Amanda Finn

4 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Amanda Finn

When travelers think of state parks, they probably imagine lush treescapes, desert beauty, or a smattering of rock formations peeking out over the edge of a well-hiked ridge. It can be easy to forget that historic parks are also often classified as state parks. Not to worry, this history buff can't forget. Heck, I grew up a stone's throw away from Old World Wisconsin–an iconic historic Wisconsin town. So, naturally, I'm drawn to a place like Fort Kearny State Historical Park.

6 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Amanda Finn

A common perception of Chicago is that the solitude of nature is far away, perhaps too far for even a day trip. Yet to those naysayers, I say that couldn't be further from the truth! That's because if you travel south for just an hour by car from downtown, you'll find paradise. Not far from the Indiana state line, you'll find a little slice of heaven called Willowthorne. An organic farm by trade, the location grows more than just mushrooms and produce; it also cultivates memories.

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Amanda Finn

Dotted with native wildflowers like geraniums and trilliums, Ohio's Mt. Gilead State Park teems with life. Although it doesn't have the acclaim of a national park, this beautiful oasis in central Ohio certainly deserves its day in the sun. Located approximately 50 minutes northeast of Ohio's capital city, Columbus, this under-appreciated park is a small but mighty destination for any traveler in need of wide open spaces and often without the crowds.

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Amanda Finn

Wandering through the throng of people, trying to ignore the August humidity, a slightly sweet aroma suddenly hits. The scintillating scents of the Original Cream Puffs Pavilion are calling. The combination of fresh, crispy pastry and sweet cream is too tantalizing to ignore. That's how easily the iconic cream puff at the Wisconsin State Fair overtakes me and over 400,000 other people.

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Amanda Finn

I'll be honest, before my first visit to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2023, there were only two things I knew about the city: It's the capital of Nebraska and the local university's athletic teams are the Cornhuskers. (I might not follow sports, but I do love Midwesternisms, such as being known as the Huskers.) Yet what awaited me on a long overdue visit to see one of my best friends was a vibrant capital city that reminded me a lot of my former home in Madison, Wisconsin.