esme whitman author at My Family Travels
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This New Jersey Restaurant Serves Dim Sum And Shrimp Shumai Worth The Trip

Why did the dumpling join a comedy club? Because it wanted to be “filled” with laughter, of course! In a friendly nook...

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The Secret New Jersey Trail With Towering Bluffs And 500-Year-Old Trees

Honestly, when someone told me there were towering bluffs and ancient trees hiding in southern New Jersey, I nearly dropped my sandwich.

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The New Jersey Restaurant Where Locals Gather For Hearty Meals And Friendly Service

Somewhere between a wrong turn and a rumbling stomach, I ended up pulling into the parking lot of Pompton Queen Diner, and honestly, it might have been the best accident of the...

Read More    7 min read

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The Pork Roll Sandwiches At This New Jersey Eatery Are Being Called The Best Breakfast In America

There are breakfast spots, and then there are places that stop you mid-bite and make you rethink everything you thought you knew about a morning sandwich.

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The No-Frills Bakery In New Jersey Where Donuts Steal The Show

I never thought a simple corner window could change my entire perspective on what a donut should taste like until I found myself standing on Robbins Street in Toms River, staring...

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The Family-Owned Fish Spot In New Jersey That Stays Busy Without The Hype

On the quiet waterfront of Keyport, New Jersey sits a seafood market that has been feeding locals and visitors for decades without ever needing a billboard or a trendy Instagram...

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The Easy New Jersey Hike That Leads You Across A Hidden Suspension Bridge

Honestly, I almost skipped this one. A friend mentioned a boardwalk hike in New Jersey with a suspension bridge hidden somewhere...

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This Fairytale Village In New Jersey Offers Gingerbread Beauty Few Have Discovered

Have you ever driven past something amazing without realizing it was there? That’s exactly how I felt the first time I nearly...

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12 High-Rated New Jersey Restaurants That Are Actually Worth The Hype (And The Drive)

New Jersey has a food scene that most people seriously underestimate. I had no idea just how deep it went until I started...

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The Incredible Underground Tunnel In New Jersey Is Glowing In The Dark With Mystery

Honestly, I almost skipped this one. A mining museum in a small New Jersey town didn't exactly sound like the kind of place that would leave me wide-eyed and genuinely speechless,...

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This Charming Restaurant In New Jersey Delivers Brunch Worth Waking Up For

I don’t usually leap out of bed for mornings, but the promise of pancakes and coffee strong enough to fuel a road trip had me up early.

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This New Jersey Boat Tour Is Your Ticket To Breathtaking Natural Wonders

The morning I stepped onto the Osprey at Cape May, I had no idea what I was really in for. There was a light breeze coming off...

Read More    10 min read

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The Little-Known Vintage Store In New Jersey That Keeps Collectors Coming Back For More

I almost zoomed right past this place (blame my “vintage” GPS skills). From the outside, it looked modest, the kind of...

Read More    10 min read

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12 Iconic Maryland Crab Feasts Every Crab Lover Should Try

Let’s map out a lazy Maryland road trip that smells like salt air and feels like summer on your hands. We will chase the places where tables wear brown paper and the conversation...

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The Authentic Amish Breakfast Buffet In New Jersey That Gathers Locals Every Saturday Morning

If breakfast were a sport, this Amish buffet would win gold every Saturday morning. Long tables overflow with hearty Amish classics,...

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This Swashbuckling Pirate Ship On The Jersey Shore Lets Kids Live The Fantasy

When I first heard about a pirate ship that takes families out on the water, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it be cheesy?...

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How Amish Communities In Ohio Balance Tradition And Change

Let’s take that back road through Ohio and actually pay attention to how the Amish make everyday choices feel steady and sane. You’ll see barns and laundry lines, sure, but...

Read More    10 min read

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This Scenic Mountain Trail In New Jersey Delivers Jaw-Dropping Views Year-Round

I laced up my sneakers thinking I was just going for a hike... spoiler: this trail laughed at me. One minute you’re strolling,...

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10 Unforgettable Outdoor Escapes Throughout New Jersey

I used to think New Jersey was all highways and shopping malls until I stumbled onto a hidden waterfall that completely changed my mind.

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Even Boring February Tastes Better At This New Jersey Artisanal Pastry Shop

February usually feels like the month that forgot how to have fun - gray skies, endless winter, and me wondering if spring took a vacation.

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This New Jersey’s Prison Welcomes Visitors Seeking Ghosts, Legends, And History

I never thought I’d be excited about visiting a prison, but here I am, practically buzzing with anticipation outside one of New Jersey’s most fascinating historic landmarks.

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This New Jersey Irish Pub Serves The Comfort Classics Locals Refuse To Share

In Gloucester City, I found a pub that won me over one crispy wing at a time. This Irish-style neighborhood spot serves comfort food so good, I almost don’t want to share the...

Read More    10 min read

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A New Jersey Bar That Turns Laundry Day Into Nightlife Magic

Morristown hides a secret in plain sight, and it’s one of the most unexpected nightlife experiences in New Jersey. What...

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Inside The Haunted New Jersey Lighthouse Where The “Jersey Devil” Was Once Spotted

I’ve climbed plenty of lighthouses along the Jersey Shore, but none has ever given me chills quite like Absecon. Rising...

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Inside 10 New Jersey Towns Locals Refuse To Turn Into Tourist Destinations

You know how everyone thinks New Jersey is just beaches, boardwalks, and shore towns packed with tourists every summer? That’s...

