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Located in East Granby, New-Gate Prison is a mine site that also used to house criminals. Once you hear its history, you’ll understand why it’s now operated as the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine Archaeological Preserve. In fact, you probably won’t believe the mishaps that went on here! Old Newgate Prison was built to house prisoners of war from the American Revolutionary War between 1776 and 1782. Noroton/Wikimedia It 1790, it became a state prison - the first state prison in the United States!...

There’s no doubt growing up in a small Virginia town creates a one-of-a-kind experience. And because it’s such a unique experience, folks from small towns in Virginia are one-of-a-kind people. Whether you grew up in a larger area and chose small town life for yourself later on or you’ve been in a small town your whole life, you’ll find that small towns tend to attract a certain kind of person. And I don’t think I’m alone in saying that these are some of the best kinds of people you’ll ever meet....

Ready to travel back through time when you were completely carefree? These ten Iowa playgrounds will help. Big Creek State Park, 12397 NW 89th Court, Polk City Maydy S/Trip Advisor This playground features a classic wooden play structure situated on the lake front. Balance beams, giant tires, monkey bars, and castle towers await. Between Linn St. and Clinton St., Iowa City Chuck C./Yelp Outside the doors of The Bread Garden and The Public Library in Iowa City’s fabulous ped mall is an incredible playground....

Last month, Yelp released their annual Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2016, and while most of the restaurants featured on the list can be found in California, Hawaii is home to ten of Yelp’s greatest restaurants. For a state with less than 1.5 million residents, housing a tenth of the country’s greatest restaurants is quite impressive. This probably has something to do with the fact that Yelp is used most commonly while on vacation, but we’d like to think that the only explanation is the top-notch cuisine found in our beautiful state....

Romantic restaurants abound in the Palmetto State. Once in a while it’s good to get out and spend a little more on a lovely romantic dinner with someone special. Here are 10 of the most romantic restaurants in South Carolina. You are going to love them! Circa 1886 - Wentworth Mansion, 149 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401 Yelp/Circa 1886 Restaurant Facebook/Circa 1886 Restaurant Yelp/Circa 1886 Restaurant Circa 1886 is tucked away behind the Wentworth Mansion in Charleston and just waiting to help you pull off one of the most memorable evenings of your life....

From majestic mountains to gorgeous valleys, and peaceful lakes to flowing rivers, Nevada is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the United States. If you love coming across breathtaking scenery, be sure to check out these 10 towns in Nevada: Las Vegas flickr/Bureau of Land Management The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip and is Nevada’s first National Conservation Area....

There are many haunted places located throughout Nevada. If haunted houses, hayrides or corn mazes aren’t really your thing, and if you’re looking for a few spooky places to visit this Halloween, be sure to check out the 10 haunted places listed below. Old Tonopah Cemetery - Tonopah flickr/Will Keightley Many guests who have stayed next door at the Clown Motel, (which is quite terrifying in and of itself,) have reported seeing ghosts wander the premises of the Old Tonopah Cemetery....

Picture this: a light snow falls as you walk through a small town. Colorful lights twinkle at you, and you can hear carolers sing your favorite holiday tune somewhere in the distance. If that sounds like a perfect evening during the holiday season, you’ll want to check out these 11 magical downtowns and main streets in towns across Minnesota. Red Wing Downtown Main Street Red Wing/Facebook Red Wing’s Holiday Stroll down Main Street featured a Santa visit, a reindeer, and a lighted parade....

If you’re living in San Francisco, you already know you live in the one of the most well known and appreciated cities in the world. Chances are, just about everyone knows you feel this way in the 415. San Franciscans tend to be outwardly tolerant and open, and humble or perhaps carefree about our history. Many locals are more than aware of what they have given and contributed the world. Many innovations, movements, trends, and more have started in San Francisco....

New Orleans is a very unique place, and once you are here for a while, it is definitely going to lead you down some strange roads. Here are some of the craziest things that become normal once you live in New Orleans. Let us know what you agree with and what you disagree with! Spend up to 20-30 hours not to mention over $100 building costumes. Flickr.com / Erica Frank That’s just the standard if you are looking to get noticed....

