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We love the character that shines through in family-owned restaurants. Unlike chains which have a corporate formula for everything from color schemes to pre-made pies, local restaurants can let the owners’ personalities create a unique dining experience. Fuller’s Family Restaurant in McCook is a fantastic example of an adorable local place with personality to spare. Fuller’s is a McCook institution. The classic diner is open 24 hours a day, and they’re well known for their home-cooked food and generous portions....

Do you love bargain hunting? This vast thrift store in South Charleston is the perfect spot to find some inexpensive surprises. Take a look at the sort of treasures you might find inside Heart and Hand Thrift Store. Heart & Hand Thrift Store is located in South Charleston, and carries an impressive selection of merchandise. Heart and Hand Thrift Store/Facebook There’s always a great assortment of clothes to choose from....

I was thrilled to see dozens of submissions from new readers this week! I love the photographs from our regular contributors, but it’s incredible to have so many talented photographers share their New Jersey shots. We’ve got most of the state covered, and I hope you enjoy the beauty our readers have captured. David Casius captured this serene shot of a unique barn in South Jersey. David Casius Another stunning shot by David Casius, this is Old Barney during a meteor shower....

Southern California is full of delightful surprises. Whether you’re seeking out nature, lush gardens, or tasty new restaurants, this SoCal gem will completely satisfy you. Tucked inside one of SoCal’s prettiest gardens, this restaurant is a treat that you’ll want to check out. Descanso Gardens, located in La Cañada Flintridge, offers so much more than a beautiful garden where you can stroll, wander, and relax. yelp/keila n. yelp/cafe at descanso gardens...

Calling all Lord Of The Rings fans: here’s a chance for you to explore your very own piece of Middle Earth. This gorgeously green outdoor wonderland in the Great Lakes State will transport you to a different time and place. When you’re ready for a one-of-a-kind otherworldly adventure, head north to the Porcupine Mountains. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is located near Ontonagon, Michigan. Google Maps This stunning area sprawls for 59,000 acres — seeming to stretch on forever in every direction....

Back in the good old days, San Francisco had an amusement park! Next to Ocean Beach! The scenic, seaside fun zone was simply called Playland (aka Playland at the Beach, formerly Chutes at the Beach) and sat along the Great Highway. As far back as the 19th century, a roller coaster (the “Gravity Railroad”) was the first ride constructed. As trolley lines developed—making it easier for San Francisco residents to make a trip out to the beach—and the Cliff House opened (in 1863), followed by the extravagant Sutro Baths (in 1896), more rides and attractions filled up the area, including a carousel, Ferris wheel, the “Big Dipper” roller coaster, and “The Whip....

The best way to experience Oregon’s beauty is undoubtably on foot. The Beaver State is woven with hundreds of amazing hiking trails, from the coasts all the way to the deserts of eastern Oregon. One of the most exceptional hikes of them all is the wondrous Saddle Mountain Hike, located in Clatsop County. This 5.2-mile trail leads through a gorgeous forest and past mountainside meadows all the way to the summit of the incredible Saddle Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with the most phenomenal views....

There’s something about abandoned places that gives us a shiver up our spines. In the best way possible, of course. We have a certain fascination with forgotten places and eerie atmospheres, which is precisely what we’re going to show you today. Tennessee adventurer Chris Condon recently visited the abandoned Knoxville College, and what he found was chilling. Wikipedia Knoxville College has not hosted students since 2015, but the beautiful school was originally founded in 1875....

From the towering mountains and natural arches in the east, to the rolling fields of horse country in the middle, and the cavernous subterranean tunnels in the west, Kentucky has some truly unique landscapes that are breathtaking to explore. However, there is one little corner of Kentucky that is so beautiful, you’d think it was from your wildest dreams. Parts of the landscapes don’t even look like they should be in Kentucky, but we’re glad they are....

