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No matter what time of year it is, there’s never a good reason to pass up the chance of taking one of the many scenic drives in Kansas. Roads wind and weave through some of the Sunflower State’s most picturesque areas, beautiful in spring, summer, fall, and even winter. Set the cruise, roll down your windows, and enjoy these drives: Smoky Valley Scenic Byway Flickr/Kansas Tourism Impressive limestone cliffs, colorful flowers and the Cedar Bluff Reservoir await you at this centrally located byway....

When you think of the Mafia, Connecticut probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Nowadays, we have very low rates of both property crimes and violent crimes — we’re typically listed among the safest states in the country, in fact! But believe it or not, half a century ago, New Haven, Connecticut, was a haven for the New England branches of the Mafia. When Prohibition was passed in 1920, many regions of the country saw the development of crime rings that illegally sold alcohol....

It’s the perfect time of year to be dining outdoors, and when you’ve got the opportunity to dine at a waterfront restaurant, you take it. Just on the other side of the river is one of the most casual, family-friendly restaurants near New Orleans, and they’re worth the extra effort. Gas up the car, because today we’re heading to the Westbank to check out Rivershack Gretna, a rustic restaurant right on the river....

There are some combinations of food and beverages that just fit perfectly, almost like they were made for each other. We’re talking the likes of milk and cookies, donuts and coffee, or cheese and wine. But one of the combinations that we can’t get out of our heads is that of a cold beer and a plate of fried chicken. In Tampa, a new restaurant opened up that offers a Korean-style fried chicken menu and delicious craft beers....

Lots of places promote fun for everyone, but Monk Botanical Gardens actually delivers! The 30-acre site includes several themed gardens. But it’s not just beautiful blooms and lush greenery that fill the gardens. There are lots of fantastic features, like a treehouse, nature trails, and workshops and classes. Take a look: Dubbed an “urban sanctuary for education,” Monk Botanical Gardens is nestled alongside the bustling streets of Wausau. Jason Daughenbaugh/Google...

Searching for something sweet to brighten up your day? Whether you’re gathering up baked goods for the entire family or snagging a quick meal during a Michigan road trip, one lovely bakeshop here in the Great Lakes State is sure to capture your heart. It’s easy to fall in love with this sweet roadside locale, whether you’re a sugar fanatic or simply an admirer of fine cuisine. Harbert Swedish Bakery is located at 13698 Red Arrow Hwy in the town of Harbert....

You may think you know the Empire State. You’ve walked the streets, wined and dined, visited the museums…but this is an experience you may not have had! The Sam Patch cruise down the Erie Canal will let you experience the canal in an all-new way. You’ll be able to relive history by taking a tour of the canal in a replica boat just like those used centuries ago. The Erie Canal is one of the most impressive engineering projects to ever exist....

Fry bread is an Arizona delicacy, and there’s no shortage of restaurants that serve it up. For one of the most deliciously authentic fry bread experiences in the state, look no further than Fry Bread House. This long-standing Phoenix eatery dishes out fry bread exactly as it was intended. Your taste buds will thank you for visiting! If you’re looking for a fry bread experience that’s no-frills, all flavor, Fry Bread House in Phoenix is the only place to go....

New Orleans is known for a lot of things – Mardi Gras, jazz music, amazing food — but it’s especially known for its creepy history. Madame LaLaurie’s mansion where she tortured her slaves still stands today, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is rumored to be crawling with ghosts, and so are several others bars and hotels in the area. Basically you can find a haunted anything around New Orleans — including a haunted bridge....

Have you ever just been out and about and thought to yourself, today is a great day for ice cream…? Well, we don’t blame you because it’s hard to be in Florida on some warm days and NOT think about ice cream. While you may have your go-to ice cream spot in Florida where you already have your order memorized, we have a new gem to consider. Howard’s Hershey’s Ice Cream in Florida is a new parlor that has been making waves with its vast amount of flavors....

Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area lies 8 miles northeast of Ogallala, Nebraska. It is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and has successfully become the setting for various kinds of outdoor activities. Lake McConaughy—or Lake Mac, as it is known to most Nebraskans and residents of neighboring states—is the largest lake in Nebraska. At full storage, Lake Mac is 4 miles wide, 20 miles long, and 142 feet deep....

With summer finally upon us and water temperatures warming up, more and more people are beginning to flock towards our local beaches. Those who are native to the Great Lakes State are more aware than most of the dangers that come along with swimming at these locations, but not everyone who visits here is as educated as some our residents. With more tragedies predicted to come in 2017, here’s what you should know before cooling off at one of Lake Michigan’s beaches....

Nature is a part of life and sometimes it’s cute and cuddly while other times it’s… not. Of course, every creature throughout Kentucky has a place in its ecosystem, but some of the habits of these animals are downright hair-raising. By now you likely know that the Bluegrass State is going to be invaded by millions of cicadas this spring and we are getting very close to their arrival. What you may not know is that with all of these bugs comes extra copperhead snakes in Kentucky, slithering out for a snack....

Recently, Travel + Leisure made a list of the 50 best state parks in America, and with Montana having 55 gorgeous state parks to choose from, we can’t imagine that being an easy choice. However, we were pleasantly surprised to see they named Makoshika State Park as our best. As the article mentions, visiting this prehistoric place feels a little bit like going to Mars. Makoshika State Park is located on the southeast side of Glendive, which is pretty out of the way for most Montanans....

You may have heard of putting a model ship into a beer bottle (or maybe in one of its larger, clearer bottle cousins), but have you ever heard of drinking beer from a fishbowl? You have if you live in West Virginia! Welcome to the original Mario’s Fishbowl on Richwood Avenue in Morgantown, a local favorite bar and grill for over 70 years. Mario’s Fishbowl/Facebook They also have newer locations on University Avenue in Morgantown and Fairmont Road in Westover....

Summer’s long, lazy days are best spent lounging on a sandy beach and cooling off in a cozy lake – at least some of the time. With the many beaches at Pennsylvania’s state parks, we certainly have no shortage of places to kick back and to stay cool. Parker Dam State Park in Pennsylvania, for example, just might be one of the most underrated summer destinations, despite its full menu of summertime activities....

Hooray for fall! Autumn always brings with it so many special treats — from hayrides to pumpkin patches to fresh apple cider and donuts. We’re pretty lucky to have so many cider mills and farms in the state that host fall festivities and celebrations — like this cider mill in Pennsylvania that serves fresh apple cider donuts and apple cider. But, that’s just the beginning of the fun. Start planning your fall calendar and make sure you add a trip to Ritter’s Cider Mill in Jefferson Township to your to-do list....

There’s something so magical about a hot air balloon, don’t you think? It takes us straight back to the magic of childhood when anything suspended in the air took on an air of magic when science didn’t quite exist in all its rules and requirements and there was a little fantasy that ruled the earth. The Great Smoky Mountain Balloon Festival takes place every summer in Townsend, Tennessee, and it’s a great event for folks of all ages....

Camping in New Hampshire offers lots of benefits. First, it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors from the break of dawn long into the night. It’s also a fantastic way to enjoy time with friends and family. Once you find the right place, you can plan on returning each year making a fun tradition. The only problem? Waking up in a tent isn’t for everyone. If that describes you, you’ll want to check out this glamping spot in Wilton....

There are campgrounds that are dripping with amenities and are so luxurious that you might not even feel like you’re outside. Wandawega Lake Resort, aka Camp Wandawega, is not one of those places. This is a resort that actually warns guests to keep their expectations low – this isn’t a resort that comes equipped with scented candles and high thread count sheets. What it does have is even better – a true outdoors experience that even includes the opportunity to sleep in a replica teepee....