My Family Travels | Latest Articles
Article
This New Mexico Reservoir Fell To Startlingly Low Levels And Is Still Raising Concerns

Ever see a reservoir and get the uneasy feeling that the shoreline is telling a bigger story than the water itself? This New Mexico lake has that kind of tension right now, because...

Read More    9 min read

Article
9 Indiana Diners Where the Portions Are So Big They Barely Fit the Table

I have a real weakness for places where the food arrives and your very first thought is, there is no way I am finishing all of that. Indiana has a surprising number of spots just...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Hidden Indiana Nature Preserve Will Transport You To A World Of Peaceful Ponds And Rolling Hills

I never expected to find something this wild and peaceful just a short drive from town. This hidden nature preserve quietly stretches across 809 acres of glacial ridges, shallow...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Amusement Pier In Illinois Feels Active Even When Closed

Mental picture alert: rolling into Chicago a little late, the lake feeling moody, and Navy Pier looking like it is half asleep but still somehow awake.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Massive Virginia Cathedral Features 100-Year-Old Stained Glass And Italian Marble

Virginia is full of surprises, but few stop you dead in your tracks like a cathedral that feels like it was airlifted straight from Renaissance Italy. This stunning Catholic landmark...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Massive Outlet Mall In Virginia That Is Completely Worth The Long Drive

Not every shopping trip feels like a win, but this one delivers from the moment you arrive. In Leesburg, Virginia, a sprawling open-air outlet center brings together more than...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Wyoming Buffet Delivers On All-You-Can-Eat BBQ-Style Feasting

You know how Wyoming nights can be long and chilly, and a spot where you can keep going back for hearty plates just hits right? It is the kind of place where nobody is counting...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Texas Brazilian Steakhouse Where The Meat Never Stops Coming And Neither Do The Crowds

There is a moment here where you realize pacing yourself was probably the smarter move, and it is already too late. Skewers keep...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This European-Style Bakery In Texas Is Known For Buttery Croissants And Fresh Baguettes

There is a moment when you smell fresh bread and suddenly everything else can wait. Warm croissants, crisp baguettes, and that...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Crispy Fried Shrimp At This Oregon Spot Is What Keeps The Place Packed

A constant line out the door says everything you need to know about this Oregon spot before you even take a seat. The real reason everyone keeps coming back is simple: crispy fried...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Compact Oregon Museum Offers a Unique Blend of Local History and Scenic Waterfall Views

A compact Oregon museum doesn’t usually sound like the kind of place that takes your breath away - but this one quietly does exactly that. Inside, local history unfolds in a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
11 Oklahoma Restaurants Serving the Best Homemade Pies You’ll Ever Try

Somewhere between my third slice of pie and a very real internal debate about ordering a fourth, I realized Oklahoma had been hiding something spectacular all along.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Are Vermont Cities That Feel Suspended In Time

Vermont has a handful of cities where the clock seems to run a little slower, not because anyone planned it that way, but because the place never felt the need to rush.

Read More    7 min read

Article
The $12.99 Family-Style Italian Feast That’s Been Feeding Oklahoma Since 1925

This place has been serving up hearty Italian food since 1925, and the moment you pull into that parking lot, something feels different. The air carries the faint smell of garlic...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Stranger Things Filming Sites In Georgia Made For Instagram

Ever wanted to snap a photo that looks straight out of Stranger Things? Georgia is full of filming sites that fans are turning into Instagram hotspots.

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Secluded New Jersey Forest Trail That Leads You Right To Massive Abandoned 1900s Industrial Ruins

Deep in New Jersey’s woods, a quiet trail winds toward something unexpected. Step after step, the trees give way to whispers...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Liquidation Warehouse Offers Huge Savings On Brand-Name Electronics And Housewares

If you have ever walked past a store and wondered whether the deals inside were actually worth your time, I completely understand that hesitation. But this liquidation warehouse...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Nature Preserve Features 13 Secret Waterfalls and Dramatic Bluffs Hidden Inside a Former Girl Scout Camp

Some places in Indiana have a way of stopping you in your tracks, and this hidden stretch of wilderness is exactly that kind of place. What was once a beloved Girl Scout camp has...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Humble Indiana Spot Is One of the Only Places in the Midwest to Try Authentic Uyghur Cuisine

Most people driving through Bloomington, Indiana would never guess that one of the most culturally rich dining experiences in the entire Midwest is tucked right into the heart...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Haunted Virginia Museum Has A Secret Collection That’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

Some places in Virginia carry stories that go far beyond what any history textbook could ever capture. Tucked along the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria sits a building...

Read More    8 min read

Article
How Remote Nomads Are Reshaping Colorado’s Small Towns

Small towns are changing fast in Colorado and I want you to actually see it happen in real time. You can feel it the second you pull into a dusty main street and spot laptops glowing...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Breathtaking State Park In Virginia Is So Quiet, You’ll Practically Have It All To Yourself

Forget everything you expect from Virginia’s coastline. There is a stretch of wild shoreline that feels completely removed from modern life, even though it sits just miles from...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Montana Tavern’s Burgers Are The Only Thing People Talk About

Okay, hear me out, because I think we plan the road around one stop in Billings and let the rest sort itself out on the drive. You...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Museum Is Housed in a Real Historic Jail and a Famous Movie Filming Location

Walking into this Oregon museum already feels different before you even realize what the building used to be. Behind the walls of a real historic jail, every hallway carries a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Massive Oregon Thrift Store Is So Big You Could Easily Spend All Day Exploring It

Aisles stretch like they were designed to test your stamina, and somehow every turn hides another “wait… what is that?” moment. This massive Oregon thrift store isn’t just...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Unexpected Complexity Of Amish Communities In Pennsylvania

So, if we’re actually driving through Pennsylvania together, I want to slow down your expectations before we hit those quiet roads and tidy farms. The thing about Amish communities...

