isolde monroe author at My Family Travels
Article
Locals Swear By The Made-To-Order Sandwiches At This Maryland General Store

Gas station food does not usually inspire road-trip detours, which is exactly why this Maryland general store is such a fun exception.

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Maryland All-You-Can-Eat Gem That Locals Guard Fiercely

There are sensible Maryland dinners, and then there are dinners where somebody hands you a mallet and basically encourages you to keep going.

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Maryland Beach Town With So Few Residents You Will Feel Like You Discovered a Secret

Not every Maryland waterfront getaway needs a giant boardwalk, packed beach, and three souvenir shops selling the same T-shirt. This...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Massive Outlet Mall in Maryland That Is Worth Every Mile

Outlet shopping can start innocently with one pair of shoes and somehow end with three bags, a snack break, and absolutely no memory of where the car is parked.

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Maryland Beach Where Sea Glass Is Surprisingly Easy to Find This Year

Sea glass hunting has a funny way of turning reasonable adults into people who suddenly need to inspect every shiny object in the sand.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Often-Overlooked Maryland State Park Feels Like a Secret You’re Not Supposed to Find

Some Maryland state parks announce themselves with famous views, crowded parking lots, and enough online photos to spoil the surprise before you arrive.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Walk Through Nearly 400 Years of Maryland History at This Fascinating Open Air Museum

Some history museums give you a room full of glass cases; this Maryland destination gives you hundreds of acres and basically tells you to start walking.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Maryland Restaurant Has Been Serving Greek Family Recipes for Nearly 50 Years

Maryland diners have had nearly half a century to decide whether this old-school Greek restaurant deserves a repeat visit, and apparently plenty of them made up their minds a long...

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 Historic Maryland Coastal Spots That Have Stood The Test Of Time

Maryland's coastline has seen a lot more than beach umbrellas and weekend traffic jams. Scattered along the water are old...

Read More    9 min read

Article
People Cross Maryland Without Thinking Twice for the Seafood at This Unpretentious Local Gem

Maryland seafood fans are not exactly known for lowering their standards, so a restaurant has to do something right to keep people happily cracking shells and coming back hungry....

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Massive Maryland Lake That Was Built Over a Forgotten Town No One Remembers

Maryland has plenty of lakes with pretty views, but this one comes with the kind of backstory that makes the calm water feel a little more mysterious.

Read More    9 min read

Article
10 Maryland Restaurants Serving International Food You Rarely Find Anywhere Else

Maryland gets a lot more interesting at dinnertime when the menu makes you stop, reread a dish, and immediately wonder why you have never tried it before.

Read More    9 min read

Article
9 Surprisingly Affordable Maryland Beach Towns For A Weekend Getaway

A Maryland beach weekend sounds great right up until the hotel search starts behaving like you accidentally requested a private island.

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Off-The-Beaten-Path Maryland Seafood Shack Locals Swear By

Maryland has plenty of polished seafood restaurants, but sometimes the places with the biggest personality are the ones that look like they have absolutely no interest in impressing...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Crack Codes and Explore the Secret World of Intelligence at This Free Maryland Museum

Codebreakers, spies, hidden messages, it sounds like something out of a movie. But this Maryland museum brings that world to life, and it is completely free to explore.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Maryland’s Historic Farm Market Brings Local Food Art and Community Together Under One Roof

Farm markets are about more than just produce. They are a gathering place, a spot where the community comes together to share good food and conversation.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Maryland Factory Tours That Make for a Surprisingly Fun Day Trip

Maryland has a way of surprising you when you least expect it, and factory tours might just be the best-kept secret in the state. There is something genuinely exciting about watching...

Read More    10 min read

Article
Some of the Best Fried Catfish in Maryland Is Hiding in This Modest Little Restaurant

Fried catfish is a dish that can go very wrong. Soggy batter, bland seasoning, or fish that tastes muddy. But when it is done...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Best Maryland Kayaking Spot For A Hot August Day

August in Maryland can be brutal. Heat, humidity, and that heavy air that makes you want to stay indoors. But there is a better...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Maryland Restaurant Proves You Don’t Need Fancy Dining for an Unforgettable Meal

Fancy restaurants have their appeal. White tablecloths, moody lighting, and small plates that look like art. But some of the...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Welcome to Maryland’s Most Tourist-Ruined Town Where Locals Won’t Even Go Downtown Anymore

There is a sad irony in watching a place you love become overrun. This Maryland town is a perfect example. Once a quiet, charming...

