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Many people have preconceived ideas and notions about Washington DC. They think we’re power hungry, work-a-holics living in a boring city. But they could not be more wrong. We want to change your mind about some things and let you in on some DC secrets. Here are 13 things everyone in Washington DC wants you to know. We have more to do than just museums and monuments. Flickr/Zach Stern The historical sights and the popular museums and monuments are just a fraction of what DC has to offer....

Oklahoma has a few haunted hotels that are sure to keep you up at night. Spend the night at any of these hotels and you might experience some paranormal activity from a few residents that decided to take up a permanent residence at these establishments. Here are a few haunted hotels in Oklahoma that might give you some nightmares: The Skirvin Hotel, Oklahoma City flickr/jeffrey l. cohen Numerous ghost stories have surfaced over the years about this historic hotel....

There’s perhaps nothing that celebrates the fall season more than a pumpkin. Whether it’s the seasoning of your coffee beverage or the kind of pie you’ve been waiting for all year, pumpkins are an undeniable part of these next few months. And there’s nothing quite like going straight to the source and visiting some of Virginia’s finest pumpkin patches. If you’ve yet to venture out to one, here are some that look like the very picture of autumn....

Detroit may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking about museums, but did you know that the city has one of the nation’s largest art collections? We have museums that you won’t find anywhere else, including the Motown Museum and the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant. Read on to see what museums in Detroit you must visit (or even visit again if you’ve already found them)! Detroit Institute of Arts Jason Mrachina/Flickr The DIA has over 100 galleries and is one of the largest art museums in the United States....

Fall is truly a magical time of year. The mornings are crisp, hot coffee is enjoyable again, and the leaves transform into some of the most beautiful things on earth. We don’t normally associate Texas with fall foliage, but if you know where to look, it’s comparable to the northern states. These 8 country drives are some of the best for seeing gorgeous scenery in the fall. CR 122 (Tyler) Flickr/stevenm_61 East Texas is easily one of the best places in the state for fall foliage, especially because there are so many long country roads to drive on and enjoy it....

New Hampshire residents are a hearty bunch, who like to be prepared for everything, including a zombie apocalypse. Sure, it may seem the stuff of fiction, but you can never be too safe. If the undead return, you’ll be glad you have this list. Here are the 8 best places to hide in New Hampshire in the event of a zombie apocalypse. The Isle of Shoals Jim Richmond/flickr These rocky islands off the coast of New Hampshire have been used for hiding out for years....

When you grow up in one of the best cities in the United States, you get a little spoiled, and it ruins some things for you. What might excite residents of elsewhere, you’d hardly give a second glance because you’re just used to it. From beauty to convenience, Chicago has it all – and much more. If you’re a Windy City native, consider yourself lucky, and then keep scrolling to see how you’ve been ruined for life....

There’s a reason why so many country songs are devoted to driving the back roads. Here in Virginia, with our gentle rolling hills, blue-tinted mountains, and gorgeous coastline, it’s a sentiment we understand quite well. One need look no further than the Blue Ridge Parkway or the iconic Skyline Drive. If you’re looking to get away for a bit on some of the state’s lesser-known routes, here are the best backroads for a long scenic drive....

What is about abandoned buildings that makes them so alluring? They may be slowly deteriorating, but they are undeniably beautiful. There are many abandoned buildings in Virginia, so seeing one is not altogether surprising. But every now and then, you’ll come across one that is particularly noticeable. For those who have seen the Western State Hospital in Staunton, you know this to be true. To be technical, Western State Hospital is not abandoned, but it did stand vacant for quite some time....

I am loving all the great photos contributed by our Missouri readers! Missouri is such a beautiful state and fall is one of the best times of year to capture its beauty. So here’s a challenge to you: I have noticed a lot of the same contributors each week, and if you are one of them, keep sending in the great shots! However, if you have a great photo you haven’t shared with us, I encourage you to do so....

