Matador Network's Blog, page 417

A Mycologist Explains the 5 Things To Know Before Mushroom Foraging on Your Travels

Will Padilla-Brown freely admits he didn’t know anything about mushrooms when he first began foraging. He didn’t know the names of the trees around him, any nearby waterways, or how mushrooms moved. But the mushrooms called to him, nonetheless — and he thinks that anyone else with even the smallest interest mushrooms can venture into the woods and begin their own mushroom foraging journey.

“I didn’t know anything about nature,” Padilla-Brown says. “I just wanted to go find these mushrooms. So figuring out how to find them, I realized that I learned a whole bunch of other things along the way.”

Padilla-Brown is now a mycologist, entrepreneur, educator, and the founder of the company MycoSymbiotics. He’s learned to navigate nature as an expert, with reverence and understanding. He’s also coined a term for how amateur and wannabe mycologists should think about mushroom foraging: the “Hooked on Phonics of ecological literacy.”

What he means by that is that if you’re passionate about mushrooms, you can learn everything you need to know about nature along the way. That’s why Padilla-Brown feels that everyone should be empowered to become a forager. One great way to dip your toe into mushroom foraging is during your travels.

Photo: Will Padilla-Brown

Why dedicate part of your hike or camping trip to mushroom foraging? There are so many benefits to harvesting your own food, from integrating higher quality (and less expensive) food into your diet, to learning more about the landscape that surrounds yous. And Padilla-Brown praises the fact that foraging gives people access to healthy food that is good for the environment.

“Foraging for mushrooms is one of the most sustainable food foraging that you can do because the mycelium isn’t really affected by you picking a mushroom off of it,” he says.

In addition, he argues that foraging on your travels opens up a new perspective on the place that you’re visiting. This in turn can deepen your understanding and appreciation of nature.

“[Foraging] brings more magic into life,” he says. “It’s become so monotonous when you travel across the United States. Every stop is like, a Family Dollar and cookies from the gas station. So whenever you can, go into each of these regions and really taste the terroir. By foraging, not only do you get the free food and get to be sustainable, but you also get to really taste what the environment has to offer, and really get a feel for what that area is like. I think that really increases people’s value of nature and desire to protect and care about it.”

If you’re looking to give it a try the next time you venture out, Padilla-Brown has five key tips for how to go mushroom foraging while traveling.

How to go mushroom foraging while traveling1. Use apps to help identify mushrooms

Padilla-Brown advises against trying to overload your luggage with every book on mushrooms and mycology that you can get your hands on, especially if you’re camping or traveling in a van where space is limited. But it’s still important to reference expert information on the mushrooms you might encounter. Travel foraging can be dangerous for people who aren’t experienced, because they are going into a new area without much familiarity with the plant and fungus life. That’s where apps that can identify any mushrooms that amateur foragers find in the wild come in handy.

Photo: Ground Picture/Shutterstock

“I like iNaturalist and Seek by iNaturalist,” he says. “I’ll be traveling, I’ll find an organism, a mushroom, a plant, or fruit, and I take a picture of it, I identify it, and I put the geotag location where I found it on iNaturalist. Anybody can go on iNaturalist and see what people found and where they found [it], and then it’s cross referenced by other scientists and make sure that it is exactly exactly what you said it was.”

Once you’re out in a forest foraging, you’ll want to use Seek by iNaturalist. When you come across a plant or other organism you want to identify, you take a picture and the app operates like a search engine by sorting through all the photos in iNaturalist for a match. It’s a huge help for people who want to make sure they aren’t about to take home a bounty of poisonous mushrooms.

2. Find a community

Of course, even the expert-vetted apps can be wrong. That’s why Padilla-Brown recommends supplementing any searches on iNaturalist with your own community of like-minded foragers who are also learning about mushrooms.

“There’s a lot of really good Facebook groups,” he says. “Take a picture of the top of the mushroom, the bottom of the mushroom, the cap, the gills, the stem, where you found it, and the trees around it. You can put that kind of information on the internet and there are thousands of people that could say what it is.”

Padilla-Brown says Youtube is another great resource for newcomers to foraging. His channel, Apex Grower, has around 300 videos on foraging. He also recommends the account Learn Your Land for even more instructional foraging videos.

Photo: SariMe/Shutterstock

If you’re traveling somewhere new, Padilla-Brown also recommends going to local farmer’s markets to scope out what mushrooms are being sold to get an idea of what’s in season and what edible mushrooms look like. It’s also an opportunity to chat with vendors to learn more about local mushrooms in the area (even if they might not divulge their best foraging spots).

Chatting with strangers and researching online can only take your foraging journey so far. If you’re serious about learning the art and craft of foraging, you need to get face time with an expert. Padilla-Brown suggests starting with a mushroom certification course.

3. Take advantage of Google

Most expert foragers are notorious for refusing to share their favorite places to forage. So even if you have a community of foragers behind you, there’s a strong chance you’ll have to stake out your own spots. But there are ways to identify where mushrooms are growing if you’re passing through an unfamiliar area. One thing you can do is simply follow other foragers online and see what they’re harvesting at any given time of year, then go on iNaturalist and track down where other people have stumbled across that particular mushroom. But a some light detective work will usually get you to where you need to go, even without the help of an app.

“The best thing to do is to figure out what [a mushroom’s] habitat is,” he explains. “Mushrooms usually grow in association with a tree or in other plants. Plants usually grow in a place that has certain minerals in the soil, or water, or certain elevation. A couple Google searches will tell you all that information. Then you can drive right to where the mushrooms are. For instance, chanterelles like to be in an oak forest. So if you can find somewhere on your map where there’s big oak forest and then hike around in there, you’re probably going to find chanterelles. It doesn’t matter if you know where the spot is or not.”

4. Don’t try to learn the name of every mushroom on the planet

Padilla-Brown says that it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the thousands of mushroom species out there. He recommends considering general types of mushrooms that are edible and that can be found all over the US rather than trying to memorize the name and appearance of every species of mushroom on Earth. Two examples that Padilla-Brown mentions are oyster mushrooms and Lion’s Mane mushrooms. There are many different species of these, but they are edible and can be found all over the country. Once you can recognize those mushrooms in one place, you can recognize them anywhere.

Photo: IgorCheri/Shutterstock

“I think a lot of people have this idea that they are just going to go out in the wild and there’s going be lots of different mushrooms, and they just have to figure out what ones are edible out of all the different kinds that they see,” he says. “But every place that you’re in, for every time of year, there’s a type of mushroom that is edible that you want to get. For instance, it’s August in New Mexico, porcini is the mushroom that is out there, so I’m not I’m not looking for anything else.”

5. Don’t be afraid of nature

“I think that some people, once they start interacting with nature, they feel like they can’t touch it. But don’t worry, nature is abundant. It’s consistently producing more and more,” says Padilla-Brown. “So don’t stress, nature’s forgiving and nature wants you to play around and make mistakes and learn from it. So happy foraging.”

More like thisNational ParksHow To Hunt for Mushrooms in Oregon’s Coastal Rainforest

These 6 US Road Trips Are Some of the Most Beautiful You Can Take This Fall

It’s almost fall in the United States, which means three reasons to rejoice: arboreal art shows, pumpkin-spiked everything, and this year, gas prices falling below $4.

After the national average for a gallon of gas reached roughly $5 in June, prices at the pump started declining every week, and according to travel-and-navigation app GasBuddy, the trend will likely continue. Cheaper car travel is excellent news for those experiencing wanderlust: opting for a road trip provides a hassle-free antidote to flying, an increasingly unpredictable prospect after this year’s airline snafus. And now, with the promise of plummeting prices, the cure is getting more attractive.

As forests change into fall finery, consider hitting the highway to savor the splendor. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, harvest festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations, or striking tree-lined Main Streets, these are the best fall road trips in the US in 2022.

1. Head to a German-style Oktoberfest on Washington’s Cascade Loop

Photo: Dmitry Kovba/Shutterstock

If you want a best of fall list in road form, this Pacific Northwest road trip is it. Washington’s 440-mile Cascade Loop circles the state like a giant charm bracelet, sparkling with snowy peaks, salty shores, and emerald forests that turn kaleidoscopic in autumn. The journey can be completed in a quick two-day drag, but allow at least four to relax along the route.

The loop starts due north of Seattle, rolling east along green blankets of farmland to the Cascades’ pine-studded peaks. Stretch your legs on the hike to Bridal Veil Falls, a 4.2-mile trek to a waterfall with mesmerizing mountain vistas, before stopping in Leavenworth. By late September, the hills outside this kitschy city are alive with the sound of oom-pah-pah. Modeled after a German alps town in the 1960s, Leavenworth hosts an annual Oktoberfest with enough bratwurst and beer to make you believe you’re in Munich. If you’re planning an overnight stay, consider the uber-Deutsch Bavarian Lodge.

