grayson holt author at My Family Travels
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This Once-Quiet Coastal Oregon Town Has Been Overrun by Tourists – and Locals Are Furious

It’s hard to believe that just a decade ago, Pacific City felt like a secret only locals were allowed to keep. Mornings were quiet enough to hear the surf crash against the cliffs,...

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This Oregon Food Tour Will Take You Straight to Ice Cream Heaven

Walking into the Tillamook Creamery felt like stepping straight into my childhood dream, except this time I had adult money and zero self-control.

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9 Oregon Breakfast Spots That Rise and Grind the Right Way

I've wandered through Oregon countless times, chasing sunrises over the Pacific and mountain views that make you forget you're even hungry. Then breakfast hits different here.

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The Oregon Ghost Town You Won’t Be Able to Drive Past Without Pulling Over

Shaniko sits frozen in time along Highway 97 in Oregon, a genuine ghost town that refuses to completely fade away. With only about 30 residents keeping watch over weathered wooden...

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These Oregon Locations Make People Say “You Had to Be There”

Oregon holds secrets that refuse to be captured in photographs or described in simple words. Scattered across this diverse state are places so extraordinary that they demand your...

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This Oregon Market Has Handmade Goods You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Downtown Portland has no shortage of quirky surprises, but one storefront stopped me in my tracks. Inside was a colorful explosion of art prints, hand-poured candles, enamel pins,...

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9 Secret Nature Trails That Look Too Good to Be Real

Oregon hides some of the most jaw-dropping trails you’ll ever stumble across, and most travelers drive right past them without even knowing they exist.

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Why This Oregon Town Is the Cheapest and Coziest February Escape

Astoria sits where the Columbia River crashes into the Pacific Ocean, and if you've never experienced the Oregon coast in February, you're missing out on something special.

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This 10,000-Square-Foot Oregon Secondhand Shop Is the Place to Score Big This Spring

Spring cleaning takes on a whole new meaning when you discover Rerun on Sandy Boulevard in Portland. This isn't your average thrift store with dusty bins and fluorescent lighting...

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This Oregon Beach Hides a Historic Road Where Stagecoaches Once Navigated the Cliffs

I still remember rounding that bend south of Cannon Beach and glancing down at the stretch of coastline below the highway, not fully prepared for what I was about to see. The name...

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This Oregon Steakhouse Was Once John Wayne’s Favorite Hidden Hangout

Carved into the rugged landscape of Central Oregon, just minutes from Bend, sits a steakhouse where Hollywood royalty once sought refuge from the spotlight.

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This Oregon Restaurant Lets You Dine on a Terrace Beside a Waterfall

Picture yourself savoring Pacific Northwest cuisine while one of Oregon's most magnificent waterfalls thunders just steps away. The Multnomah Falls Lodge Restaurant in Corbett,...

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This Oregon Coastal Lodge Feels Like a Private Slice of Heaven in Spring

Spring along the southern Oregon coast brings something extraordinary to life at Tu Tu' Tun Lodge. I discovered this haven tucked along the banks of the Rogue River, where the...

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This Haunted Oregon Ghost Town Will Give You Chills Even in Broad Daylight

Standing at the edge of Cornucopia, I felt something shift in the air around me. Maybe it was the wind whispering through the skeletal remains of century-old buildings, or perhaps...

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This Lesser Known Oregon Town Has the Best Local Food You’ll Never Hear About

The tiny town of Manzanita on the Oregon coast has been quietly serving some of the freshest seafood and most satisfying pastries around.

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This Oregon All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Spot Is Testing Everyone’s Self-Control

I stepped into Sushi Kuni & Cocktail Bar in West Linn expecting the usual all-you-can-eat sushi setup, but what I found completely blew my mind.

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This Oregon Trail Feels Like a Secret You’re Not Supposed to Know

Hiking all over Oregon has made a lot of trails blur together for me, but Eagle Creek never does. The second I step onto those narrow ledges carved straight into the cliff, my...

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This Delightful Oregon Museum Is a Quilt Lover’s Paradise

A rainy Tuesday in Tillamook, Oregon led me straight into the Latimer Quilt & Textile Center, and I didn’t expect much from a museum in an old schoolhouse. I couldn’t have...

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This Creepy Oregon Train Station Has a History Locals Still Whisper About

Few spots in Oregon carry the kind of quiet, eerie history that makes you feel it in your bones - and the Oregon City Train Depot at 1757 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045 is...

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This Oregon Road Trip Through Ghost Towns Is Packed With Creepy History

I used to think Oregon road trips were all waterfalls and cozy small towns, until I found myself cruising down empty highways that felt way too quiet for comfort.

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This Oregon Restaurant Serves Iraqi Flavors You’ll Keep Coming Back For

Stepping into DarSalam on a rainy Portland afternoon, I knew I’d found something special the moment the aroma hit me. This...

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These 9 Oregon Towns Are Stealing Attention From the Popular Ones

Exploring Oregon for years has shown me that the famous spots get all the attention, while incredible little towns sit quietly nearby, waiting to be discovered. Cannon Beach and...

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This Haunted Oregon Lighthouse Locals Avoid After the Sun Goes Down

Perched high on Oregon’s rugged coastline, Heceta Head Lighthouse has been guiding ships safely for over a century - but after dark, it feels like something else is in charge....

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9 Oregon Buffets That Will Leave You Rollin’ in Happiness

I never thought buffets could win me over, but Oregon proved me wrong. There’s something magical about walking into a place where you can taste a little bit of everything without...

