My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Little Virginia Coast Café Makes Clam Chowder That Wins The Show

On a stretch of Virginia’s Eastern Shore where the roads wind past marshes, tidal creeks, and quiet fishing villages, there’s a little café that has quietly captured the hearts,...

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This No-Frills Restaurant In Texas Serves Some Of The Best Steaks In The State

There is something reassuring about a place that does not try too hard, and Hermann Sons Steak House gives off that feeling right away. From the outside, it looks simple and straightforward,...

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The Only Thing Better Than This Oregon Breakfast Is the Stunning View

Morning fog lifts off the Columbia River just as your plate hits the table, and suddenly breakfast feels like an event instead of a routine. The Bridge of the Gods rises above...

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This Vintage Oklahoma Train Ride Feels Like Traveling Back in Time

I still remember the first time I stepped onto the grounds of the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City and felt like I'd walked straight into a different era. The scent of...

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This New Jersey Scenic Hike Takes You From Tucked-Away Waterfalls To A Pristine Highland Lake

I’ve trekked a lot of trails, but nothing prepared me for the magic tucked away in New Jersey’s highlands. The Delaware...

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This Indiana Park Hides A Natural Well Where You Can Savor The State’s Crispest Water

I never expected to find one of Indiana's most refreshing secrets right off a busy Carmel street. Flowing Well Park has been quietly serving up crystal-clear spring water for over...

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10 Virginia’s Secret “Tiny-Villages” You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

When it comes to Virginia, most travelers immediately think of Williamsburg’s historic streets or the sun-soaked sands of Virginia Beach, but the real magic often hides in the...

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This Texas Shop Is Loaded With Finds at Prices Far Below Retail

I walked into Ollie's Bargain Outlet on a random Tuesday afternoon without much of a plan, and honestly, I wasn't expecting to stumble onto something this interesting. The place...

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This Oregon Spot Turns Simple Dishes Into Legendary Meals

Portland's Southeast Division Street holds a secret that locals guard fiercely. Behind the weathered exterior of what looks like any other neighborhood tavern, something magical...

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Oklahomans Will Gladly Burn Gas For The Outrageously Delicious Burgers At This Down-Home Restaurant

There's a certain kind of restaurant that becomes more than just a place to eat, it turns into a landmark, a memory, and a reason to take the long way home.

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The Massive Antique Mall In New Jersey That Feels Like Shopping Heaven

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to stumble into one of the coolest antique experiences in New Jersey, but that’s exactly what happened when I wandered into Days Of Olde Antique...

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This Indiana Discount Store Has Massive Deals For A Fraction Of What You’d Pay Anywhere Else

I stumbled upon Barton's Discounts on Hillside Ave about a year ago, and I have to admit it completely changed how I shop. You know that feeling when you walk into a place and...

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Virginia’s Mexican Spot That Feels Like A Full-Blown Telenovela, Hassle-Free, Extra Salsa

This grill in Virginia Beach has turned dining into something closer to a theatrical performance, complete with plot twists, colorful characters, and enough drama to keep you coming...

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The Mom-And-Pop Restaurant In Texas That Locals Insist Makes The Best Homemade Pies

Some places feel personal the second you walk in, and Oxbow Bakery & Antiques is one of them. The storefront is small and welcoming, and when I stepped inside, the smell of...

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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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