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With Christmas this weekend, there’s plenty of holiday cheer and spirit in the air, yet, sometimes the happiest season of the year also conjures darker memories. One in particular is a story that many North Carolinians know all too well – the infamous Christmas murders. WUNC For a working class tobacco farmer, it was a bit odd Charlie Lawson took his entire family to nearby Winston-Salem a few days before Christmas for family portraits....

The fact that we have a little slice of heaven in the great state of Georgia that can still be kept under the radar is why we love this state so much. If you want to check out some place intriguing, but also fascinatingly beautiful at the same time, then Dunaway Gardens in Newnan, Georgia is the place to go. Located a mere 30 minutes outside of Atlanta, you’ll find the enchantment that is Dunaway Gardens....

Wyoming is filled with an abundance of beauty created by nature, some which occur as a natural phenomenon. One of these spots in Wyoming is the Yellowstone Falls. Here, the landscape is majestic, powerful and utterly breathtaking. It’s also the one spot in Wyoming where you can see some of the most beautiful rainbows. All that’s needed to create one of the most beautiful things on earth are 2 basic elements: sunlight and water....

On the morning of October 8, 1862, canon fire rang out, startling the small town of Perryville into panic as one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War began. The battle was for control over the border state of Kentucky, and both sides suffered numerous casualties. The Confederate soldiers ended up retreating and the Union maintained control of Kentucky for the rest of the war. The sight of the Battle of Perryville is now a state park, with the original battlefield remaining mostly unaltered....

If you’ve ever heard of a tiny town called Peninsula, Ohio, you should know it’s a must-visit that belongs on your bucket list. (And so do these towns.) Blending natural beauty with modern amenities, this town beautifully preserves a rural setting in an urban environment. It’s truly unlike any other town in Ohio you’ll come across and the surrounding area and townships are worth exploring as well. Here’s a glimpse into what this northeast Ohio gem has to offer for locals and visitors alike:...

Michigan has really made its mark on the domestic wine scene. So it should come naturally – if you fancy yourself a wine connoisseur – to consider a trip to one of the state’s many award-winning wineries. Question is, if you don’t already have an obvious favorite, where do you go? We found some options that you should add to your list of places to visit. St. Julian Winery, Paw Paw Facebook This winery is the largest producer of wine in Michigan, with influences from Italy....

Have you been longing to visit paradise? Well, you don’t have to leave Connecticut behind for a piece of island magic. You can opt for one of the state’s Thimble Islands cruises instead. You just sit back, relax, and soak in the views. When it comes to boat tours, few are more stunning than these Thimble Islands cruises. If you weren’t already longing for summer, you certainly will be now....

OK, this restaurant isn’t exactly in the middle of nowhere. It’s in the middle of Arkansas wine country. The town of Altus might be away from any major population center, and it may only have about 745 human residents, but you’ll find an abundance of grapes there. This small town with loads of grapes is home to the absolutely incredible Weinkeller Restaurant. Part of Weinkeller Restaurant’s appeal is the setting, but the best part of the restaurant is the mouthwatering food they serve there....

Not to be bleak about it, but it’s just true that existing things, even things we love, will eventually disappear. We’re all lucky that Dogpatch U.S.A. has had benefactors. Arkansas is riddled with abandoned buildings and ghost towns, but perhaps no story is more poignant than that of the once stately hotel in Hot Springs: the Majestic Hotel & Bathhouse. It’s a somewhat familiar story of declining interest turning into closure and neglect, and a raging fire that delivered the final blow....

Many New Jerseyans are familiar with the Arthur Kill. It is a tidal strait that runs between Staten Island and New Jersey’s Middlesex and Union Counties. About 10 miles long, it is lined with industrial sites on our side of the border and provides access for ocean-going container ships to Port Newark. Heavily polluted in the 1960s and 70s, few fish could survive in its water. After the EPA was established, water quality improved and crabs, baitfish, striped bass and bluefish have returned to the Arthur Kill....

The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo may not have officially opened until 2001, but it was actually in the works since 1997. It all began when cattle ranch owner, Dan Franklin, started adding buffalo to his ranch. Before long, his herd had grown to over 300. Eventually, more animals, including several exotic species, were added to the mix. Today, the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is home to hundreds of animals and offers a ton of hands-on activities, making it a destination everyone should visit at least once....

Are you thinking about visiting a waterfront soon? Maybe planning on driving to a river or lake to unwind? Well, forget those for just a moment and consider a wonderful waterfront alternative—a natural spring that becomes both a lake and a river. Where can you find one of those, you ask? Why, in the town of Mammoth Spring, of course. Mammoth Spring the town is named after Mammoth Spring the spring, which happens to be the largest spring in Arkansas and the second largest in the Ozark Mountains....

Tarpon Springs is a historic city of approximately 23,000 residents located in Pinellas County. This town has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans in the United States, making a visit to Tarpon Springs the closest you’ll get to a vacation in Greece without leaving Florida. This picturesque town, which is only a 30-minute drive from Tampa, is full of history, culture, food, shopping, and entertainment. Flickr/Daniel Oines It’s known as the Sponge Capital of the World because of the long history of its thriving sponging community....

Who doesn’t love fantastic prices, a wide selection of unique items, a full day of fun and free entertainment? If those things don’t appeal to you, this may not be the post for you. If they do, read on! New Jersey is home to a variety of flea markets, but just a handful are truly massive. A favorite, which I have covered before, is the Cowtown Flea Market (and Farmers Market, and Rodeo)....

One of the towns in North Dakota that draws the most visitors each year only has a population of 112. That town, of course, is Medora, North Dakota. Though it’s a tiny town in terms of size, the opportunities are endless there. There is just so much to do it’s no wonder why it is so popular with tourists. If you haven’t been there yet, you should visit at least once in your lifetime, and here’s why:...

One look around the home of some Mainers and you’ll see that we are not folks that like to throw things out. You never know when something might come in handy! Maybe that’s why antique malls are dotted throughout the state. From Cumberland to Aroostook, there are plenty of places to pop in for a good old fashioned shopping trip to claim someone else’s once loved heirlooms. One of our favorites is Fairfield Antiques Mall in Fairfield, Maine....

Here in Alabama, you don’t have to travel far to experience beautiful beaches. As a matter of fact, Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches are some of the finest beaches in the world. When it comes to tourism, some of these beaches outshine the rest. However, many of Alabama’s beaches are much more secluded, meaning you can enjoy a relaxing day without having to fight the crowds. A beach area in particular that’s somewhat secluded and offers relaxation is the sandy shoreline that surrounds the Fort Morgan peninsula....

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m thankful for. Of course family, friends, my job, the ability to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and just the opportunity to live on this amazing planet top my list. However, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere but Texas, for many reasons. I’m sure all of us feel thankful to live in this wonderful state every day, but the rest of the country should extend their thanks to us too, and here’s why....

New Hampshire is home to a unique breed of people. Some things we love, and some things we would never, ever do. It’s what makes us unique! Here are 12 things you’ll never catch anyone from New Hampshire doing: Staying inside all winter long. Mark Bonica/flickr If we did that we would be inside for months on end. Paying sales tax. Michael Allen Smith/flickr Nope, we’d rather keep that money in our pockets, thanks very much!...

Louisiana has so many amazing houses to live and work. The architecture is simply breathtaking. From all around the state, the care and beauty that people took in building these homes just makes you wonder at the amazing skills crafts people had back when all of these homes were built. This simple home on Oakland Plantation is just a beauty. Flickr / KKanouse Oakland Plantation Can you imagine having a front door like this?...