ethan calloway author at My Family Travels
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10 Missouri Villages That Bring Back Old-School Christmas Charm

Picture streets glowing with twinkling lights, the smell of cinnamon filling the air, and carolers singing songs that warm your heart.

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7 Unusual Small-Town Gems in Oregon You Didn’t Know Existed

Oregon is famous for Portland, Crater Lake, and the stunning coast, but hidden between those big attractions are tiny towns most travelers zoom right past.

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The Georgia Garden That Feels Like Nature’s Own Art Gallery

Nestled in the rolling hills of western Georgia, Callaway Gardens stands as one of the South's most breathtaking destinations where nature and artistry blend seamlessly.

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10 Hidden Beach Towns In North Carolina With Quiet Shorelines

You want a North Carolina beach escape where the soundtrack is waves, not crowds. These quiet towns trade packed boardwalks...

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10 Hidden Texas BBQ Shacks Locals Don’t Want Tourists To Find

You think you know Texas barbecue, but the quiet legends rarely show up on glossy lists. The real stories live in backroads...

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10 Small Florida Villages Where History Shapes Every Corner

Florida hides small places where the past does not whisper, it speaks clearly from porches, plazas, and quiet waterways. 1....

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10 Less Known Villages In Ohio Worth Visiting

You came to Ohio for the big cities, yet the state’s quiet villages will steal your heart before you know it. Each one hides...

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10 Virginia Revolutionary-Era Towns Nearly Erased By Time

Virginia holds places where the past still whispers, even when the map no longer says their names. You will find vanished...

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10 Winter Ferry Towns Of North Carolina That Feel Old-Fashioned On Purpose

Winter on the North Carolina coast trades crowded boardwalks for calm docks and soft ferry horns that echo across quiet sounds.

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10 Haunted Places Across New York That Will Make You Question Reality

You came for bright lights and city buzz, but New York also hums with stories that refuse to rest. Every borough and back...

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10 North Carolina Villages Worth A Two-Day Winter Trip

North Carolina offers a picturesque escape during the winter months, with its charming villages and serene landscapes.Whether you’re seeking mountain views or coastal retreats,...

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10 Vermont Ski Resorts Known For Winter Music

Vermont is a winter wonderland filled with snow enthusiasts eager to hit the slopes, but there's more to this snowy state than skiing and snowboarding.Tucked within Vermont's...

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10 Mississippi Backwater Villages With Iconic Pie Spots

You are about to wander Mississippi backroads where quiet waterlines meet sweet traditions. These small towns hold pie counters...

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10 Alabama Coastal Spots Locals Keep Quiet About

Alabama's coastline stretches gracefully along the Gulf of Mexico, offering a rich blend of beauty and serenity. While many...

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8 Texas Candy Kitchens Making Bold Holiday Caramels

Howdy, candy lovers! Ready to embark on a sweet journey across Texas, exploring some of the boldest and most delightful holiday caramels around? Grab your sweet tooth and let's...

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10 North Carolina Shops Offering A Taste Of Classic Confections

Welcome to North Carolina, where the sweet tooth reigns supreme! If you're anything like me, you know that there's no better way to explore a place than through its local confections....

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Texas-Style BBQ Spots in California That Will Shock You

California might be known for fish tacos and avocado toast, but hidden across the Golden State are authentic Texas-style BBQ joints that rival anything you'd find in Austin or...

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A 1,400-Person New Mexico Village That Looks Like a Desert Winter Miracle

Tucked away in a dusty canyon along New Mexico's Turquoise Trail sits Madrid, a tiny village with a population that barely cracks 1,400 souls.

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The Forgotten Nebraska Town Where Amusement Grounds Flicker Every Full Moon

You think you know small towns, but Long Pine keeps a moonlit secret that only shows itself when the clock and sky agree. On...

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The Old-Fashioned Winter Customs That Make This Minnesota Village Feel Untouched

Tucked into the bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro transforms into a magical winter wonderland that seems frozen in time.

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10 Deserted Lake Motels In Michigan With Strange Histories

Ever wondered what's lurking behind the faded facades of Michigan's deserted lake motels? Hidden among the whispering pines and lapping shores are stories as mysterious as the...

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10 Abandoned North Carolina Sites Worth Exploring

North Carolina, land of mystery and forgotten places, hides its stories in the crevices of time. These ten abandoned sites beckon the curious and the brave, each whispering its...

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7 Hidden California Cliffside Theaters Worth A Visit

California is famously known for its beaches and Hollywood glitz, but nestled along its dramatic cliffsides are theaters that offer experiences as breathtaking as the views. Let's...

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The Ghostly Seaside Resort In Florida Where Guests Hear Distant Applause

Florida’s oldest city hides a coastal legend that still hums after dark. Travelers to St. Augustine often expect cobblestones, salt air, and colonial facades, yet some walk away...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Restaurants In Indiana You’ll Want To Try

Indiana’s barbecue scene is full of small places that quietly serve standout meats, sides, and hospitality. These spots are easy to miss from the road, yet locals return for...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Candy Stores In Vermont That Feel Nostalgic

Vermont’s small-town main streets hide a sweet secret: snug little candy shops where the shelves creak, the jars gleam, and the stories run deep. If you grew up sneaking a few...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Seafood Eateries In Oklahoma Worth Finding

Oklahoma may be landlocked, but its seafood scene quietly rewards those who know where to look. Across Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and a few small-town pockets, compact markets and mom-and-pop...

