My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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These 9 Oregon Towns Are Stealing Attention From the Popular Ones

Exploring Oregon for years has shown me that the famous spots get all the attention, while incredible little towns sit quietly nearby, waiting to be discovered. Cannon Beach and...

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10 BBQ Cafes In Minnesota That Know How To Smoke Right

Where do you go when the craving for real smoked BBQ hits? Minnesota might surprise you! Sure, the state is known for lakes...

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Spend Valentine’s Day at This Oklahoma Hotel That’s Basically Romance on Tap

I did not expect to find one of the most romantic hotel stays in Oklahoma tucked into the middle of Oklahoma City, but that is exactly what happened when I checked into The Ellison....

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The Legendary Italian Hot Dog Joint New Jersey Locals Will Gladly Tell You About

Newark has given the world jazz, incredible history, and one food you won’t find anywhere else: the Italian hot dog. At...

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This Indiana Ice Cream Parlor Has Been Doing Things the Same Way for Decades, and Locals Love It

I've been visiting Zaharakos since I was a kid, and honestly, walking through those doors at 329 Washington Street feels like stepping into a time machine every single time. The...

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These 11 Mexican Restaurants In Virginia Are The Go-To Spots For Authentic Flavor

Virginia might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of authentic Mexican cuisine, but that's about to change. Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the...

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A Texas State Park That Has the Kind of Views You Remember Forever

Pedernales Falls is one of those places that makes you stop mid-step and just stare for a second. I was not expecting that much scenery packed into one Hill Country park.

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This Hidden Boardwalk in Oregon Lets You Wander Among Towering Giants

A rainy morning drive down the Oregon Coast led me to the Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk Trail, and it completely changed my idea of accessible outdoor adventures. This 1.2-mile boardwalk...

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This Offbeat Oklahoma Town Feels Like a Storybook That Forgot What Year It Is

Some towns race forward while others choose a different speed entirely. Pauls Valley sits in south-central Oklahoma like a postcard from another era, where downtown storefronts...

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The Place That Keeps Pulling New Jersey Locals Back, No Matter Where They Move

I’ve wandered through gardens from coast to coast, but Laurelwood Arboretum at 725 Pines Lake Dr W, Wayne, NJ 07470 keeps pulling me back like I’ve got GPS hardwired into my...

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This Indiana BBQ Spot Runs Out of Food Early, and That’s How You Know It’s Legit

A Thursday afternoon stop at Gather Around BBQ quickly turned into a lesson in how real barbecue works. I expected a fast meal before heading to Brown County.

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These 9 Floating Cabins In Virginia Create A One-Of-A-Kind Waterfront Getaway

Think you've seen every type of vacation rental Virginia has to offer? Think again. Tucked away on tranquil lakes and rivers...

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This Unpretentious Texas Cafe Has a Chicken Fried Steak That Steals the Show

Town Cafe is the kind of place you only find if you are paying attention. Sitting right off Highway 75 in Centerville, it does not look flashy or loud, but the full parking lot...

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9 Oregon Restaurants That Prove Valentine’s Day Doesn’t Have to Be Cliché

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean overpriced roses, crowded tables, and the same tired three-course routine. Oregon is full of restaurants that completely flip the script...

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8 Low-Key Oklahoma Seafood Joints Where the Catfish Tastes Straight Off the Dock

Most people assume great seafood only happens near an ocean. But Oklahoma locals know better. Across the state, unassuming...

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The Pine Barrens Hide A New Jersey Breakfast Spot You’ll Fall For

If breakfast had a time machine, it would drop you off at Evergreen Dairy Bar, 1643 NJ-70, Southampton Township, NJ 08088. This...

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This Cozy Indiana Spot Serves Shepherd’s Pie You Can’t Stop Thinking About

I first stumbled into Nine Irish Brothers on State Route 38 in Lafayette on one of those gray Indiana afternoons when comfort food felt like a necessity rather than a choice. The...

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This Little-Known Virginia Boardwalk Trail Rewards You With Sweeping Coastal Scenery

Think all the best coastal trails in Virginia are already overcrowded tourist traps? Think again. Tucked away in Kilmarnock,...

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This Massive Texas Thrift Store Has Deals That Justify a Long Drive

Texas Thrift Windcrest is one of those places where you walk in confident you will “just look” and then completely lose track of time. It is huge, like genuinely overwhelming...

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This Oregon Sushi Spot Quietly Wins Everyone Over With All-You-Can-Eat Options

A rainy Tuesday in Salem, Oregon led me to Momiji Sushi, and it completely reshaped how I think about all-you-can-eat dining. Tucked at 4590 Silverton Rd NE, this unassuming spot...

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This Oklahoma Spot for a Valentine’s Escape Turns One Night Away Into a Full-Blown Love Story

I used to think romance required a plane ticket or at least a dramatic mountain view. Then I checked into Shiloh Morning Inn and realized I had been overcomplicating it.

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This Chapel In New Jersey Might Be The State’s Most Magical Spot

Ever taken a boat ride just to go to church? I have, and let me tell you, Saint Hubert’s Chapel in Kinnelon, New Jersey makes it worth every paddle stroke.

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This Low-Key Indiana Spot Secretly Serves the Best Breakfast Around

I stumbled upon Rosie's Place on a crisp Saturday morning when I was desperately craving something better than the usual chain breakfast spots. Tucked away at 68 N 9th St in downtown...

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This Historic Tavern In Virginia Is Famous For Endless Southern Comfort Dishes

Think your favorite restaurant has history? Try sitting where founding fathers once dined. Michie Tavern in Charlottesville has...

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This Once-Secret Texas Gem Tourists Ruined in Just a Few Years

I still remember when Boca Chica Beach felt like a place you did not talk about out loud. You drove all the way south, rolled onto the sand, and suddenly everything went quiet.

