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The Last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon

Image: Delaney Van

The last Blockbuster video-rental store in the world stands in Bend, Oregon—did you know? And for a limited time, at the end of 2020, it allowed guests to spend the night there, explore their vast collection, and host a movie marathon.

Sadly, the venue doesn’t operate as a bed-and-breakfast currently. But it gladly welcomes guests, and who knows? The family-owned store might be open to hosting more unforgettable stays in the future.

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Hobbit House in Orondo, Washington

Image: Joshua Harris

Whether you are a Tolkien fan or not, surely you’ve wondered what it would be like to curl up on a comfy couch inside a Hobbit House! These underground cottages with round doors and grass roofs feel straight out of Middle-earth.

One of the fans' favorites is The Hobbit House in Orondo, Washington. You might easily miss it, carved into a hill overlooking the Columbia River Gorge—a cozy, off-the-grid spot that transports guests to another world.

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Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington

Image: Ashley Endemano

Childhood dreams come alive in these handcrafted treehouses nestled among Pacific Northwest evergreens. Some feature rope bridges between platforms, while others boast skylights for stargazing from bed.

The creator, inspired by childhood forts, designed these as peaceful escapes where you can sleep high up, surrounded by green canopies. Not far away are the thunderous Snoqualmie Falls and the endless Cascade Mountain trails.

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Fire lookout towers in National Forests

Image: Jamie Pilgrim

In today’s world, you can’t blame solitude seekers. Some people crave a digital detox, so they head to lookout fire cabins like Oak Flat Lookout, over the Kern River in California.

Once vital for spotting wildfires, many of these cabins were nearly demolished before preservationists intervened. Sure, the lack of amenities is part of the charm, but epic sunrises are the reward.

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Newport's Jailhouse Inn

Image: Syarafina Yusof

Why not turn a historic jail into a hotel? Newport’s Jailhouse, built in 1772, is a beautiful federal-style building located near the city center of Newport, Rhode Island.

Now, it’s been reconditioned to become an inn: You can spend the night behind bars—with luxury linens—in its creatively converted cells, where original cell doors now frame plush beds.

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Covered Wagon Glamping in Westgate River Ranch, Florida

Image: James Lee

Imagine spending a few nights inside an Oregon Trail wagon—except you’d be in Florida, armed with the comforts of a king bed and air conditioning. These tricked-out wagons are the main attraction at Florida's Westgate River Ranch, pioneers in blending Old West nostalgia with today’s glamping movement.

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Converted Grain Silos in Green Ridge, Missouri

Image: Meredith Petrick

If you were to open a door to the inside of the silos at Prairie Vale in Green Ridge, Missouri, you would walk into perfectly functional (though unusually cylindrical) guest rooms.

These grain silos, situated on a former dairy farm, have been repurposed and transformed into comfortable living spaces. The property spans 14 acres and is home to various animals that guests can visit and feed.

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Michigan's Big Bay Point

Image: Vladyslav Dukhin

A lighthouse bed-and-breakfast near the cliffs of Lake Superior? You can sleep where keepers once stood watch in coastal lighthouses like Michigan's Big Bay Point, where spiral stairs lead to lantern rooms with sweeping views.

They want you to fully enjoy your stay surrounded by nature, so there are no phones or TVs inside the guest rooms.

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"Up" house in Abiquiu, New Mexico

Image: Ankush Minda

All those who watched Disney-Pixar's 2009 animated film Up will no doubt remember the image of the house being lifted into the air by hundreds of colorful balloons. That’s not exactly what’s happening at the Abiquiu house, but it’s similar.

This venue, which was available as a unique Airbnb experience temporarily, mirrored the film's architecture and interior decor in stunning detail, and yes, it was adorned with over 8,000 balloons. But it was a crane that lifted the house off the ground to create the effect.

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Retro-Americana: the sleep-in Red Caboose in Ronks

Image: Rachel Claire

Retro road trip vibes shine at spots like the Red Caboose Motel, located in the community of Ronks, Pennsylvania. It offers a line of colorful train cars as suites. Comfortable bedrooms, dining, and storage areas were built inside recycled train cars, becoming a main attraction in the area.

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Star Wars Action Figures

Image: Brian McGowan

Those little plastic heroes from a galaxy far, far away weren't just toys: they were pure magic in your hands. Whether you had Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, or the hard-to-find Boba Fett, these 3.75-inch figures from Kenner turned your bedroom floor into epic space battles.

Fast forward to today, and collectors are paying top dollar for these nostalgic treasures. A mint-condition figure still in its original packaging can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars . Even loose figures in decent shape can bring in $20 to $100 each, depending on the character. The rarest pieces, like the vinyl-caped Jawa or the rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype, have sold for tens of thousands at auction.

