lila merrick author at My Family Travels
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10 Oregon Meat Stores Known For Fresh Cuts Locals Trust

Oregon has earned a reputation for quality meat markets that prioritize freshness and local sourcing. From bustling Portland...

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New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show That Travelers Shouldn’t Miss

Every winter, the streets of Manhattan transform into a glittering wonderland, and nowhere is this magic more visible than at Saks Fifth Avenue.

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10 Ohio Restaurants Locals Say Taste Just Like Grandma’s Cooking

Ohio holds some of the most heartwarming dining spots where every bite feels like a warm embrace from grandma. These hidden restaurants...

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The Dullest Place In California Where Silence Feels Too Loud

Darwin, California, sits at the edge of nowhere, where the desert stretches endlessly and the only sound is the wind whistling through abandoned buildings.

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10 Hawaii Beach Towns Transformed By Tourism Growth

Hawaii has always been a dream destination for travelers seeking paradise. But some of the state's most beloved beach towns...

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10 Quaint Farm Stays In Vermont That Locals Love For A Short Getaway

Vermont offers more than just stunning fall foliage and maple syrup. The Green Mountain State is home to some of the most charming...

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Texas’s Abandoned Prairie Town That Became a Colorful Creative Refuge

Marfa sits in the middle of the West Texas desert, a place where tumbleweeds once outnumbered people. What started as a dusty...

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10 Small-Town Ohio Restaurants That Are Serving Some Of The Best Amish Food In The Midwest

Ohio is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the country, and with that comes incredible food traditions passed down through generations.

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10 Montana Scenic Valleys Surrounded By Snowy Peaks

Montana holds some of the most breathtaking valleys in the entire country, where towering mountains meet wide open spaces. Snow-capped...

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10 Connecticut Towns With Classic New England Charm

Connecticut holds some of the most beautiful small towns in all of New England. From historic villages with white steepled...

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The Massachusetts Coastal Town That Steals Hearts With Every Step

Rockport sits at the very tip of Cape Ann, about 40 miles northeast of Boston, where the Atlantic Ocean wraps around nearly every side of this charming Massachusetts town.

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10 Missouri Small Towns With Surprising Historic Districts

Missouri is packed with small towns where history is not just preserved, it is lived on every corner. You can stroll brick...

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10 Ohio Pizza Places Locals Swear By But Tourists Rarely Find

You came to Ohio for big attractions, but the best slices hide on quiet corners and in modest storefronts. Locals know where...

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10 Small Villages In California With Stunning Views

California rewards slow travel, and its smallest villages prove it with views that stop you mid step. 1. Carmel-by-the-Sea

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10 Small Towns In Ohio Perfect For A Day Trip

You want a quick escape that feels easy yet unforgettable, and Ohio delivers with small towns that pack in scenery, history, and character.

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10 Oregon Coastal Hamlets With Restaurants Locals Hope Tourists Don’t Find

You came for lighthouses and big views, but the Oregon Coast hides its best flavors in tiny hamlets locals would rather keep quiet.

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10 Pennsylvania’s Amish Laws Tourists Commonly Misread

You might arrive in Pennsylvania curious about Amish life, then hear a swirl of rules that sound official but are really etiquette in disguise.

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10 Hidden Illinois Amish Villages Worth A Winter Drive

Winter in Illinois lends a peaceful hush to roads that lead into quiet Amish country. You can slow down, breathe crisp air,...

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10 Massachusetts Cafés That Feel Like Stepping Into A Movie

You know that rush of stepping into a place that feels like a film set, where light, color, and quiet details line up just right.

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10 Iowa Rural Towns Offering Classic Winter Amish Experiences

Iowa's rural landscape transforms into a winter wonderland, offering unique Amish experiences that draw visitors seeking authenticity and charm.The state's Amish communities...

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10 Rhode Island Events That Offer Carnival Experience

Rhode Island, known for its scenic coastlines and charming towns, is also home to an array of vibrant events that capture the essence of a carnival.Each year, the state hosts...

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10 Illinois Mill Villages Known For Morning Fog

You know that quiet hush right before sunrise, when the air feels soft and the world slows down. In Illinois, that feeling...

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10 Hidden Georgia Villages Locals Treat Like Winter Secrets

Georgia in winter feels like a whispered invitation to slow down and breathe. Small towns and tucked away villages trade summer...

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10 Oregon River Hotels Reported To Be Haunted

Welcome, fearless adventurers, to my thrilling journey through Oregon's most haunted river hotels. These aren't just places to rest your head; they're theaters of the past, with...

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10 New Jersey Crawfish Sheds Only Locals Visit

Welcome to the Garden State’s best-kept seafood secret: its crawfish sheds. From Montclair to Haddon Township, New Jersey is brimming with hidden gems where locals savor the...

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Pit-Smoke Barns in South Dakota Worth Every Mile

South Dakota might be famous for Mount Rushmore and sweeping prairies, but tucked away across the state are some seriously delicious barbecue spots that locals guard like treasure....

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Lunch Spots in Nevada That Road-Trippers Love

Nevada stretches for miles with open desert highways and stunning mountain views, but the real adventure happens when you pull off the road for lunch.