Photo: Bill Perry/Shutterstock

After Leavenworth, the trail winds through the Wenatchee Valley, nicknamed the Apple Capital of the World. Join the fresh-apple frenzy at a u-pick farm like Stutzman Ranch (growing Fuji and Golden Delicious varieties) or learn about the fruit scene at the Washington Apple Commission. Be sure to visit the vineyards, too. Wineries abound around Lake Chelan, located one hour north of Wenatchee. In early October, visitors become part of the wine-making process at Crush — an annual festival where participants stomp recently-harvested grapes and get to taste the fruits of their labors.

Sun-yellow aspens light the treeline as the Methow Valley gives way to jagged peaks in North Cascades National Park, then harvest-ready farmland follows the Skagit River toward the bay lapping Whidbey Island’s shores. Be prepared to pull over during this final stretch of driving — scenic overlooks from the road are postcard-perfect.

2. Awe at golden leaves while navigating the Top of the Rockies Byway in Colorado

Photo: Teri Virbickis/Shutterstock

The 90-minute drive from Denver to the Top of the Rockies Byway might leave you breathless: the Mile High City is no match for these altitudes, which reach over 10,000 feet. The Centennial State’s tallest peaks await along this 100-mile adventure to aspen forests, pristine lakes, and scenic towns beloved by laidback nature lovers and ritzy jet setters alike.

Start your mountain meandering in Frisco, called the “Main Street of the Rockies” thanks to its pretty downtown framed by nearby peaks. After fueling up at Frisco’s lodge-inspired Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters, continue to Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the US. Here, drivers can take a backseat on a scenic 2.5-hour train ride through the Arkansas River Valley and awe at Mt Massive and Mt Elbert, both of which shoot past 14,000 feet.

Photo: Adam Springer/Shutterstock

From Leadville, two equally-alluring options await. The first winds north toward Vail — a chic resort town with high-quality (albeit pricey) restaurants and shopping. Overnighting in the area (perhaps at the Austrian chalet-inspired Gasthof Gramshammer) affords time for dining on locally-sourced grub at Slope Room, ogling the 60-foot cascade on the hike to Booth Falls, and visiting the Vail Nature Center — a 1940s homestead with nature exhibits, walking trails, and tours.

Heading west from Leadville leads to Independence Pass, where dynamic mountain views make it impossible not to stop for photo ops. Aspen, surrounded by hills glinting gold with the town’s namesake trees, is a prized autumnal Elysium anchoring the byway’s end. Hike through aspen groves on the Cathedral Lake trail, handpick fresh produce from the Saturday morning farmers market, or get an altitude buzz from locally-made craft beer at Aspen Brewing Company.

3. Enjoy woodland hikes and historical sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina

Photo: anthony heflin/Shutterstock

Two lanes, 469 miles, and a speed limit that rarely goes above 45mph: the Blue Ridge Parkway encourages drivers to slow down and appreciate fall’s foliage — an easy task when 100 species of trees change colors at elevations ranging from 700 to 6,000 ft. By mid-October, the parkway is a tie-dye of yellow-green, orange-red, nut brown and purple, attracting hordes of leaf chasers to trails along the route. Plan a few days to relish the experience.

For a north-to-south adventure, start near Waynesboro, Virginia, and pause at Humpback Rocks, a bald outcropping reachable via several paths, including the Appalachian Trail. Panoramas of rolling woodlands stretch for miles — a visual preamble of what’s to come.

Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

After a few hours of driving, the photogenic Mabry Mill, built in 1908, appears along the road. Snap an obligatory pic of the pond-side structure then stop inside the restaurant for pancakes (go for buckwheat, produced in an on-site gristmill) or a Southern-style supper. When it comes to photography, nothing makes a prettier picture than the Linn Cove Viaduct — an elevated stretch of parkway tracing North Carolina’s Grandfather Mountain. The S-shaped road is a modern marvel; it’s easy to see why it’s designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark.

Once in North Carolina, the show-stopping sites don’t quit. There’s the hemlock forest hike to Linville Falls, which flows into the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and the Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt’s 1895 French chateau built on 8,000 manicured acres. Artsy Asheville is another must-see, with its booming restaurant scene, microbreweries, art-deco architecture, and easy access to outdoor adventures. Consider overnighting at The Foundry — the former steel forge once supplied materials for the Biltmore; it’s now an industrial-chic hotel.

The parkway ends near Cherokee, the eastern gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To honor the landscape’s original stewards, visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, chronicling 13,000 years of the indigenous community’s history.

4. Explore scenic shorelines around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Photo: Big Joe/Shutterstock

Forget Michigan’s mitten — fall is all about the Upper Peninsula (UP). Spend a long weekend skirting three Great Lakes and beaches, carving through old-growth forests, and eating your weight in pasties (a handheld pot pie delicacy popularized by 19th-century Cornish miners) to see why Yoopers (the nickname for locals) considered seceding in the 1970s. Life in the UP is worlds away from the rest of the US.

After reaching St. Ignace, roughly four hours north of Detroit, hop on a ferry to Mackinac Island. You’ll need to leave the wheels behind for this car-free jaunt — horse-drawn carriages and bikes are the go-to modes of transport. Most tourists stick to the island’s southern tip for its fudge stores and gift shops, but its jewel-toned forests are fall’s most magnificent draw. Rent a ride from Mackinac Island Bike Shop to pedal around 140 miles of trails snaking through thick woodlands to views of Lake Huron. When evening comes, rest your head at The Grand Hotel, which opened as a getaway in 1887 and retains its old-world elegance.

Photo: John McCormick/Shutterstock

After returning to St. Ignace and grabbing a pasty from Lehto’s, zoom 80 minutes north to Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The 50-foot plunge at Upper Tahquamenon Falls is Michigan’s version of Niagara; in fall, the scene is prettier than a Thomas Moran painting. From here, it only takes 30 minutes to reach Whitefish Point, home to one of Lake Superior’s oldest-operating lighthouses (built in 1861). After the detour, glide along the sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to Munising. For a better view of the colorful rock formations, book a 2.5-hour boat tour with Pictured Rock Cruises, which runs out of Munising through mid-October.

Rather than traversing the rest of the UP, cut through the Gwinn State Forest Area to Iron Mountain‘s abandoned Millie Mine — home to one of America’s largest bat colonies. Between September and October, it’s possible to spot the winged creatures at dusk, when they take to the skies for a nightly feast. As the moon rises, beeline for the cabins at Edgewater Resort and overnight along the Menominee River (marking the Michigan-Wisconsin border). The trip’s final leg grazes Lake Michigan’s breezy northern shores on the way back to St. Ignace.

5. Trade New York City’s cement for forests lining the Shawangunk Scenic Byway

Photo: sweens/Shutterstock

New York urbanites looking for leaf-peeper paradise need only drive 90 minutes north: the Shawangunk Scenic Byway passes through historic hamlets and sprawling nature preserves far removed from New York City’s steely shimmer. By late September, chestnut oak forests along this 90-mile journey go from summer green to burnt sienna — a shock of color that unfolds for over a month.

The byway splits into four separate sections, but for a brisk one-day adventure, stick to the Northern Loop anchored by hippie-dippy New Paltz. History buffs should begin at New Paltz’s Historic Huguenot Street — a 10-acre area with 18th-century stone structures built by French Huegenot colonizers — before perusing the cafes and antique stores at Water Street Market.

Photo: flashbacknyc/Shutterstock

From New Paltz, take Route 299 toward Mohonk Preserve — an 8,000-acre expanse for outdoor adventures (hike-heads will appreciate the steep climb to Bonticou Crag). Next, take Route 44/55 as it zooms past leafy Minnewaska State Park toward Route 209, lined with farms in harvest mode. Kelder’s, a u-pick produce operation with in-season pumpkins, concord grapes, and raspberries, is hard to miss — the world’s third-largest gnome hails the highway from its front lawn.

The byway continues onto Route 213, passing the 19th-century cement town of Rosendale (stop at Truss and Trestle for classic greasy spoon grub), then snakes along the Wallkill River toward Coppersea Distilling, a whiskey distillery with tours and tastings. Although the loop ends in New Paltz, think about finishing at the Victorian-style Mohonk Mountain House instead. The lakeside resort has been charming guests since the 19th century.

