An African adventure in the heart of California wine country? Yes, it does exist and it’s not too far from San Francisco either. Safari West is a truly unique park. Here, guests can explore the Sonoma Serengeti on an African wildlife safari alongside herds of exotic wildlife or just take it easy in a luxury safari tent. Safari West has an amazing collection of animals on 400 acres, from bearded dragons to zebras to a 7,000-pound rhino....
We have lots of water all around, but if you are looking for a beach with nice sand, Sauvie Island is the place to go. This small agricultural hub is a beautiful natural setting just minutes from downtown that will take you worlds away from it all. Divided into four beaches, this stretch along the Columbia is perfect for swimming and sunning the day away. There is only one way in and out, and this is it....
The dark night is a beautiful time especially here in Arizona. The cool, quiet solitude you can experience in most areas of the state is quite the contrast from the blazing heat of the day. Photographers also love night where they can use long exposure to capture some amazing, almost surreal images of light trails. Here are some examples of these types of images from Arizona photographers. The long exposure created this beautiful, abstract image in Phoenix....
New York’s summer has been off to an interesting start with quite a bit of flooding and more rain than we would’ve normally cared for. But the one benefit from all of this excess rain is that the majority of our state’s waterfalls are currently looking like paradise. Last summer we experienced quite a drought, leaving most of our favorite waterfalls running dry or left with just a mere trickle. So if you’ve been anxious to get out in nature to see these natural wonders looking as they should, we’ve got the perfect easy hike for you to take that features an end point that’s out of this world....
Iowa has an amazing number of beautiful parks. Hiking, camping, and just enjoying nature is very easy at one park in particular – Backbone State Park. The spring-fed pool here is extraordinary. Wading into its crystal-clear ice-cold waters is a must for your summer to-do list. This amazing spring-fed pool is located inside the park, just three miles south of the town of Strawberry Point. Matthew Hoelscher/Flickr Jlibbs B./Trip Advisor Dedicated in 1919, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park....
The saying “everything is bigger in Texas” really does apply to everything in our state – food, festivities, and even nature. We have the second largest canyon in the country, some of the biggest mountain ranges, and one of the largest forests in the entire WORLD…and it isn’t even on dry land. This cypress forest in Caddo Lake (the only natural lake in Texas, might I add) looks like something straight out of a fairytale with the wispy moss hanging from the branches....
You may have never heard of the Niagara Escarpment, but chances are you’ve seen it without even realizing. There’s a ridge that runs from Wisconsin, through Canada and all the way to New York that’s responsible for the Niagara Falls and is formed from the bedrock of the Great Lakes Basin. Though it may look like a large fault like, it’s actually just the product of unusual erosion. The Niagara Escarpment is also a cuesta, which is a hill or ridge with a gentle slope on one side and a steep slope on the other....
This place has to be one of the most unique spots in the world. The story of how the Becket Land Trust Historic Quarry and Forest came to be is absolutely amazing, and the park itself is no less enchanting. Imagine wandering into the woods and coming face to face with vintage automobiles, old buildings, machinery and even furniture. Then, imagine you were allowed and even encouraged to explore these fascinating remains....
Opinions of Montana’s notorious mermaid lounge vary greatly. Bring up the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge in Great Falls and you’re likely to be met with comments like “The food isn’t that great” and “I don’t get it. Why mermaids?” But even skeptics must admit that the Treasure State wouldn’t be the same without the Sip ‘n Dip, which is part of the O’Haire Motor Inn and the quirkiest restaurant in Montana....
New Jersey is home to a wide range of spooky, eerie, mysterious and abandoned places, but many of them are totally off limits. This train graveyard is easily accessible (you can see the trains from the road) and has an interesting history to go along with it. While fascinating, a terrible tragedy once occurred here, before the bustling transportation hub fell into decline. Welcome to Winslow Junction, located in Winslow Township....
