1

Dinosaur State Park

Image: Steppinstars

The Northeast is not particularly known for its fossil sites, as most dinosaur bones are found in the West. However, Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut Valley is a singular exception.

Dinosaur State Park is a 200-million-year-old fossil trackway containing more than 2,600 dinosaur footprints. Although most have been reburied for preservation, this park is worth a visit to see the tracks that have been left on display. In addition to experiencing the Mesozoic era, you can also enjoy nature trails, an interactive museum, an arboretum, and picnic areas.

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Badlands National Park

Image: kkorvin

South Dakota is home to some of the most remarkable fossils ever discovered, and Badlands National Park, in particular, has been a fossil-rich reservoir for centuries. In fact, the Oglala Lakota people had been finding prehistoric remains long before paleontology was a formal discipline.

The park protects an exposed area of thousands of ancient fossil specimens. From large mammalian brontotheres to reptilian mosasaurs that swam in the ancient seas that gave way to the Badlands, there is a lot to explore here.

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Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry

Image: Danny Grizzle

A site with more than 12,000 bones from at least 70 different ancient animals, including lots of carnivorous dinosaurs? Sign me up!

But that's not all the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in Utah has to offer. For freshwater animal enthusiasts, there are also fossilized clam beds to discover. If you want to visit, just keep in mind this park is open seasonally, April through October.

4

La Brea Tar Pits

Image: Brian Wangenheim

Los Angeles is much more than just Hollywood. La Brea Tar Pits is located right in the heart of the most populous city in California, yet it remains one of the most important fossil sites in the country.

Hours of scientific work and hundreds of excavations have yielded millions of Pleistocene fossils that are now open to the public. From mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant mastodons to the tiny feet of Ice Age woodpeckers, you can learn a lot about prehistoric life at La Brea Tar Pits. Not bad, don't you think?

5

Petrified Forest National Park

Image: Joseph Corl

If you ever visit Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is worth a detour. Known for its Triassic fossils, this park seems to be frozen in time, as the world was more than 200 million years ago.

In addition to petrified trees and ancient fossilized plants and animals spread in an area of about 346 square miles, Petrified Forest National Park is also home to some interesting living inhabitants that today must survive in the harsh desert climate.

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Dinosaur National Monument

Image: Zachary

Dinosaur National Monument on the border between Colorado and Utah houses about 1,500 dinosaur bones from some of the most iconic species. Remains of Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, and Stegosaurus are included among the residents of the 150-million-year-old site.

Originally preserved in 1915, in this famous dinosaur quarry, you can also see several petroglyphs and pictograph panels made by the Fremont people who lived in the area from approximately 300-1300 Common Era (CE).

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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Image: Michael Dziedzic

The prehistoric world is much more than just mammoths and dinosaurs. 14-foot-wide petrified sequoias and thousands of insect and plant fossils await you at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument near Colorado Springs.

These tiny organisms, approximately 34 million years old, are just as important as the enormous Tyrannosaurus rex. Although this is a lesser-known park, it is totally worth visiting. Pro tip: In the summer, you can explore the site that serves as a fossil laboratory.

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Dinosaur Valley State Park

Image: adolfo-atm

Did you know that the area near Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas was once an ancient ocean? Around 113 million years ago, dinosaurs, such as theropods and sauropods, walked their shores.

Set astride the Paluxy River, today this area is protected by the Dinosaur Valley State Park. The fossil traces here are sometimes submerged, but on dry days they can be clearly seen and are an impressive testimony of what the Earth was like in prehistoric times.

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The Mammoth Site

Image: Jonathan Cooper

The Mammoth Site was established in the mid-1970s after a construction worker had unearthed rare bones in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The remains found turned out to be a mammoth tooth, which was soon followed by other fossils.

Today, the site serves as a museum and active paleontological excavation site. So far, a total of 61 North American Columbian and woolly mammoths have been found here.

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Fossil Butte National Monument

Image: Jacqueline Martinez

In the ridges of southwest Wyoming is Fossil Butte National Monument, a park that preserves the best paleontological record of Cenozoic aquatic communities. This sort of aquarium, carved in stone, has more than 2000 fossils of thousands of species of plants and animals, such as fish, insects, reptiles, birds, bats, and even tiny horses that lived around a freshwater lake millions of years ago.

