freya benson author at My Family Travels
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11 New Jersey Waterfront Restaurants So Packed On Weekends Locals Refuse To Even Try Showing Up

Picture this: a gorgeous waterfront view, twinkling lights reflecting off the water, and the smell of amazing food drifting through the air. Now imagine trying to get a table on...

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This New Jersey Tea House Turns An Afternoon Into A Trip To Japan

The garden gate swings open, and the noise of everyday life melts away instantly. The air shifts, your pace slows, and you enter a completely different world. This is a dedicated...

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This Abandoned New Jersey Transmitting Station Helped Broadcast Voice Of America Around The Globe During WWII

There is something hauntingly poetic about a place that once shouted America's voice across the globe, now standing silent in a New Jersey marsh.

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This New Jersey Mansion Looks Like It Was Airlifted Straight From The English Countryside

Somebody once looked at the English countryside and thought, "I want that. In New Jersey. On a mountain." And then they actually...

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Locals Keep Coming Back For The Made-To-Order Sandwiches At This New Jersey Country Store

There's something special about a place where everybody knows your name and your order by heart. This charming country store has mastered that art completely. Locals have been...

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This Hidden New Jersey Pond Park Feels Like A Full-Day Escape Without Leaving Town

The pond sits quietly, tucked away in a residential neighborhood. Ducks and geese drift across the water, and the shade of oak trees makes even summer afternoons feel cool and...

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This Old-School New Jersey Fish Market Has Handpicked Its Fresh Seafood Daily Since 1989

he moment you step into this old-school New Jersey fish market, you know it's the real deal. Since 1989, this spot has been a cornerstone of its community, earning a reputation...

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This New Jersey Farm Helps Veterans And People With Disabilities Through Animals, Gardens, And Family-Friendly Visits

A place where goats offer comfort, horses provide healing, and vegetables come with a side of hope. That is what you will...

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Cool Off This Summer At This Massive New Jersey Water Park With A Million-Gallon Wave Pool

Summer in New Jersey means heat, humidity, and a desperate need for water. This place delivers in a massive way. You have probably...

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This New Jersey Hike Takes You Past A 180-Ton Boulder Left By A Glacier 18,000 Years Ago

Some hikes reward you with a view. This one rewards you with a rock. But not just any rock. A 180 ton boulder that hitched...

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It Turns Out This Bustling New Jersey City Ranks Among The Happiest In America

Money can't buy happiness, but apparently, living in Jersey City is a pretty good start. According to a new study, this bustling...

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This Adults-Only New Jersey Beach Club Turns Summer Afternoons Into A Full-Blown Poolside Party

This is not your childhood pool. You have probably lounged by a hotel pool before. Quiet. Calm. A little boring.

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This New Jersey Spot Serves Slow-Smoked Barbecue So Good The Platters Barely Reach The Table

Smoke. Meat. Magic. That is the formula at this New Jersey barbecue joint. You have probably waited for food before. Hungry....

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The Hot Bar At This New Jersey Polish Deli Sells Out So Fast You Have To Get There Early

You set your alarm. You skip the snooze button. You arrive before the lunch rush even thinks about starting. And still, you...

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New Jersey Is Home To One Of The Largest And Most Acclaimed Performing Arts Centers In America

You do not need to cross a river to catch world-class performances. This New Jersey landmark proves that every single night. You...

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This Giant New Jersey Sunflower Field Is A Bright Summer Detour Worth Waiting For

Six acres of pure golden sunshine. That is the size of this New Jersey sunflower field, a sprawling sea of over 100,000 blooms that stretches across the landscape like a living...

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This New Jersey Shop Is A Must-Try For Its Crispy Korean Corn Dogs And Vibrant Mochi Donuts

You have had a good donut. You have had a decent corn dog. But you have never had anything quite like this.

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Meat Lovers Across New Jersey Should Visit This Incredible Country Store

Most butcher shops do not come with a history lesson, but this one gives you both. This New Jersey country store has been...

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This New Jersey Tavern Has Been A Gathering Place Since Before The Nation Was Founded

A tavern that opened its doors in 1756 is older than the country itself. You can still see the initials that famous intellectuals carved into the wooden booths decades ago.

