grayson holt author at My Family Travels
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10 Small Towns in Maine Made for Storm Watchers and Wanderers

When the Atlantic flexes its muscles, Maine’s small towns turn into front row seats for nature’s drama. You get thunderous surf, fog rolling like theater curtains, and warm...

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The Oregon Town That Feels Calm in All the Right Ways

Depoe Bay in Oregon feels like a gentle pause, where the ocean sets the pace and everything else follows. Waves roll through the smallest harbor while gray whales surface just...

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11 Small Towns in Michigan That Shine Outside Summer

Summer might headline the calendar, but Michigan’s small towns quietly glow when the crowds thin and the air turns crisp. You get warm storefront lights, wind-brushed shorelines,...

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Hidden Michigan Italian Restaurants Loved by Locals

You came to Michigan for lakes and lighthouses, but locals will tell you the real treasure hides in cozy Italian rooms tucked off busy roads and neighborhood corners. These spots...

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10 Ohio Pierogi Joints You Won’t Find Without a Local’s Tip

Ohio hides its best pierogi behind quiet doors, market stalls, and tiny kitchens that locals share only in whispers. You will not stumble onto these places by accident, but once...

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10 Alabama Towns Locals Say Tourism Changed for Good

Travel in Alabama has surged, and you can feel it in the rhythm of towns that have learned to welcome crowds without losing their roots. Locals talk about change with pride and...

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This Remote Colorado Ghost Town Has Unmatched Mountain Views

High above the tree line in Colorado, a quiet ghost town waits with views that stop you in your tracks. Carson, Colorado rewards those willing to take the rough road with crisp...

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This California Coastal Town Offers Boat Parades and a Festive Winter Getaway

Santa Barbara in California turns winter into a seaside celebration, with twinkling boats, glowing streets, and mountain sunsets painting the city in soft color. You feel the holidays...

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10 Small Towns in Maine That Feel Extra Cozy Year-Round

Maine rewards slow travelers who love quiet streets, warm lights in shop windows, and harbors that never really sleep. If you crave New England character without the crush of peak...

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11 Small Towns in Mississippi Full of Southern Charm

You are about to meet ten Mississippi towns that deliver heart, history, and easygoing style in every block. Each place offers a different flavor of Southern charm, from river...

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Oregon’s Coast Hides a Small Town Many Find Irresistibly Charming

Cannon Beach feels like a postcard that keeps unfolding, revealing new shades of Oregon light with each step along the sand. The moment Haystack Rock rises ahead, you sense why...

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9 Seafood Buffets in Massachusetts Keeping the Classics Locals Love

Massachusetts knows how to celebrate the sea, and locals keep returning to spots where the classics never go out of style. You will find places that serve big selections, sometimes...

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Adventure Towns in Oklahoma That Will Surprise You

Oklahoma keeps catching travelers off guard with mountains, glassy lakes, and small towns that brim with trailheads and culture. You think plains, then you meet granite domes,...

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11 Louisiana Towns Built Around Food Traditions Tourists Often Misuse

Louisiana invites you to taste living history, not just snapshots on a plate. The state’s beloved dishes come from communities that protect rituals, family stories, and seasonal...

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The Catfish at This Oklahoma Spot Is So Good Locals Keep It a Secret

You hear whispers about a catfish place in southern Oklahoma, and every local smiles but keeps directions vague, which only makes the craving stronger. Tucked near an old airstrip...

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11 Kansas Small Towns Swarmed By Travelers and Struggling to Keep Their Character

Kansas keeps surprising travelers who come for history, art, and prairie horizons, then stay for the quiet streets and neighborly rhythm. These small towns welcome visitors, yet...

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This Secret New York Mountain Hamlet Doesn’t Show Up on Travel Blogs

You think you know the Catskills, then Tannersville slips in like a quiet secret and rewrites the map. New York has plenty of famous mountain towns, yet this village feels personal,...

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10 North Carolina Food Sayings That Visitors Never Understand

You landed in North Carolina hungry and curious, and the menu reads like a local puzzle that only longtimers seem to solve. The phrases are friendly yet specific, and the meanings...

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11 Art Fairs in Florida That Make the Trip Worthwhile

Florida rewards art lovers with fairs that feel like destination trips on their own. You get blue skies, lively neighborhoods, and curated shows that span edgy installations to...

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Washington Transforms Leavenworth Into a Magical Christmas Town Everyone Wants This Year

You arrive in Leavenworth, Washington, and the first thing you notice is how the entire town seems to glow like a snow globe come to life. Lights shimmer across the Cascades, and...

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Breckenridge Holiday Festivals in Colorado Travelers Can’t Miss

Snowy streets, twinkling lights, and mountain air set the stage for a holiday season that feels made for you in Breckenridge, Colorado. The town transforms into a cozy wonderland...

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Seasonal Travel Fairs Run by Amish Locals in Pennsylvania Small Towns

Explore the heart of Amish culture in Pennsylvania's small towns through these ten seasonal fairs. Each event, characterized...

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Christmas Village Lights in Pennsylvania Locals Keep to Themselves

Bethlehem in Pennsylvania glows with a calm confidence that only a place steeped in real history can pull off. You feel it the moment the lights flicker on, because the city treats...

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10 Underrated Washington Small Towns You’ll Want to Discover

Washington rewards the curious traveler who lingers in its quieter corners, where character and scenery meet without the crowds. These small towns deliver intimate waterfronts,...

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Charming California Villages for Art Lovers to Explore on a Weekend

Weekends feel longer when you wander through small California towns where creativity spills onto every corner. You get color, character, and conversation, plus enough galleries...

