chloe hartwell author at My Family Travels
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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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This Enchanting New Jersey Tea Room Is Actually A Real-Life Fairy Tale For Pastry Lovers

How would I describe this place in three words? Sweet, whimsical, irresistible. It’s the kind of spot where pastries look...

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This Quaint New Jersey Lighthouse Is Surrounded With Some Of The Most Delightful Oceanfront Gardens

Who says lighthouses can’t bloom with personality? In New Jersey, there’s one that’s literally rooted in charm, thanks...

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This Old-School New Jersey Tavern Has Been Serving Locals’ Favorite Bar Pie Since 1931

Since 1931, locals have been sliding into booths here for one thing above all: the bar pie. This old-school New Jersey tavern...

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The Oldest Tavern In New Jersey Is Hiding Inside A Perfectly Preserved 1720 Cabin

Forget the modern gastropub, this 1720 log cabin has been pouring pints since before the United States was even a country! Have...

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This New Jersey Boardwalk Offers A Salt Marsh Safari Jackpot For Every Nature Lover

Here’s something I never thought I’d say: New Jersey’s boardwalks aren’t just about funnel cakes and Ferris wheels; they’re also gateways to salt marsh safaris.

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This New Jersey Strip-Mall Gem Is Serving World-Class Sushi Flown In Straight From Tokyo

You stroll into New Jersey thinking it’s just another strip-mall pit stop, and suddenly world-class sushi is waiting for you. Not...

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The Only Place In New Jersey Where You Can Still See A 1940s Steam Engine Hauling Real Freight

Somewhere between scrolling through my phone and completely losing faith in interesting weekend plans, a friend casually mentioned a steam locomotive that still runs in New Jersey,...

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This Unassuming New Jersey Sandwich Shop Is Serving A Legendary 12-Ounce Ribeye Cheesesteak

You know those little New Jersey sandwich shops that look totally ordinary from the outside? Well, step inside and suddenly...

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This New Jersey Coffee Shop Is Known For Its Dog-Friendly Patio And Cozy Farmhouse Aesthetic

There are coffee shops, and then there are places that make you wonder why you ever settled for a drive-through cup of sadness. The...

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The New Jersey Restaurant Where Fine Dining And Classic Steaks Create Lasting Memories

This isn’t your average steakhouse, it’s a stage where fine dining and sizzling cuts steal the spotlight. Now imagine...

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The New Jersey Shore Town Where You Can Walk From Ocean To Bay In Under Five Minutes

You roll out of bed, grab your coffee, and within five minutes you’re standing between two entirely different bodies of water.

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A Giant Antique Store In New Jersey Packed With Treasures Worth Driving For

If you think New Jersey is only famous for high property taxes and not pumping your own gas, you clearly haven’t seen the size of the attic I found hiding in plain sight.

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This Senior-Friendly New Jersey Trail Features Stunning Bridges And French Countryside Charm

My knees and I had a serious conversation before this trip, and we agreed on one thing: no more trails that feel like obstacle courses.

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Experience The Incredible New Jersey Town That Rules As The Blueberry Capital Of The World

Nobody warned me that a small town in New Jersey could completely reroute my entire understanding of what a road trip should feel like.

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The Handmade Donuts At This New Jersey Bakery Are So Unforgettable, They’ll Be On Your Mind All Week

There are bakeries, and then there are places that hijack your thoughts for the rest of the week. My first bite happened on...

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New Jersey Has A Liquidator Warehouse Where The Prices Feel Like Someone Forgot A Decimal Point

My jaw literally dropped when I saw the price tag on a brand-new piece of electronics that cost less than my lunch. I had...

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The High-End New Jersey Steakhouse Where The Golden Hour Is The Only Garnish You’ll Ever Need

There are meals you forget by Monday, and then there are meals that permanently rewire your brain. Somehow, a beachfront steakhouse...

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The 1910 Neo-Gothic Tower That Casts A Shadow Over New Jersey’s Wealthiest Neighborhood

In one of New Jersey’s wealthiest neighborhoods, a towering stone relic from 1910 looms like something out of a gothic novel. It’s dramatic, a little eerie, and somehow charming...

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The Most Beautiful Dining Deck In New Jersey Where Lakeside Breezes And Homemade Pasta Rule The Night

You know those summer nights in New Jersey when the air feels just right? Now imagine sitting on a deck by the lake, fork...

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This Quaint New Jersey Town Lives Like It’s 1832, Preserving Traditions That Locals Still Cherish Today

If you’ve ever felt like the 21st century is just one long, loud notification you can’t silence, there’s a secret corner of New Jersey where the "offline" mode was perfected...

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This Tiny New Jersey Restaurant Serves A Half-Pound Patty Melt And The State’s Best Disco Fries

New Jersey has a way of turning even the simplest meal into a full-blown event. You sit down expecting a regular burger, and...

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This Massive Indoor Theme Park In New Jersey Lets You Ride A Roller Coaster And Race Go-Karts All Under One Roof

Nobody warned me that walking into a giant indoor amusement park would make me feel like a kid who just discovered the toy aisle for the first time.

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The Fascinating State Park In New Jersey That’s Easy To Miss But Worth The Trip

My GPS almost gave up on me before I even arrived, and for a second, I thought I was driving into someone's backyard. But...

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10 Beloved New Jersey Farmers Markets Where $35 Buys More Than You’d Expect

We’ve all experienced that heartbreak where a single artisanal lettuce costs more than your Netflix sub. But in New Jersey,...

