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I once had a person ask me if I knew how to swim when they learned I was from Wisconsin. I’m not sure if they skipped the day in grade school when the Great Lakes were taught about, but for some reason folks from around the world seem to think that the lakes that frame out amazing state are somehow not as awesome as their name implies. We know how truly great, beautiful and jaw-dropping Lake Michigan and Lake Superior can be, but it’s always nice to be reminded and to show off a bit for the folks that don’t know what they’re missing out on....

A prison, a mill, a castle, a religious retreat and a quarry – what could they possibly have in common? Outside of the cities, deep in the woods, there are some abandoned places in Connecticut. They aren’t just lacking residents, these places have been isolated for years. Some have been forgotten and some just neglected for so long. They have succumbed to nature and started to crumble back down into the earth....

Sure, Columbus isn’t a beach city or a mountain city, but our city has plenty of incredibly beautiful natural areas! Long ago, the area was hidden under a glacier during the Wisconsin Ice Age. As the glacier retreated, it carved out gorgeous ravines, many of which now adorn Columbus. We also have many wonderful lakes, rivers, and creeks, all of which provide beautiful views and relaxing outdoor retreats. Here are seven natural wonders hiding right around Columbus....

It’s no secret that Washington has some of the best dining spots in the nation. And when you want a little more than just a great meal, we’ve got plenty of restaurants that offer an all-out unique experience. These are a few of our favorites. The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, Seattle The Pink Door Facebook The Pink Door Facebook You can never “just” have dinner at The Pink Door. From the nightly live entertainment in the dining room to the weekend burlesque performances in the lounge, your dining experience here goes way beyond your entree....

There’s no denying that small towns are what make Indiana such a welcoming place to call home. We love our tiny towns here and know that their charm and appeal set us apart from other states. If you’re looking for a new place to explore that’s full of relaxing activities, check out this tiny town in the Indiana heartland. Jim Grey/Flickr Centerville is a small town in Wayne County that’s located along the historic National Road that cuts through Indiana....

If you are a West Virginian, you have probably gone on a hike at least once. You find a trail and get lost in the dense woods around you. This hike is a little different – you will still follow a trail in the woods, except that the trail beneath your feet is not solid ground. The Cheat River Water Trail offers something different than your typical hike. You can rest you feet on this one, because this is a trail for kayaks and canoes....

You’ll find plenty of easy-to-pronounce names and words here in the Great Lakes State — from Grand Rapids to Ann Arbor, a large majority of our Michigan monikers are largely familiar and phonetic. But there are a few tougher-to-say words that should never be flubbed in front of someone from Michigan. Luckily, we’ve compiled a special guide that will help you feel prepared. Never mispronounce these nine words during your time in the Great Lakes State....

If you live in Indy, you probably already know that you should never judge a book by its cover. Many of our most famous buildings and restaurants don’t look like much from the outside, but are hiding many wonderful things inside. The same can be said about this iconic mom & pop restaurant in Indianapolis that serves some of Indy’s best home-cooked meals. Kountry Kitchen, just north of downtown Indianapolis is located in a fairly bland building that may even appear to be closed down at first glance....

Imagine being able to park once and then hit all the happening spots in downtown Dallas at your leisure … and for free! Impossible, you say? Then you haven’t heard of the McKinney Avenue Trolley, which operates along a popular “M-line.” Hop on and off at any of its stops along the route and experience the magic of restored trolley from yesteryear. The experience of riding on one of the historic trolleys alone is a must do, and it’s surprising how many people don’t know about this free transportation service....

Texas is one of the best states in America to celebrate Halloween. We have a rich haunted history and a plethora of spooky events going on this month. Big cities and small towns alike go all out for the holiday to make it as frightfully fun as possible. We tried to include some smaller communities as well since it’s essentially a given that Houston, Austin, Dallas, and other large metros will have countless Halloween activities taking place....

