author at My Family Travels
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This Virginia State Park Reminds Visitors There’s More Than One Past

Think Virginia history is just colonial wigs and battlefield cannons? Chippokes State Park in Surry County flips that script like nobody's business.

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Locals Say This Texas Seafood Shack Has the Best Shrimp in the State

Miller’s Seawall Grill feels like the kind of place you end up at once and then never stop recommending. Sitting right along Galveston’s Seawall, it has been around forever,...

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This Small Oregon Park Hides a Surreal Colony of Carnivorous Cobra Lilies

Driving along the Oregon coast, I stumbled onto Darlingtonia State Natural Site and immediately felt like I’d wandered onto a sci-fi movie set. This tiny 18-acre preserve near...

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The Salesforce Tower in downtown SF is part of the Illuminate SF Light Trail, a free family attraction.
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San Francisco, California Family Attractions

The small-town vibe, lively streets, cable cars, a prison island, golden bridge, fog and lots of creativity top the list of San Francisco family attractions. Visitors of all ages...

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This Colossal Oklahoma Thrift Store Is Thrifting on Expert Mode, Bring Time and Self-Control

You think you know thrift shopping? Try walking into Bargain Thrift Store on NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City and maintaining your composure when you realize just how much ground...

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15 Words And Phrases That Instantly Give You Away As A New Jersey Local

Let’s be real, New Jersey speaks its own language. And no, I don’t just mean the honking. Between two massive cities, a...

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This Tiny Indiana Spot Serves Nachos Worth a Statewide Road Trip

I'll admit something right now. I've driven past Loco Mexican Restaurant and Cantina on North Delaware Street more times than I can count, always thinking I'd stop in someday.

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This Virginia Zipline Adventure Lets You Soar Above The Blue Ridge

Tucked into the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, there's a mountain playground that refuses to pick just one season to shine. Massanutten Resort sprawls across the Virginia landscape...

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Giant Texas Flea Market Where $30 Gets You More Than You’d Expect

I went to the Austin Country Flea Market with a little cash and zero expectations, which is exactly how you should do it. Sitting off Highway 290, this place feels more like a...

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9 Unassuming Oregon Buffets That Locals Keep Returning To

Becoming a buffet enthusiast was not part of the plan, but moving to Oregon changed that fast. Turns out this state understands comfort food on a whole different level.

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This Peaceful Oklahoma River Cruise Is the Chillest Surprise Hiding in Plain Sight

Right in the middle of the urban buzz, there's a waterway so calm it feels like you've stumbled into a secret escape route from the everyday grind. Oklahoma River Cruises at Bricktown...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Spot In New Jersey Is Almost Impossible To Visit Last Minute

I’ll be real with you - when I hear “buffet,” I usually think of sad salad bars and mystery meat. Then I walked into Fresh Harvest Buffet at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino...

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This Charming Indiana Candy Store Is Hiding Chocolates Everyone Can’t Stop Talking About

I still remember the first time I walked into McCord Candies on Main Street in Lafayette. The smell hit me immediately, a mix of fresh chocolate and vanilla that made my stomach...

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This Virginia Vegan-Friendly Eatery Shows Plant-Based Dining Can Be Epic

Think plant-based food means bland bowls and boring salads? Roots Natural Kitchen in Richmond is here to prove that theory spectacularly wrong.

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This Texas Place Serves Brisket That’s Dangerously Easy to Crave

I did not expect Arlington to be where one of my favorite barbecue stops would live, but Hurtado Barbecue changed my mind fast. Sitting near downtown, this place smells like mesquite...

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This Hidden All-You-Can-Eat Spot in Oregon Is Making Sushi Fans Rethink Everything

Eating my way through all-you-can-eat spots has made me pretty skeptical, but what I found tucked away in Beaverton completely caught me off guard. Hiyaku Buffet at 15700 NW Blueridge...

