My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Iconic Texas Restaurant Has Been Feeding Generations Since 1866

Standing outside Scholz Garten, it is easy to forget you are anywhere near a busy campus. The wooden exterior and old signage look like they have been there forever, and in many...

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Two Days In Nebraska’s Charming Snowy Villages

What can you really see in just two days? In Nebraska’s snowy villages, the answer is: more than you’d expect. These small...

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A Family-Run Chocolate Shop in Oregon That Brings Back Childhood Memories

Walking into Creo Chocolate feels like stepping into someone's kitchen where magic happens daily. The smell of roasted cacao beans fills the air, where the Pelaez family has built...

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The Smoked Brisket at This Unassuming Oklahoma BBQ Spot Wins Over Everyone

Oklahoma City holds a special place in the heart of barbecue lovers, where smoke and tradition blend into something unforgettable. Tucked along North Kelley Avenue, a modest building...

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I Took My Best Friends Arizona’s Top-Rated Botanical Garden And We Couldn’t Stop Taking Photos

My camera roll doubled in size before we even made it past the entrance. That was the moment I knew this was not just another garden stop.

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10 Off-The-Radar New Jersey Restaurants Every Foodie Should Visit

You know what I love about New Jersey? Behind every strip mall and down every quiet country road, there's a restaurant serving...

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8 Enormous Flea Markets In Indiana That Will Have You Scouting for Bargains All Day

I've spent more weekends than I can count wandering through Indiana's flea markets, and I can tell you there's nothing quite like the thrill of discovering a hidden treasure among...

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This Illinois Orchard Village Locals Wish To Keep Small

What makes a small town feel worth protecting from too much attention? In Cobden, Illinois, locals think they’ve found the answer.

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A Two-Day Winter Loop Through Wyoming’s Old Village Squares

There is something about a village square in winter that makes you want to slow your steps without thinking about it. A two-day...

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11 Virginia Nature Spots You Have To See To Believe

Virginia is so much more than colonial history and political landmarks. Nestled between the misty peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the sparkling Atlantic coast, this state...

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Beaufort, South Carolina Blends Southern Gothic Charm With Marshland Mystique

Spanish moss hangs low over quiet streets, and the air smells faintly of salt and jasmine. That is the first hint that Beaufort is not a typical coastal town.

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One Haunted Texas Bar Is Steeped in Ghost Stories, Legends, and History

La Carafe has been part of Houston since 1847, and the moment I stepped inside, I could feel it. The candlelight flickers against old brick walls, and there is a heaviness to the...

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Ghostly Legends Fill This Nevada Haunted Saloon

Do you believe in ghost stories? In Virginia City, Nevada, locals will tell you that The Delta Saloon has more than a few. This...

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A Small West Virginia Village Wrapped In Winter Past

What makes a small town feel like it’s holding onto the past? In Thomas, West Virginia, winter seems to bring that feeling to life.

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This Hidden Oregon Gem Is a February Must-Try Even If You’re Not in Portland

Depoe Bay hugs Highway 101 at one of the most dramatic stretches of the Oregon coast, where waves slam into dark rock and gray whales cruise past close enough to spot from shore....

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These Hole-In-The-Wall Shrimp Canteens In Georgia Taste Like Summer

The best shrimp in Georgia is not hiding behind white tablecloths, it is sizzling in tiny kitchens you could drive past without noticing.

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This Old-Timey Oklahoma Restaurant Has Burgers So Good Locals Drive Miles For Them

El Reno is known for a burger, and the first time I walked into Sid's Diner, I understood why within seconds. The grill was already sizzling, onions hitting the flat top in a steady...

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Why Ohio’s Winter Slow-Travel Routes Feel Amish And Old-Fashioned

Scrolling through winter getaway ideas and feeling tired of packed itineraries and loud attractions? Ohio’s slow-travel routes offer something completely different, and quietly...

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The Gigantic Outlet Mall In New Jersey That’ll Redefine Your Shopping Adventure

Atlantic City has always been about going big: bright lights, wild nights, and memories that stick like glitter on your shoes. And...

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These Pennsylvania Spots Are Offering Amish Comfort In Winter

What makes winter feel less harsh and more inviting? In Pennsylvania, a few spots have figured it out by offering Amish comfort when the cold sets in.

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These Are 10 Indianapolis Cafés You Won’t Find in Guidebooks

I’ve spent years exploring Indianapolis coffee shops, and I can tell you the best ones almost never make it into those glossy travel guides. The cafés that locals actually love...

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North Dakota’s Secret Village Cherished By Locals

What makes a small town feel like a secret worth keeping? In North Dakota, that place is Medora, a village in the rugged Badlands that locals hold close to their hearts.

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Visitors Can’t Stop Talking About This Family-Owned Virginia BBQ Spot In 2026

What makes a barbecue joint worth a detour off the highway? At Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que in Williamsburg, Virginia, thousands of visitors every year swear it's the real deal.

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Minnesota’s Largest Indoor Theme Park Is A Full-Day Adventure For Friend Crews

Your group chat lights up with plans, but nobody wants the same old brunch and movie combo again? Then Minnesota’s largest indoor theme park might be the chaos you are all secretly...

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This Massive Texas Vintage Store Is a Goldmine for Rare Home Décor at Unbelievable Prices

The Antique Gallery of Houston does not ease you in slowly. You walk through the doors and it just keeps going, booth after booth, hallway after hallway, like someone turned collecting...

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This Is Why Locals Treasure North Carolina Amish Towns As Timeless

What makes a town feel timeless? In North Carolina’s Amish communities, locals believe the answer lies in the way life is lived every day.

