elena ryder author at My Family Travels
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10 Secret Christmas-Themed Bars Taking Over Illinois This Season

Illinois flips the switch on winter by hiding its most spirited spots in plain sight. Secret Christmas-themed bars bloom across...

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The Forgotten Lake Cabin in Minnesota Where Time Reportedly Stopped in 1978

Minnesota hides places where the present feels optional, and Tulaby Lake might be the most beguiling of them. Locals whisper...

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The Hole-in-the-Wall New Mexico Café Serving Tacos You’ll Dream About

New Mexico rewards curiosity, especially when you follow the scent of roasted chile down a quiet side street. In Taos, a modest...

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The Third Floor of the Connecticut Home Mark Twain Banned His Family From, And You Can Now See It

Step into the most private corner of Mark Twain’s Hartford home, where the writer guarded his solitude like treasure. The...

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The 10 “Boring” Villages in New Hampshire Locals Swear Have Secret Charm

New Hampshire keeps its quiet treasures tucked behind steeples, stone walls, and sleepy greens. Travelers rush past, then...

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The Eerie Lakeside Motel in Connecticut Where Mirrors Reflect More Than Faces

Travelers come to Connecticut for calm lakes and colonial charm, yet some places hold a different kind of reflection. At a...

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This Illinois City Has Streets Straight Out of a Storybook

Galena, Illinois, looks like it stepped out of a well loved tale, then kept going. The streets bend with the river, rise into...

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Why Tourists in Minnesota Keep Getting Caught Sailing Without Registration

Minnesota looks like a sailor’s dream, with broad blue lakes and steady summer breezes that seem to invite an impromptu launch.

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The Creepy Roadside Inn in Kentucky Where Guests Hear Knocking from Empty Rooms

Kentucky’s back roads hide stories that wake up after dark, and one historic inn in Bardstown tells them with a quiet knock. Travelers...

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The Real Reason Tourists in Tennessee Keep Getting Ticketed for Street Music

Tennessee’s streets pulse with rhythm. From Nashville’s Lower Broadway to Beale Street in Memphis, visitors come expecting to play or hear music at every corner.

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The Tiny Washington Town That Feels Like It Was Built for Falling in Love

Tucked beside the Swinomish Channel, La Conner in Washington feels tailor made for slow days and softer conversations. The...

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The Hidden Mississippi Shack Locals Swear Has the Best Fried Catfish in the South

Catfish pilgrims, take note. In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Larry’s Fish House in Itta Bena keeps a loyal crowd without billboards or buzz, just steady excellence and...

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8 Once-Quiet Wisconsin Spots Locals Wish Tourists Never Found

Wisconsin holds quiet places that once felt like secrets, where pine shade and lake light stitched together unrushed days. Locals...

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The “Boring” Nebraska Town That’s Been Throwing the Same Party Since 1868

Seward, Nebraska wears its modesty like a badge, then flips the script every Fourth of July. The town’s century-spanning celebration turns quiet streets into a living timeline...

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The 10 “Boring” Nebraska Towns That Locals Say Are Haunted but Peaceful

Nebraska wears its mysteries quietly, tucked into river towns, pine hills, and prairie crossroads that most travelers simply pass by. Locals will tell you the spirits are gentle...

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Travelers Can Tour the Haunted Louisiana Prison Where Inmates Are Said to Roam

Louisiana holds stories that do not quiet down at sunset, and the Beauregard Parish Gothic Jail in DeRidder is one of them. Travelers come for the architecture, then stay a little...

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10 Hidden Vermont Villages Where Time Seems To Stand Still

Imagine stepping into a world where the clock ticks a little slower, where the air is crisp, and every corner is a scene from a postcard. Welcome to Vermont's hidden villages,...

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10 Tourist Mistakes In Utah That Could Cost You A Fine

Welcome to the wild and wondrous state of Utah, where breathtaking landscapes meet unexpected fines! Yes, you heard that right. While you're busy snapping selfies amidst the stunning...

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10 Colorado Hot Springs Rules Tourists Always Break

There's something quite magical about Colorado's hot springs. Nestled amidst the Rockies, they promise relaxation and rejuvenation. But beware, dear traveler, for the tranquil...

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The Green Chile Burritos at This New Mexico Truck Stop Are Legendary Among Travellers

New Mexico road trips have a way of turning quick stops into stories, and this one starts at I-40 exit 369 near Glenrio. Russell’s Truck & Travel Center hides a lively diner...

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The Old Restaurant in Louisiana Locals Say Is Haunted by Its Founder

In Louisiana, legends often seep into the walls of historic buildings, and few places wear that history like Antoine’s in New Orleans. Locals whisper that its founder still checks...

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Why Locals in Maine Swear This Downtown Italian Deli Has the Best Cannoli in the State

Maine road trips reward curiosity, and a small Italian deli-bakery in downtown Waterville proves it. Holy Cannoli has quietly earned the loyalty of locals who plan detours just...

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Deep in the Swamps of Louisiana Lies an Abandoned Family Park No One Mentions

I came to Louisiana looking for music, food, and wide open water, but a quiet rumor tugged me into the marsh. Locals spoke lightly about a family park swallowed by reeds and time,...

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10 South Carolina Road Trips Perfect For Seniors On A Budget

Pack your bags and grab your sunglasses, because we're about to embark on a scenic adventure through South Carolina, all without breaking the bank. From enchanting gardens to historic...

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The Ghostly Remains of an Idaho Amusement Park Hidden in the Hills

I'm drawn to places that speak in whispers, and this hillside relic in Idaho tells a quiet, profound story. I walked the ridge, heard the wind, and felt the pull of summers that...

