoors over an old brick-lined grill built into the wall. Sizemore Country Store is one of the longest running general stores in California. Ken Lund/Flickr Opened in 1852, the general store is located in the small historic downtown. Frequent guests enjoy the burgers, as well as the deli sandwiches....

The itty-bitty town of Dwight, Nebraska – population 200, give or take a handful – looks like a lot of other little Nebraska towns. And, like other little Nebraska towns, this one has a down-home, old-fashioned restaurant where folks gather for delicious food, good conversation, and a feeling of community. Cy’s Cafe is so old-fashioned that you won’t find it anywhere online, and the food is just so delicious that you’ll quickly become a return visitor....

North Dakota is big and beautiful and there is so much hiking to do! This state is full of fantastic trails that will take you to beautiful, wide-open locations. If you’re someone who likes to hike near water, then this is the list for you. These five trails are all very different from one another, but they all have one thing in common – you’ll see water along the way, and in turn, you’ll probably see wildlife too....

We all need a pick-me-up every now and then. Sometimes something as simple as a stroll along the beach or an ice cream cone from our favorite ice cream parlor will do just fine. Other times, we need something a little more. We need to escape. The friendliest town in Rhode Island promises the perfect escape, whether you’re visiting for a day, a weekend, or longer. Considered by many the friendliest place to visit in Rhode Island and the United States, Newport draws visitors from around the world....

While we absolutely love major cities like Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans, there’s something to be said about Louisiana’s small towns. They are often where you’ll find the friendliest people and the best food, both of which are what make Louisiana so special. These charming small towns in Louisiana are the heartbeat of the Pelican State, and Louisiana just wouldn’t be the same without them. Ville Platte Justthe2ofusand5kids/Trip Advisor With a population of around 6,300 people, Ville Platte residents certainly appreciate the slow-paced, natural beauty of the town....

With over 1300 miles of coastline to stake your claim, Florida is one of the most popular destinations for a beach stay. But when you begin to narrow your search down with options like oceanside, fit for a family, casual, breakfast served, charming, and uncrowded, finding the perfect spot might not be so easy. Welcome to your perfect spot at Windemere Inn by the Sea, a Caribbean-style mansion located on the Atlantic Ocean in the town of Indialantic....