clara rivers author at My Family Travels
Article
This Oregon Waterfront Seafood Spot Serves Some of the Best Alder-Smoked Salmon on the Coast

The smell hits you before you even park the car. That rich, smoky scent of alder wood doing its magic on fresh salmon. Oregon's...

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This Picturesque Minnesota State Park Feels Like the Perfect Escape From Everyday Stress

The moment you step onto the trail, your shoulders drop about two inches. That is what nature is supposed to do. Minnesota...

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This Minnesota Boardwalk Trail Is a Hidden Haven for Wildlife and Most People Never Stop

The boardwalk stretches out over a bog that looks like another planet. Most people drive past the turnoff without a second glance. Minnesota...

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This Old-School Minnesota Restaurant Serves the Best Corned Beef Sandwich You’ll Ever Try

The counter has been there for generations, and so has the recipe. Minnesota knows how to keep a good thing going. This old school...

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This No-Frills Minnesota Restaurant Serves Mouth-Watering Beef Brisket Famous Across the State

The building does not try to impress you. Picnic tables, paper towels on rolls, and a menu written on a whiteboard. That is how...

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This Stunning Three-Tier Waterfall in Minnesota Deserves a Spot on Everyone’s Must-See List

Three tiers of water crashing down like nature's own staircase. The sound hits you before the view does, a low roar that grows louder with every step.

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This Magical Oregon Old-Growth Hike Feels Like Stepping Into a Fairytale

A quiet Oregon trail slips into old-growth forest, and everything changes almost immediately. The trees get taller, thicker, and older, like they’ve been standing guard for centuries.

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This Old-School Minnesota Drive-In Theater Will Transport You Right To The 1950s

You pull in, find your spot, and suddenly it is 1955. The giant screen glows against the night sky. Your windows are rolled down...

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10 Stunning Lakefront Spots Perfect for a Peaceful Getaway

Lakefront spots have a way of slowing everything down the moment you arrive. Water stretches out in front of you, streets feel quieter, and life seems to settle into a calmer rhythm...

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This Suburban City in Minnesota Has a Population of 70,253 and Is a Growing Hub for Shopping and Culture

A suburban city in Minnesota with a population around 70,253 is quietly growing into one of those places that starts to surprise you the more you look at it.

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The Enormous Flea Market in Minnesota That Feels Almost Too Good to Be Real

Rows of tables stretch farther than you expect. This enormous Minnesota flea market feels almost unreal the moment you step inside.

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The Most Authentic Japanese Garden Outside Of Japan Is Tucked Away In Oregon

A quiet corner of Oregon hides something that feels like it shouldn’t be there in the best possible way - a Japanese garden so authentic it almost tricks your sense of place....

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This Oregon All-You-Can-Eat Japanese Restaurant Is Known for Its Made-to-Order Sushi and Robotic Delivery Servers

A buzzing Oregon restaurant takes the all-you-can-eat experience and cranks it into something way more futuristic than you’d expect.

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This Family-Friendly Oregon Steakhouse Pairs Burgers With an 18-Hole Mini Golf Course

A sizzling steakhouse meal and a full round of mini golf don’t usually belong in the same sentence, but this Oregon spot makes it work effortlessly. It’s the kind of place...

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The Forgotten Oregon Ghost Village Hiding In A Valley Where Cell Service Doesn’t Exist

A hidden valley in Oregon holds something most people don’t even realize is still out there - a forgotten ghost village where silence replaces signal bars. The moment you step...

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This Oregon Food Trailer Serves Some of the Best Tater Tots in the State

A small food trailer in Oregon is quietly causing big cravings across the state, all thanks to something deceptively simple: tater tots.

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This Peaceful Oregon Garden Is a Bloom-Filled Escape Perfect for a Quiet Wander

A burst of color greets you the moment you step into this peaceful Oregon garden, like the whole place is quietly showing off without trying too hard.

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The Oldest Bar In Oregon Is Hidden Inside A Historic Building And Full Of Character

I didn’t expect to step into the oldest bar in Oregon and feel like I’d just time-traveled into a different century. Hidden inside a historic building, it doesn’t try to...

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This Historic Oregon Lodge at the Base of a Towering Waterfall Just Reached Its 100-Year Milestone

This Oregon lodge doesn’t just sit near a waterfall - it lives right at its base. I arrive and the sound of rushing water is already louder than anything else around me.

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This Oregon Diner Is a Local Favorite Known for Classic Comfort Food and a Loyal Community Following

An Oregon diner like this doesn’t need hype - it runs on loyalty. I walk in and immediately feel that classic comfort food energy, like the place has been feeding regulars for...

