chloe hartwell author at My Family Travels
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10 Oregon Towns That Are The Cutest In The Pacific Northwest

You want small town charm that still feels real and wonderfully alive. Oregon delivers that sweet spot with coastal gems, historic main streets, and mountain towns that invite...

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From Roller Coasters To Cotton Candy: Washington’s Parks Serving Thrills Daily

You want real thrills, bright lights, and the sweet whirl of cotton candy melting as fast as your plans change, and Washington delivers daily with style.

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Illinois Transforms The Magnificent Mile Into A Holiday Phenomenon You Won’t Believe

Chicago turns The Magnificent Mile into a glittering corridor each holiday season, and you can feel the excitement from the first step.

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Arkansas Small Towns Where Locals Avoid Downtown Because Of Nonstop Crowds

You have probably felt that mix of excitement and hesitation when a charming town becomes the place everyone wants to be. Arkansas...

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Colorado Shocks Travelers With Aspen’s Luxurious Holiday Scene Everyone Wants This Year

Aspen, Colorado is dazzling travelers this holiday season with a scene straight out of a winter dream. Snow-covered peaks frame streets lined with twinkling lights and luxury boutiques....

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The All You Can Eat Diner In Nebraska Locals Call “Unlimited Happiness”

You came for the comfort of a small-town diner, and you will stay for the easygoing rhythm that makes every visit feel like a victory lap.

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Texas’s Desert Town That Refused To Die After Everyone Left

You are about to meet a tiny desert town that should have vanished, yet it greets you with dusty charm and stubborn heart. Terlingua...

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Why Boston Locals Complain About Tourists Overrunning Faneuil Hall Holiday Markets

Boston in winter glows with lights, music, and the kind of festive energy that draws you into the action. Faneuil Hall Marketplace...

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Forgotten Pennsylvania Coal Towns Tourists Rarely Visit

You are about to wander into the quiet corners of Pennsylvania where coal once fueled busy streets and midnight shifts. These...

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Christmas Villages In North Carolina That Feel Straight Out Of A Winter Movie

North Carolina shines brightest when twinkle lights meet mountain air and coastal breezes, and this list is your shortcut to the merriest scenes in the state.

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10 Incredible Spots In Alaska To See Wildlife In Action

Alaska calls to anyone who craves the thrill of seeing wild creatures where they truly belong. Glaciers, fjords, and endless...

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12 Oregon Small Town Pizza Places That Rival The Big Cities

Oregon’s small towns may look sleepy, but their pizza game is wide awake. Forget skyscrapers - these pies stack flavor higher...

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Why Locals In This Washington Island Town Keep It Off Travel Guides

Friday Harbor is the main town on San Juan Island in Washington State. It serves as the county seat of San Juan County and is a hub for island transportation.

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Skip The Crowds And Discover Wisconsin’s Hidden Coastal Escape

Skip the crowds and discover Wisconsin’s hidden coastal escape in Door County. This peninsula offers a quieter side of Lake Michigan that many visitors overlook.

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The Coolest Mountain Town In Colorado You Won’t Stop Dreaming About After Visiting

You can feel Breckenridge the moment the mountain air brushes your face and the Tenmile Range fills your view. The streets...

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The Perfect Family Escape Awaits at Colorado’s High-Altitude Wildlife Haven

I woke my family before sunrise, promising them an adventure unlike any other in Colorado Springs. The drive up Cheyenne Mountain felt like climbing into a secret world where animals...

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Travelers Keep Breaking Rules In Indiana Amish villages – Here’s A Travel Lesson Angle

Indiana's Amish villages offer a peaceful glimpse into a simpler way of life, but many travelers unknowingly cross important boundaries.

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The Haunted Montana Resort That Breathes Through Cracked Windows

Tucked along the banks of the Missouri River in Fort Benton, Montana, stands a hotel where the past never quite left. The...

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Why The “Sleepiest” City In Maryland Is A Hidden Gem For Antique Hunters

New Market might look quiet at first glance, but that calm is exactly what makes treasure hunting here so rewarding. Stroll...

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Two Days Of Georgia Winter Backroads, Bonfire Stops, And Frost-Touched Small-Town Diner Stories

Picture yourself winding through misty mountain roads, sipping pine-scented coffee by a crackling bonfire, and ending each day in a cozy cabin tucked deep in the Georgia woods....

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7 Oklahoma Deserted Motels With Scary Legends

Oklahoma, with its vast stretches of Route 66 and rich history, holds within it stories that chill the spine. Deserted motels, once bustling with travelers, now stand silent, enveloped...

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5 Texas Motels With Stories Stranger Than Fiction

Texas is home to numerous motels that have become infamous for their unique stories and histories. From ghostly encounters to vintage charm, these motels offer more than just a...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Shacks In New Mexico Worth Finding

New Mexico is famous for its red and green chile, but there's another flavor treasure hiding in plain sight across the state. Tucked away in small towns and quiet corners, some...

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11 Hole-In-The-Wall Coffee & Biscuit Spots In South Carolina Worth Every Mile

South Carolina is famous for sweet tea, beaches, and southern hospitality, but hidden across the state are tiny coffee shops and biscuit joints that locals swear by. These aren't...

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Hole-in-the-Wall Cheesecake Shops in Alaska Worth the Flight

Alaska might be famous for glaciers and wildlife, but it hides some seriously amazing cheesecake spots that most visitors never find.

