Located on Kauai’s north shore just past the luxury resort area of Princeville is the magnificent Hanalei, a tiny little town surrounded by endless natural beauty – from the crystalline turquoise waters of Hanalei Bay to the majestic mountains. With a small one-lane bridge leading into town, and an unusual mix of shopping and dining options, the very small town – approximately 0.8 square miles – is full of old world charm....
Black Hawk Bridge is in Lansing, Iowa. Construction was completed in 1931, and it has connected Iowa and Wisconsin over the Mississippi River ever since. This article is dedicated to Black Hawk Bridge and all its architectural beauty. Black Hawk Bridge Flickr.com/ Tony Webster Black Hawk Bridge is named after Chief Black Hawk, and is one of the more unusual bridges over the Mississippi River. It is a Cantilever bridge. Cantilevers are the structures shooting out horizontally from the bridge, and allow for the suspension to happen between the anchor points on either side....
Summer might be starting to wind down, but there’s still plenty of time for some fun. Head for this pretty beach for a day of swimming and relaxation. You’ll find Lake Anza at Tilden Regional Park. It’s located in the Berkeley Hills. Tony B./Yelp This pretty lake is nestled in the trees; it’s a beautiful, natural setting. Bask in the sun on the beach, or find a shady spot a bit farther from the water....
Jingle bells chime, Bing Crosby croons his festive carols, and mistletoe hangs above the doorways. This isn’t just something you’ll see from November to December. At Lala’s, Christmas cheer glistens year-round. It’s the most wonderful time of the year 7 days a week at this quirky dive bar. Get in the spirit at this magical place in Austin. When the weather outside is frightfully hot, escape into Lala’s winter wonderland...
Connecticut was once home to over forty fire lookout towers, though less than ten remain standing today. The most famous of the survivors is the Mount Tom Tower, which has stood for nearly one hundred years. While forest fires aren’t nearly as common here as in other states, having a maintained fire tower was one of the requirements when the land for Mount Tom State Park was gifted to the state....
When most people think of dining among nature, they imagine spreading out a picnic blanket on the grass at a local park. There’s actually a restaurant in the Old Line State that’s located among a wooded area, and the food and atmosphere are fantastic. Check out this spot that you won’t soon forget. You can find Old South Mountain Inn along Old National Pike in Boonsoboro. The restaurant is sandwiched between woodland areas and the drive is beautiful....
Ever dreamt of riding a vintage train through the amazing Oregon countryside? This summer, take an unforgettable ride on the wondrous Mt Hood Railroad. Winding through the breathtaking foothills of Mt Hood, this incredible train excursion is downright magical. Based in Hood River, the Mt Hood Railroad has been around for more than 100 years. Nowadays, this gorgeous passenger train offers train rides through the most breathtaking scenery. facebook/ Mt Hood Railroad...
Hidden on the edge of the Rubio Woods Forest Preserve near Midlothian lies a creepy, short hike to an abandoned cemetery. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery has been called one of the most haunted places in the Midwest, so it’s no wonder that getting there might be a little bit scary. The land was set aside to be a cemetery, and the first burial occurred in 1844. Mark Bergner/Wikimedia It was donated for this purpose by its former owner, Samuel Everden....
By now, you’ve likely heard of the haunted Moonville Tunnel hiding in McArthur, Ohio. But did you know southern Ohio is home to another abandoned tunnel? The small town of Haydenville in Hocking County was once a booming mining and manufacturing town. Today, very few remnants of its past still exist. Take a look: In the late 1800s, Peter Hayden’s Mining and Manufacturing Company was once a thriving industry for the town....
We’ve got an abundance of rivers and lakes in the Garden State. According to the 2010 U.S. Geological Survey, 15.7 percent of New Jersey is water; that doesn’t even include our coast! So, it may not come as a surprise that we’ve got so many amazing cruise options. We’ve got nature cruises through marshes and wine cruises along the bay, but that’s only just the beginning. I recently discovered one of the coolest cruises in New Jersey and am so excited to share it with you....
