My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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Beyond The Tourist Experience In Amish Country Ohio

If you are up for a drive that feels calm without being sleepy, let us wander into Amish Country in Ohio and pay attention to what people usually miss.

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These California Beachfront Restaurants Locals Don’t Share Easily

Which California beachfront restaurants are so good that locals hesitate to share them with tourists? That’s the fun part, these spots aren’t always the ones you’ll find...

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This 24-Mile Indiana Hard-Mode Loop Is the Ultimate Test for Hikers

Some trails ask you to show up. This 24.2-mile loop at Brookville Lake asks you to prove yourself. Rugged, rolling, and unrelenting,...

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Virginia’s Highest State Park Is A 4,500-Acre Nature Lover’s Paradise

Somewhere in the far southwestern corner of Virginia, the mountains don't just rise, they absolutely soar. I stumbled onto a park that felt more like Scotland than the American...

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The Laid-Back Texas Restaurant Where The Atmosphere Is As Good As The Food

There is a certain charm to restaurants that do not try too hard. This Texas eatery draws people in with a relaxed vibe, friendly service, and food that consistently hits the spot.

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These Are The Ways Tourism Has Ruined New Mexico’s Natural Beauty

What gets lost when too many people show up at once? In New Mexico, the answer is often the quiet that once defined its landscapes.

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The Nevada Desert Town Restaurant Serving Italian Cuisine That Rivals Italy

Ever think you’d find authentic Italian food in the middle of the Nevada desert? That’s exactly what surprises people when they step into Your Mom’s Italian Kitchen and Bar....

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10 New Jersey Tea Houses Ranging From Authentic Japanese Ceremonies To Classic British Tea Rooms

Somewhere between my third cup of oolong and a scone the size of my fist, I realized New Jersey might just be the most underrated tea destination on the East Coast. Nobody tells...

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This Historic Indiana Flour Mill Still Grinds Grain Today and Sells It in a Quaint General Store

There are places in Indiana that feel like the rest of the world simply forgot to catch up with them, and I mean that as the highest compliment. This little village in Parke County...

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7 Underrated Virginia Road Trips For A Crowd-Free Escape

Virginia has a way of surprising you. Most people rush straight to the Blue Ridge Parkway or Virginia Beach, completely missing the quiet backroads, dramatic canyons, and charming...

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This Colossal Texas Used Bookstore Is The Kind Of Place You Can Browse For Hours

For book lovers, few experiences feel better than wandering through row after row of used books. This enormous bookstore has built a reputation as a place where readers can lose...

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These North Carolina Beach Towns Felt Ruined After Crowds Arrived

What happens when a laid back beach town suddenly becomes everyone’s summer plan? In North Carolina, the shift is easy to feel.

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Why Travelers Embracing Slow Journeys Are Drawn To Amish Pennsylvania

Ever feel like travel has become more about rushing than actually experiencing a place? That’s why so many people are turning to slow journeys, and Amish Pennsylvania has become...

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These Florida Seafood Shacks Are Known Only To Insiders

Have you ever stumbled on a place that feels like a secret only locals know about? That’s exactly the vibe of Florida’s hidden seafood shacks.

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This Indiana Time Capsule Is Packed With Every Childhood Toy You Thought Was Gone Forever

I still remember the feeling of walking into a toy store as a kid and thinking the whole world was contained in those aisles. That sense of wonder is rare as an adult, but this...

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This Virginia Spectacle Turns The Skyline Into A Kaleidoscopic Playground That Will Blow Your Mind

Picture a wide-open field where the sky above Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains suddenly erupts in a riot of color, movement, and pure joy. That's exactly what happens every spring...

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The Family-Owned Texas Restaurant That’s Been A Community Staple For Years

It does not take long to notice the sense of tradition here. This long-running restaurant has built its reputation through years of serving the same community with dependable food...

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These Are The Ways Tourism Is Stripping Nevada Of Its Character

Sunbaked trails once whispered only to hikers and the wind. Now trailers roll past, laughter bounces off the rocks, and even the quietest lake corners have an audience.

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Strange Rules In Pennsylvania Tourists Never Expect

Did you know Pennsylvania has some rules that can catch visitors completely off guard? It’s not just about history, cheesesteaks, or rolling farmland. There are quirky laws...

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Top 12 Restaurants Along New Jersey’s Shore To Visit This Spring

Spring at the Jersey Shore isn’t just about dusting off your flip-flops; it’s about loosening your belt a notch too. The...

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This Tiny Indiana House Is the Humble Childhood Home of the King of Pop

There is something quietly powerful about standing on a sidewalk in Gary, Indiana, looking at a modest little house and realizing that one of the greatest entertainers who ever...

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The Ultimate Hunt For These 10 Iconic Love Signs Across Virginia

Virginia has a love language all its own, and it spells it out loud and proud across the entire state. Scattered from the misty Blue Ridge Mountains to the sun-soaked Tidewater...

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This Hill Country Sculpture Sanctuary In Texas Feels Like Something From The Holy Land

Visitors often describe the experience here as unexpectedly powerful. Towering sculptures, open skies, and sweeping Hill Country scenery create a setting that feels both artistic...

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These Are The Reasons Utah’s National Parks No Longer Feel Wild

Once, walking into Utah’s national parks felt like stepping into a world untouched, where sandstone spires and desert canyons could swallow you whole and leave only your own...

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Wisconsin Lakefront Villages Struggling To Keep Up With Visitor Influx

What happens when a quiet getaway spot suddenly turns into a tourist hotspot? That’s the reality facing Wisconsin’s lakefront villages. Once known for calm weekends, fishing...