With plenty of hiking trails, wildlife, and scenery, this unique park is definitely worth visiting.

1

Ventura County, California

Image: Paul Hanaoka

A place that hosts the annual Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a sure bet if you are looking for a place that combines mountains and beaches. Mountain hiking and the classic California coastline lie within 26.2 miles of each other. Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai sits in a valley, and the village is dotted with art galleries, farmers markets, and high-desert hikes in the nearby Los Padres National Forest.

When the season is right, many trails can be followed through scrubland, sometimes revealing cascading waterfalls along the Rose Valley Falls Trail. But for waves, visitors head downhill to Ventura, a classic coastal town.

2

Westmoreland State Park, Virginia

Image: Alex wolf mx

Westmoreland State Park in Virginia was established in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Covering 1,299 acres, the park offers sweeping vistas of the coastal plain and the Potomac River.

You can hike, boat, swim, camp, or fish in the majestic wilderness. And if you’re looking for an amazing view of the area, you can head to the natural attraction of Horsehead Cliffs, which rests high above the water.

3

Astoria, Oregon

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Oregon is likely one of the first states that come to mind when we think of a combination of beach and mountain. The coastal town of Astoria sits at the estuary of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is perhaps most famous as the filming location of the 1980s film The Goonies .

The Pacific Northwest’s beaches have a picturesque quality that is hard to find elsewhere. Hiking trails are just outside the backdoor: the Cathedral Tree-Coxcomb Hill Trail, for example, starts at a 300-year-old Sitka spruce and climbs 164 stairs to offer views of the town, the Coastal Range, and the Pacific Ocean.

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Herring Cove Beach, Massachusetts

Image: Quino Al

Herring Cove Beach is a national seashore located in Cape Cop and it’s recognized as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a popular spot among Provincetown locals featuring warm, calm waters flowing from the Atlantic Ocean.

Activities in the area include swimming, walking along the coastal dunes, or exploring the Beech Forest Trail via bike or on foot.

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Lake Tahoe, California, and Nevada

Image: Tim Peterson

A familiar name and for good reason, Lake Tahoe offers a beautiful shoreline without being anywhere near the coasts. Destinations like Sand Harbor Beach feature wide expanses of sand, freshwater swimming areas, and beach coves dedicated to snorkelers and divers.

This is the largest alpine lake in the U.S., so the pine-studded hills of the Sierra Nevadas practically tumble into the waters. This makes hiking easily accessible. The Rubicon Trail traces the shores of Emerald Bay and features incredible panoramic views, cliffs, coves, waterfalls, and even a lighthouse along the 13-mile round-trip route.

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Fort Wetherill State Park, Rhode Island

Image: Praswin Prakashan

Located in Rhode Island, Fort Wetherill State Park is known for its historical significance in controlling the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. During the colonial era, a strategic battery was established to control this passage.

Because of its coastal location, the fort was also used during World War II. Nowadays, visitors come to explore this park and its coastal fort, which perches high atop granite cliffs.

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Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York

Image: Frank Eiffert

Chimney Bluffs State Park is the spot where colossal rocky spires meet calm, collected waters. This park in New York sits along Lake Ontario on the south shore. To get a good view of the stunning chimney peaks and formations, you should hike the Chimney Bluffs Trail. The park is pet friendly too, so you can bring along your furry friends for the ride.

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Calvert Cliffs State Park, Maryland

Image: Gary Cole

Calvert Cliffs State Park is not only one of the few parks with both mountains and ocean but it also displays a prized collection of 600 prehistoric fossil species. Between 10 and 20 million years ago, the cliffs at the park were submerged under the sea. But as the water receded, erosion and exposure of the cliffs occurred, unveiling massive fossils.

Visitors can walk, lounge at the soft sandy beach, investigate these fascinating fossils, trek near forested treelines, or admire the unusual cliffs that extend along the Calvert Peninsula.

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Echo Lake State Park, New Hampshire

Image: Aaron Burden

Echo Lake State Park boasts two stunning ledges: White Horse Ledge and Cathedral Ledge, as well as a lake called Echo Lake. Each of these spots features scenic views of the area and top-notch sites for a family picnic. You can swim, walk, or hike the White Horse Ledge Loop Trail, a 3.1-mile loop.

