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Baked potatoes are often thought of as a side dish, but that’s about to change. There’s no reason these background players can’t be the star of the show, and the folks at Cou-Yon’s are giving spuds the spotlight. Come hungry, because these potatoes are so big they deserve their own zip code! Cou-Yon’s is a casual, come-as-you-are restaurant over in Port Allen. Ian Haneline/Google Locally owned and operated by brothers Paul and Michael Mladenka, this is one of those community-driven, family-inspired neighborhood restaurants that will quickly capture your heart....

There’s no better time to visit Hawaii than right now. Preliminary data shows that a record 10.4 million tourists visited the Hawaiian Islands in 2019, and for the first time ever, the island of Maui played host to more than 3 million of those tourists — more than any other year since the Hawaii Tourism Authority started keeping records. And while many of those tourists flocked to the island’s resort communities, others chose to stay off-the-beaten-path in a quaint Airbnb just like this one....

Vermont is full of hiking trails from easy to the seemingly impossible. But here in the 802 we’re hard working folks and we like to earn our rewards, and when it comes to hiking in Vermont it’s all about the stunning views along with everything we take in on the way. Even if we’re not up for the hikes we could handle in our younger years, some places have toll roads that lead us to the top to take in the spectacular vistas and the excitement of reaching the top is never really out of reach....

Rhode Island is full of natural wonder and hiking trails to explore it all. Shady woods aren’t the only places to hike. This walk along the coast of Aquidneck Island is brimming with beautiful natural scenery and leads to an incredible discovery at the end. Brenton Point State Park is located on Aquidneck Island in the town of Newport off of Ocean Drive. Flickr/Jennifer MacCaulay It is home to the Newport Kite Festival held each July in the park’s grassy fields with their vast open skies and gorgeous ocean views....

If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling to France but don’t exactly have plans to travel internationally anytime soon, you’ll be pleased to know you can find the next best thing right here in Northern California. Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa is a stunning, European-style resort that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the French countryside. Boasting beautiful accommodations, top-tier dining options, and a gorgeous setting, this impressive destination is the French-inspired getaway spot you’ve always dreamed of…and it’s conveniently right here in NorCal....

Washington produces some of the best wine in the country, and it also happens to be a nature lover’s paradise. In fact, you can enjoy both vino and views in the same day. Enlist a designated driver, embark on this beautiful wine and waterfalls day trip in Washington, and you’ll fall in love with the Evergreen State all over again. The following itinerary can be completed in one fun-filled day, with about an hour and a half of driving and plenty of time allotted for enjoying the landscape and vineyards....

If you have a sweet tooth, you know that chocolate reigns supreme as the ultimate indulgence. Whether you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or a combination of these tasty treats, there’s nothing better than melt-in-your-mouth chocolate goodness. Luckily for chocolate lovers, there’s one Michigan festival where you can immerse yourself in an incredible cocoa wonderland. The 2020 Traverse City Chocolate Festival will take place on Sunday, April 19th at the Traverse City West High School athletic center, which sits at 5376 N Long Lake Rd....

Here in Virginia, we are always looking for new opportunities to appreciate our beautiful state. Whether that means discovering a new walking trail, restaurant, or local shop, there are countless ways to enjoy what’s in our very own backyard. With that spirit, we’d like to introduce you to a fantastic local winery just 30 minutes from Richmond. But if you have more time to spare, you might consider arriving there by bike....

Is summer calling your name? Enjoy fresh air, outdoor fun, and countless lakes around Kentucky that are perfect for a vacation escape. One of the most popular water destinations is Lake Cumberland in Kentucky and there is no shortage of fun to be had there. You can choose from many marinas for boat rentals and everything you need during a visit and one to consider is Lake Cumberland Marina. With great access to the water, a shop, and restaurant, you can take a Kentucky vacation in a floating home on Lake Cumberland and forget about everyday life for awhile....

