1

Thor's Well, Oregon

Image: Eric Muhr

Imagine there is a huge, circular hole in the sea where water seems to fall endlessly into an abyss. Spooky, right? Well, this is what you'll see if you look at the incredible Thor's Well, located on the Oregon coast.

Despite its name, it's not a well but a large, bowl-shaped sinkhole situated on the rocky shore. When you see it, it gives the impression that the ocean is being drained away! The ocean waves flow in and out of the hole, creating a dancing water spectacle. But that's not all; the site is surrounded by rugged volcanic rock that becomes slippery and hazardous when wet. It feels almost like stepping into a scene from a fantasy movie.

2

Devil's Den, Florida

Image: Michael Behrens

When it comes to spooky names, Devil's Den stands out. While its name might not sound very inviting—unless you’re a horror fan—this is actually an incredibly beautiful place with a charm that is hard to match.

Devil's Den is a prehistoric underground spring and cave system. Picture yourself walking through the state of Florida when suddenly you find a big, mysterious hole in the ground. When you look down, you discover a cave with a bright blue body of water inside. Scientists believe that the roof of an underground river collapsed here, exposing the water surface and creating what we now know as Devil's Den Spring.

If you haven't visited this spot yet, this is your invitation; you won't regret it!

3

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico

Image: John Fowler

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is an incredible landscape filled with reddish-purple rock formations on eroded terrain . The site has amazing geological structures sculpted from sedimentary rock.

While this scene looks like something out of a science fiction movie set on some distant planet, this extraordinary place is not only on Earth but also right here in northwestern New Mexico.

Want to know what its name means? Bisti and De-Na-Zin are Navajo words that can be translated to "a large area of shale hills" and "standing rock," respectively.

4

Bumpass Hell, California

Image: Quentin Burgess

Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California has something to surprise visitors: a geothermal basin.

We're talking about Bumpass Hell, a place with a name that has an interesting history. This spot owes its name to Kern Bumpass, a miner who, in the 19th century, was one of the first to explore this little-known wonder. Bumpass suffered injuries and burns due to the geothermal activity, which gave rise to the ingenious name that the area has today.

What you see upon arrival is a series of steam vents reaching temperatures of up to 200°F , rising from bubbling hot springs. And as if all this weren't enough, Bumpass Hell is framed by the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

5

Havasu Falls, Arizona

Image: Cara Fuller

While the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona is one of our country's best-known natural landmarks, it also holds a special spot that many overlook. Although a permit is required and access is a bit tricky, the effort is well worth it to find the beautiful Havasu Falls. The most common way to reach Havasu Falls is by hiking , but you can also get there by helicopter.

The waterfall is an impressive 100 feet high and splashes against the unique rocky backdrop. This spot is mesmerizing, and this fact is reflected in its name: Havasu translates to "blue-green water" in the Havasupai language.

6

Turnip Rock, Michigan

Image: Cody Doherty

The Great Lakes are well-known for their beauty and size, but there's a hidden gem among them that has been overlooked for a long time.

Picture yourself standing on the shore of a lake and suddenly spotting a large rock formation that appears to be balancing on the water. If you experience this, you're probably in the state of Michigan, precisely standing by Lake Huron, witnessing the incredible formation called Turnip Rock.

Its name comes from its strange shape: over the years, the action of the waves has eroded the base of the rock, making it narrow while leaving the top wide. As a result, the rock now resembles a giant turnip. The best way to reach this site is by kayak, so if you like that activity, Michigan is the perfect place for you!

7

Apostle Islands Sea Caves, Wisconsin

Image: Spencer Fitzgerald

Wisconsin boasts some of the most beautiful natural areas and holds unexpected scenery.

If you enjoy museums and art, don't miss Apostle Islands Sea Caves in Wisconsin. Here, nature is the main work of art, with water as the star sculptor!

In this spot, the water has drastically affected the cliffs, carving out wonderful rock formations with incredible shapes. However, all of this becomes even more amazing in winter when the site is covered with ice water and adorned with icicles hanging like spikes!

8

Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho

Image: Chris Bair

If you are someone who has always dreamed of traveling to space and stepping foot on the moon , this place might become your new favorite spot.

While it's not actually in outer space, Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho makes you feel as if you were there. As the name suggests, the landscape here resembles lunar craters. These pits and fissures in the dark, hardened ground are the result of volcanic activity that has occurred in the area over the past 15,000 years.

If you enjoy hiking, exploring caves, and taking in spectacular views, don’t miss the chance to visit this remarkable place!

9

Lost River Cave, Kentucky

Image: Bruno van der Kraan

As if descending into the dark depths of a cave weren’t enough, imagine the sensation of navigating an underground river! If you're not afraid of that scenario, then you can visit Lost River Cave in Kentucky.

After passing through a dramatic entrance, you'll enter the cave system, a mysterious world adorned with stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the entire space. But the highlight is the river flowing through it. Visitors can experience this adventure by taking a boat ride along the underground river with other guests. It’s an experience you definitely won't want to miss!

