dahlia kingsley author at My Family Travels
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This North Carolina Barbecue Classic Turns Lexington-Style Pork, Hushpuppies, And Small-Town Tradition Into A Must-Visit Feast

The smell of wood smoke hits you before you even see the building, and that is your first sign that this North Carolina barbecue spot is the real deal. The pit has been burning...

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This Delaware Beach Boardwalk Has Classic Rides, Ocean Breezes, Arcade Lights, And Summer Crowds Rolling Past For Blocks

What is the sound of a perfect summer evening? At this Delaware beach boardwalk, it is the clatter of arcade games, the hum of a classic carousel, and the crash of waves just beyond...

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This Pennsylvania Amusement Park Has Candy-Themed Coasters, A Splashy Waterpark, And Full-Throttle Summer Energy

What does summer mean to you? If it involves roller coasters and water slides, a park in Pennsylvania has you covered. The rides...

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This South Carolina Boardwalk Trail Leads Into A Wild Floodplain Forest Where Old-Growth Trees Tower Over The Path

A wooden path floats above dark water, winding through a forest where the trees have been standing for centuries. This South...

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This North Carolina Barbecue Lodge Turns Pit-Cooked Pork, Hushpuppies, And Old-School Shelby Tradition Into A Must-Visit Feast

The smoke from the hickory pit has been rising from this North Carolina barbecue lodge since the mid-nineteen forties. Families pass the same wooden tables, and the menu stays...

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This New York Beach Boardwalk Has Luna Park Rides, Ocean Breezes, Arcade Lights, And Summer Crowds Rolling Past For Blocks

Summer in New York hits different at this legendary beach boardwalk. The ocean stretches out on one side, and the lights from the rides and arcades spill onto the wooden planks...

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This Ohio Amusement Park Has Record-Breaking Coasters, A Giant Waterpark, And Full-Throttle Summer Energy

The world's longest wooden roller coaster rattles through the Ohio woods at nearly seventy miles per hour, and a giga coaster drops riders more than three hundred feet from a steel...

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This Scenic North Carolina Cascading Waterfall Path Turns An Easy Family Walk Into A Cinematic Wilderness Escape

I pulled off the road, parked the car, and followed the roar. Thirty seconds later, I was standing in front of a forty foot waterfall.

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This Florida Boardwalk Trail Leads Into A Wild Cypress Swamp Where Centuries-Old Trees Tower Over The Path

Some places in Florida make you forget you are still in Florida. A thousand feet of boardwalk stretches over dark water, leading into a cypress swamp where the trees have been...

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The Colossal Colorado Flea Market You’ll Want To Lose Yourself In Week After Week

You step out of the car and the first thing you notice is the smell of roasted nuts and the distant hum of a thousand conversations.

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This Legendary Michigan Assembly Line Tour Offers An Inside Look At Heavy Industry For A High-Octane Day Trip

Have you ever watched a giant metal press punch out a truck door with a thunderous clang that shakes the floor beneath your feet? That is the everyday reality inside this legendary...

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This North Carolina Country Restaurant Turns Family-Style Meals, Mountain Music, And Rustic Charm Into A Backroads Feast

The menu at this North Carolina country restaurant does not come with a playlist, but the mountain music drifting from the corner feels like part of the meal. The family-style...

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This Florida Beach Broadwalk Has Ocean Views, Bike Rentals, Sand, And Summer Crowds Rolling Past For Miles

You can rent a bike, grab a slice of pizza, and watch the ocean all in the same block on this Florida beach broadwalk. The...

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North Carolina’s Historic Amusement Park Has A Carousel, Train Rides, Pedal Boats, And Playground Fun

Most people do not realize that one of the oldest public parks in the country sits right in the middle of North Carolina. It opened in the late eighteen hundreds, and it has been...

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This Pennsylvania Cave Lets You Float Through An Underground World By Boat

Some of the most remarkable places in Pennsylvania hide in plain sight, and this one sits quietly beneath a working farm. A...

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This Washington Museum Is A Giant Indoor Playground For Anyone Who Loves Cars, Road Trips, And Retro Design

You can get behind the wheel of a vintage hot rod, stare up at a sleek supercar from the nineteen sixties, and walk through a gallery dedicated to the open road, all without ever...

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This Florida Stone Castle Was Built By One Man And Still Leaves Visitors Wondering How He Did It

A heartbroken immigrant built a castle out of coral rock, and no one is entirely sure how he did it. Over the course of nearly...

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This New York Indoor Waterpark Resort Brings Tropical Pools, Wild Slides, And Catskills Vacation Energy Year-Round

The summer sun is blazing outside, but inside this New York resort, the only thing heating up is the fun. The air is warm and humid, the water is heated, and the slides twist through...

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A Pennsylvania Country Market Turns Bulk Foods, Bakery Couners, And Farm-Fresh Finds Into A Must-Visit Pantry Stop

The carts are not big enough. That is the first lesson you learn at this Pennsylvania country market, because the aisles are packed with bulk bins, bakery counters, and farm-fresh...