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This Oregon Coast Stop Lets You Visit Four Incredible Natural Wonders in One Place

This Oregon coast stop doesn’t give you one highlight - it stacks four natural wonders into a single visit. I arrive expecting a simple viewpoint and immediately realize I’ll...

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Oregon Eatery That Lets Guests Cook Their Own Meal

This Oregon eatery turns dinner into the main event the second you sit down. I walk in expecting a plate in front of me, but instead I’m handed the tools to cook it myself.

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Dig For 40-Million-Year-Old Fossils At This Oregon Quarry

Ancient history gets surprisingly hands-on at this Oregon quarry. I show up expecting scenery, and instead I’m told I can actually dig for 40-million-year-old fossils.

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This Cliffside Oregon Restaurant Lets You Watch Whales While You Enjoy a Meal With an Ocean View

A cliffside Oregon restaurant like this doesn’t just serve food - it serves a full ocean moment. I sit down and instantly realize the view is doing half the work here, with waves...

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This Oregon Car Meet Brings Together Rides, Coffee, and Local Car Culture Every Month

Oregon’s monthly car meet feels more like a rolling social club than an event. I pull in and immediately see rows of polished rides, from classics to modern builds, all lined...

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10 Ways to Experience Year-Round Adventure in Central Oregon From Trails to Stargazing

Central Oregon doesn’t really do “off-season” - it just keeps the adventure going all year. I jump from sun-soaked trails to wide-open landscapes that feel built for wandering.

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Easter Sunday Feels Like a Slow, Cozy Holiday Escape at This Oregon Spot

Easter Sunday turns into the softest kind of slow-motion escape at this Oregon spot. The whole place feels calmer, like even the air decided to take the day off.

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10 Things Only People From Oregon Truly Understand

Oregon has its own secret language, and if you’re not from here, half of it will probably go right over your head. I quickly realized there are things only locals truly get -...

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This Oregon Trail Leads to a Hidden Floor of Perfectly Preserved Prehistoric Fossils

Ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago? This Oregon trail leads straight to a hidden floor of perfectly preserved prehistoric...

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This Unforgettable Ghost Town Road Trip Through Oregon Is Packed With Spine-Chilling History

Setting off on this Oregon ghost town road trip felt like signing up for a slightly spooky adventure - with snacks. Each stop brings crumbling buildings, creaky silence, and just...

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This Oregon Pizza Spot Uses A 36-Hour Sourdough Process For Its Legendary Signature Squares

I didn’t think pizza could feel fancy - then I tried the signature squares at this Oregon spot. A 36-hour sourdough process sounds intense, but every chewy, crispy bite proves...

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This Oceanfront Escape Lets You Fall Asleep to Waves and Wake Up to Whales on the Oregon Coast

This oceanfront getaway on the Oregon Coast instantly felt like hitting the pause button on life. Falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing is somehow more relaxing than I...

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This Hidden Oregon Lounge Lets You Sip Underground In Style

There’s a rumor among friends that the best nights in Oregon aren’t always found on busy streets. Some are hidden just out of sight.

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This Little Oregon Izakaya Has Mastered The Art Of Japanese Happy Hour

Ever notice how a modest spot can turn a regular weekday into a tiny festival? That’s exactly what happened the first time I discovered this unassuming izakaya tucked away in...

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This Small-Town Oregon Steakhouse Serves Huge Steaks With Stunning River Views

Picture the scene I fell into after a long drive through Oregon’s rolling hills: a modest town and a river that glitters like polished glass. Nearby, a steakhouse serves plates...

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This 62-Acre Sanctuary Built Into A 110-Foot Cliff Is One Of Oregon’s Most Peaceful Hidden Retreats

There’s something magical about a place that feels both vast and intimate. It’s even more special when it’s perched on a towering cliff in Oregon’s rugged terrain.

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This Tiny Oregon Island Is Home To One Of The Most Photographed Lighthouses In America

When I first stepped onto that small island in Oregon, I immediately felt the pull of history and sea air. The lighthouse stood tall, its white paint gleaming against the deep...

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People Drive For Hours Just To Eat The Giant Pancakes At This Oregon Breakfast Spot

There’s something magical about a breakfast spot that becomes a destination, and in Oregon I found exactly that. I’d heard whispers about a pancake so huge it practically earned...

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This Rugged Oregon Canyon Feels Like a Window Into Oregon’s Wild Past

I trekked into a rugged canyon in Oregon that felt like stepping straight into the state’s ancient wilderness. The sheer walls rose around me, their weathered faces whispering...

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10 Beginner-Friendly Hikes In Oregon To Tackle This Spring

Spring has officially sprung, and if you’ve been dreaming of shaking off those winter blues and embracing the great outdoors, this is your sign! Oregon comes alive with vibrant...

