My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Oklahoma Café Is Brewing Coffee So Strong It Might Start Speaking Spanish

The first time I walked into Cafe Antigua, I felt that instant relief like I had landed exactly where I was supposed to be. The room buzzed, the smell of strong coffee filled the...

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This Massive New Jersey Quilt Shop Is A Multi-Room Wonderland Of Endless Fabric Inspiration

If you think a fabric store is just a few dusty bolts in a corner, Pennington Quilt Works is about to blow your mind. This massive New Jersey destination is a literal multi-room...

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This Virginia Beach Town Still Feels Untouched by Tourists

Think Virginia Beach is all neon boardwalks and crowded shores? Think again. Just a short drive south lies Sandbridge Beach,...

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This Massive Texas Safari Park Lets You Feed Giraffes And Drive Through Hundreds Of Acres Of Wildlife

Some places ease you in gently. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch skips that part and hands you a giraffe at your car window. From...

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This Rare Oklahoma Forest Is Home To Trees That Are Centuries Old

Most people drive past Sand Springs, Oklahoma without a second thought. But just outside town, something extraordinary is waiting quietly in the hills.

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This Abandoned Arkansas Theme Park Is Slowly Being Swallowed By The Forest

You know how some places feel louder after they go quiet? Dogpatch USA in Newton County is exactly that kind of quiet, tucked into the Ozarks where trees move in and slowly press...

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This Modern New Jersey Bakery Uses A 36-Hour Sourdough Process For Its Signature Pizza Squares

Located in an Edison industrial park is a sourdough sanctuary that genuinely stopped me in my tracks. The incredible scent of long-fermented dough hit me before I even reached...

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Farmers Markets Across Michigan That Make Local Flavor Easy To Taste

Want to taste real Michigan without committing to a whole road trip plan? Farmers markets across the state make local flavor ridiculously easy, because you can walk a few rows...

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This Indiana Coastal Shack Is Serving Low-Country Crab Stew So Good, You’ll Swear You’re in the Carolinas

I never expected to feel like I was sitting somewhere along the South Carolina coast while eating lunch in Carmel, Indiana. Yet...

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10 Virginia Unique Museums That Are Surprisingly Fun For All Ages

Virginia is bursting with quirky collections and interactive exhibits that'll surprise even the most skeptical visitors. From immersive environments that put you right in the middle...

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This Desert Café In Arizona Is Where Pie Rules Supreme

We all want that one road trip stop that feels worth the detour, right? Rock Springs Café at 16825 N Black Canyon Hwy in Black Canyon City is exactly that. It’s not fancy, but...

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The Cutest Little Texas Pie Shop Known For Legendary Slices And A Cozy Hill Country Atmosphere

Somewhere between a lazy morning drive and the smell of fresh-baked crust drifting through open air, Round Top has a way of stopping you in your tracks. Royers Pie Haven sits right...

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The Hidden Valley Getaway In Utah That Feels Surprisingly Green In Spring

Want a Utah spring getaway that feels less desert and more secret valley reset? Midway is that surprise, because when spring hits, the area goes greener than you expect, with soft...

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This Oklahoma Hole-in-the-Wall Serves Catfish Worth the Trip

Certain restaurants build their reputation slowly and honestly, one great plate at a time, and Punkin's Bar-B-Que & Catfish in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma fits that description...

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Florida Restaurant Chains Seniors Trust And Return To

If you want an easy Florida road trip that does not feel fussy, let’s stitch it around the places seniors trust and keep returning to.

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12 High-Rated New Jersey Restaurants That Are Actually Worth The Hype (And The Drive)

New Jersey has a food scene that most people seriously underestimate. I had no idea just how deep it went until I started...

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Washington’s Ferry-Only Island Hops That Turn A Simple Ride Into An Adventure

Ready to turn a simple ferry ride into a full-on mini adventure? Washington’s ferry-only island hops make it easy, because the moment you leave the dock, the whole day starts...

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This Indiana Burger Joint Has 3-Hour Lines And Is The State’s Most Viral Drive-Thru

I'll be honest, I never expected a drive-thru in Indianapolis to stop me in my tracks the way California Burger did. There is something almost legendary about a burger joint that...

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8 Virginia Scenic Drives That Beat the Highway Every Time

Think the interstate is your only option for getting from point A to point B in Virginia? Think again. The Old Dominion is laced...

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10 Remote Arizona Towns Worth The Drive

You up for a long, quiet drive where the sky feels bigger than your plans? Arizona does that better than anywhere, and these towns reward you for showing up unhurried.

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This Amish Greenhouse In Texas Offers Expert Gardening Advice And A Country Store Full Of Sweet Surprises

Quiet back roads are not usually where you expect to find something memorable, but Little Country Greenhouse proves otherwise. The moment you step out of the car, the scent of...

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The Small Desert Town In Arizona That’s Best Before The Heat Hits

You think desert season only starts when the heat gets brutal? Quartzsite is at its best before that happens, when the skies are bright, the days are comfortable, and the town...

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This Funky Oklahoma Hole-in-the-Wall Eatery Serves a Burger Locals Can’t Stop Talking About

You know those places that just hit different? The second you walk into Burger Punk in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District, you realize this is not your average burger joint.

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10 Quick Adventures Waiting In New Mexico

Looking for a quick escape that actually fits into your week? New Mexico is just perfect for that. It’s the kind of place where you can toss a bag in the trunk, hit the road,...

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This Historic New Jersey Coffee Shop Captures The Perfect Small-Town Vibe

If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a cozy, small-town movie set without the dramatic plot twists, Jersey Java and Tea Co. in Haddonfield is your destination.

