asa whitlock author at My Family Travels
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People Travel Miles Across Texas Just for the Homemade Pies at This Restaurant

Stephenville, Texas, might not be the first place you think of when planning a road trip, but locals and travelers alike know better.

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A Texas Thrift Store Where $16 Can Completely Upgrade Your Wardrobe

Tucked away on South Broadway Avenue in Tyler, Texas, sits a fashion treasure chest that has savvy shoppers buzzing with excitement. Uptown Cheapskate Tyler at 4540 S Broadway...

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This Texas Flea Market Is a Giant with 5,000 Vendors and Food for Every Craving

Tucked away in East Texas, about an hour southeast of Dallas, lies a treasure hunting paradise that transforms the small town of Canton into a bustling marketplace four days every...

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This Texas Festival Feels Completely Bizarre But Locals Love It

Picture a world where knights thunder past on horseback, jesters tumble through dusty lanes, and everyone around you wears velvet capes and leather boots like it's the most natural...

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This Enormous Texas Antique Store Keeps Everyone Wandering for Hours

Walking into Lone Star Mercantile feels like stumbling onto a treasure map where X marks every single spot. Located at 2031...

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People Can’t Stop Driving Across Texas for These Legendary Onion Rings

West Texas isn't exactly where you'd expect to find one of the state's most talked-about restaurants, but Lowake Steak House in tiny Rowena has become a full-blown phenomenon....

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The Abandoned Texas Town in the Middle of Nowhere That Everyone is Flocking To

Deep in the dusty heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, where tumbleweeds roll past crumbling adobe walls and the nearest traffic light is a solid hour away, sits Terlingua, Texas.

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This Texas Mansion Looks Private but It’s Actually a Restaurant

Ever driven past a stately mansion in Dallas and wondered who lives behind those grand doors? Tucked along the prestigious Turtle Creek Boulevard sits a stunning estate that looks...

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This Texas Restaurant Locals Save for Special Occasions Only

Travelers exploring Houston's vibrant culinary scene often stumble upon a restaurant that locals whisper about with reverence, saving their visits for life's most meaningful celebrations....

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Texas Restaurants Locals Trust Without Checking Reviews

Texas is home to some of the most legendary restaurants in the country, places where locals have been eating for generations without ever needing to scroll through online reviews....

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Texas Small Towns That Look Charming Online but Feel Different in Reality

Texas small towns often appear picture-perfect in online photos, with charming main streets, historic buildings, and promises of authentic Southwestern hospitality. Social media...

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This Texas Small Town Locals Say Is Getting Too Much Attention

Nestled in the rolling hills west of Austin, Dripping Springs has transformed from a quiet Texas hideaway into one of the most talked-about destinations in the Hill Country.

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This Texas Ghost Hotel Locals Say You Should Never Stay In

Towering over the quiet streets of Mineral Wells, Texas, stands a 14-story monument to a bygone era. The Baker Hotel, once...

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Texas Locals Say This Overlooked Buffet Deserves Way More Respect

Tucked along Jacksboro Highway in Fort Worth, Pancho's Mexican Buffet stands as a colorful reminder of a bygone era when all-you-can-eat Mexican restaurants ruled the dining scene...

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Underrated Texas Food Spots Locals Say Still Feel Authentic

Texas has always been a place where food tells a story, and the best stories are often found in the most unexpected corners. While...

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Texas Places Locals Warn You Not to Explore Alone

The Lone Star State stretches across vast deserts, dense forests, and sprawling prairies, hiding secrets in every shadowy corner. Some...

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These Texas Small Towns Know Food Better Than Big Cities

Texas has always been a place where food tells a story, and nowhere is that story more authentic than in the state's small towns.

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This Texas Restaurant Looks Ordinary Until the Food Hits the Table

Tucked away in the tiny town of Lexington, Texas, sits a modest building that could easily be mistaken for just another roadside structure.

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Hidden Texas Waterfalls That Locals Believe Are Pure Magic in Winter

Texas might be famous for its wide-open plains and desert landscapes, but tucked away in its hills and canyons are some of the most breathtaking waterfalls you'll ever encounter.

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These Texas Cafes Feel Extra Cozy After a Day Wandering Small Towns

Small-town Texas holds a special kind of magic that you won't find anywhere else in the Lone Star State. After spending hours...

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A Look Inside New York’s Highest Priced Luxury Hotels

New York City has always been a magnet for those seeking the finest things in life, and nowhere is this more evident than in its collection of ultra-luxurious hotels.

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The Factors That Make Washington, D.C. Easy for Tourists to Get Around

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, sits along the Potomac River and borders Maryland and Virginia. Visitors...

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These Soul Food Restaurants in Oklahoma Feel Like Places Families Pass Down

Oklahoma's soul food scene carries stories that stretch back decades, where recipes travel from grandmother to granddaughter and restaurant booths hold memories of countless family...

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These Hawaii Places Are Known for Being Quiet, Uneventful, and Surprisingly Restful

Hawaii is famous for its stunning beaches, vibrant luaus, and bustling tourist hotspots, but not every corner of the islands is filled with crowds and excitement.

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These Florida Keys Seafood Spots Locals Avoid During Peak Tourist Season

The Florida Keys stretch like a necklace of tropical islands connected by the scenic Overseas Highway, offering some of the freshest seafood in the entire country.

