My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Oregon Bakery Serves Food Worth Traveling For Even If You’re Not in Portland

This place doesn’t scream “must stop,” but I’ve learned the hard way that skipping it is a mistake. That unassuming turnoff leads straight to Creswell Bakery, and once...

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You Can Dine Below the Streets at This Hidden Oklahoma Restaurant This February

You don't just walk into this place. You descend into it. Beneath the streets of downtown Tulsa, inside the historic Tulsa...

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The 10 Most Authentic Old-Fashioned General Stores In New Jersey

Does New Jersey still remember what most states have forgotten? I think it does. Along winding country roads and tucked into...

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This Beloved Czech Bakery Is a Texas Institution for Kolaches

Traffic along Interstate 35 moves fast, but it slows down a little near Czech Stop. From the outside, it blends in with the usual roadside stops, but the second I walked through...

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This Quiet Oklahoma Lake Still Feels Undiscovered, Even on Summer Weekends

I remember the first time I pulled up to Lake Wister State Park, tucked away in southeastern Oklahoma near the town of Wister. The parking lot was nearly empty, the water stretched...

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This Utah Town Everyone Dismissed Is Building A Real Cultural Comeback

If you’ve ever driven through eastern Utah, you might have rolled past Helper and assumed it was just another quiet mining town fading into the desert horizon.

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These 7 New Jersey Towns Are Home To The State’s Most Popular Ice Cream

New Jersey knows how to do summer right, and for me, nothing says summer like a scoop of creamy, dreamy ice cream. From the...

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This Amish-Inspired Diner In Ohio Is Serving Beloved Homestyle Breakfast

Ever wake up craving a breakfast that feels like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen? That’s what you’ll find at Dutch Valley Restaurant in Ohio.

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These New Mexico BBQ Shacks Are Hard To Forget

Ever had BBQ so good you couldn’t stop thinking about it long after the meal? That’s exactly what happens at a handful of shacks in New Mexico.

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These California Hole-In-The-Wall Taco Stands Are Worth A Detour

There’s something magnetic about a tiny taco stand tucked into a side street, where the sizzle of meat on the grill competes with the chatter of locals and the smell of fresh...

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This Charming Texas Town Is Waiting to Steal Your Heart

There is an easy rhythm to Georgetown that you notice almost right away. I spent a warm afternoon walking beneath massive oak trees, drifting toward the downtown square where everything...

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This California State Park Few Know About Holds A Secret Wonder

Have you ever visited a place that made you wonder how more people don’t know about it? That’s exactly the feeling you get at Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California.

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These Are The BBQ Lodges In Wyoming That Locals Keep Secret

Ever wonder where Wyoming locals go when they’re craving BBQ that hits just right? It’s not the big roadside diners or the tourist-heavy spots.

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Oklahoma’s Small-Plates Spot That Proves Big Flavor Comes in Tiny Dishes

Packard's New American Kitchen sits inside a historic automobile dealership building in downtown Oklahoma City, where inventive small plates have replaced vintage cars.

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Why Carrying A Cone In Your Back Pocket In Alabama Can Get You Ticketed

Could an ice cream cone in your back pocket really get you in trouble? That’s the story everyone tells about Alabama, and it’s the kind of legend that sticks because it’s...

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This New Jersey Irish Pub Serves The Comfort Classics Locals Refuse To Share

In Gloucester City, I found a pub that won me over one crispy wing at a time. This Irish-style neighborhood spot serves comfort food so good, I almost don’t want to share the...

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West Virginia’s Place Everyone Forgets Yet Locals Cherish

Have you ever noticed how some places get overlooked by visitors but loved deeply by the people who live nearby? West Virginia...

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These Family-Friendly Perks Keep Florida A Favorite Destination

Ever wonder why families keep coming back to Florida year after year? It’s not just the beaches or the theme parks. It’s...

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Why Late-Night Whistling In Vermont Can Still Land You In Trouble

Think a little late-night whistle is harmless fun? In Vermont, a seemingly innocent tune after dark can still get you into hot water.

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The Quail Legs At This Texas Steakhouse Are Next Level Delicious

There is nothing subtle about walking into Lytle Land & Cattle Company. The mesquite smoke hits first, followed by the sight of cowboy hats lining the walls and a dining room...

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The Eerie Desert Resort In New Mexico That Trembles Below

Have you ever stayed somewhere that feels calm on the surface but unsettled underneath? In New Mexico, Ojo Caliente Mineral...

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These Minnesota Landscapes Are Ruined The Moment Crowds Take Over

What happens when quiet places stop being quiet? The experience collapses. Minnesota’s lakeshores, forests, and scenic overlooks...

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This Often-Overlooked Oklahoma State Park Feels Like a Secret You’re Not Supposed to Find

I had no idea a 77 foot waterfall was hiding in the far northeastern corner of Oklahoma until I nearly drove past it myself. Tucked close to the Arkansas border, Natural Falls...

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The Plainest Place In Kansas That’s Weirdly Fun To Explore

You might roll into Lucas, Kansas, expecting flat fields and quiet streets, but the town has a way of surprising every visitor. Known for its wide-open plains and unassuming charm,...

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Why This New Jersey Cafe Is The Most Unusual Spot For A Morning Coffee

Finding the perfect coffee shop can transform your entire morning routine, and Grooveground Coffeebar has mastered the art of creating an experience that goes far beyond your average...

