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Every year in Maine, we look forward to the holidays. Even the smallest towns bring their streets to life with sparkling lights and town trees and the large ones go all-out! With a fresh coat of snow, this season is even more special. To add to the occasion, make plans to see these drive-thru Christmas lights in Maine. The annual attraction draws people from all over New England. Every spring and summer, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay comes to life with plants, flowers, and other natural features reminding us just how beautiful the state is....

Chances are, if you’re anything like us, you’re eating bread pretty much on a daily basis. However, you might not be sourcing out the best-of-the-best when it comes to bread. Did you know that Georgia’s Root Baking Company was named the best bread in the state by the website Love Food? That’s right. This Atlanta gem, which features a wide array of baguettes, buns, croissants, and “European hearth bread” has won top honors, and let’s just say, you’ll need to really visit this baking company to get the entire experience....

Four mysterious sandstone pillars sit in Pioneers Park in Lincoln, creating an interesting sight that has been fascinating visitors since the 1970s. But did you know the story behind this unusual park feature? It turns out that these pillars have quite the history. The pillars are one of the park’s most recognizable and popular features. They’re located on the scenic banks of the duck pond and, from afar, look almost like the ruins of an ancient city....

Mackinac Island is perhaps best known for its Grand Hotel, where Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour rekindled their age-old love in the iconic film “Somewhere in Time.” But the waterfront haven is a natural gem as well. Venture past the downtown area featured in the film, and you’ll find Mackinac State Park, a wooded retreat filled with ample space to wander and views you won’t forget when you do so. Anne’s Tablet Trail is one such place....

Stress can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health. With the craziness of every day life, we sometimes put ourselves on the backburner. Even if you just have an hour or two, you can indulge in the ultimate relaxation. Visit Himalayan Salt and Wellness Cave in Pennsylvania, where you can sit back, breathe in the healing salts, and recharge. Pamper yourself with a relaxing session in a salt cave at Himalayan Salt and Welness Cave, with locations in Boyertown and Newtown....

Kentucky is home to some extraordinary restaurants: Top-Chef level, bucket-list-worthy places that could compete with any of the country’s big-name players. Moreover, given the fresh bounty of the Bluegrass, our farm-to-table game is a standout, too. Out of all the restaurants in Kentucky, though, Barn8 is in a league of its own. Housed in a historic horse stable, Barn8 is an enchanting farm-to-table restaurant that offers guests an amazing, unrivaled, only-in-Kentucky experience....

Western Nebraska is home to many stunning rock formations, including one called Crow Butte in Dawson County. The butte is a well-known sight to modern travelers, but not many people know how it got its name. Crow Butte is one of western Nebraska’s most recognizable rock formations. It’s a favorite among hikers and climbers who find the challenging terrain to be a rewarding venture. flickr/J. Stephen Conn But long before modern hikers began scaling the steep summit, Crow Butte was the site of a historic skirmish in 1849 between the Crow and Brule Sioux Native Americans....

Every year countless hikers, often after months of preparation, set off on the Appalachian Trail, a majestic trail that spans 2,190 miles from Maine to Georgia. Known as thru-hikers, they face the epic challenge of completing the entire trail. Finding the kind of time and commitment required for a thru-hike can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a taste of the natural beauty that awaits on the Appalachian Trail, especially if you follow the Peters Mountain Ridge hike in Pennsylvania....

Bounce houses aren’t just for the kids anymore. Those of us who are still kids at heart will have just as much fun as the little ones at a one-of-a-kind event that’s headed back to Pennsylvania this spring. The world’s largest bounce house in Pennsylvania makes its return, promising an epic adventure for kids – young and old – and a full menu of attractions, from massive slides to climbing towers....

One of the best ways to get to know an area is to take a road trip. So, if you’d like to explore Kansas, plan a day trip along the Western Vistas Historic Byway in the Sunflower State. As one of the most scenic roads in the state, you’ll get to check out stunning rock formations, stop by state parks, and get a history lesson when you visit Battle Canyon. As you read on, you’ll also discover that you have a few options for grabbing a bite to eat on the road, too....

