My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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The Soul Food At This No-Frills Restaurant In Oklahoma Is the Definition of Down-Home Comfort

You know that first bite that instantly takes you back to your grandmother’s kitchen? The kind that makes you pause for a second because it tastes exactly how you remember it.

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This General Store In New Jersey Keeps Winning Best Pie Honors At The State Fair Year After Year

Step aside, pumpkin spice, New Jersey’s Hainesville General Store Bakery has been winning blue ribbons for its pies so often, the judges probably have them on speed dial.

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Hoosiers Can’t Stop Shopping at This Incredible Discount Thrift Store in Indiana

I remember the first time I walked through the doors at Indiana Discount Mall. The sensory overload hit me immediately in the best way possible.

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This 52-Mile Long Path Is Perfect For Running, Biking, And Spotting Forgotten Virginia Ruins

Picture a ribbon of smooth pavement winding through centuries of American history, connecting two of Virginia's most storied cities while passing forgotten plantations and hidden...

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The Texas Rodeo That Still Feels Authentic And Unpolished

You can feel the energy building before you even find your seat at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo in Mesquite. Trucks fill the lot, boots hit the pavement, and the low hum of...

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An Unexpected Oklahoma Hangout That Spins Laundry Day Into After-Dark Fun

I used to treat laundry day like a chore I had to power through. Toss the clothes in, stare at the machines, scroll on my phone, count down the minutes.

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The Legendary New Jersey Pizza Spot That’s Still Serving After 110 Years

I pulled up to a modest building, half expecting something grand or flashy to announce a 110-year legacy. Instead, what greeted...

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9 Oregon Breakfast Spots That Rise and Grind the Right Way

I've wandered through Oregon countless times, chasing sunrises over the Pacific and mountain views that make you forget you're even hungry. Then breakfast hits different here.

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The Fascinating Car Museum In Indiana Features Over 120 Stunning Classic Cars

I've always loved classic cars, and discovering the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum felt like finding a hidden treasure in my own backyard.

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Top 10 Destinations Serving The Best Lasagna In Virginia

Virginia might be famous for peanuts and country ham, but there’s another comfort food quietly stealing the spotlight. Across...

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This Tiny Texas Burger Joint Serves Old School Burgers People Still Talk About Years Later

Some burgers do not need a big introduction, and that is exactly how it felt walking into Kincaid's in Fort Worth. The place has looked more or less the same since 1946, and that...

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9 Lesser Known Oregon Places That Are Still Under the Radar

Oregon has so many incredible places that tourists flock to every year, but I've discovered some spots that most people drive right past without even knowing they exist. I've spent...

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This Small Oklahoma Town Is Proof You Don’t Need Big Crowds For Big Character

There's something magnetic about a place that refuses to apologize for being small. Alva sits in the northwest corner of Oklahoma, population just over 5,000, and it carries itself...

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From This Towering New Jersey Monument The Skyline Expands Across Three States

I wasn't expecting much when I first heard about High Point Lookout, honestly. A monument in northern New Jersey that supposedly...

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The Myrtles In Louisiana Is A Haunted Historic Home That Still Welcomes Visitors

Picture a gorgeous old Southern home… and then realize it is the kind of gorgeous that comes with goosebumps. The Myrtles in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is a historic house...

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10 Laid-Back Indiana Towns Where $1,200 a Month Is Enough to Retire in Comfort

I've spent years exploring Indiana's small towns, and I can tell you that retiring on a tight budget doesn't mean sacrificing quality of life.

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7 Oregon Buffets That Prove Bigger Really Is Better

I love eating, and I really love eating a lot. Oregon turned that love into a full-on hobby. Somewhere between crab legs piled...

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The Massive Antique Mall In Virginia That Feels Like Shopping Paradise

Think you can walk through an antique mall in an hour? Think again. Williamsburg Antique Mall in Virginia will challenge that...

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The Picturesque State Park In Texas That’s Ideal For A Laid-Back Family Escape

Some places just make you breathe a little deeper, and Inks Lake State Park does that right away. The water has that blue green color that almost looks edited in real life, and...

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8 Gigantic Flea Markets In Oklahoma Overflowing With Vintage Finds and Bargain Steals

Some people book a spa day to unwind. I head straight for a cavernous warehouse packed with old metal signs, stacks of chipped Pyrex, and furniture that’s clearly lived a few...

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This Secret Oregon Hike Rewards You With Mountain Views

I never expected a quiet trail tucked deep in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest to completely knock me off my feet, but Triangulation Peak and Boca Cave did exactly that. Near...

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New Jersey’s Sweet Shop Turning Desserts Into Jaw-Dropping Spectacles

I wasn’t expecting much when I strolled past Coney Waffle, just another scoop shop, right? Wrong. The line was longer than...

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This Indiana Diner’s Milkshake Menu Peaks With the Wildly Delicious “Marilyn Monroe”

I've driven past 4 Speed on 50's Diner on West Eads Parkway more times than I can count, always promising myself I'd stop in. When I finally did, I discovered something magical...

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This Legendary Virginia Buffet Is Worth The Drive Even If You’re Not In Richmond

What makes a restaurant worth driving an extra half hour? Some say it's the view, others claim it's the ambiance. But when it...

