It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the last frontier – Aurora Borealis season! We enjoyed many months of the incredible midnight sun and now for the first time in over 90 days we are getting real sunsets that lead to dark night sky. The best part about all of that hype is that this actually means that we have opportunities to see the brilliant colors of the dancing Northern Lights....
Small towns are great for so many reasons, particularly main streets. Main streets are the core of their communities, strengthened by community efforts and revitalization programs. There’s something so special about strolling down a town’s main street, being welcomed by local business owners, and finding unique items to add to your collection. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite main streets in Louisiana (in no particular order). Natchitoches Natchitoches Main Street Program/Facebook Technically called Front Street, the state’s oldest permanent settlement has one of the most beautiful main streets in the state....
We all have a sweet tooth, and it never hurts to satisfy it once in a while. These chocolate, candy, and pastry shops will do that and more. Their sugary goodies are absolutely delicious and probably should be illegal because they’re just that addicting. Let your sweet tooth’s dreams come true at these five places. Widman’s Candy Shop - Grand Forks Tripadvisor user Jacqueline R. Fargo-Moorehead CVB/Flickr One of the oldest candy shops in North Dakota and also the birthplace of the chocolate covered potato chip - or “Chipper,” shown here - Widman’s is one of the best places to get everything your sweet tooth craves....
Who doesn’t love a good challenge? I’m always up for a good challenge, especially when food is involved. There are many incredible restaurants located throughout Nevada. Some are fine dining establishments, whereas others are more casual. Some even offer free food. That’s right. Free food! Many Nevada restaurants have food challenges. If you successfully complete the food challenge, your meal is free. Let’s take a look at seven of these restaurants below....
Christmastime is special in Nevada and many cities pull out all the stops to decorate and display holiday spirit. Here are eight cities that really believe in Christmas magic. Boulder City Allen/Flickr Boulder City, just by the Hoover Dam, holds an annual tree lighting ceremony at Frank Crowe Park. This is followed by “Santa’s Electric Parade” along the Historic Nevada Way. Lights and decorations can be found at the many businesses along the main road through the town....
You’re hungry. You want something quick. What better option than a sandwich? You can never go wrong with a sandwich and here in Maine we’ve got some pretty great options. Skip the fancy meals, the complicated recipes and head out to these places for the best sandwich options in Vacationland! The Egg and Pickle Sandwich / Tandem Coffee + Bakery, Portland Vivian C. / Yelp Amanda B. / Yelp Many people only think of Tandem for breakfast, but we recommend a stop for lunch....
Ah yes, family vacation season is upon us. That time of year when you and the kiddos start making grand plans for the summer. They want Disney World. Needing to stretch those dollars, you were thinking more like extended road trip. Fear not, budget conscious travelers. Luckily in Michigan with its abundance of outdoorsy destinations, there are tons of options on places to stay that will put you right in the middle of all the action....
Detroiters will tell you that the city is one of the most beautiful places to take photographs, especially with downtown Detroit right on the Detroit River overlooking Canada and the gorgeous Belle Isle. There are so many places in and around Detroit to take photos, whether it’s for your wedding or if you just want a stunning backdrop, here are the nine best places that are a photo-taking paradise. Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford Museum Steve Carr/Flickr This fantastic place will take you back in time and with a huge collection of historic homes and greenery, it’s a great location for photos....
If you’re the kind of person who can spot a treasure from a mile away (or who just enjoys searching for them), you should explore some of Montana’s finest thrift stores. Here’s where to find some amazing (and affordable!) gems in the Treasure State. Secret Seconds, 1130 W Broadway St., Missoula Secret Seconds / Yelp Run by Missoula’s YMCA, this is the place to shop for a good cause since proceeds support their cause and services....
Did you know northeast Ohio is home to America’s largest indoor, year-round Christmas attraction? It’s true—and it’s absolutely incredible. Castle Noel is a bucket list destination every Ohioan needs to visit at least once. And the best part is, you don’t have to wait until the holidays when it’s extra crowded. You can visit anytime throughout the year. With a myriad of Christmas ornaments hanging from the ceiling and thousands of toys from yesteryear, Castle Noel is truly magical year-round....
