Marisa Roman
Marisa Roman is a Florida writer who spent years crossing the country in a built-out Sprinter Van — surfing in San Juan Capistrano, sandboarding at White Sands, and discovering that storytelling and travel are one and the same. Now based in South Florida, she covers regional restaurants, attractions, haunted lore, and unique accommodations for Only In Your State, with a particular focus on the kind of off-the-beaten-path experiences most visitors never find. With extensive travel experience, especially in the Southeastern United States, Marisa knows exactly where to send you when the tourist trail runs out. Follow her work at muckrack.com/marisa-roman.
15 Hidden Beach Towns Across America Locals Hope You Never Find
Enjoy 15 hidden beach towns across America that locals love, from quiet ocean fronts to secret lake escapes.
19 Prime Day Deals on Products Our Editors Actually Use
Amazon's Prime Day is one of the few times gear we genuinely use goes on sale. Our editors pulled together the picks worth your attention across travel, home, health, and the outdoors.
15 Most Fascinating Abandoned Places in America (And Where to Find Them)
Not every abandoned place earns a second look. These ones do, for the stories behind them, the visuals they leave behind, and the particular kind of quiet that only comes when people stop showing up.
10 Waterfall Road Trips Across America Worth Planning an Entire Vacation Around
From a single scenic loop through the Ozarks to a weekend of chasing cascades along the Great Lakes shoreline, these are the waterfall road trips worth planning a trip around.
15 Underrated Quirky Towns Across America Worth Visiting
From a Utah mining town covered in murals to a Kansas stop with a surprisingly famous pop culture connection, these under-the-radar towns prove the best discoveries don't always come with a crowd.
16 Scenic U.S. Trails You Need to Experience (That Aren’t Hiking Trails)
Not every great outdoor adventure starts with lacing up your hiking boots. These 16 rail, bike, and paddle trails across the country offer stunning scenery from a whole different vantage point.
13 Real American Towns That Now Sit Beneath the Water
Flooded for dams, submerged by reservoirs, and forgotten under decades of water: these are the underwater towns in America that exist only beneath the surface now.
50 Iconic Hot Dogs in the U.S. Worth the Road Trip (One in Every State)
From Sonoran dogs in Arizona to Rhode Island hot wieners to a century-old chili sauce in Alabama, every state has a hot dog worth knowing. Here are 50 of the best.
13 Places in the U.S. That Feel Like a Caribbean Paradise
You don't need a passport for turquoise water and warm, clear swimming holes. These spots across the country deliver the Caribbean experience without leaving the U.S.
14 Baseball Stadiums Worth Traveling For, From Food to Incredible Views
Not all baseball stadiums are created equal. These 14 ballparks offer views, food, and atmosphere worth building an entire trip around.
50 Taco Shops Across the U.S. Actually Worth The Hype in 2026
One unforgettable taco shop in every state — no chains, no shortcuts, just the real deal.
The Airlines Where You Are Most and Least Likely to Experience Delays This Summer (According to Data)
Government data on delays, cancellations, and mishandled baggage help identify the most and least reliable airlines when it comes to summer travel.
17 Top Places Across the U.S. to Visit This June
From mountain escapes and rocky coastlines to festival-packed cities and hidden canyon gems, these are the American destinations absolutely worth your summer days.
50 Legendary Local Restaurants Across America (One in Every State)
Discover one iconic restaurant in every state, from historic diners to beloved local gems that define America’s food culture.
Where to Eat in Pensacola: 10 Must-Try Restaurants From My Coastal Getaway
From dockside seafood dinners to tucked-away bistros and creative vegan cafés, these Pensacola spots made my trip unforgettable.
How to Find the Quirky Neighborhoods That Make Travel Unforgettable
From Pensacola to Philadelphia, the best neighborhoods rarely show up on "Top 10" lists—here's how to find them on your next trip.
I Almost Skipped Pensacola—But This Historic Florida City Completely Surprised Me
I came for the beaches—but found a side of Pensacola most travelers completely miss.
10 Towns Across the U.S. Locals Hope Stay Off Tourists’ Radar
From quiet coastal villages to historic small-town hideaways, these destinations have managed to keep their charm under the radar. Locals love them for their laid-back pace, natural beauty, and the feeling that you’ve discovered somewhere truly special.
I Skied for the First Time on One of the World’s Best Mountains (and Didn’t Break Any Bones)
This beginner-friendly ski guide highlights how effortless rentals and world-class instruction can turn a humbling first day on the mountain into a seamless, bone-broken-free success.
We Found 15 Oddball Museums in the U.S. (And They’re Worth a Detour)
America’s most memorable museums aren’t always the biggest or the most famous. From quirky roadside collections to unexpectedly fascinating institutions, these oddball museums prove the detour is half the fun.
