My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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Smash Burgers At This Tiny Alabama Spot Are So Good You Will Dream About Them All Week Long

The burger was not on the weekend itinerary. Neither was the detour. Neither was the argument about who had to drive back for...

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Thousands of Forgotten Neon Signs Found a Second Life Under One Ohio Roof

Those glowing neon signs cast colors across the floor like a living painting, and I was not prepared for how much they would stop me in my tracks. I walked into a room full of...

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This Tiny Alabama Pie Shop Hand-Rolls Pastries Exactly Like Grandma Used To Make

A fried pie is a terrible thing to eat while driving. There is no graceful way to manage the crumbs, the flaky corners, or the filling that inevitably tries to escape.

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This Virginia Farm Turns Summer Nights Into Magical Evenings Of Music And Food

The sun is setting, the lights are twinkling, and the sound of music fills the air. This Virginia farm turns summer nights into magical evenings of music and food, a place where...

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The Late Summer Crab Boil At This Virginia Restaurant Is A Must-Try

The pot is bubbling, the spices are fragrant, and the table is covered with newspaper. The late summer crab boil at this Virginia restaurant is a must-try, a messy, communal feast...

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This Maryland Art Supply Store Is a Treasure Trove for Creative Minds

Art supply stores are dangerous in the best way. You walk in for one thing and leave with a bag full of inspiration. This Maryland...

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A Kentucky Roadside Garden Turned Junk, Toys, and Pure Imagination Into Something Completely Bizarre

Toilets arranged like Stonehenge, bottle trees catching the afternoon light, and thousands of toys lined up in a separate building; all of it exists together on a single Kentucky...

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This Minnesota Italian Restaurant Takes Chicken Parm To A Seriously Delicious Level

Ask anyone who grew up eating chicken parm and they'll tell you most versions taste the same. Breaded, sauced, cheesy, fine. Then one bite at this Minnesota spot flips that whole...

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Generations of Louisiana Diners Have Ordered Creole Classics at a Restaurant That Opened in 1856

Simmered brisket and spiced shrimp drift through the air of a Louisiana dining room that has not changed much since 1856. French immigrants opened their doors near the market back...

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Designed By A World Renowned Architect, This Texas Bridge Is As Much A Work Of Art As It Is A Crossing

Some bridges just get you across the water. This one makes you stop and stare. Designed by a world-renowned architect, this...

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A Pennsylvania Restaurant Serves Dinner Inside a Stone Tavern That Predates the American Revolution

That stone tavern in Pennsylvania has been standing since the 1750s, long before the country was even a country. Thick colonial walls, crackling fireplaces, and the comforting...

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This Hidden Indiana Amish Cheese Shop Is Worth The Road Trip Alone

The screen door slams behind you, and for a second it feels like the rest of the world has disappeared. There is no background music.

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Everyone Drives To Indiana Beach But This Hidden Lake Paradise Might Be Way Better

A kid throws a rock into the water. You can watch it all the way down. That is the kind of clarity this Indiana lake has, with...

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Forget The Ivy League: This Indiana University Just Shocked The Nation With A Elite New Rating

Someone mentions the ranking, and suddenly everyone has an opinion. That is what happens when a familiar Indiana university lands an elite new spot on a major global list.

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This Virginia Plaza Has A Massive Asian Market That Keeps Locals Coming Back

You walk through the doors and the world expands. The smells, the sounds, the sheer variety of products, it is overwhelming in the best possible way.

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Georgia Rebuilt Its Oldest English Fort, Right Down to the Saw Mill and Blockhouse

Walking through the reconstructed blockhouse and barracks of an 18th-century frontier fort in Georgia, the same humid breeze that greeted British soldiers over 300 years ago still...

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This Texas Trail Offers 10 Miles Of Shaded Paths To Walk, Bike, And Unwind Without Ever Leaving The City

Ten miles of trail, a canopy of trees, and the sound of nature replacing the hum of traffic. That is what this Texas trail delivers, and it is all right in the middle of the city.

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A Mysterious South Carolina Depression Still Holds Clues to an Ancient Coastline

That shallow, oval-shaped depression in the middle of a South Carolina forest might be a ghost of an ancient coastline, a geological puzzle that scientists are still working to...

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This Oregon Pizza Shop Looks Almost Too Ordinary For A Place With Such A Loyal Following

You wouldn't glance twice if you passed it walking down the street. Plain sign, plain storefront, nothing screaming for attention. Yet somehow this Oregon pizza shop has people...

