My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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12 Cities In Florida That Leave Tourists Wanting More

What makes a city leave tourists wanting more? In Florida, it’s not just the hidden towns off the beaten path. It’s also...

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This Spring Park Restaurant Has Been Serving The Same Legendary Walleye Sandwich Since 1968

The walleye sandwich has not changed one single bit since 1968 arrives on my plate. I took a bite and understood why people keep coming back for decades endlessly.

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With Two Locations In Minnesota This Western Style Restaurant Is A Local Favorite

The walls are covered with old saddles and dusty cowboy boots everywhere inside. A giant longhorn skull stares down at every table like a silent dinner guest.

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8 Old-School Oklahoma Hot Dog Joints Where a Full Meal Costs Under $13

Somewhere between a gas station and a greasy dream, I found myself standing in front of a tiny window ordering the best hot dog of my entire life. Nobody warned me that Oklahoma...

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12 Picturesque Spots in Missouri You Need on Your Bucket List

Missouri has a secret. Actually, it has about a dozen of them. People drive through this state on their way to somewhere else,...

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One Legendary Bakery In Rhode Island Prepares The Most Mouthwatering Seasonal Donuts Of Your Whole Life

The fluorescent sprinkles on a sugar-glazed yeast doughnut, scattered haphazardly across your car seat on a summer Sunday morning.

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This Scenic Train Ride In West Virginia Chugs Its Way To Jaw-Dropping High Country Views

West Virginia doesn't do small when it comes to mountain views. This historic train ride proves it. Powered by an authentic...

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This Jewelry Store In New Jersey Has Been Crafting Custom Pieces For Generations

Some family heirlooms arrive by accident. This New Jersey family business builds them on purpose, one custom piece at a time. We're...

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The Enormous Flea Market In West Virginia That Keeps You Walking And Browsing All Day Long

You know that feeling when you walk into a store planning to spend ten minutes and emerge five hours later clutching a vintage fishing lure, a handmade quilt, and absolutely no...

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This Ohio Playground For Adults Provides The Ultimate Way To Reignite Your Inner Child

You have a fistful of arcade tokens, a go-kart helmet under your arm, and zero interest in acting your age. That is the correct attitude for this Ohio playground built specifically...

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Why Nebraska’s Peaceful Spots Aren’t Peaceful Anymore

Have you noticed how some of Nebraska’s quiet getaways don’t feel so quiet anymore? Places that used to be perfect for...

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You’ll Want To Move To This Charming Alabama Town The Second You Arrive

I did not expect a small Alabama town to stop me in my tracks the way this one did. From the moment I stepped onto its flower-lined streets and caught a glimpse of Mobile Bay glittering...

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This Haunted Drive In Virginia Is Wrapped In Chilling Legends

Some roads take you where you need to go. This Virginia road takes you somewhere else. Crawford Road has a reputation, the kind...

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Oregon’s Adults-Only Soaking Pool With A Swim-Up Bar And Endless Relaxation

No kids splashing or screaming cannonballs anywhere near my peaceful soak today. The warm water wrapped around me as I floated toward the little swim up bar.

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The Fresh-Boiled Whole Lobster At This Unassuming Massachusetts Harbor Shack Is A Coastal Tradition

The slick feel of a plastic bib and the weight of a wooden mallet in your hand signal a messy, wonderful meal is coming. You've stepped into a narrow, shingled outpost on a rocky...

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This Hidden BBQ Stop In Virginia Is Known For Apple Cider Donuts

You walk in for the barbecue. That is the plan, anyway. The brisket looks good, the pulled pork is tempting, and the whole place...

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This Easy Virginia Mountain Trail Leads To Breathtaking Views

Not every hike needs to be a workout. Some should just be pretty, short, and easy enough that you can bring anyone along. That...

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Why Ohio Back Roads Delight And Frustrate Travelers

Back roads in Ohio can be full of surprises. One minute you’re cruising past wide cornfields and quiet barns, and the next you’re stuck behind a tractor or wondering if your...

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This Family-Owned New Jersey Burger Joint Uses A Special Blend Of Chuck, Short Rib, And Brisket In Every Patty

Most family secrets involve awkward reunions. This New Jersey family secret involves beef. Three cuts. One glorious patty.

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This Massive Second Hand Shop In Maryland Turns $50 Into a Loaded Cart

You hand over two twenties and a ten and suddenly you own half the store. That is the kind of math that works here. The place...

