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To early settlers looking to build, the millions of acres of forests that filled Mississippi were considered nothing more than a nuisance. However, by the 1840s, that way of thinking was on its way out, as saw mills began popping up in the state’s coastal region. Before long, Mississippi had a flourishing lumber industry, and although the boom didn’t last long, it forever changed the state. Take a look at these photos for a rare glimpse at what life was like during this defining period in Mississippi’s history....

Once extremely popular, tea rooms now seem to be a thing of the past but they’re not completely obsolete, and luckily, Mississippi is home to several. Offering everything from specialty teas to mouthwatering meals, a visit to any of these charming tea rooms is practically guaranteed to be a (tasty) treat. Take a look: Simply Teavine (6775 US 49, Hattiesburg) visitmississippi.org meadorhomestead.com Beautifully decorated and housed in a log cabin that dates back to 1885, Simply Teavine definitely lives up to its tagline, “Hattiesburg’s historic and elegant tea room....

Louisiana has no shortage of waterfront towns. Bayous, lakes, rivers and swamps are all around this beautiful state of ours, and we’ve got some of our favorite waterfront towns that are perfect for a day trip. Natchitoches Natchitoches Tourism/Facebook A day spent in Louisiana’s oldest settlement is always a good idea. The Cane River Lake flows through downtown Natchitoches and provides a beautiful view from the restaurants nearby. Grand Isle Billy Metcalf/Flickr Grand Isle is known for being a fishing town, but even if you’re not the fishing type, there’s still tons to do....

When most people hear about a beautiful place to explore, they immediately ask where it’s located. Sadly, more often than not, as soon as they hear it’s in Baltimore, they’re no longer interested. Baltimore gets a bad rap but there is so much more to it than just the city. In fact, not many people know that there is an arboretum hidden in the heart of Baltimore and it’s one of the most stunning places in the Old Line State....

There are few natural features in Arizona that fail to impress and that includes our mountains. Beautiful, majestic, and almost always rugged, they represent strength of both the land and the people who climb them. Today we’ll take a quick look at one that is both revered and visited quite often: the San Francisco Peaks. Eliza Adam/Flickr Martin Ely/Flickr Located in northern Arizona, the San Francisco Peaks are part of a massive volcanic field and are the remains of an old stratovolcano that once stood significantly taller than it does today....

There’s something about water that’s relaxing and freeing. It’s easy to sit by a beautiful body of water and ponder life, feel awestruck in the beauty, and appreciate the world around you. North Carolina has several diverse and amazing bodies of water that will give you an unforgettable experience starting with these fifteen. Cape Hatteras Flickr / Bryan Elkus Between the beautiful Cape Hatteras lighthouse and daring waves that are perfect for surfing, Cape Hatteras is breathtaking....

It’s always nice to use our free time to enjoy a weekend away or nice road trip that takes out of town. But there’s certain adventures that you can take in the Empire State that will have you discovering local restaurants and leave you feeling far from hungry. Taking you from the southern Finger Lakes up and out to Central New York past Syracuse, this quick little two-hour scenic drive is mapped out and ready for you to explore for yourself!...

The Great Lakes State is home to plenty of well-known festivals. From Tulip Time in Holland to Traverse City’s famous Cherry Festival, there’s no shortage of celebrations to explore throughout the region. But there are dozens of small-town festivals that are also worth visiting, despite their less-famous names. Here are ten marvelous Michigan celebrations to check out in the coming months. Native American Festival (St. Ignace, May 27-28) St. Ignace Visitors Bureau Michigan has a rich Native American heritage, and this festival is the ideal place to learn a bit more about the history of our state’s earliest residents....

There are some places that just have a touch of magic to them. You can feel it as soon as you arrive, and the feeling sticks with you long after your departure. Massachusetts is full of places that have that special tinge of enchantment, and there’s probably one closer than you think. Here are a few places across the state that deliver an absolutely magical experience. Lovells Island, Hull Flickr/Chris Seward...

Living in one of the densest states means that most things are readily available and just a short drive away! Because of how close so many things are, we Rhode Islanders tend to avoid places that involve a long car ride, or searching. What many of us don’t realize is that some of Little Rhody’s best attractions are actually what would be considered in the “middle of nowhere.” These 10 places might require some driving, but they’ll be so worth visiting once you’re there....

