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Why spend $10 on a scary movie when you can get scared for free? These eight terrifying places will haunt your dreams. McPike Mansion (Alton) Black.Doll/Flickr There have been reported accounts of paranormal activity. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery (Midlothian) Christine Zenino/Flickr There are reports of a white lady carrying around a baby, among other strange sightings Stateville Correctional Center (Crest Hill) Jim Larrison/Flickr Stateville has been home to some infamous killers and host to numerous electrocutions...

In a state that’s so unique and features a culture full of major Cajun and Creole influences, things can often be a bit overwhelming for out-of-towners, especially when it comes to pronouncing names! If you aren’t from this area of the country, you may easily out yourself as a tourist when you attempt to pronounce one of our native surnames. If you ever wished that you had your own personal cheat sheet to help navigate you through these difficult names, then it’s time you start writing a thank you letter to reddit user Pompous_Pilot....

Nothing says summer like ice cream, and if you’ve spent a lifetime in Florida, you’ve probably tried quite a few different shops and flavors. This shop in Central Florida has a twist that makes it a must-see summer destination. There aren’t a lot of ice cream flavors we would turn down, but wouldn’t it be exciting to create your very own flavor from scratch in just minutes? Facebook/Acrabadabra Ice Cream...

Looking for a section of Arizona to escape to where coming across another human is fairly unlikely to happen? Actually, that is a pretty common occurrence here in Arizona but there is at least one section of the state that has few access points and is even geographically separated from the state. That place is the Arizona Strip. Whoa, a strip in Arizona? Yup, that’s what we call that section of land that sits just north of the Grand Canyon and between Utah and Nevada borders....

Alright ladies and gents, it’s Thursday night and it’s time for some throwbacks. Have you ever wondered what Alaska looked like, say, 100 years ago? Well I have. Alaska, just like anywhere else, must have been so different at the start of the twentieth-century. Yet, we all know Alaska is a special state, a little different from all the rest, so with that in mind I was even more intrigued by the thought of what it looked like back in the day....

Now part of Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm was once the summer home for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. It was built in 1928 and is now one of the treasured historic landmarks of Northern California. It is located along the shores of Lake Tahoe and each year sees thousands of visitors who come to take in its history and beauty. This stunning 38 room mansion sits right on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe....

Many people are surprised to discover the diverse topography across Oklahoma. It is only one of four states with more than 10 ecoregions – from Rocky Mountain foothills and swamps to tallgrass prairies and mountains. One of the most unique topographies lies within Little Sahara State Park in Waynoke, Oklahoma. It is not only a favorite spot for ATV riders, but it is a spectacular place to visit to enjoy a desert-like scenery full of sand dunes....

As the human population grows, and our world becomes increasingly smaller through the powers of the internet, it is hard to point to any place as truly remote anymore. Everything is accessible and known. That said, there are still places that are pretty remote, especially in Wisconsin. One such place is Washington Island. The population is about 600. But even on this island, only accessibly by ferry, there are spots that will make you feel like you are truly in another world....

Warning: If you’re easily frightened or have a history of coulrophobia (the official name for a fear of clowns), just go ahead and find something else to read. This will not be your cup of tea. Google+/HvUseenWrinkles For more than a year now, a creepy clown has been spotted in Southwest Florida, especially around Naples and Fort Myers. He goes by the name Wrinkles, and he has been featured in lots of local media since his arrival, and recently even by The Washington Post....

Fall is coming, which means Kansas will soon be (even more of) a feast for the senses with its colorful trees, cool breezes and sweet smelling air. If you’re looking to maximize your Sunflower State autumn, you will definitely want to visit these 13 picturesque places: Downtown Wichita Flickr/Ty Nigh Overland Park Arboretum Flickr/David Reber Potter’s Pond (Lawrence) Flickr/brent flanders Gypsum Hills Flickr/Vincent Parsons Coronado Heights (Lindsborg) Flickr/Patrick Emerson Drinkwater & Schriver Flour Mill (Cedar Point) Flickr/Adam Sparks...