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This Oregon Underground Lava Experience Is Like Nothing Else in the State

Standing at the entrance to Lava River Cave, I felt like I was about to step into another world entirely. The cool air rushing up from below carried the promise of adventure, darkness,...

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This Is The Morning Shack In Tennessee Locals Swear By

What makes a local spot earn the kind of loyalty where people say, “You’ve got to try it”? In Tennessee, that place is the Coffee Shack.

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Wisconsin’s “Sleepiest” Town That’s A Paradise For Winter Walkers

Looking for a winter escape where quiet streets, snow-dusted rooftops, and frozen harbor views feel like they were made for strolling? Ephraim, Wisconsin, is exactly that kind...

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This Family-Run Oklahoma Chocolate Shop Still Feels Like Stepping Back Into Childhood

Walking into Bedré Fine Chocolate in Davis feels like opening a storybook where every page smells like cocoa and happiness. This family-run chocolate shop, owned and operated...

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These Quiet Amish Winter Markets In Ohio Towns Under 3,000 Are Worth The Drive

Craving a winter drive that ends with homemade bread, hand-stitched goods, and zero big-city noise? Then these quiet Amish winter markets in small Ohio towns might be exactly what...

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This Controversial Monument In New Jersey Still Sparks Heated Debate Even In 2026

Right along the Jersey City waterfront, I stumbled upon a monument that refuses to be ignored. The Katyn Memorial towers ten meters high, bronze and unflinching, depicting a bound...

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Maine’s Tiny Winter Spot Europeans Discover Quietly

What makes a tiny town in Maine catch the attention of visitors from across the ocean? Bethel, Maine has been quietly doing just that.

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This Relaxing River Cruise In Indiana Is Worth Discovering

I have to admit, I never thought I'd find myself gliding down the Ohio River on a jet boat, learning about local history and spotting bald eagles along the shoreline. But that's...

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This Small Colorado Hamlet Is Wrapped In Winter Charm

What makes a place feel like pure winter charm? In Ophir, Colorado, the answer is everywhere you look. This tiny hamlet in the San Juan Mountains feels like it was built for the...

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Colorado’s Coolest Mountain Town You Won’t Stop Dreaming About After Visiting

Have you ever visited a town that makes you rethink what a mountain getaway should feel like? Breckenridge, Colorado, does exactly that.

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This Virginia Landmark Is A Hidden Vault Of Military History From The 1500s

Tucked away in Danville, Virginia sits a colossal warehouse packed with over a hundred tanks, artillery pieces, and military relics spanning five centuries. This isn't your typical...

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The Perfect Family Escape At Colorado’s High-Altitude Wildlife Haven

Your idea of a family day out includes mountain views, fresh air, and animals that feel right at home in the landscape? Then this high-altitude wildlife haven in Colorado should...

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A Texas Antique Store That Will Be the 2026 Destination Everyone Talks About

I walked into Carol Hicks Bolton Antiques expecting another quaint shop, but what I found was something entirely different. Spread across three massive warehouse buildings on South...

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This Indiana College Town Quietly Turned Into a Foodie Haven You Didn’t See Coming

I never thought I would call Bloomington a culinary destination. Growing up in Indiana, I always knew it as a college town; home to Indiana University, lined with limestone buildings,...

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These Kentucky Winter Spots Are Offering Amish Comfort

What makes winter feel a little easier to love? In Kentucky, some farms have found the answer by offering a kind of comfort rooted in Amish tradition.

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This Oregon Restaurant Lets You Dine on a Terrace Beside a Waterfall

Picture yourself savoring Pacific Northwest cuisine while one of Oregon's most magnificent waterfalls thunders just steps away. The Multnomah Falls Lodge Restaurant in Corbett,...

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The Forbidden Photos Filling New York Cameras

Have you ever thought about what counts as a “forbidden photo” in New York? It’s not always black and white. In some...

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Take This Picturesque Oklahoma Train Ride for the Ultimate Low-Stress Spring Day Trip

I've traveled by car, plane, and bus across Oklahoma, but nothing compares to the easy charm of the Heartland Flyer. This Amtrak route runs between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth,...

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Top 10 Chinese Restaurants In New Jersey That Never Disappoint

Ever notice how finding a truly great Chinese restaurant feels like discovering buried treasure? You walk in, the aromas hit you, and suddenly you're wondering why you ever settled...

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Indiana’s Giant Go-Kart Track Promises Heart-Pounding Fun for Kids and Adults Alike

I remember the first time I heard those electric motors hum at K1 Speed in Fishers. My heart started racing before I even strapped into the kart.

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This Virginia Bavarian Village Is The Perfect European Escape Without The Passport

Dreaming of a Bavarian mountain retreat but not eager to book an international flight? In Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Fenton Inn offers an alpine-inspired escape that feels...

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This Texas Beach Locals Believe Tourists Ruined for Good

I first heard about Surfside Beach from a friend who grew up spending summers there, back when it was just a quiet stretch of sand where locals could escape without much fuss....

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This Haunted Gold Dredge Is Full of Ghostly Legends Locals Can’t Explain

I stood on the weathered deck of the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge, and a chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the Oregon mountain air. This massive floating factory...

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Locals In 2026 Are Avoiding These Once-Peaceful Oklahoma Nature Escapes After Tourists Ruined It

There was a time when Oklahoma’s outdoor spots felt like a shared secret. You could pull into a trailhead without circling for parking, hear your own footsteps on the path, and...

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