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Why This Charming Historic Delaware Coast Town Is Frequently Named The Most Idyllic Place To Retire In America

Have you ever imagined waking up to the soft lapping of a bay, stepping out onto a quiet street lined with centuries-old homes, and knowing that your biggest decision for the day...

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This Deep Subterranean Cavern In New York Is An Awe-Inspiring Underground Wonder Hidden Right Beneath Rolling Hills

Imagine standing in a vast underground chamber where water has slowly carved the rock over millions of years, creating towering stalactites and glittering flowstone walls.

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This Wisconsin Landmark Has Been Baking Its Famous Thin Crust Tavern Pizza Since The 1920s

Have you ever pulled a hot slice from a pan and heard the cheese crackle before you even took a bite? That is the sound of a Wisconsin landmark that has been baking its famous...

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This Pennsylvania Discount Grocery Store Keeps Prices Low And The Shelves Full Of Surprise Finds

A discount grocery chain that started on an Amish farm in the nineteen eighties, this Pennsylvania spot has grown into a local favorite for anyone who likes to stretch a dollar....

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This Ohio Sausage House From The Eighteen Eighties Feels Like A Hidden Old-World Market

The scent of smoked meat and spice has been drifting through this Ohio neighborhood for well over a century, a fragrant reminder of the old-world recipes that still fill the plates...

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This Pennsylvania General Store Is So Huge It Feels More Like A Roadside Theme Park Than A Shop

You might think you know what a general store looks like, but this Pennsylvania behemoth will shatter that image the moment you step inside.

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This New York Sausage Shop From The Nineteen Thirties Feels Like A Hidden German Market

A narrow storefront in New York holds a world of old-world German flavor, a place where the scent of smoked meat and spice has been drifting since the nineteen thirties.

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This Connecticut Sandwich Shop Serves An Oversized Grinder So Huge People Plan Whole Detours Around It

Let's be honest about the math: an eight?inch grinder is considered small here. That is the first clue that this Connecticut sandwich shop operates on a completely different scale,...

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This Tennessee Discount Grocery Store Keeps Prices Low And The Aisles Full Of Surprise Finds

A jar of artichoke hearts for a dollar, a box of organic granola bars for half what you would pay at a chain store, and a refrigerated section full of cheese and butter at prices...

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This Pennsylvania Sausage Shop From The Nineteen Thirties Feels Like A Hidden Old-World Market

A tiny shop in Philadelphia has been making kielbasa the same way since the nineteen thirties, and the secret is simple, they never changed a thing.

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Wisconsin’s Juiciest Ribeye Is Hidden Inside This Lakefront Old-School Supper Club

I have eaten a lot of steak in Wisconsin, but nothing prepared me for the ribeye at this lakefront supper club. The first bite was so tender and juicy that I actually stopped mid...

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This Massive Kentucky Fabric Store Feels Like A Dream Come True For Quilters, Crafters, And DIY Treasure Hunters

Walk into a warehouse where bolts of fabric stretch as far as you can see, and suddenly every unfinished project in your house feels like a chance to create something new.

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This Magnificent Ohio Drive-Through Safari Lets Families Cruise Past Free-Roaming Wildlife

Have you ever had a giraffe stick its head through your car window to say hello? That is the unforgettable moment families experience at this magnificent drive-through safari in...

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The Crystal Clear Natural Swimming Paradise You Need To Experience This Summer In Florida

Have you ever floated down a river so clear you could count the fish swimming beneath you? That is exactly what happens at this natural swimming paradise in Florida, where a spring-fed...

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This Authentically Prepared North Carolina Barbecue Joint Is A Celebrated Neighborhood Favorite That Locals Truly Love

I grew up thinking barbecue came from a chain restaurant with a neon pig on the sign. Then a friend pulled me into a simple cinder block building in North Carolina, and the smell...

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This Whimsical North Carolina Mountain Trail Turns A Regular Family Hike Into A Magical Adventure

Have you ever been on a hike where the destination was only half the magic? That is exactly how I felt when my family and I parked at an unassuming trailhead in North Carolina,...

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The Massive Kentucky Flea Market You’ll Want To Explore Time And Again

You do not plan to spend four hours walking through a Kentucky flea market. It just happens. You pull into the gravel lot for...

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This Historic Haunted South Carolina Cemetery Shuts Its Gates Tight To Visitors After Dark

The sun dips behind the oaks, and the iron gate swings shut with a heavy clank. That is your signal to leave this historic haunted cemetery in South Carolina, a place that welcomes...

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The Crystal Clear Natural Swimming Paradise You Must Explore This Summer In Arizona

How many swimming holes come with a built-in waterslide made of smooth red rock? This one in Arizona does, and the water is so clear you can see every pebble beneath the surface...

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All-In-One New York Waterpark Resort Where Giant Slides And Indoor Waves Meet Relaxed Family Dining

The sun is blazing outside, but you are inside splashing through a warm wave pool without a care. That is the beauty of this...

