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A larger-than-life holiday light show has come to Iowa for another Christmas season. Think we’re exaggerating? We’re not. Mount Pleasant’s Festival of Lights in Iowa is the state’s biggest light show, and it’s possibly even the biggest Christmas light extravaganza in the whole Midwest. Happy Holidays! In so many ways, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Mount Pleasant Festival of Lights / Facebook And one way to add even more cheer to your winter evenings in this season is to enjoy some Christmas lights....

Maine might just have some of the best ghost stories in the country. Given just how old the state is, that’s not surprising. But what we do find surprising is the number of times we’ve told a story and had more than one person agree that they know it to be true. One of the creepiest tales we’ve been told involves a remote bridge and a strange car accident. Most Mainers know Millinocket best as the home of famous Mount Katahdin....

Hiking in Georgia can be a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and get your blood pumping for a few miles roundtrip. While there are so many different hiking trails in Georgia worth checking out, we have one loop trail, in particular, that is perfect for a quick day hike no matter the time of year. The Long Branch Loop Trail is located just outside of Blue Ridge and offers a 2....

Flea market shopping is a blast, assuming you’re a little adventurous. From handmade items to secondhand treasures, you never know what you’ll find at these quirky markets. Montana’s largest flea market will return for its 45th year on Memorial Day weekend, and you won’t want to miss it. The St. Regis Flea Market is a big event in a small town. Located about an hour from Missoula, St. Regis is a tiny town of a mere 210 people....

No need to visit Hogwarts or Winterfell to see a castle: just head to the Nutmeg State! Many have visited the famed Gillette Castle in Connecticut. Located in East Haddam, this magnificent structure is within a state park and it’s a popular spot for picnics and marriage proposals. But we have plenty of other castles and castle-like structures in Connecticut. For example, check out the Saville Dam. The masonry work was built with a purpose: the turret hides the Barkhamsted Reservoir’s pump and other inner workings....

New York is a vast, glorious state with many regions. If you’re looking for an expansive road trip through New York that will take you to some of our best attractions, look no further! Google Maps Watkins Glen State Park: 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 Jared Rubinsky/Flickr Watkins Glen is regularly named one of the most beautiful places in New York. This amazing 400-foot deep gorge is the crowning jewel of the state park that shares its name....

If you’re looking for year-round lake camping in Alaska, it can be hard to find. With snowy winters and inaccessible areas during some of the coldest months, a year-round place to camp feels like a dream. But Eklutna Lake has year-round camping opportunities when you book one of their public service cabins! Whether you’re roughing it in a tent, or glamping it in one of these cool cabins, you’re guaranteed to have a great Alaskan experience by this incredible lake....

Minnesota winters are full of fun! There is much to see and do when the temperature drops and the snow starts to fly. The only difficult part is figuring out a way to do it all! Luckily, there is one place in Minnesota where you can take part in several favorite winter activities. More than a million people visit Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area every year, and it’s no wonder. Thanks to all of the skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in Minnesota found at this park, it’s one of the best places in the state to have fun this winter....

Finding a coffee shop nowadays isn’t too difficult – there seems to be one on every corner! From Starbucks to Peet’s Coffee, there’s a little something for everyone. Here in Winchester, Tennessee, however, you can’t do better than Walnut Hill Coffee Company. The locally-owned spot blows bigger coffee chains out of the water with its hospitable workers and incredible sips. Learn more about it below, and plan your own trip!...

There are so many fantastically scenic areas in Alabama that are just perfect for hiking. One place that’s particularly ideal is the William B. Bankhead National Forest, more commonly known as the Bankhead National Forest. This massive preserve is located in northern Alabama and covers more than 180,000 acres. Hikers from all over the world are attracted to this scenic area because of its high volume of waterfalls. When it comes to hiking trails with waterfalls in Alabama, there’s really no better place to check out than Bankhead....

Whatever the weather, there’s no denying that spring is on its way. We’ve spent all winter sharing some of our favorite sledding spots and winter activities with you, but now it’s time to prepare for the plethora of activities that come with Idaho’s gloriously warm and sunny days – and believe me, there are plenty! Today, we’ve rounded up just a few places that will take you back to the simpler times of childhood....

