My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Minnesota Town Has A Healthcare System So Advanced It’s Ranked Among America’s Best

You might not expect one of the best healthcare systems in the world to be in a smaller Minnesota city. But this town has quietly built a medical reputation that draws patients...

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This South Carolina Swimming Hole Sits Inside Sandstone Canyons with Emerald Water That Looks Photoshopped

Water runs so clear and green in the forested hills of South Carolina it looks like someone cranked up the saturation on a photo filter. That waterfall drops over sculpted rock...

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The Secret Minnesota Oasis That Looks Exactly Like Bali

A tropical escape in the middle of Minnesota? It sounds impossible, but this lakeside resort proves otherwise. Established in 1916, this historic gem offers white sand beaches,...

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This Famous Oklahoma Destination Combines A Historic Mercantile, Restaurant, And Bakery

What do you get when you combine a historic mercantile, a full restaurant, and a bakery? A place where the cinnamon rolls are the size of your head, and the chicken fried steak...

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This Quiet Missouri Lake Hides Ancient Messages Carved Into Stone

The carvings have been there for over a thousand years, waiting for someone to notice them again. A quiet lake in Missouri holds ancient messages etched into stone, left by people...

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This Victorian West Virginia Hotel Has Ghosts In The Hallways And Monthly Paranormal Tours

A hotel that has hosted thousands of guests since the late 1800s, and according to the staff, some of them never left. This...

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This One-Mile West Virginia Trail Descends 900 Feet To An Abandoned Mining Complex

This is not a casual stroll. This is a one-mile vertical plunge into West Virginia history that will test your knees. The trail...

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This Tennessee Natural Water Slide Has Crystal-Clear Water That Feels Like a Hidden Mountain Discovery

Tennessee has a 75-foot waterfall that crashes into one of the most stunning natural swimming holes I have ever seen. In a...

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You’ve Never Had A Hot Dog Like The Ones Slung At This Classic Alabama Diner

Everyone has an opinion about what makes the perfect hot dog. Is it the toppings, the seasoning, the snap of the first bite, or the place where you order it?

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Meat Lovers Across Oregon Should Visit This Incredible Country Store

The scent of smoked sausage and cured meats hits you before you even pull open the door. This incredible country store is a paradise for anyone who takes their meat seriously.

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This Roadside Stop in Virginia Reveals One Of The State’s Grandest Mountain Views

You are driving along, not expecting much, and then you pull into a gravel lot and the world opens up. This roadside stop in Virginia reveals one of the state's grandest mountain...

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This Virginia Institution Has The Bagels Locals Build Their Mornings Around

Some people build their mornings around coffee. Others around a good breakfast sandwich. But in this Virginia town, they build...

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12 New Jersey Restaurants With Senior Discounts Worth Knowing About

Discounts taste sweeter when the bill arrives. For seniors in New Jersey, that moment carries a special kind of satisfaction....

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This Maryland Tea Room Serves Authentic British Tea with Perfectly Baked Scones and Rich Clotted Cream

There is something undeniably comforting about a proper tea service. The clink of fine china, the steam rising from a freshly brewed pot, and the anticipation of that first bite...

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Why This Oregon Town Is Ranked As The First Best Place To Retire In All Of America

It is Oregon's undisputed number one retirement destination. A recent U.S. News report ranked this town as the best in the state, and it is easy to see why.

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This Georgia Mountain Swimming Hole Has Boulder Ledges Perfect for Jumping Into Deep, Cool Water

That winding dirt road in the North Georgia mountains led me to someplace someone had described as water so cold it takes your breath away. That sold me immediately.

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This Small-Town Oklahoma Steakhouse Is Famous For Its Steaks And Homemade Pies

A yellow building with a blue sign in a small Oklahoma town has been drawing steak lovers for generations. The steaks are...

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This Missouri Restaurant Delivers Your Burger By Overhead Train After You Order From A Table Telephone

The small train rumbles along a track above your head, carrying a basket of fries and a burger straight to your table. You...

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This New Jersey Coastal Town Is Slowly Becoming A Favorite For People Who Hate Crowds

Crowds drain the joy out of summer. Parking lots jammed, beaches buzzing, restaurants with lines that stretch longer than your patience.

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This Georgia Lakefront Restaurant Has a Covered Deck Overlooking the Water and a Menu Full of Southern Favorites

Georgia has a spot on Jackson Lake that stopped me in my tracks the moment I arrived. The smell of lake air and something delicious cooking hit me all at once.

