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Located in northwest Washington, Skagit County is home to everything from rural farmland (Edison) to charming waterfront communities (Anacortes). But unless you live in the area, you’ve probably never heard of the tiny town of Concrete. There’s not much to it but what it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in charm. Only about 730 people live in Concrete. Gord McKenna / Flickr It’s about 40 miles from Mount Vernon and an hour from Bellingham....

Some of Montana’s more prestigious resorts have caught the attention of national travel publications and visitors from afar. And while those places are amazing, many Montanans prefer a stay at a place that won’t cost us $2,000 per night (no offense, Resort at Paws Up or Triple Creek Ranch). Tucked away in the tiny town of Lima, which is in the southwest corner of the state not far from the Idaho border, you’ll find the quiet and unpretentious Elk Lake Resort....

Looking for a unique place to get away for the weekend? This charming tree house is quiet and peaceful and perfect for a couple’s retreat. If you’re looking for privacy with just the sounds of nature surrounding you, this will be your new vacation getaway. You may not know it, but there’s an epic tree house in Louisiana that’ll make you feel like a kid again. Helene/Air BnB This AirBnb is located on a 2-acre peninsula on Pine Island....

The Four Corners region is a popular travel destination, but even those who head to northwestern New Mexico intent on discovering the wonders of this area overlook B-Square Ranch. This massive, privately owned property lies on the edge of Farmington. The working farm and ranch contains two astonishing museums that you really do have to see to believe. Although the Bolack Electromechanical Museum has a somewhat dry name, its contents are unique and fascinating....

When you are headed into wine country, be sure to save a little time to make a stop at this out-of-the-way restaurant. Situated in the sleepy town of Dayton, this restaurant is in a class of its own with wildly delightful mushroom-focused meals and a lovely historic atmosphere. The Joel Palmer House Restaurant / Facebook With a population just above 2,000, this wine country town has a classic small town feel....

While some hikes are a pleasantly short stroll that are perfect for a quick walk, others offer a bit more. These are the trails that are a little more rigorous in length and at times terrain. While Rhode Island has diverse landscapes, most of our hikes are on the shorter side, but this patch of woods is sure to leave you feeling accomplished if you spend an afternoon exploring the interconnected trails....

Located off Highway 95 south of Tonopah and near the former boom town of Goldfield, this incredible rural Nevada car forest is an outside art exhibit that was the brain child of longtime area resident Mark Ripple who conceptualized an outdoor space where artists could express themselves on abandoned cars, trucks, and buses with whatever creative medium they desired. Thus, in 2002, the International Car Forest of the Last Church was born....

There are numerous ghost towns in Montana, and not all of them are eerie. In fact, a few of them are lively and popular tourist destinations. But there’s something about the “semi ghost town” (there are still a few residents) of Marysville that definitely has a spooky vibe. In fact, its aging buildings set against the quiet hills make it look a little like the setting of a scary movie. This spooky small town in Montana is unlike any other....

Over near Pelzer and just below Ware Place in South Carolina’s upstate there’s a chocolate milk factory just waiting to make your taste buds explode. Yelp/Melanie C. The Happy Cow Creamery is a working farm that also has its own milk bottling plant. Facebook/Happy Cow Creamery You won’t believe how delicious the milk is when it’s from farm to glass, all from the same spot here in South Carolina’s Anderson and Greenville Counties....

Some of the best secrets are those hiding right under your nose. This beautiful outdoor space is right in the midst of Omaha’s Old Market, a busy area that’s often packed with people. Find your way to the Passageway, which is on the north side of Howard Street between 10th and 11th. TripAdvisor/Alvin C. The Passageway is an old alley that’s been converted to a covered shopping destination. It’s worthy of a visit, even if it’s just to walk around and admire the brickwork and plants....

