elena ryder author at My Family Travels
Article
10 Iconic Music Venues in Tennessee Boomers Remember Well

Tennessee's rich musical heritage is etched in legendary venues that have shaped the sounds of generations. From Nashville’s vibrant stages to Memphis’s soulful landmarks,...

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8 Unique Local Traditions In Ohio

Ohio isn't just about cornfields and football, it's a treasure trove of quirky traditions that make this Midwestern state truly special! I've spent years exploring the Buckeye...

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9 Louisiana Restaurants Where Gumbo Warms The Soul More Than The Jazz

Louisiana's heartbeat isn't just found in its jazz rhythms, it's simmering in pots of rich, aromatic gumbo across the state. From roux so dark it'll make your mama weep to seafood...

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9 Memphis BBQ Joints Where Pulled Pork Sandwiches Are Legendary

Memphis is the undisputed capital of pulled pork sandwiches, where smoke-kissed meat and tangy slaw create magic between two buns. I've spent years sampling these saucy delights...

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9 Memphis Spots Serving Authentic Mexican Flavors You Can’t Miss

Authentic Mexican cuisine has a special place in Memphis, and the city’s diverse culinary landscape reflects a genuine appreciation for time-honored recipes and local...

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California’s Pirate Bar With Exotic Cocktails and Nautical Vibes

If you like your cocktails with a sense of adventure, Smuggler’s Cove feels like stepping below deck on a centuries-old pirate ship. Instead of neon and sleek lines, it’s all...

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6 Washington Food and Drink Festivals Locals Don’t Want You to Miss

Washington State serves up more than just famous seafood and apples. If you know where to look, you can find festivals that are as eclectic as they are delicious, drawing...

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8 Instagrammable California Spots Every Gen Z Traveler Knows

California’s landscape feels made for sharing. From coastal icons to urban art, every corner offers something surprising for your feed. As someone who loves discovering photo-worthy...

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8 Ohio-Born Restaurant Chains That Took the State by Storm

When I think about Ohio’s influence on America’s dining scene, it’s hard not to feel a sense of pride. From quirky drive-ins to iconic comfort food joints, Ohio’s homegrown...

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7 Texas Hill Country Drives with Stunning Views

Driving through the Texas Hill Country never fails to surprise me. Each route reveals its own blend of rolling hills, winding rivers, and rugged limestone outcrops, making every...

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6 Historic Villages in Ohio Worth a Short Trip

If you're craving a short getaway filled with charm, history, and hidden stories, Ohio’s historic villages deliver, minus the crowds of big tourist hubs. Here are six historic...

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5 Secluded Lakefront Cabins in New York State

Looking for that perfect escape where water lapping against the shore is your daily soundtrack? Here are some of the coziest, most secluded lakefront cabins in New York State,...

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8 Scenic Picnic Trails in Florida

Here’s an emotional nugget: sometimes you just want to run away to the woods (or a beach, or a spring) and eat a sandwich surrounded by birds instead of emails. Florida...

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8 Quirky Monuments in Upstate New York

Sometimes the most honest thing you can do is admit that you want to see something weird, or at least different enough to jolt you out of your day. Upstate New...

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Offbeat South Carolina Attraction You Have to See to Believe

When you’re cruising I-95 near the North Carolina border, it’s hard to miss the towering sombrero sign telling you you’re near South of the Border. Located in Dillon, this...

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The Milwaukee Spy Cafe Where Solving Codes Is Part of Your Meal

Walking into this Milwaukee café, I didn’t expect to be handed a mission along with my menu. But that’s exactly what happens at SafeHouse, a restaurant that has been serving...

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September 12 in Enterprise: Don’t Miss the Food Truck Face Off

Looking for something fun, flavorful, and worthy of your Friday night? Head to Mitchell Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on Friday, September 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The 15th annual Food...

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7 Houston Restaurants Serving Soul Food You Can’t Miss

Houston’s soul food scene is comfort wrapped in nostalgia, every bite carrying the warmth of home, cooked by people who know just how much that matters. The spots I’ve chosen...

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Feel Like You’re Eating in the Wild at Niagara Falls’ Rainforest Café

Niagara Falls is already dramatic on its own, but just a few blocks from the roar of the water you’ll find a different kind of spectacle. The Rainforest Café here doesn’t...

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Forget Fancy Dining, This Arizona Restaurant Nails Fish Tacos

I didn’t expect a lot when someone told me to try fish tacos in the middle of the desert. But Teresa’s Mosaic Café, a Tucson staple since 1984, quietly changed that for me....

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Step Into Miami’s Art Deco Diner That Transports You to the Roaring Twenties

Miami Beach’s Art Deco District is full of colorful buildings, but one diner manages to capture the 1920s spirit in a way that feels both nostalgic and inviting.

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5 Buffets in California Worth Coming Back For

California’s dining scene covers everything from food trucks to fine dining, but buffets remain a steady favorite for variety and value. Across the state, certain buffets have...

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6 Texas Arts & Crafts Fairs Worth Visiting

Last year, right after my third coffee and somewhere between existential dread and a Pinterest scroll, I realized I hadn’t done anything just for fun in ages. Not for my résumé,...

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7 Scenic California Hiking Trails Without Crowds

You ever stand at the entrance to a crowded trail, clutching your water bottle, and think, “Honestly, I just wanted some birdsong and a little dramatic scenery, was that...