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This Secluded Alabama Garden Is Home To A Stunning Century-Old Italian Temple Replica

You do not always have to travel overseas to see something that feels like it belongs in another country. Tucked away in Alabama is a peaceful garden featuring a century-old replica...

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The 8 Best Fish Fry Restaurants In Alabama That Locals Swear By Year After Year

Ask someone about their favorite fish fry, and they probably already have a place in mind. It is the type of meal that comes with strong opinions, family traditions, and memories...

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This Virginia Restaurant Makes Comfort Food Feel A Little Smarter And A Lot More Fun

Comfort food is supposed to be simple. But sometimes you want it to be a little smarter, a little more interesting, without losing the warmth that makes it comforting.

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This Virginia Roadside Gem Serves Big Portions And Even Bigger Southern Hospitality

The building is unassuming, the parking lot is gravel, and the sign is the kind that has been there so long that locals do not even see it anymore. But they see the food.

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Legendary Maryland Steakhouses Every Local Foodie Needs to Visit At Least Once in Their Life

A great steak is not just dinner. It is an event. The kind of meal that makes you close your eyes after the first bite and...

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This South Carolina Beach Has No Lifeguards and No Bathrooms, Just Miles of Quiet Sand and Tidal Pools

South Carolina has a beach about 15 miles north of Charleston where the sand belongs entirely to you, the birds, and whatever the tide decides to leave behind.

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This Historic Steakhouse is One of Oregon’s Best Places to Experience The Old West

Some places just stop you in your tracks the moment you pull into the parking lot. This historic Oregon steakhouse and you are instantly transported to the Old West. A stunning...

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This North Carolina River Beach Is an Hour from the Big Cities but Feels Like a World Away from Everything

Over 1,600 acres of wetlands, cypress swamps, and sandy beach along a North Carolina river, and I almost drove right past it. I...

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This Tennessee Swimming Hole Is Tucked Away Near a Historic Utopian Community That Feels Frozen in Time

Following a narrow road through Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, I stumbled onto a place where the water runs so clear you can count the pebbles on the riverbed.

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One Small Town Bakery In Indiana Prepares The Most Mouthwatering Donuts You’ll Ever Taste

Some mornings call for a donut, while others make you willing to drive a little farther to find a really good one. That is exactly what keeps people stopping by one small-town...

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This Indiana Amish Market Is A Hidden Haven For Fresh Produce And Handmade Goods

Farm stands and country stores have a way of making you slow down without even realizing it. One tucked-away market in Indiana...

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

When the weather refuses to cooperate, having a place where the fun does not depend on the forecast can be a game changer. Indiana...

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This Virginia Mountain Lodge Serves Hearty Meals With Shenandoah Views Worth The Climb

You climb the winding road, switchback after switchback, the trees growing taller and the views growing wider. At the top, there is a lodge, and inside that lodge, there is a dining...

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This No-Frills Texas Diner Is Famous For A Friday All-You-Can-Eat Fish Special Under $15

All-you-can-eat fish for under fifteen dollars. That is not a typo. This no-frills Texas diner has turned a simple Friday special...

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11 Oregon Eateries That Never Bother With Advertising Yet Fill Up Every Night

The best restaurants in Oregon do not need billboards or social media campaigns. They fill up every single night on word of mouth alone.

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The Mesmerizing Texas Riverwalk That Stretches 6.5 Miles Of Breathtaking Views

Six and a half miles of water, trees, and sky stretching out in every direction. That is the Waco Riverwalk. It is the kind...

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This Texas Restaurant Has a Senior Menu With Special Discounted Prices

Good food. Good prices. And a menu that actually respects your budget. This Texas restaurant offers a senior menu with special...

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This Crystal-Clear Texas River Is Almost Too Beautiful to Believe

You look at the water and think it cannot be real. Clear, blue-green, and moving at a pace that invites you to jump right in. This...

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This Oklahoma Vintage Marketplace Makes It Almost Impossible To Leave Empty-Handed

You walk through the door of an Oklahoma vintage marketplace, and the first thing you notice is that you are going to be here a while.

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This West Virginia Restaurant Has A Senior Discount Too Good To Miss

The check arrives, and suddenly, your wallet breathes a sigh of relief. This West Virginia spot offers a deal so good it feels like a reward for just showing up.

