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Sometimes you just want to escape life for a few days on short notice – pack up the car and enjoy nature and not think about things for too long. All of Wisconsin’s state parks have a reservation system and many of them fill up months in advance. But lucky for you, those aren’t the only parks and places to camp in Wisconsin. Here are 15 campgrounds across the state of varying sizes that are first come, first served....

With casinos opening up all over the place these days, Atlantic City is on the decline. Losing out on all the tourism dollars from gambling, Atlantic City is struggling. The popular New Jersey shore destination is even facing an upcoming government shutdown. It’s sad to see such a spectacular city facing serious hardships, especially when it has so much to offer. Of course we can go gamble, but here are 16 other amazing reasons to visit:...

North Carolina is known for its immense amount of talent. From actors, musicians, and athletes, we have a good reputation for producing plenty of fame. While there’s no denying the talent of these individuals, it’s not always a bad thing if they aren’t too bad to look at either. Cute, beautiful, or just plain hot? These fourteen ‘beautiful’ people come straight from the Tar Heel state. Julianna Moore, Fayetteville imdb.com The gorgeous red head is a famous actress and Oscar winner....

Pennsylvania lays claim to some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the country. And, there’s no better way to see that scenery than aboard Kiski Junction Railroad. Sure, you’ll have to make the drive to Schenley, about an hour outside of downtown Pittsburgh, but the best train ride near Pittsburgh will certainly make it worth the effort. GoogleMaps A working freight railroad, Kiski Junction primarily hauls materials for the steel mill at Allegheny Ludlam in nearby Bagdad....

Ancient forests have a way of capturing the imagination, don’t they? Dark and hauntingly beautiful, they conjure images of mythical creatures and dangerous journeys, filling big screen movie sets with their expansive, fairy tale-like beauty. But California’s majestic redwoods aren’t the only trees worth paying a visit to. Idaho is home to some forest giants of our own! The Gem State is an overlooked haven for the towering Western Red Cedar–a tree which lives for generations and stands stories above the forest floor....

The next time you’re heading west from Columbia on I-26 traveling toward Greenville or Spartanburg, think about passing through the tiny town of Peak, South Carolina. It’s less than 10 minutes from I-26. A picturesque mountain community not far from Chapin, SC, the tiny charming town of Peak will warm your heart. Peak, SC is located in Newberry County along the Broad River. It’s more than a mere coincidence that it’s directly in the path of the 1800s Greenville and Columbia Railway....

It happened again: New Orleans was hit with a huge swarm of Formosan termites on Monday following a weekend of heavy rainfall and warm temperatures. Other areas, such as Baton Rouge, are due for the same type of annual insect infestation. May is the month when Formosa termites find their mates, so swarms of insects are cropping up all over the city. Much like an ant colony, a nest of termites consists of many types of the species – each with a different purpose....

As Mainers, we’re pretty used to coming across some amazing natural resources. In the summer, we’ve got rivers and lakes to kayak on and in the winter, there are lots of trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. But sometimes, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. That’s why we love when we come across something that’s new to us. Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge is located in northern Maine and it’s one of those places we can’t believe we’re only just learning about....

Speakeasies aren’t just for the roaring ’20s. Secret bars are sprinkled all throughout Austin, and some are hidden in plain sight. Shake up your typical nightlife routine. This is how you’ll find the best 10 hidden bars in all of Austin (but shhhh…. you didn’t hear it from me!). Midnight Cowboy That Other Paper/Flickr Midnight Cowboy/Facebook This swanky speakeasy is tucked away in plain sight on Austin’s most wild street. The address is 313 E 6th St, but you’ll have better luck finding it by searching for a sign that reads “Midnight Cowboy Modeling....

Colorado has a rich history in mining. Many a town and camp sprang up with the hint of fortune and faded away years or even months later when that dream of a fortune dried up. Hundreds of such remains of ghost towns and mining remnants lie scattered throughout the Rocky Mountains. While most of these locations have been lost to time or succumbed to the elements, there is one place that is far and away one of the most majestic and beautiful testaments to Colorado’s mining past....

