iris callahan author at My Family Travels
Article
The Florida City Where Seafood Markets and Jazz Festivals Collide

Pompano Beach has earned its reputation as a special coastal city where the authentic charm of a fishing community meets the soulful sounds of live jazz music.

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Abandoned Building Obsession in Michigan That Tourists Keep Getting Arrested For

The abandoned Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit has become one of the most infamous urban exploration sites in America. This...

Read More    5 min read

Article
The Elite New York Resort Where the Clock Stopped and the Proprietor Vanished

The Thousand Islands region of New York is famous for its beautiful scenery and peaceful waters, but one place stands out for darker reasons.

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Legendary Iowa Eatery Where “Happiness” Comes on a Plate

Hungry for honest Midwestern comfort food with a story behind every bite? The Machine Shed Restaurant in Iowa brings farm-to-table...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Locals Say This Florida Keys Fish Fry Is the Closest Thing to Heaven

Craving Old Key West vibes with a side of seriously fresh seafood? Tucked on a working harbor at 6810 Front St, Hogfish Bar & Grill serves up the island’s namesake fish with...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Ice Fishing Spots in Wisconsin Locals Swear By

Wisconsin winters transform into a fisherman's paradise when the lakes freeze solid. From the legendary sturgeon runs to trophy...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Florida for a Thanksgiving Dinner with a View

Thanksgiving in Florida doesn't mean you have to give up amazing views while enjoying your holiday feast. The Sunshine State...

Read More    4 min read

Article
This Washington Seafood Shack Serves Endless Oysters With A View Of The Bay

Tucked away on the shores of Hood Canal in tiny Lilliwaup, Washington, the Hama Hama Oyster Saloon offers an unforgettable coastal dining experience.

Read More    4 min read

Article
New Hampshire’s Greatest Disappearance: The Abandoned Luxury Of The North Woods

Deep in the snowy mountains of northern New Hampshire sits a massive, silent giant. The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel once sparkled with life, hosting presidents and wealthy guests...

Read More    4 min read

Article
This Coveted Dock-To-Table Seafood Spot In Oregon Draws Crowds For Its Incredibly Fresh Catches

Newport, Oregon is home to one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved seafood destinations. Local Ocean Seafoods sits right...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Truth About Tourists In Iowa Breaking Laws At Covered Bridges

Iowa's famous covered bridges attract thousands of tourists every year, but not all visitors respect these historic treasures. From...

Read More    4 min read

Article
South Dakota Destinations Overwhelmed By Tourists

South Dakota might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of tourist traffic jams, but this prairie state is home to some seriously popular attractions.

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Haunted Inn In Maine That Still Has Guests From Another Era

The Kennebunk Inn sits quietly in coastal Maine, but its walls hold more than just history. Guests and staff have reported...

Read More    4 min read

Article
This California Town Might Have The Most Photogenic Streets In The U.S.

San Francisco is a city built on hills, wrapped in fog, and painted in every color imaginable. Its streets tell stories through...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Why Tourists In Delaware Keep Getting Ticketed For Beach Camping

Delaware's beautiful beaches attract thousands of visitors every summer, but many tourists find themselves facing unexpected fines for beach camping.

Read More    4 min read

Article
10 Quaint Arkansas Villages Straight From A Hallmark Script

Arkansas, a hidden gem of the South, might just have secret passageways leading straight into a Hallmark movie. Picture this: cozy streets, smiling locals, and more charm than...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Soulful Weekend Brunch Spot In Minneapolis That Locals Treat Like A Celebration

Minneapolis has no shortage of brunch spots, but the Breakfast Bar in the North Loop stands out for all the right reasons. This weekend-only gem combines soulful Southern comfort...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Most Boring Cities In Tennessee That Turn Magical After Dark

Tennessee has plenty of towns that seem quiet and ordinary during daylight hours. But when the sun goes down, these same places reveal a completely different side filled with live...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Old Farmhouse In Iowa Where Chairs Move On Their Own

Nestled in the quiet town of Villisca, Iowa, stands a small white house with a terrifying past. In 1912, eight people were brutally killed there with an ax, and the crime was never...

Read More    4 min read

Article
10 Wharfside Eateries In Louisiana Serving Gumbo That Defines Comfort

Ah, gumbo! The quintessential dish that defines comfort in Louisiana. If you're on a quest to find the best wharfside eateries serving this beloved dish, you've hit the jackpot....

Read More    5 min read

Article
This All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Feast In Alaska Feels Straight Out Of A Dream

Nestled in the wilderness of Alaska's Tongass National Forest, George Inlet Lodge offers one of the most unique dining experiences you'll find anywhere in the Last Frontier. This...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Eerie Remains Of A Lost Utah Resort Hidden In Sand

Deep in the Utah desert, the ghostly ruins of what was once a grand lakeside resort now sit eerily stranded in a vast expanse of salt and sand. The Great Salt Lake's famous Saltair...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Utah’s National Park Towns Tourists Completely Overran

Utah's stunning national parks draw millions of visitors every year, bringing life and energy to nearby towns. However, this popularity has come at a cost.

Read More    4 min read

Article
Locals Swear This Washington Orchard Becomes Haunted Every October

Stalker Farms in Snohomish, Washington, transforms into one of the most thrilling haunted attractions every fall season. This isn't your typical Halloween experience, it's a carefully...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Coastal Maine Restaurants Locals Hope You Never Find

Maine's rugged coastline hides culinary treasures that locals guard fiercely. These restaurants serve outstanding seafood in remote locations, far from typical tourist routes....

