I’m always sharing facts and food with you, and the occasional event, but today is all about fun! As a lifelong New Jerseyan (minus two years of traveling), I’m very familiar with our seasons. If you’ve lived here for at least a year, you likely know that we’re lucky to have four – spring, summer, fall, and winter. But if you’ve lived here for a significant length of time, you know we actually have more....
The snow has fallen, more is on the way and the temps have been consistently low for weeks. That can only mean one thing: winter is here! There’s plenty to do outside this time of year, but consider this your valid excuse to stay indoors. We’ve found a yarn store that doubles as a wine shop and it basically proves what we’ve all known all along. Maine is actually heaven. Located about an hour from Portland, this store is worth a visit....
The mild winter and consistent rains have brought bugs out in droves from butterflies to ticks. Unfortunately, another pest has popped up, the kissing bug. Let’s learn more about this creepy crawly and how to keep them as far away as possible. If you just realized that you’d rather not learn more about this nightmare-inducing parasite, please feel free to head over to this lovely waterfall hike instead. This little pest is Trypanosoma cruzi, also known as the kissing bug....
You don’t have to be a music fan to enjoy the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma. This vibrant place is home to the largest collection of banjos in the world in a world-class facility and you’ll want to visit as soon as possible. Check it out: American Banjo Museum is located at 9 East Sheridan Avenue in Oklahoma City. It’s dedicated to preserving and highlighting the musical instrument - the banjo....
As Utah’s population continues to grow, many of our fields, farms, and barns make way for subdivisions and strip malls. Luckily, we still have some beautiful rural places where the march of progress is stalled. One such place is the McPolin Barn in Park City. It’s an icon of rural Utah, and is likely the most photographed barn in the Beehive State. If you’ve ever traveled to Park City along Utah State Route 224, you’ve most certainly noticed the big white barn with the American flag hanging on its front....
There’s no dish more classically American than the burger, though many of the burgers you’ll find in Hawaii come prepared with an island twist. From burgers made with local beef and those with fresh pineapple on top to loco moco and kimchee burgers, you’re sure to find a unique flavor profile that satisfies your taste buds. But if you’re searching for the ultimate burger experience, you’ll have to plan a visit to the single most iconic burger restaurant in all of Hawaii: Cheeseburger in Paradise....
Who’s ready to be shocked and awed?! Okay, okay, it might not be THAT shocking, but this restaurant in Florida sure is exciting. Pulling up to this historic home, you might just assume that you’re lost and that you are about to be shooed away from the property with a broom. But instead, this two-story cozy home is open to the public as one of the coolest restaurants in town....
Ready for a camping experience like no other? Ditch the tent, and instead, stay in a tree house or even a hobbit house at the following campground in Maryland. This magical spot offers an overnight stay you won’t soon forget. Awake among the treetops. Rise and shine to your own little hobbit hole. A stay at The Treehouse Camp belongs on your Maryland bucket list. The Treehouse Camp At Maple Tree Campground is located in Rohrersville, Maryland....
Have you ever been tempted to drop everything and start a new life on a remote farm? It definitely sounds like a good idea sometimes. However, if you’re not in the place to make a big life change, you can always spend a few nights at this bed and breakfast to get an idea of what it would be like. Located on a goat and sheep farm, this B&B is a dreamy place to escape reality for a bit and bask in the beauty of the simple life....
There’s nothing like a well-crafted meat pie to make your tastebuds jump for joy. This snug British eatery combines the best of old-world cooking with an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve wandered into an English country pub. And if you’ve never had a Cornish pasty, this is the spot to try one. Cornish pasties are a type of hand pie made with a thick crust and crimped edges, and the Cornish Pasty Company makes the best in the state....
Spring is one of the most magical times of the year, and there’s no better way to celebrate than visiting this stunning lilac festival in Michigan. Here’s what you need to know: Getty/Johner Images One of the most heavenly scents in the world has to be fresh lilac blooms. Good news: you can sniff to your heart’s content at this incredible festival in Michigan. Getty/ApMadoc The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival kicks off in June and flower lovers will be floored by the amazing display of blossoms at this event....
There are some dining establishments in Indiana that just remind you of your roots. These nine Hoosier restaurants are all about the foods that our great state is known for. From fish-frys to tenderloins as big as your head, these places know how to please any Hoosier. Check ’em out: Chubby’s Fish and Steak Facebook/Chubby’s Fish and Steak Google/Amanda Bailey This little local steakhouse has many Hoosier favorites on the menu that make it a classic....
As tempting as it may be to enjoy getting out on the water when you’re up in the Thousand Islands, there’s more to be enjoyed in this region than just things like magical glass-bottom boat tours! Still keeping you right near the waterfront, it’s time to visit this area of New York to see what it’s like to go for a ride around our state’s longest go-kart track. Right in one of our favorite small towns, Alexandria Bay is where you’ll find New York’s longest go-kart track hiding away....
No matter the size, every town in West Virginia seems to have that one restaurant that’s been around forever and is always seemingly filled with locals. (Check out 14 of those restaurants here.) In Nitro, Diehl’s (pronounced ‘Deals’) is an institution. This local icon opened way back in 1960 and has been charming customers’ taste buds ever since with home cookin’ just like your Mom used to make. Any time you head to Diehl’s Family Restaurant, you just know you’ve come to a great place for a flavorful meal....
We here in Wisconsin consume more cheese than most. We have access to myriad flavors and varieties, and it’s fresh from the dairy and at our fingertips. We have better cheese in our gas stations than most people have in their nicest grocery stores. For a long time, doctors have warned against enjoying too much of our state’s favorite food. Others have mocked Wisconsinites, saying we’re too enamored of fatty dairy foods and that will lead to our downfall....
If you’re a meat lover, you’re probably well-aware that Nevada is home to an abundance of fantastic BBQ restaurants. From small town hidden gems to more well-known spots in the city, good barbecue is never too far away from wherever you find yourself in the Silver State. However, some of the best BBQ can only be found at the specific restaurant featured below. Judging by its miniature size, you wouldn’t expect a restaurant like this put out such spectacular flavor—yet, here it is....
It’s no secret that Massachusetts is home to some of the country’s (nay, the world’s) most gorgeous beaches. We’re lucky to have miles of stunning coastline to explore. However, you probably had no idea that one of the state’s loveliest beaches is actually hiding mere moments from this charming downtown. This gorgeous beach on Cape Cod is the best of both worlds. It offers stunning natural beauty within a few moments of a bustling downtown....
What we miss most during the winter is color. Once the weather warms, flowers bloom and trees grow their leaves back and the world becomes more vibrant once again. However, there is one place in Rhode Island where even the sky comes alive with color every year. Visit this seaside kite festival to see kites of every hue and size soaring against the blue skies of summer. Watch the coastal skies fill with dancing kites at the two-day Newport Kite Festival....
When you’re wishing for a beach vacation, you might think of California’s sunny coast, or the beautiful beaches in Hawaii, but you don’t need to take a plane to find a pretty beach – there are a few right here in Utah! There’s one gorgeous lake in the Beehive State that features a pretty beach that rivals those on the coast. Check out Cemetery Point Beach: Pineview Reservoir was created in 1937 when a dam was built on the Ogden River....
One of the greatest things about living in Florida is being so close to both the Gulf and the ocean. There is a whole other world beneath those waves that Floridians get a front row seat to. Any time you’re able to rent a kayak in Florida and explore, do it! You’ll never know what you’ll come across. And if you’re lucky enough to take this kayak tour in Matlacha, Florida, then get ready for an epic dolphin adventure you’ll never forget....