These jaw dropping aerial views of Florida will make you appreciate the beauty of our state in a whole new way. Conch Key Flickr/Art01852 Miami Flickr/Rian Castillo Florida Flickr/Stuart Rankin Straz Center, Tampa Flickr/Matthew Paulson Florida Keys Flickr/Nelson Minar Cape Canaveral Flickr/Julie Falk Lake Okeechobee, Port Mayaca Pete Cross for Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Orlando Flickr/Daniel Piraino Sunny Isles Beach Flickr/Art01852 Hallandale Beach , FL Flickr/Daniel Piraino Miami Flickr/Daniel Piraino Somewhere in Florida Flickr/e....
Perhaps I’m a bit biased but I think that as a state overall, Arizona is the cream of the crop. We have an unlimited number of places to find natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, plenty of places to find delicious food, and plenty of pretty cool cities and towns. We’ve listed some of our favorite small towns and cities before but today we’re going to focus on one that we think could be considered the absolute best in the country....
Many people will not consider this an unsolved mystery. Many people have died in La Crosse rivers over the past decade or so. At least nine have, in fact. The recovered bodies tended to have close to double the legal alcohol limit. A lot of alcohol in the system, paired with rivers that can be somewhat volatile, can quite convincingly lead to a fatal result. Nevertheless, it is curious that so many people have died in this manner....
As you may have noticed, nearly every place in Colorado has some sort of a one-of-a-kind restaurant, shop, or other attraction that you will not find anywhere else in the state… however, when it comes to today’s roadside attraction, there is a good chance that you will not find anything else like it not just in the state, but in the world! Let’s check it out: Yelp/Ben R. Yelp/Trent R....
If you’re looking for a unique thrift store in New Orleans, we think you will love Thrift City USA. It’s a truly amazing place where you can find nearly anything you could possibly want! Let’s explore this awesome spot. Thrift City is a beautiful spot found at 601 Terry Pkwy in Gretna, LA. Yelp.com / Eddie C. It’s completely huge and easy to get to, right off the Westbank Expressway....
Virginia’s beautiful attractions never cease to amaze. Whether it’s a hidden waterfall, mesmerizing landscape, or something else altogether, there’s plenty to marvel at during any given season. And with Spring in full bloom, now is the perfect opportunity to visit this garden setup. Tucked away along the picturesque downtown waterfront you’ll find the Pagoda & Oriental Garden, a peaceful area brimming with beautiful architecture. Here’s more on this particular garden exhibit and why you’ll want to visit:...
Located in Darlington, you’ll find the mighty Conowingo Dam. While this structure on the Susquehanna River is quite industrial, there is a certain patriotic bird taking advantage of the waters here. Flickr / Mr.TinDC An any given day, dozens of photographers line up along the observation area. Flickr / Jim Goudie They set up their cameras and zoom lenses, patiently waiting for their perfect shot. Flickr / Chesapeake Bay Program As the water level rises and river water flows in, so do a variety of fish....
There’s a hidden forest right in the middle of one of West Virginia’s largest cities. The WVU Core Arboretum can be found in the midst of Morgantown, and Spring is the perfect time to visit. You’ll get a chance to see plenty of wildflowers in bloom! WVU Core Arboretum is a forested area tucked away in the heart of Morgantown, adjacent to the WVU Coliseum. WVU Core Arboretum/Facebook The trails are open to visitors from dawn until dusk, free of charge....
All aboooaaaarrrdd! This summer there is an opportunity for the whole family to climb aboard a wonderfully scenic mountain train in Georgia. It’s not the type of ride that will take all day, but will be long enough to take you throughout beautiful Stone Mountain, while enjoying the fresh air and majestic scenery. Take a look at the coolest train this side of the Mississippi. Stone Mountain Park is a perfect place to visit during the summertime in Georgia....
The farms across Rhode Island each offer something unique. Pick your own flowers are one of the most beloved ways to enjoy the spring and summer outdoors. What more impressive flowers to gaze upon than sunflowers? This farm shows just how magical sunflowers can be. Young’s Family Farm is found at 260 West Main Road in the small town of Little Compton. Facebook/Young’s Family Farm Not only does this farm offer fantastic fresh produce grown right on its gorgeous land, it also operates as a pick your own flower stop....