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Tennessee Backroad Where Cars Stall Every Halloween Night

Every small town has its ghost story, but Rockvale, Tennessee holds one that drivers dread each October. Hay Lane, a narrow backroad winding through dark woods, has earned a chilling...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Strange South Carolina Rules That Make No Sense To Visitors

South Carolina is famous for beautiful beaches, delicious barbecue, and warm Southern hospitality. But hidden among the state's legal codes are some truly bizarre rules that leave...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Lost Tennessee Town Buried Beneath Norris Lake

Beneath the calm, sparkling waters of Norris Lake in Tennessee lies something extraordinary and eerie: an entire village that once thrived with life. Loyston and its surrounding...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Oregon Ghost Tour That Haunts Lincoln City On Halloween

Every October, the historic Taft district in Lincoln City transforms into a spine-tingling stage for one of Oregon's most beloved Halloween traditions. The Haunted Taft Halloween...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Louisiana’s Creepiest Halloween Celebrations You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Louisiana knows how to throw a Halloween party unlike anywhere else in the country. From legendary swamp creatures to real-life haunted funeral homes, the Pelican State mixes its...

Read More    5 min read

Article
Most Boring Towns In New Jersey That Are Oddly Addictive To Visit

New Jersey gets a bad rap for being all highways and strip malls, but tucked between the traffic are tiny towns where nothing much happens, and that's exactly their charm.

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Lost Amusement Park That Still Haunts New Jersey

Palisades Amusement Park closed its gates for good in 1971, but its memory refuses to fade. Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the Hudson River, this legendary park brought...

Read More    4 min read

Article
What Hawaii Locals Think When Tourists Call It “Paradise”

When tourists arrive in Hawai?i, they often gush about finding paradise on earth. But for the people who actually live there, that word carries a very different weight.

Read More    4 min read

Article
California Steakhouse Serving Steaks That Melt In Your Mouth

When you're craving a perfect steak in San Francisco, Harris' Restaurant stands out as a legendary destination. This classic steakhouse has been serving up mouthwatering cuts and...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Most Boring Places In Kansas That Locals Say Are Hauntingly Peaceful

Kansas might not top anyone's travel bucket list, but that's exactly what makes it special. The state is filled with quiet spots that outsiders might call boring, yet locals treasure...

Read More    5 min read

Article
This Hidden Delaware Seafood Shack Serves Crab Dip Worth Driving For

Tucked along Route 1 in Milford, Delaware, Meding's Seafood has been serving up fresh catches and family hospitality since 1983. Whether you're heading to the beach or exploring...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Things Only Locals In Rhode Island Know About Their Tiny State

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in America, but it packs more quirks and secrets per square mile than anywhere else. Locals have their own language, their own food rules,...

Read More    5 min read

Article
Why Locals In Nevada Say Las Vegas Is No Longer Theirs

Las Vegas once felt like home to the people who built it, worked in it, and raised their families there. Today, many long-time residents say their city has been transformed into...

Read More    4 min read

Article
This Tiny Maine Lobster Shack Is The Real Reason People Drive The Coastline

Red's Eats in Wiscasset, Maine, is more than just a roadside seafood shack. It's a legendary destination that draws hungry travelers from around the world, all eager to experience...

Read More    4 min read

Article
What Travelers In Colorado Say Is Way Harder Than It Looks

Colorado is a dream destination with stunning mountains, world-class ski resorts, and breathtaking hiking trails. But many visitors quickly discover that this beautiful state comes...

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Crab Legs At This Florida Dockside Spot Are Worth The Flight Alone

Clearwater Beach is known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters, but there's another gem that draws visitors from all over the country. Crabby's Dockside sits right on the...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Why Tourists Say New York’s Thrift Stores Have The Wildest Halloween Costumes

New York City is famous for many things, towering skyscrapers, Broadway shows, and incredible pizza. But when Halloween rolls around, tourists discover another hidden gem: the...

Read More    4 min read

Article
Locals Keep This Delaware Crab Night So Secret It Barely Advertises

Tucked along the Leipsic River in tiny Leipsic, Delaware, Sambo's Tavern is a legendary crab house that has been serving up steamed blue crabs since 1953.

Read More    4 min read

Article
The Most Boring Cities In South Carolina With Hidden Coastal Charms

South Carolina's coast holds more than just popular tourist hotspots and busy boardwalks. Scattered along the shoreline are quiet towns that might seem sleepy or even dull at first...

Read More    3 min read

Article
Why California Travelers Are Skipping Fine Dining For Gastropubs

California travelers are changing the way they eat on the road. Instead of booking fancy restaurants with white tablecloths and expensive tasting menus, more people are choosing...

Read More    5 min read

Article
Why Colorado’s Mountain Town Thrift Stores Are A Treasure Hunter’s Dream

Colorado's mountain towns aren't just famous for skiing and hiking, they're also home to some of the best thrift stores in the country. These small-town shops are packed with amazing...

Read More    4 min read

Article
10 California Vegetarian Restaurants Redefining Healthy Dining

Ever stumbled upon a place that makes veggies taste like heaven? California's plant-based food scene has exploded with incredible options that will make even die-hard carnivores...

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 Hidden Vegetarian Spots In Georgia Locals Keep To Themselves

Georgia, known for its peaches and southern charm, hides a secret: a trove of vegetarian delights only the locals whisper about. As I embarked on this culinary quest, I stumbled...

Read More    4 min read

Article
10 Secret Vegetarian Spots In California Only Locals Know

California's food scene goes way beyond avocado toast and green smoothies. Tucked between the glitzy restaurants and touristy hotspots, a secret world of plant-based culinary magic...

Read More    6 min read

Article
9 Vegan Bakeries In Washington Serving Pastries Too Good To Share

Washington, the land of politics and monuments, is also a hidden gem for vegan culinary delights. As a self-proclaimed pastry addict, I've ventured through the streets in search...

Read More    4 min read