Southern California is a treasure trove of beach towns that are always a delight to explore. Although you may have explored many of SoCal’s coastal communities before, there’s one sleepy town that may not have been on your radar. If you’re looking for a delightful place for an enchanting escape, you will fall in love with this quaint coastal setting where you can hike, spend the day at the beach, explore an abundance of natural settings, and stroll along the main street for some window shopping at local boutiques....
With Halloween fast approaching, and invitations to costume parties from your friends arriving, you need to find a Halloween costume fast. But when you realize that you have worn the same costume in your closet for the last two years, you definitely want to wear something cool and unique this time around! Here are 10 Halloween costume ideas that are perfect for us Georgia folks: Apple Pie Costume Katie via Flickr Georgia folks are huge fans of apple pie....
It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes a Clevelander unique. There isn’t much of a regional accent (at least not compared to our neighbors in Kentucky or Pennsylvania) and the culture of Cleveland is so unique that it doesn’t easily translate for an outsider. But there are a few behavioral tics that define a true Clevelander as clear as day, if you know how to look for them. They’re accustomed to colder climates....
We’re known for our resilience. Even when things get tough in Louisiana, we know how to band together. Here’s a collection of some of the most touching words and pictures of hope that have come to light since the tragedy in Lafayette. Louisiana lost two beautiful souls Thursday night, Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux, at the hands of unspeakable tragedy. Facebook.com/RedArrowworkshop From Jillian Johnson’s store, Red Arrow Workshop: “Our hearts are shattered....
Driving along the freeway in the middle of Las Vegas, you would never realize there’s a beautiful garden oasis in the middle of the city surrounded by walls blocking its view from passerby. The Springs Preserve is truly a magical place amidst a glittering desert city. The Springs Preserve is located on the site of the Las Vegas Springs, a designated archaeological site listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
May is upon us, folks, which means summer in Texas is fully underway. We all know what that means – spending as much time outdoors, preferably near a body of water, as possible. Sure, Texas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think about beautiful beaches with crystal clear water and pale white sand, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves and appreciate what we do have....
Small town festivals are severely underrated. Fortunately, Ohio is full of some of the best small town festivals in America. From epic food festivals to celebrations centered on historical figures, the following are what we consider to be the 12 best small town festivals in Ohio that you’ve (probably) never heard of. Walleye Festival (Port Clinton) Main Street Port Clinton Walleye Fest/Facebook Port Clinton is nicknamed the “Walleye Capital of the World” for its abundance of walleye and its festival celebrates that with rides, live music, craft vendors and — of course — walleye....
Massachusetts is a seafaring state, and the beautiful harbors that are scattered across the coast are a testament to our nautical history. Check out some of the most scenic harbors this state has to offer. Edgartown Harbor Flickr/MOTT Flickr/MOTT Take the Chappaquiddick ferry from Memorial Wharf in Edgartown Harbor to explore the tiny island connected to the eastern end of Martha’s Vineyard. Boston Harbor Flickr/Robert Linsdell Flickr/Jeanette Runyon This is definitely the busiest harbor in the state, and perhaps the most historic....
Using data from the U.S. Department of Education, Niche has put together a list of the best school districts in Illinois. In order to rank them, the site takes measures like state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and others into account. So, here they are: the 15 best school districts in Illinois this year. Community High School District No. 99 (Downers Grove) Community High School District 99/Facebook This district serves over 5,300 students from Downers Grove and Woodridge....
Before summer officially ends, you’ll want to soak up the sun as much as you can. That’s why we’ve designed this coastal road trip for you. It takes about 3 hours to complete, so you can do it all in one day if you’re feeling up for it. Along the way, you’ll experience some of the best Lake Erie sights, restaurants and more. (Even some lighthouses.) Take a look: Only In Your State...
