gideon frost author at My Family Travels
Article
This Haunted Alabama Hotel Has An Elegant Restaurant Touting Century-Old Ghosts

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enjoy a meal somewhere with a history as fascinating as the food itself? In...

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This Enormous Alabama Antique Compound Packs 8 Massive Warehouses Full Of Rare Global Treasures

Some places are hard to believe until you actually see them for yourself. A massive antique and architectural salvage destination in Theodore, Alabama is one of those places.

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This Nostalgic Indiana Record Shop Hides Thousands Of Vintage Vinyl Crates Packed With Rare Indie Gems

Some record stores feel like museums, but a beloved music shop in Bloomington, Indiana feels more like a treasure hunt you never want to finish. Since opening in 2006, it has become...

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9 Authentic Alabama Restaurants Making Scratch-Made Dishes That Taste Straight Out Of Italy

I never expected to find food that reminded me so much of a Roman trattoria right here in Alabama. But after exploring the state, I can honestly say some of these kitchens are...

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This Alabama Pizza Spot Serves The Kind Of Thin Crust Pie Locals Never Stop Craving

Some restaurants just stick with you long after the last bite. A beloved pizza spot in Mountain Brook, Alabama has been doing exactly that since 1964.

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This Tiny Gourmet Market In Alabama Makes Scrumptious Homemade Meals To Go

Not every great food discovery happens at a big chain grocery store. Sometimes the best meals come from a small, carefully curated shop with a whole lot of heart.

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This 2,000-Acre Alabama Adventure Oasis Packs Spring-Fed Lakes, 250 Miles of ATV Trails, and Endless Camping

Somewhere in southern Alabama, a 2,000-acre playground is waiting for you. This massive outdoor destination packs more adventure into one property than most people experience in...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Alabama Mexican Buffet Is A Total Paradise Packed With Authentic Eats

Some restaurants are worth driving miles out of your way for, and one hidden gem in Central Alabama is exactly that kind of place.

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This Indiana Observatory Lets You Gaze At Cosmic Wonders Through A Historic 140-Year-Old Telescope

Somewhere in a quiet Greencastle neighborhood, a domed brick building has been watching the night sky for over 140 years. A historic university observatory in Indiana is one of...

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This Historic Church In Alabama Is A One Of A Kind Shrine For African American Faith And History

Nestled in Montgomery, Alabama, a historic religious campus is more than just a church. It is a living monument to faith, courage, and the long fight for equality.

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This Hidden Canyon Trail In Alabama Features Massive Bluffs And Ancient Virgin Forests

Most people drive through northwest Alabama without knowing one of the most stunning natural canyons in the Southeast is just off the road.

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This Alabama Waterfront Restaurant Is Absolutely Worth The Trip If You Love Shrimp

If you love shrimp, there is one restaurant along the Alabama coast that belongs at the top of your list. A long-running Gulf seafood spot has been serving fresh catches since...

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This Retro Bakery In Alabama Has Melt-In-Your-Mouth Glazed Donuts That Are Absolutely Worth The Hype

Some places earn their reputation one bite at a time, and a longtime family-owned bakery in Fultondale, Alabama is exactly that kind of spot. For more than five decades, it has...

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9 Affordable Cities In Indiana That Let You Live Like Royalty For Cheap

I never thought living well on a budget was possible until I started looking at Indiana. The Hoosier State has some of the most wallet-friendly cities in the Midwest, and the quality...

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This Spectacular Quiet Town In Indiana Is Ranked As One Of The Happiest Places In America

Imagine a town so peaceful that residents get around on golf carts and bicycles, where history practically breathes through every building. New Harmony, Indiana, is one of those...

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This Famous Alabama Interstate Market Is Packing Legendary $5 Fried Pies And Local Southern Hot Sauces

Somewhere along I-65 in central Alabama, there is a roadside stop that turns an ordinary highway break into something you will remember long after the trip ends.

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This Massive Frontier Fortress In Alabama Instantly Transports You Back In Time

Fort Toulouse-Jackson Park near Wetumpka, Alabama is one of those rare places where history feels alive and real. Located at the meeting point of two major rivers, this National...

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This Massive 3-Ton Alabama Robot Looks Like It Fell Straight Out of a Sci-Fi Movie

Somewhere on the campus of the University of Alabama, a massive rusted robot lies on its side like it just crashed from another world. This striking sculpture stretches more than...

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This 800-Acre Alabama Ranch Lets You Swap Your Daily Routine for a Real Cowboy Adventure

Imagine trading your alarm clock and inbox for open trails, fresh mountain air, and the steady rhythm of a horse beneath you. A large ranch in Mentone, Alabama sits high atop Lookout...

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8 Crystal-Clear Alabama Natural Springs Worth Burning A Full Tank Of Gas To Experience

I have spent more weekends than I can count chasing cool, clear water across the state, and nothing compares to stumbling onto a spring that looks almost too perfect to be real....

