My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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11 Maryland Diners That Still Cook Breakfast the Old Fashioned Way

Breakfast should be simple. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee that keeps coming. No fancy toppings, no deconstructed nonsense....

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Texas Riverside Park Best Known For Its Massive Granite Rocks And Beautiful Swimming Spots

A riverside park with massive granite rocks is a unique place to spend a summer day. This Texas park is known for its beautiful swimming spots and the giant rocks that line the...

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This Hidden Oklahoma Plant Farm Is a Jungle of Flowers, Herbs, and Garden Treasures You Can Actually Shop

Some garden centers are orderly. Rows of pristine plants, neatly labeled, everything in its place. This one is not that. This...

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This West Virginia Outlet Is The Only Place To Get Factory-Second Fiesta Dinnerware At A Discount

If you have been "fiesta"-ing over the price of quality tableware, this West Virginia outlet is about to set your worries on a permanent holiday.

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The Wild Story Behind The Haunted Shipwreck Resting At The Bottom Of This Indiana State Park

Beneath the sparkling surface of Lake Michigan, just off the shoreline near Indiana Dunes State Park, rests a 154-foot wooden steamship that has been sitting on the lake floor...

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10 Magical Indiana State Park Trails That Feel Like A Real-Life Fantasy Movie

I never expected Indiana to take my breath away the way it did the first time I wandered into one of its state parks. There is something quietly spectacular about this place, something...

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This Cold War Indiana Missile Site Was Saved from Abandonment to Become a Paintball Park

Hidden in plain sight near Portage, Indiana, a former Cold War military base has found an unexpected second life. Once built to help defend the Chicago area from potential Soviet...

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This Texas Restaurant Feels More Like A Nature Retreat Than A Place To Eat

A restaurant that overlooks a river and feels more like a nature retreat than a place to eat. This Texas spot offers a scenic dining experience with a focus on fresh, seasonal...

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9 Hole-in-the-Wall Oklahoma Pizzerias Serving Cracker-Thin Tavern Squares That Locals Treat Like Pure Gold

Tavern-style pizza is a Midwestern treasure. Cracker-thin crust, square slices, cheese that stretches from edge to edge. It is...

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This Minnesota Fine Dining Spot Has Been Earning National Recognition for Over 25 Years

Some restaurants simply feed you, but this one has been quietly setting the bar for over a quarter of a century. Tucked inside a historic building, the space feels warm and unpretentious,...

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This Massive Missouri Cave Was Once Believed to Be Jesse James’ Secret Hideout

Outlaws need hideouts. And in the 1800s, a massive Missouri cave system was rumored to be one of the best. Jesse James and...

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The Secret Oklahoma Oasis That Looks Exactly Like Bali

Bali is a long flight from Oklahoma. The plane tickets are expensive, the journey is exhausting, and the time change will wreck your sleep schedule for a week.

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This New Jersey Community Is Home To One Of The Oldest Weapons Arsenals In The United States

Imagine your neighbor's backyard hiding a piece of military history that predates the Civil War. That is exactly what is happening...

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11 New Hampshire Restaurants So Scenic They Belong On Your Bucket List

I have eaten at a lot of restaurants in New Hampshire over the years, and I have learned that the ones with the best views are often the ones you remember the longest. The food...

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This New Jersey Pizzeria Is So Good Dave Portnoy Says You Have To Drive And Try It

The man who has eaten pizza in every corner of the country gave this spot a score that turned heads. He declared it worthy...

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This Ohio Public Market Turns Butcher Counters, Bakery Cases, Produce Stalls, And Lunch Lines Into A Food-Lover’s Maze

The pierogi are handmade, the sausages are smoked, and the strudel is still warm from the oven. That is the rhythm of a historic public market in Ohio, where butcher counters,...

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This Maryland Destination Feels Too Beautiful to Still Be a Secret

You look around and wonder how this place is not packed. The views, the water, the peaceful vibe. This Maryland destination feels...

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You Can Explore the Amazon Without Leaving Oregon at This Top-Ranked Aquarium

Piranhas swirl in dark water, an electric eel sends out a silent pulse, and a caiman glides just beneath the surface. None of this requires a passport, because this place has brought...

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This Secluded Oklahoma Lake Resort Melts Away Stress With a World-Class Spa and Sunset Views

Stress has a way of finding you. At work, in traffic, even in the quiet moments when you are trying to relax. But there is a...

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This New Hampshire Sandwich Shop Serves Bánh Mì So Fresh, Locals Can’t Stop Coming Back

I have eaten a lot of sandwiches in my life, but I have never eaten anything quite like this. The bread is light and crispy, the fillings are fresh and flavorful, and the balance...

