My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Texas Buffet Has Endless Southern Classics and Locals Still Try to Keep It a Secret

You can tell a lot about a restaurant by its parking lot, and the one outside Schobels' Restaurant was completely full when I rolled in. That was enough to make me pull over.

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This Easy Oklahoma Trail Takes You Straight To A 77-Foot Waterfall

I still remember the first time I heard about Turner Falls and thought, no way can Oklahoma hide a 77-foot waterfall. Turns out, I was completely wrong.

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Minnesota’s Cabin Country Rule That Makes Bonfires Way Less Simple

You would think lighting a bonfire at a lakeside cabin is the easiest part of the weekend. In Minnesota, it can be the one thing that quietly derails your whole plan.

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This Scenic Mountain Trail In New Jersey Delivers Jaw-Dropping Views Year-Round

I laced up my sneakers thinking I was just going for a hike... spoiler: this trail laughed at me. One minute you’re strolling,...

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This Indiana Amish Museum Feels Frozen in Time, Preserving a Way of Life Few Ever See

I remember the first time I drove through Shipshewana and saw those horse-drawn buggies clip-clopping down Van Buren Street. Growing up in Indiana, I thought I knew everything...

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We Found The Legendary Chili Dogs That Have Been A Virginia Best-Kept Secret For Decades

What if the best chili dog you've ever had is hiding in plain sight on a downtown street corner? Lynchburg locals have been guarding this secret like treasure since the Great Depression,...

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Idaho’s Tiny Pie Shop That Sells Out Before The Second Pot Of Coffee

What if your morning coffee routine came with a built-in race against the clock. In this tiny Idaho town, the real competition is not the caffeine.

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Oklahoma’s Most Unusual Coffee Shop Feels Like a Vintage European Masterpiece

You don't expect to find chandeliers and velvet chairs in a Yukon shopping center. That is what makes walking into All About Cha Stylish Tea and Coffee feel like a plot twist.

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Delaware’s Boardwalk Snack Run That Keeps Your Budget Weirdly Happy

You know that moment when you are walking a boardwalk, everything smells amazing, and you assume your wallet is about to suffer. Delaware flips that script.

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The New Jersey Coffee Hub Brewing A Full Feb-Brew-ary Of Events And Viral Vegan Treats

I wandered into Catfight Coffee on a frosty February morning, and wow... talk about a wake-up call. Forget your plain latte...

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This Indiana Coffee “Speakeasy” Is a Hidden Hipster Paradise

I remember the first time I walked past 304 E New York St in downtown Indianapolis. I almost missed it completely. There was...

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Patio Season In This Connecticut Coastal Town Has Just Started And It’s Worth A Trip

The first time I grabbed a seat outside here, I planned on one drink and ended up rearranging my whole afternoon. Patio season...

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This Is Where You’ll Find The Crispiest, Most Legendary Southern Fried Catfish In Virginia

Soul food in Richmond hits different when you know where to look. The city's culinary scene has its share of contenders, but one spot on Hull Street keeps people driving from out...

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Ohio’s Amish Bakery Run That Stretches Snack Money For Days

I went in planning to grab one small pastry and walked out with a box that could cover breakfasts, coffee breaks, and late-night snacks for half the week. That is the danger of...

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This Texas Vintage Store Covered in Leopard Print Feels Like a Retro Fashion Jungle

Walking into Leopard Lounge feels like stepping through a time portal lined with wild cat spots and retro swagger. I had heard...

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Free Ferry Views In Delaware That Feel Like A Cheat Code

I thought it would just be a quick ride across the water, but it ended up being the best view of the whole day. The breeze...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Amish Buffet in Oklahoma Serves Homemade Comfort Food You’ll Crave for Days

You know that Sunday feeling when the table is full and nobody is counting calories? That is exactly what hit me when I walked into Dutch Pantry in Chouteau.