Being an Oklahoman means there are certain struggles you’re going to encounter living in the Sooner State. From bipolar weather to dodging redneck jokes, everyone in Oklahoma endures many of the same issues. Here are 14 you can probably relate to, from time to time: Dealing with our bipolar weather. towsonsam.com Every Oklahoman knows you can experience all four seasons within a 24-hour span. Deciding whether it’s Dallas or Branson for a vacation....

Maryland is loaded with history from the Western mountains to the Eastern shore. Because of this, the Old Line State is also booming with antique shops full of historic treasures. If you’re looking for a place to spend a day antiquing, these towns are perfect. Not only are they sprinkled with vintage shops, but they’re also quite charming as well. Head to these towns in Maryland for amazing antiques. New Market Facebook / Town of New Market Known as the antiques capital of Maryland, New Market is THE PLACE to go for all your antique needs....

We like to think of Nebraska as one of America’s hidden gems. No one really realizes just how beautiful our state is until they come to visit for themselves. One of the most breathtaking regions is smack dab in the middle and takes up one fourth of the whole state: the Sandhills. This scenic region also happens to be the largest and most intricate wetland ecosystem in the entire country. It’s full of boundless beauty, as you’ll see below…...

Iowa has an interesting history when it comes to asylums. These amazing and giant buildings are still standing. Some are even open for tours by appointment. Johnson County Poor Farm & Asylum, 4811 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City Johnson County Poor Farm & Asylum/Facebook Johnson County Poor Farm & Asylum/Facebook At one point in Iowa’s history, every county had its own Poor Farm. The Johnson County Poor Farm, built in 1855, offers us a unique glimpse into the way we used to care for our most vulnerable citizens....

While North Dakota is a great place to live – with its gorgeous scenery, friendly residents, great work opportunities, and many other positives – there is always a risk to living anywhere. Here are 7 risks that come with the territory when you live in North Dakota. Flooding DVIDSHUB/Flickr People who live in cities in river valleys know this very well. Usually near the end of winter in North Dakota, it heats up quickly enough that snow and ice will melt rapidly....

The history of New Hampshire is long and deep, and visitors and residents alike love feeling like they are a part of the Granite State’s history. That’s why so many people love general stores. Walking into these stores is like walking straight into the past: you’ll see homemade goodies, penny candy, and many other surprises. Here are 7 charming general stores in New Hampshire that will make you yearn for a simpler time....

As the weather starts cooling off for Autumn and we’re able to step outside without sweating, walking around the city will be far more enjoyable. Louisville has many amazing streets across the city that are a blast to explore, filled with local shops, restaurants, and bars that you need to check out. Check out the list below to learn about some of the most walkable streets in Louisville! Bardstown Road Flickr / Scott Smithson If you’re not from Louisville, you may not have heard that Bardstown Road is a fun place to walk around and eat, drink, and shop....

People think of New Mexico as a vast desert. New Mexicans know better! We have a plethora of lakes, streams, and rivers — some right in the middle of our towns. If you have a hankering for a leisurely stroll along a river, here are eight great walks. These paths are easy to get to and are good for walkers of all levels. Red River Nature Trail (Red River) M J/TripAdvisor This Red River trail runs along the river at the base of the mountains....

Many of the native ruins in Utah are dwellings or buildings created by the ancestral Puebloan people (formerly called Anasazi). They lived and farmed in Utah roughly 2,000 years ago. The ruins and artifacts they left behind has enabled us to learn a lot about these people. For instance, we know that they grew maize, beans and squash. They lived with domesticated dogs and raised turkeys. Around A.D. 1300, the weather conditions made growing crops difficult, and the ancestral Puebloan people migrated south....

Portlanders are a unique group of people, that much like people everywhere else, come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. While we have both enjoyed and hated our time in the spotlight as comic relief on Portlandia, some of the stereotypes about the people from the City of Roses are tired and played out. Here are 8 stereotypes about Portlanders that we would be fine with letting go. All Portlanders Are Weird Scott Beale / Flickr Sure, it is our unofficial motto, but that doesn’t mean that there is not plenty of good old-fashioned normal here too....