My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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Small Texas Towns With Way More Character Than Expected

Texas has always been about wide-open spaces and big personalities, but some of the most memorable moments happen in the smallest places.

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9 Indiana Buffets That Might Surprise Even the Pickiest Eaters

Finding a restaurant that satisfies everyone at the table can feel impossible, especially when you're dealing with picky eaters who turn their noses up at anything unfamiliar....

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These Rhode Island Dessert Counters Reward The Hunt

Ever gone looking for dessert and ended up finding something way better than you expected? That’s the fun of Rhode Island’s hidden counters.

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These Hidden Seafood Hideaways Along Hawaii’s Shores Are Only Known To Locals

Ever wondered where locals in Hawaii sneak off to for the freshest catch? It’s not the big touristy restaurants or the flashy spots you see in guidebooks.

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These Iconic Utah Views Are Ruined By Heavy Tourism

Ever arrive somewhere and think: Wait, this is not what I imagined? That is exactly what Utah’s famous views feel like under heavy tourism.

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This Oregon Steakhouse Was Once John Wayne’s Favorite Hidden Hangout

Carved into the rugged landscape of Central Oregon, just minutes from Bend, sits a steakhouse where Hollywood royalty once sought refuge from the spotlight.

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This Oklahoma Ghost Town Feels Stuck Between Eras

I have driven past Sequoyah more times than I can count, and every time it pulls at me a little harder. This is the kind of place that does not announce itself.

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This Picturesque State Park In New Jersey Is So Little Known, Even Locals Rarely Stumble Across It

I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to New Jersey parks… until I wandered into the rolling hills of Sussex County and stumbled on a secret most locals don’t even know...

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This Scenic Wetland Trail In Indiana Lets You Reconnect With Nature Away From the Hustle

I still remember the first time I walked through Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve on a crisp autumn morning, and the stress of city life just melted away with every step. The sound...

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This Virginia Coastal Town Is A Stunning Time Capsule Where Historic Charm Meets Pure Modern Luxury

If your idea of a perfect getaway isn’t bright lights and endless traffic, then this town might just be Virginia’s best-kept secret. Nestled on the serene Eastern Shore, this...

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This Quirky Small Town In Texas Is Rich In Charm And History

Rolling into Brownwood feels like easing into a different rhythm. The streets are lined with historic buildings that have clearly seen decades come and go, and downtown has that...

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Even If You’re Not in Portland, This Oregon Food Spot Will Blow Your Mind

Albany might not be on your radar when you think about Oregon's food scene, but that's about to change. Tucked into a historic building downtown sits a restaurant that's been quietly...

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This Oklahoma Mexican Restaurant Feels Like a Retro Time Warp, in the Best Way

What if the best Mexican food in Oklahoma City has been sitting quietly on Newcastle Road since 1967, largely unchanged and unapologetically old-school? Some say Tacoville is overrated...

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This New Jersey Hotel Lets You Dine In A Restored 19th-Century Gilded Age Rail Car

Picture yourself stepping back into the glamorous Gilded Age, where opulence met innovation and every detail sparkled with elegance.

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10 Indiana Catfish Buffets That Are Totally Worth a Road Trip

I've spent years exploring Indiana's back roads, and I'll tell you something: the best catfish in the Hoosier State isn't hiding in fancy restaurants. It's waiting for you at small-town...

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This Virginia Diner Serves The Holy Grail Of Southern Breakfasts Worth Crossing State Lines For

All roadside diners might blur together after a while, but The Pink Cadillac Diner in Natural Bridge refuses to be just another highway stop. Parked along South Lee Highway, this...

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A Cozy Trattoria That Transports You Straight to Italy

I walked into North Italia on Second Street expecting another trendy spot with good lighting and average pasta, but what I found felt different from the start. The energy was lively...

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Locals Can’t Believe How Tourists Ruined This Iconic Oregon Spot

Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area used to be one of those places where locals could escape the crowds and connect with nature. The towering sandstone cliffs, the massive dunes, and...

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This Under-the-Radar Oklahoma State Park Feels Like a Lake Escape Locals Aren’t Advertising

Locals in eastern Oklahoma have been keeping a secret, and honestly, who can blame them? Greenleaf State Park sits tucked near Braggs, offering 930 acres of forested beauty wrapped...

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Step Into New Jersey’s Forest Cave That Holds Ice Age Mysteries

I stumbled deep into the woods of Warren County and found myself face-to-face with a geological wonder straight out of a fantasy novel. They call it the Fairy Hole, but honestly,...

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Everyone Says This Mom-And-Pop Diner in Indiana Serves Breakfast That Locals Can’t Stop Raving About

I've eaten breakfast at more diners across Indiana than I care to admit, but nothing quite compares to the magic happening inside Cindy's Diner on West Berry Street in Fort Wayne....

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This Hidden Presidential Estate In Virginia Is The State’s Most Stunning Historical Gem

Tucked along the winding roads of Charles City County sits a treasure that most travelers zoom right past on their way to bigger names. Sherwood Forest Plantation isn't just another...

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This Scenic Train Ride Through Texas Pine Forests Feels Like Real-Life Magic

I didn't expect to feel like I'd stepped into another century, but that's exactly what happened the moment I saw the vintage train cars waiting at the platform in Rusk.

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This Tiny Oregon Town Offers Scenic Views, Cozy Cafés, and Timeless Charm

I stumbled into Wheeler on a bright afternoon, chasing rumors of sunshine on a coastline famous for its fog. What I found was better than any forecast could promise.