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These Massachusetts Harbor Behaviors Turn A Peaceful Walk Into A Circus

I thought I was in for a quiet harbor stroll until someone decided the railing was a stage and the seagulls were their audience. One minute you are breathing in salty air and watching...

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The New Jersey Antique Haven Where $30 Fills Your Cart To The Brim

I walked into Summit Antique Center expecting the usual dusty corners and sky-high price tags that make you wince before you even touch anything.

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10 Overlooked Indiana Towns Where You Can Stretch Your Budget and Enjoy Excellent Healthcare

I've spent years exploring Indiana's hidden corners, and I've discovered something remarkable. While everyone flocks to Indianapolis or Fort Wayne, some of our state's best-kept...

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These Common Montana River Tubing Mistakes Could Cost You A Trip To The Hospital

I thought floating a Montana river would be a lazy, sun-soaked drift until I watched a guy slam into a rock and lose his flip-flops, cooler, and dignity in one go.

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This Humble Restaurant In Virginia Serves A Crab Dip So Good, It’s Gained Global Cult Status

Is there anything more hotly debated in Virginia than what makes the perfect crab dip? Some swear by Old Bay and mayo, while others insist on cream cheese and a secret spice blend.

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The California Tide Pool Mistakes That Start With “It’s Fine, Watch This”

I once heard someone say: “It’s fine, watch this,” right before they stepped onto a slick rock and nearly joined the tide pool.

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10 Washington Museums Seniors Love For Accessible Programs And Gentle Exploration

I bet you didn’t know you could see 10 museums without feeling worn out. This loop is built for real life; picture easy drives, clear seating, and galleries that don’t overwhelm....

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Texas-Sized Donuts That Have Been Selling Out Since 1926 at This Family Owned Bakery

If you see a line wrapping around the block in Round Rock before the sun is fully up, chances are it leads to Round Rock Donuts. This place has been around since 1926, and judging...

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This Oklahoma BBQ Joint Serves Ribs So Tender, They’ll Stay on Your Mind All Week

You can smell it before you see it. That slow, steady hickory smoke hanging in the air is what pulled me toward Leo's BBQ. Since...

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This Wisconsin Bakery Makes Cinnamon Rolls Disappear Before Noon

Have you ever walked into a bakery “just to look” and walked out with a box that feels way heavier than planned? That is exactly how mornings unfold here.

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The New Jersey Hotspot Where Locals Line Up For Temaki Hand Rolls

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first heard about Nami Nori, but the moment I walked past and saw the line snaking out the door on a Tuesday evening, I knew something special...

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This No-Frills Indiana Restaurant Serves a Cheesesteak People Travel From Across the State to Devour

I never thought I'd drive across state lines for a sandwich until someone told me about BigCity CheeseSteaks in Munster. Located at 8220 Calumet Ave, Munster, IN 46321, this small,...

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This Low-Key Virginia Restaurant Delivers Dock-To-Plate Flavor Far From The Coast

You might not expect standout seafood in the middle of Virginia, but this Charlottesville gem will quickly change your mind. Tucked away in Charlottesville, there's a spot serving...

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Maine’s Seafood Shack That Makes A Budget Meal Feel Like A Treat

Tell me you have ten minutes, because I want to make a case for a roadside stop that feels bigger than it looks. Some places just reset your mood the second you pull in, and this...

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People Drive From All Over Indiana For The Delicious Cinnamon Rolls At This Bakery That Uses A Secret 100-Year-Old Amish Recipe

I remember the first time someone told me about a bakery in New Haven where people drive from all corners of Indiana just for cinnamon rolls. I thought they were exaggerating.

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The Quirky Little Route 66 Town in Texas That’s Bursting With Charm and Americana

I never expected to find myself so completely charmed by a tiny dot on the map in the Texas Panhandle, but Vega proved me wonderfully wrong.

