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We’ve all visited a farm with a petting zoo before, but most of us have not visited an exotic animal farm with a petting zoo. Located in the small Illinois city of Nashville, Rainbow Ranch offers visitors a close encounter with some of your favorite exotic animals. It’s a one-of-a-kind farm where you can take the family on a tour and have an experience like nowhere else. Over 170 years old, Rainbow Ranch is a family-owned farm located in the countryside of Nashville, Illinois....

West Virginia is famous for its epic mountain scenery, yet few people realize the Mountain State is also a food lover’s paradise. Whether you’re craving hole-in-the-wall barbecue or something a little more upscale, you’ll find no shortage of restaurants in West Virginia that will make your taste buds explode. Below, we’ve listed some of the best restaurants in West Virginia that we think could impress just about anyone. Tudor’s Biscuit World, Nitro James Flickr Tudor’s Biscuit World, which is now in Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky, is a chain that originally started in Nitro....

There’s so much to explore in Minnesota. Whether you’re a visitor or a lifelong resident of our great state, you’ve likely researched “day trips near me in Minnesota.” And that’s what we’re here to help with! Now that the heat of summer has left Minnesota, it’s time to start planning some fall activities. But don’t let the lower temperatures keep you inside. There’s plenty of time to curl up under a blanket this winter....

Do you enjoy hunting for treasure in the most unexpected of places? No matter what you are looking for, you are almost always guaranteed to find it at a flea market, the bigger of which, the better. Case in point: The gigantic and always fun Colorado Springs Flea Market, AKA one of the largest flea markets in the Centennial State: Located in - you guessed it! - Colorado Springs, the aptly-named Colorado Springs Flea Market is a bustling 30-acre wonderland that is chock-full of new and used treasures....

Have you noticed springtime plants starting to peek through the soil? Soon, flowers will be blooming all around — we can’t wait! As warmer temperatures approach, keep the following lavender field in mind. In late spring / early summer, this spot will be bustling with thousands of lavender plants, plus it offers lavender gin, vodka, and many more delicious adult beverages. Read on for the details — this picture-perfect place makes for a great warm-weather day trip in Maryland....

Dinosaurs often spark the imagination as we marvel at their massive size and at the idea of a world millions of years ago. While we can see the bones of dinosaurs at a plethora of science and history museums, modern technology has given us the unique opportunity to imagine what life might have been like in the days of the dinosaurs. Want to experience it for yourself? Just plan a visit to Dinoroarus in Missouri this year....

You’ve probably heard of ramen bars before, but what about a ramen bus? Yes, it actually exists and you’ll find it right here in Idaho. Sukuru Basu Ramen is a locally-owned eatery that is bringing authentic Japanese ramen to eastern Idaho. Located inside of a renovated school bus, it’s certainly a unique place to dine! Give this place a shot the next time you feel like a bowl of hot ramen....

Sometimes, the most tried and true restaurants look a bit older, maybe a bit more used, but when they have something that works, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” can apply. There is a small town restaurant called the Chicken Hut in North Dakota that fits this description. It can be easy to overlook, but their food has been drawing people back through their doors again and again for a reason....

The mountains in western North Carolina offer up some of the very best views on the east coast. And when it comes to planned excursions to experience the best of the best, you can’t beat the 4.5-hour train ride from Bryson City to deep within the Nantahala Gorge aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Billed as one of the top fun activities for families to experience in the Tar Heel State, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad features a number of railroad adventures — including the Nantahala Gorge Excursion....

Long before Iowa was a state, a fur trader built a cabin not far from the west bank of the Mississippi in an area that’s now Dubuque. A lot happened in the next two centuries, but the cabin still stands, and it’s now the oldest log cabin west of the Mississippi. The Arriandeaux Cabin is a site you can visit and a trip here will take you back hundreds of years....

