Featured stories and travel highlights from the Fall 2025 issue of Explore USA Magazine.
When cold breezes rustle the trees and forests blaze with color, America’s cozy cabins promise peace and escape. Deep in the woods, perched on mountain ridges, or nestled beside calm lakes, these rustic getaways are the perfect antidote to busy life. Travelers all over the country are rediscovering the magic of slowing down—one cabin at […]
Cozy Cabins: The All-American Autumn Escape for Fall 2025 Read More »
On the Columbia River’s edge, surrounded by dramatic cliffs, The Dalles feels like a meeting of history, community, and glowing autumn color. Historic downtown streets, welcoming porches, and bustling local shops shine with the season’s arrival. When fall comes, harvests fill the markets, festivals brighten the calendar, and local wines add flavor to every gathering.
The Dalles, Oregon: Where Autumn’s Glow Meets Gorge Tradition Read More »
Certain communities in the U.S. truly celebrate the holiday season. Grapevine, Texas, dubbed the Christmas Capital of Texas, hosts more than 1,400 events across 40 dazzling days. Towns like this transform overnight with vintage train rides, Main Street parades, Victorian celebrations, pie tastings, music, and carolers crowding snowy streets. “Holiday Hot Spots” highlights places where
Some American roads offer more than fond memories, they’re full of mystery. Phantom travelers, flickering headlights, and ghost stories haunt old highways from coast to coast. On Route 66, some swear they’ve seen a spectral hitchhiker. On dark New Jersey roads and in forgotten towns, eerie events and chilling tales are passed down every fall.
As autumn sweeps across America, nature paints bold strokes of red, amber, and gold. Winding roads, peaceful valleys, and scenic backdrops are transformed with each leaf that turns. Foliage in Fall invites you to relish the season’s crisp mornings, the joy of a country drive, and the magic of small towns set aglow with color.
Set on Lake Eufaula’s peaceful shore, this Alabama city welcomes travelers with both natural beauty and fascinating history. Anglers call it the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World,” while hikers and kayakers enjoy miles of scenic trails and rich wildlife. The town’s historic districts boast beautiful antebellum mansions, some open for tours that showcase Southern
Experience Eufaula, Alabama Read More »
In Coal Valley, Illinois, Niabi Zoo sits in 287 acres of preserved woodland. Starting as a private animal farm in 1959, it has become a true Midwest jewel—run by and for the people, and centered on conservation.“Niabi” means “fawn spared by the hunter.” The zoo was donated by philanthropist Patti Wiman in 1963. Today, it
Niabi Zoo: A Midwest Treasure Reborn Read More »
As the last leaves fall and chilly air sets in, kitchens across America come alive with holiday spirit. Here’s a coast-to-coast look at favorite comfort foods for holiday celebrations with no travel required. Mornings in the Smoky Mountains mean hot biscuits with sausage gravy, best enjoyed by a warm stove. New Englanders serve up cranberry
A Taste of the Holidays: Bringing America’s Favorite Festive Flavors Home for 2025 Read More »
Glenwood is a hidden gem in Minnesota, on Lake Minnewaska’s beautiful shoreline. The city opens its arms all year with lakeside views, family activities, and adventures like hiking, fishing, and boating.Main Street is filled with specialty shops, inviting restaurants, and music during warm-weather festivals—pure Midwest hospitality. Markets, Waterama in July, and winter’s “Winterama” bring the
Glenwood, Minnesota Read More »
A small town in fall is timeless—porches lined with pumpkins, lanterns glowing in the evening, and neighbors gathering as the air cools. Autumn’s Front Porch celebrates those charming places where community and the season’s magic come together.From golden leaves on historic streets to lively outdoor festivals, these towns light up with a welcoming glow. In
Autumn’s Front Porch: Small Towns That Glow Read More »