6. Cideries and gondola rides await along Vermont’s Green Mountain Scenic Byway

Photo: yggdrasill/Shutterstock

Down-to-earth Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, is an attractive fall destination with craft breweries and locavore grub galore, but to make the most of fall’s arboreal brilliance, roll 30-minutes east around the 71-mile Green Mountain Scenic Byway. This loop connects six pastoral towns through a quilt of rolling farmland and a riot of fall color. Choose picturesque Stowe as a central home base for a two-day excursion.

Photo: Don Landwehrle/Shutterstock

Stowe’s Main Street, lined with friendly mom-and-pop shops, leads to classic New England imagery: a white church spire pokes into eggshell blue skies, backed by Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. To see mountain views without putting in much effort, ride the Stowe Mountain Resort gondola (open until mid-October), which leads to hiking trails and a cliff-top restaurant. Mountain mavericks can also drive 45 minutes to Underhill, the starting point for a challenging 7.7.-mile loop trail that climbs above the treeline. After a day-long trek, call it a night at the Trapp Family Lodge (yes, The Sound of Music von Trapps). Once the site of their family home, the 2,500-acre property is now a year-round hotel singing with Austrian style.

Waterbury, an easy 15-minute drive south along the byway, is best for weekend munchies. Cold Hollow Cider Mill, founded in 1974 and operating out of an early 19th-century farmhouse, offers self-guided tours where guests watch the cider-making process — a visual appetizer before heading to the hard cider tasting room, restaurant, or bakery (be sure to try a cider donut).

Waterbury’s Ben & Jerry’s factory is less fall-forward but still worth a stop. Take a guided tour of the site to see the Vermont-based ice cream brand in action. If you’re looking for something more seasonally-appropriate, poke around the Flavor Graveyard on All Hallow’s Eve to spot ice cream concoctions laid to rest. Who knows? Perhaps the “dearly de-pinted” will rise from the dead to celebrate the season. It would certainly make a sweet surprise.

More like thisRoad TripsThese 10 Scenic Byways Are Some of the Most Beautiful Road Trips You Can Take in Texas

Italian Pizza Experts Name the Top 100 Pizzerias in the World

Who doesn’t love pizza? Whether or not you’ve made it to Italy to try this beloved dish at its birthplace, the truth is there are amazing pies all over the world (and, not to mention, plenty of regional pizza styles across the United States). That’s why 50 Top Pizza, an online guide created and curated by journalist Luciano Pignataro and Italian culinary experts Barbara Guerra and Albert Sapere, hosted the 50 Top Pizza World 2022. The prestigious pizza award ceremony was held in the birthplace of modern pizza: Naples, Italy.

This year, the award ceremony searched for 100 of the greatest pizzerias worldwide for the first time. Out of that top 100, the US did rather well, with 15 pizzerias ranking alongside 40 Italian pizzerias, 25 in other parts of Europe, 15 in the Asia-Pacific area, four in South America, and one in Africa. And Una Pizza Napoletana in New York was a dead tie for first place with I Masanielli – Francesco Martucci — a pizzeria in Caserta, Italy.

“The most important cities for pizzas in terms of quality are Naples above all, then New York, Tokyo, and São Paulo,” reads a press release. “We are delighted because this journey around the world to capture the current pizza panorama was particularly rewarding.”

Una Pizza Napoletana has perfected the contemporary Neapolitan style pizza, and the award committee praised his attention to leavening, the fresh and quality products, and the fantastic service. Guests can expect a pizza with a thick crust but a smaller dough loaf and fresh cold cuts served on a chopping board.

The judges chose Tony’s Pizza Napoletana as the second best pizza in the US, located in San Francisco. Owner Tony Gemignani has perfected the leavening and uses solely artisan products for pizza toppings. This pizzeria has traditional Neapolitan pizza, but also styles like pan pizza and Roman-style pizza, both trendy in the US.

For the third best pizza in the US, Pasquale Cozzolino and Rosario Procino were awarded 11th in the world for their pizzeria Ribalta NYC. The classic cartwheel Neapolitan pizza uses only quality ingredients. Guests can also enjoy a 3.3-foot-long pan pizza, as well as spaghetti with tomato sauce and an authentic pasta Genovese, which is made with an onion and meat sauce.

The top 25 best pizzerias in the worldI Masanielli – Francesco Martucci — Caserta, Italy, tied at number one with Una Pizza Napoletana — New YorkPeppe Pizzeria — Paris, France50 Kalò — Naples, ItalyDiego Vitagliano Pizzeria — Naples, ItalyI Tigli — San Bonifacio, ItalyFrancesco & Salvatore Salvo — Naples, ItalySeu Pizza Illuminati — Rome, ItalyLa Notizia 94 — Naples, ItalyTony’s Pizza Napoletana — San FranciscoRibalta NYC — New YorkFratelli Figurato — Madrid, Spain48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar — Melbourne, AustraliaBottega — Beijing, China50 Kalò London — London, EnglandThe Pizza Bar on 38th — Tokyo, Japan180g Pizzeria Romana – Rome, ItalyDry Milano — Milan, ItalyCambia-Menti di Ciccio Vitiello — Caserta, ItalyBæst — Copenhagen, DenmarkSartoria Panatieri — Barcelona, SpainI Masanielli – Sasà Martucci — Caserta, ItalyPizzeria Peppe – Napoli sta’ ca” — Tokyo, JapanLe Grotticelle — Caggiano, ItalyQvinto — Rome, Italy

Of course, pizza styles vary by region in Italy, just like in other parts of the world. Still, places that focused on Neapolitan pizza were most awarded.

For the full list, check out 50 Top Pizza.

More like thisFood + DrinkThe Most Hated Pizza Topping in the US Actually Has a Long Italian History

A Town by Town Guide To Cape Cod

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a hook-shaped peninsula extending 70 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, is famous for being one of the Kennedys favorite vacation spots, but you don’t have to be rich or famous to enjoy the 500 miles of coastline of this peaceful corner of New England. Cape Cod is vast, and each of the 15 towns and their respective villages has a distinct sense of place and varied offerings for every type of traveler. This guide to all the Cape Cod towns will help you find your perfect fit, whether you’re looking for an upscale resort, an affordable Airbnb, or casual camping.

We hope you love the places we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.

Cape Cod town in Upper CapeBourne

Laid back Bourne, straddling both sides of the Cape Cod Canal, is the gateway to the peninsula. While most visitors pass through on their way to towns further afield, Bourne is worthy of a stop. Spend an afternoon in Buzzards Bay Park, a canal-side recreation area, to watch the constant parade of boats as they head out into Cape Cod Bay.

Sandwich

Photo: Vladimir Dimchenko/Shutterstock

Sandwich, Cape Cod’s oldest settlement, exudes small-town charm. Picturesque Dexter Grist Mill in Sandwich’s historic center is still operating today, where visitors can pick up freshly ground cornmeal. The town is also home to the Heritage Museum & Gardens. After a peek at the curated exhibits, explore 100 acres of sprawling lawns, lilyponds, and nature trails.

Falmouth

Photo: Gordon Bell/Shutterstock

Falmouth is small-town Cape Cod at its best, with the distinct feel of a quaint college town due in part to The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Stop by the Discovery Center on its historic harbor-front campus to learn about the institute’s crucial maritime research. In the evening, join the locals at west-facing Chapoquoit Beach for an impressive sunset over the open ocean. For dinner, reserve a table at The Glass Onion on Main Street. Be sure to order the lobster strudel, a mascarpone, and phyllo dough masterpiece in lobster butter sauce. For resort-style accommodation on a private stretch of sand, check in at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel. The ocean view rooms and suites have modern, coastal interiors. The resort even has an ice cream parlor – The Scoop, right next to the pool. AutoCamp, Cape Cod’s only glamping spot, offers guests options of beautifully appointed airstreams or luxury tents. The property sits alongside the Shining Sea Bike Path and is only a few minutes’ ride to downtown Woods Hole.

Mashpee

The town of Mashpee has the distinction of being the headquarters of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. Thousands of years before the English settlers arrived, the Wampanoag controlled what is now modern-day Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Visit the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum to learn about the history and culture of the federally recognized tribe. The town is also home to Mashpee Commons, a shopping and dining destination with over 100 businesses. Popular retail brands share space with markets and restaurants on a commercial property developed with a traditional Cape Cod esthetic.

Cape cod town in Mid CapeBarnstable

Photo: Shanshan0312/Shutterstock

The largest of Cape Cod’s towns, Barnstable, is comprised of seven different villages. The most recognizable is Hyannis, home to the Kennedy family compound. Hyannis is also the commercial center of Cape Cod, where you’ll find the airport, ferry terminal, and many big box stores. But Barnstable isn’t all business. First, catch a performance at the Cape Cod Melody Tent, a theater that has hosted musical legends like Tony Bennett and Johnny Cash since its opening in 1951. Then, stroll through the charming village of Osterville on the Nantucket Sound for galleries, gift shops, and intimate dining. Five Bays Bistro on Main Street is a local favorite. Finally, for a traditional raw bar experience, The Naked Oyster in Hyannis is a must. The restaurant even has an oyster farm in Barnstable Harbor.

