elowen frost author at My Family Travels
Article
This Texas 24-Hour Coffee Shop Feels Like a Secret Hideout

I stumbled into Epoch Coffee around midnight on a random Tuesday, half expecting the place to be empty or filled with night owls nursing lukewarm cups. Instead, I found a buzzing...

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Texas Chili So Authentic, Locals Say It’s a Must Try

I walked into Chili's Grill & Bar on a regular Tuesday afternoon, not expecting much more than a casual meal, but what I found was something that surprised me in the best way...

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This Texas Hole-in-the-Wall Spot Is Always Packed With Locals

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first pulled up to Frenchy's Chicken on Scott Street. The line stretched out the door and cars wrapped around the building, which seemed like...

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10 Insanely Cool Facts About Texas You Should Know Before Visiting That Locals Are Proud Of

I thought I knew Texas before my first visit, but the Lone Star State has a way of flipping your expectations upside down. Within my first hour crossing the state line, I realized...

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The Breakfast Taco Everyone in Texas Swears By

Breakfast tacos are serious business in Texas, and Torchy’s on South Congress is one of those places people mention with confidence. I have watched locals debate their order...

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These Are the Texas Restaurants Locals Choose When They Want the Real Thing, Not the Tourist Version

Texas food makes a lot more sense once you stop eating where the internet tells you to. The real meals, the ones people won’t shut up about years later, usually come from places...

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This Texas Lake Town Families Keep Returning To

Granbury has a way of sneaking up on you. You come for a quick lakeside getaway and suddenly you are talking about when you can come back.

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Locals Say This Texas Ramen Spot Brings Japan to Your Bowl

Carrollton was not where I expected to fall in love with ramen, but JINYA completely changed that for me. Sitting in a shopping center off Old Denton Road, it does not look dramatic...

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This Texas Restaurant Transforms Your Meal Into an Immersive Rainforest Experience

If you are walking the River Walk and suddenly hear thunder, animal noises, and kids losing their minds with excitement, you have probably found Rainforest Cafe. Sitting right...

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10 Texas Towns That Almost Nobody Visits But Everyone Talks About

Texas is full of places everyone seems to know about, even though hardly anyone has actually been there. I have heard these...

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This Tiny Texas Town Runs on Ghost Stories Locals Won’t Tell

Jefferson feels like the kind of town that never quite lets go of its past. Hidden into the piney woods of Northeast Texas, it is small, quiet, and heavy with history that seems...

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This Texas Town Changed So Much Locals Barely Recognize It

Rockport has always been one of those places that felt easy to love. Before 2017, it had that laid-back coastal rhythm where the days blurred together in the best way.

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Texas Seafood Buffet People Say It’s Worth Even a Long Drive

UMI Sushi & Seafood Buffet in Houston came onto my radar because people would not stop talking about it. Friends mentioned it casually, road trippers planned detours for it,...

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Overpriced Texas Cities Locals Say Aren’t Worth the Cost

Texas has always been known for wide-open spaces, friendly people, and a cost of living that won't break the bank. But times are changing fast in the Lone Star State, and not every...

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The Prime Rib at This Little Texas Steakhouse Lives Up to the Hype

Tucked along Highway 35 North in Rockport, Texas, Old Fulton Seafood Cafe & Steakhouse sits in an unassuming strip center, quietly serving up some of the most memorable prime...

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Get Lost in the 3-Story Labyrinth of Literary Wonders in This Texas Bookstore

Tucked away in the heart of downtown Denton, Texas, at 200 N Locust Street, stands a literary paradise that defies all conventional bookstore expectations.

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How Texans Actually Choose Where to Stop on Long Drives

Texas highways stretch on forever, and anyone who has driven across this massive state knows that choosing where to stop can make or break your road trip.

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The Landmark in Texas That Looks Ordinary Until You Learn What Happened There

Palo Duro Canyon State Park sits just south of Amarillo in Canyon, TX 79015, where the flat Texas Panhandle suddenly drops away into a breathtaking chasm of red rock cliffs, juniper-dotted...

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This Texas Town Became Known for Something No One Planned

Tucked away in the remote high desert of far West Texas, Marfa sits like a mirage along Highway 90, a tiny dot on the map that has somehow captured the imagination of artists,...

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10 Texas Buffets People Judge Too Quickly but End Up Loving

Texas is known for its big portions, bold flavors, and a whole lot of pride when it comes to food. But buffets? They sometimes...

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12 Texas Towns People Regret Skipping on Road Trips

Texas is massive, and no matter how many times you drive through it, there's always another town hiding just off the highway that you wish you'd stopped to explore. Road trippers...

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This Texas Hole in the Wall Restaurant Serves a Cheeseburger People Cannot Forget

Tucked along a stretch of Texas Highway 21 in the historic town of Bastrop sits a burger joint that's earned itself a serious following.

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Texas Restaurant People Love Even Though It Breaks the “Rules”

Picture this: you're cruising down Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio, stomach growling, gas tank dipping, and you spot a beaver mascot grinning from a billboard.

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This Texas Hotel Locals Say Has Too Many Stories to Ignore

Standing proudly at 2024 Seawall Blvd in Galveston, Texas, the Grand Galvez Resort has been welcoming guests since 1911. This elegant beachfront hotel draws travelers from across...