Read More    8 min read

Article
9 Hidden Gem Bakeries Tucked Away In Maryland Neighborhoods

Everyone knows the big name bakeries. The ones with long lines and social media fame. But some of the best bakeries in Maryland...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Stunning Maryland Beach Town Might Just Be The Most Beautiful Small Town On The Chesapeake

Beach towns are everywhere. But beautiful beach towns with actual charm are harder to find. This Maryland spot might just be...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Maryland Bakery Serves A Perfect $1 Donut That Draws Crowds From Across The East Coast

A one dollar donut does not usually inspire road trips. But this Maryland bakery has managed to do exactly that. The donuts...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Locals Say These Maryland Towns Are Being Quietly Purchased by Investors

Small towns are changing. The ones that used to feel like hidden secrets are now attracting a different kind of attention. Locals...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Charming French Bakery in Maryland Serves Pastries That Taste Like Paris

You do not need a plane ticket to eat like you are in Paris. This Maryland bakery brings the French pastry experience to you. The...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Forgotten Maryland Butcher Shop is Hidden Inside a Historic Building

Historic buildings often have stories to tell. This one has a butcher shop hidden inside, a forgotten gem that deserves more attention.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Small BBQ Restaurant In Maryland Has Been A Local Secret Since 1981

Some restaurants have been around long enough that they become institutions. This Maryland BBQ spot has been a local secret since 1981, and the regulars plan to keep it that way.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Small Maryland Town Is Quietly Becoming the State’s Next Big Thing

Every state has its up and coming spots. The places that fly under the radar until suddenly they are on everyone's radar. This...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Best Maryland Restaurants To Hit After A Long Day At The Beach

A day at the beach is exhausting in the best way. Sun, salt, and sand have a way of building a serious appetite. But finding...

Read More    11 min read

Article
This Quiet Maryland State Park Has A Snake Problem So Bad Locals Know To Watch Their Step

Most state parks are known for their views or their trails. This Maryland park is known for something else. Snakes. The locals...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Plain-Looking Maryland Diner Hiding A Mouthwatering Secret Recipe

You could drive past this place and not give it a second look. The exterior is plain, the sign is nothing special, and the parking lot does not scream destination.

Read More    8 min read

Article
You Might Be Surprised One Of America’s Happiest Places Is This Small Maryland Town

When people think of the happiest places in America, they usually picture sunny California or a quiet coastal town in New England. They do not usually picture Maryland.

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Most Stunning Dining Deck In Maryland Where Bay Breezes And Homemade Pasta Rule The Night

There are restaurants with good food, and there are restaurants with good views. But the rare ones that offer both? Those are...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Massive Maryland Bookstore Makes It Easy To Take Home Stacks Of Books

Bookstores have a way of making you want to buy more than you planned. This Maryland spot makes it almost impossible not to. The...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Maryland Has A Mexican Restaurant Where Big Flavor And Surprisingly Affordable Prices Keep The Tables Full

Good Mexican food is not hard to find. But good Mexican food at prices that do not make you wince? That is a different story....

Read More    6 min read

Article
Maryland’s Most Fascinating Clock Shop Is Packed With Antique Timepieces

There is something about old clocks that stops you in your tracks. The ticking, the chimes, the craftsmanship that modern machines cannot replicate.

Read More    7 min read

Article
12 Legendary Restaurants In Maryland With Incredibly Delicious Seafood

Remember when going out meant actual plans, not just scrolling through your phone? This Maryland spot brings back that era. Independent...

Read More    10 min read

Article
A Quick Reset in Nature That Requires Zero Planning and Zero Fees

Some days you just need to step outside and breathe. No hiking boots required, no gear to pack, no admission fee to worry about. This...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Homemade Lasagna at This Maryland Italian Spot Is Worth the Drive From Anywhere

Some meals linger in your memory long after the plates are cleared. This lasagna is one of them. Maryland has an Italian spot...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Brazilian Restaurant Is Known for Having the Best Rodizio You’ll Find in Maryland

Rodizio is a performance. A parade of grilled meats, brought to your table on skewers and carved right in front of you. This...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Maryland Has a German Restaurant So Authentic It Feels Like a Little Slice of Europe

The moment you walk through the door, the wood paneling, the steins on the shelves, the scent of sausages and sauerkraut hanging in the air, it is clear this is not your average...