Yarmouth

Yarmouth is one of the Cape’s more tranquil towns and is primarily residential. However, the numerous beaches and golf courses will keep outdoor enthusiasts busy. Bayberry Hills’ 27-hole golf course lures serious golfers, while Bass River’s course is perfect for players of all levels. Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth is a hit with the kids.

Dennis

Photo: Jon Marc Lyttle/Shutterstock

For such a small town, Dennis packs a lot in. It has multiple historic districts, 16 beaches, and two famous theaters. The Cape Playhouse, America’s oldest professional summer theater, is still wowing audiences today. Actors Henry Fonda and Bette Davis took to the historical stage in the early days of their careers. Just next door, the Cape Cinema has been screening films since its opening in 1930. Book a table at ENCORE Bistro on the Playhouse grounds pre-show. Or head to The Pheasant for a locally sourced menu in a farmhouse setting. You can’t go wrong with the day boat scallops served seared or crudo-style.

Cape Cod town in Lower CapeHarwich

Photo: jo Crebbin/Shutterstock

Harwich, the gateway to the lower Cape, has a little bit of everything. Vast beaches, hundreds of acres of hiking trails, and a lively port. Rent a bike and follow the Cape Cod Rail Trail to First Crush Winery for tastings and cheese plates. Cape Cod Lavender Farm and its 75 acres of conservancy land is the perfect respite when you’re ready for a break from the crowds. Visit in July to catch the harvest, and stop by the little gift shop for handmade lavender soaps and oils. Buca’s Tuscan Roadhouse is a perennial favorite, so book ahead for excellent Italian food. Or dine waterfront at Twenty-Eight Atlantic, Wequassett Resort and Golf Club‘s esteemed restaurant. If you’re looking for a beachfront retreat for a luxurious weekend, reserve a room at the resort and relax poolside in your private cabana.

Brewster

Photo: James Kirkikis/Shutterstock

Brewster is one of the more laid-back and nature-focused Cape Cod towns. Head to Crosby Landing to see the famous Brewster Flats, a tidal phenomenon that exposes over a mile of sandbar in Cape Cod Bay twice daily. Brewster is also home to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Stop in to see its impressive aquarium and explore the miles of nature trails surrounding the property.

Chatham

Photo: haveseen/Shutterstock

Chatham remains one of the most popular Cape Cod towns, thanks to its bustling historic Main Street lined with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. A quick 10-minute stroll from downtown leads to Lighthouse Beach, a vast stretch of golden sand backed by the picturesque Chatham lighthouse. For sundowners overlooking Chatham’s harbor, secure an Adirondack chair on the terrace of the iconic Chatham Bars Inn. This grand dame of Chatham hotels has luxury rooms, an oceanfront pool, and a private beach. Book a table at Stars, the hotel’s formal dining room, for modern, coastal cuisine cooked with fresh ingredients from its farm. Located on a quiet stretch of Main Street, The Chatham Inn is Cape Cod’s only Relais and Chateaux property. The intimate, stylish bed and breakfast is also home to one of Cape Cod’s top restaurants, Cuvee. For a change of scene, head over to The Chatham Squire, an institution in this small town for clam chowder and oysters. After dinner, check out its next-door tavern for drinks and live entertainment.

Orleans

Orleans is a peaceful and unpretentious corner of Cape Cod. The laidback arts and shopping district makes a great stop along the Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path for ice cream at Emack and Bolio’s. Or grab a picnic at Cottage Street Bakery and head to nearby Nauset Beach, a 10-mile stretch of sand for lounging, swimming, and surfing.

Cape Cod towns in Outer CapeEastham

Photo: Christian Delbert/Shutterstock

Eastham marks the beginning of the Cape Cod National Seashore, a 40-mile stretch of beach along the Atlantic. Beautiful Nauset Light Beach facing the open ocean, is popular with surfers and boogie boarders. Take a tour of the old Nauset Lighthouse, then stop by the Salt Pond Visitor Center for trail maps and some history of the national park.

Wellfleet

Photo: Danita Delimont/Shutterstock

Wellfleet’s OysterFest, held every October for the past 20 years, has put this small Cape Cod town on the map. Aside from the famed mollusks, Wellfleet’s homey feel draws visitors to this outer Cape community each summer. Explore the beaches of the National Seashore or the freshwater kettle ponds that dot the area. Make sure to reserve tickets to Wellfleet’s Drive-In Theater, a historic cinema that dates back to the 1950s.

Truro

Photo: Lucky-photographer/Shutterstock

Wild and windswept, Truro is the outer Cape’s hinterland where people go to get away from it all. The dune-backed beaches and downtown Truro have long inspired artists, including American painter Edward Hopper. Spend an afternoon at Truro Vineyards. The winemaking family welcomes visitors for tastings and tours. Or enjoy a glass and small bites from Blackfish Restaurant’s Crush Pad Food Truck while relaxing on the vineyard’s front lawn.

Provincetown

Photo: lunamarina/Shutterstock

Provincetown is without question the liveliest of the Cape Cod towns. An LGBTQ+ – friendly destination, P-town, as it’s known locally, is also the oldest continuous artist colony in the United States. Festivals and parades are a part of everyday life, including a raucous Fourth of July celebration, an August Carnival, and Women’s Week in October. Beaches stretch for miles on the wild Atlantic and swimmer-friendly Cape Cod Bay. No one goes hungry in Provincetown. The Lobster Pot is immediately recognizable by its neon lobster-shaped sign. Sit for a relaxed seafood feast at this historic P-town institution overlooking the harbor. Or, head to Mac’s Fish House for excellent sushi and craft cocktails at its beachside bar. The Inn at Cook Street is one of Provincetown’s most loved accommodations. Located in the East End gallery district, the homey yet elegant inn is a short walk from downtown and just steps to the beach.

More like thisBeaches and IslandsFall Is the Best Time To Visit the Islands of Massachusetts

Only Park Rangers Can Ace This US National Park Trivia Quiz

If you live in the US — or just like to be outside — you probably know about America’s national park system. In the US, there are 63 sites designated as national parks. Beyond that, there are hundreds of other sites managed by the National Park Service, like national historic sites, national forests, national lakeshores, and national wildlife preserves.

But there’s a question of how well you know the national parks, which is why we suggest putting your national park trivia knowledge to the test with the quiz below. While the questions below may start easy, they’ll eventually make you prove what you know about the history of famous parks, which parks have the smallest crowds, and exactly which states are home to which parks.

See if you have what it takes to be a national park ranger — or at least a national park trivia champion — with the questions below.