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Picturesque Pennsylvania Villages Worth Driving To

Pennsylvania rewards unhurried road trips with small towns that feel cinematic at street level. You get brick sidewalks, steepled skylines, and storefronts that glow warm in the...

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A Coastal Village in Maine Forged by Atlantic Winds

You feel the Atlantic the moment you step into Lubec, Maine, where gulls trace the wind and the tide sets the tempo for the day. The village sits at the edge of the country, yet...

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The North Carolina Coastal Shack Route Locals Choose When Storms Make it Prettier

You hear the wind first, then you see North Carolina Highway 12 unfurl like a thin ribbon that dares the Atlantic to take another bite. After a storm, this North Carolina route...

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The Most Picturesque Winter Village in New Hampshire You Need to Visit

Winter in Jackson invites you into a postcard that feels like it was painted just for you. Snow settles on covered bridges like sifted sugar, and every lantern-lit walkway seems...

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A Small-Town Bakery in Ohio That Will Change Your Life

You are about to meet the Columbus spot that locals swear will upend your dessert expectations in the best way. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant at 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus,...

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6 Louisiana Locations With Paranormal Legends That Attract Brave Travelers

Louisiana is no stranger to mystery and intrigue, with its rich history and vibrant culture setting the perfect stage for tales that send shivers down the spine. Whether you're...

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9 Hidden New York BBQ Spots Locals Swear By

New York City is a barbecue lover's paradise if you know where to look. As a self-proclaimed BBQ connoisseur, I've scoured the city to uncover those secret spots only locals know....

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Burnt-End Houses in Kansas Locals Refuse to Share

Kansas is renowned for its barbecue, and while many flock to well-known joints, it's the hidden gems that locals treasure. These under-the-radar spots offer some of the best burnt...

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Catfish Kitchens in Oklahoma Locals Love

Oklahoma's best catfish doesn't come from fancy restaurants with white tablecloths and valet parking. Instead, you'll find the crispiest, most flavorful fried catfish in tiny kitchens...

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall BBQ Taverns in Oregon That’ll Make You Hungry

If your road trip takes you through Oregon, make sure to taste the state’s incredible BBQ scene. From bustling Portland to the wide-open landscapes of Eastern Oregon, you’ll...

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10 Michigan Hidden Eateries Perfect For Cozy Comfort Meals

Welcome, fellow foodies, to a delightful journey through the backroads of Michigan, where comfort meals aren't just served; they're celebrated.

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The New York City Deli Crawl Locals Swear Will Change Your Life

If you’re traveling to New York City and love iconic deli sandwiches, this crawl will redefine your idea of comfort food. Dive into an unforgettable adventure through the city's...

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10 Hidden Cookie Shops in Nebraska Worth the Stop

Embark on a sweet journey through Nebraska, where hidden cookie havens await discovery beyond the bustling cities. These local gems showcase the heart and soul of small-bakery...

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The Forgotten Ice Hotel in Alaska That Never Melts but Still Drips

If you're traveling to Alaska and looking for an unforgettable experience, the Aurora Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks is a must-visit. Originally intended...

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This “Quiet” Nevada Town Is The Perfect Detox From Modern Life

In the heart of the Carson Valley, nestled against the Sierra Nevada mountains, lies Genoa, Nevada's oldest settlement. This quaint town offers a soothing escape from the digital...

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The Abandoned Island Resort In Florida Where Guests Leave But Their Voices Stay

The Cape Romano Dome House, an architectural marvel off the coast of Florida, stands as a poignant reminder of nature's relentless power and humanity's fleeting presence. Built...

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The Downtown Mall In New York That Locals Avoid And Tourists Explore Like A Museum

If you’re traveling to Downtown Manhattan, one spot you can’t help but notice is the Westfield World Trade Center, home to the iconic Oculus. While visitors flock here to marvel...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Lobster Rolls In New Hampshire Worth Every Penny

If you’re traveling through New Hampshire, skip the crowded seafood chains and discover hole-in-the-wall lobster spots that locals swear by. From harbor-side shacks to cozy inland...

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The Forgotten Casino In Mississippi That Locals Never Mention But Every Traveler Finds

If you’re traveling through Mississippi and curious about ghosts of grand entertainment past, the abandoned site of Harrah's Casino Tunica offers a rare glimpse into a once-massive...

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The Haunted Wind Park In Wyoming Where Flags Wave Without Air

If you’re traveling across Wyoming and love stumbling upon eerie roadside legends, the wide-open plains of Sweetwater County hold one of the state’s most peculiar modern ghost...

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This Peaceful Idaho Lake Town Might Be America’s Best-Kept Secret

If you’re traveling through Idaho, don’t miss Sandpoint, a serene lakeside town on Lake Pend Oreille. Often overlooked by mainstream tourism, this charming town offers pristine...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Chocolate Cafés In Illinois Worth The Drive

If you’re traveling through Illinois with a sweet tooth, these hidden chocolate cafés are destinations in themselves. From bean-to-bar artisan creations to classic chocolate...

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9 Prairie Steakhouses In South Dakota You’ll Never Forget

South Dakota, a land of sweeping prairies and epic landscapes, is home to some of the most unforgettable steakhouses in America. From rustic charm to modern flair, this state knows...

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Locals Keep This Hidden Maine Breakfast Buffet Off The Map

If you’re traveling and craving a classic Maine breakfast, the Lewiston area hides a local favorite that feels like a well-kept secret. Known for its homestyle comfort food,...

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The Haunted Lake In Montana Where Boats Row Themselves

If you’re traveling through Montana, Flathead Lake isn’t just the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi - it’s also a hotspot for ghost stories and eerie...

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