dylan mercer author at My Family Travels
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10 Meatloaf Diners In Ohio Locals Say Are The Best

Ohio has always been a place where comfort food reigns supreme, and nothing says home cooking quite like a perfectly seasoned meatloaf.

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Explore 10 Michigan’s Abandoned Lighthouses Before They Vanish For Good

Michigan's shoreline holds secrets that most people never get to see. Scattered along the Great Lakes, forgotten lighthouses...

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10 Most Picturesque Utah Villages For Holiday Travelers

Utah transforms into a magical winter escape when the holiday season arrives. Small villages scattered across the state offer...

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10 Small Christmas Towns In Arkansas Perfect For A Festive Escape

Arkansas transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, with charming small towns that capture the magic of Christmas in ways that feel straight out of a storybook.

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10 Delaware Coastal Villages Perfect for A Quiet Winter Escape

You want a quiet place where the ocean breathes slowly and the streets feel yours alone. Winter along the Delaware coast offers...

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10 Lakeside Winter Markets In Michigan Locals Avoid Mentioning To Outsiders

You are about to step into Michigan’s lakeside season when local markets glow under crisp skies and quiet shorelines. These...

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10 Nevada Desert Villages You’ll Want To Discover

You came to Nevada for wide horizons, but the real magic hides in its small desert towns. Each village on this list offers...

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10 Texas Small-Town Music Festivals Loved By Locals

Small towns in Texas know how to throw a music party that feels like it was made just for you.These festivals blend intimate vibes, stellar musicianship, and plenty of Hill...

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10 Quiet Countryside Villages to Wander In Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington holds quiet towns where the pace softens and the sky feels wider. You can wander main streets lined with...

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10 Photogenic New Mexico Towns That Belong On Your Camera Roll

New Mexico rewards curious eyes with light that shifts from soft gold to fiery pink in a blink, and these towns frame that glow perfectly.

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10 Tennessee Mountain Hamlets That Feel Like Hidden Worlds

Some corners of Tennessee feel so tucked away that time moves differently, and that is exactly where this journey leads. 1....

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10 Arizona Forgotten Valley Restaurants Worth Visiting At Night

Arizona's sprawling landscapes hide many treasures, and among them are enchanting restaurants nestled in forgotten valleys.These culinary gems provide not only delicious meals...

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10 South Dakota Hidden Towns Locals Guard From Crowds

South Dakota may not be the first destination that pops into mind when thinking of tranquil getaways.However, this state has a collection of hidden towns that offer a serene...

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10 Wisconsin Sweet Shops Locals Say Haven’t Changed In Decades

Wisconsin is a state rich in history and tradition, and when it comes to sweet indulgences, it’s no different.Across its charming towns and scenic landscapes, you’ll find...

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10 Wyoming Cabin Ridges Known For Striking Natural Light

Wyoming greets you with skies so clear that light feels sculpted, not just seen. Dawn pours over ridgelines, then slips through...

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10 Arkansas Smoked Rib Cabins Loved By Locals

Welcome to a finger-licking journey through Arkansas, where the addictive aroma of smoked ribs beckons from every corner. The state isn’t just a paradise for nature lovers; it’s...

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10 Montana Parks And Natural Areas With Unusual Weather Phenomena

Montana, known for its vast landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery, is also home to some of the most bizarre weather phenomena you can imagine. From snowstorms in the middle of summer...

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Travelers Are Fascinated by Gullah/Geechee Island Markets in South Carolina for Winter Slow Travel

South Carolina's Sea Islands hold a treasure that many travelers are just discovering: the vibrant Gullah/Geechee markets where history, culture, and tradition come alive.

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How Texas’s $10 Million Amusement Park Vanished Beneath the Sand

Magic Landing was supposed to be El Paso's dream, a $10 million amusement park rising from the Chihuahuan Desert, complete with a towering Ferris wheel and thrilling rides.

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10 Fast Casual Restaurants Across New Jersey That Tourists Overlook

New Jersey is packed with amazing places to grab a quick bite, but visitors often miss the best spots locals love. While tourists...

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10 Ohio Small Towns With Holiday Traditions From Another Era

Ah, Ohio during the holidays; a wonderland where time tangos with tradition in the most delightful dance. Each small town inspires nostalgia, with a flair for festivities that...

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10 Quiet Illinois Towns Transforming Into Creative Centers

Ever felt the urge to escape the noise and find inspiration in the unlikeliest of places? Illinois has hidden gems that are quietly blossoming into vibrant creative hubs.

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7 Colorado Mine Diners That Feel Frozen In Time

Ever felt like stepping into a time machine? In Colorado, you can do just that! These seven mine diners are relics of the past, each offering a taste of history alongside their...

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7 Mysterious New Jersey Riverfront Walks With Nighttime Legends

I came to New Jersey for the river views and stayed for the goosebumps. Picture moonlit water, cicadas chirping like a backup chorus, and me whispering please don’t be a raccoon...

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9 Hole-In-The-Wall Fish Shacks In Kansas That Locals Secretly Love

Kansas might be landlocked, but locals know where to find plates of crispy, perfectly seasoned seafood that rival coastal favorites. Scattered across Kansas City, Kansas, Topeka,...

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The “Sleepiest” City In Michigan Where Locals Say Life Finally Makes Sense

Marquette, tucked along Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has a way of slowing the clock without stopping the fun. Locals say life finally makes sense here because...

