asa whitlock author at My Family Travels
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This Texas Getaway Lets You Sleep Inside A Luxury Yurt Beneath A Dark Country Sky

The first time I looked up from a quiet stretch of West Texas country, I honestly forgot to breathe for a second. There were so many stars that the sky looked crowded, almost busy,...

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The Small Texas Town Where Great Food, Scenic Streets, and Friendly Shops Fit Into One Easy Day

A good day trip should not require a spreadsheet, six parking apps, and military-level timing just to see everything. This...

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This Unusual Texas Shop Is Packed With Vintage Oddities, Curious Collectibles, and One-of-a-Kind Finds

Vintage shopping becomes much more dangerous when there is absolutely no way to predict what will be sitting on the next shelf. This...

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13 Unusual Wildlife Parks In Texas That Belong On Your Bucket List

Texas wildlife parks get considerably more interesting once the standard zoo routine is taken off the table. Around the state,...

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Texas Attractions Where The View Alone Is Worth The Drive

Some Texas attractions need rides, museums, guided tours, or elaborate activities to justify the mileage. Others simply require you to get out of the car, look around, and admit...

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This Unique Texas Restaurant Serves Both Southern And Authentic Indian Dishes

Choosing between chicken-fried steak and butter chicken is already difficult enough without one Texas restaurant putting both on the same menu.

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This No-Frills Texas Smokehouse Serves The Kind Of Barbecue That Makes A Road Trip Feel Completely Reasonable

There is a very specific moment on a Texas road trip when the smell of smoked meat makes whatever schedule you had feel suddenly negotiable.

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Hidden Deep In Texas Is A Campground With Water So Blue It’s Hard To Believe

Texas heat becomes much easier to tolerate when the campground comes with a clear river running right beside it. This riverside...

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Texas Is Home To An Incredible Indoor Campground That’s Perfect For Any Season

Camping gets dramatically easier to support when the weather is outside and your bed is safely inside. This Texas glamping...

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In The Texas Hill Country Town, This Small-Town Diner Is Worth The Stop For A Down-Home Country Breakfast

Breakfast gets better when nobody is trying to reinvent eggs. This small Texas diner keeps the morning menu firmly in comfort-food...

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In Texas, These 9 Gulf Coast Crab Houses Serve Blue Crabs That Make the Drive Worthwhile

Crab is not the meal for anyone trying to stay tidy, and honestly that is part of the fun. Along the Texas Gulf Coast, blue crabs are harvested year-round, with the strongest catches...

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This Free Texas Garden Has Stone Bridges, Koi Ponds, And A 60 Foot Waterfall Hidden Inside

Free attractions usually come with modest expectations, which makes this Texas garden feel almost suspiciously generous. What...

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Locals Say This Texas Swimming Hole Is One Of The State’s Best Late Summer Escapes

Late-summer Texas heat has a way of making any body of water look like an excellent life decision, but this riverside park has considerably more going for it than a place to cool...

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These 9 Texas Burger Joints Have Been Flipping Old-School Patties Longer Than You’ve Been Alive

Before burgers needed truffle sauce, towering toppings, or a bun held together with what looks like construction equipment, Texas had little joints doing perfectly fine with beef,...

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9 Texas Restaurants That Give You The Most Food For Your Money

Restaurant prices have gotten good at making people stare at menus like they are reviewing mortgage paperwork, so a genuinely generous plate feels especially satisfying now.

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What A $500 Weekend Looks Like In 8 Different Texas Towns

Five hundred dollars can feel surprisingly rich in one Texas town and suspiciously inadequate in another, which is exactly what makes comparing weekend getaways so interesting....

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10 Popular Texas Attractions I Wouldn’t Visit Twice and Why

Popularity is a funny thing. A Texas attraction can have thousands of glowing reviews, endless social media photos, and a parking lot packed by 10 a.m., yet still leave some visitors...

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Decades-Old Texas Restaurant Still Serves A Buffet Packed With The Comfort Food

There is something deeply reassuring about a buffet that has no interest in reinventing mashed potatoes. This Texas restaurant...

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A Historic Texas Mansion Still Has Its Original 1890s Furniture Inside

A road trip for bread sounds excessive right up until the bakery smell hits, and then suddenly the mileage feels completely reasonable.

