elodie fraser author at My Family Travels
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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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,...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Small Towns in Wyoming Where Wildlife Outnumbers People

Wyoming rewards curious travelers with towns so small that hoofprints often outnumber footprints. You can watch elk thread through sage flats at sunrise, then catch pronghorn skimming...

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A Kentucky Town Known For Cozy Winter Evenings

Nestled in the heart of Kentucky, Bardstown transforms into a picturesque winter wonderland as snowflakes dance around its historic streets. Known for its festive charm and warm...

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Kid-Friendly Places to Visit in Pennsylvania

Planning a family trip to Pennsylvania can feel exciting, because every corner of the state offers something playful, educational, and easy to enjoy together. From hands on museums...

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Coal Towns in Oklahoma That Visitors Often Overlook

Oklahoma hides its mining scars beneath quiet streets and wind worn headframes, and that silence invites curious travelers to look closer.

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A Haunted Historic Inn That Will Make You Sleep with One Eye Open in Oregon

Oregon loves a good ghost story, and few places deliver like McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland. This former elementary school turned hotel is charming by day, then unsettlingly...

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The Georgia Town That Feels Easy to Like

Blue Ridge, Georgia, hooks you with mountain air that feels crisp enough to restart a week. Friendly storefronts glow along Main Street, and the pace drops the second you park....

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10 Michigan Places Even Locals Somehow Miss

You think you know Michigan, then a quiet path or a side street reminds you there is always more waiting behind the next turn. This guide pulls back the curtain on places even...

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Louisiana Grocery Stores With Seafood Departments Worth the Trip

You came to Louisiana for flavor, and the seafood counters here prove why the state sets the bar for Gulf freshness. These grocery spots deliver convenience, knowledgeable teams,...

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Low-Key Michigan Spots Where the Steaks Surprise First-Time Diners

You think you know Michigan dining, then a quiet roadside spot hands you a steak that resets the bar. These low key rooms favor charm over flash, yet the sizzle on the grill tells...

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Hidden-Gem Small Towns in Oklahoma With Very Low Costs of Living

Stretching from prairie crossroads to granite peaks, Oklahoma hides wallet friendly towns where life still feels unhurried and genuine. You can stroll historic main streets, chat...

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10 Underrated Small Towns in Kentucky With Real Character

Kentucky hides small towns where creativity, history, and mountain spirit meet in surprising ways. You will find places that feel personal, with streets that invite slow walks...

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