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The Gluten Free Pancakes At This Oregon Restaurant Are So Good Locals Drive Over Just For Breakfast

Gluten free pancakes usually taste like cardboard pretending to be breakfast food honestly. I ordered them here expecting the same sad pile of disappointment again.

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This Arizona Hotel Is A Former Hospital Where Ghosts Still Make The Rounds.

You check into this Arizona hotel and the room looks normal. Nice even. But the hallway feels different. Long.

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This Seafood Spot In New York Is Redefining Local Dining

Ever tried a restaurant that completely changes the way you think about dining out? That’s exactly what’s happening at Dame in New York’s Greenwich Village.

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10 Things No One Tells You About Moving to Oklahoma

You have probably seen the memes about Oklahoma. The tornadoes, the musical, the endless plains that supposedly stretch all the way to "eh."

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This Missouri Diner Serves a Pork Tenderloin So Big It Dwarfs the Bun

You have been warned about the size. You have probably seen the photos online. But nothing, absolutely nothing, prepares you...

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These Are The Pennsylvania Restaurants Travelers Rarely Find

Most travelers think they’ve seen Pennsylvania’s food scene once they’ve hit the big-name spots in Philly or Pittsburgh. But the truth is, some of the best restaurants are...

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13 Incredible Crystal-Hunting Spots In New Jersey That Every Rockhound Should Explore

New Jersey: famous for traffic, diners, and... digging your own treasure? That’s right. Forget the shore for a second. We...

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10 Arizona Spots Where The Chimichangas Are So Good, Locals Will Fight You Over The Best One

Chimichangas are serious business in Arizona. Other states have burger feuds or barbecue rivalries. Arizona has heated arguments...

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This Alabama BBQ Joint Covers Chicken In A Famous White Sauce People Can’t Stop Craving

Some places earn their reputation one plate at a time, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, has been doing exactly that since 1925.

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The Massive Alabama Museum That Houses The World’s Largest Motorcycle Collection

Some places just stop you in your tracks, and this vintage motorsports museum in Alabama is absolutely one of them. I remember the first time I heard about a museum that officially...

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Your Ultimate Guide To Nevada’s Natural Hot Springs And Hidden Oases

Nevada plays tricks on you if you only judge it at seventy miles an hour. One minute it is all dust, heat shimmer, and straight lines, and the next there is steam rising off the...

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This Scenic Virginia Drive Winds Past Mountain Views And Charming Towns

Interstates are not supposed to be pretty. They are for getting from one place to another, fast and efficient, with nothing but guardrails and exit signs to keep you company.

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This Missouri Market Is a Giant Maze of Vintage Finds, Nostalgia, and Hidden Treasures

You could get lost in here for an afternoon and honestly, that is the whole point. This sprawling Missouri market in Springfield is less like a store and more like a maze built...

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12 Hidden Botanical Gardens In Colorado You’ll Want To Explore

Have you ever stumbled across a place so peaceful and beautiful that you wondered how it wasn’t packed with people? That’s exactly how it feels when you discover Colorado’s...

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People Drive From All Over Maryland for a Meal at This Mom And Pop Restaurant

You walk in and it looks like a neighborhood pub that has seen a few decades of darts and honest conversations. The tables are simple, the lighting is nothing special, and nobody...

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This Irish Pub In Washington Was Built Over Thousands Of Bodies And A Working Embalming Room

You walk into this Washington pub expecting the usual. Dark wood. Whiskey. Maybe some live music.

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The Ground In Oregon Cracked Open Two Miles Long And 70 Feet Deep And You Can Actually Walk Through The Whole Thing

The earth literally split open and created a two mile long crack here. I stood at the edge and could not see the bottom right away.

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This Louisiana Plantation Has Stood For Over 200 Years And So Have Its Ghosts

Louisiana plantations are beautiful. Oak trees draped in moss. Grand staircases. Antique furniture.

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This Texas German Eatery Is Famous For Authentic Dishes And Longstanding Tradition

You walk in and it smells like butter, onions, and something roasting in the back. The menu is full of German words you cannot pronounce, but do not let that scare you.

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This Beloved North Carolina Shack Serves The Freshest Seafood With Nothing But A Pond In Front Of You

The building is not much. Wooden walls. A screen door that does not quite close. A handwritten menu on a whiteboard.

