My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This 2-Mile Boardwalk Trail in Minnesota Passes Through a Bird Sanctuary Most People Miss

The boardwalk glides over the marsh, and the only sounds are birdsong and the rustle of cattails in the breeze. This two-mile trail is a peaceful escape, yet most people pass right...

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This Giant Oklahoma All-You-Can-Eat Hotspot Gives You Two Hours To Gorge On Unlimited Meat

The gauchos circle the dining room with skewers of sizzling meat, and the rule is simple: flip the coaster to green and they keep coming. Two hours of unlimited beef, pork, chicken,...

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This Missouri All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Is Celebrated For An Extravagant Dessert Bar

A buffet with a legendary dessert bar requires a different kind of strategy. You cannot just load up on the first things you see, because the sweets at the end are the main event.

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This West Virginia Covered Bridge Was Built By Teenagers And Still Looks Straight Out Of Another Century

Imagine trusting a bunch of teenagers to build something that would outlast your entire family tree. That is exactly what happened here.

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This New Jersey Farm Has A Year-Round Petting Zoo, A Goat Bridge, And Its Own Bunny Village

Forget the concrete jungle, this place is a fluffy paradise with a serious attitude problem. You have goats traversing a tiny...

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Dine With A Side Of River Views At This West Virginia Gastropub Overlooking The Monongahela

The Monongahela does not just flow past this place; it practically steals the show. But do not worry, the food fights back. Plates...

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This Gorgeous Tasting Room In Alabama Lets You Sample The World’s Freshest Small Batch Olive Oils

There is a small shop in Birmingham, Alabama, that is quietly changing the way people think about olive oil. A unique tasting room inside a local marketplace lets visitors sample...

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This Oregon Coast Creamery Offers a Free Self-Guided Tour That Lets You Watch Cheesemaking in Action

The air inside smells like warm curds and fresh squeaky cheese. You are standing on an elevated walkway, watching giant vats churn below. This place is a working creamery, and...

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We Tried a Virginia Cast-Iron Cornbread That Could Be the Best Bite of Your Life

The cast-iron skillet comes to the table, the cornbread still sizzling. The top is golden, the edges are crisp, and the butter melts into every crevice.

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This Virginia Board Game Cafe Has Over 600 Games And The Warmest Vibe You Could Ask For

The slide drops you into a splash, and the wave pool rocks you with every surge. This massive Virginia indoor waterpark resort features thrilling slides and multi-seasonal heated...

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This New Jersey Boardwalk Restaurant Serves A Giant Pizza Slice That Takes Two Hands To Hold

This is not a pizza slice. This is a public event. A carbohydrate commitment that requires its own seatbelt.

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This Maryland Restaurant Has Been Smoking Barbecue Low and Slow for More Than 30 Years

Good barbecue takes time. Hours, actually. This Maryland restaurant has been smoking meat low and slow for more than thirty...

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This 64-Acre Oregon Park Is a Year-Round Camping and Day-Use Destination

Towering trees and the gentle flow of the McKenzie River create a peaceful backdrop for this 64-acre escape. It is a favorite spot for both campers and day visitors, offering a...

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This Oklahoma Lake Park Has A Playground So Epic It Turns A Day At The Water Into An Adventure

Forget everything you thought you knew about a day at the park. An Oklahoma lake park has taken the idea of a playground and turned it into something else entirely.

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This Missouri Battlefield Is Peaceful Now, But Its History Still Speaks

Some battlefields feel like they are still holding their breath, and this one in Missouri is no exception. More than a century...

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13 Best Free Beaches In New Jersey For Families Who Love The Shore

Sand, surf, and zero dollars spent on entry fees. That is the kind of math families love. New Jersey packs its coastline with...

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9 Authentic Alabama Restaurants Making Scratch-Made Dishes That Taste Straight Out Of Italy

I never expected to find food that reminded me so much of a Roman trattoria right here in Alabama. But after exploring the state, I can honestly say some of these kitchens are...

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This Fascinating Aviation Museum In Alabama You Never Knew You Could Visit

Most people drive past Battleship Parkway in Mobile, Alabama without realizing something extraordinary sits right along the water. An underrated aviation museum along the waterfront...

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This Massive Virginia Indoor Waterpark Resort Features Thrilling Slides And Multi-Seasonal Heated Pools For The Ultimate Family Getaway

The slide drops you into a splash, and the wave pool rocks you with every surge. This massive Virginia indoor waterpark resort features thrilling slides and multi-seasonal heated...