America has its fair share of haunted grounds, most of which originate from the colonial days. By far one of the most haunted of all is a southern location that once served as the first state capital of Georgia. Established along the Savannah River in 1773, Savannah served as an important port during both the American Revolution and Civil War. Since its beginnings, the town has acquired quite a reputation, one which has warranted its title of the most haunted city in America....

We Utahns often find ourselves rendered speechless when looking out over stunning vistas under sweeping blue skies. Some of these 15 jaw dropping places are courtesy of Mother Nature; others are man-made. All serve to remind us that we live in a pretty amazing place. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park Howard Ignatious/flickr It took millions of years of weathering and erosion to create, but now the 65-foot tall sandstone arch is so popular it’s even on our license plates....

Whenever we think of Alabama, the last thing that comes to mind is an enchanting castle. Surprisingly, nestled within the charming town of Fairhope stands a castle that’s so whimsical that it could be straight from the pages of a storybook. This whimsical piece of architecture is Mosher Castle, and when you see it up close, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale. FairhopeCastle.com In 1983, artist Dean Mosher and his wife, Pagan, purchased a small 1950s-era home and have been redesigning it for the past 30+ years into the enchanting castle it is today....

If your sweet tooth is anything like mine, it’s near impossible to resist the sweet, come-hither beckoning of juicy fruit snacks, creamy chocolates, and delightfully tart confections of every shape and size. Which means the thought of a local candy shop overflowing with colorful treats is enough to make you forget that the word “vegetable” even exists. Boise’s beautiful Bown Crossing is a special area that is hard not to fall in love with....

There are tons of famous and influential people who are in Pennsylvania. So many, in fact, that while I was writing this post, I asked my friend to name any famous person at random, thinking that she may happen upon a Pennsylvanian without intending to– well, that exercise didn’t work out the way I wanted. Regardless, we claim many of America’s darlings. Here are some of the most beautiful from our state…...

Put these sights on your list this summer, and you’ll wonder how Iowa got so lucky. Why do we get all the best stuff? Matchstick Marvels, 319 2nd St, Gladbrook Matchstick Marvels/Facebook See the work of Iowa artist Patrick Acton, who has created over 65 detailed scale models using over four million wooden matchsticks. His work has been featured on Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and is on display in museums in Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia....

Missouri may be one of the most diverse, most beautiful, most interesting states in the country, but no one outside of the Midwest would probably know it. Here are some of the questions we might get when dealing with outsiders. How do you get to the top of the Arch? “St Louis night expblend cropped” by St_Louis_night_expblend.jpg: Daniel Schwenderivative work: ←fetchcomms - St_Louis_night_expblend.jpg. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons -...

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A nice hot (or cold) meal in the morning is one of life’s greatest pleasures. However, if you find yourself too tired to crack your own eggs or butter your own toast, why not give one of these eleven incredible breakfast places in Cleveland a try? Inn On Coventry (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd) Yelp/Rob P. Inn On Coventry This cozy breakfast and lunch eatery offers a wide variety of old-fashioned breakfast fare, along with mimosas if you need a little morning pick-me-up....

Portland is surrounded by small towns, so anytime you have had enough of city life, you can easily break away and head to one of these spots for a little rest and relaxation away from it all. Dundee Tom Davidson / Flickr With just over 3,000 residents, Dundee has all the small town charm it can manage. Located in the Willamette valley, it is a wine country favorite and just 2 miles from Newberg....

Are you ready to dive deep into Louisiana history? Think about taking a look at the plantations in Louisiana. There are a huge number of beautiful buildings, luscious gardens, and historic artifacts that also represent some of the darker chapters of Louisiana’s history—such as chattel slavery. Today, these homes are available for tours, exploration and special events This mix of history, remembrance and celebrations make visits to Louisiana’s unique plantation homes a very fascinating way to spend an afternoon....