chloe hartwell author at My Family Travels
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From This Towering New Jersey Monument The Skyline Expands Across Three States

I wasn't expecting much when I first heard about High Point Lookout, honestly. A monument in northern New Jersey that supposedly...

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Haunted Hayride Adventures Await At This Ranch In Ohio

What makes a hayride go from fun to unforgettable? At Spooky Ranch, located at Rockin R Ranch, 19066 E River Rd, Columbia Station, OH 44028, the answer is simple.

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13 New Jersey Towns With The Lowest Taxes That Locals Pick For Affordability

I've spent years exploring every corner of New Jersey, and I can tell you that finding a town with low property taxes in the Garden State feels like discovering hidden treasure....

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This Classic New Jersey Steakhouse Is Still Famous For A Salad Bar Locals Can’t Forget

What do you get when you mix medieval vibes, sizzling steaks, and a salad bar that’s practically legendary? This South Jersey...

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This Laid-Back New Jersey Spot Serves Seafood That Locals Swear Is Unmatched

Cape May is famous for its Victorian charm and sandy beaches, but locals know the real treasure sits right on the harbor. The...

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This Old-Fashioned Diner In New Jersey Has Mouth-Watering Eggs Benedict That Everyone’s Buzzing About

In the heart of Keyport, I walked into a diner that everyone seems to know, and for good reason. Broad Street Diner has built...

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The Serene New Jersey Town That Makes Everyday Life Fade Away

I didn’t plan on falling in love with Cranbury, but isn’t that how the best trips happen? One minute you’re chasing the...

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This New Jersey Scenic Hike Takes You From Tucked-Away Waterfalls To A Pristine Highland Lake

I’ve trekked a lot of trails, but nothing prepared me for the magic tucked away in New Jersey’s highlands. The Delaware...

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Step Into New Jersey’s Forest Cave That Holds Ice Age Mysteries

I stumbled deep into the woods of Warren County and found myself face-to-face with a geological wonder straight out of a fantasy novel. They call it the Fairy Hole, but honestly,...

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New Jersey’s Iconic Shack Still Frying Up Tradition After 75 Years

I can’t help but wonder - what’s it like to sit at a little waterfront shack that’s been serving golden fried fish since the Truman days?

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This New Jersey Spot Serves Ribs So Tender, They’ll Stay On Your Mind All Week

Ever wonder where real barbecue hides in New Jersey? I did too, until I found myself on South Plainfield Avenue, following a trail of smoke like it was a GPS signal.

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This New Jersey Buffet Lets You Build Your Own Custom Power Brunch Bowl

So here’s the deal: Fort Lee’s got a secret weapon, and it’s not another brunch spot with overpriced avocado toast. Nope......

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Top 10 Restaurants Serving The Best Lasagna In New Jersey

I've spent countless weekends zigzagging across New Jersey in search of the ultimate lasagna experience, and let me tell you, this state takes its Italian food seriously.

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15 Words And Phrases That Instantly Give You Away As A New Jersey Local

Let’s be real, New Jersey speaks its own language. And no, I don’t just mean the honking. Between two massive cities, a...

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10 Of The Safest Towns To Live In New Jersey, According To Locals

I’ve always found that New Jersey surprises me in the best ways. While some outsiders dismiss it too quickly, exploring the Garden State reveals a different story - one filled...

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The New Jersey Mountain Locals Don’t Want You To Find

I’ll let you in on a little secret: while most people are battling beach traffic down south, I found myself chasing the sky in Sussex County.

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10 New Jersey Bakeries Serving Authentic Bagels Made From Family Recipes

Walking into a true New Jersey bagel shop feels like stepping into someone's kitchen, where recipes passed down through generations create something magical every single morning....

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The Pine Barrens Hide A New Jersey Breakfast Spot You’ll Fall For

If breakfast had a time machine, it would drop you off at Evergreen Dairy Bar, 1643 NJ-70, Southampton Township, NJ 08088. This...

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This New Jersey Shore Walk Has Been Creating Family Memories For Generations

I’ll be honest - Ocean City’s boardwalk isn’t just a stretch of wood along the Atlantic, it’s a ribbon of pure nostalgia.

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This Forgotten New Jersey Village Feels Disturbing Even To Locals

Ever wondered what it’s like to stroll through a ghost story without turning a page? In the Watchung Reservation of New...

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The New Jersey Café Serving Pancakes So Good, Locals Hope It Stays Under The Radar

On a charming corner in Cape May, New Jersey, sits a breakfast haven that locals would prefer to keep as their little secret. The...

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The New All-You-Can-Eat Buffet In New Jersey Locals Are Flocking To

North Plainfield has a new claim to fame, and trust me, food lovers are buzzing about it. Eat Well Modern Buffet has taken the classic all you can eat idea and turned it into something...

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This Old Railway In New Jersey Lets You Discover The Shoreline One Pedal At A Time

If you've ever dreamed of exploring Cape May from a completely different angle, Revolution Rail Co. offers an adventure that's equal parts workout, history lesson, and nature tour....

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This Idyllic New Jersey Spot Is Straight Out Of A Storybook With Charm Around Every Corner

Chester, New Jersey is one of those places that feels like it was plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale book. Tucked...

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The Quirky Things In New Jersey That Outsiders Don’t Get But Locals Are Proud Of

New Jersey gets a bad rap from outsiders who just don't understand what makes the Garden State tick. From bizarre traffic patterns...

