clara withmore author at My Family Travels
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10 Oregon Meat Markets Where Folks Stock Their Freezers Cheaper Than Any Chain Store

Chain store prices made grocery shopping feel like a hostage negotiation. These places quietly broke the ransom demand. Butcher...

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You Can Find A Turquoise Oregon Lake Hidden Behind A 15-Mile Hike

Fifteen miles is a lot to ask for a swim, yet somehow this lake makes every single step feel worth the complaint-free effort. Water...

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This Oregon “Barn” Was Actually Built To Train Hundreds Of Horses Through The Winter

Forget everything a regular barn looks like. This one was built for horses doing laps, not cows chewing hay. A perfect circle...

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This Oregon Historic Site Was Once a Hotel and Even a Boarding House

One building, several different lives. Hotel, boarding house, private home, each chapter leaving something behind for the next. Original...

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Oregon’s Only Active Geyser Was Created by Accident in 1923 (and It’s Still Erupting Today)

Some of the best attractions are the ones nobody planned. This Oregon geyser wasn't supposed to exist. It was an accident, a lucky mistake born from a search for hot water back...

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Top Chef Finalist Opens His 27th Restaurant in Oregon

Twenty-six restaurants weren't enough. Number twenty-seven just landed, and it's got a Top Chef finalist's name on the door. Anyone...

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This Oregon Restaurant Changes Its Menu With The Seasons and Builds It Around Local Farms

A fixed menu rarely survives here for long, shifting instead alongside whatever nearby farms actually have ready to harvest. Dishes rotate constantly through the year, spring vegetables...

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This Spooky Oregon Restaurant Turns A Simple Meal Into A Ghost-Lover’s Night Out

Dinner rarely comes with a side of intentional chills, yet this restaurant leans fully into that atmosphere from the moment guests walk in.

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This Oregon Coast Restaurant Is a Source-to-Table Gem With a Swedish Soul

Swedish and Oregon coast don't sound like they'd naturally pair together, yet this restaurant makes that combination feel completely intentional.

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11 Oregon Restaurants Where the Menu Changes With the Seasons

A fixed menu barely survives a full season at these particular kitchens, rewritten instead the moment ingredients actually shift outside.

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Oregon Has a Place Where You Can Watch Wildflowers Spread Across a Hillside Above The Columbia River

Hillsides don't usually turn into a spectacle worth planning a trip around, yet wildflowers here manage exactly that once the right season arrives.

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This Oregon Bagel Shop Boils Its Bagels From Scratch And Cures Its Own Salmon

Real bagels start with a boil, not a shortcut most shops quietly skip these days. Dough gets boiled here before baking, the...

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This High-Tech Oregon University Is One of the Best Value Colleges in the State

Tuition rarely stretches this far without sacrificing quality somewhere along the way. One university in Oregon manages to avoid that tradeoff entirely.

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One Oregon Restaurant Has Been Serving Oysters at the Same Location for More Than a Century

A century in the same spot means generations of the same family likely walked through these doors before you ever did. Oysters...

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11 Oregon Places Where The Past Refuses To Stay In The Past

Some places let history fade quietly into old photographs and museum plaques. Others in Oregon keep it lingering everywhere, refusing to stay contained to the past at all.

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8 Upcoming Fall Festivals In Oregon You’ll Want On Your Calendar

Marking a calendar early makes autumn feel closer than it actually is, and a handful of festivals across the state this year justify getting excited that soon.

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The Oregon Coast Town That Rivals Cannon Beach Without the Crowds

Cannon Beach gets all the attention, yet a quieter town just down the coast offers nearly identical charm without the traffic or crowded sidewalks.

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This Massive Oregon Country Store Is Big Enough to Lose an Afternoon In

etting lost in a store built for quick errands sounds unlikely, yet an entire afternoon disappears easily inside this one. Shelves...

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There’s an Oregon Beach Where Hundreds of Painted Rocks Cover the Shore

Regular pebbles don't usually stop anyone mid walk. Painted ones apparently do, scattered across this Oregon shoreline by the hundreds.