Read More    8 min read

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Fresh Peach Ice Cream Keeps Summer Crowds Coming Back to One Famous Virginia Orchard

The peaches are ripe, the sun is hot, and the line at the ice cream stand is long. Fresh peach ice cream keeps summer crowds coming back to one famous Virginia orchard, a seasonal...

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Maryland’s Best Kept Secret for History Lovers Is Also One of Its Most Beautiful Parks

History lovers are always looking for the next great site. Something with stories, artifacts, and a sense of the past. This...

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This Oregon Dive Doesn’t Look Like Much, But the Burgers Are Out of This World

The exterior is a chaotic collage of rusted metal, old signs, and random car parts. The inside is crammed with 50 years of garage-sale leftovers. A custom chopper hangs from the...

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Texas Businesses That Inspire Completely New Hobbies

Some businesses offer more than just a service; they inspire new passions. These Texas spots are the kind of places that can spark a completely new hobby.

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Feast Next To A Glacial Lake At This Historic Indiana State Park Brunch Buffet

Imagine sitting down to a full brunch spread with a stunning glacial lake right outside the window. That is exactly what you get at a historic inn inside a state park in Angola,...

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This Quirky Indiana Pit Stop Features A 32-Foot Wooden Masterpiece That Once Held A Guinness World Record

Somewhere along US Highway 31 in Franklin, a 32-foot wooden giant stops travelers in their tracks. A massive roadside rocking chair is one of those unexpected surprises that makes...

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This Emerald-Hued Indiana Quarry Lake Is Framed By Towering Limestone Cliffs And Natural Springs

Some places stop you in your tracks the moment you see them. A former limestone quarry in Logansport, Indiana is exactly that kind of place.

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This Historic Virginia Swimming Hole Stays A Naturally Warm Constant Temperature All Year Long

You lower yourself into the water and the warmth wraps around you. It is not heated artificially. The water comes from deep underground,...

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11 Virginia Restaurants So Popular They Book Out Weeks Ahead

You find a restaurant you want to try. You check the website. You scroll through the availability. And then you realize the next...

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11 Under-the-Radar Oregon Restaurants Worth the Drive (and They’re Not in Portland)

Some of Oregon's most unforgettable meals are not in Portland at all. They are tucked away in tiny coastal towns and quiet rural crossroads where you least expect them.

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This Roadside Texas Catfish Spot Serves Massive Platters Loaded with Crispy Fried Goodness

A roadside catfish spot that serves massive platters is the kind of place that keeps people coming back. This Texas spot is loaded with crispy fried goodness and classic Southern...

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The Oregon State Fair That Draws Over 350,000 Visitors Every Summer

The scent of corn dogs and cotton candy drifts through the warm summer air. The sound of laughter, carnival rides, and live music fills the grounds from morning until night. This...

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This Tiny Texas Town Is Becoming One Of The State’s Best Adult Weekend Escapes

A tiny town that offers the perfect weekend escape is a rare find. This Texas spot is quickly becoming a favorite for adults looking for a relaxing getaway.

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This Texas Restaurant Lets You Watch Fish Swim Around While You Eat

Dinner and a show take on a new meaning at this Texas restaurant. Guests can enjoy a meal while watching fish, sharks, and other marine life swim in a massive aquarium.

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11 Texas Stores People Walk Into “Just To Look” And Leave Two Hours Later

Some stores have a way of keeping people there for longer than they expect. These Texas spots are the kind where a person walks in "just to look" and ends up leaving two hours...

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The Best Pie In Oklahoma Is Hiding Where You’d Least Expect It

A strip of worn-out storefronts in a city neighborhood would be the last place you would look for a perfect pie. But that is exactly where you will find one of the best.

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This West Virginia Town Has A Lion Ordinance Still On The Books From The 1890s

Somewhere between a history book and a tall tale, there exists a small town with an ordinance so specific, so wonderfully odd, that it stops you mid-sentence when you first hear...

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This Hidden Indiana Haven Sprawls Across Multiple Buildings Packed With Rare Architectural Antiques

Some places look ordinary from the outside but hold something truly remarkable inside. A family-owned architectural salvage shop in Indianapolis, Indiana is exactly that kind of...

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10 Indiana’s Most Beautiful and Overlooked Historic Estate Grounds

Indiana holds secrets that most people drive right past. I have spent years exploring this state, and nothing surprised me more than discovering how many breathtaking historic...

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Indiana’s Favorite Allergy-Friendly Bakery Is Winning Over Crowds With Treats Everyone Can Eat

Finding a bakery where everyone at the table can actually enjoy something used to feel impossible. For people managing food sensitivities, allergies, or dietary restrictions, many...

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This Texas Garden Center Is Also Home To One Of The State’s Most Charming Cafés

A garden center is a delightful place to browse plants, but one that also has a charming café is a true destination. This Texas spot offers both, creating a relaxing and inviting...

