beckett lawson author at My Family Travels
Article
This New Jersey Landmark Has Been Perfecting Its Legendary Thin-Crust Pizza Since 1950

Look, New Jersey takes its pizza seriously, and this landmark has been sliding legendary thin-crust pies out of its oven since 1950, back in Eisenhower’s day when “extra cheese”...

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This Tiny New Jersey Island Is Only Accessible By A Pedestrian Footbridge And Feels Worlds Away

You have to cross a wooden footbridge to get there, and that is exactly when New Jersey starts to feel like a secret. This...

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This New Jersey Auto Graveyard Is A Haunting Time Capsule Of 20th-Century American Cars

Go ahead and say it one more time. "They do not make them like they used to." That phrase actually means something here.

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The Best Stuffed Focaccia In New Jersey Is Found At This Top-Rated Italian Bakery

I've eaten a lot of focaccia in my life, but the version at this top-rated Italian bakery actually made me stop mid-bite and just stare at it for a solid five seconds .

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This Small-Town New Jersey Cafe Is Home To The State’s Most Whacky Comfort Food

In a little New Jersey town sits a café that refuses to play by the rules of comfort food. Forget plain grilled cheese or...

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The Only Aquarium On Earth Where You Can Come Face-To-Face With Giant Nile Hippos Is In New Jersey

Where else can you lock eyes with a giant Nile hippo without booking a safari? In New Jersey, the impossible suddenly feels...

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This Cuban Restaurant In New Jersey Offers A Tropical Escape That Transports You Straight To Havana

Imagine finding yourself in a mini-vacation spot where the décor screams “tropical fiesta.” Bright murals, palm-splashed...

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This Iconic New Jersey Record Store Holds Over 100,000 Records And Is A Must-Visit For Music Lovers

Walking into a place where every wall, every shelf, and every corner is packed with music feels like stumbling into a treasure chest someone forgot to lock.

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The New Jersey Mega Mall Where Outlet Deals And Indoor Attractions Share One Roof

This New Jersey mega mall feels like stepping into a world where shopping and fun collide. Outlet deals tempt you at every...

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The Unassuming New Jersey Shop Dedicated Entirely To Unique Spices And Hard-To-Find Teas

New Jersey has plenty of quirky shops, but let me tell you, this one is a flavor playground. Walk in and you’re instantly...

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The Obscure New Jersey Hole-In-The-Wall Serving Perfectly Crispy Pressure-Fried Chicken Since 1970

From the outside, it looks like nothing more than a roadside shack you might ignore. I nearly turned around, convinced my GPS had betrayed me.

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This Little-Known New Jersey Arboretum Offers Miles Of Quiet Trails Winding Through Towering Trees

Honestly, I expected a small patch of grass with a few labeled shrubs and maybe a bored squirrel staring at me. What actually...

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This 1980s-Style New Jersey Deli Is Serving The Reuben Of Your Dreams (But You’ll Need Three Friends To Finish It)

Behold a Reuben so massive it looks like it was built in the 1980s along with the deli itself. The sandwich towers with layers...

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11 Little-Known New Jersey Beaches So Good We Almost Kept Them Secret

You know that feeling when you find a beach so perfect you genuinely consider not telling anyone about it? That happened to...

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The Best-Kept Secret In New Jersey Where Modern Fabrics And Quilting Magic Meet

I’ve always maintained that the real letdown of a New Jersey weekend is when your hobby starts feeling like a chore, usually because you’re stuck staring at the same tired...

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12 New Jersey Towns Losing Residents Due To Record-High Property Taxes And The Rising Cost Of Suburban Living

Nobody warns you that moving to New Jersey might feel like signing up for a financial obstacle course with a beautiful skyline view.

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These 12 New Jersey Haunted Houses Are Real Paranormal Hotspots

Ever wondered if Jersey’s ghosts are just bored locals who forgot to move on? These haunted houses are less “fixer-upper” and more “phantom hangout.”

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The Only Thing Better Than The Irish Nachos At This New Jersey Lodge Is The Lake View

From the first bite of those Irish Nachos, you’ll know this lodge is more than just a cozy retreat. With gooey cheese, crisp...

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Once You Try The Prime Cuts In This New Jersey Steakhouse, You Become A Regular For Life

My relationship with steak has always been complicated, mostly because I kept settling for mediocre cuts that left me wondering what all the fuss was about.

