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With a fascinating whaling history and thriving tourism industry, there is truly no city in America quite like Lahaina. In fact, Lahaina – which is located on the northwestern coast of Maui – was named “the best city or town in Hawaii” in the HAWAII Magazine’s 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards, and we truly can’t think of a more extraordinary destination. Lahaina has a resident population of 11,000, though, during tourist season, the population can grow to upwards of 40,000....

People in the rest of the country sometimes fail to appreciate Utah’s diversity. They have stereotypical ideas about who we are. Some of these stereotypes are true for some Utahns, some aren’t. Regardless, we’ll continue to get these questions from out-of-staters, and we’ll continue to try to answer them patiently. Mostly. Are you Mormon? Aimee Custis Photography/flickr Some of us are; some of us aren’t. Utah-wide, our population is at about 62 percent Mormon....

When Nebraska pioneers began putting down roots in the area, they found a dearth of materials with which to work. The largely treeless prairie didn’t provide the wood needed to build traditional frame buildings, so the settlers had to get creative with their building materials. For many, that meant using plows to cut up long strips of sod and slicing them into brick-shaped pieces, then using those earthen bricks to build their homes....

Located near the small town of Caliente, this “hidden” park is less trafficked than other Nevada parks, making it a real “hidden” gem within the state park system. It’s a small park, but it’s a lush, green oasis that is not to be missed! Kershaw-Ryan State Park encompasses about one square mile total, but it’s lack of size is made up for in its quiet beauty. From the entrance it seems like the usual rocky terrain common to Nevada’s outdoor areas....

There are small towns and ghost towns, but have you ever heard of fake towns in New York? The strange and alluring phenomena hiding away in our state never cease to amaze me. Created as a cartographical trap in the 1930s, in recent years this fake town has become more real than ever. It’s time to determine whether or not you think Agloe really exists… allie bennett/YouTube While generally speaking most mapmakers will never own up to it, the trick of putting fake roads and landmarks on maps to insure their work is never stolen is something that most certainly seems to exist....

A big, juicy steak dinner. It’s the archetypal American meal. Meat, potatoes, maybe some greens and you’re set. But with so many choices out there, where do you start? We know there are thousands of choices all over Michigan to choose from. We’ve dug up some spots that we think will get you inspired. Bill’s Steak House, Bronson Rob B./Yelp Ever feel like indulging in a 32 oz. Porterhouse steak? If so then Bill’s is calling your name to check out daily hand-cut steaks on the reg....

You expect to find great restaurants in cities. After all, with so many places for people to choose from, establishments must beat tough competition to stay in business. However, sometimes incredible restaurants are hidden in small towns. We’ve concentrated on places with a population of fewer than 3500 people. So, next time you’re in these 10 small New Mexico towns, be sure to check out the following restaurants. WOW Diner, 1300 Motel Drive, Milan Yelp/Lana H....

In a state where we love our beaches so much, is there really such a thing as a little known beach? Absolutely. We have some truly fantastic hidden gems, secluded spots and beaches along bodies of water other than the Atlantic Ocean. While the boardwalks tend to bring in crowds, these New Jersey beaches deliver a more relaxing experience. Stone Harbor Point Flickr/hjhipster This stunning conservation area is not a place for swimming, but rather walking along the shore, enjoying nature and taking in wildlife....

Now that all the trees are looking green again and the weather is getting warm, it’s time to head outside and soak up some sun. If you really want to get in tune with nature and enjoy the outdoors to the fullest extent, one of the best ways is hitting the trails in some of North Dakota’s beautiful parks. These 10 trails are perfect for anyone who loves nature. Moraine Loop Trail NDPRD/Flickr This trail in Beaver Lake State Park is about 2....

Tennessee is a beautiful place, but sometimes you just need to get out of your small town or the rush of Music City or the light-infused streets of Memphis. There’s no shame in that, unless you don’t know where to go. In which case, we have ten stunning spots to stay or visit scattered across the state, from the waterways of Chattanooga to the suburbs of Nashville. Close your eyes, pick a place and get away....

