cassian brooks author at My Family Travels
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A Tiny Texas Spot Serving What Some Call America’s Best Tacos

Tucked away in a downtown Austin alleyway, Taqueria De Diez has earned a reputation that stretches far beyond Texas. Travelers from California to New York hunt down this hidden...

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A Texas Car Museum So Cool You’ll Want to Make the Trip

Fort Worth, Texas, is home to one of the most unexpected treasures in the Lone Star State: the DFW Car & Toy Museum, located at 2550 McMillan Parkway.

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Texas Antique Stores People Accidentally Spend Hours In

Walking into a Texas antique store with a quick 15-minute plan sounds reasonable until you glance at your watch and realize three hours have mysteriously vanished.

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11 Texas Restaurants Serving Dishes So Good People Come Back Weekly

Texas has always been a place where food is more than just a meal. It's a tradition, a gathering point, and a reason to celebrate life with every single bite.

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This Texas Border Town Has One of the Most Underrated Food Scenes in the State

Laredo sits right on the Texas-Mexico border, where the Rio Grande winds through dusty landscapes and the air smells like fresh tortillas every morning.

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This Texas Steakhouse Locals Say Is Worth the Price

Tucked away in Farmers Branch, Texas, Cattleack Barbeque has earned a reputation that stretches far beyond its unassuming location on Gamma Road.

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This Texas Attraction Locals Either Defend or Absolutely Despise

Standing in the heart of downtown San Antonio at 300 Alamo Plaza, The Alamo draws millions of visitors each year who come to witness the place where 189 defenders made their legendary...

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The Texas City That Surprises First Time Visitors the Most

El Paso sits tucked into the westernmost corner of Texas, where the Franklin Mountains rise dramatically against desert skies and the Rio Grande traces the international border...

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Texas Places Locals Walk Past Daily That Leave Visitors Stunned

Texas stretches across landscapes so vast and varied that even lifelong residents can miss the remarkable treasures hiding in plain sight.

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How This Oklahoma Small Town Became a Weekend Magnet

Tucked away in the pine-covered hills of southeastern Oklahoma, Broken Bow has transformed from a quiet lumber town into one of the state's most sought-after weekend destinations.

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The Oregon Mountain Town That Runs on One Main Street and a Lot of Trust

Tucked into the northeastern corner of Oregon, where the Wallowa Mountains rise like ancient sentinels above alpine meadows and glacial valleys, sits the small city of Joseph,...

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These Small Towns in New Hampshire Are the Ones Locals Hope Stay Under the Radar

New Hampshire holds secrets in its hills and valleys that most travelers miss entirely. While tourists flock to the well-known...

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Weekend Trips Across Texas That Revolve Around Barbecue and Buffets

Texas stretches wide across the American South, offering travelers rolling hills, sprawling ranches, vibrant cities, and small towns where smoke rises from pit houses at dawn.

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9 Underrated Places in Oklahoma That Work Well for a Weekend Away

Oklahoma holds a treasure trove of hidden destinations that rarely make it onto mainstream travel lists, yet they offer some of the most memorable weekend experiences you could...

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8 Hole-in-the-Wall Oklahoma Barbecue Taverns That Operate Mostly by Word of Mouth

Oklahoma's barbecue culture runs deep, threaded through small towns and city corners where smoke curls from weathered buildings and locals gather around tables that have seen decades...

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10 Oklahoma Winter Road-Trip Stops That Are Better in Cold Weather Than Summer

Oklahoma transforms into something magical when winter arrives, with landscapes that come alive under crisp skies and frosty mornings.

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What Keeps Travelers Coming Back to This Southern Comfort Favorite in Tennessee Again and Again

Nashville attracts visitors from every corner of the country, drawn by live music, vibrant culture, and a food scene that celebrates Southern tradition with every bite.

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How This Arkansas Restaurant Reinvented European Comfort Food in the South

Tucked away on North Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock, Arkansas, The Pantry Restaurant has become a destination for travelers craving authentic European comfort food with a Southern...

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7 California Weekend Trips That Rarely Feel Worth the Cost

California stretches from golden beaches to snow-capped mountains, offering weekend escapes that promise unforgettable memories and stunning landscapes.

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9 Texas Weekend Getaways That Don’t Quite Match the Hype

Texas spans nearly 270,000 square miles of diverse terrain, from Gulf Coast beaches to desert mountains, offering travelers countless weekend escape options.

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8 Places in Oklahoma You Only Stop for Gas and End Up Eating Instead

Oklahoma sits along the historic Route 66, where endless highways meet small towns full of charm and unexpected culinary treasures.

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How Day Trips Turn Into Overnight Stays in These 12 North Carolina Towns

North Carolina holds a special magic that catches travelers off guard in the best possible way. What starts as a casual drive...

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Arizona Border Towns That Live Off Passing Traffic

Arizona's border with Mexico stretches nearly 400 miles, creating a unique ribbon of communities that depend almost entirely on the constant flow of vehicles passing through.

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Why Road-Trippers Always Stop for This One Lowcountry Classic in South Carolina

Travelers crisscrossing the scenic backroads of South Carolina often find themselves drawn to Charleston, where history whispers from cobblestone streets and salt air mingles with...

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10 Michigan Buffets That Remain Popular With Local Residents

Michigan is home to some of the most beloved buffets in the Midwest, where locals return time and again for heaping plates of comfort food and international flavors.