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These North Carolina Treehouse Stays Turn A Weekend Into A Storybook Trip

Want a weekend that feels like you stepped into a childhood daydream, but with better coffee and an actual mattress? North Carolina treehouse stays turn a simple getaway into a...

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This Indiana Nature Preserve Features a Sandstone Ravine That Was Once a Secret Trail for Native American Chiefs

I have walked through a lot of Indiana's natural spaces, but Crow's Grove Nature Preserve in Warren County stopped me in my tracks the moment I stepped onto its trails. There is...

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Georgia’s Strangest Tourist Rules You Should Know About

Ever been on vacation and wondered if you’re accidentally breaking a rule without even knowing it? In Georgia, that’s more common than you’d think.

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This Virginia Soul Food Spot Serves Recipes Passed Down Through Generations

Soul food isn't just about what's on the plate. It's about stories whispered through seasoning, laughter shared over second helpings, and recipes that refuse to be forgotten.

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Illinois Grocery Stores Ranked For Steaks, Chops, And Real Butcher Skill

Didi you ever walk up to a meat case and immediately know if the butcher cares? Illinois grocery stores can be wildly different when it comes to steaks, chops, and real butcher...

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The Enormous Texas Seafood Buffet Features Endless Cajun Favorites And Is Worth The Drive

Some buffet spots set the bar low. Feast Buffet makes it clear right away that it is aiming higher. Step inside and the space...

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This Oregon Farm Stay Comes With Alpacas and Wide-Open Skies

Somewhere along a quiet stretch of Oregon Route 213, the world slows down in the best possible way. Marquam Hill Ranch sits tucked into the rolling hills south of Portland, and...

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Georgia’s Quirkiest Small Town Museum You Won’t Believe Exists

Have you ever thought about how different life was before smartphones? There’s a place that shows you exactly that: the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum. It’s not your typical...

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9 Oklahoma Burger Joints That Are A Cut Above The Rest

I used to think you had to leave Oklahoma for a truly great burger. Big cities, flashy spots, places with long waits and bigger hype.

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The Underrated Coastal Getaway In Maine That Shines In The Spring

Want a Maine coastal getaway that feels relaxed, scenic, and still a little under the radar? Belfast shines in the spring, when the harbor looks extra crisp, the air feels clean,...

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This Cozy Italian Spot In New Jersey Delivers Comfort Food At A Price That Actually Makes Sense

If you’re tired of Italian restaurants charging "mortgage payment" prices for a bowl of noodles, Jozanna’s in Middlesex is about to become your new best friend. This is the...

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This Indiana Hidden Gem Is Bringing Bold Venezuelan Flavors to the Midwest

I never expected to find a taste of Venezuela on Allisonville Road in Indianapolis, but that is exactly what Cumaco Arepa House delivers.

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10 Virginia Theme Parks That Families Keep Coming Back To

Virginia families know something the rest of the country is still catching on to: this state packs serious theme park punch. From screaming roller coasters that'll test your courage...

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11 Rules In Alaska That Surprise Nearly Every Tourist

Planning a casual Alaska road trip sounds simple until the rules sneak up on you. The state is generous with space, but it also expects you to pay attention and act like a local...

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This Virginia Football Stadium Has One Of The Most Historic College Game Atmospheres In The South

Picture yourself standing among roaring fans while mountains frame the horizon and tradition pulses through every cheer. Scott Stadium in Charlottesville isn't just another college...

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10 Wisconsin Comfort Food Diners Where The Classics Never Left The Building

Ready for a diner meal that hits like a warm reset button? Wisconsin comfort food diners do classics the right way, with no trendy detours, no tiny portions, and no need to reinvent...

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The Undiscovered Texas Beach Park Tourists Still Haven’t Taken Over

At the very southern edge of the state, Boca Chica Wildlife Refuge feels worlds away from the busier Texas beach towns. The coastline here stretches out wide and quiet, with more...

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This Oregon River Rafting Trip Is the Wildest Way to See the State

Standing at the edge of the Rogue River near Merlin, Oregon, with the smell of pine in the air and the sound of rushing water echoing off the canyon walls, I knew this was going...

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What Tourism Means To Amish Life In Ohio

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like for the Amish when busloads of tourists show up in their towns? In Ohio, especially in places like Holmes County, tourism has become...

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This Oklahoma Grassland Drive Is Miles Of Wide-Open Freedom

Some roads just make you exhale. The kind where your shoulders drop, your grip on the steering wheel loosens, and the world suddenly feels bigger than your to-do list.

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The Historic River Town In Missouri That’s Perfect Before Summer Crowds Arrive

Spring in Missouri is when a river town actually lets you breathe. This is the sweet spot before summer crowds arrive, when the streets feel open, the riverfront is calm, and the...

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This Historic New Jersey Antique Center Is A Multi-Level Warehouse Filled With Vintage Treasures

Pulling up to a red-brick building on a quiet corner in Hopewell, New Jersey, I honestly had no idea what I was walking into. The sign outside read Tomato Factory Antiques, and...

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The 10 Most Authentic Old-Fashioned General Stores in Indiana

I have a soft spot for old general stores. There is something about walking through a creaky wooden door and smelling coffee, sawdust, and fresh-baked goods all at once that takes...

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This Washington Amusement Park Still Haunts Seattle After Dark

You know that strange hush Seattle gets when the wind picks up around the Space Needle at night? You feel it in your shoulders before you even notice the sound. It is like the...

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Locals Recommend This Virginia Market for the Freshest Homegrown Finds

Think farmers markets are all the same? Think again. Roanoke City Market stands apart as one of Virginia's oldest continuously...

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