elodie fraser author at My Family Travels
Article
This Otherworldly Oregon Lake Looks Like A Giant Sapphire From Above

When a friend sent me a quick snapshot of a hidden lake in Oregon, I was instantly drawn in by the way the water glittered like a polished gemstone from the sky. The aerial view...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Horror-Themed Oregon Bar Keeps The Halloween Spirit Alive All Year Long

Last weekend I found a bar that feels like stepping into a horror movie, and I couldn’t help but stay for the whole night. The moment I walked in, the walls were covered in eerie...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Locals Say This Oregon Town Is Tourist-Ruined Beyond Recognition

I spent a weekend in an Oregon town that used to feel like a secret retreat, only to find it now packed with tour buses and endless “must-see” signs. The locals I met were...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Our March Hike Of The Month Is This Easy 1.5 Mile Oregon Waterfall Trail

When March rolls in, I love finding a trail that’s both easy and unforgettable, and this Oregon waterfall walk hits the sweet spot. A leisurely 1.5 miles of soft forest floor,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny Oregon Deli Serves Sandwiches Locals Say Are Impossible To Forget

You know how sometimes the best things come in the most unexpected packages? Well, get ready to discover a true culinary treasure nestled right here in our beloved Oregon.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Little-Known Oregon Beach Looks Like Something From Another Planet

I’ve spent countless weekends exploring the coast, but every now and then, I stumble upon a spot that completely stops me in my tracks. There’s a quiet stretch of shoreline...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Storybook Trail in Oregon Leads to a Secluded Beach Straight Out of a Fairytale

There is a place on the Oregon Coast where the trees lean in close and you half-expect a hobbit to peek out from behind a mossy root. I stumbled across the Hobbit Beach Trailhead...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon River Rafting Trip Is the Wildest Way to See the State

Standing at the edge of the Rogue River near Merlin, Oregon, with the smell of pine in the air and the sound of rushing water echoing off the canyon walls, I knew this was going...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Oregon Locations That Look Their Absolute Best in Spring

Oregon does something magical in spring. The rain-soaked hills burst into color, waterfalls swell with snowmelt, and coastal cliffs go from gray to a vivid, postcard-worthy green...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Oregon Food Cart Pod Is Basically a Mini Culinary Vacation

Picture this: you're craving Thai food, your friend wants a gyro, and someone else is dreaming about fresh sushi. At most places, you'd have to compromise or split up.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Big Changes Are Coming to Oregon State Parks This Spring

Spring in Oregon brings more than wildflowers and sunshine this year. If you're planning to explore the state's incredible parks, you'll want to know about some major updates rolling...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Oregon 2026 Destinations Where a “Short Drive” Leads to Mountains, Forests, or the Ocean

Oregon has this magical quality where you can wake up in a cozy town, grab breakfast, and be standing on a windswept beach or under towering Douglas firs before your coffee gets...

Read More    9 min read

Article
A Tiny Oregon Cabin That Might Just Have The Best Pizza In The State

There’s a small pizzeria that has people lining up down the block almost every night. From the outside, it looks humble and a little understated, but the second you get close,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Haunted Oregon Tunnel Will Give You Chills

Portland’s underground holds secrets that most visitors walk right over without ever realizing it. Beneath the busy streets of Old Town lies a maze of dim passageways once tied...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Underground Lava Experience Is Like Nothing Else in the State

Standing at the entrance to Lava River Cave, I felt like I was about to step into another world entirely. The cool air rushing up from below carried the promise of adventure, darkness,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Restaurant Will Be the Flavor and Vibe Destination Everyone Talks About in 2026

Portland's dining scene just got a serious upgrade, and it comes in the form of crispy chicken and steaming bowls of aromatic curry noodles.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Secondhand Store Lets You Fill a Cart for Just $27

Twenty-seven dollars, an empty shopping cart, and a slightly unhinged idea brought me through the doors of House of Vintage in Portland. The question was simple and dangerous.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Log Cabin Restaurant Is a Historic Feast You Can Walk Into

I was cruising down Highway 26 between Portland and the coast when I spotted something that made me slam the brakes without thinking.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Coastal Spot Tourists Ruined – Locals Just Walk Away

Cape Kiwanda was once my quiet refuge on the Oregon coast, one of those rare Oregon places where the world felt slower and the cliffs glowed honey-gold at sunset.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Lesser Known Oregon Town Is Quietly Stealing Everyone’s Attention

Last summer, I wandered into Joseph, Oregon without much of a plan - and walked straight into one of the most unexpectedly magical towns I’ve ever visited.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Unassuming Oregon Café Surprises Everyone Who Walks In

Walking past Morning Glory Cafe three times before finally stepping inside was one of my biggest regrets on a recent trip. Tucked along Siskiyou Boulevard in Ashland, Oregon, this...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Lesser Known Oregon Spot Is Making the Popular Ones Look Overrated

I’ve driven past Cannon Beach more times than I can count, crawling through traffic just to snap the same photo as everyone else. Then I found Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Old-Timey Oregon Restaurant Serves the Pacific Coast’s Best Ribeye

There's a steakhouse in Portland, Oregon that has been perfecting the art of the ribeye since 1946, and locals swear it's the best cut on the entire Pacific Coast. Sayler's Old...

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 Oregon Towns That Are a Real Port of Call for Adventure

Oregon has a way of making you feel alive. The moment your boots hit its rocky beaches or you climb into its wild mountains, something inside clicks.