Minnesota’s roads have some of the most phenomenal scenery, so it should come as no surprise that we have over 20 scenic byways that wind their way throughout the state. If you’re ever in the mood for a phenomenal drive, try one of these 10 for a truly unforgettable experience! Lake Country Scenic Byway Lake Country Scenic Byway Association This byway is 88 miles of MN’s most beautiful forests and lakes....

Utah is known for some of its goofy laws. Our liquor laws, for instance, are definitely confusing for tourists, and often even leave locals scratching their heads. Quite awhile ago, we wrote about these 10 crazy Utah laws. But, wait! There’s more. So much more…here are another 10 for your entertainment. Most probably aren’t enforced, but all are on the books. Whatever you do, don’t cause a catastrophe - you could face a second-degree felony charge....

When it comes to Old West charm, Wyoming has everyone beat. Our cities and towns are chock-full of quaint stone and log buildings and loads of history. On all our journeys through our beloved Cowboy State, we’ve found the smaller cities to be the most charming. As proof, here are Wyoming’s 11 tiniest towns – some with populations in the single digits. Clearmont, Wyoming, population: 142 gahoward/Flickr Not all the buildings in Clearmont are log cabins framed by antler arches, but with its manicured parks and tree lined streets, it’s an enchanting place to visit....

Trying to convince a Kansan not to follow a police car with sirens is pretty hard, but some of these things confuse Kansans just as much as the idea of feeling safe next to an ocean. There’s a lot we aren’t used to, and you can tell when you get that polite, yet confused look on someone’s face. You’ll see what I mean. Calling these “trainers” or saying you don’t understand us when we say “tennis shoes....

Nestled in southern Indiana’s hills, The Land of Lincoln includes many historical places where Abraham Lincoln, the Sixteenth President of the United States, lived as a boy. Visitors can walk in Lincoln’s footsteps at Lincoln State Park and at the adjacent Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Here visitors will find the Boyhood Memorial, the Lincoln Cabin Site Memorial, Nancy Hanks’ Grave, and other Lincoln historical treasures. Nearby Holiday World and Santa Claus, Indiana are popular attractions that cater to families....

Ohio’s small towns and quaint villages are really what make us “the heart of it all.” Wouldn’t you agree? If you live in a small Ohio town, you get it. There’s just no place like small town Ohio. Here are 12 teeny, tiny towns in Ohio you might miss if you blink while driving through—and they’re downright delightful. New Bavaria Nyttend/Wikimedia Commons Tucked away in Henry County you’ll find this quaint village, named after Germany’s Bavaria....

There’s something special and nostalgic about a good diner, and Maryland has plenty of them. Check out these 14 highly-rated diners in Maryland that will make you feel right at home. Silver Diner, Multiple Locations Flickr / ehpien Yelp / Silver Diner With multiple locations in Maryland, you’re never too far away from a Silver Diner. Folks come back to this chain again and again for their cozy dishes that are sure to please....

Need an idea for your next date? These 14 unique places in Oregon are perfect for a romantic rendezvous or weekend getaway. Take a stroll through a beautiful garden, stay at a B&B on the coast, go roller skating, pick lavender in Hood River, or taste wine in the Willamette Valley. Most importantly, you’ll get to spend some quality time with your special someone, doing something you both enjoy. Taste wine in the Willamette Valley....

Indiana is a beautiful state with natural wonders to spare. However, the Hoosier state also has its fair share of jaw dropping man made wonders. Take a look at our favorite man made wonders in Indiana below and let us know how many you recognize. The West Baden Springs Hotel - West Baden Springs florador/Flickr Scuttr/Flickr Scutter/Flickr This stunning man made wonder has a long history of renovation, destruction, and rebuilding, starting in 1855 and ending in 2006....

Rooftop seating offers an elevated dining experience in every sense of the word. Whether it’s the added romance, ambiance, or just a new perspective you’re looking for, these places are definitely worth checking out. Rooftop dining just so happens to combine two of our favorite things about living in Virginia: the food and the views. The following restaurants will give you a perspective of the state you’ve likely never seen....