South East Express Team

Shutterstock The Grotto of the Redemption, Iowa A priest with a rock collection and a massive vision turned this corner of Iowa into a legend. The Grotto of the Redemption spreads across nine city blocks in West Bend, built from countless precious stones and minerals into detailed biblical scenes. Both a folk art masterpiece and … Read more

Shutterstock The Complex History of the Kalaupapa Peninsula Kalaupapa Peninsula sits on Molokai’s northern coast, cut off from the world by towering sea cliffs and rough waters. From 1866 to 1969, this isolated spot was Hawaii’s leprosy settlement, where thousands lived and built their community. Today, it’s both a National Historical Park and home to … Read more

Shutterstock Haystack Rock Tower Rising 235 feet from the surf at Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock is Oregon’s most photographed chunk of coastline for good reason. The massive rock formation doubles as a protected wildlife refuge, hosting everything from nesting seabirds to colorful tide pools, all within walking distance of town. The rock formed about 17 … Read more

Wikimedia Commons/mullica Batsto Village, New Jersey Before Jersey was all turnpikes and diners, places like Batsto Village were turning Pine Barrens bog iron into serious business. This preserved town shows off the whole operation, including workers’ houses, blacksmith shops, a general store, and even the fancy mansion where the ironmaster lived. Here are some interesting … Read more

Shutterstock Michigan’s Crystal-Clear Beauty Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest freshwater spring sits in the Upper Peninsula, where it pumps out 10,000 gallons of clear water every minute. The spring, known as the ‘Mirror of Heaven’ by natives, is 300 feet wide and 40 feet deep. Now part of Palms Book State Park near Manistique, this natural pool … Read more

Shutterstock Welcome to Papakolea Beach One of only four green sand beaches in the world, Papakolea sits at the southern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island. The olive-colored sand comes from a cinder cone that erupted 49,000 years ago, creating crystals that mix with regular beach sand. Getting here takes work – it’s a hot 2.5-mile … Read more

Shutterstock Weeki Wachee River This crystal clear waterway starts at one of Florida’s deepest natural springs, stretching 12 miles through Hernando County, beginning at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. You can see right through the pristine water to the sandy bottom. The Seminole people gave this place its … Read more

Shutterstock The National Cowboy Museum The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum sits in the heart of Oklahoma City, where it has shared the story of the American West since 1955. This 220,000-square-foot building was first known as the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center. Inside, visitors will find more than 28,000 pieces … Read more

Shutterstock A Meaty Slice of American History The SPAM Museum in downtown Austin, Minnesota takes up 14,000 square feet of canned meat. The museum first opened its doors in 1991 and moved to 3rd Avenue NE after major renovations in 2016. The museum, nicknamed ‘Guggenham,’ shows how this simple canned meat has grown into a … Read more

Shutterstock The Hoh Rainforest, Washington Most people think rainforests are tropical, hot, and far away. The Hoh Rainforest, tucked into Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, proves them wrong. Here’s what makes this cool, mossy ecosystem unique in North America. Shutterstock Moss Species Create Their Own Mini-Worlds More than 130 types of moss grow on every surface in … Read more