lucas hardin author at My Family Travels
Article
These Quiet Louisiana Beach Towns Are Ruined When Crowds Take Over

Ever stumbled on a place that felt like your own little secret, only to watch it change once the crowds showed up? That’s what’s happening in Louisiana’s small beach towns....

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Is Why California Supermarkets Changed The Meat Travel Scene

Have you ever thought about how supermarkets could actually change the way people travel for food? In California, that’s exactly what happened.

Read More    9 min read

Article
Why Travelers Are Facing Legal Issues Over Fake Tours In South Carolina

Ever booked a tour and wondered if it was the real deal? In South Carolina, that question has landed some travelers in serious trouble.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Is How Illegal Fires Spoil National Parks In Colorado

Most people head to Colorado’s national parks for the views, the trails, and the peace of being outdoors. But there’s one problem that keeps showing up: illegal fires.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Louisiana Dining Spots Known For Endless Plates Will Surprise You

Have you ever sat down at a restaurant and wondered if the food would just keep coming? In Louisiana, that’s not just wishful thinking.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Best And 2 Worst Parts Of Visiting North Carolina

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of North Carolina: beaches, barbecue, or maybe the Blue Ridge Mountains?

Read More    8 min read

Article
Why California Redwoods Face Challenges From Visitors

What happens when too many visitors show up to see California’s famous redwoods? These towering trees are some of the most iconic sights in the state, but the growing crowds...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Standouts And 2 Surprises You Might Not Expect From Kentucky Journeys

What comes to mind when you think of traveling through Kentucky? Maybe horse country, or bluegrass music, but the truth is, the state has a lot more up its sleeve.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Joys And 2 Hassles Of Exploring Wisconsin

Have you ever thought about what makes Wisconsin such a fun place to explore? It’s one of those states that surprises you the more time you spend there.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Is What Draws Visitors To Wisconsin Grocery Stores

Have you ever thought about why people actually make a point to visit grocery stores when they’re in Wisconsin? It sounds...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These 12 Signs Show Idaho’s Wilderness Isn’t The Same

Have you noticed how much Idaho’s wilderness has been changing lately? It’s still full of mountains, rivers, and wide-open spaces, but if you look closer, you’ll see signs...

Read More    8 min read

Article
How Tourism Affects Amish Market Traditions In Pennsylvania

Have you ever wondered what happens when tourists step into Amish markets in Pennsylvania? These markets have long been a place where families sell fresh produce, homemade baked...

Read More    9 min read

Article
11 Michigan Destinations Tourists Love

Have you ever wondered why Michigan keeps popping up on travelers’ must-visit lists? It’s not just about the Great Lakes, though those alone could win anyone over.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Nevada Lookouts Reveal Incredible Landscapes You Will Love

Ever wondered where you can get the best views in Nevada without hiking for hours? The state is full of wide-open spaces and...

Read More    8 min read

Article
12 Retro Eateries In California That Locals Love

Looking for a taste of old-school California dining? Some of the best spots aren’t the trendy new restaurants but the retro eateries locals have loved for decades. With neon...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Thrills And 2 Disappointments About Traveling Montana

What comes to mind when you think about traveling through Montana? For most people, it’s wide-open skies, rugged mountains, and endless outdoor adventures, and honestly, that...

Read More    9 min read

Article
These Texas Abandoned Parks Will Give You Chills

Have you ever walked through a place that felt like time just stopped? That’s exactly the vibe you get when you step into some of Texas’s abandoned parks.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Are The Family-Owned Diners Across Texas That Locals Recommend

Ever wonder where Texans go when they’re craving a good meal that feels like home? It’s not the big chains or the trendy spots, it’s the family-owned diners scattered across...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These 12 Waterfront Cafés In Michigan Make Coffee Taste Like Vacation

Have you ever noticed how coffee just hits differently when there’s a view of the water? There’s something about sipping...