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This Oklahoma Park Has Glossy Red Mesas That Look Nothing Like The Rest Of The State

Oklahoma is not known for red rock canyons. Most people picture flat plains, cattle pastures, and the occasional stretch of rolling hills.

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11 Oregon Restaurants So Unusual They Belong On Your Bucket List

Dinner in Oregon can be a full-blown adventure, not just a quick meal. Forget the usual routine, because the state is packed with places where the experience is as memorable as...

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This Missouri Diner Serves The Famous Cashew Chicken That Became A Local Legend

A Chinese immigrant named David Leong opened a tea house in 1963 and quickly realized that traditional Cantonese dishes were a tough sell in the Missouri Ozarks. To win over local...

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This Weekend-Only Oklahoma Barbecue Stand Has Smoky Plates Worth Planning Around

The doors open at a small metal building along a stretch of historic highway, and the line is already fifteen people deep. A...

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Everyone Goes to Atlantic City, But This Nearby New Jersey Town Might Be Even Better

Atlantic City has the neon, the boardwalk, and the crowds. This little town has something quieter, better, the ocean without the circus.

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10 Unassuming New Hampshire Restaurants With Outrageously Fresh Seafood

The best seafood in New Hampshire is often found in the most unexpected places. Not the fancy restaurants with white tablecloths and ocean views, but the unassuming spots tucked...

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This New Jersey Lake Is A Popular Swimming Hole Where You Can Cool Off On Hot Summer Days

When the heat becomes unbearable and your air conditioner gives up, there is only one solution. Find water. Jump in. Repeat.

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This Maryland Seafood Restaurant Feels Like a Hidden Island Escape Worth the Drive

You drive out to the water, and the road gets quieter. The views get bigger. And then you arrive at a seafood restaurant that...

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Locals Say This Once Quiet Minnesota River Town Has Been Overrun by Tourists

You finally find parking after circling for what feels like an eternity. The main streets are packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic.

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11 Oklahoma Backroads That Lead to Views You Won’t Find on Any Map

A gravel road stretches ahead with no signposts and no destination in sight, just the curve of the land and the promise of something worth finding. Oklahoma is full of these routes,...

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This Cozy New Hampshire Thai Restaurant Perfectly Nails the Flavors People Hope to Find in Bangkok

I have eaten at a lot of Thai restaurants in my life, and I have learned that many of them miss the mark. The flavors are muted, the spice is toned down, and the food tastes like...

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11 Missouri River Towns That Feel Stuck In The 1950s (In The Best Way)

Small towns along the Missouri River have seen their share of history. Some prospered as river ports when steamboats were the lifeblood of American commerce, others faded into...

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West Virginia Restaurants So Popular They Book Out Weeks Ahead

There is a special kind of anxiety that comes with calling a restaurant and hearing the words, "Our next available reservation is in three weeks." It stings.

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This 300-Year-Old New Jersey Inn Has A Restaurant That Was Named One Of The State’s Best

Three centuries of stories live within these walls. That is a lot of dinners, a lot of conversations, and a lot of secret recipes.

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This Hidden Coastal Bluff In Alabama Features Stunning Panoramic Views From High Above The Mobile Bay

Perched high above the shimmering waters of Mobile Bay, a scenic overlook in Fairhope, Alabama offers one of the most breathtaking and underrated views along the entire Gulf Coast....

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North Carolina’s Most Refreshing Swim Comes with a 40?Foot Cliff Dive Option

There is a spot deep inside this North Carolina forest where the trees grow so thick that sunlight barely touches the ground, and a 40-foot waterfall crashes into a pool so cold...

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This Southwestern Minnesota Gem Is One of the State’s Best-Kept Secrets

The trails wind through deep wooded ravines that feel miles away from any road. This Minnesota hideaway sits tucked in the southwest corner of the state, and it somehow remains...

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This Award-Winning Virginia Country Bar Keeps The Line Dancing Alive Every Weekend

The boots are on the floor, the music is loud, and the crowd is moving as one. This award-winning Virginia country bar keeps the line dancing alive every weekend, a place where...

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This Splendid 1.5 Hike in New Hampshire Is So Vivid You’ll Be Dreaming About It for Days

Some hikes stay with you long after you have finished them. They linger in your mind like a good song, popping up at random moments when you are supposed to be thinking about something...

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9 New Hampshire Pick-Your-Own Farms For The Best Strawberries And Peaches

There is something deeply satisfying about picking your own fruit. The sun on your back, the smell of ripe berries, and the feeling of filling a basket with something you grew...

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