clara withmore author at My Family Travels
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You Can Eat Inside a Giant Fish in Minnesota

Ever looked at a giant roadside attraction and thought, "I wish I could eat inside that thing"? Well, Minnesota heard you. At this quirky spot up north, you can do exactly that...

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This Oregon Hotel Is Famous for Its Ghost Stories

Some hotels promise a good night's sleep. This Oregon hotel promises something far more memorable - a night you won't soon forget, for reasons that go well beyond the decor. The...

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This Unassuming Oregon Rock Shop Is Dangerously Addictive for New Collectors

Let me warn you right now - this place is not for the faint of willpower. One step inside this modest Oregon rock shop and something shifts. You start off just looking, and the...

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Oregon Has a Beach Where the Trees Are Slowly Being Swallowed by the Ocean

There's something hauntingly beautiful about watching nature slowly reclaim what was once hers. That's exactly what you'll witness at this Oregon beach, where ancient tree stumps...

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This Hidden Fabric World in Oregon Features Endless Options for Creative Sewists

Northeast Oregon has a little shop that feels like it was made specifically for people who think in stitches and seams. I stepped through the door and something shifted.

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This World-Class Zoo In Minnesota Offers Exotic Animals And Breathtaking Gardens For Free

The animals roam in spacious habitats, and the gardens bloom with color year-round. This world-class Minnesota zoo is completely free, offering an incredible experience for visitors...

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Minnesota’s Hidden Waterfront Gem Has Cheesy Pizza And A Patio Where Dogs Are Always Welcome

The water laps gently against the dock, and the smell of melted cheese drifts across the patio. This hidden Minnesota waterfront gem is the kind of place where you can bring your...

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You’ll Find Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso at This Under-the-Radar Minnesota Museum

Vincent van Gogh's first oil painting is hiding in plain sight in a small river town. A Picasso, a Monet, and a Renoir also hang on these walls, far from the crowded galleries...

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This Minnesota Farm Has A Corn Maze Shaped Like A UFO, Every Single Year

Fall in Minnesota has a way of turning simple weekends into memorable adventures. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and seasonal activities bring families and friends together for a...

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This Beautiful Minnesota State Park Will Melt All Your Stress and Worries Away

The sound of Lake Superior hitting the rocks is the only music this place needs to offer. I sat on a cliff and watched the water change colors from blue to green to silver gray.

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Oregon’s Hidden Creative Hub Where Hobbies Come to Life

You have been meaning to try something new for months. Pottery, painting, maybe even welding. But the idea of signing up for a fancy class feels intimidating and expensive. This...

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This Oregon Coast Taproom Features Naturally Fermented Ciders and Farm-to-Table Fare

Oregon Coast towns often feel like secrets the locals are quietly proud of, and one spot right along the highway made me stop the car and stay far longer than planned. A building...

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This Oregon Coast Restaurant Serves Comfort Food With River Views and Vegetarian-Friendly Fare

Lunch at that Oregon Coast spot was exactly the kind of meal that sticks with you long after the last bite. For twenty years,...

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This Oregon Inn Has Five Themed Rooms, Including a Star Trek Suite and a Tiki Escape

his quirky Oregon inn is a celebration of imagination, offering themed rooms that range from a retro Star Trek voyage to a Polynesian tiki escape . It's a place where a simple...

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One Mile Of Boardwalk In Minnesota, Zero Bird Fear, Endless Watching

Wildlife encounters feel different when animals are completely comfortable sharing the space with visitors. Minnesota has peaceful outdoor destinations where boardwalk trails,...

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You Can Hike And Cliff Jump Into Crystal-Clear Waters at This Must-Visit Minnesota Park

Imagine standing on the edge of a granite cliff, peering down into water so clear you can see the rocks below. A deep breath, a leap, and you are plunging into one of the most...

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8 Epic Summer Festivals In Oregon That You Absolutely Must Add To Your Bucket List

Summer in this state hits different. The sun hangs around longer, and the air smells like pine and possibility. Everyone emerges from their rainy-day hibernation ready to celebrate....

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This Massive Central Oregon Fair Is The Ultimate August Weekend Trip

he country fair season is in full swing, and this massive Central Oregon event is the ultimate way to spend a late-summer weekend. As the largest county fair in Oregon, it’s...

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This Massive Oregon Off-Road Park Features Miles Of Rugged Trails And Mountain Adventures

The dust kicks up behind you as you hit the first stretch of rugged trail. Suddenly the world narrows to just you, the machine, and the open Oregon high desert. This place is a...

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11 No-Reservation Campgrounds In Minnesota Made For Spontaneous Outdoor Trips

The call of the open road is strong, but the thought of planning a campsite months in advance? Not so much. Minnesota's state forests are the perfect solution for those who love...

