chloe hartwell author at My Family Travels
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Most People Drive Past This New Jersey Ghost Town, But The Floating Bridge Is Worth The Detour

You have probably driven right past it a hundred times. I almost did too. That exit comes up fast, and most people just keep...

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This Dog Daycare In New Jersey Is Basically A Five-Star Hotel For Your Furry Best Friends

You drop off your pup and there are no sad eyes in the rearview mirror. That is the dream, right? This place offers fully interactive...

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The Gentle 1-Mile Hike In New Jersey That Leads You Right To A Hidden Waterfall

Not every adventure needs to leave you gasping for air or reaching for a knee brace. Sometimes the best treasures come with...

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This Animal Sanctuary In New Jersey Offers 43 Acres Of Freedom For Rescued Farm Animals

Imagine 43 acres where the only bosses are goats, pigs, and a very opinionated rooster. That is the magic here. Every animal...

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This New Jersey Bookstore Is Named After Its Faithful Shop Dog Who Greets Every Customer

Who needs a bookmark when a book dog does the job better? Seriously, this four legged librarian has mastered the art of the welcome.

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This 18th-Century New Jersey Ironmaster’s Mansion Is A Museum By Day And A Paranormal Hotspot By Night

Wait, did that candle just flicker on its own? Or was it the wind? This 18th century New Jersey beauty plays tricks like that...

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10 New Jersey Small Towns That Feel Like Stepping Into A Different Century

Let me paint you a picture. Porch swings creaking gently in the afternoon breeze.

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This French Patisserie Feels Like A Slice Of Paris Right Here In New Jersey

There is a universal moment of weakness where a buttery croissant completely overrules any sensible lunch plans you had. This...

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This National Historic Landmark In New Jersey Is A 582-Acre Time Capsule Of American Industry And Gilded Age Luxury

The ironmasters who fueled the American Revolution once stood on these porches. You can practically hear the clang of their...

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This Flat And Friendly New Jersey Path Is Lined With Bridges That Belong In A Painting

Not every trail needs to punish your knees to be memorable. This one proves the opposite. Flat, wide, and wonderfully gentle,...

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12 Filipino Restaurants In New Jersey Serving Authentic Island Cuisine

My aunt once told me that the fastest way to visit the Philippines is through your stomach. She was not wrong. Scattered across...

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The New Jersey Soul Food Joint Where The Food Takes A Minute But Comes Out Hot, Fresh, And Absolutely Worth It

Pull up a chair and get comfortable, because something good is happening in that kitchen. This little soul food spot in New...

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This Mountain Loop In New Jersey Takes You Past Waterfalls, Scenic Gorges, And High-Country Meadows

Step over the rocks and listen for the rush of the creek. This New Jersey loop delivers two small waterfalls, a rocky gorge...

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The Former Tuberculosis Sanatorium In New Jersey Is Now A Reservation Park With An Eerie Past

Talk about a breathtaking recovery. Two determined women pushed to open it back in the early 1900s, and what started as a...

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New Jersey’s Grandest Wooden Landmark Was Built By Shipbuilders In 90 Days And Still Wows Audiences

What do you get when you hand a bunch of shipbuilders some hammers and tell them to hurry? A wooden wonder that still steals...

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Top 10 New Jersey Towns Being Recognized As The Healthiest In The State

Let me be honest. When I think of healthy towns, I picture sad smoothies and people jogging with serious expressions. But these...

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This New Jersey Sunset Cruise Gives You A 360 Degree View Of The NYC Skyline While You Dine And Dance On The Water

The city lights are showing off, and you have the best seat in the house. No crowds on the sidewalk. No taxis honking.

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This Vibrant New Jersey Neighborhood Nook Is Secretly Serving The Best Authentic Tacos In The County

This vibrant New Jersey neighborhood nook hides a delicious surprise; it’s serving the county’s best tacos. I used to...

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The New Jersey Beach Town With So Few Residents You Will Feel Like You Discovered A Secret

Let me ask you something: when was the last time you had a beach almost entirely to yourself? This tiny slice of New Jersey...

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This New Jersey Artisan Boutique Is Packed With Handmade Gifts And Craft Workshops

Have you ever walked into a shop and felt an immediate urge to make something with your own two hands? That is exactly what...