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This Historic New Jersey Tudor Mansion Offers A Royal Culinary Experience Across 500 Acres Of Pastoral Beauty

New Jersey has plenty of surprises, but stumbling upon a Tudor-style mansion that doubles as a culinary playground feels straight out of a royal daydream.

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The Only New Jersey Market Where You Can Still Buy Your Week’s Dinner Like It’s 1948

Somewhere between grabbing a rope of Polish kielbasa and almost tripping over a basket of Jersey tomatoes, it hit me that this place operates on a completely different clock than...

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This Quaint New Jersey Town Fuses Small-Town Magic With Scones, Horses, And Wandering Lanes

There’s this little New Jersey town that feels like it’s playing tricks on you, in the best way. One minute you’re nibbling...

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This Enormous Book Haven In New Jersey Is Pure Paradise For Readers

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting lost in a sea of books, New Jersey has a spot that feels like it was built just for that. The...

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This Retro New Jersey Arcade Lets You Relive Gaming’s Golden Era

Step inside a retro arcade in New Jersey and suddenly it feels like you’ve stepped straight into the 1980s. Do you remember the thrill of dropping quarters into Pac-Man or Galaga...

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The Gigantic Flea Market In New Jersey Where $30 Loads Your Trunk With Treasures

Ever wonder how far thirty bucks can really go in New Jersey? At this flea market, it’s basically a golden ticket. You’ll...

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This New Jersey Antique Store Is A Journey Through History And Style

Walking into an antique store in New Jersey feels less like shopping and more like time traveling with a quirky tour guide. You’re...

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This Classic New Jersey Diner Proves Breakfast And Dessert Are Always Better Together

Ever find yourself craving pancakes but also eyeing the dessert case at the same time? In New Jersey, that little internal tug-of-war doesn’t have to end in compromise.

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The New Jersey Pancake Stop That Keeps Crowds Coming Back

There’s something about pancakes in New Jersey that feels like a tradition, isn’t there? The kind of stack that comes out fluffy, golden, and just begging for a drizzle of...

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This Underrated Restaurant In New Jersey Has A Beef Brisket That’s Pure Flavor Heaven

I’ll be honest with you, New Jersey surprised me with this one. I thought I knew what good brisket tasted like, but then I found myself at a little spot that completely rewrote...

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A New Jersey Thrift Store Where $16 Can Completely Upgrade Your Wardrobe

Sixteen dollars in New Jersey doesn’t usually scream “style revolution,” but in the right thrift shop it absolutely does. With...

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The Rock-And-Roll Taco Shop In New Jersey Where Water Is Served From Gas Cans Next To A 1968 Cadillac

Looking for a taco spot in New Jersey that serves up more than just flavor? This spot amps up the experience with a rock-and-roll...

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This Unassuming Vintage Shop In New Jersey Is Hiding Eclectic Treasures You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Manasquan is one of those Jersey Shore towns that sneaks up on you in the best way possible. Walking down Main Street on a...

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The New Jersey Family Farm Stand Overflowing With Fresh Veggies, Flowers, And Local Charm

Ever wondered where the perfect summer salad begins? Nestled in the heart of New Jersey, this family-run farm stand feels like a secret garden spilling over with crisp, rainbow-colored...

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This Giant New Jersey Vintage Store Lets You Load Your Backseat With Treasures For Next To Nothing

Strolling through a massive vintage haven in New Jersey feels like stepping into a treasure chest that’s been waiting just for you.

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This New Jersey Stable Is The State’s Most Popular Horseback Riding Destination

Here’s the deal: I didn’t plan on falling head-over-boots for a horse named Barney on a random Tuesday in Jersey. Nope…...

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This New Jersey Diner Serves Fried Fish So Good It Beats Every Other Dish On The Menu

Step aside pancakes and bacon, because this New Jersey diner has a fried fish that steals the spotlight. The crispy golden batter...

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A Stunning New Jersey Viewpoint Highlighting The State’s Natural Beauty

At 266 feet above sea level, Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands holds bragging rights as the highest natural point along the entire Atlantic Seaboard, stretching...

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The Incredible Second-Hand Shop In New Jersey Is Hiding Rare Toys That Could Be Worth A Fortune

It’s funny how second-hand shops often hold more treasure than brand-new stores... nostalgia has a way of turning toys into gold.

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Take This Historic New Jersey Train Ride For The Ultimate Stress-Free Day Trip

Honestly, I did not expect a train station tucked along a quiet South Jersey highway to completely change my idea of a perfect day trip.

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This Wild New Jersey Zoo And Museum Is Home To One Of The World’s Largest Bear Collections

Some zoos brag about lions, others about giraffes, but this New Jersey spot flexes with bears. Space Farms Zoo & Museum...

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This Dockside Raw Bar In New Jersey Is Where The Locals Go For Oysters Worth The Hype

Pulling up to a small dock, I honestly had no idea what I was walking into. The sign was modest, the parking lot was gravel,...

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The Haunted New Jersey WWII Bunker That Keeps Visitors Wondering What Lurks Inside

Standing on a quiet stretch of Cape May beach, I spotted something that stopped me mid-step. A massive concrete structure, half-swallowed by sand and overgrowth, loomed ahead like...

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The New Jersey Pizza Spot Locals Line Up For Night After Night

There are pizza places, and then there are places that make you rearrange your whole evening just to get there in time. Bricco...

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