Some sights are so stunning that they’ve got to be seen to be believed. That’s surely the case with Elkhart Lake. It’s one of Wisconsin’s deepest lakes. It’s one of the cleanest, too. However, its most distinguishing feature is the blue-green tint of its waters. Absolutely breathtaking, the lake is like a little slice of the Caribbean right here in the Badger State. One visit to Elkhart Lake and you’re sure to be enamored by its beauty....

There are some absolutely stunning trails in Alaska, and the Reeds Lake Trail in Alaska is right at the top of the list! If you’re looking to get above the tree line and see mountains for miles in every direction, this is the trail for you. And you get the pleasure of seeing this wondrous emerald lake at the very end of this magnificent trail. If you’re looking for somewhere amazing to hike this year, the Reed Lakes Trail in Alaska is an amazing hike....

There’s a farmers market in Iowa that never gets rained out. It’s open even when the snow is drifting and the gardens are frozen and the wind chill is a number you’d rather forget. The Davenport Freight House Farmers Market is the only market of its kind in the Midwest and here, the weather’s always perfect. While the market has outdoor stalls during the growing season, it has an indoor space that’s open every season....

Flea markets are the kind of place you can go over and over again and never get bored. Yep, flea markets offer new and unique offerings, and you never know what new vendor you may uncover or what hidden gems you’ll dig up. Shoppers give Hicks’ Pickin & Grinnin in Missouri, rave reviews for its vast selection. However, you’ll probably want to check it out for yourself. What was once known as the Old 60 Flea Market, Hicks’ Pickin & Grinnin welcome guests to enjoy an “old time country experience....

Calling all Poe fans! Did you know that there will be an Edgar Allan Poe festival in Maryland? For those who are lovers of Poe and his spooky tales, this is one event that you won’t want to miss. There’s so much to do at this two-day festival — even a masquerade ball! Read on for the details. Mark your calendar for the first weekend in October. Facebook / The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards...

There’s certainly no shortage of delicious burgers here in Washington, and for that we are thankful. From our mom and pop shops to our fantastic local chains, this is a great state for burger lovers. But have you ever tried chasing a hearty burger with a boozy shake? If so, you already know that it’s the best thing ever… and if you haven’t, we recommend checking out Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar at once....

Are you looking for a summertime getaway in Minnesota? You probably know about all of the state’s most popular resorts. But there are plenty of smaller, lesser-known spots to discover. One of our favorites is a northern Minnesota lakeside destination that will provide one of the most peaceful vacations of your life. Interested? Read on below to learn more about Wildwood Beach Resort, a restful vacation spot that has been drawing guests since the 1930s....

Visiting an island usually requires a boat ride or, at minimum, a drive across a bridge, but there is one island in Connecticut that you can walk to as long as you time it just right. For a few hours each day when the tide recedes, you can walk to Charles Island. Crossing this unique land bridge is a one-of-a-kind adventure that you may not have known about. While the island and this walk are both exciting and beautiful, please be sensible and know that this can also be a very dangerous excursion that has caused accidents and even deaths in the past....

Do you have plans to go out and eat this week? Instead of dining on the same old thing at the same old place, try one of these 13 memorable dishes: Lucile’s (Boulder) Yelp Yelp What to order: Eggs New Orleans (Fried eggplant slices with creole sauce, poached eggs and hollandaise. Served with grits or potatoes and a biscuit.) Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop (Aspen) Yelp Yelp What to order: Meat & Cheese Board (A selection of four cured meats & four cheeses served with the perfect accouterments)....

It never hurts to engage in some local history during your travels! Hiding in the Sierra is a charming hotel known as the Strawberry Lodge. Once an actual stop on the Pony Express, this rustic lodge just exudes history. Plus, it’s surrounded by the most breathtaking mountain beauty. For a unique getaway that’s bound to make an impression, you’ll want to be sure to check it out. Located near South Lake Tahoe, Strawberry Lodge is a family-owned hotel, restaurant, bar, and event venue....