Read More    9 min read

Article
9 Oregon Breakfast Spots That Take Mornings Very Seriously

Morning light hits the Pacific Northwest differently, especially when you know a plate of something extraordinary is waiting just down the street. Oregon has quietly built a breakfast...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Ultimate 2026 Lineup of Live Events Awaits at This Iconic Oregon Venue

Bend, Oregon, has become one of the Pacific Northwest's hottest destinations for live music, and at the heart of this vibrant scene sits Hayden Homes Amphitheater, a riverside...

Read More    9 min read

Article
America’s Top Key Lime Pies Are Hiding in This Unassuming Oregon Restaurant

Tucked away on a vibrant stretch of Division Street in Portland, Oregon, sits a cozy bakeshop that's quietly rewriting the rules of American pie culture.

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 Quirky Oregon Towns That Will Make You Rethink Your Road Trip

Oregon stretches far beyond Portland's food carts and Crater Lake's tourist crowds. Tucked into valleys, perched on cliffs, and scattered across high desert plains, the state hides...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Oregon’s Old-World Butcher Shop That Brings a Little Germany to Your Plate

Walking into a deli that smells like smoked meats and freshly baked bread can transport you straight to the heart of Europe. Edelweiss Sausage & Delicatessen in Portland does...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Oregon Locals Know Which Places Work Better on Certain Days

Oregon locals have figured out something visitors often miss: timing is everything. Certain places around the state truly come alive on specific days of the week, offering completely...

Read More    10 min read

Article
Oregon Locals Will Defend These Places Without Hesitation

Oregon is the kind of place that gets under your skin, where the landscapes feel almost sacred and the people who call it home take fierce pride in protecting what makes their...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Oregon City Locals Won’t Visit on Weekends Anymore

Seaside, Oregon was once known for its slow mornings, open beaches, and a rhythm shaped by tides rather than traffic. Locals remember a time when the Promenade felt like a place...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Oregon Towns Locals Say Time Slowed Down In

You know that feeling when a town invites you to breathe a little deeper, listen a little closer, and let the day unfold without hurry.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Bagel Spot in Oregon Has Been a Local Favorite Since 1995

Bagel Sphere has been a cornerstone of Eugene’s food scene for more than three decades, earning a devoted following among locals who crave authentic, handcrafted bagels made...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Oregon Towns Locals Keep Recommending Even Though They Don’t Look Special

Oregon doesn't always show its best side at first glance. Some of the state's most beloved towns look like simple dots on the map, easy to miss if you're speeding toward Portland...

Read More    10 min read

Article
10 Unassuming Restaurants in Oregon With Legendary Local Dishes

Oregon's dining scene is filled with surprises that go far beyond trendy hotspots and polished facades. Tucked into neighborhoods,...

Read More    10 min read

Article
These 10 Places in Oregon Feel Unsettling Even in Broad Daylight

Daylight should make everything feel safe, yet Oregon has corners where sunlight only sharpens the unease. You step into a clearing,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Oregon Food Trucks That Make the Best Lunch

Oregon is built for lunch on wheels, and the state’s food trucks make every midday break feel like a small adventure. You...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These 10 Oregon Hikes Only Locals Really Know About

You came to Oregon for wild places, but the most memorable trails rarely shout for attention. Locals whisper directions, watch...

Read More    9 min read

Article
These 10 Hole-in-the-Wall Pit-Smoke Barns in South Dakota Are Worth Every Mile

South Dakota hides its best smoke behind weathered boards, gravel lots, and humble signs that whisper instead of shout. You...

Read More    8 min read

Article
11 Oklahoma Buffet Restaurants That Offer Way More Than Just Quantity

Buffets in Oklahoma can be more than bottomless plates, they can be thoughtful, well crafted experiences that celebrate flavor and community.

Read More    10 min read

Article
Michigan Restaurants That Travelers May Hear About Only Through Locals

You hear about the best places in Michigan from people who care about good food and community. Locals swap tips in line, whisper directions, and point you toward tucked away doors....

Read More    9 min read

Article
11 Cozy Michigan Diners Known for Homestyle Breakfast by the Lake

Mornings in Michigan feel different when a lakeshore breeze meets the smell of hot coffee and a griddle warming up. You want...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Small Town In Oregon May Feel Like A Secret Coastal Escape

Bandon feels like a quiet secret you only tell your favorite people, a small Oregon coastal town wrapped in wind, salt, and soft light. The shoreline looks sculpted by a patient...

Read More    9 min read

Article
11 Hole-in-the-Wall BBQ Sheds in Oregon Locals Keep Quiet

Oregon hides smoky little shrines where the pit fire does the talking and regulars keep the best bites to themselves. You...

Read More    8 min read

Article
11 Utah Hole-in-the-Wall Seafood Spots That Surprise Everyone

Utah is not the first place most people picture when seafood cravings hit, which is exactly why these tucked away spots feel so thrilling.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Buffet Lovers Rejoice: 10 Oregon’s Top Picks

Oregon rewards buffet lovers with variety, personality, and views that make every plate feel like a small adventure. You will...

Read More    9 min read

Article
10 North Carolina Favorites Famous for Barbecue

You came for the smoke, but North Carolina keeps you for the stories behind every pit and the people tending the coals. From whole hog traditions by the coast to pork shoulder...

Read More    8 min read

Article
11 Places in Ohio Where You Can Still Taste True Amish Heritage Cooking

Ohio holds pockets of quiet kitchens where recipes are still measured by memory and passed from hand to hand. You can smell the bread before you see the oven, and you can feel...

Read More    9 min read

Article
10 Cozy New York Restaurants Ideal for Date Nights

New York has a special way of turning an ordinary night into a cinematic memory, especially when the lights dim and the city hums outside your table. You want a place that feels...

Read More    8 min read