Hoosiers are aware that there are plenty of stereotypes about us out there. When out of towners come to visit, they always need a few things explained to them. Here’s a short list of some of the things you’re probably tired of explaining to out of towners. We’re not all farmers Alternative Heat/Flickr Yes, we’re proud of our farms and local food sources, but that doesn’t mean we all live on one....
Minnesota’s parks are full of amazing trails, and there’s always something for everyone. From long backpacking adventures to short loops, these hikes are some of the most iconic and scenic in MN, and they should all be on your bucket list. Hike the loops at Split Rock Lighthouse for an unforgettable look at this iconic structure. Flickr/Pete Markham One of the best long distance trails in the country, the Superior Hiking Trail has miles of truly spectacular North Shore views....
One thing that I’ve been looking forward to this summer is taking my toddler to see his first movie on the big screen. Since my little guy is only 1 1/2 (and because I don’t want every single theater patron to hate me), my husband and I decided that taking him to see a movie at the drive-in would probably be the way to go. I have many fond memories of going to the drive-in with my family and can’t wait to share that same cinematic magic with mine....
We Texans already know we’re number one. We don’t need any proof. But for all y’all out-of-staters who might be doubtful, here are some hard statistics that prove once and for all that there’s no better place in the nation than the Lone Star State. Livestock production. Flickr/dordrecht-holland We lead the nation in revenue from beef sales and produce roughly 20% of the nation’s cattle. We’re also #1 in the value of the cattle we raise....
Every Rhode Islander either has their own riveting story about the Blizzard of ’78, or has heard their family members talk about it over and over again… “We were all stuck at school for days!…. I had to leave my car on the highway!…. The snow was piled up so far I couldn’t even open the door!” Though we’ve all heard the re-tellings, old photos and news footage really helps us visualize just how devastating the storm really was!...
It’s been incredibly rewarding to write about Idaho on a daily basis. But while curated lists of roadside attractions and awesome restaurants are fun to research and create, we all know that the Gem State is really all about getting out there and experiencing the beauty of our state firsthand. Idaho is a true treasure in terms of its landscape — a scenic, rural jewel in an increasingly urban America; showcasing that natural beauty is definitely my favorite way to explore everything Idaho has to offer!...
Though Mississippi is filled with great restaurants, some of the best are the hole-in-the-wall spots. You know; the kinds of places that don’t look like much on the outside, but just so happen to serve insanely delicious food. Here’s one restaurant that fits that bill and is definitely worth a visit: Head to 101 Beatty Street in Jackson, and you’ll find one of the state’s most iconic eateries – Beatty Street Grocery....
Is it just me, or is Kansas pretty good at producing things? Our wheat feeds the world, our college teams rock the nation and our people are the best of the best. To prove this final point, here is a list of 10 people born in Kansas who are beautiful on both the inside and out. Paul Rudd Wikimedia Commons Okay, so technically Rudd was born in New Jersey, but since he moved to Overland Park when he was 10 AND attended both high school and college in eastern Kansas, we’re claiming the handsome actor as our own....
Utah is full of famous spots to visit – Delicate Arch, Mount Olympus, the amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park…the list is endless. With all these famous (and often crowded) attractions, it’s always nice to find a quiet, hidden little gem. Here’s a tiny park in Salt Lake City that offers an incredible city view. You’ll find Faultline Gardens near the University of Utah…right on the fault line. The address is 1041 E....
Hilarious maps, which can sometimes be quite offensive, are popping up all over the Internet these days. Listed below are nine maps of Alabama and its relation to the rest of the United States. Some of these maps are funny, while others may be considered offensive. Whichever way you take it, remember a little bit of humor goes a long way. It’s great to have a good laugh every now and then....
Michigan’s first state prison, constructed in Jackson in 1842, really served as the nucleus for the city as it spanned some 20 acres. Over the years, it relocated and at one point became the largest walled prison in the world, with some 6,000 inmates. In 1952, in response to poor medical care, brutality from the guards and bad food, two maximum-security prisoners took hold of a guard and used his keys to release other inmates....
Next time you call someone bird-brained, make sure you mean it as a compliment. This animal sanctuary in Naples specializes in the care of parrots of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a lifelong bird lover or you’ve never come in close contact with one before, these colorful cuties are sure to win your heart. The Bird Gardens of Naples is located in Naples (conveniently right across from the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary)....
Driving through the quiet desert landscape around Tuscon, Arizona, you would never know you were cruising through what was once among the most heavily guarded sites in the world. Slumbering just beneath the earth, a silent army of nuclear warheads waited for the outbreak of armageddon during the Cold War. The missiles were stored in massive underground silos, which were constructed in the early 1960s and closed in the early 1980s....
Just behind your everyday playground in Northwest DC is something you wouldn’t even begin to expect… or can even really explain. The bizarrely beautiful and strangely creepy Glass Forest near Palisades Recreation Center is something reminiscent of a grade school art project crossed with the Blair Witch Project. Hidden off the old trolley trail is the Glass Forest in Palisades Park and you must see it. In the middle of your ordinary woods is an array of odd but enchanting sculptures....
If you love hanging out in coastal Connecticut, or have been on the hunt for a staycation that feels like you’re far, far away, I’ve got the place for you. With its bright colors, panoramic oceanfront views and New England charm, the Saybrook Point Inn is one of the state’s most popular overnight destinations. Grab a friend, significant other or both and head down here for a relaxing escape from the mundane....
If you’re a roller coaster fanatic and think you’ve seen every type of coaster, think again. The following mountain coaster in Maryland is the only one of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering a unique, unforgettable experience. Check it out and start planning your trip today! dcJohn In Western Maryland you’ll find Wisp Resort, known mostly for its wintertime slopes and cozy cabins. This spot actually offers a variety of activities other than skiing, and the Mountain Coaster just may be the most remarkable....
New York is full of plenty of unsolved mysteries, many of which you can attempt to inspect and solve for yourself. But, do you know about one of New York’s biggest mysteries that nobody can seem to figure out? Just off of the road in the small village of Speculator, you’ll discover a natural attraction that has visitors scratching their heads. Roughly 15-feet deep and 8-feet wide, this small cave hiding up in the Adirondacks has been a longtime mystery....
One unusual looking tree can be found in parts of Nevada, but in particular they are located in the Great Basin National Park. These trees are instantly recognizable from their gnarled, twisting shape. Great Basin National Park is home to many groves of Bristlecone Pine trees. J Brew/Flickr Scientists believe the tree is the oldest-living tree on the planet and most believe the oldest living organism (although some point to the cresote bush for that honor)....
You have read the books, seen the movies, and consider yourself to be the ultimate J. R. R. Tolkien fan… but have you had the opportunity to visit Middle Earth? No? Don’t fret, my precious; consider this to be your official invitation, as Kansas is home to this one place that looks like something from the iconic novels: Flickr/Granger Meador Flickr/Granger Meador TripAdvisor TripAdvisor Flickr/Granger Meador Located 5 miles northwest of Independence, Elk City State Park is a unique 857-acre park that boasts limestone bluffs and canyons, rock overhangs, woodlands, and a 4,500-acre reservoir of the same name....
Get a taste of North Dakota small town life at the delightful and quaint town of Ashley, ND. With a population of only 750 people, there is no rush or hustle here. It is a great destination to get away from a busy life and just appreciate the small things. Ashley was founded in 1888. J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Like many North Dakota small towns, it was founded when the railroad reached that point....