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Owned by a Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author, This Minnesota Bookstore Is a True Story Haven

The scent of old paper and native sage greets you at the door, and you immediately feel the warmth of a place built for book lovers. This Minnesota bookstore is owned by a Pulitzer...

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Oregon’s Best Gluten-Free Restaurants You Need To Try In August 2026

The days of sad, crumbly gluten-free options are officially over in Oregon. This state has quietly become a paradise for anyone who avoids gluten but still craves food that actually...

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This Oregon Puerto Rican Restaurant Is Known For Pernil, Mofongo And Huge Portions

The portions are huge, the flavors are bold, and the island spirit is unmistakable. This Oregon Puerto Rican restaurant has built a loyal following on pernil, mofongo, and plates...

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11 Areas In Oregon Where Rattlesnakes Have Been Spotted

As temperatures rise and more people head outdoors, it helps to know where rattlesnakes are most active in Oregon. The western rattlesnake is the primary species in the state,...

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This Tiny Oregon Town Has More Restaurants Per Block Than Most Cities And No One Talks About It

Tiny Oregon town with a food scene that punches way above its weight. This place has more restaurants per block than most cities, yet somehow it stays quietly under the radar.

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You Might Be Surprised One Of America’s Happiest Places Is This Tiny Oregon Town

You might be surprised to learn that one of America's happiest places is a tiny town in Oregon. The secret is simple: life here revolves around outdoor pursuits like windsurfing,...

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This Family-Owned Bakery In Minnesota Donates Leftovers And Makes Donuts That Locals Swear By

The smell of fresh glaze and warm dough hits you before you even open the door. This family-owned Minnesota bakery has built a reputation on donuts so good that locals swear by...

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This Former Minnesota Dive Bar Is Now a Destination for Peanut Butter & Jelly Burgers and Chainsaw Art

The peanut butter and jelly burger sounds like a dare, but here it is a menu legend that people actually crave. This spot started as a humble dive bar in 1934, a place where locals...

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11 Oregon Eateries That Never Bother With Advertising Yet Fill Up Every Night

The best restaurants in Oregon do not need billboards or social media campaigns. They fill up every single night on word of mouth alone.

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This 140-Year-Old Oregon Inn Has A Restaurant That Was Named One Of The State’s Best

This 140-year-old Oregon inn is a time capsule that just happens to serve incredible food. The restaurant tucked inside has been named one of the state's best, and for good reason.

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Everyone Goes to Portland for Food, But This Nearby Oregon Town’s Global Flavors Are a Delicious Surprise

Everyone flocks to Portland for the food scene, but just a few miles west, this Oregon town is quietly stealing the spotlight. Beaverton has become a global flavor hub, packed...

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This Small Oregon Taqueria Is Redefining Vegan Mexican Food With Flavors You Won’t Forget

Tacos without meat? Most people raise an eyebrow. But this tiny Oregon taqueria is flipping the script and winning over even the most devoted carnivores. The menu is packed with...

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Locals Say This Oregon’s Farm Markets Bring the Sweetest Taste of Summer

The air buzzes with laughter, live music, and the promise of the season's best flavors. This celebrated market has become a beloved local ritual, where the sweetest taste of an...

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Three Million Meals Later, This Minnesota Cafe Still Serves The Best Breakfast

The parking lot fills up before the sun rises, and the line stretches past the yellow building with the chicken on the roof. After serving roughly three million meals over more...

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The Signature Birria Tacos at This Minnesota Spot Are Served With an Unforgettable Consommé for Dipping

The taco arrives on a warm corn tortilla, the meat slow braised and shredded to perfection. Beside it sits a small bowl of consommé, deep and rich, waiting to transform every...

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The Oregon State Fair That Draws Over 350,000 Visitors Every Summer

The scent of corn dogs and cotton candy drifts through the warm summer air. The sound of laughter, carnival rides, and live music fills the grounds from morning until night. This...

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10 Oregon Hikes Every First-Time Visitor Needs to Experience

The best way to fall in love with Oregon is to lace up your boots and step into its wild, diverse beauty. For a true first taste, this state serves up an iconic menu of trails,...

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This Oregon Indoor Go-Kart Track Lets You Race Gas-Powered Karts at 40 MPH

The engines rev, the tires screech, and suddenly you are gripping the wheel like your life depends on it. This indoor track lets you slide behind the wheel of a gas powered kart...

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This 72-Year-Old Oregon Drive-In Is Fighting to Save a Piece of Americana With an Expanding Event Lineup

The smell of buttery popcorn mingles with the cool night air as you pull into a spot that feels frozen in time. This single screen theater has been a family run labor of love since...

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This Stunning Oregon Garden Was Nominated as One of the Best in the U.S.

A carpet of pink and magenta unfolds beneath towering firs, with blooms so dense they look like they have been painted on. This place has earned national recognition, a nomination...