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These Texas BBQ Joints Locals Beg You Not to Tell Anyone About

Texas barbecue is more than just food. It's a way of life, a tradition passed down through generations, and a source of immense pride for communities across the Lone Star State.

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These Texas Towns Locals Say Are Quietly Being Bought Up by Investors

Texas has long been a magnet for people seeking wide-open spaces, friendly communities, and a lower cost of living than many other parts of the country. But in recent years, something...

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These Texas Towns Feel Welcoming to Solo Travelers

Texas stretches wide across the American Southwest, a land of rolling hills, desert vistas, Gulf Coast shores, and small towns brimming with character. For solo travelers, the...

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These Texas Restaurants Parents Say Are Surprisingly Kid-Friendly

Texas dining culture thrives on big flavors, warm hospitality, and an unexpected knack for welcoming families with open arms. While...

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This Texas Restaurant Has a Waitlist Longer Than a Concert Line

Fort Worth holds a legendary dining destination that draws travelers from across Texas and beyond. Joe T. Garcia's sits tucked...

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Locals Say These Texas Road Trips Aren’t Worth the Gas Anymore

Texas stretches across vast landscapes where highways cut through deserts, rolling hills, and sprawling cities that promise adventure around every bend.

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These Texas Spots Locals Say Are Better Than Any Famous Attraction

Texas is famous for its big cities and iconic landmarks, but the real magic happens when you step off the beaten path. Locals...

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Texas Backroads Locals Love for Slow Drives and Winter Calm

Winter in Texas brings a quietness to the land that transforms backroads into peaceful ribbons of discovery. When the temperatures...

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Where Locals Go for Hidden Seafood Gems Across Texas

Texas stretches along hundreds of miles of Gulf Coast, where fishing boats return daily with fresh catches that end up on plates in restaurants most tourists never discover.

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The Subtle Ways Tourism Has Rewritten Southern Charm Across Georgia

Georgia's Southern charm has long been a beacon for travelers seeking authentic hospitality, rich history, and moss-draped landscapes that whisper stories of the Old South.

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Alaska’s Breathtaking Landscapes and the Quiet Impact of Overcrowding

Alaska stands as one of Earth's last great wilderness frontiers, a place where jagged peaks pierce the sky and glaciers carve their ancient paths through valleys untouched by time.

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Why One New York Deli Holds an Outsized Place in Food Culture

Tucked into the bustling corner of Houston and Ludlow Streets on Manhattan's Lower East Side, Katz's Delicatessen has been serving up towering pastrami sandwiches and old-world...

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The Fried Chicken Plate in Georgia Visitors Remember Long After the Trip

Travelers who visit Savannah, Georgia often discover that the city's charm extends far beyond its cobblestone streets and Spanish moss-draped squares.

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11 All-You-Can.Eat Buffets in Colorado That Serve Comfort Food Worth Planning Around

Colorado offers more than just stunning mountain views and outdoor adventures. The state is home to some incredible all-you-can-eat...

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Underrated Places Across Pennsylvania That Make Surprisingly Good Weekend Trips

Pennsylvania holds a treasure trove of hidden destinations that most travelers overlook in favor of Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. From...

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10 Tennessee Mountain Towns Designed for Travelers Who Want Less on the Schedule

Tennessee's mountain region holds a special kind of magic that speaks to travelers tired of rushing from one attraction to another.

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An Oklahoma Restaurant Where Barbecue Ribs Are the Main Reason People Stop

Tucked along the legendary Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, The Butcher BBQ Stand has become a destination for travelers craving authentic, pit-smoked barbecue ribs that speak to...

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8 Glamping Spots in California That Reframe the Camping Experience

California stretches from misty redwood forests to sun-drenched coastlines, offering some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in America.

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How Tourism Reshaped 9 Texas Beach Towns, According to Locals

The Texas Gulf Coast stretches over 350 miles, dotted with charming beach towns that have long attracted visitors seeking sun, sand, and seafood.

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California Draws Crowds to the Radiant Wonder of LA’s Enchanted Forest of Light

Nestled in the foothills of La Cañada Flintridge at 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, Descanso Gardens transforms into a magical wonderland each winter when the...

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California’s Ghost Town That Still Has Lights Turned On After Dark

Tucked away in the rugged Calico Mountains of California's vast Mojave Desert lies a place where the past refuses to fade completely into darkness.

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California’s Desert Railroad Town That Turned Into an Artist’s Hideout

Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the Mojave Desert, Nipton, California sits like a forgotten postcard from the Old West.

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Why This Oregon Logging Town Leaves Travelers More Nostalgic Than Expected

Tucked away in the Benton County hills of western Oregon, Philomath is a small city that once thrived on timber and logging, and today it still carries the spirit of those hardworking...

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What Sets This Oregon Gorge Town Apart From the Rest of the State

Hood River sits tucked along the Columbia River Gorge in northern Oregon, where mountain peaks rise dramatically on both sides of the water and winds sweep through the canyon nearly...

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Why Travelers Keep Returning to This Oregon Mountain Town for a Quiet Reset

Tucked into the shadow of the Three Sisters mountains in central Oregon, the small town of Sisters has become a beloved retreat for travelers seeking peace away from the noise...

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What Comfort-Food Towns in Ohio Reveal About Your Dining Style

Ohio's comfort food towns tell stories that go far beyond what's on the plate. From the chili parlors of Cincinnati to the...

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