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Bakery in Oregon So Good Travelers Re Route Their Entire Trip for It

Tucked along the historic waterfront of Astoria, Oregon, Blue Scorcher Bakery has earned a reputation so powerful that travelers adjust their entire itineraries just to walk through...

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10 Alabama Historic Towns With Amazing Southern Cuisine

Alabama's historic towns serve as living museums where the past mingles effortlessly with the present, creating destinations that capture the imagination of travelers seeking authentic...

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Small Town Charm Meets Art in This New Mexico Village

Santa Fe, nestled in the high desert at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has captivated travelers for centuries with its distinctive blend of artistic energy and historic...

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Where Wyoming Hides Its Most Serene Alpine Lake

Tucked into the heart of Grand Teton National Park in Teton County, Wyoming, Jenny Lake rests at the base of some of the most dramatic mountain peaks in North America.

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10 Missouri Small Towns That Feel Shockingly Underrated

Missouri holds treasures far beyond its bustling cities, tucked away in river valleys, perched on bluffs, and nestled among rolling hills.

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Where Wisconsin Locals Escape for Quiet Weekends Far From Crowds

Tucked along the western shore of Door County's peninsula, Fish Creek rests quietly beside the shimmering waters of Green Bay, offering a peaceful retreat that Wisconsin locals...

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The Quietest Little Lighthouse Village in Connecticut Everyone Overlooks

Tucked away on a slender peninsula jutting into Little Narragansett Bay, Stonington Borough remains one of Connecticut's best-kept coastal secrets.

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The Colorado Cliffside Walk That Turns Into a Fairytale Each Winter

Tucked away in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, the town of Ouray transforms into a winter wonderland that seems plucked straight from a storybook.

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8 Arizona Buffets Everyone Seems to Return To

Arizona's culinary landscape offers more than just desert vistas and Southwest flavors. cattered across the state, from Scottsdale...

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How Indiana Thrift Stores Turned Into Essential Road Trip Stops

Indiana stretches across the heart of the Midwest, where small towns dot the landscape between sprawling farmland and bustling cities.

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7 Nebraska Thrift Corners Only Serious Bargain Hunters Know About

Nebraska might be known for its sprawling plains and agricultural heritage, but serious bargain hunters know there's another treasure waiting in its small towns and cities.

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Why New Yorkers Avoid Rockefeller Center When the Christmas Tree Goes Up

Rockefeller Center, located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, transforms into one of the most famous holiday destinations on Earth every winter when its...

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The Texas Town Considered “Dull” Until Travelers Actually Visit

Marfa, Texas sits in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert, about 200 miles southeast of El Paso, and for decades many people drove right past it without a second glance.

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Inside a Quiet Ohio Community Lies a Kitchen Turning Tradition Into One of the State’s Best Meals

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Walnut Creek, Ohio, Der Dutchman stands as a beacon for travelers seeking authentic Amish home cooking that feels like stepping into a grandmother's...

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The Largest Amish Buffet in America Draws Thousands Every Weekend

Tucked away in the rolling farmland of East Earl, Pennsylvania, Shady Maple Smorgasbord has earned its reputation as the largest Amish buffet in the entire country.

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10 Reasons Colorado’s Quiet Villages Don’t Feel Quiet Anymore

Colorado sits where the high Rockies tumble into open sagebrush country, and that collision of landscapes creates a magnetic pull you can feel in your chest.

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The Most Underrated Ohio Village Locals Don’t Mention to Visitors

Yellow Springs, OH, has the kind of quiet charm that locals instinctively protect, like a favorite trail they whisper about only to close friends. You feel it the moment you stroll...

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The Missouri Lakeside Town Locals Secretly Hope Travelers Never Find

Kimberling City, MO, is the lakeside town that glides under the radar while quietly stealing hearts with its glassy coves and gentle hills.

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The Creepy Mansion in California With a Maze That Leads Nowhere

Step onto the grounds of the Winchester Mystery House at 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, California, and you will feel a chill that has nothing to do with the weather.

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A Cozy Little River Town Perfect for Winter Weekend Getaways

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia settles beside the meeting of two rivers and feels tailor made for winter weekends when the air turns crisp and the light softens.

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The Kansas Country Café With Amish Style Pies Locals Love

Nestled in the charming town of Yoder, Kansas, at 10002 S Yoder Rd, Carriage Crossing Restaurant and Bakery has become a beloved destination for pie enthusiasts and travelers alike....

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Wisconsin’s Hidden Horse Drawn Winter Routes Travelers Are Loving for Slow Travel

Exploring Wisconsin’s horse-drawn winter routes offers travelers an enchanting escape into the serene landscapes of the state’s countryside.

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The Mississippi Town Locals Call Boring but Stargazers Call Heaven

Nestled in the heart of Mississippi, Port Gibson offers more than meets the eye. Known for its serene landscape and historical...

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The Hidden Wisconsin Forest Town Visitors Discover by Accident

Nestled amidst the vast Northwoods, Eagle River, Wisconsin, is a gem that many stumble upon by chance. Known for its serene...

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10 Quiet Florida Towns That Make The Ideal Winter Getaway

Ah, winter in Florida! While everyone else is shivering under layers of wool and despair, you're about to discover some secret havens of warmth and tranquility. Imagine swapping...

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