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When people think of West Virginia’s beauty, the first thing that comes to mind are the mountains and rolling hills of lush forest. But the lakes of the Mountain State are quite beautiful as well – and the clear, blue waters of Stonewall Jackson Lake are sure to take your breath away. At the center of Stonewall Resort State Park is Stonewall Jackson Lake - a gorgeous body of clear water that you can spend an entire day enjoying....

The soil and climate in eastern Nebraska are perfect for apple orchards, and there are plenty of them to visit every year. While most of us are familiar with the annual AppleJack Festival in Nebraska City, there’s another orchard party you should definitely check out this year. Super Bee Orchard is located in Fort Calhoun in Washington County, not far from Fort Atkinson State Historical Park. Google Maps The family-owned business is a terrific place to take the kids for a day out....

Wyoming is home to hundreds of steakhouses and Western saloons. In fact, there are so many “cowboy” themed spots throughout the state that they all seem to blend together, and it takes something special to really stand out in the crowd. One Saloon is so iconic that it was named a Must-Have Wyoming Food Experience by TravelWyoming! See below to learn why a meal at the Buffalo Jump Saloon is one that you will absolutely love....

Now that it’s nearly December, weather is officially cold in Iowa. Hawkeyes everywhere are looking for things to do that won’t leave them searching for their mittens and down jackets. While hiking and biking may be off the table until the sun shines and the weather warms up again, there are still plenty of hidden gems to track down in Iowa. I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous I-80 Truck Stop and Museum, but did you know there’s a little known truckstop not too far away that features one of the best restaurants around?...

Did you know Arizona is home to one of the most haunted places in America? That’s right, and today we’re taking a look at the historic hotel that also happens to be in Arizona’s most haunted town. Welcome to Jerome, a historic mining town found in the Verde Valley that was called the “Wickedest Town in the West.” appaIoosa/Flickr At the top of Cleopatra Hill, you’ll find one of the state’s most haunted buildings: the Jerome Grand Hotel....

Do you remember The Great Blizzard of 1978? Maybe you have fond memories of the frequent school closings. Maybe you recall having to shovel yourself out of your house. This particular blizzard was dire for many parts of the country and is commonly referred to as the worst recorded snow storm in Ohio history. Thousands of people were stranded, power outages were widespread, snow drifts covered cars—even the National Guard was called in....

Christmas in the Tar Heel State is unlike anywhere else on the East Coast. A lot of that has to do with the large number of Christmas tree farms. Nothing puts you in the holiday spirit more than visiting a tree farm, picking out a tree to adorn your living room, and then bringing it home for the entire family to decorate. One tree farm, in particular, takes the business of choosing a tree a step further with their magical elf village that’s a perfect outing for making lasting family memories of the holidays....

The prospect of dining out in North Carolina dishes up a variety of unforgettable restaurants in locations that are equally astounding. And the restaurant perched on the edge of Mount Mitchell is among the best of the best. While it doesn’t have freshly pressed white table linens or any of the usual pomp and circumstance of a fine dining establishment, it DOES dole out a dining experience in the middle of nowhere that’s one of the best on earth....

The small town of Columbia, Tennessee has seen a renaissance of sorts in recent years. Whereas the tiny spot located roughly an hour from Nashville was once only known as, “Muletown,” it has since grown up, cleaned up and welcomed all sorts of newcomers into its midst. Whether you’re looking for a darling downtown to visit or a new place to live, this quintessential southern town will forever remain one of our favorites....

Fall festivals are a dime a dozen around the south, and as fun as they are it’s natural to crave a little change. A fun foray into something quirky and different. Tennessee is chock full of locals who think outside the box and love to celebrate their favorite season with friends, and this unique scarecrow festival located in the darling town of Granville is sure to give you a day to remember....

