fiona tate author at My Family Travels
Article
What Really Happened at This Abandoned Kentucky Theme Park Nobody Mentions

I drove to McCreary County chasing a half-remembered Western town tucked in the hills of Kentucky. Locals told me the story in pieces, and I stitched them together across gravel...

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Why New York’s Hudson Valley Is the Best Kept Secret for Halloween Lovers

I chase Halloween every year, and New York’s Hudson Valley keeps me coming back. The mix of folklore, leafy backroads, and well-run events hits the sweet spot for spooky season....

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Road Trippers Keep Coming Back for the Elk Burgers at This Wyoming Café

Road trips need anchor points, and this café in Jackson gives me one every time. I plan routes around its elk burger, then find new reasons to linger. The room hums with locals,...

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How Tennessee’s Flea Markets Became the State’s Coolest Travel Trend

Once considered weekend stops for bargain hunters, Tennessee’s flea markets have transformed into destinations that travelers now plan trips around. From Nashville’s sprawling...

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Louisiana’s Festival Season Has Tourists Learning the Hard Way

Louisiana doesn’t just host festivals, it lives them. From New Orleans to Lafayette to Shreveport, music, food, and parades spill into the streets for months each year. For visitors,...

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Locals Say This Connecticut Buffet Is the State’s Best Kept Food Secret

Connecticut has plenty of fine dining spots, but locals say one humble buffet delivers the kind of comfort food that keeps them coming back year after year, the Pacific Buffet...

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Locals Refuse to Share the Location of This Kentucky BBQ Buffet

Kentucky has no shortage of barbecue, but Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn in Owensboro sits in a class of its own. It’s the kind of place locals mention with a half-smile and then quickly...

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Why Colorado’s Mountain Towns Become Extra Creepy When Fall Hits

When the leaves change and tourists head home, Colorado’s mountain towns take on a different personality. The same peaks that sparkle in summer can feel isolated, quiet, and...

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Why Tourists in Colorado Keep Getting Caught on Closed Canyon Trails

I keep hearing the same question on the trailhead: how do people still end up beyond the closure sign. The answer is messy, human, and very fixable. Real incidents in Colorado...

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Why Maine’s Coastal Thrift Shops Are Packed With Unbelievable Finds

When I first drove the coastal route in Maine, I expected sea views, lobster shacks, lighthouses. I did not expect to hit thrift shops so rich with weird, beautiful, and meaningful...

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New Jersey’s Massive Flea Market Is a Treasure Hunter’s Paradise

If you think of flea markets as dusty row-after-row of junk, you haven’t met Collingwood Auction & Flea Market in Farmingdale, New Jersey. It’s huge. It’s dynamic. And...

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This Maine Lobster Feast Is So Wild It Feels Like a Myth

I chased the stories along the Maine coast to see if a humble dockside shack could carry the weight of a legend. What I found in Bernard felt both grounded and otherworldly, shaped...

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10 Florida Restaurants Serving Vegan Desserts You Can’t Miss

Florida's culinary scene is bursting with plant-based sweet treats that'll make your taste buds dance! As someone who's eaten her way through the Sunshine State's vegan bakeries...

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The Cheesesteak At This Pennsylvania Restaurant Is Out Of This World Delicious

I went to Philadelphia with one plan: eat a cheesesteak that actually lives up to the stories. I skipped the debates and walked straight to Steve’s Prince of Steaks, a spot locals...

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10 Local Favorite Coffee Shops in Tacoma You Need to Try

Tacoma’s coffee scene rewards curiosity. I planned a quick stroll and ended up mapping a week of stops, each with its own voice and rituals. If you love thoughtful roasting,...

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Locals Reveal 9 Cozy Restaurants You’ll Love in New York

New York can feel loud and fast, yet locals quietly keep a list of places where the lights stay low, the rooms feel close, and the food warms you from the inside out. I spent months...

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10 Hidden Fast Casual Spots In Georgia Worth The Hunt

Georgia's food scene has way more to offer than just peaches and fried chicken. As a self-proclaimed foodie who's crisscrossed the Peach State more times than I can count, I've...

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6 Texas Festivals That Tourists Took Over

I travel Texas for the stories that bloom when a local tradition meets a tidal wave of visitors. Some festivals now feel less like town gatherings and more like national meetups....

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The Fish Tacos At This California Shack Are So Fresh, You’ll Think You’re In Baja

If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming of the sun-soaked shores of Baja California while savoring a fish taco, then you might just have stumbled upon the perfect culinary...

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10 Cleveland’s Most Haunted Places to Visit This Fall

Cleveland, Ohio, is a city brimming with haunted stories and eerie destinations. As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, there's no better time to explore these mysterious...

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Why Georgia’s Gastropubs Are a Must for Food Lovers

I chase great food that feels easy, and Georgia keeps surprising me. The state’s gastropubs deliver chef-level cooking without stiff vibes or complicated dress codes. I find...

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8 Hidden Fast Casual Spots in South Carolina Only Locals Know

I’ve spent months crisscrossing South Carolina, pulling off back roads and slipping into places locals quietly recommend. These spots don’t shout, they serve. If you like fast...

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7 Hidden Georgia Gastropubs Locals Don’t Want to Share

Discovering hidden gems in Georgia is like embarking on a culinary treasure hunt. These gastropubs offer more than just great food; they provide a slice of local life, often tucked...

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7 Gluten Free Donut Shops in Illinois That Locals Keep Secret

Illinois may be famous for deep-dish pizza and Chicago hot dogs, but for gluten-free food lovers, the state has a quieter indulgence waiting to be discovered. Across cities and...