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The Oregon Town That Looks Sleepy Until You Actually Spend a Day There

I rolled into Astoria expecting a slow-paced fishing village where the biggest event of the day would be watching seagulls fight over a sandwich. Boy, was I wrong.

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Oregon’s Retro Diner Where Chicken Fried Steak Reigns Supreme

Portland, Oregon, is home to a breakfast gem that brings authentic Southern comfort straight to the Pacific Northwest. Grits...

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8 Oregon Towns That Feel Stuck in Another Era (In the Best Way)

Oregon hides some of the most enchanting small towns where the hustle of modern life feels like a distant memory. Walking through these communities is like stepping through a portal...

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This Oregon Drive-In Is a Blast From the Past With Movies Under the Sky

I absolutely love finding places that feel like stepping back in time, and the 99W Drive-In Theatre in Newberg, Oregon, is exactly that kind of magic.

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8 Jaw-Dropping Oregon State Parks Hiding Right Under Everyone’s Nose

Oregon is famous for Crater Lake and Cannon Beach, but some of the most stunning landscapes sit quietly off the beaten path, waiting for curious explorers like us. I spent months...

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The Lesser Known Oregon Town People Move Through Until They Suddenly Stay Longer

I rolled into Jacksonville thinking it was just another pit stop on my way to somewhere bigger. Boy, was I wrong. This tiny Gold...

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This Oregon Restaurant Keeps It Simple but Its Fish Tacos Are Legendary

Tucked along the rugged southern Oregon coastline, Bandon is home to one of the state's most beloved seafood destinations. Tony's Crab Shack sits right on the historic boardwalk...

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8 Huge Thrift Stores in Oregon Packed With Rare Finds at Incredible Prices

Oregon has become a treasure hunter's paradise, with thrift stores offering everything from vintage clothing and mid-century furniture to rare collectibles and quirky finds.

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9 Oregon Towns That Look Normal Until You Explore Them

Oregon is full of surprises, especially when it comes to its small towns that seem unassuming at first glance. Many visitors drive through these places without stopping, thinking...

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These Oregon Places Locals Would Miss Immediately If They Closed

Oregon is home to some of the most unique and beloved institutions in the Pacific Northwest, places that have woven themselves into the very fabric of local life. From historic...

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8 Oregon Coastal Lighthouses With Stories Nobody Talks About

Oregon's rugged coastline stretches for more than 360 miles, where the Pacific crashes against cliffs and sandy shores beneath towering sentinels of light. Most visitors know about...

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This Tiny Oregon Bakery Serves a Pastry Everyone Wants but Nobody Talks About

Tucked away in Albany, Oregon, there's a micro bakery that has quietly become the town's best-kept secret. The Cozy Crumb operates out of a home kitchen, turning out handcrafted...

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This Oregon Small Town Will Surprise You With Its Weird Charm

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Silverton is a small Oregon town that refuses to follow the typical tourist playbook. Just 14 miles northeast of Salem along...

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The Oregon Places Locals Disagree About for the Wrong Reasons

Oregon sparks fierce debates among its residents, but not always for the reasons you'd expect. Arguments about favorite places often miss the real issues, turning into battles...

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10 Unassuming Buffets in Oregon Locals Say Beat the Fancy Spots

Oregon might be famous for its farm-to-table restaurants and upscale dining scenes, but locals know something the tourists often miss: the state's best food experiences sometimes...

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These 10 Oregon Spots Locals Know Were Once Much Busier

Oregon holds countless treasures that have quietly transformed over the years, shifting from peaceful hideaways into bustling hotspots that draw visitors from around the globe.

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These 10 Oregon Spots Don’t Try to Impress but Locals Keep Showing Up

Oregon doesn't need to shout about its beauty. The state has carved out a reputation for natural wonders that speak softly but carry a powerful punch, and the locals know exactly...

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9 Trips in Oregon Where Locals Eat, Explore, and Relax

Oregon offers a rare mix of rugged coastlines, towering mountains, and hidden valleys that few travelers truly get to experience. While...

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9 Unassuming Oregon Towns Locals Are Quietly Obsessed With

Oregon hides some of its best secrets in plain sight. While visitors flock to Portland's food carts or Crater Lake's famous blue waters, locals have their own list of favorite...

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These 9 Oregon Day Trips Locals Swear Are Worth Every Minute

Oregon offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Pacific Northwest, from towering waterfalls cascading through emerald forests to rugged coastlines where the ocean meets...

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These 11 Everyday Places in Oregon Locals Know Tell a Bigger Story

Oregon rewards curiosity, especially when you look past the headliners and listen to the heartbeat in ordinary corners that locals love.

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These 10 Places in Oregon Were Abandoned for Practical, Not Mysterious Reasons

You came for spooky legends, but Oregon’s quiet castoffs tell a more grounded story of shifting tracks, tired industries, and landscapes that refused to bend.

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10 Beautiful Colorado Views Often Busy With Tourists

Colorado keeps showing up on your feed for a reason, and it is not just the sunshine. These mountain backdrops, red rock cathedrals, and high alpine basins pull crowds from sunrise...

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The Small Coastal Restaurants That Oregonians Swear By

Oregon’s shoreline hides a string of small restaurants where the ocean sets the rhythm and the welcome feels personal. You...

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These 9 Lessons Living in Oregon Teaches You About Slowing Down

Oregon has a way of asking you to breathe before you hurry, then inviting you to look longer at what you almost missed. The...

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These 11 Hole-in-the-Wall Morning Cafés in Oregon Are Worth Every Crumb

Morning in Oregon feels different when you duck into a tiny café that knows your order before you speak. You will find charm...

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