You\u2019ve done the famous National Parks, crowded theme parks, well-traveled beaches and boardwalks, and now you\u2019re looking for the road less taken or at least somewhere off the beaten path.<\/p>\n
For the traveler looking for something different, here\u2019s a list of 10 wild, weird and wonderful offbeat destinations.<\/p>\n
1. Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro, Ark.<\/strong><\/p>\n At Crater of Diamonds, it’s finders keepers. With over 30,000 diamonds found in the last 40 years, the odds of bringing home some bling are good. About two hours southwest of Little Rock, Ark., Crater of Diamonds is a state park that allows visitors to dig through a 37 1\/2-acre field that is the eroded surface of the world’s eighth largest diamond-bearing volcanic crater.<\/p>\n The park includes a visitor center with interactive displays and the Diamond Discovery Center, where visitors can learn the ins and outs of prospecting and how to identify finds. You can even rent mining tools to use on your dig.<\/p>\n After a tough day at the mines, the park has 47 top-rated campsites for RVers with plenty of amenities, gift shops, trails, and a family water park that is open during summer.<\/p>\n www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Ely, Minn., Edge of the Wilderness<\/strong><\/p>\n For an entirely different kind of ice, head north to Ely, Minn., about 115 miles from Duluth. The small town of Ely, population 3,400, is the entry point for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, an all-season outdoor paradise.<\/p>\n In the winter, Ely offers the icy thrills of snowshoe treks, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. Ely natives boast of the best ice fishing in Minnesota. In the summer, enjoy canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking or camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The clear waters lure anglers with walleye and northern trout, and birding enthusiasts can find more than 150 species of birds.<\/p>\n The Ely area offers drive-up campsites at state and federal campgrounds suitable for everything from tents to RVs. When you\u2019re ready to come in from nature, Ely boasts a charming downtown with outdoor outfitters, quaint shops, galleries and restaurants.<\/p>\n