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8 Pennsylvania Vegetarian Restaurants That Travelers Rave About

Pennsylvania’s vegetarian scene keeps surprising me. This state has become a real haven for anyone seeking fresh, creative, plant-based meals, whether you’re a longtime vegetarian...

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7 Illinois Fast Food Restaurants That Redefine Comfort Food

When I think about traveling through Illinois, it’s the local fast food spots that always stand out. This state puts its own spin on comfort food, making every meal a little...

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6 Things You’ll Love and 2 You Might Hate About Traveling in Idaho

I’ve spent time exploring Idaho over the past few years, and I’ve learned that this state is full of surprises. From jagged peaks to wide rivers, it’s a place that rewards...

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7 Abandoned Illinois Parks That Nature Claimed

Exploring Illinois reveals a fascinating mix of abandoned amusement parks and forgotten public spaces, each overtaken by time and the elements. As a travel enthusiast always searching...

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9 Great and 3 Not So Great Parts of Visiting California

California calls to travelers with its mix of legendary sights and surprising realities. Over countless visits, I’ve learned what sets the state apart and what might catch you...

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7 California Shores Locals Say Are No Longer Worth Visiting

California’s coast has always pulled me in, but not every shoreline still shines. Recently, I’ve noticed more locals voicing disappointment about certain beaches, from San...

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8 Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Worth Traveling Across Illinois For

Deep dish pizza might have started in Chicago, but its reach goes well beyond city limits. Across Illinois, pizzerias carry the tradition with buttery crusts, thick layers of cheese,...

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Shoofly Pie That Makes Pennsylvania a Unique Travel Destination

There are few desserts as intertwined with a region’s spirit as shoofly pie is with Pennsylvania. As someone who’s tasted my way through the state’s bakeries and markets,...

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Georgia Mountain Getaways Overrun by Visitors

The Georgia mountains have always called to me. There’s something about crisp mornings, winding roads, and forest-covered peaks that feels like a true escape. But lately, I’ve...

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Vermont’s First Snow of the Year: When Will Ski Season Begin?

There’s something magical about waiting for Vermont’s first snow each year. As a travel blogger, I find myself refreshing weather apps, chatting up locals, and checking mountain...

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7 North Carolina Beach Towns That Lost Their Small-Town Charm

Ever walked down Main Street in your favorite beach town and realized it feels like déjà vu, except with more chain coffee shops and fewer fishing boats? You might want...

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Las Vegas Is Testing Robotaxis, Here’s How Tourists Can Ride

If you’ve ever pictured yourself in a car that drives itself down the Strip, Las Vegas is making that possible. As of September 2025, Zoox has launched a public pilot allowing...

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Article
The Ultimate Route 66 Journey Across Illinois

Driving Route 66 across Illinois brings together a mix of nostalgia, discovery, and real Midwest charm. The state’s 300-mile stretch, from the heart of Chicago to the edge of...

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The Shrimp Fajitas at This Arizona Spot Might Be the Best Ever: Los Olivos Mexican Patio

You know how sometimes you order shrimp fajitas and, five minutes in, realize you’re mostly just pushing limp onions around your plate, pretending the guac is enough excitement...

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After 10 Years, This Loxahatchee Pizzeria Is Finally Expanding

You know that feeling when your favorite hole-in-the-wall place finally gets some love from the universe? The kind of spot where you nursed a heartbreak with a pepperoni calzone...

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8 Montana’s Best Roadside Burger Spots That Bring Back the Good Old Days

There’s something timeless about pulling off a highway in Montana and finding a small burger joint that feels like it’s been there forever.

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Desert Adventures Await: 8 Top Day Trips From Phoenix

Phoenix makes a great base for exploring Arizona. While the city itself has plenty to offer, some of the state’s best scenery and cultural sites sit just a short drive away....

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7 Creepiest Haunted Trails in Pennsylvania to Explore This Fall

Pennsylvania’s forests, farmlands, and historic sites set the stage for some of the most spine-tingling haunted trails in the country. Each fall, woods and cornfields across...

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7 Nevada State Parks You’ll Wish You Discovered Sooner

Nevada is better known for its deserts, casinos, and open highways than for its state parks. But those who take the time to explore find landscapes that feel just as dramatic as...

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7 Secret Soul Food Spots in Georgia Where Locals Won’t Tell You the Address

Georgia’s food culture is deep, and some of its best soul food restaurants don’t make the glossy travel guides. They’re tucked into neighborhoods, run by families, and loved...

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Article
Pennsylvania Weekend Adventures With 7 Hidden Foodie Gems

Pennsylvania has always surprised me with its range of weekend getaways, especially when it comes to food. Hidden treasures aren’t limited to big cities, they’re tucked into...

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7 Best Seafood Buffets in Alaska for a True Feast

Alaska’s seafood scene draws from the state’s bountiful rivers and wild coastlines, making it a true haven for those who crave fresh flavors. Nowhere else can you sample such...

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Ohio’s Hidden Gems: 8 Remote Camping Spots to Discover

Ohio has more than its share of busy campgrounds, but if you want real quiet, you have to look a little further. Over the years, I’ve tried to get away from the crowds and found...

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Houston’s Top 9 Spots for Fried Chicken According to Locals

Houston’s fried chicken scene shows how much this city values flavor, tradition, and a good meal shared with friends or family. Every neighborhood has its favorite spot, each...

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6 Bird Watching Spots in Texas Every Nature Lover Should Visit

Texas is a dream for anyone who loves birds. With its huge size and many different habitats, the state offers a wide range of places to spot both common and rare species. If you’re...

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