freya benson author at My Family Travels
Article
Good Luck Choosing Just One Flavor At This Irresistible New Jersey Italian Ice Shop

Walk in and the hardest decision of your day begins. Flavors everywhere. Lemon, cherry, mango, lime mint, pina colada, and...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This New Jersey Town Has A 272-Year-Old House That Served As A Revolutionary War Hospital

Some houses get a plaque. This one got a battlefield. A 272-year-old New Jersey home that watched the Revolution unfold from...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The New Jersey Towns Where Almost Nothing Is Open After Dark And Nightlife Barely Exists

Forget the neon lights and late-night crowds. In these New Jersey towns, the streets roll up early and the quiet takes over after dark.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Cold War Missile Tracking Base In New Jersey Was Bought For Just $1 And Transformed Into An Art Park

A Cold War relic bought for a single dollar. That is not a typo. This New Jersey site once tracked Soviet bombers heading for...

Read More    6 min read

Article
What $100 Gets You In One Of New Jersey’s Most Popular Beach Towns

The salty air hit me before the parking meter did, and somehow that felt like a warning. I had exactly one crisp hundred-dollar...

Read More    7 min read

Article
11 Shady New Jersey Hike Trails Perfect For Surviving Late Summer Heat

Summer in New Jersey hits hard. The sun blazes. The humidity clings. Your hiking plans start to look like a terrible idea.

Read More    8 min read

Article
A New Jersey Shore Classic That Proves A Great Lobster Roll Doesn’t Have To Cost A Fortune

Some lobster rolls require a second mortgage. This one just requires a parking spot. A walk-up window on the Jersey Shore,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Build-Your-Own Breakfast Sandwich Is The Top Seller At This New Jersey Bagel Shop

There is a breakfast revolution happening in New Jersey, and it involves a bagel, endless toppings, and pure creativity. This...

Read More    7 min read

Article
13 New Jersey Campgrounds That Make Last-Minute Outdoor Trips Easy

You know that feeling when you need to get out of town and you need it now? The car is packed and your patience is thin. The...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Old-School Polish Bakery In New Jersey Has Been A Family Tradition Since 1917

Butter. Sugar. That is what hits you first at this New Jersey bakery. Since...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This New Jersey Movie Theater Has A Full Dine-In Menu Delivered Right To Your Seat

Imagine settling into your movie seat and having a gourmet burger arrive before the trailers even finish. That is the reality...

Read More    7 min read

Article
One Of New Jersey’s Best-Ranked Tomato Pies Is Hiding Inside This Unassuming Cafe

A plain white building next to a firehouse. A modest sign. A small dining room. Not the kind of place you would expect to...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This New Jersey Town Looks Peaceful Today But Its Creek Once Made National Headlines

Today, you would never guess it. The water looks calm. The town feels quiet.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This New Jersey Indoor Waterpark Is North America’s Largest With Over 40 Slides And A 1,500-Foot Lazy River

It does not matter what the weather is doing outside. Inside this New Jersey behemoth, it is always a perfect summer day. North...

Read More    7 min read

Article
13 Of New Jersey’s Most Remote Places That Are Well Worth The Drive

Forget everything you think you know about the Garden State. Tucked far from the crowded highways and bustling shore towns lie pockets of pure solitude that feel completely worlds...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Rustic New Jersey Steakhouse Serves Prime Cuts On A Scenic Three-Acre Country Estate

Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly grilled steak while surrounded by rolling lawns and towering trees. This rustic steakhouse sits on a stunning three-acre estate that...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This New Jersey Fun Center Has Enough Games To Keep The Whole Family Moving

Arcade lights flash, bowling pins crash, and laughter echoes from every corner of this sprawling New Jersey fun center. One visit here and the hours slip away without anyone even...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Veteran-Owned New Jersey Food Truck Serves Everything From Lobster Rolls To Birria Tacos

Find a spot in line and prepare for a menu that defies all expectations. This veteran-owned food truck in New Jersey serves up an unexpected mashup of coastal classics and Mexican...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This New Jersey Bakery Is One Of The Best Gluten-Free Spots In The State

Nobody should have to sacrifice taste for dietary needs, and this New Jersey bakery proves that point beautifully. Everything here is gluten-free, but you'd never know it from...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Old-Fashioned New Jersey General Store Where The Bakery Case Is Only The Beginning

You know that feeling when you walk into a place and instantly feel at home? That's exactly what happens the moment you enter this charming general store. The bakery case catches...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    7 min read

Article
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....

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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.

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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.

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    10 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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...

Read More    6 min read

Article
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.

Read More    9 min read