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The Forgotten New Jersey Ghost Village Hiding In A Valley Where Cell Service Doesn’t Exist

My phone lost signal somewhere between a sharp curve and a canopy of old oak trees, and honestly, that was the first sign I was heading somewhere truly different.

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This New Jersey Lakeside Tavern Serves Up Stunning Waterfront Views For The Perfect Afternoon

Have you ever found a New Jersey spot that feels less like a local eatery and more like a front-row seat to a private nature show?

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This New Jersey Bar Lets You Catch The World Cup Final With Elite Gourmet Sandwiches

New Jersey has a bar that somehow makes watching the World Cup final feel like a gourmet event. Instead of just fries and wings, you’re handed sandwiches so fancy they deserve...

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The Most Unexpected Coffee Shop In New Jersey Serving The Best Ube Pandesal In The State

Nobody ever told me that the best coffee experience in New Jersey would be hiding inside an office building. Seriously, I...

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The New Jersey Chocolate Lab Where Easter Eggs Are Hand-Painted With Actual Gold

Walking into this boutique feels less like visiting a candy store and more like entering a high-end art gallery where everything happens to be edible.

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12 Legendary Trenton, New Jersey Eateries That Belong On Your 2026 Bucket List

My stomach had no idea what it was getting into, and honestly, neither did I. Some cities hide their best food secrets down...

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This New Jersey Trail Lets You Discover Three Hidden Waterfalls In Less Than A Mile Of Hiking

Honestly, I packed snacks for a two-hour hike and ended up standing in front of a stunning waterfall in about seven minutes flat. My jaw dropped so fast I nearly lost my trail...

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This Cat Lounge In New Jersey Lets You Trade Coffee Shop Noise For Purrs While You Sip A Latte From Next Door

In New Jersey, there is a lounge where the soundtrack isn’t clinking cups or laptop keyboards; it’s steady purrs. Instead...

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This Historic New Jersey Train Offers Seasonal Excursions Through Breathtaking Landscapes

Did you know New Jersey is home to a train that feels like a moving postcard? Seasonal rides take you through landscapes so pretty you’ll want to press your face against the...

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This New Jersey Thrift Store Makes Style, Savings, And Giving Back Possible

New Jersey thrift stores can be goldmines if you know how to dig. Here, the racks are packed with quirky finds, from vintage...

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Top 12 Restaurants Along New Jersey’s Shore To Visit This Spring

Spring at the Jersey Shore isn’t just about dusting off your flip-flops; it’s about loosening your belt a notch too. The...

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This Charming New Jersey Village Features 114 Historic Tents Arranged Near The Sea

Have you ever wandered into a neighborhood that feels like a literal time machine from the late 1800s? Ocean Grove is a charming...

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This Underrated New Jersey Town Is A Secret Most Locals Don’t Even Know Exists

New Jersey has plenty of towns you’ve heard of, but this one feels like it slipped through the cracks on purpose. It’s...

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10 New Jersey Cinnamon Rolls Worth The Early Alarm

There’s something about cinnamon rolls in New Jersey that makes waking up early almost worth it. The smell alone could drag...

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This Scenic New Jersey Escape Combines Purple Fields And Playful Alpacas

Did you know alpacas hum when they’re curious or content? It’s like their own little soundtrack to life. Now picture that...

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This Historic New Jersey Village Is A Treasure Trove Of Antiques And Authentic Amish Food

New Jersey has a village that feels like it was designed for curiosity. Antique shops line the streets, each one packed with relics that make you wonder who owned them before.

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The French Onion Soup At This Steakhouse In New Jersey Is A Must-Taste Classic

Okay, so here is the thing: I did not drive to Princeton, New Jersey expecting a bowl of soup to completely steal the show. I...

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From Karting To Road Racing, This New Jersey’s Motorsports Paradise Has It All

If you’ve ever thought New Jersey was just about diners and boardwalks, think again. This place is basically a playground for anyone who loves speed.

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Why This Local New Jersey Favorite Is The Ultimate Destination For A Traditional Jersey Plain Pie

New Jersey has plenty of pizza spots, but there’s one local favorite that takes the plain pie to legendary status. The kind...

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10 Must-Visit Portuguese Restaurants Serving Flavorful Traditions Across New Jersey

The first time I visited Newark's Ironbound district, I genuinely thought I had taken a wrong turn into Lisbon. The smell...