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These Kentucky Views Were Built For Silence And Now Feel Ruined

Silence used to be the whole point here. Kentucky’s scenic overlooks and winding trails were designed for quiet moments, long pauses, and space to think.

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This Supposedly Dull Florida City Surprises Visitors

Do you ever hear someone call a city “boring” and then find out it’s anything but? That’s the case with Lakeland that often gets overlooked.

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These Are Washington Ice Cream Parlors That Locals Keep Off The Radar

Craving ice cream that actually feels like a local secret? In Washington, there are parlors so tucked away that even longtime visitors can miss them, and those in the know guard...

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Virginia Is Hiding The 10 Most Spectacular Spring Escapes That Will Leave You Speechless

Spring in Virginia transforms the landscape into a vibrant playground where history meets natural beauty in the most spectacular ways. Locals know the secret spots where cherry...

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The New York City Deli Crawl Locals Swear Is Life-Changing

How do you measure a city’s soul? One bite at a time, say New Yorkers, and there’s no better way than a deli crawl through Manhattan’s iconic spots.

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Texas Farmers Market That’s Worth Planning Your Saturday Around

Saturday mornings feel different at the Plano Farmers Market. By the time I got there, families were already walking in with...

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The Dull Montana Mountain Village Where Bingo Is The Highlight

Have you ever heard of a mountain village where bingo night is the big event? In Montana, there’s a place called Wisdom that fits the bill.

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This Oregon Garden Earns a Spot on the 2026 World’s Most Stunning Gardens

I still remember the moment I stepped through the entrance at 611 SW Kingston Avenue in Portland, Oregon, and felt the entire world quiet down around me. The Portland Japanese...

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These Alaska Scenic Wonders Are Slowly Being Ruined By Crowds

How can something this wild feel so crowded? In Alaska, even towering glaciers and endless wilderness are starting to feel the pressure of growing crowds.

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This Quiet California Town Is Full Of Hidden Energy

Have you ever visited a town that feels calm on the outside but buzzing underneath? That’s the vibe in one California spot where the pace is slow, but the energy is anything...

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These Low-Key South Carolina BBQ Taverns Will Ruin Your Self-Control

If you think you can walk past a low-key South Carolina barbecue tavern without stopping, think again. These unassuming joints are scattered across small towns and tucked into...

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Oklahoma Thrifters Hit the ROC Bottom at This Secondhand Goldmine

I did not expect much when I pulled up to The ROC: Resale Shop on N Rockwell. I figured it would be another quick in and out thrift stop, maybe a few racks to flip through before...

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The Strange Arkansas Laws Tourists Trip Over Every Year

Did you know you could technically break a law in Arkansas without even trying? Some of the state’s rules are so strange and outdated that tourists trip over them simply by living...

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The Eerie New Jersey Hike That Takes You Deep Into A Deserted Iron Village

I set out on the sandy trails of Wharton State Forest expecting a quiet hike, but what I found felt like stepping into another century.

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This Is The Minnesota Town That Embraces Its Boring Reputation

Have you ever heard of a town that actually leans into being called “boring”? In Minnesota, there’s one that does just that: Nowthen.

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California’s Gold Rush Hotel Where Keys Float

Ever stayed in a hotel that feels like it’s holding onto more than just history? In California, Julian Gold Rush Hotel has a story that’s as strange as it is charming.

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The Enormous Bookstore In Indiana That Holds Thousands of Hidden Literary Gems

I've driven past countless bookstores in my life, but nothing prepared me for what I found at Morgenstern Books & Café in Bloomington. This place isn't just another shop with...

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These Arizona Views Locals Love Are Ruined By Crowds

Can you still find peace at Arizona’s most famous vistas? Red rock canyons, sunlit mesas, and sweeping desert plains are still breathtaking, but heavy crowds often turn quiet...

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These Ohio Hidden Gluten-Free Cafes Don’t Taste Gluten-Free At All

Ohio might not be the first state you think of when it comes to gluten-free cuisine, but hidden across its towns are cafés that quietly redefine what gluten-free can taste like....

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This Virginia Museum Is Brutally Destroying Every Lie Tourists Believe About The American South

Civil War is more complicated than most people realize. Step into Richmond, and you’ll quickly discover that the story is far more complex than your history textbook suggested.

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These Weird Laws In Louisiana Feel Like A Comedy Sketch

Read through Louisiana’s law books and you might think someone slipped in a stand-up routine. Some rules are so oddly specific and outdated that they feel less like legislation...

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This Old-School Texas Gem Brings Back the Way Things Used to Be

I pulled up to Yale Street Grill on a Saturday morning, half expecting another trendy Houston brunch spot with overpriced avocado toast. What I found instead was something that...

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The Forgotten Colorado Ski Lodge With A Frozen Past

Have you ever come across a ski lodge that feels like it’s been frozen in time? In Colorado, the Skier’s Chalet Lodge is exactly that.

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This Haunted Oregon Tunnel Will Give You Chills

Portland’s underground holds secrets that most visitors walk right over without ever realizing it. Beneath the busy streets of Old Town lies a maze of dim passageways once tied...

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These Florida Scenic Locations Feel Ruined During Peak Tourist Season

What if paradise came with a crowd? That is exactly what happens at Florida’s scenic spots during peak tourist season. Crystal-clear...

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