My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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A Scenic And Affordable Virginia Town That Will Make You Want To Quit Your Job And Move Immediately

Picture a town where Victorian architecture meets mountain views, where you can actually afford a charming historic home, and where the arts scene rivals cities ten times its size....

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This Limestone Gorge Hike In Texas Follows A Trail Of Dinosaur Tracks

Standing at the edge of Canyon Lake Gorge for the first time, I honestly had no idea Texas was hiding something this extraordinary. The ground beneath my feet told a story stretching...

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This Oregon Pioneer Museum Feels Like Stepping Straight Into the 1800s

I walked through the gates at the High Desert Museum expecting a typical dusty display of old artifacts behind glass cases. What I found instead was something far more remarkable:...

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A Hidden Oklahoma Springs Oasis Perfect for Peace and Adventure

Most people drive through Sulphur, Oklahoma without stopping, and honestly, that is their loss. Antelope Springs is one of those rare places that feels like a secret the locals...

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The Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant In New Jersey That’ll Make Your Lunch The Highlight Of The Day

Some of the tastiest meals I’ve stumbled into came from spots I nearly walked right past. You too?

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This Historic Indiana Market Transforms a Small Farm into a 500-Vendor Treasure Hunt Every Wednesday Morning

I still remember the first time I pulled off Holland Road on a Wednesday morning and saw hundreds of cars already lined up before sunrise. The smell of fresh baked goods hit me...

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This Virginia Bookstore Is So Lively, You’ll Leave With Books, New Friends, And Story Nights Worth Attending

Some bookstores just sell books. Others become the heartbeat of an entire neighborhood, pulling strangers together over dog-eared pages, Saturday story sessions, and staff recommendations...

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This No-Frills Texas Hole-in-the-Wall Spot Serves Smoked Sausage Plates Worth the Road Trip

Highway 290 runs through plenty of small towns, but this stop demands attention the second you step out of the car. City Meat Market stands at 101 W Austin St with weathered walls...

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This Oregon Steakhouse Has Been Serving Perfect Cuts for Generations

Driving through the small town of Haines, Oregon, you might wonder what draws crowds from Baker City and beyond to this quiet corner of the state. The answer sits right on Front...

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This Massive Book Event in Oklahoma Is a 500,000 Book Paradise for Your Next Literary Road Trip

Imagine walking into a space so packed with books that you genuinely lose track of time, your tote bag, and possibly your travel companions. That is exactly what happens at the...

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This Delightful New Jersey Town Proves A Great Trip Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

Looking for a getaway that feels rich in experiences but light on your wallet? Lambertville, New Jersey, is the kind of town...

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This Indiana Lakeside Shack Brings Fresh-Caught Flavors To A Scenic Hidden Gem

I never expected a roadside shack near the Indiana-Ohio border to become one of my favorite meal stops in the whole state. But...

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10 Relaxing Virginia Towns Where $1,200 A Month Is Plenty To Retire In Comfort

Virginia has a quiet little secret that most retirees have not figured out yet. Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and rolling Piedmont hills, there are charming small towns...

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This Texas Second-Hand Store Hides Rare Vintage Finds That Help Fund Pediatric Neurology Research

There is a certain kind of magic that happens when you walk into a thrift store and immediately feel like you have stumbled onto something truly special. That is exactly what...

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This Stunning Boardwalk Hike Is Oregon’s Best Kept Secret For Outdoor Lovers

I've walked countless trails along the Oregon coast, but nothing quite prepared me for the magic waiting just off Highway 101 near Rockaway Beach. The Big Tree Boardwalk feels...

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Browse This Oklahoma Route 66 Antique Mall With Multiple Dealers

If you have ever driven along Route 66 and felt the pull of a roadside stop that promises more than just a quick look around, then Vinita Antique Mall in Vinita, Oklahoma is exactly...

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This Lesser-Known New Jersey Beach Walk Is Where Locals Clear Their Head After A Long Day

There is a stretch of shoreline at the southern tip of Stone Harbor that most tourists never find, and honestly, I think that is exactly how the locals prefer it.