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The Chicken Fried Steak At This No-Frills Diner In Texas Is So Good, You’ll Crave It Every Day

Blink and you might miss Mingus, but you will not forget a meal at Mels Diner. The second I stepped inside, the smell of fresh cut fries and something sizzling on the grill made...

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9 Oregon All You Can Eat Spots That Roll Out Endless Surprises

I love a lot of things about Oregon, but its food scene continues to surprise me in the best way. All you can eat spots might sound basic, but Oregon turns endless dining into...

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This Long, Scenic Path In Oklahoma Is Perfect For Running, Biking, And Spotting Forgotten History Along The Way

You think you know Oklahoma until you follow an old railroad line straight into its past. The Katy Trail in Oklahoma City is not flashy.

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The 10 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants In New Jersey You Can’t Miss

Tex-Mex in New Jersey? Oh yes, and it’s hotter than a jalapeño in July. These restaurants sling tacos so good they should...

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These Are 10 Virginia Coffeehouses Only Locals Really Know

Virginia’s best coffee is not always the one with the longest line or the flashiest sign out front. If you are not already...

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Texas Travel Hacks Locals Don’t Usually Tell Outsiders

I used to think I knew Texas pretty well until I spent a few months bouncing between small towns and city corners that never made it into my guidebook.

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This Oklahoma City Flea Market Is A Culturally Rich Wonderland Of Color, Flavor, And Hidden Finds

I used to think a flea market was just rows of folding tables and random stuff I didn’t need. Then I walked into OKC Plaza Latina and realized I’d been doing flea markets all...

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These Georgia Beach Towns Tourists Ruined By Driving Out Local Businesses

Crowded beaches and disappearing local shops have become the new reality for some of Georgia’s coastal towns. Once known...

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Florida’s Beaches Are Bursting At The Seams Thanks To Tourist Crowds

You know that moment when you step onto the sand and realize the beach feels like a festival with waves? Well, it is not your imagination.

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8 Enormous Thrift Stores in Indiana Where Bargains Never End

I’ve spent countless weekends hunting for treasures in thrift stores across Indiana, and honestly, there’s nothing quite like the rush of spotting a hidden gem at an unbeatable...

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10 Tastiest Virginia Burger Shacks To Hit This February

Something special is sizzling across Virginia right now, and burger lovers are the ones reaping the rewards. February might bring...

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These North Carolina Beach Towns Travelers Ruined By Overcrowding Every Summer

What happens when a small beach town suddenly becomes the go-to summer destination for everyone? That’s the reality in several...

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These Texas Towns Don’t Want to Be “Discovered” but You’ll Want to Find Them

Texas has a way of holding onto its secrets, tucking away small towns that locals cherish and visitors stumble upon like hidden treasure. I've found that the best places in this...

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This Hidden Oklahoma Sanctuary Feels Like The Ancient Holy Land In The Middle Of Nowhere

Imagine you're driving through the rugged Wichita Mountains, surrounded by nothing but red rock and wild prairie, when suddenly ancient Jerusalem appears before your eyes.

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This California Beach Resort Has A Reputation It Can’t Shake

You know that place everyone swears is gorgeous but also a little charged? That is Hotel del Coronado down in Coronado, California,...

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How Amish Communities In Ohio Balance Tradition And Change

Let’s take that back road through Ohio and actually pay attention to how the Amish make everyday choices feel steady and sane. You’ll see barns and laundry lines, sure, but...

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8 Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Indiana to Tackle This Spring

Spring in Indiana brings something magical to the trails. The wildflowers start popping up everywhere, the trees get their...

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10 Virginia’s Dog-Friendly Eateries That Serve Up More Than Just Food

Bringing your dog to brunch in Virginia is no longer an afterthought. It is practically a sport. Across the state, restaurants...

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Mark Twain Banned His Family From This Floor Of His Connecticut Home

You know that feeling when a place holds a secret and it changes how you see everything else around it? That is the third...

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8 Amazing Texas Thrift Stores You’ve Likely Never Heard About

Thrifting in Texas feels different than anywhere else. Maybe it's the sheer size of the state, or the way small towns and sprawling cities each hide their own vintage treasures...

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This Oklahoma Spot Might Just Have the Best Pizza in the State

I’ll admit, I was skeptical about finding a truly good New York style slice in Oklahoma City. That kind of pizza feels tied to crowded sidewalks, corner shops, and the hum of...

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The Mountain Road In North Carolina Everyone Ends Up Filming

You know that road that shows up in everyone’s phone clips the minute they drive it? That swooping curve that looks like...

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The 10 Best Sushi Restaurants In New Jersey That Keep Fans Coming Back

I never expected to find some of the best sushi outside of New York City right here in New Jersey, but the first time I sat down at a local spot and watched a chef carefully slice...

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10 Indiana Restaurants Where You Can Still Eat for Under $15

Finding a satisfying meal that doesn't empty your wallet feels like striking gold these days. I've been exploring Indiana's...

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These Beloved Minnesota Lake Towns Were Slowly Ruined By Visitors

What changes when a lake town stops feeling like a secret? In Minnesota, it happens slowly, then all at once. Places once defined...

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Top 10 Chinese Restaurants In Virginia That Always Deliver

Virginia and world-class Chinese food might not be the pairing you expect, but they absolutely belong in the same sentence. From...

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