eli grant author at My Family Travels
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The Oklahoma Onion Burger Route That Doesn’t Exist on Any Map

Oklahoma's backroads hide a culinary secret that's been sizzling in plain sight for nearly a century. The onion burger, born during the Great Depression when meat was scarce and...

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The One Oklahoma Meal Travelers Never Find Unless a Local Tells Them

Oklahoma holds a secret most travelers never uncover, no matter how many diners they visit or highways they cruise. The Indian taco on fry bread is not tucked inside a trendy food...

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This Giant Roadside Statue in Oklahoma Became an Unofficial State Symbol

Along the historic ribbon of Route 66 in northeastern Oklahoma stands a massive concrete creature that has captured hearts for more than five decades. The Blue Whale of Catoosa...

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Why This Oklahoma Restaurant Never Changed and Never Emptied Out

Tucked into the heart of Stockyards City, Cattlemen's Steakhouse stands as a living monument to Oklahoma's ranching heritage and culinary tradition. Since opening its doors in...

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This All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Spot in Oklahoma Quietly Wins Everyone Over

Oklahoma City sits at the crossroads of the Great Plains, where wide skies meet sprawling urban energy and a deep-rooted appreciation for honest, hardworking flavors.

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This Low-Key Oklahoma All-You-Can-Eat Spot Regularly Shocks Newcomers

Oklahoma City holds a surprising depth when it comes to authentic international cuisine, and tucked along North May Avenue sits a spot that continues to catch visitors completely...

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This Oklahoma County Feels Like a Local-Only Escape

Far out in the Oklahoma Panhandle, where the state stretches westward into high plains and wide skies, Cimarron County sits quietly at the very edge of everything familiar. This...

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This Oklahoma Diner Never Chases Attention but Always Draws a Crowd

Vinita sits quietly in northeastern Oklahoma, where the prairie stretches wide and the pace of life moves at its own rhythm. This is a town shaped by travelers, shaped by the iconic...

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An Oklahoma Roadside Stop Locals Admit Feels Slightly Unsettling

Downtown Tulsa holds a peculiar secret that has puzzled visitors and locals for decades. Tucked away on a pedestrian bridge near...

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This Giant Oklahoma Thrift Store Turns Every Visit Into a Treasure Hunt

Oklahoma City holds a secret that bargain hunters and vintage lovers have been whispering about for years. Tucked along West...

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These Oklahoma Attractions Range From Giant Sculptures to Strange Sound Mysteries

Oklahoma has a way of bending reality just enough to make travelers question what they are seeing. One moment the road feels...

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The Quirky Oklahoma Diners Locals Flock to After Midnight

Oklahoma comes alive after sunset in a way that feels quietly magnetic rather than loud. The highways soften, neon signs flicker...

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This All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Spot in Oklahoma City Drew Attention From Visitors

Travelers keep whispering about a lively all you can eat find in Oklahoma City, and the buzz finally reached a fever pitch. Maple...

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These Florida Asian Buffets Serve a Wide Range Beyond Sushi

Florida rewards curious eaters who look beyond the sushi case, because these buffets pack sizzling grills, lively seafood spreads, and comfort classics into one easy stop.

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6 Hole-in-the-Wall Spots in Florida Locals Say Aren’t Overrun by Tourists

Florida might be famous for its theme parks and crowded beaches, but tucked away from the tourist stampede are hidden gems that locals guard like family secrets.

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7 Ways Travel in Oregon Has Shifted as Tourism Continues to Grow

Oregon has become one of the most talked about travel destinations in the Pacific Northwest, and the surge in visitors has reshaped how people experience this beautiful state....

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9 Buffets In Las Vegas Known For Endless Variety And Repeat Visits

Las Vegas is known for its entertainment, casinos, and nightlife, and its buffets also play a major role in the city’s dining scene.

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Oklahoma Flea Market Noted for Its Wide Variety of Low-Cost Items

Old Paris Flea Market in Oklahoma City has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting treasure hunting destinations in the state.

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7 Popular Hawaii Hikes That See Heavy Visitor Traffic

Hawaii offers some of the most breathtaking hiking experiences in the world, where volcanic landscapes meet tropical rainforests and ocean views stretch for miles.

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7 New Jersey Boardwalks That Attract Large Numbers of Visitors

New Jersey boardwalks offer classic summer experiences with ocean views, rides, and shops. Crowds tend to increase during...

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Idaho’s Frontier Town Evolves into a Mountain Destination

Tucked in the Idaho Panhandle, Wallace blends frontier grit with a creative mountain vibe that sneaks up on you in the best way.

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A Riverside Holiday Escape in Pennsylvania With Lights and Historic Inns

Set along the Delaware River, New Hope quietly transforms during the holiday season, offering a version of winter travel that feels intimate rather than crowded.

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Fish Smokehouses in Washington You Might Not Know About

Washington State hides some of its best smokehouses in plain sight, tucked behind gas stations, down logging roads, and inside modest storefronts that only locals seem to know....

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10 Cities in Vermont to Visit During Winter

Vermont in winter feels like a living postcard, with snowy streets, warm lights in shop windows, and trails that sparkle under crisp skies.

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Ride Pennsylvania’s Historic Train Through the Scenic Pocono Mountains

Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains hold a special kind of magic, especially when viewed from the window of a moving train. Historic...

