lydia harper author at My Family Travels
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Warm, Rustic Eateries Perfect For Snowy Nights In Maine

If you’re traveling through Maine this winter, you’ll find that some of the state’s greatest treasures reveal themselves when the snow begins to fall. Beyond the postcard-perfect...

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The Forgotten Diner In Arizona That Still Serves Meals To No One

If you’re traveling through Phoenix, Arizona, there’s a diner sitting quietly along Grand Avenue that feels like it’s been waiting for you since the 1970s. Chrome stools....

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The Snow Caves Of Alaska Only Locals Know How To Find

Alaska’s snow and ice caves are elusive, shifting cathedrals of blue that most visitors never see. Locals know the quiet pullouts, winter windows, and guide services that unlock...

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The Strange Law In Utah That Tourists Find Impossible To Believe

Travelers love discovering the stories behind a destination, and Utah delivers a gem that’s as baffling as it is delightful. Rumor has it that in Salt Lake City, walking down...

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Texas Nights Are Becoming The Hottest Travel Trend

As the sun sets over the Lone Star State, Texas transforms. From neon-lit streets to starlit desert skies, nighttime experiences are redefining what it means to explore this vast...

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10 Hidden Gem Spots In Oregon Serving Unforgettable Thanksgiving Feasts

If you’re traveling through Oregon for Thanksgiving, you might find that the best tables aren’t in the big cities, but tucked away behind misty shores, forested switchbacks,...

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Tourists Can’t Handle The Endless Pizza At This Hidden New York Spot

If you think you’ve seen all of New York’s pizza, think again - there’s a hidden diner serving endless slices long after the city sleeps. Tourists can’t handle the sheer...

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Why Tourists In Nebraska Keep Getting Busted For Flying Drones Over Farms

That perfect aerial farm shot might cost you more than just a drone battery. Nebraska’s wide-open skies lure pilots to launch, but the patchwork of rules beneath those skies...

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Kentucky Steakhouse Locals Don’t Want Tourists To Find

If you’re traveling through Kentucky and craving an unforgettable steak, there’s a world of hush-hush dining rooms locals would rather keep off your itinerary. These places...

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Tourists Call This All-You-Can-Eat Lobster Spot In Alaska “A Seafood Dream”

If you’re traveling through Alaska and craving a once-in-a-lifetime feast, there’s a coastal legend that keeps surfacing in traveler tales: George Inlet Lodge. Tucked amid...

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The All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp Boil In South Carolina That Locals Guard Like Gold

If you crave seafood with soul, South Carolina’s all-you-can-eat shrimp boils are the treasure map you need. Locals whisper their favorite spots like family secrets, guarding...

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The Lost Michigan Lakeside Resort That Locals Say Never Aged

Drive the Lake Huron shore and you’ll swear the horizon is holding its breath. Just beyond Port Huron’s lighthouses and quiet beaches sits a motel the decades forgot - its...

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The Hidden Arizona Desert Motel That Glows On Moonless Nights

Slip beyond the tourist trail and into a moonless-night oasis where the desert seems to shimmer with starlight. At Clear Sky Resorts in Valle, Arizona, the sky domes glow softly...

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The Italian Buffet In Tennessee Locals Call “Heaven For $10”

Craving a wallet-friendly Italian feast in Middle Tennessee? Sami’s Brick Oven Pizzeria & Buffet in Murfreesboro delivers steaming pies, comforting pastas, and a crisp salad...

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Kansas Travelers Are Turning Stopovers Into Full Adventures

Kansas isn’t just a blur between coasts - it’s a widescreen frontier where quick stopovers expand into memory-making adventures. Modern road-trippers are slowing down to feel...

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10 Weird Louisiana Laws That Locals Swear Are Real

If you’re visiting Louisiana, here’s what locals say you need to know - some laws are so weird, you’ll have to see them to believe them. From New Orleans’ neon-lit streets...

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This Massachusetts Farm Becomes a Halloween Wonderland After Dark

When the sun dips behind the orchards in Danvers, Connors Farm shifts from wholesome fall fun to an after-dark spectacle brimming with shivers and delight. Travelers seeking New...

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The Clam Rolls At This Connecticut Beachside Hut Are A New England Classic

If you're cruising along Connecticut's coastline, there's one stop you absolutely can't miss - Stowe's Seafood in West Haven. This humble beachside hut has been serving up some...

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The Abandoned Oklahoma Park That Closed After One Stormy Night

If you're exploring Oklahoma and are fascinated by local history, you might be surprised to learn about Bell's Amusement Park - a beloved family-run park that operated for 55 years...

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A Virginia Traveler Tried Booking A Flight Backwards And It Worked

If you've ever wondered whether flight booking systems can handle strange requests, here's a curious case: a traveler in Virginia successfully booked a flight backward - and it...

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This California Hotel Lets You Sleep On A Ship And The Reviews Are As Glamorous As They Are Ghostly

It's not every day you can check into a hotel that once crossed the Atlantic - and might still be haunted by its past. The Queen Mary, docked permanently in Long Beach, California,...

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The Pizza Slices At This New Jersey Boardwalk Stand Are So Good

If you're strolling down the famous Wildwood boardwalk with the salty breeze in your hair and the sound of carnival games all around, there's one stop you absolutely can't skip....

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Why Tourists In Florida Keep Getting Fined For Feeding The Birds

Florida's sunny beaches and beautiful wildlife attract millions of visitors each year, but many tourists don't realize that feeding birds can lead to hefty fines. What might seem...

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12 Boring Cities In Connecticut That Tourists Secretly Fall In Love With

Connecticut's quiet towns often get dismissed as dull or too sleepy for adventure. Locals might call them boring, but travelers who wander off the beaten path discover something...