It’s the best of both worlds: the magic of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts combined with the spellbinding beauty of the Roanoke Valley. For one enchanting weekend in May, Roanoke will transform into the world of Harry Potter. Wizards, witches, and any fans of the beloved book will want to sign up for this one-of-a-kind event. Here’s more on the Roanoke’s fantastic Harry Potter Weekend and what to expect: On May 13th, the scenic town of Roanoke will undergo a magical transformation....

In some ways, Louisiana is a pretty unique state in the South. Cajun and Creole culture have heavily influenced huge swaths of the state, making it distinct from some other Southern states. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have some true Southern towns—and I believe Pontchatoula, Louisiana, is one of the most Southern. Historic, community-oriented and centered around a single crop—there’s a lot to love and explore in this sweet town....

Cane River Lake is a beautiful, winding body of water that runs through Natchitoches Parish. While Cane River Lake has the unique distinction of having the appearance of a river and the characteristics of a stream, it is technically a lake. But it has a pretty cool history of how it came to be — let’s take a closer look. The Cane River Lake is about a 33-mile long oxbow lake that runs through downtown Natchitoches and surrounding areas....

The details of a harrowing near-death incident in the Yuba River are just coming to light. One Reno resident nearly lost his life on Saturday when he found himself on the brink of being hurled off the edge of a waterfall. Kalani Tuiono, 25, was spending the day relaxing on the Yuba River. He considers himself to be a strong swimmer and had spent his childhood playing in lakes and rivers....

The most incredible way to cool off on a hot summer day is to take a dip in a beautiful swimming hole. Oregon is home to numerous stunning, crystal clear swimming spots that’ll blow you away. Perhaps the most enchanting of all is the gorgeous Three Pools, located deep in the Opal Creek Wilderness. Add a swim at this lovely hidden gem to your summer bucket list: Located on the north fork of the beautiful Santiam River, Three Pools is a unique swimming hole with pristine turquoise water....

When you visit this park near Washington DC, you’re taking leap back in time… a really big leap, into prehistoric time. Ninety minutes outside of the district, in White Post, Virginia, you will find the most unique park near Washington DC and you won’t want to skip out on a trip there. Dinosaur Land has been entertaining travelers for 50 years on the side of Stonewall Jackson Highway. This roadside attraction has over 50 dinosaurs and much more, all for your entertainment....

Iowa is a diverse state, geologically speaking. Some people aren’t aware that a shallow sea covered Iowa some 300 million years ago. Or that today, you can walk in the path of the glaciers that came and forever left their imprint on the state of Iowa. Millions of years ago when the area was covered by a sea, glaciers moved right into the body of water. Flickr/Carl Wycoff When the glaciers advanced into the prehistoric sea, they tore away the sandstone as they moved, leaving huge gulches in their path....

It may be true that people from the coasts often look at the Midwest as flyover country. But those in the know realize that this region of the United States has some of the best scenery – not to mention the best people – of anywhere in the country. Many towns in Minnesota show the Midwestern character that is so familiar to those who live here, but one – Winona – may do that better than any others....

Are you always looking for a great deal and unique treasures? For those looking for some unique finds and collectibles, you must visit one of Missouri’s largest antique malls. Relic’s Antique Mall in Springfield is so enormous you could easily spend the entire weekend pursuing their store. With over 90,000 square feet of vendor space, there is no way you can leave empty handed. So, grab your wallet and head to Relic’s this weekend for a fun day of shopping!...

Is it just me or do you automatically assume that a town with a population of less than 500 would be somewhat uneventful and—dare I say it—boring? Shame on us for thinking this way because what some tiny towns lack in size, they make up for in other ways (and then some). Take for instance the tiny town of Creede with its population of just under 300 and unique opportunities galore....

South Dakota has had a colorful and rich history and the era of the Great Depression is no exception. These black and white photos of life in South Dakota between 1929 and 1939 give us a glimpse into life back in the day. Besides the Depression, the state also suffered the effects of severe dust storms. A woman in the midst of the Great Depression in South Dakota. Photogrammar A broken down homestead on farmland....