My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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Texas Places Locals Would Be Upset to See Go Viral

Texas has always been a place where locals know the best spots long before the rest of the world catches on. From hidden swimming holes to tucked-away diners serving up legendary...

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Oregon Places Locals Hope Tourists Don’t Ruin

Oregon holds a special kind of magic that locals have cherished for generations, from misty coastal hideaways to remote mountain ranges that stretch endlessly toward the horizon....

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The Onion Burger at This Quiet Oklahoma Diner Sends People Miles Out of Their Way

Tucked along a stretch of historic Route 66 in El Reno, Oklahoma, sits a hamburger joint that has been turning out legendary onion burgers since 1926. Robert's Grill is more than...

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This Humble New Jersey Spot Serves French Fries So Good, Locals Treat It Like A Second Home

Standing proudly on Route 46 in Belvidere, New Jersey, sits a roadside treasure that has been feeding hungry travelers and devoted locals since 1944. Hot Dog Johnny's is not just...

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Scenic Indiana Countryside Drives That Only Locals Know

Indiana's countryside hides some of the most beautiful scenic drives that tourists rarely discover. These winding roads take...

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Locals Say The French Onion Soup At This Virginia Restaurant Is Worth The Drive

Tucked away in Great Falls, Virginia, sits a restaurant that has earned a devoted following for one particular dish. L'Auberge Chez François serves French onion soup so remarkable...

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9 Massive Flea Markets In Virginia Known For All-Day Treasure Hunting

Virginia is home to some of the most exciting flea markets on the East Coast, where treasure hunters can spend entire days browsing through endless rows of vintage finds, antiques,...

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These Texas Cities Are Not for You If You Want to Feel Like a Local Immediately

Texas stretches across deserts, prairies, and hill country, offering landscapes as varied as its cities. Some destinations have transformed so quickly that the old rhythms of local...

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Oregon Locals Will Defend These Places Without Hesitation

Oregon is the kind of place that gets under your skin, where the landscapes feel almost sacred and the people who call it home take fierce pride in protecting what makes their...

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The Only Frank Lloyd Wright Skyscraper in Oklahoma Most People Never Visit

Tucked into the quiet streets of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, stands a structure that defies the flat prairie skyline with angular grace and copper-clad ambition. Price Tower rises...

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Classic Hot Dog Joints In New Jersey Where You Can Feast For Less Than $13

New Jersey knows how to do hot dogs right, and you don't need to empty your wallet to enjoy some of the best franks in the nation.

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Indiana Winter Festivals Locals Keep As Their Private Tradition

Indiana winters transform into something magical when locals gather at festivals that feel like well-kept secrets passed down through generations.

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Indiana Museums That Make Visitors Say “Why Is This Here?”

Indiana might be known for cornfields and the Indy 500, but tucked away in its towns and cities are some of the most wonderfully weird museums you'll ever encounter.

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This Texas Restaurant Locals Save for Special Occasions Only

Travelers exploring Houston's vibrant culinary scene often stumble upon a restaurant that locals whisper about with reverence, saving their visits for life's most meaningful celebrations....

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The Oregon Places Locals Disagree About for the Wrong Reasons

Oregon sparks fierce debates among its residents, but not always for the reasons you'd expect. Arguments about favorite places often miss the real issues, turning into battles...

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This Oklahoma Restaurant Built Its Reputation on Comfort Food Done Exactly Right

Tulsa sits at the crossroads of Oklahoma's cultural past and its ever-evolving present. The city pulses with a distinct energy that blends oil boom history, Route 66 nostalgia,...

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This Timeless New Jersey Restaurant Serves Pizza That Locals Say Defines The State

Star Tavern sits proudly at 400 High St, Orange, NJ 07050, serving up thin-crust pizza magic that has locals raving for decades. This casual neighborhood spot has earned a legendary...

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Strange Local Rules in Indiana Tourists Break Without Realizing

Indiana might seem like a straightforward state to visit, with its friendly small towns, rolling farmland, and bustling cities like Indianapolis.

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10 Large Secondhand Stores Across Virginia Where You Can Browse For Hours

Virginia offers treasure hunters and bargain seekers plenty of amazing places to explore without breaking the bank. Thrift stores have become popular destinations for anyone looking...

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Texas Restaurants Locals Trust Without Checking Reviews

Texas is home to some of the most legendary restaurants in the country, places where locals have been eating for generations without ever needing to scroll through online reviews....

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These Oregon Restaurants Feed the Same Locals Over and Over Again

Oregon has built its reputation on fresh ingredients, creative chefs, and a food scene that refuses to follow trends blindly. From the bustling streets of Portland to quiet coastal...

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This Ancient Oklahoma Site Challenges Everything We Thought We Knew About Local History

Tucked away in the rolling hills of eastern Oklahoma, near the Arkansas River valley, lies a site that has rewritten centuries of assumptions about Indigenous civilization in North...

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Cozy Indiana Coffee Shops Perfect For Warming Up After Exploring Small Towns

Indiana's charming small towns offer endless opportunities for exploration, from historic downtown squares to quaint antique shops tucked along tree-lined streets.

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Indiana Places So Odd Locals Don’t Think Twice but Tourists Never Forget

Indiana has a reputation for farmland, basketball, and small-town charm, but hidden across the Hoosier State are some seriously strange attractions that make visitors do a double-take....

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An Unassuming New Jersey Spot With Breakfast So Legendary, People Travel Hours To Taste It

Tucked away at 2 Bank St in Clinton, New Jersey, sits a diner that looks like any other roadside stop, but locals know better. Clinton Station Diner has been serving up breakfast...