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Don’t Visit These 10 Texas Destinations Before Reading This

Texas is enormous, which unfortunately means a disappointing attraction can waste both your money and a heroic amount of driving time.

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This Stunning Boardwalk Hike Is Texas’ Best Kept Secret for Outdoor Lovers

A coastal nature walk sounds relaxing enough, but this little Texas park adds birds, beach access, and seasonal butterflies to the deal.

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This Humble Texas Spot Serves French Fries So Good It’s Become a Local Hangout

French fries are usually the sidekick, but this Texas spot apparently got tired of watching burgers receive all the attention. The...

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Texas Has a Mexican Restaurant Where Big Flavor and Fair Prices Keep the Tables Full

A restaurant does not stay in business for more than three decades by relying on fancy plates and a photogenic wall. This...

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Texas Day Trips For People Who Have Already Done All The Obvious Stuff

Eventually, even the greatest hits of Texas travel start feeling a little too familiar. You have wandered the famous downtowns,...

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This Texas Lake Has A Sunken Forest Rising Straight Out Of The Water

A normal lake already has enough going on, but this Texas reservoir added an underwater obstacle course of trees just to keep things interesting.

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The Donuts At This Texas Bakery Are Almost Too Pretty To Eat And Almost Too Big To Finish

Some donuts are breakfast. Others arrive looking like somebody gave a pastry chef craft supplies and told them not to hold back. This...

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An Old Texas Feed Store Became A Restaurant Where The Building Is Half The Fun

Some restaurants spend a fortune trying to manufacture rustic charm, while this Texas spot started with the real thing. The...

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This Texas Candy Factory Lets You Watch Sweet Treats Being Made Through The Window

There are candy stores, and then there are places where taffy making becomes actual entertainment. This old-fashioned Texas...

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One Of Texas’ Coolest Bookstores Is Hidden Underground Where Most People Would Never Think To Look

Book lovers are used to hunting through crowded shelves, but finding the bookstore itself is part of the fun at this unusual Texas spot.

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A Secret Texas BBQ Steak Spot Hidden Away In The Countryside

The best Texas meat-and-potatoes meals are not always waiting under bright city lights, and this low-key roadside spot makes a strong case for heading somewhere quieter.

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This Secret Texas Restaurant Makes You Enter Through An Alley And Descend Into A Hidden Basement

Texas has plenty of restaurants with flashy entrances, but this one makes getting to the dining room feel like part of the story. The restaurant sits in the basement of a historic...

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This Texas Nature Preserve Feels Surprisingly Wild For A Place So Close To Downtown

Texas is very good at hiding surprisingly wild pockets of nature in places where you would expect traffic, rooftops, and errands instead.

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9 Easygoing Texas Walks That Feel Like a Mini Adventure

Not every Texas walk needs switchbacks, special gear, or a recovery snack the size of your head to feel worth leaving the house for.

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This Small Texas Town Has a Bakery So Good It’s a Local Road-Trip Ritual

Road trips have a funny way of making ordinary snacks feel urgent, but this Texas bakery gives travelers a much better reason to pull over than another bag of chips.

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This Texas Bakery Keeps Old World German Baking Traditions Alive In A Tiny Hill Country Town

Walk through the door and the smell hits you right away, warm bread, butter, and something sweet that you cannot quite name. It is the smell of tradition.

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This Texas Store Is Packed With Rocks, Fossils, Crystals, And Things You Didn’t Know You Wanted

A store where you can walk in for a simple rock and walk out with a bag full of crystals, fossils, and things you did not know you wanted. That is the magic of this Texas spot.

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The Texas All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Restaurant Where the Rolls Are Made Fresh And the Refills Are Endless

All-you-can-eat sushi sounds dangerous. Endless refills of fresh rolls, crispy tempura, and perfectly seasoned rice, all brought to your table as fast as you can order it.

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Crumbling Motels And Empty Streets Give This Texas Ghost Town An Unsettling Feel

A faded motel sign creaks in the wind. The gas station has not sold fuel in decades. And the only sound is the occasional car...

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The Oldest Café In Texas Is Filled With Fascinating Antiquities And Artifacts From Around The World

A cup of coffee is good. A cup of coffee surrounded by a century of history and artifacts from around the world is unforgettable.