Read More    9 min read

Article
These California Neighborhood Parks Are Offering Calm And Natural Beauty

Have you ever craved a quiet spot to escape the noise without leaving the city? California is home to neighborhood parks that feel like little pockets of calm tucked right into...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These 10 Colorado Spots Are Serving Unforgettable Desserts

Got a sweet tooth and wondering where to find desserts that really stand out in Colorado? The state is home to some incredible spots serving treats you’ll be talking about long...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Washington State Towns Travelers Have Ruined Over The Years

Have you ever gone back to a place you loved, only to realize it doesn’t feel the same anymore? That’s the story of a handful of towns in Washington State.

Read More    8 min read

Article
12 Seafood Spots In Louisiana Offering Cozy Christmas Meals For The Season

Looking for a Christmas road trip that mixes holiday lights with good food? The plan is to head through Louisiana with the...

Read More    8 min read

Article
11 Ways Visitors Are Damaging Montana’s Wilderness

Have you ever wondered if the way people explore Montana’s wilderness is actually hurting it? The truth is, while visitors come for the mountains, lakes, and wide-open beauty,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Backcountry Haven In Georgia Outsiders Always Get Wrong

Have you ever heard of a place that locals love but outsiders never quite understand? That’s Suches, Georgia, a small mountain...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Quirky Indiana Rules Visitors Accidentally Break

Do you ever think you might be breaking a rule without even realizing it? In Indiana, that happens to visitors more often than you’d expect.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Offbeat Adventures Locals Actually Enjoy In Miami, Florida

When you think of Miami, do you picture beaches, nightlife, and flashy tourist spots? That’s what most visitors expect, but locals know there’s a whole other side to the city....

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Small-Town Bakeries In Illinois Are Summer Favorites

What’s better on a summer day than grabbing a fresh pastry or a slice of pie from a local bakery? In Illinois, small-town...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Michigan Lakefront Dining Spots Everyone Wants To Try

What makes a meal taste even better? For a lot of people, it’s the view; and Michigan’s lakefront dining spots deliver exactly that.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Kentucky’s Secret Village Locals Keep To Themselves

Have you ever heard of a place so small and tucked away that you wonder how it’s managed to stay off most people’s radar? That’s Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, a riverside village...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Abandoned Playground Echoing Georgia’s Past

Did you ever play at a park that later disappeared, leaving only memories behind? That’s the story of American Adventures, once a lively amusement spot. For years, it was the...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Budget-Friendly International Trips Texas Families Will Love

Thinking about taking your family on an international trip without draining your savings? For Texas families, affordable travel...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Texas Barbecue Lovers Can’t Resist This Roadside Shack

Ever get the urge to chase real Texas flavor instead of another chain spot? That’s why the car points straight to 516 Main...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Cajun Restaurants In Louisiana So Good Locals Want To Keep Them Secret

Ever wonder where locals really go when they’re craving authentic Cajun food? In Louisiana, some of the best spots aren’t the ones splashed across travel guides; they’re...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Stop In Nevada That Feels Like Another Planet

Have you ever stumbled on a place that makes you stop and think, “Wait… am I still on Earth?” That’s exactly the feeling you get when you visit the Moon Caves in Nevada....

Read More    9 min read

Article
These Florida Seafood Shacks Are Known Only To Insiders

Have you ever stumbled on a place that feels like a secret only locals know about? That’s exactly the vibe of Florida’s hidden seafood shacks.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Washington Coastal Diners Tourists Ruined With Seasonal Chaos According To Locals

Washington’s coastal diners have seen noticeable changes during busy travel seasons. What were once quiet, community-focused...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Wisconsin’s I 90 Is Home To These Roadside Pubs & Pizza Places Worth Stopping For

Ever been on a long drive and thought, “Where’s a good spot to grab a bite that isn’t just fast food?” If you’re traveling along Wisconsin’s I-90, you’ll find plenty...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Pennsylvania’s Scenic Detours Beyond The Tourist Trail

Planning a trip through Pennsylvania usually means hitting the big-name attractions, but the real magic often hides just off the main roads. Scenic detours across the state reveal...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Washington’s Weirdest Rules Travelers Keep Overlooking

Ever been on a trip and realized halfway through that you broke a rule you didn’t even know existed? That happens a lot in Washington.