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This Charming Gourmet Shop In Oklahoma Turns Every Foodie Visit Into a Dream

You know that rare grocery stop that turns into a full-blown flavor detour? That was me the first time I walked into The Gourmet Gallery in Edmond.

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11 Breathtaking Nature Escapes To Savor In New Jersey Throughout 2026

New Jersey has always surprised me with its wild side, and after years of exploring every corner of the Garden State, I can confidently say 2026 is the perfect time to discover...

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The Mouth-Watering Steaks At This Small-Town Restaurant Are Better Than Indy’s Best And Half The Price

I remember the first time someone told me about a steakhouse in Garrett that supposedly rivaled anything downtown Indianapolis had to offer. My skepticism was real because how...

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This Virginia Lake Town Is A Foodie Oasis Feeding Visitors Way Above Its Pay Grade

Can a town of just over a thousand people serve up restaurant experiences that rival big-city dining scenes? Clarksville makes a compelling case that size doesn't dictate sophistication.

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This Real Working Texas Cattle Ranch Lets You Live the Cowboy Life for a Weekend

There is something about pulling onto the wide open land at Dixie Dude Ranch that makes you sit up a little straighter. Horses move through the pastures like they own the place,...

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This Giant Oklahoma Flea Market Is the Place You’ll Want to Visit Again and Again

I walked into Karens Ultimate Treasures Flea Market on a Saturday morning and immediately understood why people keep coming back. This sprawling indoor marketplace has earned its...

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The Only Thing Better Than The Menu Is This New Jersey Waterfront View

What’s the first thing you notice when you step into a restaurant, the menu or the view? At The Waterfront in New Jersey, the answer isn’t so simple.

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A Charming and Affordable Indiana Town That Will Make You Want To Quit Your Job and Move Immediately

I still remember the first time I drove through Huntingburg on a crisp autumn afternoon, sunlight filtering through the trees that line the streets of this southwestern Indiana...

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These Oregon Locations Make People Say “You Had to Be There”

Oregon holds secrets that refuse to be captured in photographs or described in simple words. Scattered across this diverse state are places so extraordinary that they demand your...

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We Went On A Gravy-Fueled Odyssey For Virginia’s Most Legendary Chicken-Fried Steak

Think you've tasted the ultimate chicken-fried steak? Picture a crispy golden crust that stays crunchy even under a blanket of creamy peppered gravy, paired with eggs cooked just...

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The Massive Thrift Store In Texas Where Less Than $40 Fills A Cart Fast

The building alone lets you know Thrift Giant is not playing around. I sat in the parking lot for a second just taking in the size of it, because this is not your typical corner...

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Once a Peaceful Oasis, This Oklahoma Lake Is Now Swarmed by Tourists

I first visited Skipout Lake back when you could count the number of campers on one hand. Secluded in the northwestern corner of Oklahoma near the Texas border, this small reservoir...

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Oregon Locals Keep Showing Up to These Places for One Reason

Oregon holds a special kind of magic that keeps locals coming back to the same cherished places year after year, and it's not about following tourist brochures or chasing viral...

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Be Careful When Shell Hunting In Florida, Not Everything On The Sand Is Fair Game

I thought beachcombing was the simplest hobby in the world until I picked up a shell and someone told me to put it back. Florida’s...

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Oregon Locals Know These All-You-Can-Eat Places Are Better Than They Look

Oregon's dining scene hides some incredible secrets that only locals seem to know about, and these all-you-can-eat restaurants are proof that you should never judge a book by its...

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13 New Jersey Towns With The Lowest Taxes That Locals Pick For Affordability

I've spent years exploring every corner of New Jersey, and I can tell you that finding a town with low property taxes in the Garden State feels like discovering hidden treasure....

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A Creepy Indiana Museum That Will Haunt Your Dreams Long After You Leave

I never expected a museum visit to give me actual chills, but the Indiana Medical History Museum proved me completely wrong. Walking through the preserved 1890s pathology building...

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