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Hole-In-The-Wall Pastry Houses In South Dakota Worth Visiting

South Dakota might be famous for Mount Rushmore and rolling prairies, but tucked away in its towns and cities are some seriously delicious pastry shops that deserve just as much...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Breakfast Bistros In Hawaii That Locals Keep Quiet

Hawaii is famous for stunning beaches and gorgeous sunsets, but there's another side to the islands that most tourists never discover. Hidden away from the crowded resorts and...

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The Abandoned Roadside Mall In Texas Where Small-Town Shopping Faded Away

Palestine Mall sits quietly along the Texas highway, a relic of a time when shopping malls were the heartbeat of small-town life. Once filled with families, teenagers, and shoppers...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Seafood Pubs In South Dakota Worth The Stop

South Dakota might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of seafood, but this landlocked state has some seriously tasty surprises waiting for you. Tucked away...

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The Forgotten Lakeside Carnival In Michigan That Reflects Different Skies

Silver Beach Amusement Park once stood as a shining jewel along the shores of Lake Michigan in St. Joseph. For decades, families flocked to this lakeside carnival to ride thrilling...

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The Abandoned Island Resort In Louisiana That Rings Its Bell Hourly

Off the coast of Louisiana lies a hauntingly beautiful place that once thrived with laughter and joy but now stands silent except for one mysterious sound. Last Island, also known...

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The Deserted River Hotel In Arizona That Floods Without Rain

Deep in the Arizona wilderness lies a place where history, nature, and mystery collide in the most unexpected way. The Verde Hot Springs Resort, once a bustling riverside hotel,...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Seafood Taverns In Pennsylvania That Locals Love

Pennsylvania might not have ocean views, but it sure knows how to serve up incredible seafood. Tucked away in neighborhoods and small towns across the state, you'll find hidden...

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The Cozy Hole-In-The-Wall Bakeries In Massachusetts That Feel Like Home

Massachusetts is a treasure trove of hidden gems, especially when it comes to bakeries. Nestled in quaint neighborhoods and bustling city corners are bakeries that evoke a sense...

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The Forgotten Hills Lodge In Vermont Where Guests Vanish After Check-In

Tucked away in the serene hills of Sudbury, Vermont, lies a relic of history - The Forgotten Hills Lodge. Known locally as Hyde Manor or Hyde’s Hotel, this once-grand destination...

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9 Hawaii Cities That Stay Under The Tourist Radar

Aloha, fellow wanderers! If you're like me, always on the hunt for those secretive spots away from the bustling tourist crowds, then buckle up because we're heading on a Hawaiian...

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The Desert Village In Arizona Where Christmas Was Left Behind

In the heart of the Arizona desert lies a tiny village that once promised endless holiday cheer. Santa Claus, Arizona, was a whimsical creation, intended to attract visitors and...

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The “Dull” Nebraska City That’s A Dream For Travelers Who Hate Crowds

Omaha, Nebraska often flies under the radar as a travel destination, but for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, it's a hidden gem. This city offers a blend of culture,...

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The Hidden Alaska Seafood Restaurant That Serves Dinner Beside Glaciers

Imagine stepping into a tram that climbs high above Alaska's rugged wilderness, then sitting down to a gourmet dinner with seven glaciers sparkling in the distance. That's exactly...

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The Secret Nevada Seafood Buffet Locals Call “The Ocean Underground”

Locals whisper about a Friday-night ritual on the far south end of Las Vegas Boulevard, tucked inside the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa. They call it “The Ocean Underground,”...

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The Abandoned Alaska Attraction That Time Froze In Place

Along a lonely stretch of the George Parks Highway in Alaska sits a towering four-story structure shaped like an igloo, abandoned and slowly crumbling into history.

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This Hidden Tennessee Rib Spot Has Become A Local Legend

Down a narrow alley in downtown Memphis, behind a nondescript door, lies one of the most celebrated barbecue joints in the entire South. Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous has been serving...

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Most Boring Towns In Connecticut That Feel Like Living In A Painting

Connecticut is full of surprises, from bustling cities to quiet countryside. Some towns here move at such a slow pace that they feel frozen in time, like stepping into a painting...

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The Small Tennessee Mountain Town Where Love Returns Every Autumn

Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg transforms into a magical wonderland every fall. Couples flock to this charming Tennessee town as the leaves turn...

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The South Carolina Island Resort That Locals Say Vanished From Maps After One Storm

Along the sandy shores of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, there's a story that has puzzled locals and historians for decades. McKenzie Beach, once a bustling island resort destination,...

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The Haunted Washington Oceanfront Resort That Locals Swear Still Hosts Guests

Perched along the rugged Washington coastline, the Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort has earned a reputation for more than just breathtaking ocean views and cozy accommodations.

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The Weird Laws In New Jersey Tourists Keep Breaking Without Even Knowing

New Jersey might be famous for its boardwalks, beaches, and incredible pizza, but it also has some of the strangest laws you'll ever hear about. Many visitors accidentally break...

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10 Free Adventures In Seattle That Are Perfect For Curious Travelers On A Budget

Seattle offers countless ways to explore without spending a dime, making it an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience the city's unique culture and natural beauty...

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The Ultimate List Of Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Nevada You’ll Want To Visit

Nevada is famous for its bright lights and big casinos, but some of the best food in the state hides in plain sight. Tucked away on side streets and in strip malls, hole-in-the-wall...

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The Realities Of Life On The Road Across Nevada’s Endless Highways

Nevada's highways stretch for miles and miles, cutting through some of the most remote and beautiful landscapes in America. Driving across this vast state means embracing solitude,...

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