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The Massive Tennessee Flea Market You’ll Want To Browse Time And Again

You do not go to this flea market to buy something specific. You go to see what finds you. A rusty sign, a vintage jacket, a...

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This Fantastic Waterfront Restaurant Along Maine’s Coast Is A Wonderful Visit This Summer

The salt breeze hits your face as you bite into a warm, butter-drenched lobster roll. That is the magic of this fantastic waterfront restaurant along Maine's coast, a summer visit...

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This Incredible North Carolina Drive-Through Safari Lets You Drive Past Free-Roaming Exotic Animals

A zebra sticks its head through your car window and sniffs your shoulder. That is not a dream. It is a Tuesday at this incredible...

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Why This Charming South Carolina Waterfront City Is Voted As A Premier Place To Retire In All Of America

What if your biggest decision each day was whether to walk the waterfront park or sit on your porch and watch the boats drift by? That is the reality in this charming South Carolina...

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This Connecticut Landmark Has Been Serving Its Legendary Thin Crust Bar Pie Since The 1940s

Other pizzerias treat the crust as a mere handle. This Connecticut landmark treats it as the main event, baking a thin, cracker-like bar pie until the cheese browns and blisters...

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All In One Ohio Waterpark Resort Where Huge Slides And Indoor Waves Meet Stress Free Family Dining

The water is always warm, the waves are always rolling, and the only thing you will wait in line for is another turn on the four-story tube slide. That is the genius of this all-in-one...

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All In One Wisconsin Waterpark Resort Where Huge Slides And Indoor Waves Meet Stress Free Family Dining

Some Wisconsin getaways are built for relaxing, and others are built for kids who spot a waterslide and immediately forget how walking works. This all-in-one resort is the second...

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This California Restaurant Offers A Hearty 16 oz Prime Rib Dinner With Sides For An Unbelievable Value Every Monday

Monday is no longer the most dreaded day of the week in California. Not when a certain restaurant serves a hearty sixteen-ounce prime rib dinner with all the classic sides for...

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The Enormous Ohio Farmers Market And Flea Market You’ll Want To Explore Again And Again

You already have a full tank of patience and an empty back seat. On a sprawling Ohio farmland, more than twelve hundred vendors transform quiet fields into a bustling maze of antiques,...

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This Historic Haunted North Carolina Cemetery Is A Place You Should Avoid After Dark

Why would locals warn you to stay away after dark? Because this historic graveyard in North Carolina has a reputation that outlasts the sunset.

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The Crystal Blue Quarry Swimming Haven You Need To Visit This Summer In North Carolina

You grip a knotted rope, swing out over deep blue water, and let go. The splash is cold, clear, and absolutely perfect. That...

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One Of California’s Most Stunning University Botanical Gardens That Every Traveler Needs To Discover

Ten thousand plant species from six continents, all growing in one hillside garden. That is not a botanical fantasy. That is...

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This Historic New York Spanish Restaurant Where The Paella Portions Are So Huge You Will Be Eating Leftovers For Days

You will ask for a to-go box before you even finish your first glass of sangria. That is the wonderful problem at this historic New York Spanish restaurant, where the paella arrives...

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One of North Carolina’s Most Gorgeous Botanical Gardens That Every Traveler Needs To Experience

You expected a few flower beds. You did not expect a secret kingdom. This North Carolina garden hides behind a simple entrance,...

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The Sprawling Georgia Orchard And Farm Market Where Crowds Line Up For Hot Fried Pies And Cider

The line snakes past the bakery counter well before noon, and nobody minds the wait. That is the scene at this sprawling Georgia orchard and farm market, where hot fried pies and...

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New York’s Premier Botanical Park Is Now Open For Spring With Elaborate Glass Houses And An Open-Air Theatre

Spring has finally arrived in New York, and this premier botanical park welcomes visitors back with open gates and fresh blooms. Elaborate glass houses rise like crystal cathedrals,...

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Outrageously Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls Await At This Historic Washington Bakery

You will eat it before you find a seat. That is a fact, not a suggestion. The cinnamon roll from this historic Washington bakery...

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Outrageously Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls Await At This Colorado’s Legendary Mile-High Bakery

You bite into a warm, buttery spiral and suddenly understand why people drive across Colorado just for a cinnamon roll. This legendary mile-high bakery has turned a simple pastry...

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A Colossal North Carolina Entertainment Hub With Vintage Bowling Lanes And Interactive Gaming In One Spot

A vintage bowling ball sits in your hand, smooth and heavy. The pins explode with a satisfying crack. Then you pivot to a racing...

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This Massive Flea Market In Georgia Keeps You Wandering And Shopping All Day Long

You will lose track of time inside this massive Georgia flea market, and that is exactly the point. Aisles unfold in every direction, packed with vintage clothes, old tools, handmade...

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This New York Italian Pork Store Has Preserved Its Legendary Old-School Butcher Craft For Over A Century

You will smell the garlic before you see the storefront. That is your first warning that this New York Italian pork store is the real deal.

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