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Cabbage Patch Kids

Image: camilo jimenez

The madness of 1983 is hard to forget—parents literally fighting in toy store aisles to grab one of these wrinkly-faced dolls for Christmas. With their yarn hair, chubby cheeks, and unique names, these dolls weren't just toys; they were family members who went everywhere with you.

Original Cabbage Patch Kids from the early '80s, especially the ones made by Coleco, are now highly sought after by collectors. Dolls in excellent condition with their original boxes and paperwork can sell for $100 to $500 , while rare editions or special characters can go for much more.

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Atari 2600 Game Cartridges

Image: Alejandro Hikari

This chunky, black console with the wood paneling was the coolest thing you could own in the late '70s and early '80s. Games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Pitfall! kept you glued to the TV for hours, even though the graphics were basically colored blocks moving around the screen.

Today, common titles might only fetch $5 to $20, but rare games can sell for hundreds or even thousands . The holy grail is "Air Raid," one of the rarest games ever made, which has sold for over $30,000.

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Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

Image: Subhabrata Chowdhury

Strawberry Shortcake burst onto the scene in 1980 with her red hair, freckles, and signature striped stockings. Soon she had a whole crew of fruity friends like Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Tart, and Huckleberry Pie.

These scented dolls from the original Kenner line are now collectible gems. Mint-condition dolls in their original packaging can sell for $50 to $200, depending on the character . Even loose dolls in good shape with their original outfits can bring in $20 to $50 each, especially if they still have a hint of that fruity smell.

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Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars

Image: I Nyoman Adi Wiraputra

Your collection probably sprawled across your bedroom floor in an elaborate city of orange tracks, loop-de-loops, and imaginary highways. Hot Wheels from Mattel and Matchbox cars from Lesney were the must-have toys for any kid who loved vehicles.

A single rare Hot Wheels car, like a 1968 "Cheetah" base Python or certain Redline editions, can sell for $100 to $1,000 or more . Even common models in excellent condition with their original packaging can fetch $10 to $50.

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Transformers

Image: Arseny Togulev

"More than meets the eye!" That wasn't just a catchy tagline—it was the truth. Transformers were toys that did double duty: a cool robot that could morph into a vehicle, cassette player, or dinosaur with just a few twists and clicks.

Original Generation 1 Transformers from the mid-'80s are now hot collectibles. Figures in good condition with all their parts intact can sell for $50 to $200, while rare characters or complete sets in original packaging can go for much more . Optimus Prime in his original box can fetch $500 to $1,000 or higher.

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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

Image: Justin Wilkens

The 1980s reboot of G.I. Joe brought the action figure down from 12 inches to a more manageable 3.75 inches, and kids went wild for them. Snake Eyes, Duke, Cobra Commander, and Storm Shadow became instant icons. These figures came with tons of accessories—guns, backpacks, helmets—that were ridiculously easy to lose.

Today's collectors are willing to pay good money for these patriotic warriors. Complete figures with all their original accessories can sell for $15 to $100 each, depending on rarity. Mint-on-card figures (still sealed in packaging) are where the real value lies, often fetching $50 to $300 or more for rare characters . The U.S.S. Flagg, if complete in its box, can sell for over $1,000.

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My Little Pony

Image: Kateryna Hliznitsova

These colorful little horses with brushable manes and tails captured hearts when they debuted in 1983. Each pony had its own name, personality, and unique symbol on its flank.

Original Generation 1 ponies from the '80s are now beloved collectibles among a dedicated fanbase. Common ponies in good condition can sell for $10 to $30 each, while rare ponies, especially those from early releases or special editions, can go for $100 to $500 .

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Rubik's Cube

Image: William Warby

The Rubik's Cube became a sensation in 1980, and suddenly everyone was twisting and turning those colorful squares, trying to get each side to match. Some kids could solve it in minutes; most of us just peeled off the stickers and stuck them back on in the right places (come on, you know you did it).

Original Rubik's Cubes from the early '80s, especially early editions made in Hungary, have become collectible. While standard cubes aren't worth a fortune, vintage ones in pristine condition with original packaging can sell for $50 to $150 . Special editions, like the original wooden prototype or cubes signed by inventor Ernő Rubik, are worth much more.

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Care Bears

Image: Oxana Lyashenko

These huggable bears with symbols on their bellies taught us about feelings and friendship. Each Care Bear represented a different emotion or value: Tenderheart Bear had a heart, Grumpy Bear had a rain cloud, and Cheer Bear had a rainbow. The stuffed animals, along with the TV shows and movies, made Care Bears a phenomenon.

Vintage Care Bears from the original 1983 Kenner line are now sought-after collectibles. Plush bears in excellent condition with their original tags can sell for $30 to $100, while rare bears or special editions can go higher. Complete sets, limited editions like the birthday bears, or bears with rare belly badges are particularly prized.

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1. Goetta (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Image: Austin Ban

Goetta is a mixture of ground meat, steel-cut oats, and spices that Cincinnati has been frying up since German immigrants brought the recipe over in the 19th century. It's pronounced "get-uh," and locals are passionate enough about it to hold an annual Goettafest.