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This Family-Run Texas Hole-in-the-Wall Serves Tamales That Sell Out Before Lunch

There are some places you hear about before you ever set foot in a city, and Delia's Tamales in McAllen, Texas is absolutely one of them.

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This 40-50 Mile Oregon Trail Is a Hiker’s Dream With Epic River Views

I'd been hearing whispers about the Three Sisters Loop for years before I finally laced up my boots and hit the trail. Every backpacker I knew who'd completed this legendary 40-50...

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This Amish Furniture Shop In Oklahoma Is Building Heirlooms The Old-Fashioned Way

Can furniture really last a lifetime, or is that just something your grandparents believed? In a world where most couches barely survive five years, one Oklahoma City shop is proving...

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This Georgia Food Journey Delivers Road Trips And Hometown Flavors With These Spots

Ever taken a road trip and wondered where the real local flavors are hiding? In Georgia, the best food often comes from small-town spots and roadside stops that locals swear by....

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The Short And Easy Hike In New Jersey That Feels Like A Hidden Slice Of Paradise

The first time I heard about Tillman Ravine, someone described it as a place that feels like it belongs in a fairy tale, and honestly, they were not wrong.

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Shuttle Lines Ruined These Arizona Desert Trailheads That Used To Be Quick Starts

Ever pulled up to a desert trailhead feeling ready to go, then realized the real hike starts in the shuttle line? Arizona has desert trailheads that used to be quick starts, the...

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This Indiana Hideaway Has Been Serving Famous “Pizza Burgers” From Your Car Window Since the 1950s

I grew up hearing about places like Tastee Top Grill the way you hear about a family secret. Someone always knows someone who swears by it, and once you finally go, you completely...

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People Drive From All Over Virginia For The Legendary 40-Ounce Reuben At This Deli

What makes people pile into their cars and drive across Virginia for a single sandwich? Seriously, picture this: folks from Richmond, Virginia Beach, and the Shenandoah Valley...

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This Florida Getaway Isn’t As Dreamy As It Seems

This town catches people’s attention in a second. On the surface, Cassadaga, Florida, looks like a quiet little town with a quirky reputation, but once you spend some time here,...

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The Biggest Weekend Flea Market Adventure In Texas With Hundreds Of Vendors

There is something electric about arriving at a flea market before the sun has fully warmed the sky, and 77 Flea Market in Brownsville, Texas does not disappoint on that front....

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Amish Farm Stands In Illinois That Make Seasonal Produce Feel Like A Prize

Ready to turn a simple produce stop into a full-on seasonal treasure hunt? Amish farm stands in Illinois make seasonal produce feel like a prize because everything looks like it...

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The Cheeseburgers At This No-Frills Diner In Oregon Are Being Called The Best Burger In America

Some burgers are just burgers. Then there are burgers that become legends, the kind that people travel across state lines to taste for themselves.

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This Retro Oklahoma Stop Is A Neon-Lit Detour Straight Into The Past

Some places don't just show you history. They pull you into it, wrap you in it, and make you feel like you've stepped through a time portal into an America that ran on chrome,...

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The Secret Sushi Spot In California Travelers Can’t Get Enough Of

We all want that one stop on a trip that feels more real than the tourist guide suggests, am I right? Sushi Tadokoro in San Diego, 2244 San Diego Ave near Old Town in California...

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These Onion Rings In New Jersey Are So Addictive, You Won’t Be Able To Resist Them

There are places you stumble into by accident, and then there are places that feel like they were waiting for you all along. Krug's Tavern is absolutely the second kind.

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Tour Buses Ruined These South Carolina Garden Visits That Used To Feel Peaceful

I used to think garden visits were basically a guaranteed reset, until I watched three tour buses roll in and the quiet vibe evaporate. South Carolina has some stunning gardens...