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New Jersey Locals Drive Miles For Apple Fritters That Are Crispy, Sweet, And Totally Worth It

There are two kinds of people in New Jersey: those who have been to this bakery, and those who are seriously missing out. I...

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Mountains, Models, And Miniature Magic: This New Jersey Wonderland Is An Absolute Small-Scale Marvel

New Jersey has a knack for hiding wonders in plain sight, and this one feels like stepping into another universe. Imagine...

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Sleep Among The Pines In New Jersey’s Magical Riverside Hideaway

I wasn't expecting much when I first turned onto Godfrey Bridge Road, just another campground tucked somewhere in the Pine Barrens.

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The One New Jersey Destination Where 18th-Century History Meets World-Class Design

Honestly, I showed up to Princeton expecting a stuffy campus full of serious people whispering in Latin, and instead found myself completely charmed by a place that somehow makes...

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This Legendary All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant Is So Good People Drive Across New Jersey For It

Every once in a while, a restaurant pops up that feels less like a meal and more like a celebration, and this all-you-can-eat buffet is exactly that.

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This Award-Winning Coffee Shop In New Jersey Is Loved For Bold Espresso Flavors And Crumb Cake

There’s a buzz in New Jersey, and it starts at Spire Coffeehouse, where the aroma alone feels like a warm welcome. The talk...

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The Legendary Crumb Cake That Made A New Jersey Bakery Famous

If you’ve ever wondered why a single slice of cake can turn a humble shop into a statewide legend, you’re in for a treat. Imagine...

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This Under-The-Radar Antique Store In New Jersey Is A Wonderland Of Retro Finds

There is something about stepping into a place that feels like time slowed down just for you. Walking into Red Bank Antiques...

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This Four-Story New Jersey Antique Mall Has The State’s Most Bizarre Artifacts

I've wandered through countless antique stores across the country, but nothing quite prepared me for this treasure trove. The...

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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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A New Jersey Hike Through The Forest Of A Thousand Tiny Eyes

I set out for a hike at Gnome Hollow Nature Preserve, expecting trees, trails, and maybe a squirrel or two. Instead, I found myself surrounded by what felt like a thousand tiny...

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This Historic New Jersey Coffee Shop Captures The Perfect Small-Town Vibe

If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a cozy, small-town movie set without the dramatic plot twists, Jersey Java and Tea Co. in Haddonfield is your destination.

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Why This Century-Old Bakery Is Still A New Jersey Icon

Walking into Carlo's in Hoboken feels like a warm, buttery hug from 1910 that survived the fame of reality TV. The scent of...

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New Jersey’s 350-Acre Safari Park Lets You Get Surprisingly Close To Exotic Animals

I thought New Jersey was all diners and boardwalks, but then I found myself face-to-face with a giraffe. Driving through 350 acres of safari felt less like Jersey and more like...

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12 Beginner-Friendly Hikes In New Jersey To Tackle This Spring

I still remember the first time I laced up my sneakers and stepped onto a trail in New Jersey, half-expecting it to be boring and flat.

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10 Essential Stops To Taste New Jersey’s Legendary Tomatoes

I never thought much about tomatoes until I bit into one at a roadside farm stand in New Jersey. The juice ran down my chin, and the flavor was so sweet and tangy it made every...

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Mistaken Beliefs About Pennsylvania’s Amish Communities

Have you ever thought you “knew” the Amish, only to realize most of it came from TV or tourist brochures? That’s the tricky part, so many of us carry around half-true ideas...

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The Rugged New Jersey Hike That’s More Stunning Than You’d Ever Expect

I'll admit I had my doubts when I first heard about the Giant Stairs Palisades. How could a trail so close to the city offer...

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The Restaurant That Makes Cheesecake The Star Of New Jersey Nights

I’ll admit it: I don’t go here for dinner, I go here for cheesecake. Who needs entrées when dessert is clearly the headliner?...

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The New Jersey Coffee Hub Brewing A Full Feb-Brew-ary Of Events And Viral Vegan Treats

I wandered into Catfight Coffee on a frosty February morning, and wow... talk about a wake-up call. Forget your plain latte...

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11 Ethnic Food Stores In New Jersey That Keep Traditions Alive

New Jersey has always been a melting pot, and I swear the best proof of that is hiding in its incredible ethnic food stores. Walking...

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