Question 1 of 20 Let's start with an easy one: in what state will you find Yosemite National Park? Colorado Washington Oregon California Question 2 of 20 Which of the following states doesn't have a national park? Maryland Arkansas Nevada Minnesota Question 3 of 20 Which is the US's largest national park by acreage? Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Gates of the Arctic National Park Big Bend National Park Yellowstone National Park Question 4 of 20 Which US national park was most popular in 2021 at 14.16 million visits? Acadia National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Yosemite National Park Question 5 of 20 This US national park backs to Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park, which combine to form an International Peace Park. North Cascades National Park Acadia National Park Voyageurs National Park Glacier National Park Question 6 of 20 Colorado has four national parks. What are they? Mesa Verde, Great Basin, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes Mount Rainier, Great Basin, Wind Cave, Black Canyon of the Gunnison Rocky Mountain, Wind Cave, Great Basin, Great Sand Dunes Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes Question 7 of 20 Which became America's first national park under a directive from President Ulysses S. Grant? Yosemite National Park Yellowstone National Park Sequoia National Park Everglades National Park Question 8 of 20 Which of these fabulous national parks is not in Utah? Bryce Canyon National Park Saguaro National Park Capitol Reef National Park Canyonlands National Park Question 9 of 20 Which is America's newest national park, designated in 2020? Kobuk Valley National Park Cuyahoga Valley National Park New River Gorge National Park King's Canyon National Park Question 10 of 20 This national park is home to the remains of the Prometheus tree, a bristlecone pine estimated to have been nearly 4,900 years old when it was cut down in the mid-20th century. Petrified Forest National Park Great Basin National Park Isle Royale National Park Redwood National Park Question 11 of 20 Which park is 95 percent underwater? Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Pinnacles National Park Everglades National Park Biscayne National Park Question 12 of 20 Which of the following national parks is home to the world's longest cave system? Mammoth Cave National Park Wind Cave National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park Crater Lake National Park Question 13 of 20 The hottest temperature ever recorded in the US was in this national park (134 degrees Fahrenheit, 1913). Haleakalā National Park White Sands National Park Death Valley National Park Hot Springs National Park Question 14 of 20 The lush Hoh Rainforest may look like it belongs in Costa Rica, but it's actually in this national park. Congaree National Park Virgin Islands National Park Mount Rainier National Park Olympic National Park Question 15 of 20 Which is the most popular park in Alaska, according to NPS visitation numbers? Denali National Park Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Bay National Park Lake Clark National Park Question 16 of 20 Where is Lassen Volcanic National Park? Washington Oregon California Hawaii Question 17 of 20 This park was first known as "Mukuntuweap National Monument," which is the Paiute word for "straight canyon." Grand Canyon National Park Mesa Verde National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Zion National Park Question 18 of 20 Back to an easy piece of national park trivia: which of these is not a national park? Indiana Dunes National Park Lake Tahoe National Park Virgin Islands National Park Badlands National Park Question 19 of 20 Which park has the deepest lake in North America? Crater Lake National Park Channel Islands National Park Great Basin National Park Congaree National Park Question 20 of 20 The final national park trivia question: which state has the most national parks, with nine? Alaska Utah Texas California Submit for your score More Trivia Quizzes Can You Guess What These Funny Scottish Slang Phrases Mean? Sep 7, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes 21 Geography Questions That Only Expert Travelers Can Ace Sep 5, 2022 Matador News Staff Quizzes How Many of These UNESCO Heritage Sites Can You Identify? Sep 2, 2022 Morgane Croissant Quizzes Can You Guess What These Hilarious Irish Slang Phrases Mean? Aug 31, 2022 Morgane Croissant (function () { window.onload = function () { var totalProgress, progress; const circles = document.querySelectorAll('.progress'); for (var i = 0; i < circles.length; i++) { var percentageComplete = circles[i].parentElement.getAttribute('data-percent'); var strokeDashOffsetValue = 100 - (percentageComplete * 100); var progressBar = $(".js-progress-bar"); progressBar.css("stroke-dashoffset", strokeDashOffsetValue); circles[i].querySelector('.bar').style['stroke-dashoffset'] = strokeDashOffsetValue; } } })(); var quizChoices = []; const questions = document.getElementsByClassName("mn-quiz__question"); for (let i = 0; i < questions.length; i++) { quizChoices[i] = '-'; } function clickChoice(event) { const button = event.currentTarget; var mnQuizQuestion = button.dataset.mnQuizQuestion; quizChoices[mnQuizQuestion] = button.dataset.mnQuizChoice; for (const button of buttons) { if (button.dataset.mnQuizQuestion === mnQuizQuestion) { button.classList.remove('active'); } } button.classList.add('active'); } function submitQuiz() { var formatUrl = 'choices=' + quizChoices.join('_'); var url = window.location.href; if (url.indexOf('?') > -1) { url += '&' + formatUrl } else { url += '?' + formatUrl } window.location.href = url; } const buttons = document.getElementsByClassName("mn-quiz__question__choice"); for (const button of buttons) { button.addEventListener("click", clickChoice); } const submitButton = document.getElementById("mn-quiz__submit"); if (submitButton) { submitButton.addEventListener("click", submitQuiz); } You might enjoyMaps + InfographicsIf the US National Parks Were Giant Theme Park Rides [INFOGRAPHIC]

21 drinking games you can play

Going to the bar is a communal experience. There are friends new and old and plenty of drinks to keep the conversation flowing. Occasionally, though, you hit a point where you just have nothing to say. That’s where drinking games come in.

These are the best drinking games you can play without being a nuisance, and are equally suitable for your next bachelor or bachelorette party. Many take no extra materials other than your mind and a drink in hand, while others require easy to find objects.

Drinking games you don’t need cards to play

Sometimes you want to play drinking games and you have nothing on hand. There’s always the games on your phone, of course, but a face-to-face, person-to-person is a much better option when you’re at the bar.

1. Most likely

Number of people: Four or more, and just like for most drinking games without cards… the more the better

Rules: One person asks the group who they think is most likely to do something. For example, “Who would be most likely to buy a plane ticket to a random locale?” or “Who would be most likely to be caught sneaking an illegal drink from a mini on a plane?” Then, on the count of three, each person in the group points to the person they think would be most likely to do said question. Anyone who is pointed at takes a drink for however many fingers are directed at them (four sips for four fingers, for example).

2. I’m going on a picnic

Number of people: Three or more, and the more the better

Rules: Pick someone to start. That person begins the game with the statement, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing a blanket” (blanket can be whatever the person thinks is picnic worthy). The next person says, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing” with their own addition plus whatever was said before them. Each person following repeats the statement until someone messes up, and that person takes a drink. Additionally, if the group agrees that whatever the person says they are bringing isn’t picnic appropriate, the person drinks. This game can be played with anything switched out for picnic as well, such as going to the bar, going to a dance party, and so on.

3. Medusa

Number of people: Four or more, and the more the better

Rules: Sit at a table where everyone can see all of the other players. Each player puts their head down. On the count of three, everyone raises their head and stares directly at someone else. If you lock eyes with someone, yell Medusa and the person who says it last takes a drink. You’re in the clear if you don’t lock eyes.

4. Cheers to the governor

Photo: TORWAISTUDIO/Shutterstock

Number of people: Four or more, and the more the better

Rules: Sit in a circle. In order, the players count from one to 21 and must follow a set of rules. The first rule is that the numbers “seven” and “11” are switched, so the count goes, “six, 11, eight” and so on. When the group hits 21, everyone says, “Cheers to the governor.” The person who 21 landed on gets to make a new rule that people must follow, like requiring people to make an animal noise when they say the number 15, for example. Then it starts over from one and the rules carry over until every number has a rule.

5. Never have I ever

Number of people: Four or more, and the more the better

Rules: Each person holds their hand out with five fingers up. Pick a person to start, and that person begins a statement with “Never have I ever” and finishes it with something they haven’t done before. Anyone who has done that thing puts a finger down and takes a drink. Words of caution: This game can get rowdy and dirty, and the more times you play with a group the more rowdy and dirty it gets. Just accept the fact that a stranger will leave with some very personal information about you and appreciate the icebreaker.

More like thisTrip Planning5 Unexpectedly Great Places for Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties in the US6. Thumper

Number of people: Four or more, and the more the better

Rules: Embrace your inner animal in a very public setting. Each person picks the animal they’d like to be, then makes that animal’s noise and mimics its movements. The next person does their animal business, followed by the person before them. The next person does theirs and the movements of the two people behind them and so on. Any pauses cause a drink and forgetting altogether is either a drink or a shot depending on how well you handle being that loud group of people at the bar making animal movements.

7. Fingers

Number of people: Four to eight

Rules: Put a glass in the middle of the group. To start a round, each person puts a single finger on the rim of the glass. A designated person counts from three to zero. After, they guess how many people will leave their finger on the rim. It all happens in a split second. For example, with five people, the person would start the countdown and say “three, two, one, three.” Between one and three, the other players either leave a finger on or take it off. If the guesser got it right, they are out of the game. If wrong, they drink and stay in. Play continues until there’s only one person left. That person finishes the drink that everyone had their fingers on.

8. Drink while you think (also called the name game)

Number of people: Three or more, and the more the better

Rules: The group picks a category like celebrities, movie titles, or band names. The first person says a name in that category, like Seth Rogan. The next person has to say a celebrity name where the first name starts with the first letter of the previous person’s option (Rachel McAdams, for example). The catch is that you have to drink continuously until you think of a name that works. If someone says a name where the first and last name start with the same letter, the direction of play reverses.

9. Paranoia

Number of people: Four or more, and the more the better

Rules: Pick someone to be the starter. That person whispers a question about the group into the ear of the person on their left (For example, “Who would you never live with?”). The person who was asked the question replies out loud with their answer. If the person whose name was spoken (or anyone curious) wants to know what the question was, they take a drink. The person who said the name can either choose to respond or take a drink instead.

10. Two truths and a lie

Number of people: Three or more, and the more the better

Rules: Pick a person to start. That person makes three statements about themselves. Two of the statements are true and one is false. The person to the left has to guess which is the lie. If they’re right, the person who made the lie drinks, and vice versa if they’re wrong.

11. Suffocation

Number of people: Two or more, and the more the better

Rules: Masochism is the name of the game here, if you couldn’t tell by the name, because if you choose to play you’re bound to at one point get uncomfortable. To play, one person starts asking questions to someone else in the group. The questions start out innocuous, like “How old are you?” Then they get increasingly personal, and when it reaches a point when they don’t want to answer, they take a drink.

