My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Easy One-Mile Hike in Oklahoma Is So Scenic, It Stays with You Long After You Leave

What if I told you that one of the most spectacular hikes in Oklahoma requires barely more effort than a stroll through your neighborhood? Here's the kicker: most people drive...

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This Rustic New Jersey Steakhouse Is Known For Seriously Big Grilled Steaks

Ever seen a ribeye so big you start calculating how many friends you’ll need to finish it? That’s Rails Steakhouse in Towaco, New Jersey.

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Why Florida Life Holds Secrets Tourists May Never Understand

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to live in Florida beyond the beaches and theme parks? Tourists often think...

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This Indiana Lakeside Town Feels Like Summer in Every Season

I discovered Syracuse and the Wawasee Area during a crisp October afternoon when the leaves were turning and most lakeside towns had already rolled up their welcome mats for the...

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11 Virginia Buffets That Are Secretly Way Better Than You’d Expect

Think buffets are just sad steam trays and wilted lettuce? Virginia is about to prove you wrong in the most delicious way possible.

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A Hidden Texas Market Where $20 Can Score You Vintage and Unique Finds

I have driven past Winnie more times than I can count without realizing what I was missing. Then I finally stopped at Larry’s Old Time Trade Days, and that was a mistake in the...

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This California Desert Ghost Town Makes Music With The Wind

You know that spot you mention to friends and they tilt their head because it sounds made up? That is Bombay Beach on the Salton Sea in California, where the wind itself turns...

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The Buffet in Oregon Locals Swear Is Secretly the Best in Town

Salem holds a little secret most tourists never stumble upon, and it’s called Gold Dragon Restaurant. Tucked at 4645 Commercial St SE, this unassuming Chinese buffet has been...

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This Classic Oklahoma Steakhouse Is Quietly Home to One of the State’s Most Legendary Salad Bars

I grew up thinking a great steakhouse was all about what landed in the center of the plate. Then I walked into Wright's Family Steak House and realized Oklahoma had been playing...

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This New Jersey Celebration Unites Food, Music, And Community Year After Year

Every Labor Day Weekend, I find myself on Spring Street in Lodi, New Jersey, where neighbors, families, and food lovers gather for a tradition that blends faith with heritage....

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10 Unexpected Indiana Experiences That Prove the State Is Anything but Boring

I grew up thinking Indiana was just a place you drove through on the way somewhere else. Flat fields, highways, and not much to write home about.

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The Beach Town In Delaware Built For People Who Like Quiet

You know how some places feel like they turn the volume down on your brain the second you arrive. That is Prime Hook Beach...

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This Charming Virginia Town Is So Affordable, You Can Live On Social Security Alone

Roanoke might just be the best-kept secret in Virginia for retirees and anyone looking to stretch their dollars without sacrificing quality of life. Nestled in the stunning Blue...

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You’ll Never Guess Which Texas Town Locals Call “Heaven on Earth”

Wimberley is one of those towns you do not expect to fall for, and then somehow you do. I almost drove right past it the first time, not realizing how much was tucked away just...

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The Pennsylvania Amish Markets Travelers Always Talk About After

Let us map out a mellow little loop through Pennsylvania that you will still be talking about on the drive home. These Amish...

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This Oregon Mountain Overlook Serves Views Straight Out of a Dream

Climbing the 120 stairs to Sherrard Point for the first time felt like stepping onto a postcard. Perched at 4,055 feet in the Columbia River Gorge, Larch Mountain delivers one...

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This Oklahoma Buffet Feels Like Back to the Future’s Roadside Stop With Trains and Nostalgia

I walked into Ollie's Station expecting a gimmick and ended up lingering longer than planned. The moment I stepped inside, it felt like time bent a little.

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10 New Jersey’s Dog-Friendly Restaurants That Serve Up More Than Just Food

As a pet parent, I’ve learned that New Jersey makes it easy to keep my dog by my side when I head out for a meal. From the...

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This Washington Park By The Sea Is Where Spirits Walk In Circles

Ever wonder what it feels like to stand in a place where history and nature collide? Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend...

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This Indiana Historic Town Festival Was Perfect for Locals, Now Everyone Wants In

I first heard about the Nashville Back Roads Studio Tour from a friend who couldn't stop raving about the hidden artists tucked away in Brown County's rolling hills. At the time,...

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Locals Say This Virginia Town Is Tourist-Ruined Beyond Recognition

Virginia Beach used to be the kind of place where locals knew every backroad and beachfront hideaway. Families spent summer evenings strolling quiet stretches of sand, and the...

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The Strangest-Themed Restaurants You’ll Find Across Texas

Texas restaurants like to show off, and some of them take that idea way past the menu. I am not talking about clever decor or a cute theme.

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9 Desert Hot Springs In Nevada Locals Hope Stay Off Your Radar

Nevada hides its warm water like a friend who never quite shares the cool stuff until you ask twice. You want the quiet kind...

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This Unassuming Oregon Café Surprises Everyone Who Walks In

Walking past Morning Glory Cafe three times before finally stepping inside was one of my biggest regrets on a recent trip. Tucked along Siskiyou Boulevard in Ashland, Oregon, this...

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This Giant Oklahoma Junk Shop Has Treasure Hunters Driving in From Every Corner of the State

You know what people love to argue about? Whether vintage shopping is actually treasure hunting or just fancy thrift store browsing.

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The Amish Buffet In New Jersey Serving Comfort Food The Old-Fashioned Way

I’ve eaten at plenty of buffets across New Jersey, but the Amish Buffet at 108 Swedesboro Rd in Mullica Hill feels different. Inside...