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This Unassuming Indiana Market Serves a Whole Fried Snapper That Will Transport You Straight to the Coast

I never thought I’d stumble upon a plate of whole fried snapper in Indianapolis that made me feel like I was sitting beachside somewhere along the Gulf Coast. But Santiago's...

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The Loaded Chili Dogs At This No-Frills Diner In Virginia Are Out-Of-This-World Delicious

What makes a hot dog truly legendary? Some say it's the snap of the casing, others swear by the quality of the toppings, but locals in Wytheville know the real secret lies in a...

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Michigan’s Hidden Candy Shop Keeping Handmade Sweets Alive

Making a quick stop that feels more like a treat than a chore sounds good, right? Here’s the plan: head to Niles, park on Main Street, and walk into Veni’s Sweet Shop at 228...

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A Coastal Texas Restaurant Where the Shrimp Tastes Better Right by the Water

There is something about eating seafood right next to the water that makes every bite taste completely different. The salt...

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This North Carolina Liquidation Store Has Deals That Feel Slightly Unfair, In A Good Way

I walked into Bin City Liquidation Store in North Carolina expecting a quick browse, and walked out feeling like I had pulled off a tiny heist. This is the kind of liquidation...

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Locals Are Furious as Tourists Swarm This Beloved Oregon Spot

The Columbia River Gorge used to be a peaceful escape where locals could hike, breathe fresh air, and enjoy waterfalls without fighting for parking. Those days feel like ancient...

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9 Dog-Friendly Oklahoma Hangouts That Roll Out The Welcome Mat

If I have to choose between a place that tolerates dogs and a place that genuinely welcomes them, I will always pick the second one. Oklahoma has quietly built a lineup of patios,...

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11 Off-The-Beaten-Path Breakfast Spots In Nevada Beloved By Travelers

Why not let breakfast decide where the day takes you? Nevada has plenty of spots where mornings feel easy. Think diners with bottomless coffee, booths made for swapping stories,...

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Take This Historic New Jersey Train Ride For The Ultimate Stress-Free Day Trip

Honestly, I did not expect a train station tucked along a quiet South Jersey highway to completely change my idea of a perfect day trip.

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This Alabama Memorial Visit Pushes Visitors To Rethink The South’s Past

You think you understand the South’s past, and then a single visit makes you realize how much was left out. The National Memorial For Peace And Justice in Montgomery pushes visitors...

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This Indiana Ramen Spot Serves a 10-Hour Broth So Authentic You’d Usually Have to Fly to Japan to Find It

I never thought I'd find a bowl of ramen in Bloomington, Indiana that would make me close my eyes and genuinely forget I wasn't sitting in a tiny Tokyo noodle shop.

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Amish Numbers In Pennsylvania Keep Rising Year After Year

Did you know the Amish population in Pennsylvania isn’t shrinking? It’s actually growing every single year. That might surprise...

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People Drive From All Over Virginia For The Crispy Battered Fish And Chips At This Tiny Restaurant

Hot take: the best fish and chips in Virginia are not sitting inside a fancy waterfront restaurant with a view and a valet. They are served at a tiny, no-frills counter spot tucked...

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You’d Never Expect Louisiana’s Crispiest Fried Chicken To Come From This Market

Ready to taste fried chicken that makes you do a double take in the checkout line? Krispy Krunchy Chicken inside Save More 7 in Baton Rouge is the kind of surprise that turns a...

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This Sprawling Texas Farm Is Like A Real-Life Painting Come To Life

Driving through the Texas Hill Country, I rounded a bend and suddenly the roadside exploded into color, bright bursts of wildflowers stretching as far as I could see. Wildseed...

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10 Charming Oregon Towns Where You Can Explore on a Budget

Oregon delivers the kind of adventure that makes your wallet happy and your heart full. From coastal towns with free beach access to mountain villages where hiking costs nothing...

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These Are The Botanical Gardens In Washington State You Never Knew About

Did you know Washington State is home to more than just mountains and coffee shops? Scattered across the state are botanical gardens that many visitors and even locals don’t...

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