Don’t tell me that you’re going to let a little snow and cold get in your way of exploring Illinois. In fact, there are some spots in Illinois that look even better in the winter. Here are nine spots that will blow your mind this winter. Starved Rock State Park Curtis Abert/Flickr Known for its canyons and waterfalls, Starved Rock State Park looks especially amazing in the winter, particularly when said waterfalls freeze....
Have you ever wondered what the world was like before the presence of humans? Obviously, it’s impossible to experience that. However, visiting our nation’s wilderness areas provides a taste of untamed and untouched land. If you’re tempted to veer off the beaten path this summer – and then keep going – consider visiting one of New Mexico’s pristine wilderness areas. Apache Kid Wilderness (near Magdalena) Wikimedia Commons/US Forest Service Named for a US Cavalry scout turned renegade, this wilderness area spans 44,626 acres between Socorro and Truth or Consequences....
Running straight through Southern Idaho and forming the lifeblood of the state, the mighty Snake River is a powerful, magnificent body of water that has carved the intimidating Snake River Canyon over the course of thousands of years. While the plunging depths of the gorge are definitely intimidating, reaching over 500 feet deep, what’s perhaps most impressive is the canyon’s girth. At certain points, the canyon reaches around 1600 feet wide; nearly 1/4 of a mile across....
“The Cave State” has almost 6,000 known caves, so there is no way this is a definitive list. However, if you have never seen anything like this in person, you might think of visiting Missouri’s underground. A lot of the caves provide tours, and the difficulty of the terrain varies, so do your homework before you choose the one for you. Here is a small sample. Onandaga Cave “Onondaga Cave lily pad room by stannate” by Don Kasak from St....
What’s summer without delicious ice cream to treat ourselves to? It’s a fun family outing and a special seasonal item that’ll have you craving it’s refreshing tastiness by the time you finish reading this list. Here are some of Kentucky’s best ice cream places to kick off your summer and kickstart your taste buds. The Comfy Cow LuAnn Snawder Photography/Flickr The name really says it all. It’s a cute comfy place that offers yummy treats....
Historic Denver’s Molly Brown House Museum is a rare landmark site dedicated solely to the interpretation of a woman’s life and story. For over 40 years, visitors have been able to enjoy a journey through this 7,500-square-foot 1889 home and learn about the monumental life and times of Titanic survivor Margaret “Maggie” Tobin Brown. The unique house has been restored to its original splendor and is a living monument of the Victorian era....
Filled with history and legends, the Old Round Church in Richmond is a a rare, well-preserved example of a sixteen-sided meeting house. Pristine and picturesque, this church shows the detail of the fine craftsmen who erected the structure in 1812. Let’s take a closer look – inside and out – at this wonderful place. A meeting place for all. Flickr/Don Shall The Round Church in Richmond was built to serve as the meeting place for the town as well as five different congregations....
Coffee culture has become quite the thing in Nashville, beckoning hordes of young millennials to the guitar flanked gates of Music City. It gives our pretty city a solid infusion of caffeine and a great spot for freelancers and artists to congregate. Whether you’re looking for an experience or just a cup of coffee on the way to work, we know precisely where you should head. Unless you want to make it a day – because we SO support that!...
There are some places in Southern California that are so beautiful and untouched that it’s tempting to keep it a secret. Although this hidden cove falls into that category, this picturesque setting is too lovely not to share. Take a look at this treasure found right here in SoCal and I think you’ll agree that it would be a shame not to know about it. yelp/emanuel m. Malaga Cove is where we’re headed....
Portland revels in the old and there are plenty of thrift stores around town to experience a slice of every era. Here are 10 of our top pics for the best thrift stores around. With a mix of both curated thrift stores that cater to a specific look and basement bargain stores that require some serious digging, there is something for everyone looking to expand their collection of treasures here....
Rhode Island is filled with hundreds of amazing restaurants! This is so true that deciding where to go can be a complicated process. While some places might be perfect for things like late night dinner dates, and others for quick counter service, others still might be ideal for family gatherings and cozy and casual meals. Family style restaurants in particular hold a place near and dear to our hearts. Not only are they affordable, but they also tend to be the most comfortable and are the places we continue to go back to....
There’s nothing quite like sitting out on the patio on a pleasant summer evening, enjoying some good food and good friends while you watch the sun set over the water. You can find that little slice of heaven right here in Iowa. Here are 10 amazing restaurants that will provide you with a jaw-dropping view, as well as some mouth-watering food, right here at home! Bracco World Cafe & Island Bar, Arnolds Park Yelp The view at Bracco is simply unbeatable....
With a new year coming up, now is a good time to reflect on our lives and everything that encompasses it. I think it is also the perfect opportunity to think about the people and things we love, especially when it comes to Arizona. Here are a few things we just cannot get enough of. Enjoying the scenery. Tyler Sichelski/Flickr Even in the grimy center of Phoenix, we can still see nature peeking at from behind the freeway walls and stop signs....
Between nature, the climate, its people and politics, Arizona can be a pretty harsh place to live. Here are a few tips on how to survive in the Grand Canyon state. Water. Wayne Stadler/Flickr Or, perhaps more accurately, access to water. A respect for its role in sustaining life in the desert is also a requirement a lot of people tend to forget. Sunscreen because the sun is intense. Robert S....
With all of the natural beauty surrounding us in the metro area, it’s often easy to overlook man’s contribution to our magnificent city. But all it takes is one glimpse of that Mile High skyline, and we’re reminded of just how talented humans can be. Here are 11 of the best man made wonders in Denver that will leave you awestruck. Chamberlin Observatory Susan Batterman/Flickr The Denver Astronomical Society has been hosting Public Nights at DU’s historic Chamberlin Observatory, circa 1894, for over 60 years....
There are few things more wonderful than enjoying a delicious meal in a romantic, secluded setting. From peaceful, little-known restaurants on the edge of town to inner-city hidden gems with enclosed garden patios, these 11 gorgeous restaurants will make you feel like you’re miles away from it all. Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai, Portland facebook/ Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai facebook/ Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai is a gorgeous oasis hidden away in SE Portland....
There’s something about a tiny town that just makes us smile. Maybe it’s the southern hospitality that seeps from every handshake and hello, perhaps the delicious diners that are sure to be tucked back on main street. We have 11 teeny tiny towns in Tennessee that truly make the south a beautiful place to live – good people call these places home, and they’re the kind of people you want to meet....
Mention “sushi” and “Nebraska” in the same sentence in a coastal state and you’ll get some baffled looks. Nebraska is definitely not known for its outstanding sushi scene. We are, after all, just about as far away as you can get from an ocean in the U.S. But there are still plenty of restaurants here that do sushi and do it well. Sushi is a food that is just naturally more available (and more requested) in bigger cities, so this list is definitely eastern Nebraska-heavy....
Have you ever wondered just how much Mississippi has changed over the years? It’s obvious the state has made advancements just like any other, but what about its physical appearance? From the capital city to the state’s citizens, these 15 photos will give you an amazing glimpse into Mississippi’s past. Even in the 1900’s, the streets of Natchez were filled with the hustle and bustle of city life. chaoticcompendiums.com Now home to the Delta Blues Museum, the Clarksdale freight depot was originally constructed in 1918 for the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad....
When you think of Northern California, do you think of the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean with the backdrop of an explosive sunrise? Or do you think of golden poppies along the freeway? There’s not just one picture that comes to mind for those of us who call this area home. As a matter of fact, there are probably more breathtaking views around here than anywhere you’ve ever lived before....