12. I drink and I know things

Number of people: Three or more, and the more the better

Rules: This game is like trivia, but for drinkers. When it comes to a person’s turn, they say “I drink and I know” followed by a statement like know the capital of Arkansas. If anyone in the group knows the answer as well, they blurt it out and everyone else has to drink including the person who started the question. The person who got it right makes the next statement. If no one gets the answer, the group drinks and the asker gets to make another statement about something they know.

13. Westerosi never have I ever

Number of people: Two or more, and the more the better.

Rules: Game of Thrones fans may be familiar with this game and the rules Tyrion Lannister put in place. Each person makes a statement on their turn about another person in the group (“You’ve never seen Game of Thrones,” for example). If it’s true, that person has to drink and you get to make another statement about someone. If it’s false, you drink and it’s the next person’s turn.

Drinking games for two

These drinking games for two are ideal for an awkward first date, or for when you are at a bar with a buddy and just want to liven things up a little. You can add more people to both, just in case others want to join in the fun.

14. If you know what I mean

Number of people: Two or more

Rules: Pick a scenario that two people would be in, like eating at a restaurant or sitting next to each other on the plane. The two people go back and forth with statements that are filled with innuendos yet fit the situation, ending each sentence with “if you know what I mean.” The first person to run out of innuendos drinks.

15. Quarters

Number of people: Two or more.

Rules: Bartenders and bar owners are not usually huge fans of people playing quarters with their glassware, but find a dive and you should be good to go. The goal is to bounce a quarter off the table and into the glass (thick shot glasses work best). Shoot head to head against one other player, and the first person to make it in wins that round and the loser drinks. The next person in line takes over and so on.

Drinking card games

Photo: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

Maybe you’re the type of person who carries a pack of cards on you wherever you go or maybe you’re in a bar gracious enough to lend some out. Either way, your game options just got a lot bigger. These are drinking games that don’t take up too much space and can be (mostly) played without other people at the bar judging.

16. Kings

Number of people: Three or more, and the more the better

Rules: In a clockwise circle, each person takes the top card off the deck. When someone grabs the first king, they pick a liquor and the next person continues to draw the next card. The second person to get a king picks a mixer like soda or, depending on how sadistic that person is, something like pickle juice. The game continues until the third person who picks a king, and that person has to go up to the bar and get the mixed drink with the first two ingredients. The person who draws the fourth king has to drink it.

17. Fuck the dealer

Number of people: Two or more, and the more the better

Rules: One person starts off as the dealer. The person to the right guesses which card is on the top of the deck. The dealer looks at the card and says whether it’s higher or lower than the person’s guess. The dealer takes two sips if the person guesses right on the first try, and one sip if the second guess is right. If the person can’t guess it, they have to drink the difference between their second guess and the actual card (two sips for example, if the person guessed seven and the card is nine). After every turn, the cards are laid out for everyone to see. The dealer passes on dealer duties after they beat three people in a row.

Bar games played with coins

Photo: CleanPhoto/Shutterstock

While paying in cash isn’t as prevalent as it was in the past, there’s still a good chance someone has a quarter floating around somewhere. Don’t spend it, play with it.

18. Quarter baseball

Number of people: Six

Rules: Form two teams of three people, and have a row of four shot glasses stretching out vertically. The glass closest to the opposing team is a single, second a double, etc. The player at bat from the first team bounces the quarter and has three strikes to make it in one of the four glasses. When they score, they take a sip for every glass farther out (someone who makes the first, for example, has to take three sips). When a team makes a run, the other team drinks. Each team gets three outs, and the game continues for a set amount of innings depending on how long you want to play.

19. Beer hockey

Number of people: Four or more

Rules: Take turns spinning the quarter. The spinner yells out the name of one of the players, who then becomes the shooter. The rest of the players then form a goal with their pinky and index finger in front of their drink. While the quarter is still spinning, the shooter flicks the quarter to try and score a goal and hit a drink. If a goal is made, everyone picks up their drink and the shooter spins the quarter. The person who was scored on chugs until the quarter stops spinning (either on its own or the shooter can stop it when they want).

Pen and paper

Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Even bars that lack most things needed for games will have some napkins and a pen you can borrow for drinking games without cards. Here’s how to make sure that pen gets put to more use than signing your check.

20. Drunken artists

Number of people: Three or more, and the more the better

Rules: One player keeps the time on their phone or from a clock, while another is the artist who is or is about to become a drunken artist. The time keeper whispers a word to the artist and starts the timer while the artist draws what the word is and the rest of the players try and guess. The timer stops when someone finally gets it. The artist takes one drink for every 20 seconds it took the crowd to figure it out. Think of it like Pictionary, but for bar drinking.

21. Straight face

Number of people: Four or more, and the more the better

Rules: Everyone writes a sentence on a small slip of paper that they think will make someone laugh, feel uncomfortable, or refuse to read. The slips are thrown into a pile and chosen at random. Go around in a circle reading the slip out loud (make sure it’s the first read), and if the reader laughs or smiles they drink. If they keep a straight face, the writer has to fess up and take a drink.

More like this7 boardless, cardless games to play anywhere

9 Natural Wonders You Won’t Believe Are in Pennsylvania

Some states are known for their beauty and draw travelers from around the world. Who hasn’t heard talk about the beauty of California’s Big Sur or Montana’s Glacier National Park?

Still, other states aren’t particular known worldwide for being filled with natural beauty. But some of those states — the under-the-radar, not-packed-with-tourists states — are actually overloaded with natural wonders if you know where to go.

And as anyone who has lived there knows, the Keystone State is certainly one of those places. The most beautiful places in Pennsylvania range from waterfalls to geological formations to wildlife phenomena that do indeed draw visitors from around the country. Believe it or not, Pennsylvania has more than 86,000 miles of rivers and streams (only Alaska has more) and has at least 200 mapped and measured waterfalls.

So if you thought the state was all Pittsburg and Philadelphia, think again. Matador rounded up 10 of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania to convince you that the state’s 46,000 square miles certainly aren’t lacking for places to marvel at the natural world.

Bushkill Falls

Photo: elenaphotoru/Shutterstock

Bushkill Falls is one of many waterfalls in the state, but its size — and the beautiful surroundings of the Poconos — make it one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania to see if you only have a long weekend. The tallest drop of Bushkill Falls is about 100 feet tall, though the complete series of individual falls eventually drops more than 300 feet. Both easy and intermediate trail options are available for reaching the falls, all of which offer great vantage points thanks to multiple bridges and decks crossing the various streams.

Though the falls are the star attraction, there’s more to do in the park, including a visitors center with rotating exhibits and a cheesy-but-fun chance to pan for gemstones. The park is privately owned and admission is around $15, with extra fees for renting fishing poles or paddleboats. It’s open from early April to late November, though hours vary throughout the year.

Ringing Rocks Park

Photo: Eric Dale/Shutterstock

Okay, Ringing Rocks may not look like one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania, but it’s the mystery of the rocks that makes them so fascinating. The rocks at Ringing Rock Park look like a standard scree field, but if you give them a tap with a hammer, you’ll be shocked at what happens: they make a ringing sound exactly akin to hitting a bell. The research is still out on why exactly it happens, but if you want to do your own research, just be sure to B.Y.O. hammer.

There are only a few places in the world where you can experience rocks like these; in the US, it’s just Pennsylvania and Montana. But around 15 places across the world have rocks like these, found in places like Fiji, Scotland, India, and Namibia.

Hawn’s Overlook

Photo: Walt Bilous/Shutterstock

If you watched the Netflix show Ozark, you got a chance to see how stunning the Ozark Mountains are. And if you head to Hawn’s Overlook, one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania, you may think you’ve somehow traveled to Missouri.

But no — you’ll just be overlooking Raystown Lake, the largest lake entirely in Pennsylvania (Lake Eerie and Pymatuning Reservoir are split between states). Raystown Lake is in central Pennsylvania, and it’s a relatively easy walk to reach Hawn’s Overlook and the nearby wheelchair-accessible Ridenour Overlook.

There’s plenty to do around the lake besides hiking (and admiring natural beauty), like cave tours, mountain bike trails, distilleries and wineries, and pop-up festivals and farmers markets.

Blue Marsh Lake

Photo: cwieders/Shutterstock

Blue Marsh National Recreation Area is like a mini-national park near Reading, complete with camping, distance trails, beaches, and more. And the highlight of the recreation area is, of course, Blue Marsh Lake, used for everything from paddling to fishing to birdwatching. It can get crowded, sure, but it can also be beautiful, as evidenced in the photo above.