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This Oklahoma Retro Diner Feels Like Sunday Morning Never Ended

What if every breakfast could feel like a lazy Sunday morning at grandma's house, where time slows down and nobody's in a hurry to leave the table?

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12 Beautiful Venues In New Jersey Perfect For Springtime Celebrations

Spring in New Jersey brings blooming gardens, mild weather, and the perfect backdrop for celebrations that deserve something extra special.

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The Massive Junk Shop In Indiana That’s Packed With One-of-a-Kind Finds

I've spent countless weekends exploring treasure hunts across Indiana, but nothing quite compares to the thrill I get when I pull into the parking lot at Traderbakers Flea Market...

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This Hidden Virginia Gas Station Is Actually A Gourmet Destination

What if the best meal you've ever had was waiting for you at a gas station? Sounds wild, right? But that's exactly what happens...

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10 Texas Restaurants Locals Secretly Gatekeep From Visitors

I've spent enough time crisscrossing Texas to know that the best meals rarely come with flashy signs or viral Instagram posts. Locals here have a quiet way of protecting their...

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Oregon Hides a Secret Beach You Can Reach Only Through a Cliff

Walking through a pitch-black tunnel carved straight through solid rock might sound like something out of an adventure novel, but it's actually your gateway to one of Oregon's...

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This Fried Okra Has More Star Power Than the Main Dish, Brisket Can Wait

You know that moment when the side dish completely steals the show? At Swadley's Bar-B-Q in Oklahoma City, the fried okra doesn't just compete with the main event, it dominates...

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The New Jersey Tavern Mixing Legendary Burgers With Local Tunes

Honestly, I didn’t expect to fall in love with a tavern on Valley Road, but Tierney’s has been stealing hearts since 1934. Picture...

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These 11 Virginia Chocolate Shops Offer the Sweetest Treats For Your Valentine

Looking for a way to truly make your Valentine swoon this year? Skip the usual grocery store chocolates and treat your sweetheart to something unforgettable at one of Virginia’s...

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These Texas Towns Don’t Fit the Stereotype and Never Did

When most people picture Texas, they imagine cowboys, cattle ranches, and endless dusty plains stretching toward the horizon. But I've discovered that some of the most fascinating...

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You’ll Feel Like You’ve Left the Planet on This Secret Oregon Hike

I'd heard whispers about Dog Mountain for years before I finally laced up my boots and made the trek. People described it as brutal, beautiful, and completely otherworldly, all...

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The Handmade Pie at This Plain-Looking Oklahoma Eatery Is the Reason It Stays Busy

Weatherford sits in the heart of western Oklahoma, where wide prairies meet endless skies and the spirit of Route 66 still hums along the roadside.

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We Spent A Day Chasing Sunsets On California’s Most Photographed Highway

How do you follow a sunset when the road seems made for it? Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway, we found out. Cliffs...

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The New Jersey Landmark Where A 19th-Century Murder Mystery Still Echoes

Along the Hudson River waterfront in Hoboken, New Jersey, sits a mysterious stone archway that marks one of the strangest chapters in American history.

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You’d Never Expect World-Class Barbecue At This Tiny Hidden Gem Of a Restaurant In Indiana

I'll admit it took me way too long to discover Squealer's Barbeque Grill in Mooresville. For years, I'd drive past it without a second thought, assuming it was just another roadside...

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These Hidden Winter Diners In South Dakota Are Going Global

What makes a small-town diner stand out in winter? In South Dakota, a handful of hidden spots are proving that cozy comfort food can go far beyond state lines.

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This Virginia Small Town Is Known For Its Covered Bridges And Charming Streets

If you think all small towns are the same, Covington, Virginia will change your mind faster than you can say “mountain magic.” Nestled in the Alleghany Highlands and home to...

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This California Beach Town Still Feels Like A Hidden Gem

Have you ever stumbled into a town that feels like it’s holding its best-kept secret just for you? Carmel-by-the-Sea in California is exactly that kind of place.

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This Legendary Texas Buffet Will Be Everyone’s 2026 Obsession

I wasn't prepared for what I found when I pulled into the parking lot at Hutchins BBQ in McKinney on a random Tuesday afternoon. The smell hit me first, that unmistakable wood...

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This Oregon Lavender Farm Is the Secret Spring Paradise Locals Don’t Want You to Know About

I stumbled onto Tumalo Lavender by complete accident one spring afternoon while winding down the quiet backroads near Bend. What I discovered was a ten-acre expanse of purple blooms...

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Two Days Of Colorado Winter And Village Heritage

What can you really take away from just two days in Colorado? More than you’d expect. Between the crisp winter air and the...

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This Remote Oklahoma Lake Town Feels Cut Off From the Rest of the State

Hidden away in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma, Disney sits on the edge of Grand Lake O' the Cherokees like a secret waiting to be discovered. With just over 200 residents,...

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A Full-Day Ride On The Scenic North Carolina Railway Everyone Talks About

Ever wonder what it feels like to let the mountains roll past while someone else does all the driving? The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad winds through North Carolina landscapes...

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A New Jersey Bar That Turns Laundry Day Into Nightlife Magic

Morristown hides a secret in plain sight, and it’s one of the most unexpected nightlife experiences in New Jersey. What...

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Lessons From Pennsylvania Amish Villages Tourists Ignore

What can we really learn from places most tourists skip? In Pennsylvania’s Amish villages, the lessons are everywhere: quiet, simple, and easy to miss if you’re rushing by....

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The Legendary All-You-Can-Eat Buffet In Indiana That Foodies Swear Is a Must-Try

I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for a good buffet. There's something thrilling about having endless options stretched out before you, letting you sample a little bit of everything...

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