My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Homey Restaurant In Texas Has Homemade Biscuits And Gravy Everyone Raves About

Breakfast cravings led me straight to Bobbie's Southern Kitchen, and the parking lot was already busy before the morning fully kicked in. That steady flow of regulars felt like...

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Illinois Laws That Feel Like A Comedy Sketch With Real Consequences

Illinois has a talent for making you laugh first and double-check later. Some of the state’s laws and local ordinances read like a comedy sketch on paper, right up until you...

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The Underground Cave Tour In Oklahoma Is a One-of-a-Kind Adventure You Can’t Miss

I used to roll my eyes a little when people described Oklahoma as nothing but flat prairie. I believed it too. Endless wheat...

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A Farmers Market Breakfast In Maryland That Costs Less Than You’d Expect

Breakfast in Maryland gets way more fun when you skip the sit-down spot and head straight to the farmers market. It feels like a little weekend cheat code: bright stalls, hot food...

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This Gorgeous Town In New Jersey Could Be The State’s Prettiest Escape

If beauty contests were held for towns, this one would be crowned every spring. Strolling through its streets feels like stepping...

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Locals Can’t Stop Raving About the Chicken Fried Steak Smothered in Gravy at This Indiana Spot

I grew up hearing about Magic Wand Restaurant in Churubusco, Indiana, and the first time I finally walked through that door, I understood immediately why locals talk about it the...

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Nevada Desert Art Stops Tourist-Ruined By Rock Stacking And Spray Paint

So what is it about the Nevada desert that makes people think: “Let’s leave a mark”? Desert art stops out here can feel like a miracle, with big empty horizons, strange beauty,...

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The Pastrami Sandwich At This Jewish Deli In Virginia Is Mouthwatering

Can a single deli in the heart of Virginia spark as much passion as a family recipe passed down through generations? Some folks swear that the best Jewish delis exist only in New...

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Spring Tulip Fields In Washington That Feel Like A Day Trip Flex

Washington does not do subtle when tulip season shows up. One minute it is gray roads and coffee, and the next it is rows of color that look edited in real life.

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This Indiana Bookstore Is So Vibrant, You’ll Leave With Books, New Friends, and Story Nights Worth Attending

I still remember the first time I walked into Indy Reads and felt that immediate sense of belonging. There is something about this place that goes far beyond just shelves of books.

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The Kolaches At This Iconic Bakery In Texas Are Simply Outstanding

Saturday mornings call for something warm and simple, and that’s exactly what I found at this place. The small building was surrounded by cars looping the lot, which felt like...

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This Oklahoma Adventure Area Is An Off-Road Playground Hiding In The Hills

If you think Oklahoma is all flat plains and wide-open skies, Cross Bar Ranch is about to flip that script completely. Rising...

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New Jersey’s Vintage Paradise With More Than 65 Dealers Under One Roof

Shopping with 65 dealers under one roof feels less like browsing and more like running a marathon with a credit card. Step...

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10 Indiana Restaurants Famous for That One Must-Try Dish

I have a confession: I plan road trips around food. Not landmarks, not museums, just the promise of one perfect plate waiting for me at the end of a drive.

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10 Virginia’s Steakhouse Experience That Turns Regular Nights Into Destination Dining

Think your average Tuesday dinner has to be boring? Think again. Virginia has perfected the art of turning ordinary evenings...

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This Historic Cafe In Texas Will Serve You A Pulled Pork Sandwich You Won’t Forget

Walking into this BBQ spot on a random Wednesday, the smell of slow-smoked meat hit me before I even made it to the counter. One breath in and I already knew I was in the right...

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This Scenic Virginia Trail Unlocks The Secrets Of A Forgotten 18th-Century Ghost Village

Think your neighborhood has history? Try wandering through a place where George Washington himself once dreamed of building an empire.

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This Oklahoma Emporium Is a Wonderland of Rare, Strange, and Delightful Finds

You walk into what looks like a regular storefront, and suddenly you're standing in the middle of something that feels like equal parts museum, magical library, and your eccentric...

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This New Jersey Eatery Serves Cheesesteaks That Locals Say Beat Philly

Somewhere in New Jersey, cheesesteaks are causing an identity crisis for Philly. Locals swear their neighborhood eatery serves...

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This Oregon Food Tour Will Take You Straight to Ice Cream Heaven

Walking into the Tillamook Creamery felt like stepping straight into my childhood dream, except this time I had adult money and zero self-control.

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The Burgers At This Old-Timey Indiana Spot Have Been Smashed Into Onion-Grilled Perfection Since 1940

I still remember the first time someone told me about Powers Hamburgers in Fort Wayne. I thought, how special can a tiny slider joint really be?

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11 Haunted Hotel Stays Across Virginia That Promise An Eerie Adventure

Virginia's haunted hotels blend history with spine-tingling supernatural encounters that'll make even skeptics question reality. From grand coastal resorts where tragic spirits...

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This Hidden Oregon Sushi Spot Is a Local Favorite for Good Reason

A rainy Tuesday pushed me off my usual dinner routine and straight into Miyamoto, and nothing about my sushi standards has been the same since. From the outside, this little spot...

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This Gorgeous State Park In Texas Will Help You Leave Your Worries Behind

The second I rolled past the entrance, the noise in my head started to quiet down. Tall pines tower overhead, a glassy lake peeks through the trees, and suddenly everything feels...

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Oklahoma Wildlife Haven Isn’t So Wild Anymore, Tourist Crowds Are Taking Over

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge used to feel like a secret. A place where migratory birds outnumbered people, where the landscape stretched white and endless under a big Oklahoma...

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New Jersey’s U-Pick Tulip Farm That Becomes A Local Tradition Each Spring

Who knew picking flowers could feel like a competitive sport? Every spring, New Jersey’s U-Pick tulip farm bursts into color,...