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Why Texas Travelers Can’t Stop Talking About These Steakhouses

Texas steakhouses have become legendary stops for travelers exploring the Lone Star State. From sizzling mesquite-grilled cuts to warm, down-home hospitality, these dining destinations...

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This Tiny Arkansas BBQ Hut Serves Smoked Chicken Locals Call “Unreal”

Tucked away in the small town of McGehee, Arkansas, sits a humble barbecue joint that's been creating a serious buzz among locals and travelers alike. Hoots BBQ, Bakery & Grill...

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The Reasons Locals In Vermont Say They’ve Had Enough Of Visitors

Vermont is a place where maple syrup drips from sugar shacks, covered bridges cross gentle streams, and autumn leaves paint the hills in fiery reds and golds. For decades, tourists...

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The Shrimp Boil At This Louisiana Restaurant Is So Good Tourists Plan Trips Around It

New Orleans is a city that knows how to celebrate food, and nowhere is that more obvious than at Boil Seafood House. Tucked in the vibrant Garden District, this restaurant has...

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The Peaceful South Carolina Getaway That Feels A World Away From The Crowds

South Carolina's coast is famous for its bustling beaches and historic cities, but tucked away from the tourist crowds lies a collection of peaceful getaways that offer something...

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10 Most Boring Cities In Vermont That Tourists Are Starting To Notice

Vermont is famous for its stunning fall foliage, maple syrup, and charming covered bridges, but not every town here is a buzzing tourist hotspot. Some cities fly under the radar...

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12 Boring Towns In Maine That Locals Say Are Perfect Escapes

Maine isn't all about bustling tourist hotspots and crowded beaches. Locals know that some of the state's most rewarding experiences happen in towns that outsiders might call "boring."...

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7 Most Boring Places In Nebraska That Tourists Secretly Enjoy

Nebraska might not top everyone's bucket list, but this Midwestern state holds surprising secrets in its quietest corners. Small towns across the state have earned reputations...

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This Wisconsin Supper Club’s Endless Fish Fry Fridays Leave Tourists Stunned

Friday nights in Wisconsin mean one thing: fish fry. At Colonial House Supper Club in Kaukauna, this beloved tradition transforms into an all-you-can-eat feast that leaves both...

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8 San Juan Islands That Locals Say Lost Their Magic

The San Juan Islands off Washington's coast used to be a quiet paradise where locals enjoyed untouched beaches, peaceful trails, and charming small-town vibes. But as word spread...

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11 Boring Spots In Arkansas That Are Weirder Than They Look

Arkansas might not be the first place that pops into your mind when you think about weird and wild adventures, but you'd be surprised what's hiding in its quieter corners. Towns...

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Wisconsin Supper Club With A Friday Fish Fry Road Trippers Love

Wisconsin's supper clubs are magical places where food, history, and community come together. Road trippers from all over the country flock to these classic establishments, especially...

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8 Michigan Parks That Nature Took Back

If you're traveling through Michigan and think you've seen all its natural beauty, think again. Some of the state's most fascinating landscapes aren't the ones that were born wild...

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12 Buffet Dining Spots In Oklahoma Worth A Special Trip

Oklahoma offers more than just quick eats; its buffet scene is a surprising mix of homestyle comfort, global flavors, and casino dining experiences. From Southern fried catfish...

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12 Boring Towns In Texas – And The Strange Stories They Hide

If you're driving through Texas, it's easy to zoom past its quieter towns - those sleepy Main Streets, faded gas stations, and empty diners that barely show up on the map. But...

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Top 10 Activities In California This Weekend (October 18–19)

California this October weekend is bursting with fall festivals, live music, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're craving coastal charm, urban culture,...

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The Avocado Toast At This California Café Lives Up To The Hype

If you're traveling through Los Angeles and chasing the city's most talked-about bites, one stop you can't skip is Sqirl in Silver Lake - the café that turned avocado toast into...

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10 New York Small Towns That Became Tourist Traps

If you're traveling through New York State, here's what you need to know: some of the state's most charming small towns are no longer the quiet escapes they once were. Tourism...

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The Catfish At This Alabama Spot Is So Good, Locals Keep It A Secret

Hidden away in Alabama, there's a restaurant serving catfish so delicious that locals hesitate to share it with outsiders. The Fish Creel has been a beloved community treasure...

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How Tourism Has Changed Massachusetts: 8 Ways Local Charm Is Fading

Massachusetts has always been a magnet for travelers seeking history, culture, and coastal beauty. But as visitor numbers climb year after year, the state's authentic character...

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10 Pennsylvania Restaurants With Gluten-Free Pastries Everyone Loves

If you're planning a trip to Pennsylvania and follow a gluten-free lifestyle - or just love great pastries - here's what you need to know. From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and the...

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9 All-You-Can-Eat Places In New Mexico Only Locals Visit

New Mexico's culinary landscape offers much more than just roadside chile stands and tourist-trap restaurants. Hidden throughout the state are incredible all-you-can-eat spots...

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9 Texas Amusement Parks That Shut Down For Good

Texas has always been home to some of the most exciting amusement parks in the country, but not all of them stood the test of time. Over the decades, many beloved attractions have...

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8 California Road Trips That Reveal Abandoned Movie Sets In The Desert

California's vast deserts hide amazing treasures from Hollywood's golden age. Scattered across these sandy landscapes are forgotten movie sets where classic films once came to...

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11 Chicago Neighborhoods Overrun By Tourists

Chicago is one of America's most visited cities, attracting millions of tourists every year who come to experience its stunning architecture, world-class museums, and diverse neighborhoods....

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8 Florida Old-School Diners Worth Visiting For Every Traveler

If you're traveling through Florida, don't miss the chance to step back in time at some of the state's most charming old-school diners. Each one offers a unique slice of history,...

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