Only In Your State

2 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson

When you travel off the beaten path, chances are, you’ll find your way to a hidden gem. That’s especially true when you’re inside the 204,000-acre Hoosier National Forest. With over 250 miles of trails, multiple waterfalls, rolling hills, old-growth forests, and access to Monroe Lake, it’s no wonder this natural playground attracts nearly 300,000 yearly visitors. And rightfully so, since there are tons of treasures here.

4 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Melanie Johnson

As the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico has certainly earned its nickname. From its rainbow-colored landscapes to its dreamy night skies to its mesmerizing sunsets, we can’t get enough of this desert paradise. And while we love destinations like Elephant Butte Lake, City of Rocks, and Bottomless Lakes state parks, its lesser-known oases truly capture our hearts. One in particular is Clayton Lake State Park in northeast New Mexico.

4 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Amanda Finn

Imagine it: the sweet, grassy aroma of a vast, open plain in Kansas. A gentle breeze carries dandelion tendrils across the horizon, and you see animals in the distance. The fuzzy outline could be a rolled hay bale, but you realize it is coming closer. What kind of animals do you imagine? Probably something akin to the majestic bison or elk like you'd find at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, right? What you probably aren't imagining is a Chupacabra.

5 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Raymond Goldfield

Ah, summer. It's a perfect time for travel, and there's no downside to planning a vacation to Europe, until you check the airfares and lodging! Unfortunately, a blowout European getaway isn't in all our budgets, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a taste of the continent right here in New York! NYC is the most international city in the world, and you can probably find a store or restaurant dedicated to any culture you can imagine within the five boroughs.

5 days ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Megan Todaro

There’s a special place along the Saluda River that feels like a secret garden, a quiet stretch of woods and water that somehow manages to balance tranquility with adventure. Saluda Shoals Park, just a short drive from downtown Columbia, is my favorite park in South Carolina — and one I can’t recommend highly enough for anyone who loves the natural world.