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Tourists Ruined This Once-Secret Oklahoma Nature Escape, and Locals Saw It Coming

Remember when you could find parking at Chickasaw National Recreation Area without circling for twenty minutes? Locals sure do. This...

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Why This New Jersey Lake Is Often Called The ‘Bermuda Triangle Of The Garden State’

Round Valley Reservoir sits tucked away in Clinton Township, New Jersey, holding secrets beneath its crystal-clear waters that have puzzled visitors and locals for decades.

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Zipline Through Virginia’s Forests Is A Must-Do Spring Adventure

Tucked into the Shenandoah Valley near McGaheysville, Massanutten Resort transforms every season into an adventure playground where adrenaline junkies and relaxation seekers collide...

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Meet Rare Species Up Close This Spring At Virginia’s Wildlife Sanctuary

Buckle up for one of the wildest rides you'll ever take without leaving your car. Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge transforms an ordinary weekend into an extraordinary adventure...

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This Dog-Friendly Texas Spot Is Basically a Café and a Park Combined Perfect For February Visit

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first heard about a place where you could grab a bite while your dog ran free in an off-leash park. The idea sounded almost too good to be true,...

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At This Quirky Oregon Diner, Even the Menus Tell a Story

I stumbled into Black Bear Diner at 1465 NE 3rd Street, Bend, OR 97701, one chilly morning and immediately felt like I’d wandered into a storybook cabin instead of a restaurant....

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This Dog-Friendly Oklahoma Café Lets Your Pup Dine in Style

Finding a restaurant where your dog feels as welcome as you do can be tough, but Picasso Cafe in Oklahoma City changes that completely.

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New Jersey’s Most Unusual Coffee Shop Is A Dark Victorian Gothic Masterpiece

So here’s the scoop: on Broadway in Westwood, New Jersey, there’s a coffee shop that looks like Edgar Allan Poe designed it after a double espresso.

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8 Lakeside Trails in Indiana Where Hoosiers Can Get Their Nature Fix

I love living in Indiana, and one of my favorite things about our state is how we can find peaceful nature spots without driving for hours. We have gorgeous lakeside trails tucked...

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This Virginia Mountain Town Is A Perfect Spring Escape

Tucked into the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains painting the skyline, Lexington might just be Virginia's best-kept secret for springtime adventures. This tiny independent...

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This Texas Thrift Shop Has Retro Home Decor You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Room Service Vintage building looked unassuming from the outside, like just another storefront along North Loop Boulevard. But...

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This Oregon Trail Looks Ordinary Until You Reach the Jaw-Dropping February View

Last February, I thought I was just signing up for another muddy forest walk when I stumbled onto the Cape Falcon Trail in Oswald West State Park.

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This Oklahoma Town Went From Sleepy to Foodie Hotspot, By Accident

I never expected to find myself standing in a tiny Oklahoma town, surrounded by mountains and wondering how I'd stumbled into what felt like a culinary fever dream. Hochatown,...

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10 Fascinating Geological Wonders In New Jersey You Can’t Miss In 2026

When most people think of New Jersey, they picture traffic on the Turnpike or funnel cakes on the boardwalk. But here’s...

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8 Indiana Oriental Restaurants That Are a Full Hit With Hoosiers in 2026

I have watched Indiana's food scene grow into something truly special over the past few years, and 2026 has been remarkable for anyone who loves Asian cuisine. The Hoosier state...

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This Virginia BBQ Joint, Famous For Its Signature Sauces Is A Must-Visit This February

Virginia Beach holds a patriotic treasure that goes way beyond pulled pork and brisket. Mission BBQ at 116 S Independence Blvd stands as more than just another spot to grab lunch.

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These 10 Hidden Texas Restaurants Where Southern Comfort Still Comes First Are Must-Visit in 2026

I grew up believing Texas was all about barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the deeper you travel into the state, the more you realize Southern comfort food runs just as deep. These hidden...