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This Oregon Pizza Parlor Will Change Your Mind About Thin Crust Forever

Thin crust usually gets dismissed as the weaker option compared to deep dish or hand tossed. This Oregon place quietly challenges that assumption with every single pie.

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This Once-Quiet Oregon Lake Town Has Been Overwhelmed by Fall Crowds in Recent Years

Quiet used to describe this lake town accurately. That word barely applies anymore once fall arrives and crowds show up in numbers nobody predicted a few years back.

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The World’s Only Bigfoot Trap Sits Along an Oregon Forest Trail

Traps built for imaginary creatures don't usually stick around this long. Somehow, this one still sits exactly where it was built decades ago, waiting for a capture that's never...

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9 Tiny Oregon Towns With Surprisingly Big Stories

Small population signs don't usually hint at much history worth mentioning. A handful of towns across Oregon quietly prove that assumption wrong.

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This Oregon Farm Turns Into A Huge Fall Festival Every September

Corn stalks and pumpkin patches don't usually pull crowds quite like this every single September. Something about this Oregon farm turns an ordinary harvest season into a full...

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This Minnesota Coastal Town Is Slowly Becoming A Favorite For People Who Hate Crowds

Some places don't need a welcome sign to tell you you've arrived somewhere different, you just feel it. The air gets quieter, the pace slows down without anyone asking it to. There's...

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An Oregon Hotel Turned a Historic Estate Into a Whole Vacation Destination

Most historic estates end up preserved behind velvet ropes, admired but never actually used. This one took a completely different path, turning old buildings into somewhere guests...

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This Oregon Restaurant Serves Dim Sum And Shrimp Shumai Worth The Trip

Carts rolling between tables used to be the whole appeal of proper dim sum. Skip that tradition and you'd expect something's missing. Somehow, this spot proves that theory wrong...

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11 Undercover Bars In Oregon Where The Entrance Is A Velvet Curtain, A Purple Door, Or A Blank Wall

Finding these places requires paying attention to things most people walk right past. A curtain that seems purely decorative. A door painted an odd shade of purple for no obvious...

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This Oregon Pizza Shop Looks Almost Too Ordinary For A Place With Such A Loyal Following

You wouldn't glance twice if you passed it walking down the street. Plain sign, plain storefront, nothing screaming for attention. Yet somehow this Oregon pizza shop has people...

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This Oregon Spa Is Becoming One Of The State’s Best Grown-Up Weekend Escapes

There's a certain magic to a place where you can trade the noise of everyday life for the sound of a rushing river. This Oregon retreat, tucked along a scenic river, has mastered...

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This Minnesota Pizzeria Serves New York-Style Slices That Rival The Real Thing

Some pizza places aim for the familiar. Others bring the magic of New York within reach. This Minnesota pizzeria goes all in on authenticity, right down to the water that's filtered...

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The Creepiest Haunted Restaurant In Oregon Where Solo Dining Isn’t Recommended

This state knows a thing or two about weird, but this place takes it to another level. Imagine stepping into a year-round haunted mansion where the decor is unsettling and the...

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This Cozy Oregon Studio Is The Perfect Place To Create Your Own Hand-Blown Glass

There's something deeply satisfying about creating something with your own hands - especially when it involves fire, molten glass, and a whole lot of concentration. This cozy Oregon...

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This Oregon BBQ Joint Serves Two-Pound Pork Steaks That Barely Fit On The Plate

You've had a big steak before. But a two-pound pork steak that barely fits on the plate? That's something else entirely. This Oregon BBQ joint serves portions that make you do...

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This Quiet Oregon Orchard is Packed With Fresh Pears and Apples Right Now

There's a quiet kind of magic in wandering through an orchard when the branches are heavy with fruit. Right now, this Oregon orchard is full of fresh apples and pears, ready to...

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This Oregon Garden Has More Than 2,000 Roses in One Place

You don't need to be a gardener to appreciate a view that stops you mid-step. This Oregon garden delivers exactly that, year after year. Over 2,000 roses bloom across terraced...

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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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