chloe hartwell author at My Family Travels
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This Middle-Of-Nowhere New Jersey Restaurant Is Famous For Its Giant Pretzel And Cozy Atmosphere

You might think you took a wrong turn. The road gets quiet. The trees close in. Then you see it. A warm glow spilling from...

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This New Jersey Trail Is A Scenic And Shaded Summer Day Hike With A Trestle Over The Peckman

This New Jersey trail is your perfect escape from the summer heat. The path follows an old railroad line, so it stays gloriously flat and easy.

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This New Jersey Animal Sanctuary Lets Visitors Feed And Pet Rescued Animals

Get ready for some serious animal therapy. This New Jersey sanctuary is the kind of place where goats walk right up and introduce...

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The New Jersey Places Where You Can Watch Your Food Being Made From Start To Finish

There is something deeply satisfying about watching your meal come to life. The sizzle of a pan. The cloud of flour dust....

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This Gorgeous New Jersey Beach Town Might Just Be The Prettiest Small Town On The Shore

A place where the ocean meets quiet charm and summer days stretch out like a lazy sigh. This New Jersey shore town has been called the Greta Garbo of the coast.

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The Creepiest Abandoned Tunnel In New Jersey Has Been Flooded For Generations

Some places are creepy by reputation. This New Jersey tunnel is creepy because of what is inside, or rather, what has been inside for generations.

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This New Jersey Mexican Bakery Serves Pan Dulce So Fresh, Locals Can’t Stop Coming Back

Walk in. Breathe deep. Sugar. Cinnamon. Pure happiness. That is the welcome...

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People Are Going Out Of Their Way For The Donuts At This Tiny New Jersey Shop

People are driving across state lines for these donuts. Literally. This tiny New Jersey shop has built a reputation so fierce...

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This Restored New Jersey Farmhouse Was Home To Eight Generations Of The Hartshorne Family

Walk through the doors of this New Jersey farmhouse and you step into a story that spans nearly three centuries. Eight generations...

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You Can Kayak The Hudson With Manhattan Views At This Top-Rated New Jersey Outfitter

Grab a paddle and leave the city chaos behind. This top-rated New Jersey outfitter gets you out on the water with front-row seats to an iconic skyline.

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This New Jersey Bagel Shop Is A Local Favorite For Its Taylor Ham Sandwiches

A Taylor ham sandwich is a serious thing in New Jersey. People have opinions. Strong ones.

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This Enchanted New Jersey Garden Was Once A Private Estate And Is Now Open To The Public

Some gardens just look pretty. This one feels enchanted. You have probably strolled through public gardens before. Well-manicured...

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Visit This New Jersey Bakery For Philly-Style Pretzels Made From Scratch Daily

Let us talk about pretzels. Not the sad, stale ones from a gas station. We are talking about warm, golden, twisty perfection...

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This New Jersey Animal Shelter Has Been Giving Homeless Pets Second Chances Since 1941

Some shelters hold animals in cages. This one holds them in hope. A small but fierce team of people who believe every scruffy...

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A Quiet New Jersey Town Has Turned Public Spaces Into An Open-Air Sculpture Garden

You have probably driven through towns with a statue or two. A war memorial in the square. A bronze figure in front of city...

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This New Jersey Marsh Has A Quiet Boardwalk That Feels Miles Away From The Nearby Highways

The highway hums in the distance, but you would never know it from here. You have probably driven past marshlands before,...

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This Beloved New Jersey Tavern Might Serve The Best Garlic Crab In The State

There are a few signs that a restaurant truly understands seafood. The air smells like garlic and butter. The tables are covered...

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This Massive New Jersey Grocery Store Helps Families Save Thousands Every Year

Imagine walking out of a grocery store with bags full of food and a smile on your face. No sticker shock. No regret. Just pure...

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This New Jersey Entertainment Center Is The Perfect Place To Spend Your Summer Days

Summer in New Jersey comes with a question. How do you beat the heat and the boredom at the same time? The answer is hiding...

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One Bite Of This New Jersey Shawarma And You Will Be Planning Your Next Trip Back

Your first bite will be a revelation. The second bite will be a confirmation. By the third, you will already be mentally booking...

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This Unassuming New Jersey Cemetery Is Filled With More Famous Names Than You Might Expect

A quiet road in Paramus. A modest entrance. Most people drive past it every day without a second thought. Inside, the names...