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This Small-Town Missouri Kitchen Is Serving Shockingly Good Seafood in the Middle of the Ozarks

A small-town Missouri kitchen in the Ozarks does not sound like the place to find great seafood. But one restaurant has been proving that assumption wrong for years.

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This Wyoming Mountain Restaurant Turns Romantic Tables, Teton Views, And Lodge-Style Charm Into A Dreamy Dinner Escape

Perched high above the valley, this Wyoming mountain restaurant frames the jagged Teton peaks like a living painting through floor-to-ceiling windows. The dining room wraps you...

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This West Virginia House Was Built On A Burial Mound And Is Said To Be Haunted

They say a house is just bricks and mortar until the bricks start talking. This one was built directly on an ancient burial...

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This New Jersey Market Has Fresh Produce At Prices So Low Customers Call It A Hidden Gem

My grocery budget and I used to have a very complicated relationship. Every week, I'd walk into a big-name supermarket, grab...

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This Connecticut Pizza Restaurant Serves Coal-Fired Pies So Beloved The Charred Crust Feels Like A Local Ritual

What makes a pizzeria a local institution? In Connecticut, the answer is a coal-fired oven that has been cranking out pies for generations.

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8 Small-Batch Food Markets in Alabama Where You Can Fill Your Bag Every Single Saturday

I still remember the first time I walked into a Saturday farmers market in Alabama and left with my arms full of fresh bread, local honey, and vegetables I had never tried before....

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This Tiny Oregon Joint Is Famous for Over-the-Top Burgers and a Devoted Local Fan Base

The building is small, the menu is simple, and the line is always out the door. That is the formula that has made this tiny spot a legend among Oregon burger lovers.

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9 New Hampshire Movie Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit

I have always loved the idea of visiting places where movies were filmed. There is something magical about standing in a spot that you have seen on screen, knowing that the actors...

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This Unassuming New Hampshire Schoolhouse Serves Award-Winning Lobster Rolls With Unbeatable Treehouse Views

You would drive right past this place if you were not looking for it. The building is a small, unassuming schoolhouse, painted red and tucked into the trees.

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This Pennsylvania Amusement Park Has Candy-Themed Coasters, A Splashy Waterpark, And Full-Throttle Summer Energy

What does summer mean to you? If it involves roller coasters and water slides, a park in Pennsylvania has you covered. The rides...

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This Maryland Smokehouse Has Meat So Tender It Falls Apart on the Fork

You know good barbecue when the meat does not need a knife. This Maryland smokehouse serves brisket and ribs so tender they fall apart the second your fork touches them.

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This Oregon Forest is Home to the Legendary 800-Year-Old ‘King Tut’ Tree

Hidden within a fortress of rocky cliffs, this remote valley shelters trees that were already ancient when the first explorers crossed the continent. At its heart stands one of...

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Hiking, Fishing and Wildflowers Make This Minnesota Park a Best-Kept Secret

The rush of the Redwood River greets you the moment you step out of the car, its sound a constant, soothing presence throughout the park. This Minnesota hideaway is not on most...

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10 Under-the-Radar Oklahoma Delis That Are So Authentic They Feel Like Hidden European Street Markets

A great deli is not just a place to eat. It is a portal. You walk through the door and suddenly the air smells different. Cured meats, pickled vegetables, and fresh bread fill...

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The Sprawling Independent Missouri Plant Warehouse Serving as the State’s Go-To for Discount Pottery

There is a place in Missouri that feels less like a garden center and more like a sprawling treasure hunt. This independent plant warehouse has been serving the region for over...

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This West Virginia Amish Market Is A Hidden Haven For Fresh Produce And Handmade Goods

Think of West Virginia’s countryside as hiding a cheerful secret garden where shopping is less “errand” and more “playdate.”

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This New Jersey Zombie Mall Feels More Like An Abandoned Museum Than A Shopping Center

The first thing you notice is the quiet. The kind of silence that echoes off empty storefronts and makes footsteps sound louder than they should.

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This West Virginia Spot Offers Sushi, Hibachi, And Thai Cuisine All Under One Roof

Craving sushi but your dining companion insists on hibachi? That classic dinner dilemma finds its perfect solution right here in West Virginia.

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This New York German Deli Packs Housemade Sausages, Smoked Meats, And Old-World Cases Into One Savory Stop

A narrow storefront on a New York side street has been turning out German sausages and smoked meats since the nineteen thirties. The smell of garlic and spice hits you before the...

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This Hidden 148-Foot Alabama Sandstone Arch Is One Of The Longest Natural Bridges In The U.S

Hidden along a quiet stretch of Winston County road sits a geological wonder that most people drive right past. A privately...

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This Minnesota Store Is a Treasure Trove of Vintage Finds and Oddities

You step through the door and immediately realize this is not your average antique shop. The shelves are crowded with curiosities, taxidermy, vintage medical tools, old photographs,...