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Indiana’s Turkey Run Trails Will Make You Question Your Hiking Shoes

Turkey Run State Park in Marshall, Indiana offers some of the most adventurous hiking trails in the Midwest, but many first-time visitors arrive completely unprepared for what...

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This Unassuming Virginia Bakeshop Is Known For Its Standout Pecan Pie

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Virginia, Woodruff's Cafe and Pie Shop in Monroe has been serving up homemade comfort and unforgettable pecan pie for generations. This family-owned...

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Famous Texas Places That Somehow Avoid the Crowds

Texas stretches across nearly 270,000 square miles, and within that vast expanse lie countless treasures that most travelers never discover.

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Oregon Places Locals Rarely Bring Up Unless You Ask

Oregon holds countless treasures that even lifelong residents hesitate to share with outsiders, not out of selfishness, but from a genuine desire to protect the fragile beauty...

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The Middle-of-Nowhere Café in Oklahoma Locals Say Is Worth Every Mile

Tucked along a stretch of historic Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, Rock Café stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of America's Mother Road. The small town of Stroud sits...

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The Massive Outlet Mall In New Jersey Where A Few Bucks Stretch Amazingly Far

Just minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport at 651 Kapkowski Rd in Elizabeth, New Jersey, The Mills at Jersey Gardens stands as one of the most impressive outlet shopping...

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Local Indiana Diners Serving Classic Midwestern Comfort Meals

Indiana's heartland is home to some of the most authentic diners where comfort food isn't just a menu category; it's a way of life.

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Indiana’s South Bend Chocolate Shop Turns Sweet Into an Event

Tucked away in South Bend, Indiana, the South Bend Chocolate Company offers more than just sweet treats; it delivers an entire experience that transforms a simple chocolate shop...

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Locals Recommend This 1950s-Style Diner In Virginia For A Classic Cheeseburger Stop

Stepping into The Pink Cadillac Diner feels like traveling back in time to the golden age of American roadside culture. Located at 4347 S Lee Hwy in Natural Bridge, Virginia, this...

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This Hidden Texas Chicken Spot Turns First Time Visitors Into Loyal Fans

Tucked away on Maple Avenue in Dallas, a pine-paneled chicken joint has quietly built a reputation that extends far beyond its modest storefront. Mike's Chicken doesn't rely on...

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Indiana Pie Shops Locals Say Are A Must-Try In December

December brings cold weather and warm comfort food cravings across Indiana, making it the perfect time to seek out the state's best pie shops.

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These Oregon Spots Feel Like They’re Waiting to Be Noticed

Oregon holds secrets in every corner, from volcanic formations rising out of ancient deserts to waterfalls tucked deep within emerald forests. While many travelers flock to the...

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The Ribeye at This Remote Oklahoma Steakhouse Makes the Trip Feel Necessary

Tucked away in the heart of rural Oklahoma, Amber is the kind of small town that feels frozen in time, where the pace slows down and the air carries the scent of smoked meat for...

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This Iconic New Jersey Car Museum Has Fans Driving Hours To Visit

In Point Pleasant, New Jersey, sits a hidden treasure that car enthusiasts simply cannot resist. The Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey at 1800 Bay Ave, Building 13, has become...

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Indiana’s Small-Town Fall Festival Where Amish Pies Steal the Show

Fall festivals bring communities together in ways that few other events can match. Middlebury, Indiana hosts one of the most...

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This Massive Antique Shop In Virginia Can Easily Take A Full Day To Explore

Tucked away in the heart of historic Middleburg sits a treasure hunter's dream that stretches far beyond what the charming storefront suggests.

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Texas Stops People Make Jokes About Until They Visit

Texas is a state that inspires as much curiosity as it does skepticism. People who have never visited often joke about the roadside attractions, quirky landmarks, and seemingly...

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These Oregon Restaurants Locals Go to Without Even Looking at Reviews

When you live somewhere long enough, you stop checking star ratings and start trusting your gut. In Oregon, locals have their go-to spots where the food speaks for itself, the...

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This Old-School Italian Spot in Oklahoma Has Been Winning Locals Over for Decades

Tucked along South Peoria Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, sits a culinary institution that has become synonymous with authentic Italian cooking and warm hospitality. Mondo's Ristorante...

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The Huge New Jersey Thrift Haven Locals Don’t Want Outsiders To Find

In West Berlin, New Jersey, bargain hunters whisper about a thrifting goldmine hiding in plain sight. Red White & Blue Thrift Store at 590 NJ-73 isn’t your average secondhand...

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Locals Say This Town In Virginia Has The Best Small-Town Vibes

Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Virginia, Galax is a charming independent city that captures the heart of small-town America. With a population hovering around seven...

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Locals Claim This Texas BBQ Place Has the Best Smoked Sausages in the Whole State

Taylor, Texas isn't much more than a dot on the map between Austin and Houston, but locals know it harbors something truly special. Louie Mueller Barbecue has been smoking meat...

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This Oregon Steakhouse Locals Swear by Comes With Its Own Mini Golf Course

Tucked away in Salem, Oregon, the Best Little Roadhouse has become a local legend for combining two things most people never expect to find together: mouthwatering steaks and an...

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This Remote Oklahoma Park Reveals a Side of the State Most People Never See

Far from the bustling cities and well-traveled tourist routes, Black Kettle National Grassland stretches across western Oklahoma like a hidden world waiting to be discovered.

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The Low-Key New Jersey Restaurant Turning Steaks Into A Statewide Obsession

Tucked away in the charming town of Mount Arlington, New Jersey, sits a restaurant that has quietly become the talk of the state. Pub 199, located at 199 Howard Blvd, Mt Arlington,...

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