chloe hartwell author at My Family Travels
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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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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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