Spring/Summer 2025

Spring/Summer 2025 Cover

Interior of Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit, Michigan (photo by Matt Shuert)

Visit Detroit, Michigan, to see America’s oldest aquarium: a beautifully preserved building that houses a collection of 182 aquatic species.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Cades Cove in Townsend, Tennessee (photo by Joye Ardyn Durham)

Take the scenic route on this 11-mile driving loop nestled in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee.

People on retro donut boats on a donut boat rental in Saugatuck, Michigan (photo courtesy of Retro Boat Rentals)

Visit Saugatuck, Michigan, and rent one of these whimsical, easy-driving boats that can hold up to 10 passengers and are perfect for lake or river cruising.

Costumed educators at Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, New York (photo by Joann K. Long)

Make your way to Mumford, New York, to experience this interactive village with 68 historic buildings that are populated by costumed educators offering stories and demonstrations.

People in all-terrain vehicles on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia (photo by Tom Adkinson)

Jump in an all-terrain vehicle or off-road motorcycle and follow miles of backcountry trails in Gilbert County, West Virginia

People riding during Horse Tours of Gettysburg in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (photo courtesy of Destination Gettysburg)

Offering two-hour tours, this Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, operation provides detailed commentary on the three-day Civil War battle that occurred here in 1863.

Dad and son at John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois (photo courtesy of John Deere)

Explore a collection of this iconic company’s farm equipment, from vintage tractors to electric-powered machinery, in Moline, Illinois.

People on a ride at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania (photo courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Park)

In operation since 1926, this Elysburg, Pennsylvania, park features a wooden roller coaster, midway games, an 18-hole miniature golf course and plenty of food to go around.

Lady Kate Sightseeing Tours in Erie, Pennsylvania (photo courtesy of Presque Isle Boat Tours)

See Lake Erie from a new perspective on this 1952 diesel-powered boat that has been offering tours in Erie, Pennsylvania, since 2008.

Pepperoni roll from the Marion County Pepperoni Roll Tour in Marion County, West Virginia (photo courtesy of Marion County Visitors Bureau)

Take a bite out of this Marion County, West Virginia, food trail that celebrates an Italy-meets-Appalachia specialty that originated as lunch fare for 1920s coal miners.

Family on Tilt-a-Whirl at Midway State Park in Bemus Point, New York (photo courtesy of Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau)

Established as a trolley park in 1898, this Bemus Point, New York, destination offers classic arcade games, family-friendly rides and a themed mini golf course.

Family looking at flamingos at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in Nashville, Tennessee (photo by Aimee Stubbs)

Take a walk on the wild side at this family-friendly Nashville, Tennessee, destination that is home to 325 unique animal species.

Men looking at quilts at National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky (photo courtesy of Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Visit this Paducah, Kentucky, museum that has nearly 700 quilts in its permanent collection and hopes a variety of temporary themed exhibits.

Sauna pod at Nature Mystique Retreat in Creola, Ohio (photo courtesy of Nature Mystique Retreat)

Stay at this Creola, Ohio, destination that brings Moroccan- and Hobbit-inspired cabins to southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills region. 

People on Newport Gangster Tour in Newport, Kentucky (photo courtesy of American Legacy Tours)

Take this tour and learn how Newport, Kentucky, was a prototype for modern-day Las Vegas.

Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan at sunset (photo courtesy of Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau)

Visit this dune-covered stretch of shoreline in Saugatuck, Michigan, that is among the most famous in the Great Lakes State. 

Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario (photo courtesy of Parks Canada)

One of Canada’s smallest national parks, this Leamington, Ontario, spot offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, biking and hiking.

Clock Tower at Pullman National Historical Park in Chicago, Illinois (photo by National Park Service / Daniel Pels)

Opened on Chicago, Illinois’ south side in 1880, the site of The Pullman Co.’s railcar factory and planned community shares the story of this historic neighborhood. 

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in Columbus, Ohio (photo by Brian Kaiser)

Originally established in 1886 as a meat-packing house, this Columbus, Ohio, eatery can be found in the city’s popular German Village neighborhood.

Women looking at horse at Second Stride Farm in Louisville, Kentucky (photo by Tom Adkinson)

Meet retired racehorses in the process of retraining at this Louisville, Kentucky, destination, where visitors can see the horses in the pasture and in their stables.

Sandwich from Secret Sandwich Society in Fayetteville, West Virginia (photo by J. Young of Iron Arch Photo)

This inventive restaurant in Fayetteville, West Virginia, pays tribute to former U.S. presidents and first ladies by way of sandwiches bearing their names.

Kayaks at Shawnee State Park in West Portsmouth, Ohio (photo courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

Unplug at this Appalachian paradise in West Portsmouth, Ohio, where many migrating birds can be spotted and wildflowers abound.

Exterior of Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, New York (photo courtesy of Sherwood Inn)

This Skaneateles, New York, hotel features individually designed rooms and a romantic restaurant with a fine dining menu.

Stalactites and stalagmites at Squire Boone Caverns in Mauckport, Indiana (photo courtesy of Squire Boone Caverns)

Head to Mauckport, Indiana, to explore this subterranean marvel, which is home to the largest publicly accessible active rimstone dam in the United States.

St. Lawrence Market Food Tours in Toronto, Ontario (photo by Culinary Adventure Co.)

Visit this Toronto, Ontario, destination that dishes out generous tastings and artful storytelling about the city’s rich food culture.

Mom and son looking at artifacts at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana (photo courtesy of The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis)

Schedule a day of play at this Indianapolis, Indiana, attraction that boasts a collection of more than 130,000 items, as well as interactive experiences and games for little ones.

Man bartending at The Ideal Bartender Experience in Louisville, Kentucky (photo by Crystal Ludwick Photo)

Explore the life and legacy of Tom Bullock, the first Black American to write and publish a cocktail recipe book, at this interactive re-enactment experience in Louisville, Kentucky.

Couple at The Northridge Inn & Resort in Sundridge, Ontario (photo by Black Saddle Photography)

Take a romantic getaway to this Sundridge, Ontario, spot that offers a variety of lodging options, from the revamped inn to glamping tents.

People on zip line at Treetops Zipline Canopy Tour in Lansing, West Virginia (photo courtesy of Treetops Zipline Canopy Tours)

Take to the trees at this Lansing, West Virginia, guided experience that offers scenic zips near New River Gorge National Park.

Lobby of White Limozen at the Graduate Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee (photo by MJ Geeney)

Embracing the country-glam flair of Dolly Parton, this Nashville, Tennessee, spot features a spirited rooftop bar and candy-colored themed restaurant.

Bison and elk at Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City, Illinois (photo by Brielle Kuchinski)

Encounter over 180 animals at this Hanna City, Illinois, destination that is home to coyotes, cougars, black bears, bison and more.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York (photo courtesy of the National Park Service)

Learn about several famous 19th-century social reformers at this Seneca Falls, New York, destination that shares the story of the Seneca Falls Convention.