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If you’ve spent time in Minnesota, you’ve likely visited the North Shore a time or two. Most Minnesotans have, though most visits tend to be during the warmer months. After all, these are the best times to hike to the rushing waterfalls and tree-filled forests of northern Minnesota. But we’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t discount this area during the winter. After a good snowfall, peaceful quiet takes over the North Shore, transforming it into a magical winter paradise....

Mexican food – it’s an Iowa favorite. Good thing we have some great Mexican restaurant options here in the Hawkeye State! …including Lost Altos in Stuart, Iowa. Feeling thirsty and like a bit of a punch to wake up and feel alive? Los Altos in Stuart, Iowa has something that might be just right - and yes, it has salt on the rim of the glass. American Marketing & Publishing / Google Maps...

Eighty-eight thousand. That’s a massive number. Especially when it’s a number of square feet. Even more impressive if it’s the number of square feet of the brand new skate park that opened recently in downtown Des Moines. And that’s exactly what it is. Believe it or not, there’s now an 88,000-square-foot skatepark on the banks of the Des Moines River in Iowa. And not only is it the largest skatepark in the Hawkeye State, but it’s actually the largest skatepark in America!...

If you love primitive hiking trails, the Kisatchie National Forest is your playground. Louisiana’s only national forest features hundreds of trails that meander through the forest’s 600,000+ acres. One of our favorite hiking trails in the forest just so happens to lead to one of the most breathtaking views in the state, so lace up your boots and let’s check it out: The Longleaf Vista Trail is a loop trail that clocks in at about 1....

Gary, Indiana, is a city of ghosts. It’s home to more than 13,000 buildings, homes, and structures classified as abandoned, and despite the fact that there’s still a small population of Hoosiers living here, it’s fallen into disrepair and chaos rapidly over the past few decades. All over town, there are reminders of what Gary once was: a booming, successful little town. It had a bright future; and, in its heyday, had more than 100,000 residents....

During those chilly weekends in the Gem State, there is no need to stay cooped up inside your home. Head to Sandpoint, in the northern part of the Gem State, for a romantic Idaho getaway. This beautiful town is home to the luxurious Talus Rock Retreat, an elegant and cozy bed and breakfast in Idaho that you’ll never want to leave. The Talus Rock Retreat will impress you the minute you arrive....

The largest private collection of osteological specimens in the world is located right here in the Sooner State at Skeletons: Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City. It is the perfect place to entertain the kids with some history and fun. It’s full of fascinating oddities, artifacts, and more. Keep scrolling to check it out. Skeletons: Museum of Osteology is located at 10301 South Sunnylane Road in Oklahoma City. They are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a....

One of the state’s best Airbnbs is also one of the most historic. Known as the Mills-Davis House, this historic home turned Airbnb offers guests the opportunity to travel back in time – all while enjoying modern-day amenities. It’s truly the best of both worlds! The Mills-Davis House is nestled in the heart of Arkansas’ capital city. airbnb.com A Little Rock landmark, the Italianate-style home dates back to the late-1800s!...

Exploring Iowa is easy and oh-so-fun. Even if we’re just on the hunt for the perfect destination for a staycation, we’ll find it. If you’re not exactly a fan of the old-fashioned camping experience — sleeping on the ground, dealing with bugs, and all that good stuff — you might want to opt for glamping instead. You’ll find no better introduction to glamping than this one-of-a-kind Iowa glamping experience that will take you aboard a restored school bus....

Sometimes the best things come in the smallest packages. Sure, it’s an old cliché, but two of the smallest national parks to visit in the country, which just so happen to be in Pennsylvania, prove that cliché to be true. **Editor’s note: please note that both of these national parks are currently closed to visitors due to COVID-19. For more information, visit each park’s page on the National Parks Service website, linked below....