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We Found The Perfect Little New Hampshire Beach Bar For Laid Back Waterfront Views (Just Bring Cash)

The view is stunning, the drinks are cold, and the vibe is perfectly laid back. We found the perfect little New Hampshire beach bar for waterfront views.

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Families swear by these 8 Ohio lakes for swimming, boating, and lazy afternoons

Ohio might not have an ocean, but it has some seriously great lakes that families love. From huge sandy beaches to calm waters perfect for paddling, these spots are made for summer...

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This Historic Texas General Store Lets You Shop, Dine, And Step Back More Than 150 Years In Time

Walk through the door and it is the 1800s again. I mean that literally. This Texas general store has been standing for over...

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Where to find the best homemade pie in Ohio’s Amish country, ranked by locals

Ohio's Amish country is a place where the smell of butter and warm fruit drifts out of little bakery windows all day long. Folks around here take their pie seriously, and everybody...

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This Luxury Texas Waterfront Resort Turns a Coastal Stay into a Dream Escape

A luxury waterfront resort can transform a simple coastal stay into a dream escape. This Texas resort offers stunning ocean views, elegant rooms, and a rich history.

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This Texas Destination Lets You Meet Rescued Elephants Up Close

A place where a person can meet rescued elephants up close is a special destination. This Texas sanctuary provides a home for these magnificent animals and offers an unforgettable...

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This Charming Oklahoma Antique Haven Is Packed Full Of Unique Treasures You Never Knew You Needed

Behind an unassuming storefront in an Oklahoma city, an upscale antique shop is packed with the kind of unique treasures that make you wonder how you ever lived without them.

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Here’s why families keep road-tripping to these 7 West Virginia small towns

Some places surprise you the moment you roll into town, and the mountain state has a whole collection of them. Picture winding roads that open up to waterfalls, tiny main streets...

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This West Virginia Shop Makes Browsing Half The Fun Of The Road Trip

Show me a road trip that does not get better with a stop like this. A West Virginia shop where artists and makers fill the...

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10 Stunning Indiana Churches Which Feature Architecture That Feels Straight Out Of Europe

The outside says “small-town Indiana.” The inside says something entirely different. There are stained-glass windows that look imported from Bavaria, altars covered in intricate...

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This Hidden Indiana Quilt Shop Displays Fabric Like An Art Gallery

I came for a color. Unfortunately, the shop had approximately fifty thousand of them. That is the sort of problem this Indiana...

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This Texas Bakery Is Raising The Bar With Meticulously Crafted Pastries Made From Scratch

A bakery that raises the bar with meticulously crafted pastries is a delight. This Texas spot is known for its from-scratch baked goods that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

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This Massive Indoor Family Playground In Oklahoma Is Well Worth The Drive

What if a museum felt less like a quiet hall of glass cases and more like a giant indoor playground built for the whole family? That...

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This Oregon Hiking Trail Looks Easy At First But Gets Wildly Different Once You Reach The Woods

Flat ground and easy footing greet you at the trailhead, tricking most hikers into thinking this one stays simple the whole way. It...

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This Missouri Park Becomes A Bustling Market Each Wednesday From May Through October

The park looks different on Wednesdays. The usual calm of the green space gives way to a bustling scene of white tents and friendly crowds.

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This New Jersey Farmers Market Has Fresh Produce At Prices That Will Make You Do A Double Take

Some places make you check the price tag twice. And then a third time for good measure. That is exactly what happens at this...

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This Cozy New Hampshire Italian Joint Has A James Beard-Nominated Chef Behind It

The dining room is small and intimate, with candles flickering on every table. The food is creative and beautifully prepared. This...

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Put This New Jersey Nature Escape On Your List For A Slower Kind Of Day Trip

Some places feel like they belong to another time. A quiet driveway off a suburban street in New Jersey, and suddenly you are in a hidden woodland sanctuary.

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12 Under-the-Radar Maryland Places That Deserve Far More Attention Than They Get

Maryland is full of famous spots. The big ones everyone knows. But some of the best places fly under the radar, quietly deserving...

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This Oregon Ice Cream Parlor Serves Generous Scoops At Prices That Feel Like A Steal

You know that feeling when you take a bite of something delicious and glance at the price tag, fully expecting to wince - but instead, you smile? That happens here.

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12 Oklahoma Catfish Spots That Are Absolute Must-Try Destinations

Some road trips are really about the miles, but this one feels more like chasing a very specific kind of comfort that Oklahoma somehow does better than almost anybody.