Connecticut is a really old state. We became a part of the U.S. in 1788 but European colonists populated the area for more than a century prior to the organization of the Union. Because of our long history, there are cemeteries scattered throughout the entire state. But what you might not know about is the massive New Haven burial ground that is unmarked and hiding in plain sight. The 16-acre New Haven Green is a centerpiece of the city....

Wisconsin is absolutely full of amazing hole-in-the-wall, tiny, unassuming restaurants that actually serve up some of the very best food you’ve ever had. Every time I write about places like this, the comments are full of more places readers say just have to be tried. If you’re not finding wonderful, local and delicious food wherever you are in Wisconsin, you’re not looking hard enough. Here, in no particular order, are 13 more amazing, small and scrumptious Wisconsin restaurants:...

Here in Wisconsin, we love beer. Maybe it’s due to the German heritage of so many of our residents or maybe it’s because winters are long and we need to stay warm and occupied. Whatever the reason, there are now more than 200 different breweries and brewpubs in our great state. Though it would be an awesome goal to visit them all, that’s probably nigh on impossible. And there are plenty of big name spots that most any Wisconsin beer drinker has been to and toured....

Throughout the year, Minnesota has many incredible festivals. For music, we have the Baslica Block Party and the Bayfront Music Festival, to name a few. And for events with a small-town vibe, there are countless quirky festivals to fill your weekends. One of our favorite festivals in Minnesota is one of the most colorful. The Duluth Rising Festival in Duluth, Minnesota, is a can’t-miss event that you should put on your calendar today....

There are many benefits to living in Buffalo, one of which is the city’s close proximity to dozens of top upstate New York attractions. In fact, you can visit plenty of fantastic places without having to fill your gas tank until you return. These are a few that are always worth the journey. Ellicottville Mark Hogan / Flickr Ellicottville may be known for its ski resort, Holiday Valley, but that’s not all there is to this pleasant town....

It’s official: that bright, burning ball in the sky has returned (for now), which means our days of hibernation are finally over! When the temperatures go up, we head out to enjoy our favorite city in a new light, and what better place to do that than on the waterfront? Here are our top Buffalo-area restaurants right on the lake you’re guaranteed to love. William K’s (329 Erie Street) Larry W - TripAdvisor...

Living in Idaho requires a unique type of person. This only makes sense considering our state is such a one-of-a-kind destination! The list could go on and on about what makes people in Idaho some of the best people you’ll ever meet. However, we narrowed it down to nine main characteristics. Check them out below. First of all, we’re always ready to lend a helping hand. Clive Flint/Flickr Whether you’re stuck in a pile of snow or you need to borrow a cup of sugar, Idahoans have got you covered....

The TSA PreCheck Program has made a welcome impact when it comes to expediting the security screening process for air travelers. Since the project launched, it has gathered more than seven million participants nationwide and continues to expand. Recently, a new U.S. carrier has been added to the lineup. Via Airlines/Facebook Transportation Security Administration/Facebook Via Airlines is the latest of three recent additions to the TSA’s PreCheck Program, which now includes 56 domestic and international carriers and is available in more than 200 airports....

It’s no secret that camping is one of our favorite activities here in Arizona. When you live in a state teeming with natural beauty, spending time outdoors is just a part of life around here. That said, campgrounds can start looking the same after staying in so many, so if you’re looking for a change-of-pace, try swapping your usual tent for a tepee at Flagstaff KOA. Check them out: Nestled in a grove of towering ponderosa pines and sitting at an elevation of 7,000 feet, this gorgeous mountain campground is an ideal destination for your next family getaway....

It’s not every day that we visit a charming cafe that serves up mouthwatering coffee and food in a setting that is as unique as it is serene. So, when I stopped by this cafe a few weeks ago while hanging out on Maui for a few days, I just knew I had to share it with you. In the quaint, artistic surfing town of Paia, sits a relaxed coffee shop serves up heavenly coffee drinks and delicious breakfast, lunch, and happy hour favorites in a hip, eclectic atmosphere with garden seating....