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This Texas Wildlife Experience Costs Only $3 And Includes Access To Wetlands, Observation Areas, And Wildlife Viewing

A wildlife experience that costs three dollars. That is not a typo. This Texas spot is proof that seeing nature does not have...

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Why Texas Locals Refuse To Tell Tourists About This Massive Antique Mall

The locals know about it. They just are not telling. And honestly, can you blame them? This antique mall is massive, filled...

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This Charming Texas Bakery Feels Like Stepping Into A Small Town Tradition

A bakery where the smell of fresh apples and cinnamon greets you at the door. That is what you will find at this Texas spot. It...

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We Tried A Texas Breakfast Taco That Could Be The Best Bite Of Your Life

We had high expectations. And somehow, this taco still blew us away. A warm, fresh tortilla wrapped around eggs, cheese, and...

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Open Since 1909, This Historic Texas Grocery Store Is Still Famous For Its Homemade Deli Sandwiches

A grocery store that has been around since 1909 is not just a place to shop. It is a piece of history. And this Texas spot...

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9 Texas Beach Restaurants Locals Say Are Better Than Tourist Hotspots

The tourist traps have their place. But locals know where the real food is. These Texas beach restaurants are the kind of places...

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This Groovy Texas Thrift Store Feels Like a Treasure Hunt Straight Out of the Seventies

Bell-bottoms, lava lamps, and vintage signs that belonged in someone's grandma's basement. This thrift store is a time capsule. It...

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This No Kids Allowed Texas Spa Retreat Feels Like A World Away From Everyday Life

A place where the phones are off, the kids are not there, and the only decision you have to make is which treatment to book first. That is this Texas spa retreat.

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We Went Inside The Most Massive Grocery Store In Texas And Were Blown Away

We walked in expecting a regular grocery store. We walked out wondering how we had ever shopped anywhere else. This place is...

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This Texas Fabric Store Inside A Historic 150-Year-Old Building Has Shoppers Driving From Hours Away

A fabric store in a 150-year-old building is not something you see every day. But this Texas spot has turned its historic setting into a destination.

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Fresh Seafood, Local Produce, And Incredible Food Stalls Make This Texas Market Worth The Drive

A market that has everything you could possibly crave. Fresh seafood, local produce, and food stalls that smell so good you will want to try everything.

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9 Classic Texas Cafeterias Where You Can Still Eat For Surprisingly Cheap

A hot meal, a full tray, and a price tag that does not make you wince. That is what these classic Texas cafeterias deliver. They...

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This Enormous Texas Grocery Store Helps Families Save Thousands Every Year

A grocery store that can save a family thousands of dollars a year sounds like a dream. But it is real. This Texas spot is...

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One Of Texas’ Most Refreshing Natural Spring Parks Is Worth The Drive Any Time Of Year

Natural spring water that stays cool and clear no matter the season. That is the draw of this Texas park. The springs feed...

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We Ate Tex Mex In 10 Tiny Texas Towns And Here’s The Winner

A quest to find the best Tex Mex in small-town Texas sounds like a dream assignment. And honestly, it kind of was. We drove...

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This Giant Italian Marketplace In Texas Makes Fresh Pasta Daily And Serves Wall-To-Wall Comfort Food

Fresh pasta made daily. Walls lined with imported Italian goods. And enough comfort food to make you want to move in. That...

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Historic Ruin in Texas That Deserves a Spot on Your Bucket List

A frontier fort that was abandoned before it even had time to grow old. That is Fort Phantom Hill. Established in 1851 and...

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This Small Texas Town Has More Restaurants Per Block Than Most Cities And No One Talks About It

More restaurants per block than most cities. And yet, somehow, it does not get the buzz it deserves. This small Texas town...

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10 Areas In Texas With The Highest Reported Tick Populations This Summer

You love the outdoors. The ticks love you. It is a relationship nobody asked for. And this summer, Texas is seeing higher tick...

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This Massive Texas Spa Lets You Swim, Relax In Saunas, Work Out, Enjoy A Great Meal, And Do It All In One Visit

A day at the spa usually means a massage and maybe a quiet room. This Texas spot blows that out of the water. It is 110,000...

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A Texas Restaurant Winning Hearts With Great Tex Mex And A Commitment To Giving Back

Great Tex Mex is not hard to find in Texas. But a restaurant that serves amazing enchiladas and also gives back to the community?

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