Read More    8 min read

Article
A Maryland Second-Hand Shop Where Designer Brands Show Up at Unbelievably Low Prices

Every shopper has a fantasy. The perfect find, the unbelievable price, the feeling of walking out with something that looks like it cost three times what you paid.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Charming Maryland French Restaurant Feels Like a Cozy Parisian Bistro

The glow of warm lighting, the murmur of conversation, the scent of butter and herbs drifting from the kitchen. This Maryland French restaurant captures that Parisian bistro energy...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Maryland Tea Room Serves Authentic British Tea with Perfectly Baked Scones and Rich Clotted Cream

There is something undeniably comforting about a proper tea service. The clink of fine china, the steam rising from a freshly brewed pot, and the anticipation of that first bite...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Legendary Maryland Steakhouses Every Local Foodie Needs to Visit At Least Once in Their Life

A great steak is not just dinner. It is an event. The kind of meal that makes you close your eyes after the first bite and...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Maryland Pizza Spot Is on Fire and the Hype Is Real

Everyone has an opinion about pizza. Thin crust, thick crust, sauce on top. It can get heated. But when people agree that a...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Maryland State Park Has One of the Most Beautiful Lakes You’ve Probably Never Visited

Maryland has some famous lakes. The ones everyone knows about. But this one? It sits quietly in a state park that most people...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Maryland Food Lovers Are Quietly Obsessed With This Neighborhood Restaurant’s Comfort Food

Comfort food is personal. Everyone has a dish that reminds them of home, a meal that makes everything feel right. For Maryland...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Maryland Landmark Where A 19th-Century Murder Mystery Still Lingers

Some places carry stories with them. Not just the kind you read in history books, but the kind that makes the hairs on your arm stand up.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Top 12 Restaurants Along Maryland’s Shore To Check Out This Summer

Summer hits differently when you are near the water. The air feels lighter, the food tastes better, and suddenly every meal deserves a view.

Read More    11 min read

Article
Tacos, Tamales, and Total Flavor: This Maryland Mexican Spot Is Salsa-Mazing

The smell of fresh tortillas and simmering salsa is enough to make anyone's stomach growl. Maryland has a Mexican spot that does not mess around with bland salsa or dry tamales.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Maryland Seafood Spot Serves Fresh Local Favorites Straight From the Market to Your Plate

Fresh seafood is hard to beat. And when it goes straight from the market to your plate, the difference is undeniable. This...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Maryland’s Giant Comic Book Store Has Thousands of Issues Waiting to Be Discovered

Comic book stores are special. The smell of old paper, the colorful covers, the thrill of finding an issue you have been hunting for years.

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Most Surprisingly Specific Store In Texas

A store that focuses on a specific niche can be a delightful surprise. This Texas spot is one of the most surprisingly specific stores around, offering a curated selection of vintage...

Read More    7 min read

Article
11 Restaurants That Still Cook Everything The Old Fashioned Way

A restaurant that still cooks everything the old-fashioned way is a treasure. These Texas spots emphasize scratch cooking, using traditional methods and fresh ingredients.

Read More    10 min read

Article
This Maryland Restaurant Has Been Smoking Barbecue Low and Slow for More Than 30 Years

Good barbecue takes time. Hours, actually. This Maryland restaurant has been smoking meat low and slow for more than thirty...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Maryland’s Best Kept Secret for History Lovers Is Also One of Its Most Beautiful Parks

History lovers are always looking for the next great site. Something with stories, artifacts, and a sense of the past. This...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Maryland Tea House That Feels Like Walking Into Victorian England

You step through the door and suddenly you are somewhere else. China cups, lace tablecloths, and the gentle clink of spoons against porcelain.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Maryland’s Hidden Alpaca Farm Lets You Meet Friendly Alpacas Up Close

Alpacas are hard not to love. Fluffy, curious, and somehow always looking a little surprised. This Maryland farm lets you get...

Read More    8 min read