Chicago is a town for you if you want a great meal. The streets are lined with great restaurants. But here are the foods you absolutely need to sample while in Chicago. These are the best foods in Chicago, the foods Chicago is known for, the foods Chicago does best. Chicago Style Hot Dog jeffreyw/Flickr What makes a Chicago style hot dog so awesome? It’s gotta be all the fresh toppings piled on top of the dog....

Going on a picnic is a great way to get outdoors and have a unique meal experience without emptying your wallet. So if you’ve been looking for the perfect place to set up a family outing or a romantic lunch, this list is exactly what you need! Each of these spots is perfect for spending the afternoon and catching the views over a light meal. Elizabeth Park (Hartford) Jane C./TripAdvisor The Rose Garden at this national historic park is perfect for setting a romantic scene, especially if you come during the summer concert series....

The Connecticut sunrise is different from that of other states. There is something surreal about watching the sun rise over the historic lands and witnessing the same sights settlers fell in love with all those years ago. Whether it’s coming up over the ocean, mountains, or forest, a Connecticut sunrise is not to be missed. And definitely not to be taken for granted. If you haven’t woken up to see one in a while then maybe these photos (and a really big cup of coffee) will get you back out there!...

Oklahomans love good food and they seem to have an affinity for some of the same food combinations. Maybe it’s living in the same part of the country or growing up around the same food types, either way Okies love these strange but delicious mixture of flavors. The Oklahoma and Tulsa State Fairs always bring new food ideas and combinations for Oklahomans to indulge in. Most of them include fried food, bacon or chocolate and end up being a big hit that Oklahomans love....

Is it just me or are covered bridges about as charming as it gets? Whether the bridge is covered with a full-blown wooden roof, shady tarp, or just steel beams, the look is aesthetically pleasing and makes for one gorgeous picture. If you are like me and have a place in your heart for these historic structures, you are sure to love these 11 covered bridges around Colorado: Covered Bridge over Middle Boulder Creek (Nederland) Flickr/J....

We here in Massachusetts definitely know how to laugh at ourselves. Between the weather, the politics and the potholes, a sense of humor is a must. Check out these funny graphics and jokes that poke some good-natured fun at the craziness that is living in this beautiful state. The most accurate summary of Massachusetts yet devised. weknowmemes.com I think that slogan would look really snazzy on the brochures. Pinterest You know you just tried saying “khakis” under your breath....

So your bestfriend from college tells you she’s considering moving to Oregon. What do you tell her? Where do you start? There are so many details about Oregon that get overlooked. But here are some of the basic things about the state that everyone who wants to relocate here should know. The rain really is a thing here gsloan/Flickr But it surprisingly works out. But so is crabbing season during the winter Shelby Root/Flickr Mmmm, crab meat....

Who hasn’t daydreamed about ditching their hectic urban life and moving out to the country? If you’re feeling that rural itch (and I don’t mean poison ivy) check out these gorgeous shots of the Massachusetts countryside. They just might convince you to pack your bags. Your honey is bee-to-bottle fresh. Nothing sweeter than that. (Saltbox Farm, Concord) Flickr/MOTT Because this is what your backyard looks like. Flickr/MOTT These wooden boardwalks seem to be everywhere and it’s amazing....

Summer is right around the corner, and there’s no better way to spend a hot afternoon than taking a dip in a beautiful swimming hole. Oregon has tons of amazing swimming holes to check out, although they’re not always easy to find. Last summer we compiled a list of awesome places to swim, and to commence the sunny season we decided to do some research to bring you these eight more little-known swimming holes that will positively blow you away....

This time of year is perfect for venturing out into the country. And there are just so many reasons to do so – the pumpkin patches, cider, and hayrides. But there’s also this wonderful tradition that takes over many farms across the state and that’s the corn maze. These things are such fun for the whole family, but they’re also really cool because of the awesome designers organizers come up with for the courses....