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This Secluded Oregon Spot Is Where Steak Lovers Find Paradise

Steakhouses come and go, but nothing quite prepares you for the sheer audacity of the Cowboy Dinner Tree. Hidden in the high desert of Silver Lake, Oregon, this place serves meals...

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This Nearly Abandoned Oklahoma Town Looks Like Everyone Left Mid-Scene and Never Came Back

Some places vanish overnight, leaving only whispers and weathered storefronts behind. Avard sits quietly in Woods County, a settlement so small that its 11 residents could fit...

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New Jersey’s Fabric Treasure Trove That Keeps Locals Coming Back

When I first heard “fabric store on Route 22,” I pictured a quiet little shop with dusty bolts of cloth. Then I walked into Fabricland in Green Brook Township, and wow… this...

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9 Virginia Towns Where Locals Still Greet Each Other By Name

Small-town charm isn't dead, and Virginia proves it better than most states. Across the Commonwealth, pockets of genuine community spirit still thrive in places where everyone...

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These Are the Texas Restaurants Locals Choose When They Want the Real Thing, Not the Tourist Version

Texas food makes a lot more sense once you stop eating where the internet tells you to. The real meals, the ones people won’t shut up about years later, usually come from places...

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These 8 Oregon Towns Are the Reason People Never Make It Back Home

Planning a simple weekend trip through Oregon somehow turned into questioning every life decision I’d ever made. These towns have a way of sneaking up on you.

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These Oklahoma Romantic Getaways Are Where Sparks Fly, No Fireworks Required

Romance doesn’t always require a plane ticket to Paris or a cruise to the Caribbean. What if the most romantic escapes are hiding right here in Oklahoma, waiting to surprise...

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11 Highest Rated Italian Restaurants In All Of New Jersey

I don’t know about you, but when I think of New Jersey, I don’t just picture boardwalks and traffic circles - I picture pasta. Handmade, saucy, carb-loaded perfection.

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This Indiana Park Hosts an Annual Kite Festival That Draws People From Across the State

I first heard about Coxhall Gardens from a friend who raved about the kite festival, and honestly, I thought she was exaggerating. How exciting could a kite event really be?

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9 Vermont Candy Shops That Make You Feel Like A Kid Again

Got a sweet tooth that never really went away? Vermont might be known for maple syrup and ice cream, but its candy shops are...

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This Virginia Harbor Reflects A Strong Military And Civilian Divide

Can a city truly balance military might and civilian charm without losing its soul? Hampton sits at that crossroads, where naval uniforms brush past beach towels and fighter jets...

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This Texas Lake Town Families Keep Returning To

Granbury has a way of sneaking up on you. You come for a quick lakeside getaway and suddenly you are talking about when you can come back.

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This Oregon Breakfast Spot Serves Mornings Better Than Anyone Else

Breakfast along the Oregon coast has taken me to more cafés than I can count, but nothing comes close to the tiny, magical world inside Lazy Susan Cafe in Cannon Beach. This cash-only...

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9 Secret Seafood Spots Across Oklahoma Worth The Trip

Think Oklahoma is all steak and barbecue? That’s what most people expect, but locals know the state has some surprising...

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This Oklahoma Breakfast Spot Is So Good It Turns Ordinary Mornings Into Something Epic

Think breakfast in Oklahoma City means boring chain restaurants and predictable menus? Think again. Some mornings demand more...

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The Luxurious New Jersey Resort Where Locals Escape For Everyday Bliss

I’ll admit, when someone says “luxury resort,” New Jersey isn’t the first place that pops into my head. But then I found myself tucked away in the rolling hills of Vernon...

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9 Secret Trails In Michigan Still Off Your Radar

Looking for a low-key adventure? Michigan has trails that don’t usually show up on the big travel lists, but that’s exactly...

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This Indiana Restaurant’s Over-The-Top Milkshakes Are Actually Breaking the Internet

I've walked down Massachusetts Avenue more times than I can count, and every time I pass Gordon's Milkshake Bar at 865 Massachusetts Ave, I see the same thing: people with their...

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12 Virginia Local Food Markets Worth Driving Across The State For

Think your local grocery store has it all? Think again. Virginia's food markets are where the magic happens, where farmers shake...

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Small-Town Texas Steakhouses That Make Any Road Trip Delicious

Some of the best steaks in Texas are not anywhere near a big city. They are sitting off highways you almost skip, in towns where the sign has more character than the skyline.

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This Oregon Safari Lets You Drive Through Giraffes, Rhinos, and More

I never expected to lock eyes with a giraffe through my windshield in southern Oregon, but there I was, frozen in my driver’s seat and grinning like a kid. Wildlife Safari in...

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10 Spots In Wisconsin Where Cheese Curds Rule

Ever wonder what a true Wisconsin road trip tastes like? It’s not just about the miles, it’s about chasing the cheese...

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This Peaceful Oklahoma Wetland Trail Feels Like a Hidden Escape for Nature Lovers

If you think Oklahoma is all red dirt and prairie grass, you clearly haven't wandered into Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Horton's Slough Trail proves that our state holds...

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This Classic No-Frills New Jersey Spot Might Just Serve The Best Fries In The State

The first time I pulled up to Tick Tock Diner on Allwood Road in Clifton, I wasn’t just hungry, I was curious. That gleaming chrome exterior practically screams “classic Jersey,”...

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This Indiana Restaurant Serves Ramen That Students Keep Coming Back For

Walking into Kyuramen on Massachusetts Avenue feels like stepping into another world. The neon glow spilling onto the sidewalk caught my eye immediately, and once inside, the buzz...

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