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The Scenic Oregon Road Trip That Combines Mountains, Forests, and Beaches

You want an Oregon road trip that feels like three adventures in one, and this route delivers it with mountains, forests, and beaches in one continuous flow.

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8 Alabama Smokehouses Where Smoked Chicken Deserves Top Billing

Barbecue traditions in Alabama are as varied as the state itself, but smoked chicken holds a special place on the menu. Paired...

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8 Wyoming Villages Worth Visiting for a Quiet Weekend

Wyoming offers more than just wide-open spaces and famous national parks. Tucked between mountain ranges and high plains,...

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What Your Favorite Coastal Spots in Maine Reveal About Your Hidden Personality Traits

Maine's rugged coastline stretches for miles, dotted with charming villages, historic lighthouses, and sandy beaches that attract visitors from around the world.

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8 Texas Hill Country Drives That Turn Into All-Day Adventures

Rolling hills covered in wildflowers, winding roads that disappear into the horizon, and small towns that feel like stepping back in time all wait for you in the Texas Hill Country....

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Image credits: © Pella/Google maps © Amana Colonies Visitors Center/Google maps
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6 Iowa Communities Recognized for Local Food Traditions and Festivals

Iowa communities have built vibrant food traditions that celebrate local harvests, family recipes, and seasonal gatherings. Across...

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8 Maine Coastal Towns Where Mornings Start Slower

Morning light filters through fog along the Maine coast, where time seems to move at a different pace than the rest of the world.

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Image credits: © Dooky Chase Restaurant/Google maps © Commander's Palace/Google maps
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9 Louisiana Restaurants Travelers Say Capture the State’s True Flavors

Louisiana kitchens tell stories that stretch back centuries, blending French technique with African spices, Native American traditions, and Caribbean heat into something entirely...

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8 Oregon Forest Hikes Locals Save for Quiet Weekends

Oregon's forests hold secrets that locals guard carefully, saving the quietest trails for weekends when they need a true escape. These...

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Image credits: © Old Homowack Lodge Historical Landmark/Google maps © Site of Former Grossinger's Resort Hotel/Google Maps
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6 Abandoned New York Resorts That Time Quietly Left Behind

New York State once flourished as a vacation playground, filled with grand resorts that promised escape and leisure. As tastes...

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9 Nevada Desert Stops That Make Long Drives Actually Enjoyable

Long stretches of highway across Nevada can feel endless, but the Silver State hides unexpected and rewarding stops between its vast desert expanses.

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Image credits: © Leavenworth/Google Maps © Langley/Google Maps
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11 Washington Towns Where Tourism Quietly Reshaped Daily Life

Tourism in Washington has not just filled hotels, it has rewritten morning routines, storefront habits, and even the way quiet streets sound after sunset.

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The 9 Quiet Arizona Desert Towns Hiding Surprisingly Great Local Food Halls

Arizona rewards curious travelers who look beyond the headline attractions and wander into smaller desert towns with genuine community energy.

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Image credits: © Idora Park (Historical Landmark)/Google Maps Image Credit: Dana Beveridge from Chicago, IL, USA, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
Article
7 Abandoned Ohio Amusement Parks Locals Still Can’t Stop Talking About

Ohio is full of stories that refuse to fade, especially the ones set in parks where music, lights, and laughter once defined summer.

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The Little Oklahoma Town That Surprises Visitors With Its Big Charm

The road slips into Pawhuska with a hush, and the prairie opens like a low whisper before you notice the brick storefronts glow against the sky.

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This Vallejo, California Soul Food Restaurant Puts the Community First

Vallejo, California invites you to slow down, look around, and meet a restaurant that treats neighbors like family. Noonie's...

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The Dullest Town in New Mexico Where the Desert Feels Too Still

Carrizozo waits at the edge of quiet like a town that learned to breathe with the desert. Sunlight lands on low storefronts...

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10 Remote Washington Cabins So Deep in the Woods They Feel Off-Grid

There are cabins in Washington that feel like the map forgot them, where the trees close in and the world gets quiet enough to hear your own footsteps on the porch.

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The Dullest Town in Nevada Where the Nights Feel Uncomfortably Quiet

Night folds over Goldfield like a heavy blanket, and the quiet feels so complete that your footsteps start to sound like a clock you cannot see.

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Inside the Hidden North Carolina Village That Cherishes Its Holiday Magic

Tucked into the mountains of North Carolina, Dillsboro is a quiet gem where holiday magic thrives without flashy lights or crowded attractions.

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Texas Stuns Visitors With Austin Trail of Lights Everyone Wants This Year

You arrive in Zilker Park and the night feels alive, a canopy of color rippling over Barton Springs Road as if Austin decided to paint the sky.

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11 Food Sayings in Texas That Leave Tourists Totally Confused

Texas loves to talk about food, and the sayings can sound like riddles until you sit down at a table and taste what they mean. You...

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New York Turns the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Into This Year’s Most Magical Light Walk You Must Witness

New York in winter glows brighter when the Brooklyn Botanic Garden turns its pathways into a twinkling dream. You step in...

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11 Oregon Coastal Villages Locals Say Tourists Have Changed Forever

Oregon’s shoreline still smells like salt, cedar, and campfire smoke, yet locals say the rhythm has changed with every new selfie and suitcase.

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9 Texas Small Towns Locals Say Don’t Feel Authentic Anymore

Texas small towns carry stories you can feel in the sidewalks and storefronts, yet some places now seem tailored to visitors more than neighbors.

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