Interestingly, the lake isn’t a natural wonder — it was created in 1978 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent area flooding.

Big Spring in Forbes State Forest

Photo: JmsHoang/Shutterstock

Yes, we know — that doesn’t look much like a natural spring. That’s because someone has vandalized the large rock outside the spring a few times, so in order to make it a little harder for people to find, we’re not including a photo (or a map). But there’s plenty of information about where it is online and, hopefully, you’ll find a bit of extra information about how to protect the spring while you’re reading about it, too.

Big Spring looks like something you’d find somewhere more tropical, with the turquoise blue water and lush greenery of a Mexican cenote. It’s more than 100 feet across with a sandy bottom, and if there’s anyone else there when you arrive, don’t be surprised if you see them going for a dip.

The spring is surrounded by the massive Forbes State Forest, but is actually on private land. So you’ll need to do your research and figure out how to legally visit before starting the hike.

Pine Creek Gorge

Photo: CEW/Shutterstock

Welcome to the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania,” known as Pine Creek Gorge. It’s in north-central Pennsylvania and is 47 miles long, 1,450 feet deep, and home to a healthy population of bald eagles.

There are two state parks around the gorge that could themselves be considered some of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania: Leonard Harrison State Park, and Colton Point State Park. Visitors from both parks have described the viewpoints over Pine Creek Gorge as “stunning,” “awe-inspiring,” and “sweeping.” Leonard Harrison State Park is a bit more developed if you prefer a park with amenities and a more interactive visitors center.

Youghiogheny River Gorge

Photo: Jim Finke/Shutterstock

The Youghiogheny River Gorge is a stunning slice of Pennsylvania within Ohiopyle State Park. As you might imagine, rafting and kayaking are very popular on the river, and outfitters like White Water Adventurers and Ohiopyle Trading Post & River Tours run trips and offer rentals on the water.

However, it’s not just the stunning scenery along the Youghiogheny River Gorge that makes it one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania. It’s the many waterfalls along the river within Ohiopyle State Park. There’s the eponymous Ohiopyle Falls (pictured above), Cucumber Falls (likely the most photographed falls in the park), multi-tiered and branched Jonathan Run Falls, and 34-foot-tall Sugar Run Falls. And that’s not an exhaustive list.

Ohiopyle State Park is near Farmington in southwestern Pennsylvania, just north of the border between West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

Photo: Karenfoleyphotography/Shutterstock

Say, do you like birds? How about thousands of snow-white birds taking to the sky at exactly the same time? That’s what happens every spring when stunning white birds migrate north, stopping at Middle Creek on the way. The birds are usually there in mid-March, though, of course, it varies from year to year. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers anxious to take shots of the enormous numbers of snow-white birds against the bright blue background of the lake.

If you time it right, you’ll certainly see birds — and lots of ’em. The park monitors the number of birds and shares reports on the prime days to visit annually. On any given year, the park expects approximately 100,000-120,000 snow geese, 10,000 Canadian geese, and 10,000 tundra swans to pass through the 6,000-acre nesting area. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania if you’re awed by natural wonders and wildlife.

Loyalsock State Forest

Photo: Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock

It’s impossible to narrow down which of the state’s many waterfalls should make a list of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania. But fortunately, there’s no need to narrow down which waterfalls you visit if you head to Loyalsock State Forest, which has dozens of waterfalls in the northern part of the state’s Endless Mountains. You can’t make a wrong choice, but gorgeous options include 70-foot Angel Falls, which looks straight out of Costa Rica; Mills Creek Falls, popular for swimming; and Dutchman Falls, which looks like a mini-version of California’s famous multi-pronged Mossbrae Falls.

More like thisGalleries39 of the Most Breathtaking Natural Wonders in the World

New Study Finds the 13 Worst Types of Tourists

Whether this is your first or hundredth time visiting a place, you are a tourist. To some, the word tourist alone has a negative connotation, especially when you consider that there are plenty of tourist-targeting scams out there. But ultimately, being a tourist is the trademark of a chance for adventure — at least as long as you do it correctly. No one wants to be the type of tourist who gives the word “tourist” such a bad name. The International Journal of Tourism Research recently published a study that tried to narrow down the worst types of tourists that people can’t stand.

To find the worst types of tourists, the International Journal of Tourists study used 2088 comments from 10 subreddits posted between 2014 and 2019 that used the keywords “tourist bad behaviour.” Then, it used the comments, username of the poster, and date of the post and manually copy-pasted onto a word document labeled with the subreddits name. The study created a coding template to match the statements from the Reddit comments with recurring themes. Two authors checked and rechecked the themes against the data collected, which were then grouped into overarching themes based on the aim of the research.

The researchers finally broke the worst types of tourists down into 13 major groups, with the percent of people who said that was the worst offender:

13 worst types of touristsCulture disregarders: 20.9 percentDisrupters: 19.7 percentPhoto clickers: 9.7 percentLitterers: 7.8 percentSafety ignorers: 7.6 percentHost abusers: 6.3 percentDrunkards: 5.9 percentDestroyers: 5.3 percentReckless drivers: 4.2 percentAnimal abusers: 4.0 percentQueue cutters: 3.2 percentCareless parents: 3.0 percentLawbreakers: 2.3 percent

The most hated group of tourists were the cultural disregarders, meaning people who broke cultural norms of the host population. The second was disrupters. This deviates from cultural disregarders because it specifically relates to people who disrupt the quality of life and daily routine of locals — like people who are obnoxiously loud on a typically quiet beach. Photo clickers are also not found fond of, though not in the double digits. These tourists are the ones who take photos at inappropriate moments, like in front of war memorials. Next was people who litter. And rounding out the top five are the safety ignorers — people who do things like try to get too close to the bison in Yellowstone National Park, an activity which sometimes ends in serious injury.

So the next time you head out into the world, know that you will inevitably be a tourist. Just be a respectful tourist.

More like thisTravel SafetyTourists Are Falling for This Scam All Over Florence, Italy

7 Pumpkin Patches in Las Vegas for Some Family-Friendly Festive Fun

Las Vegas is not renowned for being family-friendly. After all, it’s home to an unreasonable number of sexy adult shows, extravagant hotels with 40-foot-tall TV screens, and museums dedicated to dubious themes, like the mob and burlesque shows. Yet, come fall, Las Vegas, just like everywhere in America, makes a big deal of pumpkin patches so that everyone, from families to couples to groups of friends can go in search of the perfect gourd and some non-sexual, non-boozy, non-gambling festive fun.

So for one day, trade the casinos, glamorous pools, and Michelin-star restaurants for hayrides, corn mazes, and rows after rows of pumpkins at one of the following fall festivals and pumpkin patches in Las Vegas.

Gilcrease Orchard

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par The Gilcrease Orchard (@gilcrease_orchard)

The Gilcrease Orchard is a Las Vegas landmark where families come to pick and purchase fruits, vegetables, and during the fall, pumpkins.

The concept is simple: drive up, walk out to the fields, pick whatever you want, and pay before you leave. Peaches, pears, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, and more are available for those who want that true farm-to-table food experience. The orchard has even developed an app that allows you to see exactly where everything is, so you don’t spend hours roaming the 60-acre farm unless you want to.

During the fall season, Gilcrease Orchard sets up a family pumpkin patch where you can fill wagons and wheelbarrows with an assortment of pumpkins and seasonal offerings, ready for checkout.

It’s an extremely popular place on the weekends, so you’ll want to get there early for first dibs on the goods, plus your crew will want to stand in line for a cup of their legendary apple cider and mouth-watering donuts.

Where: 7800 N Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89131

Season: Gilcrease Orchard is open throughout the year. Their fall season generally begins at the end of September and runs through October.

Staheli Family Farm

Photo: Jud Burkett via Staheli Family Farm

We’ll get the obvious out of the way first: Staheli Family Farm is not in the Las Vegas area. It’s a two-hour drive from downtown Vegas to this property in Utah, but every year Las Vegas locals make the trek to this unique family experience and agricultural wonder.

The Staheli Family Farm’s Corn Maize brings visitors back year after year. Guests navigate their way through an intricate maze where elaborate designs have been cut into corn fields. Past maze designs have included a salute to our nation’s veterans, a thank you to Utah farmers, and a celebration of Zion National Park.

The most popular attraction is their Field of Screams, which is a completely separate Halloween-themed cornfield maze with jumps and frights around every corner.

Other attractions include a cow train and a trick-or-treat trail for the younger ones in your group, as well as a petting zoo with goats, sheep, pigs, and more.

No trip to Staheli’s fall festivities would be complete without a visit to their pumpkin patch, where guests have their pick from an entire field of pumpkins to take home. Families also have every opportunity to take plenty of classic seasonal fall pictures while visiting the pumpkin patch.