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Acadia National Park, Maine

Image: Peregrine Photography

Alongside Oregon parks, Acadia National Park is a prime example of a place that combines mountainous and seaside ambiance. Situated along the Atlantic coastline in Maine, it’s no wonder this impressive scenery attracts visitors for all types of recreational experiences, especially during the fall.

Rocky beaches, towering granite peaks such as the famous Cadillac Mountain, and miles and miles of natural treasure troves perfect for hikers are among the many features this park has to offer.

1

Jones Cream Soda

Image: Kevin Butz

Cream soda is a sweet soft drink, typically flavored with vanilla and inspired by the taste of an ice cream float . Many brands and variations can be found across America, and its roots can be traced to at least 150 years ago. Interestingly, Jones Cream Soda, which started in 1886, is not even the oldest one around.

This drink is available in both regular and diet options, and it's also one of the most popular mixers for alcoholic beverages. Cream soda is one of those drinks people associate with their childhood, and it's the perfect perfect pairing for ice cream.

2

Dr. Brown’s Root Beer

Image: David Trinks

Root beer is a sweet and classic American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree as the primary flavor . Root beer is usually alcohol and caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated, with a thick, foamy head.

Dr. Brown's version of this classic soda is unbeatable, offering a harmonious blend of sugar and spice. It’s not just sweet—it boasts a distinct celery seed earthiness that keeps every sip interesting.

3

Olipop Lemon Lime

Image: Mariah Hewines

Lemon lime drinks have been around for a long time now (just ask Sprite or 7-Up), but Olipop manages to add a new twist to this old classic. This fizzy tonic boasts prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, which not only taste great but also help your digestive health.

Olipop is also low in sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in sweetness. It uses cassava root and other alternative sweeteners to maintain its delicious flavor.

4

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

Image: Nick Fewings

Tonic water is often considered a soda for adults due to its bitter taste. However, the brave ones who love this delicious beverage will find Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean Tonic Water has the perfect mix of bitterness for tonic water fans, but a balanced flavor that makes it appropriate for people who are just dipping their toe into the tonic water.

In addition to that traditional quinine flavor, this tonic is infused with rosemary and lemon thyme , adding a layer of complexity to its taste.

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Cheerwine

Image: sq lim

Named for its color and taste, Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink with a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry . It is burgundy-colored and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks.

Cheerwine is widely available throughout the southeastern United States, from Maryland to Florida, but it is best known and beloved in the Carolinas.

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Sangrita Blast Mountain Dew

Image: Ashley Kirk

As the "Limited Edition" tag implies, this product was only available for a limited time, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. Sangrita Blast, a Citrus Punch-flavored Mountain Dew with a maroon hue, was available at Taco Bell restaurants from 2013 to 2017. It was also released in cans and bottles in 2015 for a short period.

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Cactus Cooler

Image: Thomas Verbruggen

Cactus Cooler is an orange-pineapple-flavored soft drink sold primarily in Southern California and the surrounding Southwestern region. The orange flavor is very present, with the pineapple appearing a bit behind but adding a layer of complexity to the overall flavor.

This soda has no caffeine, making it a safe product for anyone who gets the jitters from caffeine-infused beverages.

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United Sodas Toasted Coconut

Image: Jonas Dücker

The words "healthy" and "soda" are not usually heard together but this is one of those occasions. United Sodas is a healthy soda brand that offers products with a lightly carbonated fizz and low sugar content.

Their Toasted Coconut flavor stands out with its distinctive coconut taste. Each can contains fewer than 30 calories, has no artificial ingredients, and is organically sweetened —making it the perfect alternative for health-conscious soda lovers.

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Boylan Creme Soda

Image: Gourmet Lenz

Even if we started this list with a cream soda, we couldn’t leave out Boylan’s version. This glass-bottled beverage has a rich vanilla flavor and a robust amount of carbonation that make it very easy to drink.

While many cream sodas can be overly sweet, Boylan’s is refreshing, complex, and downright delicious. The use of cane sugar gives it a crisp, clean flavor all the way to the last drop.

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Moxie

Image: Tom Paolini

The last entry on our list is a bitter and herbal soda named Moxie. It originated in Maine in the late 1800s as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food." It is flavored with gentian root, sassafras, wintergreen, and other herbs.

Though still somewhat unique to the Northeast, Moxie has become more widely available in specialty and larger grocery stores since Coca-Cola acquired the brand in 2018. Have you ever seen it?