My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Indiana Restaurant Serves Spaghetti So Good, You’ll Want to Clear Your Weekend

Before my first visit, people kept telling me about Iaria's Italian Restaurant and how the spaghetti was so good it might just make me cancel all my weekend plans just to sit down...

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This Virginia College Town Blends Elite Culture With Southern Roots

Some folks say college towns lose their soul once the university takes over. Others argue that academic energy breathes new life into old traditions.

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This Texas Thrift Store Has So Many Good Steals You’ll Want to Keep It a Secret

I almost do not want to admit how good this place is, because part of me wants to keep it quiet. Sitting in the small town of Justin, Thrifted It Resale and Donation looks unassuming...

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This Oregon’s Observatory Is Smack in the Middle of a Lava Wonderland

I’ll never forget the first time I drove up McKenzie Pass and spotted what looked like a stone fortress rising out of a sea of black lava. At first I thought I had taken a wrong...

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The Unmapped Pecan Pie Trail in Oklahoma That Locals Follow by Word of Mouth

Is there really an "unmapped" pecan pie trail in Oklahoma that only insiders know about? Or is this just another overhyped food trend that locals secretly roll their eyes at?

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This New Jersey Spot Is Where Locals Turn Tea Parties Into A Lifestyle

Ever swapped your Starbucks run for a tea party with antique teacups judging you from the shelves? That’s exactly the vibe...

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This Indiana Thai Spot Has Authentic Dishes Locals Swear By

The moment you walk into BODHI on Massachusetts Avenue, the air hits you with an irresistible mix of lemongrass, basil, and something sweet-savory that makes your stomach growl....

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This Historic Virginia Church Still Shapes Local Identity

Can a single building hold the soul of an entire community? At 201 W Duke of Gloucester St in Williamsburg, Virginia, one church has been doing exactly that for centuries.

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9 Mouth-Watering Texas Taco Spots Locals Keep Quiet About

Texas loves to show off its taco scene, but the best tacos I have ever eaten were never at the places blowing up online. They were in quiet neighborhoods, at spots where everyone...

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9 Lesser-Known Oregon Destinations Even Longtime Locals Forget About

Oregon has a way of keeping secrets, even from the people who think they’ve seen it all. I’ve spent years exploring Oregon, and somehow this state still manages to surprise...

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This Oklahoma Antique Shop Is Packed With Architectural Oddities and a Name You Won’t Forget

Ever wonder where all those ornate doorknobs, vintage chandeliers, and stained glass windows from demolished mansions end up? Somewhere in Oklahoma City sits a treasure trove with...

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This New Jersey Café Lets You Dine Underground In Style

Along Old River Road in Edgewater, New Jersey, sits one of the most unusual dining spots you'll ever encounter. The Caves at...

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10 Hidden Indiana Forests Hoosiers Loved Until Tourists Found Them

On a crisp October morning, wandering into one of Indiana's lesser-known forests feels like stepping into another world. Leaves crunch underfoot, and for a moment, it seems like...

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This Hidden Museum In Virginia Teach Lessons Tourists Often Miss

Think you know Virginia history? Then tell me this: where did one of the longest and most brutal sieges of the Civil War unfold, changing the course of American history forever?

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10 Texas Towns Locals Say Are Quietly Dying

Texas loves to brag about growth, and to be fair, some cities just keep getting bigger and louder every year. But once I started driving past the highways and headline towns, I...

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The Oregon Town That Looks Sleepy Until You Actually Spend a Day There

I rolled into Astoria expecting a slow-paced fishing village where the biggest event of the day would be watching seagulls fight over a sandwich. Boy, was I wrong.

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A Route 66 Stop in Oklahoma That’s Weird, Wonderful, and Impossible to Forget

Route 66 is full of surprises, but few stops are as genuinely strange and captivating as the Sandhill Curiosity Shop in Erick, Oklahoma. Some travelers say it's the best part of...

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The Oldest Rodeo In New Jersey Still Draws Crowds Week After Week

In the rolling farmlands of southern New Jersey sits a slice of the American West that has been thrilling audiences since 1929. Cowtown...

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This Virginia Town Will Make You Question What The South Really Means

What happens when a Southern college town collides with presidential history, world-class wineries, and a food scene that could rival cities triple its size? You get Charlottesville,...

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This Texas Small Town Locals Say Is Quietly Thriving

Granbury surprised me in the best way. You know how some small towns look charming but feel empty once you start walking around? This...

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Oregon’s Charming Beach Town Perfect for Budget-Friendly Escapes

I fell hard for Manzanita the first time I kicked off my shoes and walked that endless stretch of sand. This tiny Oregon coastal town has everything I crave: ocean air, mountain...

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This Oklahoma Mexican Joint Is the Kind of Place You Just Grab One Taco and Lose Track of Time

Some folks claim they know the best spot for authentic Mexican food in Oklahoma, but have they sat down at a place so good they completely forgot what time it was? You walk in...

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This Mom-And-Pop Diner Serves The Best Meatloaf Across New Jersey

Summit Diner at 1 Union Pl, Summit, NJ 07901, United States, has been serving hungry locals and visitors since 1929, making it one of the oldest and most beloved diners in all...

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This Virginia Neighborhood Is A Cultural Mashup You Won’t Forget

Think your town has history? Old Town Alexandria has been throwing legendary block parties since before America was even a thing. Cobblestone...