The Cowboy State is packed with an interesting history! In fact, it’s hard to cover all of it, even in 13 years of schooling. Here are a few facts about Wyoming that might have gotten skipped over in your classes, but that we find fascinating. Ernest Hemingway loved Wyoming. He fell in love with the state after a 1928 visit to Sheridan, and he finished “A Farewell to Arms” in the Bighorns....

This winter, you can see the Hattiesburg Zoo in a whole new light – and it’s all thanks to Lights of the Wild. During the can’t-miss event, the zoo grounds are filled with sculptural LED lantern displays, featuring plants and animals from around the globe. On select nights between December 3rd and 23rd, the Hattiesburg Zoo will be hosting Lights of the Wild. Hattiesburg Zoo/Google The highlight of Lights of the Wild is beautiful and exotic lanterns, which showcase wildlife and flora from around the world....

Raise your hand if you want a juicy burger! raises both hands When you are hungry or just need some good, old-fashioned comfort food, there is no beating a delicious burger topped with your favorite condiments. Are you drooling yet? Then we recommend visiting this unassuming Colorado greasy spoon ASAP: Welcome to the one and only Bob’s Atomic Burgers! Google/Moffat Peek Located in Golden, Bob’s Atomic Burgers is about as low-key and unassuming as you can get, thanks to its eye-catching exterior colors and straightforward yet welcoming interior, complete with a hand-lettered menu board, concrete block walls, and colorful Christmas lights....

When you enjoy a meal at a rural diner in Tennessee, it may feel as if you’ve initially stepped back in time. There’s a bit of charm, a bit of nostalgia, and an element of old-world indulgence that makes the whole experience just that much more special. Bobby Gee’s Diner is located in McKenzie, Tennessee, and has become one of the best-known local gems in the area. It’s where you come for a good meal and a full belly, so don’t expect diet-friendly eats on the menu....

Spending time in the great outdoors is easily one of the best parts of life in Ohio. The beautiful scenery, fresh air, and bountiful natural attractions are what make the Buckeye State so remarkable. And while hiking is often the best way to enjoy nature, today’s feature attraction requires little to no effort and is actually more akin to a spa experience. The Hocking Hills Sauna Pods are private outdoor cedar saunas set up so that visitors can enjoy breathtaking scenery all the while reaping the benefits of the therapeutic treatment....

No matter the season or time of year, it’s never too early to begin planning your next hike, and the Lily Marsh trail is one that should be on every hiker’s list! Located in the beautiful Ponderosa State Park in McCall, Idaho, the Lily Marsh trail is an easy 2.3-mile out-and-back trail that winds through lush and pristine landscapes. Good for all skill levels and great for families, this trail also welcomes leashed dogs from May to November....

In the Hundred Mile Wilderness region, Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary is a secret hideaway where you can roam over 1,639 acres of untouched land. It’s an expansive preserve that boasts spectacular views and cozy lodges perfect if you want, or need, a serene getaway. If you’re looking for a quiet tourist trap you won’t want to leave, there are many places to lose yourself at Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary. There are lots of trails to choose from while trekking through the Sanctuary’s picturesque setting....

Here in Oregon, camping is a year-round activity, and we’re always up for pitching a tent and spending a night in the Great Outdoors. But not all Beaver State campsites are open year-round; and while this can sometimes cramp our camping style, it also makes the perennial campgrounds all the more special. Which brings us to today’s adventure: the campsite at Wallowa Lake State Park in Oregon that’s nestled right by a beautiful Alpine lake, and is open to guests year-round!...

Any trip to or near Bryson City in the mountains of North Carolina deserves a stop at Darnell Farms, located only steps from one of the most beautiful spots along the Tuckasegee River. Here, you’ll find a fresh produce stand, picnic tables along the river, fishing, playgrounds, campsites (along the river!), and so much more – including some of the biggest and best Dream Whips ever. Welcome to Darnell Farms, where the wide bend in the river may be pretty, but there is so much more to love, too, about this Bryson City destination....