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The Best Fish And Chips In Indiana Are Found At This Grocery Store Counter With A Near-Perfect 4.8 Rating

I never thought I'd find my new favorite fried fish spot inside a grocery store, but here we are. Grill and Fry, tucked right inside Saraga International Grocery on Indianapolis's...

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The Highest Lake In Virginia Is Ready For Your Next Weekend Escape

Think you know Virginia's best kept secrets? Perched high in the Appalachian Mountains sits a place that's equal parts natural wonder and Hollywood legend.

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Locals Say This Is the Best Dog-Friendly Spot in Oregon in 2026

A rainy Portland morning with my dog Luna turned into one of those happy accidents you wish you could plan on purpose. Tin Shed Garden Cafe on NE Alberta didn’t just let me bring...

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A Secret Texas Speakeasy Disguised as a Laundry Room That Turns Every Night Into an Experience

I walked past this place three times before I realized I was already standing in front of it. What looked like a completely ordinary laundromat turned out to be one of the most...

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This Charming Oklahoma Town Is Full of Rural Charm and Peaceful Views

There's something almost magical about stumbling onto a town so small it barely registers on most maps. Lucien, Oklahoma is one of those places that makes you slow down, take a...

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This 164-Step Climb in Oregon Leads to Some of the State’s Most Stunning Views

At the very tip of northwest Oregon, one climb changed how I see Astoria forever. The Astoria Column rises 125 feet above Coxcomb Hill, looking innocent enough from the parking...

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People Are Going Crazy Over The Hearty Classics At This Classic Diner In New Jersey

Apparently, the internet can lose its mind over meatloaf. Walk into Jefferson Diner in New Jersey, and you’ll see why. The...

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The Mom-And-Pop Restaurant In Indiana Where Homemade Pies Are So Legendary, You’ll Keep Coming Back for Seconds

I'll be honest, I was not expecting much when I first pulled up to a small corner spot on Main Street in Greensburg, Indiana. But the moment I walked into Storie's Restaurant,...

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This Giant Texas Vintage Store Lets You Load Your Backseat With Treasures Without Breaking The Bank

Road trips have a way of delivering the best surprises, and this place grabbed my attention before I even stepped inside. The giant statues and outdoor art out front make it clear...

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This Tiny Oregon Coffee Shop Is Making Everyone Rethink Morning Drinks This Spring

A random Saturday on Division Street completely wrecked my usual routine, and I did not see it coming. Walked into Bula Kava House out of curiosity and walked out questioning why...

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This Oklahoma Spot Is Bringing Argentine Fire To The Heartland

You don't expect to find authentic Argentine fire techniques in the middle of Oklahoma, but that's exactly what makes Amelia's Wood Fired Cuisine so remarkable. This isn't your...

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New Jersey’s Only Coffee Shop Where Your Caffeine Kick Comes With A Side Of Motion Sickness

I walked into Paper Plane Coffee Co. thinking I’d grab a latte and maybe admire some hipster plants, but instead I basically boarded a flight to Caffeine Airlines.

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The Prime Rib At This Old Fashioned Restaurant In Texas Is So Good, It Makes The Drive Worthwhile

I still remember the first time I walked into Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que on Congress Avenue in Austin, and the smell of smoke hit me before I even made it through the door....

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This Oklahoma Pizza Spot Is On Fire, And The Hype Is Real

You know that feeling when you bite into something so good you actually pause mid-chew and wonder why nobody told you about this place sooner? That's exactly what happens at Hall's...

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Alabama’s Legacy Museum That Rewrites What Visitors Think The South Was

Think you already understand Southern history because you took one class and watched a few movies? The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, has a way of stopping that confidence...

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Enjoy New Jersey’s Best Amish Comfort Food At The Shared Market Tables

Guess what? I walked into the Dutch Country Farmers Market and instantly felt like I’d been adopted by the Amish for the afternoon.

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This Restaurant In Indiana Serves A Strip Steak Drenched In A “Liquid Gold” Butter That Will Change Your Life

I never thought I'd find myself craving a single bite of steak for days on end, but here I am, daydreaming about that sizzling, butter-topped perfection I experienced at Ruth's...

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This Magical Waterfall Trail In Virginia Is The Ultimate No-Stress Adventure For Families

Think all Virginia waterfall hikes require mountaineering skills and a sherpa? Think again. Cascade Falls near Pembroke has cracked...

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This Arizona Mexican Staple Makes Enchiladas Feel Like The Only Smart Order

I once walked into El Charro Café thinking I would “browse the menu,” and five seconds later I was mentally ordering enchiladas like it was a survival instinct.

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The Breakfast Tacos at This Texas Spot Are the Reason Locals Wake Up Early

I pulled into the parking lot just after dawn, and the first thing I noticed was the line already snaking out the door of a bright blue house that looked like it belonged on a...

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This Quiet Oklahoma Lake Town Feels Like the Kind of Place You’ll Want to Stay Awhile

The first time I drove into Spavinaw, I thought I’d taken a wrong turn. One main road, a handful of houses, and a population sign that barely cracks 350.

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Hot-From-The-Fryer Donuts In North Carolina That Make A Simple Glaze Feel Legendary

Have you ever bitten into a donut so fresh it basically counts as a personality change? Hot-from-the-fryer donuts in North...

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This Swashbuckling Pirate Ship On The Jersey Shore Lets Kids Live The Fantasy

When I first heard about a pirate ship that takes families out on the water, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it be cheesy?...

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This Colossal Indiana Thrift Store Is A Treasure Trove With 150+ Secret Vendors Inside

I've spent more Saturday afternoons than I can count wandering through antique markets across Indiana, but nothing prepared me for my first visit to Midland Arts & Antiques...

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