Places madiking1822 Wants to Go

With print dying, this local paper keeps the lights on by doubling as a stunning cafe and cocktail bar.

Nestled in the heart of a Texas town is a dreamy secret garden dating back to the 1940s.

A little stop along the Texas highway where Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean stayed while shooting the 1955 film "Giant."

This quirky outpost and gallery inside a former church is an unexpected trove of handcrafted art.

Minimalist modern art on a repurposed military base in rural Texas.

This old abandoned sign flickers to announce a motel that isn't even there.

Foragers once flocked to this big beautiful bayou to hunt for pearls.

The 19th-century ruins hide deep in an overgrown forest.

Ruins of a once-opulent grand Victorian resort.

Twenty churches beautifully painted by 19th-century Czech and German immigrants in Texas.

This beautiful grotto is one of those places where you can't believe you're just outside Austin.

A popular swimming hole that hides one of America's most deadly diving spots.

An emerald-green grotto just a short trip from Austin.

A free, canine-friendly alternative watering hole near the more famous Barton Springs.

Home to an endangered salamander, a full moon celebration, and a large spring-fed outdoor swimming pool.

The largest underground pedestrian tunnel system in the U.S. mostly caters to the people working in the offices above, but provides a great, air-conditioned way to traverse the city.

This small park features a monumental fountain wall, providing a great photo opportunity in the middle of Houston.

Legend has it the commander of the defenders drew a fateful line in the dirt with his sword just before the final battle.

A gorgeous garden oasis with winding paths, stone bridges, and a troubling history.

A Memphis park where you can walk the whole Mississippi River in one go.

Elvis's own personal tropical hideaway.

This Memphis recording studio launched the careers of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley.

This head-spinningly bizarre Depression-era art cave is wall-to-wall quartz and Jesus.

The longest floating boardwalk in the United States.