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Miami, Florida Neighborhoods Locals Say Tourism Has Made Hard to Enjoy

Miami shimmers along Florida's southeastern coast like a jewel dropped into turquoise waters, where the Atlantic Ocean kisses sandy shores and palm trees sway in the subtropical...

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What Increased Visitor Traffic Is Doing to This Oregon Town’s Historic Core

Astoria sits at the very edge of Oregon where the mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, creating a dramatic landscape of rolling hills, Victorian homes, and misty waterfront...

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These Oregon Restaurants Are the Ones Locals Quietly Try to Keep to Themselves

Oregon's food scene stretches far beyond the trendy spots that crowd travel guides and social media feeds. Scattered across...

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Under-the-Radar Buffets in Illinois Locals Keep to Themselves

Illinois might be famous for deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, but hidden across the Prairie State are incredible buffets that most travelers never discover.

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Maryland Seafood Buffets Where Freshness Is the Main Draw

Maryland's coastline is famous for serving some of the freshest seafood in America, and nothing showcases this bounty quite like the state's incredible seafood buffets.

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9 Delaware Small Towns That Have Become Increasingly Crowded With Visitors

Delaware's coastline once offered peaceful retreats where visitors could escape the noise of everyday life. Over the years,...

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10 Lesser-Known Breakfast Buffets in Pennsylvania Worth Visiting

Pennsylvania holds a special place in American breakfast culture, particularly in its quieter corners where family-run establishments have perfected the art of the morning spread.

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Amish Country in Illinois Is Open to Visitors, but Its True Heart Remains Hidden

Tucked away in the heart of Illinois, far from the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and the bustling highways that slice through the Prairie State, lies a quiet world that seems...

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Strange Unspoken Rules Leave Travelers Curious in Kentucky’s Amish Regions

Rolling hills and farmland stretch across Kentucky's countryside, where Amish communities have quietly built their lives for generations.

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10 Nevada Small Towns Often Missed but Well Worth a Weekend

Nevada stretches far beyond the glittering lights of Las Vegas and the bustling casinos of Reno. Tucked into valleys, perched...

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11 Peaceful Florida Towns That Appeal to Seniors Seeking Quiet Weekends

Florida's charm extends far beyond its bustling theme parks and crowded beaches. Tucked throughout the Sunshine State are quiet...

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How an Oklahoma Fried Chicken Spot Became a Road Trip Rite of Passage

Tucked away in the tiny town of Okarche, Oklahoma, population just over 1,200, sits a legendary establishment that has drawn hungry travelers for generations.

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10 Maryland Towns That Let History Do the Talking

Maryland's landscape tells stories that span centuries, from colonial settlements to Civil War battlegrounds. Scattered across...

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Why Every Winter Traveler in Alaska Stops at This Cinnamon Roll Cabin

Tucked away in the small mountain town of Talkeetna, Alaska, sits a historic lodge that has become legendary among winter travelers for one irresistible reason: its world-famous...

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This Nevada Valley Looks Almost Too Empty to Be Real

Ruby Valley sits in the heart of Elko County, Nevada, where the landscape stretches so wide and untouched that it feels like stepping into another world entirely.

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South Dakota Places Where People Stop Longer Than Intended

South Dakota holds a special place in the American road trip experience. Travelers often find themselves drawn to this prairie...

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Visitors Say This Haunted Iowa House Never Feels Empty

Tucked away in the quiet streets of Villisca, Iowa, at 508 E 2nd St, stands a modest white house that has become one of America's most infamous haunted locations.

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8 Colorado Wellness Cabins Perfect for a Digital Detox

Colorado's mountain landscapes offer more than just stunning views and fresh alpine air. They provide the perfect backdrop...

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A New Mexico Town Built Around Art, Color, and Chaos

Tucked into the Ortiz Mountains along the scenic Turquoise Trail, Madrid is a tiny New Mexico town that refuses to blend into the desert landscape.

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Why This Indiana Town Feels Suspiciously Well Preserved

Tucked into the rolling hills of Brown County in southern Indiana, Nashville stands as a picture-perfect village that seems frozen in time.

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The Hidden Arizona Desert Village Locals Use as Their Winter Escape

Tucked deep within the Grand Canyon's winding valleys lies Supai, Arizona, a remote desert village that few travelers ever discover.

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10 Arkansas Mountain Towns That Feel Untouched by Modern Travel

Arkansas's mountain towns hold secrets that modern tourism hasn't fully discovered. Tucked into the Ozark and Ouachita ranges,...

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10 Oklahoma Lake Towns Locals Say Tourism Has Ruined

Oklahoma's lake country has long been a peaceful refuge where locals enjoyed quiet weekends by the water, fishing in solitude, and gathering at small-town diners without waiting...

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8 Oregon Towns That Lost Their Quiet After Being Discovered

Oregon has always been a place of rugged beauty, from its windswept coastline to its forested valleys and charming small towns tucked between mountains and sea.

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What Tourists Never See Inside Pennsylvania’s Amish Communities

Lancaster County sits in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where rolling farmland stretches beneath wide open skies and horse-drawn buggies share the roads with modern cars.

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