Are you searching for a dash of history and serenity right here near the Motor City? You don’t have to be religious to appreciate a breathtaking church or other religious building, especially when it’s full of fascinating stories, marvelous architecture, and pretty views. One such chapel near Detroit will capture your heart and leave you feeling more peaceful in no time. St. Anne Chapel sits along East River Road on Grosse Ile, an island community downriver from Detroit....

One of the best parts about living in New Jersey? The easy access to world-class dining! There are so many fantastic restaurants in the state, it’s difficult to try them all. But if there is one we think you should make a priority to visit soon, it’s The Barrow House. One the larger restaurants you can find it boasts seven dining rooms, an outdoor space, and a fantastic menu. The Barrow House is a large restaurant in Clifton, New Jersey that’s well worth a visit from any corner of the state....

In a state with more stunning places per capita than most, it’s no surprise that there are still, well… surprises to be discovered! Every nook and cranny of our massive state is home to some of the most breathtaking and diverse terrain you can possibly imagine: never-ending prairies, towering rock formations and badlands, snow-capped mountain peaks, rushing waterways, and epic sprawling wilderness, just to name a few. There’s no shortage of natural beauty here!...

Find yourself bored of trips to Walmart and other big box stores? Looking for something with more of a nostalgic feel? Then we’ve got a treat for you! Sauders Store is an old-fashioned country store in New York that sells all your typical groceries, plus tons more. There’s a deli, cafe, bakery, and nearly 40,000 square feet of shopping space. It’s a lot like the Mennonite and Amish stores you’ll find sprinkled throughout upstate New York and Pennsylvania, but much, much larger....

When it comes to homemade baked goods, we happen to think that nothing satisfies quite like pie, especially when it is fresh out of the oven and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Is your mouth watering at the very thought? Then you will love visiting this small town that has some of the best pie in Colorado: Welcome to Estes Park Pie Shop & Diner (AKA You Need Pie!...

Iowa’s state parks draw millions of visitors every year, and there’s no doubt you’ve heard about the incredible overlooks at Pikes Peak and the stunning trails at Maquoketa Cave State Park. Backbone State Park is another Hawkeye favorite and, being the oldest state park in Iowa, it’s full of history. However, sometimes it is nice to stray from the beaten path a bit and find a place where you can feel like you’re in another world....

Every time is the perfect time to get out of the house and enjoy a fun outing, don’t you think? Well, we have a particularly lovely one on deck for you; the gorgeous scenery, the proximity to one of the most beautiful state parks in Iowa, and the charming downtown area make the tiny river town of McGregor, Iowa, the ideal scenic destination for a picture-perfect day trip. If you got here by looking up “day trips near me in Iowa”, look no further – this is the ultimate!...

Got a case of cabin fever? Nothing will cure it like a scenic Montana road trip—when the weather allows, of course. Our state is so massive, you could drive around for weeks and not see it all. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Once the weather warms up, save a long weekend for this epic road trip, which will take you to five of Montana’s most famous landmarks. Learn about local history, take in the stunning views, and fall in love with our beautiful state all over again....

Road trip, anyone? If you’re a lover of history, then you’ll want to partake in this road trip that leads to 7 iconic landmarks in Maryland. Drive time is 3 hours and 22 minutes but you’ll want to make time to stop at each and every spot. You could start at either end of this route, or even add more spots if you’d like. One thing is for sure, you’re bound to learn a lot along the way....

Living in a state as huge as Pennsylvania means we’ve got a lot of places to explore, many of them off of the beaten path. This secluded state park in Pennsylvania provides an idyllic backdrop for an adventure any time of the year, offering a full slate of activities and the opportunity to cross paths with a variety of wildlife. You’ll find so much to do, in fact, that a day may simply not be enough time for a visit....