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10 Most Picturesque Harbors In New Jersey Where The Skyline Views And Sunsets Are Completely Free

There’s something magical about watching the sun melt into the water after a long day of exploring. I’ve stood at these...

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The Elaborate Virginia Shrine Dedicated To All World Religions Features A Massive Temple

In the rolling hills of Buckingham County, Virginia, an unexpected sight rises into view and instantly captures attention. A temple shaped like a blooming lotus flower stands at...

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This Dockside Texas Oyster Bar Is Where Locals Go For The Freshest Catch

Fresh seafood hits different when the boats are sitting just a few feet away. Places like this pull in seafood lovers from across Texas who care about where their food comes from.

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These 9 Diverse Oregon Food Cart Pods Will Take Your Taste Buds On A Global Tour

Oregon’s food cart scene is basically a passport you don’t have to carry. Each pod packs flavors from around the world into tiny, mobile kitchens that somehow taste enormous.

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The Scenic Oklahoma Overlook With Jaw-Dropping Views Of A Forested Lake Is The State’s Best-Kept Secret

Some places have a way of catching you completely off guard the second you see them. You might have been expecting a quick stop, a nice enough view, nothing more.

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Georgia Has A Super Speeder Law That Stuns Out-Of-State Drivers

Why does one speeding rule in Georgia keep catching out-of-state drivers so fast? Because the surprise is not just the ticket. It...

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These Are The Family-Owned Diners Across Texas That Locals Recommend

Ever wonder where Texans go when they’re craving a good meal that feels like home? It’s not the big chains or the trendy spots, it’s the family-owned diners scattered across...

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This Multi-Floor Indiana Antique Mall is a 20,000-Square-Foot Treasure Adventure

I never expected a single building in downtown Crawfordsville to completely change how I think about antique shopping. This massive antique mall is one of those places that earns...

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This Iconic Virginia Potato Chip Factory Lets You Watch The Kettle-Cooking Magic Through Giant Windows

Some road trip stops are just pit stops. Others turn into stories you keep telling long after the journey ends. In Virginia’s...

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The Ghostly Remains Of This North Carolina Pier Are A Haunting Reminder Of The Ocean’s Power

Some ruins feel forgotten, but these remains still look like they are in the middle of telling the same warning. This North Carolina pier, now reduced to ghostly pieces rising...

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The Scenic Texas State Park That Is So Quiet Even Locals Overlook It

It stays quiet here, even when most other parks start to fill up. Places like this often go unnoticed across Texas, which is exactly what keeps them so peaceful.

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The Charming Restaurant In Oregon Locals Swear Serves The State’s Most Irresistible Chicken Pot Pies

Walking into this Oregon restaurant, I immediately understood why locals rave about it. The chicken pot pies aren’t just food - they’re little golden pockets of pure happiness.

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The Oklahoma Theatre That Will Convince You You’ve Wandered Into A Spanish Palace From Another Time

You're walking down a quiet Main Street in a small Oklahoma town, and then suddenly you stop, doing a double take because nothing about it fits the setting around it.

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This Delaware Farm Bakery Run In Rural Country Turns Fresh Pies Into A Top-Tier Road Trip Reason

Fresh pie has a very specific talent for turning a casual drive into a much more serious plan. This Delaware farm bakery stop in the rural countryside has exactly that effect,...

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10 Best-Kept New Jersey Secrets For The Perfect Day Trip, From Hopewell To Sicklerville

I used to think New Jersey was all highways and strip malls until someone told me about a hidden castle made from junk in the middle of nowhere.

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This Indiana Historic Railroad Bridge Was Once the Largest Trestle in the United States

There is something quietly powerful about standing near a structure that once held a national record. This steel trestle in Greene County, Indiana, is exactly that kind of place.

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This Legendary Virginia Seafood Buffet Features 70+ Items And All The Crab Legs You Can Handle

Okay, hot take: most all-you-can-eat buffets are just mediocre food piled high enough to distract you from the price tag. But what if I told you there's one spot along the Virginia...

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The Historic Site Of This Legendary Ohio Theme Park Is Finally Undergoing A Massive Transformation

A place that sat in people’s memories for years is finally starting to look different in real life. The historic site of this legendary Ohio theme park is now undergoing a massive...

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This Texas Food Truck Park Is Essentially a Mini Culinary Escape

One stop turns into three without much effort. Places like this draw food lovers from across Texas who want variety in one spot. Texas...

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This Oregon Pizza Spot Uses A 36-Hour Sourdough Process For Its Legendary Signature Squares

I didn’t think pizza could feel fancy - then I tried the signature squares at this Oregon spot. A 36-hour sourdough process sounds intense, but every chewy, crispy bite proves...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Mexican Buffet in Oklahoma Is a Wonderland of Flavors and You’ll Want a Bite of Everything

A modest building on a street full of used car lots and tire shops, nothing about the outside hinting at what's waiting for you inside. You almost drive past it.

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This Tennessee Amish Country Discount Store Feels Like A Giant Treasure Hunt For Bakers

How fast can a baker lose all sense of restraint when the shelves are packed with deals? This Tennessee Amish Country discount store answers that almost immediately.

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These Washington Coastal Diners Tourists Ruined With Seasonal Chaos According To Locals

Washington’s coastal diners have seen noticeable changes during busy travel seasons. What were once quiet, community-focused...

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This Indiana Miniature Chapel Is Completely Covered in Shells Collected from the Wabash River

There is something quietly extraordinary about a tiny chapel covered floor to ceiling in river shells, and I found myself completely caught off guard the first time I learned about...

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This Iconic Chapel In Arizona Might Be The State’s Most Ethereal Spot

Some places do not need to say a word to leave you completely still for a minute. This iconic chapel in Arizona has that kind of presence, because the moment it comes into view,...

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