A lot of Minnesotans appreciate St. Paul today for its bustling business community, quaint neighborhoods, and most importantly, for the Xcel Energy Center where the Minnesota Wild play. 75 years ago, St. Paul was vastly different. During the 30s it was a notorious gangster hideout, attracting the likes of John Dillinger, Homer Van Meter and the Barker-Karpis Gang among others. The county courthouse was built, as was the Public Safety Building....

We know you all must have been pretty good this year, because Florida has been blessed with so many gifts this season. Here are a few of our favorite highlights. Merry Christmas, everyone! A White Christmas Flickr/Visit St. Pete/Clearwater We don’t need snow. We’d much rather have sand between our toes. Relaxation Craig Carper via South Florida LIFE Photo Gallery Even Santa’s reindeer come to Florida’s beaches to chill. Lots of shrimp Carl McCaskey At least for everyone in Apalachicola, where Santa ditches the sleigh and arrives by shrimp boat....

It’s no secret that the Old Line State is filled with history. If you need proof, just take a look at the following then and now images. They prove just how much has changed, and what remains the same. THEN: Baltimore’s iconic Lexington Market, 1903. Wikimedia Commons / Library of Congress NOW: This historic market is still a go-to spot, but these days, it’s more modernized. Flickr / jpellgen THEN: Main Street in Darlington, 1950s....

While winter can feel like a long and daunting season at times for New Englanders, there are many ways to enjoy the season. One great activity is attending one of the fun winter festivals found in the state. Lucky for the people of the smallest state, there are winter themed festivals happening all over this December. Here are five of the most well known. Newport Winter Festival Facebook/Newport Winter Festival...

You would never know by the look of modern-day Ames, Oklahoma, that a meteor 1,000 feet in diameter hit the area thousands of years ago. The meteor created a crater over 8 miles wide, but it is not visible today because over 9,000 ft. of sediment covers up the hole. The meteor crater, also known as an astrobleme, was discovered during oil exploration in 1991 and was found to produce a significant amount of oil and natural gas....

There are plenty of underrated places that we love visiting in Montana, but between social media and word of mouth it’s almost impossible to keep our favorite hidden gems under wraps nowadays. Over the recent years one of our favorite destinations has began to see more and more visitors. So if you want to enjoy it before the wave of crowds come… now is the time to do so. Wondering which place we’re referring to?...

This enormous federal bank is still guarding a pretty stunning secret. Hidden within its depths, an enormous vault sits deserted…but not quite empty. Read on for a preview of this astonishing site, and then be sure to watch the exploration video by YouTube channel “Exploring With Josh.” This abandoned federal bank is in stunning condition, especially the massive vault. YouTube/Exploring With Josh The vault was once piled high with gold. It would have been highly guarded and secured....

Coming in at 12,056 acres of scenic lakefront and incredible Ozarks land, Hobbs State Park Conservation Area is the largest state park in Arkansas. In fact, it’s so big it’s almost twice as large as Arkansas’s second largest state park, Village Creek. As we all know, quality is a bit more important than size in some matters (I’m looking at you, Texas), and it’s no different with Arkansas’s natural spots. The Natural State’s largest state park deserves to go on the top of your bucket list not because it’s the biggest, but because it’s undeniably awesome....

Old Village Mercantile was established in 1909 and still operates today in Caledonia, Missouri. Old Village Mercantile Caledonia/Facebook The store is located on Caledonia’s Main street, which dates back to the 1800’s. The town is considered a National Historic District with 33 homes and businesses on the national register. The store is filled with candy, jams, antiques, toys, and so much more! Old Village Mercantile Caledonia/Facebook Jars filled with homemade candy line the wall at Old Village Mercantile....

If you want to take a lovely stroll through a beautifully manicured garden, the Leach Botanical Garden in Southeast Portland is where you need to head today. This 17-acre garden, open since 1983, is a little slice of beauty carved out in the middle of a sprawling residential neighborhood off of SE 122nd Avenue. Featuring a variety of guided walks and events, this garden is a little secret paradise that you never knew you needed....