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The Italian Restaurant In New Jersey That Changes Its Menu Every Three Months Based On What Local Farms Can Provide

You will not find a freezer here. No walk in fridge either. That is a bold move, but this place wears it like a badge of honor....

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This New Jersey Italian Bakery Started As A One Room Shop And Became A Local Food Destination

Let us be honest. You do not just walk into a place like this for bread. You walk in for the smell of butter and nostalgia,...

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This Surreal Outdoor Living Room Made Of Stone Furniture Is Hidden Atop A New Jersey Mountain

Hikers have been building and rebuilding this stone furniture for decades. No one knows exactly who started it, but the circular...

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This New Jersey County Park Offers Scenic Trails, Lakes, And Hidden Woodland Beauty

You forget you're in America's most crowded state. That's the trick. Winding through Bergen County towns, this New Jersey park...

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The Best Gelato In New Jersey Is Hiding Inside This Father-Son Run Italian Café

You don't need a plane to Italy. New Jersey has the real thing, hiding in plain sight. The air smells of roasted espresso beans...

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The New Jersey Farm Market Where Homemade Pies And Donuts Steal The Show

The smell of warm apple cider donuts drifts across the parking lot before you even lock the car. This New Jersey market feels...

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This New Jersey Cow Farm Will Make You Think You’re In Scotland

Nobody warned me that a quick drive through Flemington, New Jersey would end with me standing face-to-face with the fluffiest, most dramatically-haired cow I had ever seen in my...

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This New Jersey Trail Feels Like Walking Through A Hidden Wilderness Dream

You step onto the path and within minutes, the outside world vanishes. No traffic hum, no phone buzzing, just the soft crunch...

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These Small New Jersey Towns Are Quietly Known For Their Historic Charm, Cozy Bakeries, And Road Trip Appeal

Forget the Turnpike. The real New Jersey hides in plain sight, in small towns where the coffee is strong and the history whispers from peeling porch rails.

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11 Suspension Bridges In New Jersey That Showcase Engineering And Scenic Views

New Jersey has more than just diners and traffic jams. It has suspension bridges that will make you stop mid step just to stare. Some...

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13 Remote New Jersey Spots Serving The Best Pork Roll Sandwiches

There are few things in life as satisfying as biting into a perfectly made pork roll sandwich, and New Jersey does it better than anywhere else on the planet.

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This Family-Owned New Jersey Burger Joint Uses A Special Blend Of Chuck, Short Rib, And Brisket In Every Patty

Most family secrets involve awkward reunions. This New Jersey family secret involves beef. Three cuts. One glorious patty.

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This West Virginia Town Is A Living Monument To Coal Miners’ Courage And Appalachian Resilience

Some towns just feel different. You walk the quiet streets and swear the walls could talk. This West Virginia town witnessed...

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At Just 37 Percent Capacity, This New Jersey Reservoir Now Looks More Like Mudflats And A Moonscape

You'd expect a sparkling lake, but this New Jersey reservoir is serving major moonscape vibes instead. At just 37% capacity,...

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Why This West Virginia Town Is Ranked As The Second Best Place To Retire In All Of America

Forget Florida. This small West Virginia town just ranked as the second best place to retire in all of America. Affordable...

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They Say New Jersey Is Home To The Most Legendary Roast Beef Sandwich Ever Made

What do you get when you cross a century old family recipe with a Thursday only sandwich? The most legendary roast beef in...

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This Amish Market In West Virginia Keeps Drawing Crowds Week After Week

An Amish market in West Virginia keeps drawing crowds week after week for one simple reason: it is that good. The bread comes...

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These 10 Stunning New Jersey Parks Are The Absolute Best Places To Picnic This May

May is the sweet spot for picnics in New Jersey. The weather is gentle, the grass is green, and the bugs have not yet formed...

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The Rural Town In West Virginia Where Affordability Makes Retirement Simple

Retirement calculators are depressing. This West Virginia mountain town isn't. Up in the southern highlands, your savings can...

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This New Jersey Park Has A Creek Where You Can Sift For 72-Million-Year-Old Fossils

Grab a sifter and some old sneakers because this New Jersey creek is about to make you feel like a real paleontologist. The...

