Okay, maybe avoid isn’t the right word. I mean, I’ve been to all of these places multiple times and I’m still alive and kicking. However, if you do choose to make one of these awesome nature spots a part of your summer vacation, you should use caution while you’re there. They may seem totally safe on the surface, but sometimes there’s more than meets the eye – and in this case, it’s a bad thing....
New Jersey is home to dozens of towns that have been abandoned over the years, but most are anything but spooky. Many have been demolished to make way for new developments and those that remain are actually quite charming. Non-profit organizations have done an amazing job of restoring our ghost towns, turning them into unique open air and living history museums. Batsto Village is a beautiful place to visit and Waterloo Village is a quaint destination… Feltville is a bit different but equally intriguing....
Have you ever wondered which cities in Oregon are the happiest? Well, we certainly did, and after a bit of research we found that Credit Donkey ranked cities in Oregon based on just that. But how does one judge happiness? Overall happiness and quality of life are directly related. While there’s no perfect science to it, the folks at Credit Donkey came up with a pretty nifty system of ranking cities by their happiness and quality of life....
Do you ever get the feeling that people are looking down on you? Well, it might be in your head. It’s undeniable, though, that certain areas have more snobby residents than others. We set out to find out which towns in Pennsylvania are the snobbiest. To do this, we gathered three different rankings: Per capita income, because you usually associate snobbiness with affluence. Percent of residents who hold a master’s degree or higher because being highly educated is oftentimes a marker of the elite....
Farmers markets are an important part of any community. Not only do we benefit from the freshness of the produce, but we also benefit from knowing we’re supporting our local farmers. There are many farmers markets located throughout Alabama. Some are seasonal, whereas others are open year-round. Listed below are 10 of the best farmers markets in Alabama that are worth visiting. Alabama Farmers Market - Birmingham, AL facebook/Alabama Farmers Market...
The Oregon Coast is incredibly beautiful from afar, but there’s something really magical about seeing it up close. Amazing tide pools glitter and glow in rocky coastal terrain, full of vibrant starfish, anemones, barnacles, and all kinds of otherworldly marine life. Exploring tide pools is a fabulous activity for the whole family, but make sure to come prepared and only venture out to the pools when the tide is low. Here are 10 enchanting places to see tide pools in Oregon:...
If you’ve lived in Wisconsin for a while, or are of an older generation, you know what drive ins are. But what about places you can drive your boat up to? With all these awesome lakes, there are restaurants that actually let you bring your boat right up to them. Here are 10 you want to check out. Milwaukee Ale House Milwaukee Ale House/Facebook Great beers and fabulous pizza are the highlights of this casual spot....
Washington DC was built on a marshy swampland and while it’s more city than swamp these days, it’s not lacking in natural beauty. You won’t believe how much green space and natural beauty exists in the city. All over there are natural wonders in Washington DC that you need to experience this fall. Rock Creek Park Flickr/John Leszczynski Rock Creek is the natural gem of Washington DC. This sprawling urban park was created in 1890 and is popular with runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts in the city....
Illinois has the best of both worlds. It is home to a first-class city and, in the same state, has loads of great small towns. These are the towns with friendly folks that feel safe. They don’t have the most trendy stores, but the slow pace is definitely a plus. Here are ten of the very best in Illinois. Pinckneyville Nyttend/Wikimedia Pinckneyville is a town rich with history, as it was developed in 1834....
New Hampshire is full of wonderful hiking. Sometimes, it may be a bit overwhelming to know which trails you should tackle first. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 11 best trails in New Hampshire. So pack a lunch, lace up your hiking boots, and head out to experience these amazing hikes! Mount Major Trail, Alton Bay Rebecca Sousa/All Trails The Mount Major Trail is a 3.8 mile look that will give you stunning views over Lake Winnipesaukee and on to the White Mountains in the distance....
When looking for the best place to raise a family, we are lucky to have so many options in Iowa. Many of our cities and towns have been nationally ranked for qualities like safety, low cost of living, and great education. Recently, a website called Niche released a list of the best towns in Iowa for raising a family. Niche is an online community data source focused specifically on helping students, families, and professionals make major life decisions....
West Virginia is sometimes mocked by outsiders. They just don’t get it. We love our Wild and Wonderful mountain state. Here are some reasons why they might not want to move here (but reasons that we love it). There’s too much snow in the winter. http://www.ForestWander.com Sometimes we’re forced to stay home and snuggle up with hot chocolate. It’s too hot in the summer. http://www.ForestWander.com You’ll have to go to one of our great swimming holes to cool off....
It’s almost that time, Mainahs. Despite the current spring snow we’re experiencing, summer will be here soon. And, with summer comes the tourists. It’s certainly not hard to spot one, but it does get more challenging as the summer goes on and we all begin to blend into one Maine-loving mass. To help you discern who is legit and who is from away, we’ve compiled this list of 16 ways to spot a tourist in Maine....
In the early days, people settled near rivers because they provided a handy mode of transportation for both people and goods. Now people settle near rivers for recreation, sport and beauty. Vermonters love the outdoors, and rivers provide a natural playground for these river towns in VT. Let’s check out a few neat towns along some of the rivers in Vermont. Bristol Flickr/Don Shall The New Haven River, a tributary of Otter Creek, flows out of the mountains through the town center....
It doesn’t happen often, but once in a while it does snow down here in Florida. It’s fun to see the tropical paradise transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with palm trees laced with snow. Here are some of our favorite snapshots of rare times it snowed in our state. Snowball fight on the steps of the capitol in Tallahassee State Archives Of Florida 1899 Boys having a snowball fight at the Florida School for Boys in Marianna, Florida...
Field trip day was synonymous with everything awesome when you were a kid, everything from the trip on the bus to the exciting – yet educational – spot the whole class had the chance to visit. We’ve rounded out some favorites amongst the elementary school young’ns in your life, just so you can find a way back. Whether or not you’ve been to these spots since mom was signing your permission slips, the time is now – take a look....
Whether you like urban views or country ones, Portland has something for you when it comes to dining. For more than just great food, check out these 7 restaurants in and around the city that feature some stunning views while you eat. Noble Rot Noble Rot / Facebook Noble Rot / Facebook Enjoy a wine flight and seasonal meal at this fourth floor restaurant with amazing south and west views of the skyline....
Massachusetts actually has several designated scenic byways that are meant to lead travelers through all the most picturesque locations in the state. Criss-crossing most of western Mass., these gorgeous routes are filled with historical sites, beautiful “leaf-peeping” areas, quaint towns and villages, spectacular natural features and some of the freshest air you’ll find anywhere. A drive along just one of these scenic byways will change the way you think of Massachusetts forever....
We all have our favorite restaurants in Southern California that we know and love. But we can also admit it’s pretty easy to get into a rut and go to the same place each and every time. If you have a case of restaurant boredom and you’re looking for some new spots to add to your list, you’re going to love these hidden gems that are off the beaten path AND serve amazing food....
Iowa is a very safe state, the sixth safest state in the country to be exact! But, that doesn’t mean we are completely without danger here in Iowa. In fact, there are quite a few terrifying things in Iowa that can (and just might) kill you… Here are nine of them: Tornadoes Daniel Rodriguez/Flickr Tornadoes are a very dangerous part of living in Iowa. These things can, and will, kill you - but they don’t have to....