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Why Locals In Wyoming’s “Most Boring” Town Love Every Quiet Second

Thermopolis sits quietly in the heart of Wyoming, often overlooked by those speeding toward the grand icons of the West. Yet locals cherish its calm tempo, where geothermal steam...

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The Texas Seaside Hotel Where Spirits Still Check In After Dark

Hotel Galvez has welcomed guests since 1911, but not all of them have checked out. Known as the "Queen of the Gulf," this...

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The Doomed Oregon Dream Town That the Pacific Took Back

Along the Oregon coast, a town once dreamed of becoming America's next great resort destination. Bayocean and its Grand Hotel promised luxury, ocean views, and prosperity to anyone...

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The Weird Idaho Camping Regulations Locals Love Teasing Tourists About

Idaho’s backcountry is legendary, but the rules you meet at the trailhead can be quirky enough to stump newcomers. Locals chuckle because these regulations usually come from...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Breakfast Cafés In Oregon Worth The Stop

Oregon mornings pair well with unpretentious cafés that care about the small details: fresh-baked biscuits, well-pulled espresso, and friendly counters where locals swap trail...

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8 Hidden Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Taverns In Oklahoma Locals Keep Quiet

Oklahoma’s barbecue scene rewards those willing to follow the smoke down side streets and small-town main drags. Locals know the unassuming spots where pitmasters keep hours...

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The Bizarre Arizona Laws That Shock First-Time Visitors

Arizona’s landscapes are famous, but its legal quirks often surprise newcomers. Some rules grew from genuine public safety concerns, others from local history and wildlife realities....

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Hidden Corners Of Pennsylvania’s Amish Country Few Tourists Ever Find

Pennsylvania’s Amish Country is more than the busy byways around Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand. Venture a few turns off the main routes and you’ll find quiet lanes, family-run...

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Why Travelers Call This North Carolina Village The Perfect Old-Fashioned Christmas Getaway

Blowing Rock, North Carolina, feels tailor-made for travelers who want a classic Christmas without fuss or flash. Its walkable village, mountain vistas, and thoughtful seasonal...

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10 Legendary Kansas Steakhouses Worth Every Bite

Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary journey through the Sunflower State, where steaks are as legendary as the stories behind them. Whether you're a seasoned carnivore...

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10 Lakeside Getaways In Maine Ideal For Thanksgiving Gatherings

Ah, Thanksgiving in Maine! Picture this: golden leaves crunching underfoot, the scent of pine in the crisp air, and the gentle lapping of lake water against the shore. Whether...

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10 All You Can Eat Sushi Restaurants In Florida Worth Every Bite

Florida! Home to sun, surf, and some of the finest sushi feasts this side of the Pacific. If you’re as smitten with sushi rolls as I am, you’ll know that all-you-can-eat places...

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10 Washington Cities That Haven’t Changed In Decades

Grab your flannel shirt and hiking boots, dear reader, because we’re about to embark on a whimsical journey through ten cities in Washington State that seem frozen in time.

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10 Little Things Tourists Do In Texas That Locals Can’t Help But Laugh At

Ah, Texas: a land of BBQ, cowboy boots, and wide-open spaces. It's a place where everything is bigger and, some might say, a bit more delightful. As a seasoned traveler, I've seen...

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10 Haunted Riverfronts In New York Worth Visiting

New York is a treasure trove of mysteries and ghostly tales, with eerie riverfronts that promise a spine-tingling adventure. Whether...

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10 Peaceful Vermont Towns Suddenly Packed With Visitors

Vermont, the land of maple syrup and majestic mountains, has its fair share of quaint towns that seem to have leaped out of a postcard. Recently, these serene havens have turned...

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10 Unwritten Rules Of Iowa Every Traveler Should Know

Welcome to Iowa, a place where the cornfields stretch endlessly and the people couldn’t be friendlier. As you’re cruising through this enchanting state, keep in mind that Iowa...

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9 Alabama Gulf Towns Locals Say Tourists Took Over

Ah, the Alabama Gulf Coast! Where sugar-white sands meet the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico, and where locals are constantly muttering under their breath about how they never...

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Most Boring Towns In Nebraska That Are Too Quiet To Be Normal

Nebraska’s small towns can feel so calm that time seems to idle at a constant pace. If you’re looking for low-key stops where the loudest sound is often a grain dryer or a...

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What’s Left Of An Old Alaska Amusement Park Hidden Beneath The Snow

For most of the year, Tok’s Mukluk Land sleeps under Alaska’s long winter, its quirky attractions tucked beneath wind-packed drifts. When summer returns, the gates open to...

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Road Trippers Say This Alabama Seafood Shack Serves The Best Fried Shrimp On The Gulf

Imagine cruising the Alabama coast with the windows down and pulling up to a modest wooden shack that proudly screams “seafood.” That’s Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster...

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This Tiny North Carolina Cafe Serves Seafood Platters Locals Try To Keep Secret

Riverview Cafe in Sneads Ferry might not catch your eye at first, but that is exactly why locals love it. This tiny North Carolina spot focuses on fresh, no-fuss seafood platters...

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Tourists Keep Missing This Tiny All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet In New Mexico

Travelers blaze through New Mexico chasing big-name attractions, yet one tiny Albuquerque diner keeps slipping under the radar. Vick’s Vittles, a cozy neighborhood spot with...

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The Nevada Buffet Locals Say Is Better Than Vegas But No One Talks About It

Here’s the thing: when most people think of buffets in Nevada, their minds race toward the bright lights strip in Las Vegas, casinos, towering hotel resorts, and lines that stretch...

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