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10 Authentic Restaurants In Indiana That Aren’t Tourist Traps And Real Locals Actually Love

I have spent a good chunk of time eating my way across Indiana, and I can tell you firsthand that the best meals I have ever had here were never at the places with giant signs...

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This Under-the-Radar Family Diner in Indiana Dishes Out a Dirt-Cheap Weekend Comfort Buffet

Not every great meal comes with a flashy sign or a long waitlist. Sometimes the best food is tucked into a small Indiana town where locals already know exactly where to go.

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This Hidden Alabama Trail Leads Straight Through A Towering, Magical Bamboo Forest

Somewhere in Prattville, Alabama, a trail winds through a landscape that feels completely out of place in the Deep South. Towering bamboo stalks rise overhead, creating a shaded...

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This Massive Alabama Lake Boasts 360 Miles Of Wild Shoreline, And 0 Tourists

Most people driving through east-central Alabama have no idea they are passing near one of the most scenic lakes in the Southeast.

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This Charming Alabama Orchard Cafe Hides The Most Delicious Fried Pies In America

Along a quiet stretch of Cullman County, Alabama, there’s a place filled with the scent of warm apples, fresh-baked crust, and the kind of kitchen comfort that feels like something...

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Alabama Has Its Own Grand Canyon, And It Belongs On Your Bucket List

Most people think of the American Southwest when they hear the words "Grand Canyon," but Alabama has a dramatic landscape of its own that often flies under the radar.

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This 3-Mile Alabama Boardwalk Trail Takes You Through A Hidden Bird Sanctuary Most People Bypass

On a quiet coastal island in Alabama, one of its greatest natural treasures often goes unnoticed by visitors passing through. A...

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10 Tiny Historic Indiana Restaurants That Prove Small Hidden Spots Can Be Truly Legendary

Order the pork tenderloin. It will hang off the bun like a dare. That is how you eat in these ten tiny historic Indiana restaurants,...

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This Hidden Indiana River Ferry Cuts a 1-Hour Road Trip Down to a Magical 5-Minute Float

Most people have never heard of a ferry crossing the Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky anymore. This small river ferry changes that in the best possible way.

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This Unassuming Alabama Country Kitchen Serves Up A Legendary Southern Blue Plate Breakfast

You show up hungry and leave planning your next visit. That is the effect of this unassuming Alabama country kitchen, where a legendary Southern blue plate breakfast draws locals...

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This 2,200-Acre Alabama Oasis Shelters Thousands Of Ancient Carnivorous Pitcher Plants

The plants here do not wait for bees to land politely. They lure them in, trap them, and slowly digest them for dinner. Welcome...

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This Alabama Adventure Hub Lets You Brave Raging Whitewater Rapids Without Leaving The City

You grip your paddle, heart pounding, as a wave train tries to throw you from your raft. The roar of the rapids drowns out the city noise, but the parking lot is just a short walk...

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This Massive Alabama Amish Style Market Is Packed With Bulk Deals And Homemade Sweets

Alabama has a lot of hidden gems, but this family-owned market and bakery in Atmore might be one of the most surprising. It brings the feel of Amish-style bulk food shopping right...

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Alabama’s Best Ribeye Steak Is Hidden Inside This Haunted 1820s Dinner Club

Some of the best meals in Alabama are not found in big cities or busy commercial strips. They are tucked away in quiet, historic places that have been welcoming guests for generations.

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This Tiny Indiana Town Of Under 300 People Hides The Most Spectacular Overlook In The State

Most people drive right past Merom without a second thought. That would be a mistake. This small Indiana town of fewer than...

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Reclaim Your Childhood At This Retro Indiana Arcade With 100+ Free-Play Classic Games

Some places just make you smile the moment you walk through the door. This Indiana arcade is one of those rare spots that feels both nostalgic and exciting at the same time.

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10 Alabama Coastal Retreats That Aren’t The Loud Spring Break Destinations On The Gulf

Alabama has a coastline full of surprises. Most people picture busy beaches and crowded stretches of sand when they think of the Gulf Coast, but there is a quieter side that many...

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This Alabama Scenic Mountain Hotspot Is Where $1,900 A Month Easily Covers Everything

Fort Payne, Alabama sits quietly in the northeastern corner of the state, cradled by Lookout Mountain and surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery in the South. It is the...

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This Massive Alabama Barnyard Buffet Serves The Ultimate All-You-Can-Eat Southern Comfort Food

Alabama has no shortage of good food, but some spots earn a reputation that goes far beyond the county line. This Saraland buffet is one of those places locals tend to talk about...

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This Massive Flooded Alabama Quarry Secretly Holds A Sunken Jet Airplane On The Bottom

Alabama has a lot of hidden surprises, but few can match the sheer wonder of this Pelham quarry turned recreation spot. What looks like an ordinary outdoor area from the surface...