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8 Illegal Camping Areas in Nevada That Could Ruin Your Trip

Nevada’s vast desert vistas might seem like an open invitation for adventurous campers, but there are plenty of places where pitching a tent is strictly off-limits. From bustling...

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7 Historic Mining Towns Across Nevada for a Weekend Trip

Nevada’s past glitters with the legacy of mining, stretching back to the silver and gold rushes that changed the state forever. Many travelers, myself included, are drawn to...

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9 Secret Taco Spots in Florida

Florida’s food scene reflects its coastal setting and diverse communities, and tacos are no exception. While well-known restaurants serve Mexican-inspired dishes, some of the...

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10 Texas Small Towns That Make the Perfect Quick Escape

Texas may be known for its big cities, but its small towns offer easy getaways filled with history, scenery, and a slower pace. Within a short drive of urban centers, these towns...

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7 Illegal Fishing Zones in Florida Tourists Often Accidentally Enter

Florida is a top destination for recreational fishing, but not every body of water or stretch of shoreline is open to anglers. Certain areas are off-limits due to environmental...

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7 Lakefront Blossoms Found Only in Michigan Perfect Gentle Trips

Michigan’s freshwater shorelines create unique habitats where rare wildflowers and lakefront blossoms grow. These blooms, found only within the Great Lakes region, flourish thanks...

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7 Florida Water Lily Gardens That Offer Benches, Shade, and Stunning Views

Florida’s climate makes it an ideal setting for aquatic gardens, and water lilies thrive in ponds across the state. More than ornamental plants, these flowers provide color,...

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8 Florida Restaurants You’ll Only Hear About If a Local Trusts You

Florida is full of well-known dining spots, especially in tourist centers like Miami, Orlando, and Key West. But beyond the guidebook highlights are restaurants that locals keep...

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8 Hidden Parks in Los Angeles You Haven’t Seen Yet

Here’s a real talk moment: Even in a city packed with palm trees and yoga studios, finding a truly peaceful spot in Los Angeles can feel like trying to get the last everything...

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8 Public Caves in Arkansas You Can Explore

Real talk: there’s something oddly grounding about crawling around under a chunk of the Ozarks. Maybe it’s the cool air, maybe it’s the fact that your phone...

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7 Unique Ohio Grocery Chains You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Ohio’s grocery landscape blends national retailers with smaller regional and independent chains that reflect local shopping habits. These Ohio-based chains often highlight fresh...

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How Colorado Locals Really Prepare for Tourist Season

Tourism is a major part of Colorado’s economy, drawing millions each year for skiing, hiking, national parks, and mountain towns. For locals, the arrival of visitors brings both...

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7 Texas Grocery Chains Where BBQ Counters Rival Real Smokehouses

In Texas, barbecue is as common at roadside smokehouses as it is inside grocery stores. Some supermarkets have turned their deli counters into full-fledged smokehouses, where brisket,...

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8 Iconic Grocery Stores in Michigan That Locals Treat Like Landmarks

In Michigan, grocery stores are more than just places to shop, some have become community fixtures and even regional landmarks. They often reflect local history, carry specialty...

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8 Ohio Pizzerias Locals Think Rival New York’s Best

Ohio may not be the first place people think of for pizza, but the state has developed its own strong traditions. Regional chains, many of them family-founded, have built loyal...

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8 California Restaurant Chains Locals Secretly Prefer Over Big Names

California is home to some of the country’s largest restaurant brands, but many residents prefer smaller, regional chains for their everyday meals. These local spots often emphasize...

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8 Tiny Road Trips in Texas You Can Do in Under 3 Hours

Texas is known for its wide-open highways and long drives, but not every road trip requires days of travel. Across the state, there are short routes that can be done in three hours...

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7 Underground Missouri Attractions Locals Visit Most

Real talk: Sometimes you just need to get away from all the noise, both the literal and the constant "shoulds" in your head. Missouri, with its secret world beneath...

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9 Easy Weekend Road Trips from Atlanta

Do you ever sit on your couch Saturday morning, coffee in hand, and just feel a little itchy; like your life needs a new playlist, and the current one is stuck on repeat? That’s...

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8 Coastal Maine Spots Where Clam Chowder Rules the Table

Along Maine’s coast, seafood is central to the dining experience, and few dishes are as closely tied to the region as clam chowder. Traditionally made with clams, potatoes, onions,...

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7 Rustic Ranch Stays in Upstate New York

Upstate New York offers wide-open landscapes, rolling hills, and historic farmlands that make it well-suited for ranch-style getaways. While the region is better known for the...

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8 Quirky Monuments in Washington State

Washington State is known for its mountains, forests, and coastlines, but scattered among its natural landmarks are monuments that lean more toward the unusual. Built by communities,...

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7 New Mexico Joints Where Red Chile Takes Center Stage

In New Mexico, red chile is more than a sauce; it’s a tradition. Made by drying ripened green chiles and transforming them into a rich, earthy sauce, red chile delivers a flavor...

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8 Small Art Communities in Michigan Off the Tourist Path

Michigan’s art scene is not limited to Detroit’s galleries or the large museums in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. Across the state, small towns and villages have built reputations...

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7 Alabama Smokehouses Where Smoked Chicken Rules the Plate

Barbecue traditions in Alabama are as varied as the state itself, but smoked chicken holds a special place on the menu. Paired with the state’s signature white sauce, a tangy,...

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9 Summer Outdoor Concerts in Ohio

Summer in Ohio means music drifting into the open air. From big-name tours to hometown bands, stages pop up in parks, amphitheaters, and neighborhood squares across the state....

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