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Find Breathtaking Ocean Views At This Glass-Wrapped New Jersey Restaurant

Most ocean views come with a catch, a crowded deck, a tourist trap menu, or a parking nightmare. This place skips all of that.

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Locals Call The Sandwiches At This New Jersey Kosher Spot The Best They Have Ever Had

Some places have to beg for praise, this one gets it shouted from the rooftops. Locals do not just recommend the sandwiches...

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This New Jersey Park Connects Five Towns With A Trail That Winds Past A Waterfall And A Historic 1899 Mill

Five towns, one trail, and a whole lot of New Jersey charm waiting to be explored. This pathway winds past a waterfall that...

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You Can Still Get The Original Italian Hot Dog The Old-School Way At This New Jersey Spot

Some traditions refuse to fade. This New Jersey hot dog is one of them. Before food trucks and fancy toppings, there was the...

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Two Teenagers Saved This New Jersey Fossil Site By Sending A Dinosaur Footprint To President Nixon

In the late 1960s, a 14-year-old and his friend discovered a treasure trove of dinosaur tracks at a local quarry, uncovering over one thousand prints over several years.

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This New Jersey Pizzeria Won A Statewide Pizza Championship Just Months After Opening

Walk in as a rookie, walk out as a champion. That is the unlikely fairy tale this pizzeria lived just months after flipping open its doors.

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This 300-Year-Old New Jersey Inn Has A Restaurant That Was Named One Of The State’s Best

Three centuries of stories live within these walls. That is a lot of dinners, a lot of conversations, and a lot of secret recipes.

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This New Jersey Thrift Store Funds A Men’s Shelter And Addiction Recovery Program Through Every Purchase

Scoring a vintage jacket or a quirky lamp feels even better when you know your money is doing something real. Every purchase...

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One Bite Of The Pierogi At This New Jersey Deli And You Will Be Planning Your Next Trip Back

One bite of these pillowy dumplings and you will already be calculating when you can return. That is the effect this unassuming...

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You Can Find Authentic British Meat Pies And Groceries At This Charming New Jersey Bakery

Who knew a little slice of Britain was hiding in a New Jersey strip mall? This charming bakery has been a local favorite for...

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This New Jersey Market Has Fresh Produce At Prices So Low Customers Call It A Hidden Gem

My grocery budget and I used to have a very complicated relationship. Every week, I'd walk into a big-name supermarket, grab...

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This New Jersey Vessel Takes You Deep-Sea Fishing And The Crew Cleans Your Catch For Free

There is a moment when you feel that first tug on the line, a jolt of pure excitement that connects you to the rhythm of the ocean.

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This New Jersey Food Tour Brings You Face-To-Face With The Chefs And Owners Behind The City’s Best Restaurants

Forget just tasting the food. This New Jersey tour takes you behind the kitchen doors and right up to the chefs and owners...

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This New Jersey Raw Bar And Lounge Brings A Taste Of The French Riviera To The Shore

Who says you need a passport for a taste of the French Riviera? This sleek New Jersey hot spot brings the glamour of coastal...

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This New Jersey Cafe Has A Secret Entrance With Retro Nintendo Waiting Inside

Alright, here is the truth about this place. The whole "hidden" thing is not just a cute marketing gimmick. The adventure starts...

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12 New Jersey Trails Under 30 Minutes That Most Locals Have Never Fully Explored

These trails are the ultimate local secret, hiding in plain sight right off your usual commute. Each one takes under thirty...

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Discover The New Jersey Waterfront Haven With Trails And Boat Launches

Let us be honest, the Meadowlands is not usually the first place that comes to mind when you think of peaceful nature escapes. Then...

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This Adults-Only New Jersey Hideaway Turns A Shore Stay Into A Grown-Up Escape

An adults-only shore retreat where the only splashes you hear are from your own cocktail. Finally, a place designed for actual...

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This Historic New Jersey Gristmill Still Grinds Grain The Old-Fashioned Way

Have you ever watched a massive wooden water wheel turn slowly, powered by nothing but the force of a rushing stream? It is...

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This New Jersey Camping Resort Turns A Wooded Getaway Into A Full Summer Escape

There is something magical about sleeping under the stars, but let us be real, camping does not have to mean roughing it. This...

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The 11 Best Places In New Jersey To Forage For Wild Berries, Mushrooms, And More

Imagine ditching the grocery store for a walk in the woods. That is the thrill of foraging in New Jersey, a state bursting with wild edible treasures.