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This Underrated Oregon State Park Might Be The Most Beautiful In The State

We all love discovering those destinations that are truly extraordinary, ones that might fly a little under the radar but deliver an experience far beyond imagination. Oregon is...

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This Oregon Tulip Festival Turns the State Into a Sea of Color Every Spring

Pulling up to Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm on a crisp March morning, I genuinely did not expect to feel so completely overwhelmed by color. Rows upon rows of tulips stretched out in...

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This Oregon Mountain Fire Lookout Lets You Sleep Above the Clouds

Imagine waking up with mountain peaks stretching in every direction, clouds drifting just below your window, and the only sound around you being the wind.

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Take This Picturesque Oregon Train Ride For A Relaxing Spring Day Trip

Rolling along the northern Oregon coastline aboard a vintage train sounds like something from another era, and that's exactly what makes the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad such a...

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This Bewitching Oregon Shop Is Filled With Oddities and Old-World Apothecary Charm

I pushed open the door and immediately felt like I’d stepped through a portal into another century. What waited inside wasn’t your typical coastal tourist stop, but a moody...

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This Oregon All-You-Can-Eat Spot Is So Good, It Deserves A Visit In 2026

Portland’s dining scene just got a lot more exciting thanks to a place that blends bold Thai street food energy with interactive hot pot dining. Instead of just ordering a plate...

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This Oregon Craft Market Feels Like a Treasure Hunt You Can’t Miss this Spring

Walking through the Portland Saturday Market feels like stepping into a world where creativity lives on every corner and discovery waits around every booth. Located at 2 SW Naito...

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Oregon’s Mexican Spot That Feels Like a Full-Blown Telenovela, Drama-Free, Extra Salsa

Walking through the doors of this Tigard favorite feels a little like stepping onto a colorful telenovela set, just without the slow motion gasps and dramatic plot twists. The...

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A Family-Run Chocolate Shop in Oregon That Brings Back Childhood Memories

Walking into Creo Chocolate feels like stepping into someone's kitchen where magic happens daily. The smell of roasted cacao beans fills the air, where the Pelaez family has built...

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This Lesser-Known Oregon Beach Town Is a Seven-Mile Slice of Heaven

Rockaway Beach sits quietly along the Oregon coast, letting the bigger-name beach towns grab all the attention while it keeps its seven miles of sandy perfection mostly to itself....

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The Tiny Oregon Diner Where The Breakfast Special Hasn’t Changed In Decades (And That’s Awesome)

I stumbled into Debby's Diner on a Saturday morning, drawn by the sight of a gleaming Studebaker parked outside and the unmistakable hum of Chuck Berry drifting through the doors....

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These Lesser-Known Oregon Forests Have Trees So Twisted Locals Swear They’re Magical

Oregon has a way of hiding its wildest wonders in plain sight, and nothing proves it better than its secret forests. I’ve...

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This Oregon Wilderness Drive Is So Surreal It Doesn’t Feel Real

I thought I knew what a scenic drive looked like until I tackled Steens Mountain. Rising nearly 10,000 feet out of southeastern...

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These 9 Oregon Towns Make You Rethink Your Next Weekend Trip

Oregon has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. I thought I’d seen all the best weekend getaways, but then I started wandering into these small, off-the-map...

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The Buffet in Oregon Locals Swear Is Secretly the Best in Town

Salem holds a little secret most tourists never stumble upon, and it’s called Gold Dragon Restaurant. Tucked at 4645 Commercial St SE, this unassuming Chinese buffet has been...

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This Oregon Safari Lets You Drive Through Giraffes, Rhinos, and More

I never expected to lock eyes with a giraffe through my windshield in southern Oregon, but there I was, frozen in my driver’s seat and grinning like a kid. Wildlife Safari in...

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This Oregon’s Cozy Mountain Café Has a $9 Pizza That Steals the Show

I stumbled into Zigzag Mountain Cafe on a crisp morning while heading up to Mt. Hood, and instantly knew I’d found something special.

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A Breathtaking Cliffside Garden Wonderland in Oregon Worth Visiting

I still remember the exact second Shore Acres State Park stole my heart. One step onto those dramatic sandstone cliffs near Coos Bay and boom, the Pacific is raging below me while...

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This Historic Oregon Mansion Is Said to Be Haunted and Visitors Still Report Strange Experiences

I never thought I'd be ghost hunting in a mansion, but here I am at Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon, and let me tell you, the stories are wild. Built in 1914 by newspaper tycoon...

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The Oregon Pancake Spot Where $13 Feeds You Like Royalty

Tucked along a busy stretch of SW Canyon Road in Beaverton, Oregon, sits a breakfast haven that has quietly mastered the art of feeding hungry diners without emptying their wallets....

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