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This Middle-Of-Nowhere New Hampshire Breakfast Buffet Is Worth The Late Summer Drive

The drive takes you through winding roads and past rolling fields. The destination is a small building in the middle of nowhere. But...

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This Historic West Virginia Theater Has Been Called An Ambassador For Appalachian Performing Arts

The theater has been called an ambassador for Appalachian performing arts, and honestly, it fits the title perfectly. It started...

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This Historic Irish Pub In New Jersey Has A Janitor-To-Owner Story You Won’t Believe

You know a place has a good story when the owner used to mop the floors. That is exactly how this Wildwood legend began. A local...

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This Arizona Restaurant Turns a 1907 Building Into One of the State’s Most Unexpected Dining Experiences

That narrow storefront with a door so beautifully detailed stopped me mid-step on a warm afternoon in a southern Arizona mining town. I had been wandering the main street looking...

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This Cozy Alabama German Joint Serves Up Crispy Schnitzel And Buttery Spätzle Diners Love

There is a very specific sound that means schnitzel has been done properly. Crunch. Not a polite little crisp. A real one.

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This Oregon Italian Restaurant Takes Chicken Parm To A Seriously Delicious Level

We all have that one dish we order on repeat without hesitation. At this Oregon Italian spot, chicken parm is the reason people clear their schedules and make the drive. Crispy...

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10 Highest-Rated Italian Restaurants In New Hampshire Right Now According To Locals

The locals know where to find the best Italian food in New Hampshire. They are the ones who have eaten at every spot, tried every dish, and formed strong opinions.

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This Maryland Nature Center Is the Perfect Place for a Quick Reset in the Woods

Sometimes you do not need a whole weekend. You just need an hour in the woods to reset. This Maryland nature center is exactly...

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This Pennsylvania Park Lets You Walk Through a Boulder Field That Looks Like the Ground Broke Apart

That silence felt strange for a place that looks so violent. Sixteen acres of sandstone blocks sit in a wide open clearing in the woods, ringed by trees, with nothing growing between...

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Most People Have Never Heard Of This Enchanting Waterfront Village In Minnesota

Blink and you might drive right past it. That's the strange part. A village this charming should be impossible to miss, yet Minnesota somehow kept it off everyone's radar for years.

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Oklahoma’s Unique Saltwater Lake Is Changing And Environmentalists Say It May Never Be The Same

A lake that was never quite freshwater is changing in ways that worry scientists. For decades, this body of water has drawn visitors to its salty shores, but recent droughts and...

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This Missouri Brunch Buffet Heaps On Rustic Comfort Food With Incredible Historic Charm

You step into a dining room that feels like a grand lodge, with a massive stone fireplace and windows framing the rolling Ozark hills. The Sunday brunch buffet here is a celebration...

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Put This Beautiful West Virginia Garden On Your List For A Relaxing Weekend Wander

Some places sneak up on you, and this one did exactly that for me. I expected a quick stop, maybe fifteen minutes of polite...

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This Pennsylvania Restaurant Lets You Eat Dinner High Among the Trees

The soft hollow knock of my shoes on the wooden walkway was the first thing I remember, that sound as the forest closed in around me. I had driven out to a quiet Pennsylvania road...

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Step Inside This Stunning Alabama Italian Trattoria And It Instantly Feels Like Europe

The original plan was simple: dinner, maybe dessert, then home. That plan did not survive the first hour. There was too much...

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This Charming Oregon French Restaurant Feels Like a Cozy Parisian Bistro

You don't need a passport to feel like you've stepped into a Parisian postcard. This charming Oregon restaurant has mastered the art of transporting diners to a cozy corner of...

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This Virginia Lake Shore Is Getting Too Snake-Infested For Its Own Good

The lake is beautiful, the water is inviting, and the shoreline is dotted with homes and docks. But there is a problem. This...

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This Mennonite-Owned Virginia Butcher Shop Is A Meat Lover’s Paradise With Old-School Custom Butchering

The counter is full of cuts, the knowledge behind it is deep, and the quality is evident in every piece of meat. This Mennonite-owned Virginia butcher shop is a meat lover's paradise,...

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This New Jersey Park Has A Five-Story Observation Deck With Breathtaking Views Of The Pinelands

There's a spot in New Jersey where you can climb five stories above the treetops and watch pitch pines roll out toward the horizon like a green ocean.

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The Vintage Music Haven In Maryland Keeps Vinyl Collectors Coming Back

Vinyl collectors know the struggle. Finding a good record store is like finding treasure. This Maryland spot is exactly that....

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