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This Colossal New Jersey Thrift Store Is A Treasure Trove You’ll Wander For Hours

Along Delsea Drive in Glassboro, New Jersey, sits a thrift store so sprawling and packed with treasures that you might just lose track of time wandering its aisles.

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10 Grocery Stores In New Jersey Famous For Their Top-Notch Meat Departments

New Jersey might be famous for its diners and boardwalks, but ask any local where they get their steaks, chops, and roasts, and you'll hear about the incredible meat departments...

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Locals Line Up Every Night At This New Jersey Restaurant Just To Have A Taste Of Their BBQ Ribs

When hunger strikes and only the best barbecue will do, locals in Matawan know exactly where to head. Big Ed's Barbecue at 305...

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This New Jersey Restaurant Serves Fried Clams That’ll Stay On Your Mind All Week

Boulevard Clams sits quietly on Long Beach Boulevard in Surf City, New Jersey, but locals know this unassuming seafood market and restaurant is one of the shore's best-kept secrets....

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9 Historic Villages In New Jersey That Transport You To The Past

New Jersey might be famous for its boardwalks and beaches, but in the corners across the Garden State are historic villages that feel like stepping into a time machine.

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The Burgers At These 10 Humble Restaurants In New Jersey Are Worth The Drive From Anywhere In The State

New Jersey has always been a haven for burger lovers who appreciate quality over flash. Hidden across the state are humble spots where the focus is on perfectly seasoned patties,...

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The Largest Hindu Temple In The Western Hemisphere Stands Proudly In New Jersey

New Jersey might be famous for its beaches and boardwalks, but tucked away in the quiet township of Robbinsville stands something far more extraordinary.

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The Massive Outlet Mall In New Jersey Where A Few Bucks Stretch Amazingly Far

Just minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport at 651 Kapkowski Rd in Elizabeth, New Jersey, The Mills at Jersey Gardens stands as one of the most impressive outlet shopping...

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The Humble New Jersey Restaurant Serving Deli Sandwiches Locals Hope Tourists Never Discover

How big can a deli get before it becomes legend? On King Georges Post Road in Edison sits Harold’s New York Deli (1173 King Georges Post Rd, Edison, NJ 08837), a spot locals...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Eateries In New Jersey Locals Never Tell Tourists About

New Jersey has a reputation for loud highways and crowded boardwalks, but tucked between all that hustle are some of the most delicious spots you'll never see on a tourist map....

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The Abandoned New Jersey Theme Park Locals Still Photograph More Than Anywhere Else

Deep in the heart of New Jersey lies a place where nature reclaimed what humans abandoned, creating one of the most hauntingly beautiful spots in the Garden State. Warner Bros.

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Locals Swear The Best Breakfast In The Mid-Atlantic Is Found At This Unassuming New Jersey Spot

Tucked along the Black Horse Pike in Pleasantville, New Jersey, sits a breakfast gem that has locals raving and visitors coming back for seconds. Essl's Family Restaurant, affectionately...

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The Huge Thrift Shop In New Jersey Where Every Corner Holds A Surprise

Hidden in the hills of northwestern New Jersey sits Scranberry Loft, the thrift store equivalent of Disneyland for treasure hunters.

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Next-Level Dessert Bars Putting New Jersey On The Sweet Map

New Jersey has quietly become one of the most exciting dessert destinations on the East Coast, with creative pastry chefs and dessert artists opening up shops that rival anything...

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Why Locals In New Jersey’s Tiny Shore Towns Get Annoyed When Tourists Show Up

New Jersey's small shore towns transform into bustling hubs every summer, drawing thousands of visitors eager to soak up sun, sand, and saltwater taffy.

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The Winter Shore Escapes In New Jersey Locals Protect For Themselves

New Jersey's shoreline transforms into something magical once summer fades and the crowds retreat back inland. The boardwalks...

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Why This Regional Staple Is Worth A Stop In Oklahoma

Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store in Oklahoma City is more than just a place to grab dessert; it’s a regional tradition. Known...

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9 Hole-In-The-Wall Seafood Pubs In South Dakota Worth Stopping By

South Dakota is not the first place most travelers think of for memorable seafood, yet that is exactly why the hunt is so fun. You...

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A Scenic Escape In Western New York Worth Visiting

You are about to discover why Letchworth State Park is often called the Grand Canyon of the East, and why it deserves a prime spot on your 2026 travel list.

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Oregon’s Coastal State Park Known For Cozy Campsites And Outdoor Fun

Tucked along Oregon’s rugged coast, Fort Stevens State Park blends history with outdoor adventure. Visitors can pitch a...

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New York’s Forgotten Oddity Might Be The Attraction Worth Visiting More Than Once

You can feel New York history shift under your feet the moment the Smallpox Memorial Hospital appears in the mist across the East River.

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Missouri Grocery Meat Rankings Reveal The Freshest Cuts For Shoppers

Missouri shoppers know that the meat counter can feel like a treasure hunt. From sizzling steaks to tender roasts, every cut...

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This Texas Ghost Town Serves Up Chili And Charm Every Year

Terlingua sits at the edge of Big Bend country, where the desert glows gold and the stories feel close enough to touch. You...

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Florida’s Oldest City Is Becoming The New Weekend Hotspot

Weekends feel different the moment you cross into St. Augustine, where brick lanes, palm shade, and salty air lead you toward adventure.

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The Quiet Kansas Town Travelers Call The Best Place To Reset

Small towns hit differently when you need a true reset, and Lindsborg in Kansas delivers that peaceful pause with heart. You...

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