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This Unassuming New Jersey Eatery Serves Breakfast You’ll Never Forget

I’ve been on a long hunt for the kind of diner breakfast that feels like pure New Jersey, and the trail finally led me to All Seasons Diner II in Freehold.

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This Peaceful Side Of New Jersey Remains A Favorite Quiet Place For Locals

Ever wonder if the Jersey Shore has a chill side where you don’t have to dodge fist-pumpers or overpriced boardwalk pizza? I did, and that’s how I stumbled into Avon-By-The-Sea.

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10 Fascinating Geological Wonders In New Jersey You Can’t Miss In 2026

When most people think of New Jersey, they picture traffic on the Turnpike or funnel cakes on the boardwalk. But here’s...

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Inside New Jersey’s Beloved Seafood Joint, Where Tradition Still Tastes Fresh

I've been chasing down the best seafood spots across New Jersey for years, and let me tell you, Biggie's at 430 NJ-17 in Carlstadt is one of those places that just gets it right....

Read More    9 min read

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9 New Jersey Restaurants Serving The Best Hoagie You’ll Ever Try

I've spent years chasing the perfect hoagie across New Jersey, and I can tell you that this state takes its sandwich game seriously.

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This Rustic New Jersey Steakhouse Is Known For Seriously Big Grilled Steaks

Ever seen a ribeye so big you start calculating how many friends you’ll need to finish it? That’s Rails Steakhouse in Towaco, New Jersey.

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The Luxurious New Jersey Resort Where Locals Escape For Everyday Bliss

I’ll admit, when someone says “luxury resort,” New Jersey isn’t the first place that pops into my head. But then I found myself tucked away in the rolling hills of Vernon...

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The Unassuming New Jersey Spot Serving Pepperoni Pizza Locals Call The Best In The State

Have you ever stumbled on a place so legendary you wonder how you almost missed it? Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza at 639 S...

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8 Perfect One-Day Train Trips To New Jersey That Make Escaping Easy

New Jersey might get teased as just a pass-through state, but those who hop on a train and actually explore it discover a treasure trove of charming towns, vibrant waterfronts,...

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People Travel Across New Jersey Just For These 11 Homemade Pie Spots

Have you ever driven an extra hour just for a slice of pie? I have, and in New Jersey, it’s always worth it. Here, homemade...

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This Cozy Café In New Jersey Serves Coffee With A Side Of Cats

Imagine sipping a warm cup of coffee while a fluffy feline curls up beside you, purring away all your worries. Welcome to Calico...

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This Restored New Jersey Landmark From The 1920s Is Pure Architectural Magic

Have you ever wished you could step straight into another era without leaving New Jersey? I know I have - and walking into Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Jersey City felt exactly like...

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9 Fish Markets In New Jersey Serving The Freshest Catch Around

New Jersey boasts some of the most incredible coastline along the Eastern Seaboard, which means access to some of the freshest seafood you'll find anywhere.

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Why These Amish Vendors In New Jersey Still Win Locals Over With Tradition

Route 70 in Medford, New Jersey hides a little treasure that locals have been raving about for years. Tucked into a modest building...

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The Mom-And-Pop New Jersey Diner Serving Homemade Pies That Locals Call Unmatched

Along the scenic stretch of US Route 206 in Hammonton, New Jersey, sits a charming red barn that has been drawing pie lovers and breakfast enthusiasts for years.

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11 Scenic New Jersey Lakes To Add To Your Bucket List Before They Get Overrun

New Jersey is home to some of the most stunning and underappreciated lakes in the entire Northeast, offering crystal-clear waters, peaceful trails, and breathtaking views that...

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The Creepiest Haunted Restaurants In New Jersey Where Solo Dining Isn’t Recommended

New Jersey might be famous for its boardwalks and diners, but lurking beneath the charm are restaurants with a darker side. Across...

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The Enormous Dollar Store In New Jersey That Shoppers Say Is Unbeatable

Jersey City has a treasure that budget-conscious shoppers have been raving about for years, and it's tucked right along Newark Avenue.

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This Eerie Train Graveyard In New Jersey Feels Unsettling Even To Locals

Hidden in Boonton, New Jersey, there’s a place where vintage locomotives and passenger cars sit frozen in time, waiting for their next chapter.

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The Tiny New Jersey Diner Serving Homemade Breakfast Locals Can’t Stop Raving About

Tucked away on a quiet stretch of Main Street in Barnegat, New Jersey, sits a breakfast spot that has locals lining up before the doors even open.

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The Haunted New Jersey Museum Where Paranormal Secrets Refuse To Stay Buried

On Cookman Avenue in the vibrant coastal town of Asbury Park, New Jersey, sits a mysterious destination where the living meet the unexplained and the supernatural refuses to rest...

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The Old-School Restaurants In New Jersey That Locals Guard Like Family Recipes

New Jersey holds a treasure trove of dining spots that have survived the test of time, serving up the same beloved dishes for generations.

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New Jersey Beach Towns That Seem Ordinary But Hide Unexpected Charm

New Jersey's coastline stretches over 130 miles, offering dozens of beach towns that draw millions of visitors every summer. While...

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Oversized New Jersey Thrift Shop Packed With Unbelievable Finds

Walking into 2nd Ave Thrift Superstore at 2661 Morris Ave in Union feels less like entering a secondhand shop and more like stepping into a treasure hunter's playground.

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The Relaxing New Jersey City That Turns Weekend Drives Into Mini Vacations

Sitting along the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Lambertville is a charming little city that feels like stepping into a storybook. With a population hovering around...

Read More    12 min read