Where: 3400 S. Washington Fields Road, Washington, Utah 84780

Season: September 23 to October 29

Hours of operation: The farm opens at 5 PM each day, Monday through Saturday, but remains closed each Sunday.

Moapa Valley Cornmaze

Voir cette publication sur Instagram

Une publication partagée par Moapa Valley Corn Maze (@moapavalleycornmaze)

Each fall, families from every corner of Southern Nevada descend on the small, unassuming town of Moapa Valley to get lost in a haunted maze of corn, take holiday photos in a pumpkin patch, and enjoy a few rounds of zombie paintball.

The Moapa Valley Cornmaze pumpkin patch is more than just a few pumpkins set up on hay bales, it’s four acres of pick-your-own fun where guests can choose between fresh pumpkins, delicious watermelons, and ears of sweet corn.

In addition to the pumpkin patch, an impressive directory of activities will keep everyone in your group entertained for the day. Try your hand at the corn cannon, where compressed air will help you launch corn over 300 feet down range, or the pedal carts, which allow riders to scoot around a track as fast as their legs will take them.

Food is also available for purchase at the Moapa Valley Cornmaze, including caramel apple slices, hamburgers, and hotdogs, among other selections. The must-try, however, is the mouth-watering concoction called “Apple Pie Fries,” which are apple slices dipped in a sweet batter that are fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar before being topped with whipped cream and warm caramel.

Admission to the Moapa Valley Cornmaze is $12 and some of the activities, such as zombie paintball, require an additional fee.

Where: 1500 Lewis Ranch Rd, Moapa, NV 89025

Season: End of September until October 31.

McKee Ranch Foundation

Grab a big bag of carrots and get ready to feed the horses, donkeys, chickens, and goats at the McKee Ranch Foundation located off Dean Martin Drive on the south side of the city. Visitors to Las Vegas may not realize that Las Vegas was once a thriving ranching community before it became entertainment and tourism-based. The McKee Ranch Foundation’s main goal is the promotion and preservation of ranch culture in southern Nevada.

In October, McKee Ranch Foundation invites the community to their pumpkin patch for pictures and fun, which in the past has included a small corn maze, straw maze, and slides for young children. The ranch has also set up a barrel train, face painting, plus other art offerings so families can plan on spending an entire evening at McKee Ranch. Admission is $20 per family and includes a pumpkin that you can take home.

Where: 8982 Dean Martin Drive, Enterprise, NV 89139

Season: McKee Ranch is open year-round. Their pumpkin patch runs October 1 to 31.

The Las Vegas Farm

Photo: Sharon Linsenbardt via The Las Vegas Farm

The Las Vegas Farm, also known as Barn Buddies Rescue, is a cherished landmark that has been active since the 1960s and allows guests to feed and interact with chickens, ducks, peacocks, geese, turkeys, goats, pigs, horses, and a llama, among a variety of other animals.

At the heart of the Las Vegas Farm is a desire and movement to provide housing, rehabilitation, and holistic care for abused or neglected farm animals. So while you feed the animals and shop the farm’s goods, visitors can feel a sense of pride knowing that the profits are put back into the care for the animals they have on the property and the ones that will arrive in the future.

During October, the Las Vegas Farm hosts a Farm Fall Harvest Festival where guests are invited to bring the entire family to enjoy activities such as a cow train for toddlers, an amazing maize maze for all ages, a concession stand that serves up yummy treats, and more. A number of goods are also made available for purchase at the market, such as specialty pumpkins and squash, artisanal bread, cheesecakes, pies, jams, fresh local honey, and eggs.

Admission is free for the market portion only. To get up close to the animals, you’ll pay $8 for those 13 and older, while children 12 and under will pay $4. The special activities range from $1 to $4. All income from the festival goes towards veterinarian care and feed for the animals they care for at Barn Buddies Rescue.

Where: 7222 W. Grand Teton Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89131

Season: The Las Vegas Farm is open throughout the year. The Fall Harvest Festival is held almost every weekend in October, including Halloween day.

Seasonal Adventures

Photo: Joy Litchfield via Seasonal Adventures

Seasonal Adventures has been a holiday tradition for families throughout California and Nevada since 1994. Not only are their family-friendly pumpkin patches a hit with everyone in the fall, but they later reopen in November as Christmas tree lots.

They have 10 locations throughout California and three in Las Vegas, giving your crew a variety of choices when it comes to getting the perfect holiday picture with fresh pumpkins and squash sourced from local farms.

At each location hay bales, corn stalks, and friendly scarecrows line the property giving you plenty of angles to get great pictures and create lifelong memories. At the end of the night you can pick out a pumpkin, pay for it, and take it home.

Beyond the pumpkin patches, Seasonal Adventures has mechanical rides, games, a petting zoo, inflatable jump houses, obstacle courses and more to make each outing a fun filled adventure for your entire family.

Admission is free to the pumpkin patches while ticket prices for the rides and activities range from $1.25 for a single ticket to a 40-pack that costs $46. Concessions usually consist of carnival fare including hotdogs, popcorn, and nachos.

Where: 8625 W Centennial Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89149 (Centennial); 1001 New Beginnings Drive, Henderson, NV 89011 (Green Valley); 6555 S. Riley Street, Las Vegas, NV 89148 (IKEA)

Season: October 1 – 31

Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch

For more than 20 years, Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch has entertained children and families with an array of carnival games, thrilling rides, delicious food, fantastic photo opportunities, and, of course, plenty of pumpkins. Halloween Town is held in three different locations across the city: Boca Park, Silverado Ranch, and Southwest Las Vegas.

The original Halloween Town location at Boca Park is designed for children aged two to 10 years old. There are carnival games, face painting, pumpkin painting, and fun vintage rides designed for children.

The location at Silverado Ranch on the south side of the city is designed with a perfect mix of rides and entertainment for the whole family. Children must be at least 36-inch-tall to ride the rides, so smaller thrill-seekers may want to pass the time with the carnival-style games and the fair-inspired food offerings.

The newest addition to the Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch family, the Southwest Las Vegas location is perfect for the adults and teenagers in your crew. The rides and games here will keep your adrenaline pumping, so it’s advised you eat a turkey leg and candied apple after you have your fill of adventurous rides for the evening.

Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch locations usually open at the beginning of October, charge a $20 admission fee (you’ll get 25 tickets for rides and games), and include free parking. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome so they can celebrate with the family.

Where: 510 S. Rampart Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89145 (Boca Park); 71 E. Silverado Ranch Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89183 (Silverado Ranch); 7220 S. Rainbow Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89139 (Southwest Las Vegas)

Season: Generally, from the beginning of October through October 31.

More like thisEpic StaysThis Hotel-Within-a-Hotel Might Be the Most Relaxing Part of the Las Vegas Strip

Get Inside Georgia O’Keeffe Paintings in This Immersive Las Vegas Exhibition

From Van Gogh to Frida Khalo, immersive exhibits showcasing acclaimed painters’ art have become extremely popular in recent years. Walking into a room surrounded by art from some of the greats, complete with light shows and special sound effects, is an incredible way to experience the pieces you know and love in a completely new way. There’s a new exhibit that’s made its way to Las Vegas’ AREA15: Georgia O’Keeffe, the Mother of American Modernism, is the latest artist to get an immersive exhibition 35 years after her death in the exhibit “O’KEEFFE: One Hundred Flowers.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AREA15 (@area15official)

Best known for her paintings of flowers and landscapes of the American West, O’Keeffe’s work will be displayed using 360-degree projection mapping technology. O’Keeffe’s paintings are turned into a virtual garden that celebrates some of her best pieces. AREA15 is best known as an immersive playground that uses visual effects, objects, music, and narration to transport you elsewhere. The exhibit is paired with the anthems of performers like Nina Simone, Cyndi Lauper, and Andra Day.

Cocktails inspired by O’Keeffe’s flora and fauna will be available for purchase, including the Flower Drop (a play on a lemon drop), the Desert Flower (similar to a margarita), and the Sky Above Clouds (a Midori Martini). As a thank-you gift, guests will also receive a package of wildflower seeds to plant.

“Following the enormous success of ‘Van Gogh’ and ‘Klimt,’ we are thrilled to launch AREA15’s newest immersive art experience inside The Portal,” said Winston Fisher, chief executive officer of AREA15, in a press release. “As a top destination for immersive art and entertainment, AREA15 is a must-see attraction for art enthusiasts visiting Las Vegas.”

Tickets are available now for $30 with $23 discounted tickets for children, seniors, Nevada residents, and the military. The exhibition closes in February 2023.