The oats give it a texture that's simultaneously crispy and tender when pan-fried, creating something that's part sausage patty, part savory oatcake. Cincinnatians slice it thick and serve it alongside eggs, or get creative with goetta burgers and sandwiches.

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2. Pasties (Michigan's Upper Peninsula)

Image: Annie Spratt

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is practically its own country, and its national dish is the pasty— a handheld meat pie that Cornish miners brought to the copper mines in the 1800s . These aren't dainty; they're hefty D-shaped pockets of pastry stuffed with beef, potatoes, rutabaga, and onions that could double as hand warmers in a blizzard.

The genius of the pasty was its portability and built-in plate. Today, you'll find pasty shops scattered across the U.P., each claiming the most authentic recipe.

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3. Frito Pie (New Mexico)

Image: Dollar Gill

This isn't plated food— it's literally served in a torn-open bag of Fritos corn chips, topped with red or green chile, cheese, and onions . You eat it with a plastic fork while standing at a high school football game or state fair.

The dish embodies New Mexico's chile-obsessed culture, where "red or green?" is practically the state motto. The Fritos get soggy in all the right ways, absorbing the spicy chile while maintaining just enough crunch to remind you they're there.

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4. Scrapple (Mid-Atlantic, especially Pennsylvania)

Image: Theme Photos

Scrapple is what happens when Pennsylvania Dutch settlers decided that absolutely nothing from a pig should go to waste. It's a loaf made from pork scraps, cornmeal, and spices, then sliced and fried until crispy .

The texture is distinctive—crispy on the outside, soft and almost pâté-like inside. Philadelphians and Delawareans grow up eating it alongside eggs, though the rest of the country largely treats it with deep suspicion.

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5. Burgoo (Kentucky)

Image: Artur Kornakov

Kentucky's contribution to the stew hall of fame is burgoo, a thick, slow-cooked concoction that traditionally contained whatever meat was available—sometimes mutton, sometimes squirrel. Today's versions stick to more conventional proteins like chicken, pork, and beef, mixed with every vegetable imaginable in a tomato-based broth.

Burgoo is serious social food, cooked in enormous quantities for church gatherings, Derby parties, and political rallies. The cooking process takes hours, sometimes overnight, until everything breaks down into a thick, hearty mixture that's more texture than individual ingredients.

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6. Chicken Bog (South Carolina)

Image: Douglas Fehr

It's a one-pot dish of chicken, rice, sausage, and spices cooked together until the rice absorbs all the flavorful liquid . The "bog" refers to the thick, creamy consistency, though no actual wetlands are harmed in the making.

This dish turns up at family reunions, church suppers, and fundraisers throughout the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. It's essentially a drier, heartier cousin of chicken and rice, with smoked sausage adding a smoky punch.

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7. Tavern Sandwich (Iowa)

Image: Jessica Tan

Iowa's tavern sandwich is what happens when a sloppy joe goes to finishing school. It's seasoned ground beef served on a bun, but unlike a sloppy joe, there's no tomato-based sauce . Just perfectly spiced, slightly steamed ground beef piled high and falling apart in the most dignified way possible.

The sandwich gained fame through the Maid-Rite restaurant chain, founded in Iowa in 1926. The meat is cooked with a secret blend of seasonings and stays loose rather than being formed into a patty.

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8. Boiled Peanuts (The Deep South)

Image: Tom Herman

These soggy legumes are sold from roadside stands in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and beyond, often out of slow cookers perched on card tables. They're warm, salty, and utterly unlike any peanut you've eaten at a ballgame .

The texture shocks first-timers—soft and almost bean-like rather than crunchy. You pop open the shell, squeeze the peanuts into your mouth, and toss the hull. Cajun-spiced versions add heat to the mix.

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9. Runza (Nebraska)

Image: ClickerHappy

Nebraska's state snack is the runza, a rectangular pocket of yeast dough stuffed with seasoned ground beef, cabbage, and onions . German-Russian immigrants brought this handheld meal to the Great Plains, where it became so beloved that an entire fast-food chain bears its name.

The beauty of the runza is its portability and balanced flavors. The sweet, slightly tangy cabbage cuts through the savory beef, all wrapped in soft, golden bread. Nebraskans eat them at football games, after school, and whenever they need portable comfort.

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10. Slug Burger (Mississippi)

Image: Mike

Mississippi's slug burger has nothing to do with garden pests and everything to do with Depression-era ingenuity. When meat was expensive, cooks in Corinth stretched ground beef by mixing it with flour, potato flakes, or even cornmeal before forming patties and deep-frying them .

Today, this crispy, slightly bready burger remains a regional treasure, especially during the annual Slugburger Festival. The extenders give it a unique texture—crunchier outside, denser inside than a regular burger. It's served on white bread or a bun with mustard, pickles, and onions.