We already told you about an awesome sunflower field near Eau Claire that exists in memory of a deceased love one, but that’s not the only awesome sunflower field the state has to offer. Pope Farm Conservancy in Middleton plants acres and acres of sunflowers each spring and waits for August when the more than a half million flowers will bloom. It’s a site to behold and a truly breathtaking experience that makes it perfect for a day trip just outside of Madison....
Montana is no stranger to unique dining experiences, such as this beautiful sleigh ride dinner. And if you’re ever in the Helena area, you can enjoy a trip back to a simpler time with a Last Chance Ranch Wagon Ride Dinner. This is the beautiful Last Chance Ranch in Helena. Last Chance Ranch Wagon Ride Dinners Facebook Your dining experience starts with a relaxing old-fashioned wagon ride. Last Chance Ranch Wagon Ride Dinners Facebook During your ride, you can chat with your fellow passengers while you sit back and enjoy all the natural beauty surrounding you....
We’ve definitely got our share of unique things to see in Washington – the Space Needle, Seattle’s gum wall and Spokane’s garbage eating goat, just to name a few. But the Bandy Farms’ Troll Haven is in a league of its own. You won’t see anything quite like this anywhere else. Troll Haven is located on a family farm in the Sequim area. www.trollhaven.com The privately owned estate occupies 150 acres along Discovery Bay between Sequim and Port Townsend....
We’ve all heard of, or visited, one of the most famed gorges in Georgia, right? Tallulah Gorge is well known with both residents of the state and visitors alike. However, there is one gorge that continues to be overshadowed by Tallulah Gorge, despite how spectacular it may be. It’s a hidden gem within the Georgia park system for most, especially those who stick to their tried-and-true popular nature gems in the state, but it certainly boasts some of the most beautiful sights you’ve ever seen before....
Nebraksa has so many beautiful spots that’s it easy to overlook a little gem here or there. This hiking trail in Schramm Park State Recreation Area is seriously underrated. Make plans to visit it soon! You’ll find Schramm Park State Recreation Area at 21502 W. Highway 31 in Gretna. Google You’ll find a beautiful trail system here. Take a 1.5-mile long loop that’s very easy, or push yourself just a little bit and complete the 3-mile loop....
There’s a reason why so many spas rely on the soothing smell of lavender as part of their aesthetic. It’s unbelievably comforting and has long been treasured for its healing properties. You might not have realized that right here in Virginia, there’s a gorgeous lavender farm that not only serves products made from this special herb, but also has a winery, tasting room, and gift shop on site. Here’s more on why you’ll want to visit White Oak Lavender Farm in Harrisonburg, Virginia....
Everyone loves to eat at a place that not many people know about. Bonus points if the restaurant itself is off the beaten path. This is certainly the case at White Pines Inn restaurant in Mt. Morris. It is right in White Pines Forest State Park. You are surrounded by beauty and nature everywhere. This restaurant is known for its log cabin style decor. White Pines Inn/Facebook They serve down-home cooking, your favorite comfort food classics....
If you are in the mood for a whimsical dining experience, check out the Mermaid Restaurant and Lounge in Las Vegas. Here you can dine on standard lunch fare (with some seafood options, of course) as you are mesmerized by a huge fish tank filled with colorful fish and mermaids. Yes, mermaids. The Mermaid Restaurant and Lounge is located inside the Silverton Casino Lodge at 3333 Blue Diamond Road in south Las Vegas....
If you are looking for a fun family outing—especially for the animal lovers in your family—a trip to Reno’s Animal Ark is just the ticket. Located north of Reno, this animal sanctuary and refuge strives to “inspire environmental stewardship through wildlife education” and, since 1981, Animal Ark has served as a safe haven for abandoned, injured, and other non-releasable wildlife. The sanctuary also works to educate visitors about wildlife and ecology through its educational tours and special events....
Austin is a pretty strange place – I mean, the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” had to come from somewhere, right? But this just takes it over the top. Although none of these laws are actually enforced today, they’re still on the books and technically in place. Most of them apply to Texas overall rather than solely Austin, but they’re interesting nonetheless. Here are 11 weird laws in Austin: Criminals must notify their victims within 24 hours that they plan to commit a crime against them and the nature of the crime....