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to take a day trip in Oklahoma, head to Anadarko to Woods & Waters Winery and Vineyard. Set on over 250 acres, this winery is one of Oklahoma’s largest, oldest and most celebrated wineries in the state. Woods and Waters was voted the #1 day trip in Oklahoma, and you’ll love spending the day at this remote, fun spot in western Oklahoma. Woods & Waters Winery is located at 17153 CR 1380, Anadarko, OK....

Admittedly, there are so many beautiful trails in Virginia that it’s hard to pick just one. But in the running as one of the prettiest, easiest hikes in the state, the Abbott Lake Trail at the Peaks Of Otter along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a peaceful yet spectacular destination! Learn more about what makes this one-of-a-kind trail one of the very best hikes in Virginia. Abbott Lake is one of the many gorgeous mountain lakes hiding in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region....

Have you been on any good hikes lately? Washington’s best hiking trails tend to have diverse scenery, a well-marked path, and of course, plenty of rugged beauty. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, check out the 4.8-mile Upper Big Creek Loop Trail in the Olympic National Forest. Though you’ll probably want to pack your rain gear no matter what time of year you go, it will be well worth it....

There’s nothing quite like an afternoon spent perusing a good bookstore. Each book offers a world of possibility, and there’s a camaraderie felt between fellow readers (and that indefinable-yet-distinct bookstore smell) that makes visiting a bookstore a soul-filling and exciting experience. In Portland, Third Eye Books is a newbie on the bibliophile block, and it fills a much-needed void in Oregon. Portland’s only Black-owned bookstore, Third Eye Books is a true community hub; a space for education, inclusion, and representation....

Escape rooms first made headlines several years ago and to be honest, there were a few people who thought they were a passing craze. If you were among the naysayers, then perhaps it’s time you think again. And perhaps it’s also time you joined the fun with this Harry Potter themed escape room in South Carolina! This one is located in Beaufort and whether you’re a muggle or a wizard, you’ll have the time of your life trying to save the world and break out of this suspenseful room....

Tucked away in St. Tammany Parish, Madisonville is a sleepy little town that’s perfect for a day trip. Nature lovers will appreciate a visit to Fairview-Riverside State Park, a tiny but mighty state park that clocks in at less than 100 acres, but its location along the scenic Tchefuncte River is perfect for a day of outdoor exploration. Just across the river is a newer restaurant to hit the scene, and the waterfront views will leave you speechless....

Are you ready to brave the outdoors with a Delaware glamping adventure? Well, while sometimes we like to rough it and go camping, other times, we’re interested in a middle ground. If that describes you, we’d recommend a glamping experience: camping with some much-loved necessities. Consider this yurt in Delaware! If you’re looking for the ultimate glamping experience in the First State, then you need to curl up in this yurt....

Dinosaurs are a thing of the past, right? Well … you might not think that if you visit a state park in New Jersey. While walking through the forest here, you can encounter a whole dinosaur colony! It’s a magical, incredible experience. Confused? Let us explain: Allaire State Park has always been a fascinating place to hike and explore. Sue F/Google Local Located in Howell and in Wall Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, it’s a lovely state park to explore....

Looking for the perfect sweet afternoon filled with imagination and treats? Create an idyllic day of reading and teatime in Warwick, Rhode Island. Take a trip to Mary’s Paperbacks for an independent bookstore experience you won’t forget, and follow it up with a lovely high tea with delicious baked goods at Trinity Confections, just 2.6 miles away. Mary’s Paperbacks/Facebook Mary’s is the best example of a bookstore with personality. The store’s employees get to show off their clever sense of humor with every seasonal display, finding the books that best fit the season or upcoming holiday to display to all who enter....

Get ready for the longest snow tubing run in the state. Situated in Warrenville, Illinois on the north side of the state, this exciting and giant hill is fun for the whole family. Kids of all ages will want to play here every day this winter and will hope for a constant snow day. Check out one of the best places for snow tubing in Illinois: As an alternative to sledding, Blackwell Forest Preserve offers a wonderful winter activity that is exciting, unforgettable, and fun for the whole family....