Read More    8 min read

Article
A Century-Old Missouri Candy Shop Scoops Up Old-School Sundaes People Drive Miles to Get

I stepped inside and felt like I had landed in a different decade without warning. This St. Louis spot has been around since 1913, and somehow it still feels completely alive,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Montana Wilderness Areas That No Longer Feel Untouched

I keep thinking about this road trip through Montana, and how some wild corners just do not feel as empty as they used to, even when the maps show miles of green. Trailheads fill...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Why Crossing Active Rail Bridges In Idaho Keeps Landing Tourists In Trouble

So we are mapping out this Idaho loop, and I keep hearing wild stories about people wandering onto rail bridges for views and then leaving in the back of a patrol car. It sounds...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Authentic Amish Dining Spots In Pennsylvania Beyond The Tourist Hype

Ever gone on a trip and realized the “local food” everyone talks about is more for tourists than locals? That’s often the case in Pennsylvania’s Amish country.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Colorful Oregon Riverfront Park Hides Troll Sculptures and a Touch of Nordic Folklore

Color explodes the second you step into this Oregon riverfront park, but the real surprise is what’s hiding between the trees. Troll sculptures appear out of nowhere, like they’ve...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Old-School Oregon Drive-In Has Been Serving Legendary Burgers Since 1968

Neon glow, sizzling grills, and the kind of retro charm you can’t fake - this old-school Oregon drive-in feels like it’s been frozen in the best era possible. Since 1968, it’s...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Massive 20-Foot-Tall Apple Sculpture In Virginia Is A Must-Stop Photo Op For Road Trippers

You do not expect a giant apple to be the highlight of a road trip, but this one earns its spot instantly. In Virginia, a massive apple sculpture stands boldly in front of an elegant...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Texas Resort Lets You Soak In 46 Hot Springs Based On Popular Destinations Worldwide

Trying to pick just one pool here feels like a losing game from the start. You walk in thinking you will settle into one spot,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Only 218 Steps Lead To One Of The Most Incredible Views In Texas

Two hundred eighteen steps does not sound like much until you are halfway up counting them. The climb is quick but just enough...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Giant Oklahoma Craft Store Is Loaded With Decor, Fabric, and Thousands of DIY Finds Under One Roof

If you have ever stood in a craft store aisle wondering if there is a place that truly has everything, this is your answer. Born right here in Oklahoma City back in 1972, this...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Indiana Attractions You Can Finish in Under an Hour

I'll be honest, I used to think Indiana's best moments required a full weekend and a packed itinerary. Then I started noticing all these incredible spots scattered across the state...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Easy Indiana Hike Wraps Around Four Ancient Ceremonial Earthworks Built By Prehistoric Civilizations

Some places just stop you in your tracks, and this Indiana park is exactly that kind of place. I grew up in the Midwest and had driven past the highway exit more times than I can...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Low-Key Indiana Town Where Retirees Are Finding High-Quality Life On A Modest Budget

I never expected a small Indiana town to stop me in my tracks, but Franklin did just that. There’s something quietly magnetic about this Johnson County gem, where tree-lined...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Texas Beachfront Restaurants So Popular, Locals Know Better Than To Go On Weekends

There is something about eating seafood with salt air blowing through your hair that makes a meal feel like an event. Texas has a coastline full of spots where the food is fresh,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Welcoming Texas Tavern Serves Polish Comfort Food Locals Keep Coming Back For

Polish food is not the first thing that comes to mind in Texas, which is exactly why this place stands out. You walk in and...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Iconic Oregon Drive-In Serves Some of the Tallest Ice Cream Cones Around

This iconic Oregon drive-in doesn’t just serve ice cream - it builds gravity-defying towers of it. One look at these cones and you start wondering if dessert has officially lost...

Read More    6 min read

Article
12 Hilarious Truths About Life in Oklahoma That Are Way Too Real for Anyone Who’s Lived There

Living in Oklahoma is an experience unlike anything else in the United States. The weather keeps you guessing, the people feel like family, and somehow every day comes with its...

Read More    11 min read

Article
The Century-Old New Jersey Waterfront Restaurant Where You Can Watch Tugboats While You Eat

This century-old New Jersey waterfront café isn’t just about food; it’s about flavor with a view. Tugboats float by like...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Former Virginia Psychiatric Hospital Is Now Known As One Of The Most Haunted Places In The Commonwealth

The past feels louder here than it should, as if the building refuses to let go of what it has witnessed. In the hills of Virginia, a former psychiatric hospital stands with its...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This New Jersey BBQ Joint Turns Newcomers Into Regulars Thanks To Its Big Servings

This New Jersey BBQ joint knows how to win hearts (and stomachs) fast. The servings are so big they practically demand a second...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Texas Observatory Experience Lets You See Planets And Distant Galaxies Up Close

Most nights don’t make you feel small in a good way, but this one does. Out here, the sky actually shows off. Stars pile...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Airport Has a Small Museum Where You Can Learn About Aviation Before Your Flight

Aviation history meets travel time at this Oregon airport, where a small museum turns waiting for your flight into something unexpectedly interesting. Displays of aircraft, stories...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oklahoma Taco Spot Serves Street Tacos So Good Even California Would Be Impressed

Some bites make everything else fade out for a second, and this was one of them. The smell pulls you in first, warm tortillas, smoky meat, and that bright citrus note that hits...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Legendary Virginia Tavern Served Our Founding Fathers And Still Dishes Out Authentic 18th-Century Recipes

Step inside and the present fades faster than you expect. In the heart of Virginia stands a tavern that holds tightly to its colonial roots, offering a glimpse into a time when...

Read More    8 min read