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New Jersey Has A German Deli So Authentic It Feels Like A Hidden European Market

What if I told you there is a place in New Jersey that makes you feel like you just wandered into a Bavarian village, minus the plane ticket?

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This New Jersey County Fair Features Mass Balloon Launches Every Single Evening

Imagine hundreds of colorful orbs drifting into a twilight sky, each one carrying a little wish or a silent goodbye. It sounds...

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This Historic New Jersey Diner Serves A Tuesday Prime Rib Dinner Special For Less Than $25

Tuesday night rolls around, and you are staring into your fridge wondering if leftover cereal qualifies as dinner. Stop right...

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This New Jersey Meat Market Is A Carnivore’s Dream With Rare Game And Unusual Cuts

Ever stared at a menu and thought, "I have tried everything"? Well, this place exists to prove you wrong. Step into a wonderland...

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This New Jersey Fairy Tale Forest Reopened After Decades, Bringing Storybook Magic Back To Life

After sitting quiet for over two decades, this New Jersey treasure has finally sprung back to life. A German immigrant's dream...

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12 New Jersey Towers And Landmarks That Showcase The State’s Most Beautiful Vistas

Who said you need to leave the state for a view that steals your breath? These spots prove New Jersey has serious bragging rights when it comes to sky high scenery.

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This New Jersey Vietnamese Bakery Serves Bánh Mì So Fresh, Locals Can’t Stop Coming Back

Fresh bread. The true backbone of any great bánh mì, and this place has absolutely mastered the art of the perfect baguette. It...

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13 Amazing Swimming Pools Offering Day Passes Across New Jersey

Summer in the Garden State can get absolutely brutal, and sometimes a beach trip just is not in the cards. But here is the...

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You Can Buy Hormone-Free Meat At This All-Natural New Jersey Farm

Warning: your grocery store steak is about to become permanently ruined. This farm changes everything you thought you knew about meat.

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This New Jersey BBQ Joint Serves A Fried Bologna Sandwich That Became A Local Legend

Some food legends are born from secret recipes passed down through generations. Others come from a simple idea executed to...

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Locals Say This Once Peaceful New Jersey Lake Town Is Now Ruined By Tourists

There is a quiet sadness floating over the water these days. Locals in this New Jersey lakeside community will tell you straight up that things have changed.

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8 New Jersey College Towns Perfect For A Weekend Escape In 2026

Cobblestone streets, indie bookstores, and coffee shops that actually know your name after one visit. That is the vibe inside...

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10 New Jersey Fabric Stores Every Crafter Should Definitely Visit

Scissors ready. Thread matched. Coffee brewing. Now you just need the fabric.

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This Iconic New Jersey Diner Draws Diners From Near And Far With Its Hearty Meals

Hunger has a way of making people drive extra miles. Forty five minutes. An hour. Sometimes longer.

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10 Places In New Jersey To Watch The Most Spectacular 4th Of July Fireworks

There is something deeply ridiculous about standing in a crowd, neck craned skyward, jaw dropped, holding a half-eaten funnel cake while fireworks shake your chest like a bass...

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The New Jersey Ice Cream Landmark That’s Been Scooping Old World Italian Desserts Since 1939

Some places just know that dessert should never be rushed. This old school parlor has been scooping creamy Italian classics since before television sets had remotes.

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This New Jersey Spot Serves A Two-Foot-Long Cheesesteak And Customers Drive From Hours Away To Get One

Bring your appetite. No, really. You have not seen a cheesesteak like this before.

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80,000 New Jerseyans Flock To This Free Farm Fair Every July For Rodeos, Pig Races, And Tractor Pulls

You have to respect a fair that stays completely free after all these years. Eighty thousand locals cannot be wrong. Every...

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The Little New Jersey Donut Shop That Turns Breakfast Into Dessert One Creative Topping At A Time

Breakfast or dessert? At this New Jersey spot, that question becomes completely irrelevant. You walk in expecting a regular...

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10 Best Gluten-Free Restaurants In New Jersey That Deserve A Road Trip In 2026

Let's be real, hunting down a restaurant where the gluten-free menu reads like a love letter instead of a sad afterthought can feel like a quest.

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