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This New Jersey Market Is A “Dream Come True” For Italian Food Lovers

A decent Italian market is one thing. This New Jersey spot is something else entirely. The place sprawls out like a food lover's...

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Feel The Rush Of Freefall Without A Parachute At This New Jersey Indoor Skydiving Center

Flying without a plane. Floating without a parachute. That is exactly what you get at this New Jersey wind tunnel.

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This New Jersey Seafood Market Lets You Pick Fresh Fish And Have The Kitchen Cook It On The Spot

I have a confession. I love fish, but I hate cooking it. The smell. The timing. The fear of overcooking something I just paid...

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11 Affordable New Jersey Family Adventures That Won’t Break The Bank In 2026

Let us be honest. Family outings can get expensive fast. Tickets. Parking. Snacks. Souvenirs.

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The Pasta Plates At This New Jersey Italian Restaurant Are Nearly Too Big For One Meal

You know that moment when the server sets down a plate and you instinctively lean back? That is exactly what happens here. The...

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This Free New Jersey Sculpture Park Hides Contemporary Art Among Wildflowers And Forest Trails

Wander down a winding forest path and suddenly a towering metal figure emerges from the greenery. That's the magic of this free New Jersey sculpture park, where art and nature...

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This New Jersey Diner Serves Portions So Massive You’ll Probably Need A To-Go Box

Warning: come with an empty stomach or prepare to surrender to the to-go box. The portions at this classic New Jersey diner are absolutely legendary, and I promise you won't finish...

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This Tiny New Jersey Railroad Station Became Famous After Appearing In A Beloved Indie Film

Some movie locations become stars in their own right, and this tiny New Jersey railroad station is proof of that. The humble depot stole hearts across the globe when it appeared...

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13 New Jersey Restaurants That Stay Packed Without Spending A Dime On Advertising

Word of mouth is the only marketing these places need. Across New Jersey, certain restaurants stay consistently packed without ever running a single ad. The secret? Unforgettable...

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This Lively New Jersey Waterfront Restaurant Pairs Fresh Seafood With Sunset Views And Summer Music

The sun dips low over the water, painting the sky in shades of gold and coral. At this lively New Jersey waterfront restaurant, the evening show is just beginning. Fresh seafood,...

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This Historic New Jersey Churchyard Feels Like A Walk Through The Colonial Past

The oldest headstones tilt at gentle angles, their weathered inscriptions barely legible after centuries of rain and wind. This quiet churchyard in New Jersey holds stories that...

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This Small New Jersey Town Has A Bakery So Good It’s Becoming A Local Road Trip Tradition

I've driven two hours out of my way just for a single pastry from this place. The Gingered Peach has become something of a pilgrimage site for anyone with a sweet tooth in New...

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This New Jersey Buffet Serves A Mountain Of Seafood For One Flat Price

Crab legs pile high, shrimp glisten on ice, and the scent of garlic butter drifts through the air. This New Jersey buffet delivers a seafood feast that seems almost too good to...

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The Cozy New Jersey Café Where Homemade Lunches Taste Like Someone’s Best Family Recipe

Ever tasted something that instantly transports you to your grandmother's kitchen? That's the kind of magic brewing at this cozy little café in New Jersey. Every single dish here...

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Local Legend Claims The Devil Was Once Imprisoned Inside This New Jersey Stone Tomb

Deep in the woods, an eerie stone structure stands as a monument to one of this state's strangest legends. Locals whisper that the devil himself was once trapped inside this mysterious...

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A Visit To This New Jersey Alpaca Farm Might Be The Cutest Part Of Your Vacation

Nothing prepares you for the sheer adorableness of a hundred fluffy faces staring back at you. This charming alpaca farm is guaranteed to melt your heart within seconds. I promise...

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This Haunted New Jersey Walking Tour Brings Chilling Local Legends To Life All Summer Long

As twilight settles over the streets, shadows start to stretch and stories come alive in the most unsettling way. This walking tour through the Garden State's most historic corners...

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This Massive New Jersey Boardwalk Water Park Turns A Summer Beach Day Into A Full-Blown Splash Adventure

The sun is blazing, the boardwalk is buzzing, and your beach day is about to get a serious upgrade. This massive New Jersey water park turns a simple trip to the shore into an...

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This New Jersey Restaurant Combines Steaks With Stunning Manhattan Skyline Views

Perched atop a cliff within Eagle Rock Reservation, this historic spot pairs its panoramic views with a menu that has earned it a reputation as a top destination in New Jersey...