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A Victorian Escape In New Jersey Where Afternoon Tea Reigns Supreme

Somewhere between putting on my fanciest cardigan and convincing myself that afternoon tea counts as a full personality trait, I ended up standing in front of a gorgeous Victorian...

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The 20-Foot Troll Made From Scrap Metal Is Hiding In A New Jersey Forest And He Wants You To Visit

Deep in a New Jersey forest, a 20 foot giant made of scrap wood and rusty nails is hiding behind the trees. His name? Big...

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This Historic River Town In West Virginia Is Stunningly Beautiful, Yet Rarely Mentioned

Have you ever found a place so lovely you wanted to keep it a secret? This West Virginia historic town is that sneaky little...

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The Ice Cream Stand In New Jersey Where Summer Lives All Year Long

You know that feeling when you want a scoop of mint chip and the calendar says otherwise? New Jersey ignores calendars. That's...

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This New Jersey Japanese Kitchen Serves A Multi-Course Omakase In A Sleek, Modern Dining Room

You want a Japanese omakase in New Jersey that doesn't require a flight to Tokyo or a second mortgage? This sleek modern dining...

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This New Jersey Path Rewards Hikers With Stunning Overlooks And Natural Beauty

You will be climbing over rocks and dodging muddy patches, but the reward is a sweeping view of a shimmering pond and a river winding through the valley below.

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This New Jersey Church Has A Cemetery With Graves Dating Back To The 1700s And Stories Even Older

Before the Revolutionary War, before the nation existed, this New Jersey church was already gathering souls under its roof. The...

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This 18th Century New Jersey Home Welcomed Presidents And Helped Shape A Nation

A Georgian mansion built in 1750, this New Jersey landmark once welcomed George Washington for lunch on his way to becoming the first president .

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The Best Cheeseburger In New Jersey Is Served Inside This Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant

You know that feeling when you bite into a burger and the juice runs down your chin before you even taste the pickle? That...

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10 Quirky New Jersey Towns That Are Eccentric, Haunted, And Absolutely Worth Visiting

Some New Jersey towns have Victorian ghosts. One has a six story elephant. Another has a prison where inmates never left. And...

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This New Jersey Korean Barbecue Spot Serves Wang Kal Bi That Rivals NYC

So there you are, inside a strip mall in New Jersey, and suddenly your clothes smell like a campfire. That is how you know...

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The Best French Hot Dogs In New Jersey Are Served In A Basement Under An Italian Restaurant

Ever seen a hot dog that requires a hollowed out baguette? This New Jersey basement spot stuffs Sabrett franks into crusty...

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This Speakeasy-Style New Jersey Sushi Spot Is Hidden Inside A Ramen Shop And Serves A 17-Course Omakase

Ever walked through a ramen shop to find a secret sushi bar hiding in the back? That is exactly the adventure waiting in Jersey...

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This New Jersey Italian Restaurant Just Opened Its Doors And It Is Already Drawing Crowds

What happens when a guy who already runs four popular restaurants opens a fifth? New Jersey is about to find out. This brand...

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11 Authentic New Jersey Restaurants That Aren’t Tourist Traps And Locals Actually Love

Forget the fancy rooftop spots with tiny portions and enormous bills, because New Jersey has been quietly serving some of the most honest, soul-satisfying food in the country for...

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The Hidden New Jersey Log Cabin Mansion Built By One Of The Leaders Of The Arts And Crafts Movement

On 30 acres in Morris County sits a log cabin mansion that the undisputed leader of the American Arts and Crafts movement built as the heart of his utopian dream.

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This New Jersey Nature Preserve Offers The Absolute Best Views Of High Mountain Across The Water

You know those spots that make you stop mid-hike and say, “Okay, this view deserves its own postcard”? This preserve is...

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The New Jersey Seafood Restaurant That Brings New England Chowder And Lobster Bisque To Life

Have you ever tasted a lobster bisque so creamy it makes you forget you are sitting in a strip mall? This New Jersey seafood...

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This Historic New Jersey Farm Was The First In The State To Go Solar And Is Still Run By The Same Family After 150 Years

You know that rare kind of place that's been doing things right for so long, it doesn't even need to brag about it? This is...

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This Restricted Island Sanctuary Guards The Wildest Views Of The Delaware River

When someone first told me about a secret island sitting right between two major cities, I assumed they were exaggerating. A...

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