10

Providence Canyon, Georgia

Image: Shelby Cohron

Yes, the Grand Canyon is absolutely impressive and beautiful, but it's not the only canyon in our country. Right here in the US, we also have the Providence Canyon, located in southwestern Georgia.

Sometimes called "Georgia's Grand Canyon," this stunning place is approximately 120 miles southwest of Atlanta and covers about 1,000 acres. The rock formations here delight visitors with a varied color palette, ranging from pink to red, orange, and even purple.

In addition, the canyon's depth ranges from 15 to 50 feet, offering magnificent views to enjoy during the hike. If you love to explore, make sure to visit Georgia!

1

Chicken Tetrazzini, California

Image: Lampos Aritonang

California is famous for several dishes, including sushi, avocadoes, and many more but the Chicken Tetrazzini is also a very popular and delicious local dish. Named for an Italian-born opera star who lived in San Francisco, the dish involves thin sliced chicken served with mushrooms in a cream-based sauce flavored with white wine .

The dish was supposedly invented in the early 1900s by Ernest Arbogast, the chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, where Luisa Tetrazzini made her American debut at the Tivoli as Gilda in Rigoletto in 1905.

2

Scrapple, Delaware

Image: Martinet Sinan

While the name may not sound all that appealing, the flavor makes up for it. This meat loaf is made of cornmeal, flour, seasonings, and pork scraps , which gives it its name. It’s then sliced thinly and pan-fried before serving.

As the story goes, this dish owes its existence to the Pennsylvania Dutch not wanting to waste their meat trimmings. Locals claim that it makes for an excellent snack or breakfast addition.

3

Italian Beef, Illinois

Image: Farhad Ibrahimzade

It sounds like beef, but it is a beef sandwich, actually. This deliciousness is made by slow-cooking beef, slicing it thinly, and placing it into a white bread roll with a local hot pickled pepper relish or roasted sweet peppers.

The origin of this dish is informed by Chicago’s meat packing history, as it was made quickly as a lunch item for workers with ingredients at hand.

4

Bierock, Kansas

Image: Jeremias Ybañez

Quite similar to Argentinean "empanadas", bierock are small meat pies created in Kansas by German immigrants in the late 1800s. They are typically stuffed with cabbage, ground beef, and onion but many other flavors can be found as the format lends itself to creativity and can be stuffed with just about anything.

These savory treats are common among the German community and it was brought to the United States in the 1870s by German Russian Mennonite immigrants.

5

Toasted Ravioli, Missouri

Image: Lorenzo Tomassetti

A local specialty from St. Louis, "toasted" ravioli are actually deep-fried and meant to be dipped in sauce and eaten with your hands . They function as an appetizer, entrée, and snack. As the legend goes, in the early 1940s, a raviolo was accidentally dropped into the fryer by a chef. Apparently, someone thought that this happy accident tasted good because, shortly thereafter, the item began appearing on menus across The Hill.

6

Cider Doughnuts, New Hampshire

Image: Pere Jurado

New Hampshire cider doughnuts get their flavor from cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple cider used in the batter. These are cakey donuts, perfect for snacking during fall, and are a harvest tradition sometimes sold at cider mills. They are often paired with apple cider and may be covered with cinnamon and/or granulated sugar.

7

Kase Knoephla, North Dakota

Image: Frank Zhang

These hard-to-pronounce cheese buttons are a form of dumplings of German origin, a nod to the settlers who immigrated to the area. They’re stuffed with a cottage cheese mixture and served with sauteed onions, cheese, and sour cream .

These treats have some similarities with Italian ricotta ravioli. The recipe for the noodle dough is exactly the same as a common recipe for pasta, and the recipe for the cheese is similar to at least one version of ricotta.

8

Pepperoni Rolls, West Virginia

Image: Jez Timms

Imagine a soft white bread roll stuffed with slices of pepperoni and you will be picturing a pepperoni roll. This dish can attribute its existence to the local coal mining industry, as it was created by an Italian baker so miners would have a no-fuss lunch they could pack for work.

During baking, the fats in the pepperoni melt, resulting in a spicy oil suffusing into the bread. Pepperoni rolls are typically eaten for lunch or breakfast, either unheated or slightly warmed.

9

Conch fritters, Florida

Image: Anshu A

You can skip this one if you are not into snails but if you are, by all means, read on. Conch are large sea snails native to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and surrounding regions battered and fried as to become a deliciously salty and savory snack.

This dish can be eaten on its own, or fried with chips, or in a seafood salad. But the fritters are perfect for sharing.

10

Ham Balls, Iowa

Image: Сергей Орловский

It should come as no surprise that a state with so many pork farms has its own version of a metaball but with ham. Or at least partially, since ham balls have a mixture of ground meats: ground ham, ground beef, and ground pork . Ham is a cured cut of pork with a smoky quality, it contains a different flavor than ground pork alone.

While these three types of meat together might sound like an odd combination, the mixture results in a flavorful and perfectly textured meatball. Also, to differentiate even further from the classic meatballs, ham balls use graham cracker crumbs instead of breadcrumbs.