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Iowa’s back roads offer amazing vistas of big skies and rolling hills. The gravel roads reaching home, family, friends, or your favorite out-of-the-way destination almost take on a personality of their own and can evoke nostalgia if you haven’t traversed them in a while. Not to brag, but Iowa has over 65,000 miles of gravel roads. If you aren’t from here you might be tempted to call them dirt roads rather than gravel, and while that might provide an opportunity for friendly debate, sometimes conditions on these gravel roads are anything but friendly....

When the autumn months roll around, many Georgians begin planning their seasonal excursions. From apple picking in Ellijay to pumpkin patches and hayrides, there is never a dull moment when you experience fall in Georgia. But we have another spot that really shines during autumn – Mercier Orchards. This fourth-generation family and veteran-owned and operated apple orchard first opened back in the 1940s and has been delighting visitors ever since. And while the apple picking, apple pies, and fresh-made baked goods are all worth the visit, you have to try the refreshing cider slushies, too....

Just like books, you shouldn’t judge restaurants by their looks – and if you need proof, pay a visit to JJ’s Barbecue! From the outside, it looks like a ramshackle shack. However, inside, you’ll find some of the best barbecue in Arkansas. JJ’s Barbecue is located on Main Street in El Dorado. Chase Carmichael/Google A true hole-in-the-wall, it boasts a quirky appearance AND great grub, or more specifically, the “best lip teasin’, palate pleasin’ barbecue in all of Arkansas....

Spending the night in a treehouse in New Mexico was probably on your bucket list as a child. Today, the excitement of sleeping in a tree may still cause your heart to flutter with excitement. Sunrise Treehouse in the Santa Fe National Forest is an experience you will never forget. Not only will you get to spend the night in a treehouse with stunning views and plenty of quiet, but you will also have a comfortable bed on which to lay your head....

Fried chicken, butter beans, creamed spinach… there’s nothing quite like sitting down to a home-cooked meal full of southern staples. When you don’t want to fire up your own kitchen, there’s one restaurant in Louisiana that’s serving up homestyle meals just as good as grandma used to make, and it’s worthy of a road trip from any corner of the state. Just be sure to come hungry, because you know the portions here are massive....

Picture yourself enjoying a cup of coffee, sitting on the dock overlooking the water, watching the sunrise. Sounds like paradise, right? Well, there’s one absolutely incredible cabin rental down in Assumption Parish where you’ll find all the peace and quiet you need, as well as some pretty spectacular waterfront views. Let’s check it out. Ready for a weekend of relaxation? Then make your way down to Belle Rose, where you’ll find the Cajun Cabins of Bayou Corne....

They say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, but those of us in South Dakota know that isn’t the truth, for the REAL happiest place on earth costs less, has fewer lines, and is still downright magical! Can you guess which place we are talking about? If you said Storybook Island, you would be correct! Open now through Labor Day, Storybook Island is a whimsical park that brings all of your favorite stories to life via fun and colorful characters....

If you have a sweet tooth, there’s a little shop In the Detroit area that is a must-visit. Sweeties Ice Cream & Candy is special candy shop delivers the classic candy shop experience that’s becoming all too rare these days. You’ll find a delicious assortment of bulk candy, ice cream and chocolate – basically, all of the food groups! So go ahead and step into Sweeties Ice Cream & Candy and lose yourself in a sugary wonderland....

Take a short hike of 0.6 miles into the heart of the Nantahala National Forest (the biggest of North Carolina’s four national forests) to discover an incredible 50-foot waterfall hidden along a sharp bend in Big Creek near Highlands. The trailhead to Secret Falls is 6.5 miles southeast of Highlands and regardless of the time of year you make this trek, you’ll always find yourself standing in a positively beautiful nature scene upon arrival at the base of the falls....

Several towns help make up the great state of Alabama. Sadly, over the years, many of them have fallen in despair and have become ghost towns. Listed below, we’ve mapped a road trip that’ll take you to six of these ghost towns. With a driving distance of 709 miles and an estimated drive time of 13 hours and 31 minutes, this road trip can easily be taken in a single weekend....