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This Historic Indiana Restaurant Features A Weekly German Buffet That Has Locals Returning Every Wednesday

Why wait until the weekend for a meal worth looking forward to? Every Wednesday, one Indiana restaurant changes up the usual dinner routine with a German buffet that has become...

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9 Northern Indiana Towns That Empty Out On Weekdays (And Why Locals Won’t Share Them)

Why do some towns seem to have a completely different personality once Monday arrives? While weekends bring visitors searching for things to do, certain Northern Indiana towns...

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National Ice Cream Day Is The Perfect Excuse To Visit These Incredible Texas Ice Cream Destinations

Finally, a holiday I can fully support. National Ice Cream Day is basically a national excuse to indulge, and these Texas ice cream destinations are ready to help you celebrate...

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This Oklahoma Movie Theater Serves Dinner While The Film Plays

You settle into a plush seat, and the movie starts, but you are not holding a cardboard tray of popcorn. A server arrives with a full meal, a burger, a salad, or even a cocktail,...

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This Oregon Country Resort Has Been Named the State’s #1 Hotel for Four Years Running

A resort in Oregon has quietly claimed the top spot for four years running. Voted the state's number one hotel, this place sets the standard for Pacific Northwest luxury.

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This Missouri River Park Lets You Rent A Kayak And Float Beneath Towering Bluffs Past A Dramatic Cave Entrance

You dip your paddle into the clear water of a Missouri river, and the current begins to carry you along a limestone bluff that rises high above your kayak.

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This Stunning New Jersey Lake Beach Feels Almost Caribbean Without The Jersey Shore Crowds

To the people who love a beach day but hate the chaos, New Jersey has a secret waiting. A quiet, sprawling oasis on the banks...

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The Small New Hampshire Village With A Tight Knit Community And Historic Main Street That Bonds Everyone Together

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a town a great place to live. Good schools matter. A vibrant downtown...

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Find Amazing Hidden Thrifting Gems And Latte Flights At This Massive New Hampshire Thrift Store

I love a good thrift store, but I have never been to one quite like this. The building is massive, and it is filled with treasures waiting to be discovered.

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10 Areas In New Jersey With The Highest Reported Tick Risk This Summer

Tick season is ramping up faster than usual this year, and New Jersey is seeing the effects. Several counties are reporting...

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This Maryland Cafe Is the Kind of Neighborhood Spot Everyone Wishes They Had Nearby

Not all cafes are created equal. Some are just places to get caffeine. Others have a warmth that keeps you coming back. This...

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One of Minnesota’s Most Unique State Parks Reopens This August (You Can Already Plan Your Visit)

The water level dropped, the dam came down, and one of Minnesota's most unique state parks quietly hit pause. But that pause is finally ending this August.

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This Historic Oklahoma Cafe Was Built From Stone Left Behind During Route 66 Construction

A man built this Oklahoma cafe by hand during the Dust Bowl, using stone left over from the construction of the highway that would bring travelers right to its door.

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This Small Missouri Town Preserves The Childhood Landscape That Inspired Main Street U.S.A.

A restored train depot in a small Missouri town holds the childhood of the man who created a kingdom of imagination. Walt...

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Inside The West Virginia Museum Dedicated To A UFO Encounter That Made Headlines Worldwide

Some museums display ancient pottery. Others showcase famous paintings. This one preserves a creature that terrified a small...

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This New Jersey Tavern Has Been A Gathering Place Since Before The Nation Was Founded

A tavern that opened its doors in 1756 is older than the country itself. You can still see the initials that famous intellectuals carved into the wooden booths decades ago.

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You Can Hear the Water Splashing Against the Dock While You Eat at This Georgia Spot

Warm breeze off the water, the sound of gentle waves, and a floating deck stretching out over Lake Lanier in Georgia. I stepped onto that tiki bar and felt the usual rush of everyday...

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The 10 Best American Restaurants In Alabama, According To Locals

When you ask locals where they actually like to eat, the answers usually go beyond the newest spots and point toward restaurants that have built a real following over time.

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This Minnesota Bakery Has Been Serving Flaky Danishes and Donuts for Over 70 Years (They’re Still Perfect)

The display case shines with rows of golden pastries, and the smell of butter and sugar pulls you in from the street. This Minnesota bakery has been serving flaky danishes and...

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This New Hampshire Town Has A Healthcare System So Advanced It’s Ranked Among America’s Best

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a town a great place to live. Good schools matter. A vibrant downtown...

Read More    8 min read