State

If your idea of summer fun includes slipping, sliding, and a healthy dose of hilarious wipeouts, then get ready—Shark Wake Park’s Obstacle Island is calling your name. Tucked inside the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex in Little River, South Carolina, this massive, inflatable water playground is one of the most unexpected (and exhilarating) ways to cool off on a hot Carolina day.

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing atop a snow-dusted peak, gazing out at shimmering blue waters below, Heavenly Mountain Resort makes that fantasy real—and then some. Perched high above South Lake Tahoe, this all-season wonderland combines jaw-dropping alpine views with big thrills, cozy après-ski vibes, and family-friendly fun.

If you’ve ever dreamed of striking it rich—not with gold, but with glittering quartz treasures—you’re going to want to pack up your rock hammer and head to Crystal Mine near Loyalton, California. Nestled deep in the Sierra County forest, this off-the-beaten-path destination isn’t your average roadside attraction. It’s part natural wonder, part dig-your-own adventure, and entirely unforgettable.

Somewhere between Las Vegas glitz and the California coast lies a road trip legend so delightfully over-the-top, it feels like stepping into a theme park disguised as a gas station. Welcome to Eddie World, a high-desert haven of snacks, sweets, and seriously quirky charm, rising like a pastel dreamscape from the dusty expanse of Yermo, California.

If your idea of a perfect weekend involves fresh air, flower fields, and the occasional goat photobomb, Sweetfields Farm in Brooksville, Florida, is calling your name. Nestled in the rolling countryside just north of Tampa Bay, this seasonal farm adventure feels like a postcard come to life—equal parts family fun, rustic charm, and sunflower-filled serenity.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to ride a roller coaster at 7,000 feet or explore a cavern carved over millions of years, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado is the kind of place that turns “just passing through” into a full-on adventure. Suspended above the Roaring Fork Valley, this mountaintop attraction blends natural wonders with thrill-ride whimsy—and yes, it’s as wild as it sounds.

Tucked in the pine-scented foothills of Divide, Colorado—just west of Colorado Springs—you’ll find a wildlife experience that’s equal parts goosebumps and heart-tugs. The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center isn’t a typical roadside animal park. Here, you don’t just snap a pic and move on. You connect, eye-to-eye, with wolves, coyotes, and foxes who’ve been given a second chance at life—and might even join them in a twilight howl.

If you’ve ever dreamed of floating alongside a gentle manatee in turquoise water so clear it looks like glass, Crystal River is your kind of paradise. Tucked along Florida’s Nature Coast in Citrus County, this small town with a big personality is the only place in North America where you can legally swim with wild manatees—and that’s just the beginning of its natural wonders.

If walls could talk, the ones at the Marion County Museum would whisper stories of duels, dances, and deep Southern history. Tucked inside a grand old home right in the heart of Marion, this local gem might look quiet from the street—but step inside, and you’ll find a surprisingly immersive journey through centuries of life in the Pee Dee region.

Tucked down a country road just outside Gilmer, Texas, something magical happens on select weekends—a place where vintage charm meets handmade flair, where sipping sangria under string lights feels like second nature, and where yes, an ostrich just might strut past your picnic table. Welcome to 80 Acre Market, a once-hidden gem that’s fast becoming a must-do destination in East Texas.