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These Lesser-Known Oregon Forests Have Trees So Twisted Locals Swear They’re Magical

Oregon has a way of hiding its wildest wonders in plain sight, and nothing proves it better than its secret forests. I’ve...

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8 Romantic Oklahoma Getaways for 2026 That Follow Scenic Trails, Not Itineraries

Oklahoma might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a romantic escape, but that's exactly what makes it special. Away from the crowded tourist traps and overplanned...

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This Magical New Jersey Spot Is Perfect For Spring Family Adventures

Let me spill the beans: 6415 Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township isn’t just an address; it’s the portal to a place where fairy tales stop pretending to be bedtime stories...

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This Indiana Asian Fusion Food Crawl Is a Must-Try in 2026

I remember the first time I walked past the unassuming storefront at 1844 E 10th Street, just north of Woodruff Place in Indianapolis. The buzz around Beholder had been building...

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This Virginia State Park Offers Hiking, Lakes, And Breathtaking Views To Explore This Spring

Tucked away in Patrick County, Fairy Stone State Park might just be the state's most enchanting escape, and spring is when this place truly comes alive. Named after the mystical...

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7 Texas Food Spots That Prove Simple Menus Are Better

I've spent years chasing down the best food across Texas, and somewhere along the way I learned that the longest menus rarely deliver the best meals. The spots that stuck with...

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You Won’t Believe What This Tiny Oregon Town Hides From Tourists

I rolled into Bandon, Oregon on a foggy winter morning thinking it was just another stop on Highway 101, and then my jaw hit the floor. Most people snap a quick pic at Face Rock...

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The Oklahoma Canyon That Still Bears the Deep Scars of America’s Westward Journey

Red Rock Canyon sits just outside Hinton, Oklahoma, carved into the earth like a secret chapter of American history. The rust-colored sandstone cliffs rise dramatically from the...

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Food Lovers Across New Jersey Have Already Crowned Their 2026 Chimichanga Favorite

Somerville has a secret that food lovers across New Jersey are buzzing about, and it involves crispy, golden perfection wrapped around savory fillings that'll make your taste buds...

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This Indiana Dinner Spot Serves an Unforgettable Valentine’s Feast This February

I remember the first time I walked past Salt on Mass on Massachusetts Avenue and saw the warm glow spilling onto the sidewalk. Something about that bright, inviting space made...

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Locals Say This Virginia Diner With The Best Classic Comfort Food Is A Must-Visit In 2026

Think you've found the best diner in Virginia? Locals in Strasburg might just prove you wrong. Tucked along Route 11, this classic...

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This Texas Kayaking Experience Lets You See Straight Through the River Below

I'd heard about crystal-clear springs in Texas before, but nothing quite prepared me for the moment I looked down through the bottom of my kayak and saw fish gliding beneath me...

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This Oregon Log Cabin Restaurant Is a Historic Feast You Can Walk Into

I was cruising down Highway 26 between Portland and the coast when I spotted something that made me slam the brakes without thinking.

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Oklahoma’s Amish-Style Bakery Where Comfort and Butter Make It a February Favorite

Front Porch Bakery sits along Route 66 in Claremore, Oklahoma, offering homemade comfort in every bite. This Amish-style spot has become a local treasure for anyone craving fresh...

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This New Jersey Eatery Has Perfected The Meatball And It’s About To Make Your February Delicious

So here’s the deal: I thought I knew meatballs. I really did. Then I walked into PizzAmore Italian Kitchen at 323 Broad St,...

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This Indiana Arboretum Will Burst With Color and Life This Spring

I remember the first time I visited Gabis Arboretum in early spring, walking through trails still damp from melting snow, watching the landscape slowly wake up around me. The air...

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10 Virginia Cheesesteak Joints That Keep Locals Coming Back

Think you need to cross state lines for a killer cheesesteak? Virginia's got something to say about that. From beachside grills...

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