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We Spent 48 Hours in the Most Boring City in Arizona, and Loved It

Yuma, Arizona might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a desert getaway, but this sunny border town has a way of surprising visitors.

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The Hidden Lakefront Village That Locals Still Whisper About in Minnesota

Along the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior sits a place that time forgot. Taconite Harbor was once a thriving company town,...

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Mississippi’s Oldest Operating Drugstore Hides The Best Slugburger In The State

Borroum’s Drug Store in Corinth, Mississippi, isn’t just a relic - it’s a living piece of Southern history. Established in 1865, it holds the distinction of being the oldest...

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This Tiny Utah Diner Serves Scones So Good They’ve Become A State Legend

Tucked into Layton, Utah, Sill’s Café may appear as just another small-town diner, but locals know it’s special. This longtime family spot has become iconic thanks to its...

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How A Dusty Road In New Mexico Leads To The Sweetest Pie In The State

A stretch of two-lane highway on US-60 crosses open rangeland and piñon-dotted mesas in western New Mexico, and somewhere along that dusty ribbon sits Pie Town Pie Co. This small,...

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10 Secret Picnic Spots In Tennessee That Locals Guard Closely

Tennessee is filled with quiet corners that rarely make guidebooks, yet locals return to them for calm waters, soft shade, and small-town charm. This list curates lesser-known...

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Locals Swear This Hidden Washington Crab House Is The Real Coastal Treasure

Washington seafood fans keep whispering about a low-key spot in Bellevue where the crab is fresh, the seasoning is careful, and the service is kindly direct. Crawfish Chef is not...

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The Hidden Arkansas Buffet That Feels Like A Sunday Family Table

Hidden Creek Catfish in Conway has the kind of buffet that locals whisper about and road-trippers circle on their Arkansas maps. The draw is simple: hot catfish, a steady line...

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10 Forgotten Highway Motels In New Mexico Where The Lights Never Go Out

Driving down the highways of New Mexico, you might stumble upon a peculiar relic from the past: the highway motel. These charming establishments, with their neon signs flickering...

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10 Hidden Illinois Pizza Spots Locals Don’t Want To Share

If the thought of discovering delectable, lesser-known pizza spots in Illinois makes your heart flutter like a slice of pepperoni in a hot oven, then you've landed in the right...

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10 California Towns That Feel Like One Long Sunday Afternoon

Ever felt the urge to just hit the pause button and let life roll by like a lazy river on a warm afternoon? Join me on a whimsical journey through ten California towns that are...

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10 Ways Tourists Miss The True Spirit Of Florida

Ah, Florida! Land of sun, sand, and swampy wonders. But while many tourists think they know the Sunshine State, they often miss its true essence.

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10 Small South Dakota Cities That Prove Simple Life Works

Ah, South Dakota! The state where the buffalo roam and the prairie stretches far and wide. It's a place where life slows down, and small cities offer a charming escape from the...

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10 Ways Vanlife Culture Is Taking Over Oregon

Strap on your seatbelts and rev up your imagination because we're about to roll into the whimsical world of vanlife sweeping across Oregon! From the rugged coastlines to the towering...

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10 Things Delaware Locals Wish Winter Visitors Knew

Ah, Delaware in winter! It's like a secret club that only the locals truly understand. As someone who's toured this little gem in all its frosty glory, I'm here to spill the beans...

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9 Underrated Indiana Steakhouses Locals Keep To Themselves

Indiana may be famous for its basketball and cornfields, but let me let you in on a sizzling secret. While the world raves about big-city gourmet joints, Hoosiers quietly savor...

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10 Arizona Places Locals Say Are Still Cursed

Arizona isn't just about breathtaking sunsets and endless deserts. Oh no, there's a shadier side to the Grand Canyon State that even locals whisper about. If you're a thrill-seeker,...

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The Weird Attraction In Oregon Desert Locals Say Defies Explanation

Tucked away near Gold Hill in southern Oregon lies the Oregon Vortex, a place locals describe as “defying explanation.” Known also as the House of Mystery, this strange attraction...

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What Travelers Keep Finding At This Abandoned Ghost Town In Colorado

Colorado’s St. Elmo looks frozen in time, yet it keeps offering new discoveries to curious travelers. Tucked high in the Sawatch Range, this remarkably preserved ghost town blends...

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Why Fall Is the Best Time To Visit Starved Rock State Park In Illinois

Crisp air, golden light, and quiet trails make autumn a standout season at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. This is when the canyons glow, wildlife gets active, and crowds...

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The Strange Laws In Louisiana Tourists Keep Breaking Without Realizing It

Louisiana charms visitors with jazz, bayous, and historic streets, but its legal code holds quirks many travelers miss. Rooted in civil law traditions and local ordinances, some...

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The Forgotten Missouri Attraction That Locals Say Reopens Once A Year

Tucked away in the quiet Ozark hills near Diamond, Missouri, there’s a little-known annual event that brings history to life for one special day each year. While the George Washington...

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California Festivals Overrun By Tourists

California’s festival calendar is packed, and word has gotten out. Popular events now draw huge crowds, long lines, and sold-out hotels, yet they still deliver memorable experiences...

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