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This Is One Of The Last Authentic Drive-Ins In Minnesota With Carhop Service

The carhop appears at your window with a warm smile and a tray full of classic American comfort food. This place is a genuine slice of Americana, a throwback to when pulling up...

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This Oregon Spot Is Where You Can Watch Boats Pass By While Enjoying the Freshest Seafood Around

Grab a seat with a view of the channel and watch the boats glide by while the smell of fresh seafood fills the air. This spot sits right on the water, offering a front row seat...

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11 Years of Renovation Later, This Oregon Airport Is Finished and It Looks Better Than Ever

A decade of scaffolding, dust, and detours finally gave way to something that feels fresh, open, and genuinely welcoming. Eleven years is a long time to wait, but now you can see...

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Hiding Inside The Ruins Of A Historic Minnesota Flour Mill Is One Of America’s Coolest History Museums

It is impossible to ignore the crumbling limestone walls of this industrial ruin, which still rise dramatically above the river after decades of abandonment. The relics of a devastating...

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This James Beard-Winning Oregon Restaurant Has Been Named One of the Best in North America

The buzz started long before the doors even opened, and it has not quieted down since. This restaurant arrived with serious pedigree, a James Beard Award winning chef at the helm...

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This Minnesota Log Cabin Cafe Is Famous for Fresh Trout and Pies You Won’t Forget

The smell of fresh trout sizzling in butter hits you before you even find a seat. This cozy log cabin cafe has built a reputation that stretches far beyond its tiny town.

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This Mind-Blowing Italian Spot in Oregon Is Worth the Month-Ahead Reservation

Getting a table here requires planning, strategy, and a bit of luck, because this place books up a full month in advance. You mark your calendar, set an alarm, and cross your fingers...

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Why Book Lovers Are Obsessed With This Giant Minnesota Store

Rows of shelves stretch in every direction, each one packed with treasures waiting to be discovered. This sprawling independent bookstore has been feeding the literary hunger of...

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Why Seniors Are Flocking To This Affordable Resort-Style Oregon Retirement Haven

You trade the lawnmower for a golf club and the chore list for a poolside chair. That is what retirement looks like here, and seniors are catching on fast.

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This Minnesota Restaurant Serves Beef Brisket That’s Famous Across the State

The moment that tray hits the counter, you can smell exactly what makes this place legendary. That brisket has been smoking low and slow for hours, developing a bark so dark and...

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This Oregon Park Is a Hidden Gem With a Ferris Wheel, Mini Train and Paddle Boats

You can hear the distant calliope music before you even see the park, a sound that instantly sparks childlike joy. This hidden gem sits quietly along the river, offering old school...

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This One-Of-A-Kind Car Museum In Minnesota Transports You To A Completely Different Era

It is not every day you walk into a place and the scent of aged leather and vintage oil hits you like a time machine. One step through these doors, and you have left the modern...

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This Hidden Local Hangout on the Water in Oregon Is the Perfect Place to Unwind

The tourists are all fighting for tables downtown, but you know exactly where to go instead. This spot sits quietly by the water, away from the chaos and the endless crowds.

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This Giant Minnesota All-You-Can-Eat Hotspot Gives You Two Hours to Feast on Unlimited Meat

A buzzer sounds and the feast officially begins, two hours of nonstop grilling ahead of you. This place is a meat lover's dream, with endless trays of beautifully marbled beef,...

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This Oregon Cafe Serves All-Day Breakfast With Gluten-Free, Vegan and Low-Carb Options

Nobody should have to choose between eating well and eating what their body actually needs. This cafe gets that completely, offering a breakfast menu that welcomes everyone with...

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A Meat-Focused Minnesota Eatery Serving Southern Staples Like Smoked Wings, Brisket and Ribs

The smell hits you from half a block away, smoky, sweet, and absolutely impossible to ignore. You walk through the door and see the pit master tending to slabs of meat that glisten...

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This Oregon Round Barn Is a 100-Foot Relic of a Cattle Empire Built to Break Wild Horses

You have seen square barns, red barns, and falling down barns, but nothing quite prepares you for this. A massive wooden circle rising from the high desert, built not for hay,...

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The Homemade Pierogies at This Minnesota Spot Are Always Worth the Wait

Some things cannot be rushed, and these little dumplings prove that every single time. You will stand in line, watch the hands behind the counter work their magic, and smell that...

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You Can Buy Hormone-Free Meat At This All-Natural Oregon Farm

You know that feeling when you bite into a burger and just know something is off, like the meat is hiding something? That never happens here.

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11 Minnesota Beaches Locals Adore (That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of)

Everyone flocks to the same Minnesota crowded shorelines every summer, fighting for towel space and dodging stray frisbees. But the real magic happens at those hidden slivers of...

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