Spotting wildlife in their natural habitat is always an exciting thing to witness. Lucky for us, living in Northern California means we can find a variety of wildlife almost everywhere we turn. However, there’s one destination that should take priority if you’re a wildlife enthusiast looking to spot some majestic creatures. The Elk Meadow Picnic Area is notably a great place to view wild elk and it’s definitely worth stopping at....

There are so many scenic outdoor spots in Nebraska that it could take you a lifetime to thoroughly explore them all. No matter where you live in the Cornhusker State, odds are good that you’re just minutes away from a quiet little oasis. There’s a pretty little garden tucked away in Lincoln, and if you’ve never visited, you’ll want to put it on your bucket list – it’s a nature lover’s dream come true!...

Craving a completely unique dining experience? Then look no further than Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad’s Dinner Train. Departing from Trego several times a week, the train ride includes a tasty meal, plenty of drinks, and lots of great views. You’re going to love this dinner train in Wisconsin. Put on by the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad, the Dinner Train travels at a leisurely pace through the countryside and along the Namekagon River – all while passengers are served a delicious dinner....

Animals – whether furry, feathered, or scaly – just seem to have a natural way of brightening a day. They make us smile with their antics and their friendliness. Sometimes they inspire us, too. Embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration when you visit World Bird Sanctuary in Missouri, a safe place where injured wild birds can rehabilitate before being re-introduced to the wild and where those too injured to return to the wild live out their lives....

As far as awesome origin stories go, you can’t get much better than the tales surrounding this brewery cave in Lincoln. The 5,000 square foot cave has sat below the capital city since the 1860s, providing generations of Lincolnites with a fun (if somewhat dangerous) place to play. In 2016, it was revitalized by a local business and took on a whole new life. Today, you can tour this historic cave....

Construction may be the bane of your commute, but decades of infrastructure improvements mean that the history of Boston’s streets is well-documented. These vintage shots were captured by the Public Works Department, the Transit Commission, and the City of Boston Archives. While their original purpose was presumably to track progress on specific projects, they now provide an intriguing glimpse back into Boston’s past. In 1905, this ornate building stood at 152-160 Washington Street....

Outsiders don’t always understand West Virginia. It feels like we’re always having to explain stereotypes about West Virginia… which to locals, feels ridiculous. After all, we know our state like the back of our hand, and we know how magical it can be. You, too, can get to know our state like a local… but first you have to adapt to our colloquialisms and adjust to our friendly, nature-loving lifestyle. Take a look at this list so you can learn how to enjoy West Virginia the way the Mountaineers do:...

There are at least six hidden tunnels beneath Chicago that all serve a different purpose. Not everyone knows these tunnels exist. Check them out: The Pedway System Wikimedia Commons/Jaysin Trevino This system of passageways connects about 50 office buildings, shopping centers, parking areas, and train stations in the Chicago downtown area. It stretches more than five miles and links 40 blocks, allowing savvy Chicagoans to remain underground while exploring the Loop....

Imagine yourself immersed back into a world that is filled with dinosaurs and you have a front-row seat to all of the action. Don’t worry, it isn’t as dangerous as it sounds. This spring, a gargantuan dinosaur exhibit will be popping up in Georgia and you do not want to miss out. Picture petting baby raptors, standing under the jaws of a giant T-rex, and getting up close and personal with a Triceratops....

In the center of the state is a popular Missouri State Park known for spectacular sights and beautiful castle ruins. However, one of the park’s most beautiful trails is often overlooked for the more popular Castle Trail. To see a whole new side to the Lake of the Ozarks, take a different trail at Ha Ha Tonka and find a gorgeous hidden turquoise lake along this lakefront trail in Missouri....

When a burger is done right, there’s nothing better. There are certainly no shortage of burger joints peppered around New Orleans to get your burger fix, but there’s one little restaurant that’s just outside of the city, and worth the extra effort. With more than 20 different burgers to choose from, it’s no wonder the Gretna Depot Cafe has some of the best burgers near New Orleans. Let’s check it out....