There are an abundance of caves in Alaska but the ones found on Prince of Wales Island and the surrounding areas hold not only scientific value but bones and human remains as well! Careful not to fall into one of these death traps. They are cool to explore but deadly natural hazards. Spelunk at your own risk! Kit ’n’ Kaboodle Cave Caves and Karst in Southeast Alaska Website Kit ’n’ Kaboodle Cave is located on Dall Island in Gold Harbor and, if you stand near the entrance, you can hear running water deep within the rock walls....

In December 1888, the famous Hawes murders took place in the earliest days of Birmingham, Alabama. These murders resulted in a deadly riot and “The Magic City” soon gained national media attention. The murders also earned Birmingham the nickname “Murder Capital of the Country.” Successful engineer Richard Hawes murdered his wife, Emma, along with their two daughters, May and Irene. Why would he want to kill his family? This was the question on everyone’s minds....

Sometimes it’s hard to really comprehend how much natural beauty surrounds us in Pennsylvania. From the world’s largest pothole to ringing rocks, Pennsylvania’s state and county parks hold some of nature’s most wondrous secrets. Hickory Run State Park deserves a special mention on that list of parks with amazing secrets. You’ll definitely want to add this stunning state park in Pennsylvania to your itinerary for your next vacation. Flickr/bulletproofsoul67 Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County, at the base of the Pocono Mountains, sprawls across nearly 16,000 acres and is home to a pretty amazing National Natural Landmark....

New Orleans is located roughly seven hours south of Nashville, a thrumming city alive with music, color and exuberant people. Music City decided to bring a little bit of its southern neighbor’s life to our downtown area with the opening of Rudy’s Jazz Room. Located just outside of the popular Gulch neighborhood, this is one beautiful place that’s more than worth the visit. Care to take a visit with us? You may just forget you’re in Tennessee…...

Although this train depot in Joplin has been sitting idle and unused for several decades now, it was once a stop for many different railroads. Billy Wade/Gods Design Photography Billy Wade/Gods Design Photography Completed in July of 1911, the Joplin Union Depot’s most popular railways included the Kansas City Southern Railway and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. Billy Wade/Gods Design Photography The depot was designed by the Canadian-born architect Louis Curtiss. It was featured in the January, 1912 edition of Popular Mechanics for its use of mining waste in the concrete....

The National World War II Museum in Kansas City and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis are just a couple of the attractions that draw small-town folk into the big city. But I think it’s about time we give some credit to the lesser known areas of Missouri that are to home of the most interesting attractions and places. Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre - Arrow Rock Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre/Facebook...

Happy Thanksgiving, Mainers! Today we’ll keep this short and sweet so you can spend time with the people, animals and things that mean the most. Living in Maine means we have so very much to be thankful for. From the myriad outdoor opportunities to the camp we grew up visiting in the summer to the family that lives close enough to hug on a daily basis. When you need a break from the action, take a few minutes to read through this list of reasons we have to be thankful for living in Maine....

Feel as though you’ve walked straight into a fairy tale when your eyes fall upon the best castles in Pittsburgh – majestic buildings that now serve as spas, libraries, and even museums. So, who’s ready for an old-fashioned road trip around the Burgh and a bit beyond to discover Pittsburgh’s magical castles? Let’s go! Click here to customize the directions for your fairy tale road trip. Map out your road trip....

Vermont’s love for farm-to-table foods, locally sourced products and creative artisans is alive and well year-round at these winter farmers markets in VT. That’s right, farmers market fun isn’t limited to the summer sun – check out these wonderful markets year round! Bennington Farmers’ Market - 601 Main Street, Bennington. Facebook/Bennington Farmers’ Market This is the Bennington area’s best place for local agricultural products, baked goods, and quality crafts. We love meeting our local farmers and vendors at this year-round market....

Nevada is such a wonderful place to call home. The Silver State is breathtakingly beautiful, and it also has affordable homes, low tax rates and a reasonable cost of living. According to AreaVibes, the following 20 towns in Nevada have the lowest cost of living. Note: Only towns with a population of 10,000 or less were used in this ranking. Also, each cost of living index is based on a national average of 100, and a Nevada average of 107....