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This Texas Hole-in-the-Wall Has No Online Hype but a Constant Crowd

If you did not know what Tortilleria La Sabrocita was, you would probably drive right past it. Tucked into a strip mall on Bruton Road in southeast Dallas, it keeps a low profile,...

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Living on Social Security Is Possible in These 10 Oregon Towns

Stretching your Social Security check might feel impossible, but I promise you it can be done. Oregon has small towns where rent stays under $700, groceries cost less, and life...

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Oklahoma Foodie Surprise Is Hiding in Plain Sight, and Locals Know It

Some folks spend their whole lives searching for the perfect burger, and others just happen to stumble into El Reno and find it waiting on a griddle. If you think all diners are...

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This Forgotten New Jersey Village Feels Disturbing Even To Locals

Ever wondered what it’s like to stroll through a ghost story without turning a page? In the Watchung Reservation of New...

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10 Virginia Towns Every History Buff Will Argue About

What makes a Virginia town historically significant? Ask ten history lovers and you'll get twelve different answers. Some swear...

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The Monument in Texas Everyone Seems to Have a Strong Opinion About

You cannot miss the Sam Houston Statue in Huntsville even if you try. Driving up Interstate 45, it suddenly rises out of nowhere, massive and unapologetic, like it is daring you...

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9 Unassuming Oregon Buffets That Don’t Look Like Much Until You See the Plates

Oregon has some seriously underrated buffets that look like nothing special from the outside but blow your mind once you see the food. I'm talking about places tucked into old...

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This Oklahoma Thrift Store Feels Like Digging Through Someone Else’s Extremely Interesting Past

Think your local thrift store has character? You haven't walked through the time-warped aisles of Bad Granny's Bazaar in Oklahoma City yet.

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This New Jersey Thrift Store Is Not Only Affordable But Also Packed With Vintage Charm

Looking for a deal that’s a real steal? On 403 Cedar Lane in Teaneck, New Jersey, Unusual Finds Thrift Store is turning bargain hunting into an art form.

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This Virginia Court House Is A Must-See For Civil War Enthusiasts

Think you know everything about how the Civil War ended? Most people assume it wrapped up with a simple handshake and everyone went home.

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12 Texas Nature Spots That Feel Like Another Planet

I used to think Texas was all dusty roads and wide-open plains, and then I actually started exploring it. The deeper I went, the more it felt like I had stepped onto a completely...

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Oregon Coast Where Locals Go When They Want the Ocean to Themselves

I stumbled onto Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats a few years back, and let me tell you, it completely changed how I see the Oregon Coast.

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This Oklahoma Ramen Spot Plays Out Like a Blade Runner Side Quest, No Replicants, Just Noodles

Neon lights reflecting off rain-slicked pavement, steam rising from bowls of rich broth, and a vibe that feels like you've stepped into a futuristic dystopia where the only mission...

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9 Stunning Beaches In New Jersey That Tourists Ruined

New Jersey boasts some of the most beautiful coastal stretches on the East Coast, with golden sands, rolling waves, and that salty breeze everyone craves during summer vacation....

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These 10 Secret Virginia Spots Offer The Calm You Didn’t Know You Needed

Think Virginia is just about crowded tourist traps and highway traffic? Think again. Tucked between rolling hills, quiet waterways,...

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8 Texas Festivals That Are Weirder Than You’d Expect

Texas knows how to throw a party, but not all of them involve cowboys, rodeos, or barbecue competitions. Some celebrations in the Lone Star State take a turn toward the truly unexpected,...

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Oregon’s Retro Diner Where Chicken Fried Steak Reigns Supreme

Portland, Oregon, is home to a breakfast gem that brings authentic Southern comfort straight to the Pacific Northwest. Grits...

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This Oklahoma Covered Wagon Getaway Makes the Stars Your Ceiling

What's like to sleep under a blanket of stars without sacrificing comfort? At Orr Family Farm in Oklahoma City, you can do exactly that in one of their iconic covered wagons.

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The Most Romantic Villages In New Jersey To Visit This Valentine’s Day

New Jersey might not be the first place you think of when planning a romantic getaway, but tucked between its busy highways and bustling cities are some of the most charming villages...

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8 South Dakota Hole-In-The-Wall Pastries That Locals Swear By

You up for a slow, snacky loop through South Dakota with me? I am thinking small storefronts and friendly counters.

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Indiana’s Freestanding Geological Wonder Most People Walk Right Past

Hidden along a quiet stretch of southern Indiana highway sits one of the state's most impressive natural landmarks that thousands of drivers zoom past every day. Jug Rock rises...

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These 9 Virginia Neighborhoods Offer A True Taste Of Diverse Cultures

Think your neighborhood has flavor? Virginia's cultural enclaves might just prove you wrong. Across the Commonwealth, pockets...

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This Texas Town Is Loved by Visitors but Locals Are Over It

South Padre Island sits at the southernmost tip of Texas, where the Gulf of Mexico meets endless stretches of white sand and calm turquoise waters.

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12 South Carolina Coastal Towns That Practically Require A Nap

You know those places where the air slows down your thoughts and your shoulders drop? That is the South Carolina coast on...

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8 Oregon Places Tourists Ruined and Locals Still Aren’t Over It

Oregon has always been a treasure trove of natural wonders, from rugged coastlines to ancient geological formations that tell stories millions of years old. Locals have cherished...

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This Oklahoma Catfish Spot Has a Way of Turning First-Timers Into Lifelong Regulars

Ever wonder what it takes to turn a casual diner into a die-hard regular who swears by a place for life? Some folks argue it's all about the food, while others claim atmosphere...

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