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This Indiana Amish Market Feels Like a Step Back in Time

I remember the first time I pulled into the parking lot at E&S Sales in Shipshewana and saw a dozen horse-drawn buggies lined up outside. That sight alone told me this wasn't...

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10 Underrated Colorado BBQ Kitchens Worth Savoring

Looking for real BBQ in Colorado? Most people think of mountains, skiing, and hiking when they picture Colorado, but the state...

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This Virginia Train Ride Offers Some Of The Most Breathtaking Scenery In The State

Picture yourself rolling through mountain valleys, sipping complimentary drinks while watching autumn leaves dance past vintage train windows. That's exactly what awaits at Virginia...

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Affordable Texas Romantic Escapes for Valentine’s

Texas makes romance way easier than people think. You do not need a fancy resort or a big budget to pull off something memorable here.

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The No-Fuss Spot Every Indiana Foodie Should Drive For

I've been chasing down the best diners across Indiana for years now, and let me tell you, Oasis Diner in Plainfield is one spot that keeps pulling me back. Tucked right on West...

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10 BBQ Cafes In Minnesota That Know How To Smoke Right

Where do you go when the craving for real smoked BBQ hits? Minnesota might surprise you! Sure, the state is known for lakes...

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These 9 Oregon Towns Are Stealing Attention From the Popular Ones

Exploring Oregon for years has shown me that the famous spots get all the attention, while incredible little towns sit quietly nearby, waiting to be discovered. Cannon Beach and...

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Spend Valentine’s Day at This Oklahoma Hotel That’s Basically Romance on Tap

I did not expect to find one of the most romantic hotel stays in Oklahoma tucked into the middle of Oklahoma City, but that is exactly what happened when I checked into The Ellison....

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The Legendary Italian Hot Dog Joint New Jersey Locals Will Gladly Tell You About

Newark has given the world jazz, incredible history, and one food you won’t find anywhere else: the Italian hot dog. At...

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This Indiana Ice Cream Parlor Has Been Doing Things the Same Way for Decades, and Locals Love It

I've been visiting Zaharakos since I was a kid, and honestly, walking through those doors at 329 Washington Street feels like stepping into a time machine every single time. The...

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These 11 Mexican Restaurants In Virginia Are The Go-To Spots For Authentic Flavor

Virginia might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of authentic Mexican cuisine, but that's about to change. Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the...

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A Texas State Park That Has the Kind of Views You Remember Forever

Pedernales Falls is one of those places that makes you stop mid-step and just stare for a second. I was not expecting that much scenery packed into one Hill Country park.

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This Hidden Boardwalk in Oregon Lets You Wander Among Towering Giants

A rainy morning drive down the Oregon Coast led me to the Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk Trail, and it completely changed my idea of accessible outdoor adventures. This 1.2-mile boardwalk...

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This Offbeat Oklahoma Town Feels Like a Storybook That Forgot What Year It Is

Some towns race forward while others choose a different speed entirely. Pauls Valley sits in south-central Oklahoma like a postcard from another era, where downtown storefronts...

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The Place That Keeps Pulling New Jersey Locals Back, No Matter Where They Move

I’ve wandered through gardens from coast to coast, but Laurelwood Arboretum at 725 Pines Lake Dr W, Wayne, NJ 07470 keeps pulling me back like I’ve got GPS hardwired into my...

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This Indiana BBQ Spot Runs Out of Food Early, and That’s How You Know It’s Legit

A Thursday afternoon stop at Gather Around BBQ quickly turned into a lesson in how real barbecue works. I expected a fast meal before heading to Brown County.

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These 9 Floating Cabins In Virginia Create A One-Of-A-Kind Waterfront Getaway

Think you've seen every type of vacation rental Virginia has to offer? Think again. Tucked away on tranquil lakes and rivers...

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This Unpretentious Texas Cafe Has a Chicken Fried Steak That Steals the Show

Town Cafe is the kind of place you only find if you are paying attention. Sitting right off Highway 75 in Centerville, it does not look flashy or loud, but the full parking lot...

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9 Oregon Restaurants That Prove Valentine’s Day Doesn’t Have to Be Cliché

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean overpriced roses, crowded tables, and the same tired three-course routine. Oregon is full of restaurants that completely flip the script...

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8 Low-Key Oklahoma Seafood Joints Where the Catfish Tastes Straight Off the Dock

Most people assume great seafood only happens near an ocean. But Oklahoma locals know better. Across the state, unassuming...

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The Pine Barrens Hide A New Jersey Breakfast Spot You’ll Fall For

If breakfast had a time machine, it would drop you off at Evergreen Dairy Bar, 1643 NJ-70, Southampton Township, NJ 08088. This...

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This Cozy Indiana Spot Serves Shepherd’s Pie You Can’t Stop Thinking About

I first stumbled into Nine Irish Brothers on State Route 38 in Lafayette on one of those gray Indiana afternoons when comfort food felt like a necessity rather than a choice. The...

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This Little-Known Virginia Boardwalk Trail Rewards You With Sweeping Coastal Scenery

Think all the best coastal trails in Virginia are already overcrowded tourist traps? Think again. Tucked away in Kilmarnock,...

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This Massive Texas Thrift Store Has Deals That Justify a Long Drive

Texas Thrift Windcrest is one of those places where you walk in confident you will “just look” and then completely lose track of time. It is huge, like genuinely overwhelming...

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