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Florida’s Best Fast Casual Dining Spots Worth the Trip

Florida isn't just about theme parks and beaches; it's home to some incredible fast casual restaurants you won't find anywhere else.

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10 Nevada Hotels Known For Their Creepy Stories

Greetings, thrill-seekers and ghost hunters! If you're as fascinated by the supernatural as I am, then Nevada's haunted hotels should be on your travel checklist. From eerie apparitions...

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10 Haunted Michigan Hotels Tourists Love To Explore

Ready for a spine-tingling adventure through Michigan's most haunted hotels? Strap in as we explore eerie corridors, mysterious apparitions, and the untold stories behind these...

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10 Vermont Dessert Shacks Worth The Winter Road Trip

Are you ready for a sweet adventure through Vermont's winter wonderland? Buckle up as we take a whimsical road trip to discover ten charming dessert shacks tucked away in the snowy...

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This “Boring” Pennsylvania Town Has The Happiest Locals In The State

Media, Pennsylvania is often labeled quiet, but step onto its walkable streets and you find a borough designed for connection. Neighbors talk on stoops, local owners greet regulars...

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The Forgotten Cafe In California Where Shadows Of Hollywood Legends And Gangsters Still Linger

California holds many glamorous stories, yet some of its most gripping tales hide in plain sight. The Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood has survived studio booms, neighborhood shifts,...

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8 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Kitchens In Colorado Worth Every Bite

Colorado’s BBQ scene rewards curiosity, especially for those willing to hunt beyond the big-name spots along the Front Range. Tucked between hardware stores, industrial corridors,...

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8 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Cafés In Minnesota That Smoke Like Pros

Minnesota’s BBQ scene rewards those who look beyond marquee names and step into small spaces where the smokers run daily and the regulars know the drill. From the Twin Cities...

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The Haunted Beach Park in California That Moves Closer to Shore Each Year

Off the coast of Aptos, California, a strange concrete skeleton juts from the waves at Seacliff State Beach. This isn't your...

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The South Carolina Coast Where Marshes Hide Untold Stories

The Lowcountry marshes stretch along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts like a tangled web of secrets. These watery landscapes...

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Where Santa Would Vacation: Florida’s Most Cheerful Towns To Visit During The Christmas Season

Florida swaps snow for palm trees, but the holiday spirit still shows up in dazzling lights, coastal parades, and small-town traditions that feel both fresh and familiar. Travelers...

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The Forgotten Wisconsin Theme Park Where Rides Still Move In The Wind

Storybook Gardens in Wisconsin Dells charmed generations with quirky scenes and gentle rides built for small adventures. Though the park closed in 2010, memories linger across...

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The Ruin Exploration In New York That Tourists Treat Like A Game (It’s Not)

The New York City Farm Colony on Staten Island draws curious visitors who treat it like a scavenger hunt, yet the site is not a playground. These ruins tell a layered story of...

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Awkward Things Tourists Do In Colorado That Locals Know All Too Well

Colorado rewards curious travelers, yet a few common missteps can turn a great trip a little clumsy. Locals see the same patterns every season, from altitude blunders to trail...

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The Secret Michigan Fish Fry Locals Call Their “Weekly Religion”

Lake air, a quiet shoreline, and the kind of Friday rhythm that draws regulars without a reminder. White's Beach Tavern in Standish, Michigan has built a loyal following for a...

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This Hidden Utah Steakhouse Serves Endless Cuts Under Desert Skies

Hidden among the oil fields and open rangeland of Utah’s Uinta Basin, Hideout Steak House rewards the drive with hearty cuts, smoky comfort dishes, and a setting that feels unmistakably...

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7 Haunted Cliffside Inns In Washington Where The Wind Still Whispers

If you've ever dreamt of spending a night where the only thing more chilling than the breeze is a whisper from the past, then welcome to the mysterious cliffside inns of Washington....

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10 Eerie Beach Parks In New Jersey With A Haunting Glow

New Jersey, known for its bustling boardwalks and sun-drenched shores, hides a secret: a collection of beach parks that come alive with an eerie glow after dark.

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8 Things You Didn’t Know About Taking Sand Dunes Home In South Carolina

Ah, the allure of South Carolina's sun-kissed beaches, where the sand tickles your toes and the waves serenade your soul. But...

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10 Things Locals Wish Tourists Knew About Life In Oregon

Welcome, wanderers, to the land of towering trees, quirky towns, and a rain-soaked wardrobe staple. Oregon is not just a state; it’s a state of mind. Buckle up as we venture...

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10 Simple Nebraska Towns Keeping Life Just As It Was

Ah, Nebraska! Where the horizon stretches wider than a toddler's smile and the towns are as charming as your grandma's quilt. Ever thought about taking a trip back in time without...

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7 Reasons Austin, Texas Has Become The Digital Nomad Capital

Ah, Austin! The land where cowboy boots meet tech startups, and breakfast tacos are a way of life. As a card-carrying digital nomad, I've cartwheeled across countless cities, but...

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10 Utah Steakhouses Locals Call Heaven On Earth

Ever dreamt of savoring a steak so divine it makes angels weep? Utah is a carnivore's paradise, brimming with steakhouses that locals swear are otherworldly.

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