If you happen to live in South Florida and you’re looking for a way to keep cool that doesn’t involve saltwater, we have the perfect option. The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is an aquatic adventure that is unlike anything else in the United States. Created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry, the refreshing pool draws people from all over the world to take a swim. Tucked away in the beautiful city of Coral Gables, Florida is a nearly century-old swimming hole known as The Venetian Pool....

We all know about the rich history in Virginia like the first landing in Virginia Beach, the Jamestown Settlement, Fredericksburg, and Old Town Alexandria. We appreciate the historical and political significance of our capital in Richmond – and we most certainly know about Colonial Williamsburg. But what about some of the smaller towns where history was also made? The following Virginia towns may be small, but what they offer in historical significance is beyond measure....

If you’re looking for a gorgeous getaway this fall, this modern cabin in Alaska should be at the very top of your bucket list. Located in Healy right outside Denali National Park, this beautiful cabin has killer views and a brand new feel. Gaze out your floor-to-ceiling windows and watch autumn arrive in the park! If you’ve been itching to escape to the woods, fall is the perfect time to get out to Denali....

Aren’t waterfalls simply magical? If you’re anything like us, you’ve likely searched “waterfalls near me in West Virginia” more than a few times. Fortunately, West Virginia is blessed with numerous stunning waterfalls and beaches – and there’s no wrong time of year to enjoy them! However, few places in the Mountain State are as wild and wonderful as this amazing little beach along the picturesque Middle Fork River. Better still, it’s located within Audra State Park, a 335-acre natural paradise located a mere 15 miles to the northeast of Buckhannon....

Whether we like it or not, summer is quickly coming to an end. However, this isn’t terrible news. With the first official day of Autumn on September 22, it’s time to get ready for some fabulous leaf-peeping adventures. To help you plan the perfect day trip with gorgeous fall foliage, the people at SmokyMountains.com have created an updated fall foliage prediction map. While not all predictions are 100% accurate, this map uses an advanced algorithm with up to 48,000 data points to help you plan the best time to see fall foliage in Kansas....

Louisiana may not be known for our awesome autumns, but that just makes it all the more special. While most of the country, especially those in the northeast, will begin to see their leaves change in October, we will have to wait just a bit longer than the rest of the country to see the fall foliage in Louisiana. Good things come to those who wait, and we’ve picked out some perfect places to spend a day or two surrounded by beautiful fall colors....

Here in Kentucky, the wanderlust is real. Luckily, there are endless opportunities for unforgettable road trips in Kentucky! Why? Well, for starters, Kentucky is an absolutely beautiful state, brimming with forestry, rivers, lakes, wildlife, and an abundance of natural wonders, both natural and manmade. There’s a ton of history here, too, allowing for some of the best historical day trips in the country. So gas up the car and get ready to make some sweet, road trip memories in Kentucky!...

Shake up your routine and explore Connecticut’s most spectacular hidden gems. From remote hiking destinations to fascinating historic relics, this state is full of marvelous attractions. You’ll love visiting these 8 underrated places in Connecticut. Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill Daderot/Wikimedia Commons Thanks to a happy accident, visitors can stare at the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the United States. A bulldozer operator stumbled upon thousands of these pristine three-toed tracks in 1966....

It’s been a tough year, but it seems like better times are on the horizon. At the very least, hundreds of hot air balloons are. That’s right: The 38th Annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank is happening this summer! The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is a really big deal. Verducci1 via Getty Images It’s the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America, after all!...

When dining out, nothing beats delicious food at fantastic prices. Alabama is filled with several restaurants that not only serve delicious food, but also food at affordable prices. One restaurant in particular is Homeside Restaurant, which you can learn all about below. Homeside Restaurant is a family owned and operated restaurant with two locations in Florence, Alabama. google/Homeside Restaurant - Cloverdale Rd. Since opening for business, this wonderful restaurant has welcomed numerous guests for its delicious down home comfort food at fantastic prices....