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Why Locals Say Tourists Never Notice This Hidden Side of Oregon’s Forests

I’ve explored Oregon’s famous viewpoints and crowded waterfalls, but locals kept nudging me off the main trail. They said I was missing the quiet, living layers that make these...

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The Forgotten Oklahoma Theme Park Buried in Dust and Silence

I walked the quiet edge of Northeast 40th and MLK in Oklahoma City and felt a tug only history can pull. Springlake Amusement Park once filled this ground with racket and summer...

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10 Things Only Locals in South Carolina Know About Their Real Southern Charm

I travel to learn what locals guard quietly, and South Carolina keeps surprising me. The small gestures and everyday rituals feel inviting, not staged. I found stories tucked into...

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10 Fast Casual Dining Spots in Wyoming Worth a Special Trip

I chase easygoing meals across wide roads and big skies, and Wyoming keeps surprising me. Fast casual here means counter service with heart, real ingredients, and kitchens that...

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Why Colorado’s Antique Shops Are Drawing Travelers From Everywhere

I travel for stories, and Colorado keeps handing me good ones. Antique shops across the state feel lively, well stocked, and easy to pair with scenic road time. I keep finding...

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Why Travelers in Nevada Swear the Best Halloween Finds Are in Local Thrift Shops

Nevada’s bright lights and casinos might grab the headlines, but in October, the state’s real treasures hide in thrift stores. From Las Vegas to Reno and the quiet desert towns...

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The Kansas City, Missouri Buffet So Good Locals Keep It Off Social Media

In a city known for barbecue, one buffet quietly competes with the best of them, Peachtree Buffet & Cafeteria in Kansas City, Missouri. It doesn’t rely on hashtags, neon...

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The Texas Amusement Park That Ended, but Never Really Left

I stood at the fence line at dawn, where wind and memory still trade whispers. In West Texas, Joyland Amusement Park may be gone, but its presence lingers like the echo of laughter...

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The Weird Laws in Florida Tourists Keep Breaking Without Even Knowing

Florida welcomes millions of visitors every year, but some end up bending the rules without realizing it. The state’s mix of old ordinances, wildlife protections, and local quirks...

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10 Most Boring Cities in Utah With Shockingly Wild Local Legends

Utah’s small cities often appear uneventful, quiet grids of tidy homes, wide streets, and little to do after dark. But ask locals what really happens there, and the stories change...

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The Blueberry Muffins at This New Hampshire Café Are the Best in New England

I stopped at Hoaty’s in Hampton, New Hampshire, after hearing travelers talk about its blueberry muffins. They weren’t exaggerating. The café looks unassuming from the road,...

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The Tennessee All You Can Eat Ribs Spot That’s Turning Into a Legend

Every town in the Smokies claims to have the best ribs, but only one spot makes people line up before sunset like they’re waiting for a show. Wood Grill Buffet in Pigeon Forge...

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9 Most Boring Cities in Arizona That Tourists Accidentally Fall in Love With

Some towns in Arizona look quiet from the highway, yet they sneak up on you with small joys and steady charm. I chase those places because they reward time, not haste. Give them...

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Planning a Trip? New York’s Night Sky About to Host a Rare ‘Meteor Storm’ Show

If you’re heading to New York soon, keep your eyes on the skies: the Orionid meteor shower is predicted to peak overnight on October 20-21, 2025, and conditions are favorable...

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9 Hidden California Kebab Spots Every Traveler Should Visit

Hey fellow food explorers! I've been on a mission to uncover California's most mouthwatering kebab treasures, and boy, have I struck gold! There's something magical about perfectly...

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Why Colorado Locals Can’t Help Laughing at How Tourists Handle the Mountains

Living in Colorado teaches you things about altitude, weather, and common sense that don’t come printed in guidebooks. I still smile when I watch newcomers learn mountain lessons...

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9 Must-Visit Diners In Washington Open Around The Clock

Hey fellow night owls and early birds! I've spent countless sleepless nights exploring Washington's round-the-clock dining scene, and boy, do I have some greasy spoon gems to share...

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Why North Carolinians Keep These 9 All You Can Eat Buffets to Themselves

I’ve eaten my way through North Carolina, and locals are right, the best buffets aren’t always on the highway signs. Many sit in modest buildings, serving food that feels closer...

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6 Hidden Ohio Gastropubs Worth the Drive This Weekend

I chase small-town menus and neighborhood spots that cook with care and keep a humble profile. This weekend list pulls together places that locals recommend and travelers often...

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9 Texas Thrift Stores Locals Don’t Want Tourists to Discover

I chase the kinds of Texas thrift stores locals swap in hushed tones. These spots feel friendly and practical, with shelves that turn over fast and staff who know their neighborhoods....

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9 Ohio’s Lost Attractions Tourists Once Loved

Ohio was once a playground with attractions that captured the hearts of many. These places, now memories, remind us of the joy and excitement of past times. Join me on a journey...

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Road Trippers Can’t Stop Talking About The Brisket At This Texas Smokehouse

Texas is a land where the love for barbecue runs deep. Among the many smokehouses that dot this great state, one stands out for its brisket that people just can't stop raving about....

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5 Reasons Virginia’s Historic Sites Don’t Feel Special Anymore

I love roaming old streets and tracing stories through bricks and floorboards, but lately something feels off. The places I once called time machines now read like curated sets....

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California’s Redwoods Suffering From Too Many Tourists

I go back to the redwoods every year because they steady my mind. Lately I see more cars, fuller trailheads, and paths pressed flat where ferns once grew. The trees still awe me,...

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7 Oregon Getaways Locals Avoid Because of Tourists

Oregon is a beautiful state, rich with natural landscapes and cultural gems. However, some places have become a bit too popular for their own good. As a local, I know there are...

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