State

If you’re the kind of traveler who craves sea breezes, soft sand, and a serious break from the hustle, Pawleys Island might just be your perfect escape. One of the oldest summer resort towns on the East Coast, this South Carolina barrier island has a “barefoot welcome” vibe and a knack for turning lazy afternoons into lifelong memories.

If you’ve ever wanted to watch giraffes nibble lettuce while gazing over an entire city skyline, this is your spot. Perched over 6,700 feet above sea level, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo isn’t just another animal park—it’s a full-on alpine adventure where the creatures and the scenery are equally jaw-dropping.

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring a deserted island with a 19th-century brick fort and snorkeling just steps from the shore, Dry Tortugas National Park is calling your name. Tucked 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, this off-the-radar gem feels like stepping into another era — or a vivid daydream.

Step through the thick, coral rock walls of an old Civil War-era fort and you'll find a bloom-filled paradise that seems plucked from a dream. At the Key West Garden Club, history and horticulture collide in the most unexpected way — with butterflies fluttering between bromeliads and salty breezes swirling through banyan trees.

Hidden in plain sight on a busy stretch of Fountain Valley, The Reptile Zoo is not your average reptile exhibit. This hands-on haven is home to over 600 exotic critters—from towering tortoises and clever chameleons to snapping alligators and camera-ready snakes—and it’s all packed into one lively, interactive indoor space.

They say dinosaurs are extinct—but in the desert sands of Southern California, they’re just getting warmed up. If you’ve ever dreamed of standing in the shadow of a 150-foot-long brontosaurus or climbing inside a giant T. rex head, then buckle up for a prehistoric adventure unlike anything else on I-10.

If your idea of movie night could use a twist of local flavor, a splash of funky charm, and maybe a slice of wood-fired pizza—then you're overdue for a trip to The Lyric in Fort Collins. This isn't your standard megaplex. It’s a whimsical, independently owned cinema-meets-community-hub where every corner brims with creativity, personality, and yes—bike racks shaped like mustaches.

There’s a certain kind of joy you only find strolling through a place that smells like fresh kettle corn and old-fashioned wood polish. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Ohio’s Amish Country, the Walnut Creek Amish Flea Market offers a blend of handmade charm, small-town energy, and quirky surprises you didn’t know you needed—but can’t resist bringing home.

Looking for the kind of place where your inner child and your actual kids can both run wild? Head to the western edge of Houston and step into a full-on sensory overload at Funplex—a massive indoor amusement park where neon lights, booming music, and the unmistakable scent of popcorn and pizza swirl together in a carnival-meets-arcade atmosphere.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a day on the water where the current carries your worries away, Hocking Hills Adventures is your kind of place. Set just outside Logan in southeastern Ohio, this riverside retreat blends nature’s charm with a splash of old-school summer camp fun. It’s the sort of place where you can go completely off the grid—or just unplug for the afternoon.