If you ask us, the best roadside attractions are historic, fun, and a little bit odd. Unfortunately, these kinds of attractions are now few and far between. One of the best examples of these old-school roadside attractions is Goofy Golf in Panama City Beach. Flickr/Melinda Shelton The towering concrete statues are totally unique and nothing like the snooze-worthy cookie-cutter statues on most of the large franchise courses. Flickr/Melinda Shelton It might not seem all that impressive next to our theme parks today, but when it was built in 1959, this park was a real innovation in family fun....

This ghost story out of Massachusetts is sure to leave you with a serious case of the chills and more than a few lingering questions. Here’s one of the most eerily baffling tales from the dark side of Bay State history. Boston Light is a picturesque lighthouse off the coast of Cohasset. Looks can be deceiving, however – this lighthouse has an exceptionally haunted history. Wikimedia Commons/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boston_Light_Evening.JPG The lighthouse was built in 1783, which makes it the oldest in America....

It’s easy to get blue about the cold weather here in Milwaukee, but wintertime brings its share of fun activities that you can only experience in the snow! If you grew up in cold weather, odds are you’ve jumped on a sled, tube, or tire and flew yourself down a hill, and it was the time of your life! This snow hill near Milwaukee is made for tubing, and it’s sure to make you feel like a kid again while giving you the thrill of a lifetime!...

The ghost town of Wash Woods is tucked away along the coast in a natural area now designated as False Cape State Park. While this site is a gorgeous natural destination, it wasn’t always so welcoming. As its name implies, False Cape was an area mistaken for another landing point, Cape Charles. The development of Wash Woods happened for exactly this reason. A community of shipwrecked sailors made their home on this unforgiving piece of land and the community has since vanished altogether....

Here in the midwest, we take a few things seriously. Food and history are near the top of the list! Now, you can combine your love for Iowa’s wild beauty and talented chefs by enjoying an evening on the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad’s unique, limited-time-only BBQ Train Ride. What are you waiting for – get your tickets now! The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is one of the most interesting places in the entire state of Iowa....

Union Gap, Washington is located just outside the city of Yakima. And while it’s not known for much, there is one thing it’s famous for: The burgers. And while Miner’s Drive-In has served amazing and enormous burgers to many a Washingtonian over the years, today we’d like to highlight the unsung hero in town: Pepp’rmint Stick Drive-In. Believe it or not, their food is just as tasty. Pepp’rmint Stick Drive-In is located at 4002 Main Street...

Have you ever been in an airplane, looked out the window while the plane is getting ready to land, and looked around for places you may recognize near the landing strip? Whenever we land at DIA, my husband and I do this and try to identify as many of Colorado’s (ant-sized) locations as we can. Come to find out, astronauts in NASA’s International Space Station do the same and have shared these 9 amazing photos taken of Colorado from space:...

We love our cheese here in New Jersey. We’ve got delis with mouthwatering mozz and we go crazy over the grilled variety. In fact, we have an entire restaurant dedicated to grilled cheese (and crab cakes). You can check that out here. But if you prefer your cheese on macaroni, I’ve found the perfect place for you. Planet Mac is the center of the mac n’ cheese universe. Image/Google Maps...

Who doesn’t love a good themed restaurant? We have a few of them here in Virginia, but perhaps none are as quirky as The Wood Booger Bar. Dedicated to all things Bigfoot, this down home restaurant is sure to charm the whole family. With delicious food and plenty of eccentric decor, you’ll want to add this spot to your dining list. Take a look at what’s in store: Welcome to the Wood Booger Grill, a unique eatery located in Norton....

Try as we might to stop it, summer is slowly winding down here in Michigan. You know what that means: autumn is nearly upon us. While it’s tough to accept the chillier weather, there’s still a certain excitement to welcoming the new season here in the Great Lakes State. If you’re ready for crisp leaves, hot cider, and plenty of pumpkins, here are 11 must-visit harvest festivals to explore throughout Michigan this fall....