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This Kentucky Dinner House Serves Southern Comfort Plates, Homemade Desserts, And Old-School Road-Trip Charm

A dinner house born from a fried chicken empire and a family's pride opened its doors in the late nineteen sixties. It was originally called The Colonel's Lady, a tribute to the...

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The Massive Virginia Garden Center Where Plant Lovers Can Spend Hours Getting Lost

You walk through the gate and suddenly you are surrounded by green. Rows of plants stretch in every direction, from tiny succulents to towering trees.

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11 Virginia Restaurants So Unusual They Belong On Your Bucket List

Some restaurants are just places to eat. Others are experiences. This list has eleven Virginia restaurants so unusual they...

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This Colorado Food Hall Turns A Historic Brick Market Into A Bite-Sized Adventure With Local Counters And Global Eats

A historic brick building in Colorado has been transformed into a bustling food hall where local vendors serve everything from wood-fired pizza to fresh oysters.

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This New Jersey Store Has Been Serving Premium Homemade Ice Cream For Over 50 Years

Fifty years is a long time to be doing anything, let alone churning out some of the creamiest, most satisfying ice cream you will ever taste.

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8 Overrated Texas Lake Towns That Have Become Way Too Overcrowded in Summer

A lake town that was once a peaceful summer escape is now a crowded destination. These Texas towns were once known for their quiet shores and relaxed pace, but they have become...

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These Eerie Hiking Trails In Oregon Will Leave You Looking Over Your Shoulder

The forest grows quiet in a way that feels intentional, as if the trees are holding their breath around you. Mist clings to the ground, obscuring the trail ahead and muffling every...

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Idaho’s 72-Mile Bike Trail Follows an Old Railroad Through Lakes and Wetlands

Riding a trail that used to carry freight trains through the mountains of northern Idaho. Seventy two miles tracing the ghost of a railroad line that shut down decades ago. I...

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This New Mexico Adobe Courtyard Restaurant Serves Chile-Laced Plates, Historic Plaza Charm, And Desert Patio Energy

The chile is the main event at this New Mexico restaurant, and it has been for decades. The building itself has stood for over three hundred years, and the adobe walls keep the...

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This Hidden Oklahoma Flower Garden Is a Color-Filled Oasis of Blooms, Greenhouses, and Garden Magic

Behind an unassuming entrance in Oklahoma, a hidden flower garden bursts into bloom, a color-filled oasis of blossoms, greenhouses, and the kind of garden magic that makes you...

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9 Off-the-Radar Missouri Restaurants Every True Foodie Needs to Visit

Foodies love a good discovery. The kind of place that is not on any list, not featured in any magazine, just whispered about by locals who know better than to share it too widely.

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This New Jersey Park Is A Nature Lover’s Haven With Butterfly House And Restored Mill Pond

There is something quietly magical about a park that lets you wander through a garden of fluttering wings and then stroll beside a pond that has been patiently restored to its...

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No Cell Service, No Crowds, Just 23 Acres of Lichen-Striped Montana Cliffs and Silence So Loud You Can Hear Yourself Think

About twenty four miles south of a small Montana town, your phone loses its last bar and the world gets very, very quiet. That moment hits differently than you expect, like a...

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8 Magical Indiana Towns Packed With Rich German Heritage & Old-World Vibes

I never expected to find so much old-world charm right here in Indiana. But the moment I started exploring some of the smaller towns tucked across the state, I realized something...

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This Legendary Indiana Restaurant Serves Up An Iconic All-You-Can-Eat Feast & Famous Fried Chicken

Some restaurants are more than just a place to eat. They carry decades of history, family pride, and flavors that keep people coming back year after year.

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This Virginia Vietnamese Bakery Serves Bánh Mì So Fresh, Locals Can’t Stop Coming Back

The baguette is crispy, the pork is tender, and the pickled vegetables add the perfect tang. This Virginia Vietnamese bakery serves bánh mì so fresh that locals cannot stop coming...

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Vibrant Street Murals Celebrate This Virginia Town’s Rich Pottery and Agricultural History

The walls of this Virginia town tell a story. Bright murals cover the sides of buildings, celebrating the pottery and agricultural history that shaped the community.

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This Texas Diner Has Been Serving Hungry Travelers Along The Same Highway Since The 1960s

A diner that has been in the same place since the 1960s is a highway landmark. This Texas spot has been serving travelers and locals for over sixty years.

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The Ancient Petroglyphs at This Wyoming Site Are So Old They Predate the Pyramids

Pressing your eyes toward a sandstone cliff and realizing the marks carved into it were made before the Egyptian pyramids even existed. I almost skipped this Wyoming site while...

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