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Swim Surrounded By Miles Of Forest At This Hidden Indiana Summer Oasis

There is something about driving deeper into the southern Indiana hills, watching the trees close in around the road, and knowing that something special is waiting at the end of...

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This 34-Acre Secret Forest In Indiana Is Home To Living Glacial Relics From The Ice Age

I will be honest with you. Most people driving through Warren County, Indiana have no idea that a small pocket of ancient forest is tucked just off the road near Williamsport.

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7 Mom-And-Pop Spots In North Carolina That Will Ruin Chain Restaurants For You Forever

Chain restaurants have their place. Consistency. Predictability. A bathroom you can trust.

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10 Surprisingly Cool Indiana Day Trips Most People Still Haven’t Done

I'll be honest with you. I spent years thinking Indiana was just cornfields and interstate exits, and I almost missed some of the most jaw-dropping places I've ever visited.

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This Hidden Virginia Trail Leads To A Wild Beach That Feels Frozen In Time

The path is narrow, shaded by trees, and easy to miss if you are not paying attention. That is the first clue that you have found something special.

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This Giant Salvage Store In Virginia Is A Treasure Hunter’s Paradise

Some people collect stamps. Others collect coins. The people who shop here collect things that most folks would throw away, old...

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One Sip Of The Milkshakes At This Tiny Illinois Ice Cream Shop And You’ll Understand Why People Drive For Hours

Illinois has plenty of ice cream shops. Some are fine. Some are forgettable. This tiny spot is neither.

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9 Massive Flea Markets in Oregon Where $30 Goes a Lot Further Than You’d Expect

30$ does not buy much at a regular store these days. A tank of gas or two sandwiches and maybe a cheap shirt honestly. But...

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This Remote Ohio Lake Has No Road Access And A Tragic Legend That Refuses To Fade

You cannot drive to this Ohio lake. No road leads to it. No parking lot nearby. You hike in through woods that feel older than...

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11 Texas Places Where You Can Spend Hours Without Realizing It

You ever walk into a place just to spend a few minutes and then walk out hours later wondering where the day went? That happens all the time at these spots.

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10 Arizona Restaurants Serving Carne Asada So Good, Locals Forget The Rest Of The Menu Even Exists

You walk into any of these Arizona restaurants and something happens. People who came in planning to order something else look at the carne asada and change their minds.

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A 12-Mile Drive Leads To This Nevada Canyon Where Every Hike Ends At A Crystal Clear Lake

Nevada is not known for water. Desert. Dust. Dry heat. But drive 12 miles...

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For One Week Every July, This Michigan Town Turns Into The Cherry Capital Of The World

Traverse City is a nice town most of the year. Wineries. Beaches. Quiet streets.

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Michigan Is Low-Key The Best State For Summer Food Festivals And Here Are 7 To Prove It

Michigan does not brag enough. Other states shout about their food scenes. Texas. Louisiana.

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This Hidden Oregon Cave Has A Giant Hole In The Ceiling That Pours Sunlight Down Like A Golden Spotlight From Heaven

The cave is dark and cold until you look up at the perfect moment. A giant hole in the ceiling pours sunlight down like a theater spotlight.

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These Coastal Forts In Florida Few Remember, Yet They Remain Open

Did you know Florida has old coastal forts that most people have forgotten about? They’re not the kind of places you see on postcards or flashy travel guides, but they’re still...

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This Tiny Texas Town Blends Route 66 Nostalgia With Irish Charm and Quirky Finds

You roll into a tiny Texas town and see a leprechaun crossing sign next to a vintage Route 66 gas station. That is your first clue this place is not like the others.

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These 12 Signs Show Idaho’s Wilderness Isn’t The Same

Have you noticed how much Idaho’s wilderness has been changing lately? It’s still full of mountains, rivers, and wide-open spaces, but if you look closer, you’ll see signs...

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This Old-School Texas Tavern Has Been Serving Locals’ Favorite Bar Pie The Old-Fashioned Way

You slide into a worn wooden booth and the smell of bubbling cheese and crispy pepperoni hits you like a warm hug. The menu is short, because they only do one thing, and they do...

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Why This Texas Diner Is The King Of The Highway Breakfast Game

Before the sun even thinks about showing up, the parking lot already has a row of trucks. That is how you know this place means business.

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