The Best Pistachio Cake I’ve Ever Eaten and Other Colorado Food Highlights
From the best pistachio cake I’ve ever eaten to a string of unforgettable local bites, Colorado surprised me at every turn with its food scene.
14 Best Snow-Covered Cabins for a Wintery Escape
Check out these charming winter cabins perfect for snowy getaways, fireside nights, and cold-weather adventures.
America at 250: A Year of Iconic Experiences
A month-by-month journey through the people, places, flavors, and landscapes that tell the story of America.
Orlando Day 3: Off-Roading, Clermont Catboat Cruising, and a Comic Book Inspired Pho Shop
Check out Orlando’s unexpected side, moving beyond theme parks into muddy trails, open water adventures, and immersive food and resort experiences that redefine what a day in Central Florida can look like.
Sharing a Meal With Orlando’s Beloved Chef Trina Gregory, Owner of Se7en Bites
A beloved Milk District staple where Southern comfort food, family recipes, and community spirit collide in the heart of Orlando.
11 Overhyped U.S. Attractions That Look Way Cooler Online
Instagram-worthy angles, clever timing, and selective framing can make some destinations seem more impressive than they really are—these popular U.S. attractions are proof that real life doesn’t always match the feed.
These 11 U.S. Winery Towns Are Quietly Competing to Become the Next Napa
These charming wine towns offer scenic vineyards, boutique wineries, and unforgettable tasting experiences for wine lovers.
These 13 Scenic Hikes in the U.S. Are Even Better in Winter
Escape the crowds and embrace winter’s beauty on these 13 must-visit hikes—from frosted forests and frozen rivers to snowy bluffs and tranquil waterfront trails.
13 U.S. Airport Lounges That Turn Travel Days Into Getaways
From chef-crafted dining to spa-style shower suites, these premium lounges offer comfort, calm, and a dose of luxury before you ever board your flight.
12 Up-and-Coming Cities in the U.S. That Are Perfectly Sized
From mountain towns to coastal gems, these cities offer the ideal blend of affordability, walkability, and room to grow.
Winter Is Predicted to Be Wild in These 7 States
From freezing cold snaps in the Midwest to wetter-than-usual winters across the South and West, the Farmers’ Almanac warns of a wild and unpredictable 2025 to 2026 winter season across the U.S.
Orlando Day 2: Death Row Pancakes, the Magic of Mr. Rogers, and Some Filipino Soul Food
Join States of Discovery as we journey through Orlando’s neighborhoods — from the soulful kitchens of the Milk District to the artistic streets of Winter Park — meeting the chefs, curators, and creators redefining the city one spot at a time.
FAA Announces 10% Flight Cut Across 40 High-Volume Airports: Here’s What It Means for You
A 10% reduction in air traffic could cancel thousands of flights across 40 airports. See how the FAA’s move impacts travel during the shutdown.
We Stepped Into a Comic Book: Inside Orlando’s 2D Noodle Bar, Twenty-Pho Hour
At Twenty-Pho Hour in Orlando, the noodles are hot, the walls are flat, and the entire restaurant looks like it’s been sketched straight out of a comic book.
Florida at 125 MPH: What It’s Like to Ride the Brightline for the First Time
Experience Florida’s high-speed future on the Brightline—from Fort Lauderdale’s sleek station to Orlando’s modern terminal, discover what it’s really like to travel in both Premium and Smart class on this effortless, scenic ride.
Orlando Day 1: Luxury Villas, Beer Spa Bliss and A Wild McDonald’s Experience
A playful kickoff to our Visit Orlando series featuring luxury, sudsy relaxation, and unforgettable dining in The City Beautiful.
Seaside to Alys Beach: Where Florida’s New Urbanism Comes Alive
Along 30A, New Urbanism transforms Florida’s Gulf Coast into a study of human-centered design—where walkable streets, shared spaces, and timeless architecture redefine what it means to live in community.
Billie Eilish’s Top 5 Miami Vegan Restaurants—Plus Local Favorites
While on her 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' world tour, Billie Eilish teamed up with Google Maps to share her go-to vegan restaurants in Miami—proving that the Magic City knows how to do plant-based dining right.
10 Favorite Bites, Sights, and Activities From My Trip to the Emerald Coast
Walton County, Florida, offers more than sugar-white beaches—it’s a culmination of culinary creativity, architectural beauty, and small-town warmth. From sipping local spirits in Santa Rosa Beach to strolling the serene streets of Alys Beach, here’s how one corner of the Emerald Coast redefines the art of a coastal getaway.
Travel Hacks Uncovered: From Strange Trends to Airline Perks & Pet Peeves
From airport mimosas to packing cubes, we uncover the tips, tricks, and traveler truths that make every journey smoother (and a lot more entertaining).