Whether you’re a fourth-generation Idahoan or whether you moved here years ago, it’s easy to fall in love with our beautiful, laid-back state. Having lived here for so long, it’s typically easy to come up with a list of reasons to love the Gem State. But when you spend so much time here and become more familiar with Idaho, there are also little things that you start to notice…things that can start to grind your gears or turn a conversation heated....

While there are many, many hiking trails that showcase amazing views, sometimes we just want to take in the sights without lacing up our hiking boots. Whether it’s bitter cold, mud season or we simply don’t have the time or ability to take it all in, fear not fellow Vermonters! We’ve gathered 11 natural wonders that don’t involve any hiking to appreciate the beauty of Vermont. Enjoy! Allis State Park, Randolph Flickr/Kevin Jarrett There is a parking area next to the firepower in Allis State Park that provides amazing views....

Although the well-known gardens in Ohio such as Cleveland Botanical Garden, Krohn Conservatory and Franklin Park Conservatory are certainly stunning, its the lesser-known gardens that make you feel like you’ve uncovered a hidden gem. Here are 11 of our favorite lesser-known gardens that we think you should make a point to visit this spring: Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (Akron) Doug Chapman/Flickr This stunning tudor mansion and garden is a must-see....

Following the stock market crash of 1929, many people lost their jobs. This affected many Alabamians, except for those working on farms. Because of the terrible economy, most of the houses built during the 1930s were constructed solely for function. They only included as many bedrooms as necessary, a single bathroom and limited storage. Listed below are 12 houses in Alabama from the 1930s. You’ll notice they’re all quite different in appearance....

From lava tubes to ancient birthing stones, Hawaii is home to some pretty weird spots. And trust us, weird isn’t a bad thing in our minds, but simply different, unique and maybe a little bit odd. Some of these spots are man-made, while others have been formed by pounding waves, flowing lava, or other natural phenomena. Either way, these 13 spots found throughout the Hawaiian Islands will surely make you stop in your tracks and do a double take....

Look outside, Washington. It’s outdoor dining season at long last. No matter what part of the state you call home, you’re about to be treated to a beautiful summer, and the time is right to get outside and enjoy the weather the way nature intended… from a restaurant patio while enjoying a meal and a beverage. We’ve got plenty of restaurants with beautiful patios scattered across the state. Here’s a list of 14 great options to get you started....

World War II, which lasted from 1939-1945, proved to be one of the most turbulent times of the 20th century. The war wasn’t just happening overseas; it was happening back home as well. In Colorado, both men and women were fighting, building, planning, and leading the way to victory, as shown by these 15 incredible photos taken in Denver during the early 1940s: “‘Captain’ Mary Converse, instructing V-7 (candidates for United States Navy ensign commissions) students in use of sextant, compass and gyroscope and in navigation....

Bucket lists are everywhere these days, involving everything from traveling to reading books. But a Montana food bucket list just might be the most fun kind of all. Who doesn’t love eating delicious local delicacies? A true food bucket list will have hundreds (or thousands!) of things on it, so consider these 15 Montana dishes a good start to yours. And if personal preferences or food allergies keep you away from any of these, just substitute them with something equally as tasty....

Between going out of state for college and recently returning from two months in Europe, all I have to say is culture shock is very, very real. While each state provides it’s own unique culture…North Carolina has a handful. For new residents, or recently returned natives like myself, here are twenty things that might surprise you about the Tar Heel state. 1. We’re really THAT nice etsy.com You might find yourself wondering if you’re part of some weird social experiment…or if everyone is just being really nice to you because they know you’re not a local....

If you haven’t lived in the Buckeye State your whole life, then you know that moving here can be quite the adjustment. Life in Ohio is different from life in other states. There are things you just do (and things you definitely don’t do.) There are things you need to know and there are survival skills you’re just going to have to develop if you intend on surviving a March blizzard or having any friends during football season....