Read More    8 min read

Article
How To See Pennsylvania’s Amish Beyond The Stereotypes

Ever think the Amish are only about horse-drawn buggies and plain clothes? That’s the stereotype most visitors carry with them when they head to Pennsylvania’s Amish Country,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Is The Tennessee Eatery That Outlasted Every Trend

What makes a restaurant last when so many others fade away? In Tennessee, the answer is found at The Loveless Cafe, a place that’s been serving up comfort food since the 1950s...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Nevada Towns Tourists Ruined With Noise And Congestion

Have you ever traveled somewhere expecting peace and quiet, only to find it busier than you imagined? That’s what’s happening in several towns across Nevada.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These New York City Neighborhoods Tourists Ruined Into Must-See Destinations

Ever notice how certain places in New York City suddenly feel like they’re everywhere, on TikTok, in travel guides, and all over your friends’ Instagram feeds?

Read More    8 min read

Article
Georgia Offers Stranger Things Experiences With Tours And Events Fans Love

Ever wondered what it would feel like to step right into the world of Stranger Things? Georgia has turned that idea into reality with tours and events that fans can’t get enough...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Touching Cave Walls In Kentucky Can Cost Tourists Unexpectedly

Have you ever been tempted to reach out and touch the walls of a cave just to feel the cool, rough surface? In Kentucky, that simple impulse could end up costing you more than...

Read More    8 min read

Article
12 Tourist Impacts That Changed Nevada Forever

What happens when millions of tourists keep pouring into the same state year after year? In Nevada, the answer is clear: things change, and not always in ways people expect.

Read More    9 min read

Article
These Free Parking Options Really Help In Northern California

Ever get frustrated trying to find parking that doesn’t cost a fortune? In Northern California, that’s a common headache, especially in busy cities and popular coastal towns....

Read More    9 min read

Article
Why Cannon Beach In Oregon Doesn’t Feel The Same Anymore

Sometimes a place you’ve always loved just doesn’t hit the same way when you go back. That’s what many people say about Cannon Beach in Oregon.

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Unexpected Italian Kitchen Inside An Arizona Gas Pump Stop

Ever pulled into a gas station expecting just snacks and soda, only to find real Italian food waiting inside? That’s exactly what happens at Brooklyn New York Pizza & Wings...

Read More    8 min read

Article
How To Win Hearts In Massachusetts As A Tourist

What’s the best way to make locals warm up to you when you’re visiting a new place? In Massachusetts, it’s not just about seeing the sights; it’s about how you connect...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Illinois Spots Tourists Wish They’d Skipped

We all want our trips to feel worth the time and money, right? That’s why it stings when you finally check out a spot in Illinois and realize it didn’t live up to the hype....

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Spooky Tennessee Retreat Where Cabins Stare Back

Ever been to a retreat that feels like it’s watching you back? That’s the strange charm of Elkmont Campground in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Georgia Brownie Spots Are Worth Breaking Your Diet

Do you ever tell yourself you’re sticking to a diet, then spot a brownie and instantly rethink everything? Georgia has a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Eerie Arizona Motel That Refuses To Be Forgotten

Ever stayed somewhere that feels more like a piece of history than just a motel? That’s the experience at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona.

Read More    9 min read

Article
These Missouri Breakfast Spots Have Perfected Biscuits & Gravy

Ever wake up craving a plate of biscuits and gravy that feels like a warm hug? Missouri has a few breakfast places that don’t just serve it, they’ve perfected it.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These New Mexico BBQ Shacks Are Hard To Forget

Ever had BBQ so good you couldn’t stop thinking about it long after the meal? That’s exactly what happens at a handful of shacks in New Mexico.

Read More    7 min read

Article
These Are The BBQ Lodges In Wyoming That Locals Keep Secret

Ever wonder where Wyoming locals go when they’re craving BBQ that hits just right? It’s not the big roadside diners or the tourist-heavy spots.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These South Carolina’s Secret Spots Are Serving Warmth And Flavor

Have you ever walked past a small place and wondered what stories it holds inside? In South Carolina, some of the best spots aren’t the ones splashed across travel blogs or tourist...

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Hidden Seafood Hideaways Along Hawaii’s Shores Are Only Known To Locals

Ever wondered where locals in Hawaii sneak off to for the freshest catch? It’s not the big touristy restaurants or the flashy spots you see in guidebooks.

Read More    8 min read