Sometimes it’s the hidden gems that shine the brightest. Such is the case with Watertown. Enjoy the kind of refreshing outdoor spaces, great dining, and artistic adventures you can only find off the beaten path.

Explore a portrait of prairie wonder in Watertown, South Dakota. Watertown has a story to tell. You can hear it whispered by the ornate arches on Kemp Avenue, taste it in the local fare, and feel it in a gold-soaked sunset over Lake Kampeska. This is where life slows down and your creative spirit soars. You’ll see why after spending a few days in this picturesque haven.

Take a tour through the recently renovated Goss Opera House, where historic charm meets modern elegance. If these walls could talk, the stories they would tell! The same area is also home to a bevy of locally-inspired dishes and drink, adding up for one inedible dining experience. Tickle your sweet tooth at the Watertown Confectionery and Ghost Town Winery, where you’ll find hand-dipped chocolates and house bottled wins. “Come Closer” at the AZA accredited Bramble Park Zoo, where more than 800 animals representing 120 species call home.

A hub of prairie culture, Watertown has a flourishing arts community you might think impossible in a town of 20,000. Those in search of inspiration will find it at the Terry Redlin Art Center, where 165 original oil paintings immortalize the rural scenes of Redlin’s youth. Outside the museum is the beginning of the Watertown Artwalk, a path of 12 sculptures gracing uptown.

Discover the Watertown story-and write a chapter of your own-on an invigorating getaway. Start planning yours today at VisitWatertownSD.com

Getting Here

Located at the intersection of Interstate 29 and U.S. Hwy 212, Watertown is approximately halfway between Omaha and Winnipeg on Interstate 29, and about 200 miles from Minneapolis on U.S. Hwy 212. Watertown has direct service to and from Chicago O’Hare and DenverInternational airports daily in the newly opened terminal at Watertown Regional Airport.

The post Off the Beaten Path – Watertown, South Dakota appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

In the center of West Virginia is small-town Buckhannon. Small, as in the local population and how quickly you can get around, but not to be confused with a boring po-dunk town. To West Virginia, Buckhannon is known as a vibrant downtown with loads of atmosphere. There’s an emerging arts district with public art popping up in unexpected places and, surprisingly, a number of options for top-quality food joints.

Buckhannon’s Main Street pumps with atmosphere–downtown shoppes line the street with colorful flags, and window displays welcome you to walk in to the boutiques. Spring and summer time are highlights, seeing nearly every street corner overflowing with flowers. And while this town is the classic, charming USA MainStreets, one end of the town is quickly becoming the funky, artistic scene. Places like Trader’s Alley have murals and a painted walkway. Tucked around the corner is Lascaux Micro-Theater that premieres showings like the Manhattan Film Festival and other artistic cinema. The Blaxxmith Shop and The Infamous Art Gallery have interactive art exhibits and events each week. It’s common to see a gathering of artists on the corner, prepping for the town’s next event.

It’s easy to see how the arts are appreciated throughout the town–the local city purchased a Main Street building and restored it into the Colonial Arts Center–a hub for performances, theater, exhibition space and workshops. Recent productions include “Clue: Live On Stage”and“ A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol.”

Buckhannon’s creativity flows into the restaurants, too. Local–and yes, it’s all certainly local–as Laura Meadows, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau says,“Buckhannon is proud to have our own people own the restaurants; we don’t have many chain restaurants and we like it that way.” Eating local means finding places like Fish Hawk Acres, that’s famous for Teresa’s biscuits, focaccia bread, and sunny windows. Fish Hawk serves more than meals–the downtown spot has first-class private dining experiences; the retail market, called The Coop, plus welcomes guests into the kitchen for some interactive cooking classes.

When a caffeine boost is needed, a favorite is Stone Tower Brews that has top selections of West Virginia craft beer on tap and creates specialty coffee blends. For one of the best burgers, the unassuming Whistle Stop Bar and Grill might not look like much, but serves up amazing burger creations like “The Caboose” and the “Almost Heaven.”

While Buckhannon is most known for its downtown vibes, the wild and wonderful side of West Virginia can be seen surrounding the town. Trail networks have become a priority for places like Upshur County Trails, with 10+ miles of trails for mountain bikers and hikers. Local trail makers like to say the wooded network is “made by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers.” More scenic trails and experiences are found at the West Virginia Wildlife Center. An immersive experience, guests can walk through the wooded forest of West Virginia to see the state’s native animals in natural enclosures. Overnight camp spots at Audra State Park are along the Middle Fork River, where the scenes and sounds of the flowing river can’t be beat.

West Virginia is an emerging top destination. The locals have long known the hidden gems–the scenic rolling hills, the winter mountains lined with ski slopes, the wide-open forests, and the small towns dotting the state with true Appalachian culture. In a time when everyone is searching for a new getaway, choosing Buckhannon is worth a shot.

The post Visit Upshur County, West Virginia appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.