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This Haunted New Jersey Steakhouse Serves Prime Cuts Inside A Historic Stagecoach Stop

Picture this: you're savoring a perfectly grilled steak while ghosts from the 1800s supposedly watch from the corner. That's the deliciously eerie experience waiting at this historic...

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This New Jersey Sanctuary Gives More Than 400 Rescued Farm Animals A Peaceful Place To Live

Imagine wandering through rolling green pastures where hundreds of rescued animals finally know what safety feels like. That's exactly what awaits at this heartwarming sanctuary...

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This Old-School New Jersey Pizzeria Has Been Serving Classic Pies Since 1969

The Sicilian-style slices are thick, the sauce is tangy, and the old-school charm has been drawing crowds since 1969. This New Jersey spot is a local legend with that unmistakable...

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12 New Jersey Towns With Fascinating Name Origins You Need To Know

New Jersey is a state where a simple drive can feel like a crash course in history and linguistics. The names on roadside signs often hold secrets far stranger than you might expect....

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This New Jersey Farm Offers The Rare Chance To Ride One Of The World’s Most Impressive Horse Breeds

Some horses are built for speed, others for grace, but these giants were built to turn heads. Tucked in the rolling hills of New Jersey, this farm gives you a rare chance to ride...

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This New Jersey Creamery Makes Every Scoop From Scratch With Local Organic Ingredients

The cream is local and organic. The fruits come from nearby farms. Every scoop is made entirely from scratch, right in the shop. This is the simple, delicious promise of an ice...

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This New Jersey Buddhist Retreat Feels Worlds Away From Everyday Noise

Ever had one of those days where the noise of the world just feels like too much? This place is the antidote. Set on 32 wooded...

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This Enormous Thrift Store In New Jersey Is A Treasure Hunter’s Dream

One person's donation becomes another person's victory dance. That is the beautiful cycle happening every single day at this massive space.

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This New Jersey Hot Dog Spot Serves Creative Dogs You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Hot dogs are having a moment. This New Jersey spot has made them a full-blown movement. You have probably had a hot dog before....

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This Charming French Bakery In New Jersey Serves Pastries That Taste Like Paris

You do not need a plane ticket to taste Paris. This New Jersey bakery proves it with every buttery bite. You have probably...

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This 400-Foot New Jersey Overlook Offers One Of The Best Free Manhattan Skyline Views

No ticket booth. No velvet rope. Just 400 feet of pure skyline magic. You...

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This Clifftop New Jersey Lookout Delivers Sweeping Hudson River Views Just Minutes From Manhattan

Some views make you reach for your phone. This one makes you forget you have one. The Hudson glides below. The Palisades rise...

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This Colonial New Jersey Mansion Hosted George Washington Before He Became President

Before he was on the dollar bill, George Washington was just a guest with great taste. You have probably visited historic homes before.

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10 Kinds Of People Who Make New Jersey Beach Days Far More Annoying Than They Should Be

There is something almost magical about packing up the car, rolling down the windows, and heading toward the Jersey Shore with nothing but a good mood and a cooler full of snacks....

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This Rustic New Jersey Cabin Resort Turns A Summer Weekend Into A Waterfront Adventure

Some cabins give you a bed and a view. This one gives you a playground on the water. You have probably done the whole cabin...

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12 Beachfront Playgrounds Along The New Jersey Shore Worth Planning A Family Day Around

A day at the beach is great. A day at the beach with a playground built right into the sand? That is next-level family magic....

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This New Jersey Bakery Was A Family Dream That Started In A Small Portuguese Town In The 1960s

Some dreams start small. This one started in a tiny Portuguese town in the 1960s. A family with flour on their hands and hope...

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This Fish Restaurant In New Jersey Serves Whole Fish In A Sizzling, Spicy Broth That Feeds Four

A fish so big it needs its own zip code. That is what lands on your table at this New Jersey spot. You have probably ordered...

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One Of New Jersey’s Treasured Shorefront Restaurants Is Back And Serving Seafood Again

The shore just got a little brighter. A beloved New Jersey seafood spot has risen from the ashes and is slinging fresh catches once again.

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This New Jersey Sandwich Shop Combines Italian And Latin Flavors In Every Bite

Two cultures walk into a sandwich shop. One leaves with pure magic. You have probably had Italian subs before. You have definitely...

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