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This Hidden Alabama Paddle Paradise Features Stunning 40-Foot Rock Cliffs Right Outside Town

This quiet spot just outside Tuscaloosa, Alabama feels like a world apart from the city. Calm water, thick pine forests, and dramatic sandstone cliffs rising from the shoreline...

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If You Haven’t Been to This 3-Story Indiana Factory, You’re Missing Out

There is a distinct magic to walking through the heavy doors of this historic Goshen factory and instantly feeling like you've stepped back in time.

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The Hidden Indiana Lakeside Town Restaurant Is Serving Up Real Fried Alligator

Some restaurants just serve food. This Monticello, Indiana spot offers an experience that feels far beyond what most small-town diners expect.

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This Gorgeous 67-Acre Alabama Botanical Paradise Is Completely Free To Enter

This is one of Alabama’s most beloved green spaces, and the best part is that it costs nothing to walk through the gate. Spread across 67 acres, it features thousands of plants,...

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This Serene Alabama Park Is Perfect If You Want Nature Without The Noise

Sometimes you just need to escape the constant hum of everyday life and find a place where the loudest sound is wind moving through the trees. This quiet state park near Tuscaloosa...

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This Haunting Abandoned Alabama Hollywood Movie Set Is Quietly Decaying In The Wilderness

Somewhere along a dirt road near Millbrook, Alabama, a fictional town is slowly being reclaimed by nature. This abandoned movie set, originally built for a major fantasy film in...

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10 Alabama Towns Are Losing Residents Due To Record High Housing Costs

Alabama has long been known as one of the more affordable states in the South, but that reputation is changing fast. Home prices across the state have climbed sharply over the...

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This Breathtaking Alabama Sanctuary Was Built Entirely Around A Massive Mountain Boulder

Some places carry a weight that goes beyond their size. This tiny wooden chapel in Mentone, Alabama is one of those rare spots that stops you in your tracks the moment you see...

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This No-Frills Indiana BBQ Shack Is Secretly Serving The Best Ribs In The Region

Some of the best food you will ever eat does not come from a fancy restaurant with white tablecloths and a long wait list. Sometimes it comes from a small roadside spot with a...

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This Indiana Amish Bakery Is So Packed With Fresh Bread, Pies, and Cookies You’ll Want One of Everything

Some bakeries feel like a quick stop. However, this one in Loogootee, Indiana feels like a reason to reroute your whole drive. The...

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This Hidden 3-Story Alabama Castle In The Woods Looks Straight Out of A European Fairy Tale

Most people drive through Fairhope, Alabama without knowing that a hand-built castle is tucked away just a few blocks from downtown. This whimsical stone structure is one of those...

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You Can Smell the Bacon From the Stadium Gates at This Legendary Alabama Game-Day Diner

Some places earn their reputation one plate at a time, and this Tuscaloosa, Alabama diner has been doing exactly that since the mid-1990s. Sitting just steps from Bryant-Denny...

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This Gigantic Alabama Arena Holds Over 100,000 People But Sits Eerily Empty Most Of The Year

Most people picture roaring crowds, deafening engines, and clouds of tire smoke when they think of major motorsports venues. But for most of the year, this enormous racing complex...

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The Dark History Behind Alabama’s Most Famous Bridge That Most Tourists Entirely Miss

Most people who cross this historic bridge in Selma, Alabama do so quietly, almost reverently, as if they can still feel the weight of what happened here. The bridge spans the...

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This Stunning Alabama Lake Features Water So Crystal Clear It Looks Exactly Like The Bahamas

Most people think you have to book a flight to find water that looks like the Bahamas. This north-central Alabama lake quietly proves that idea wrong.

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This 2,500-Acre Indiana Wildlife Area Has 28 Hidden Lakes Most Hoosiers Don’t Know About

Most people drive past Warrick County, Indiana without realizing one of the state’s most unusual outdoor destinations is sitting quietly nearby. This sprawling fish and wildlife...

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This Glowing Pink Underground Cave In Indiana Is Made Entirely Of 18,000 Pounds Of Salt

There is a place in Indianapolis, Indiana where the walls, floor, and ceiling glow soft pink, and the air itself feels calming the moment you step inside. This wellness space recreates...

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The Giant Alabama Secondhand Shop Where You Can Score A Whole New Wardrobe For Less Than $35

If you have never walked out of a thrift store feeling like you just hit the jackpot, you probably have not visited this Pelham, Alabama secondhand shop. It is not your average...

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This Enchanting Alabama Destination Is Part Wildlife Sanctuary, Part Steakhouse, And 100% Magical

Some places are hard to explain until you actually experience them yourself. This Sardis City, Alabama destination is one of those rare spots that blends a wild game steakhouse...

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You Can Feed A Giant Giraffe At Eye Level At This Wild Alabama Safari Park

There are not many places in the South where you can look a giraffe directly in the eye and hand it a piece of lettuce. This wildlife park in Hope Hull, Alabama makes that kind...

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