maeve collier author at My Family Travels
Article
New Jersey’s Only Coffee Shop Where Your Caffeine Kick Comes With A Side Of Motion Sickness

I walked into Paper Plane Coffee Co. thinking I’d grab a latte and maybe admire some hipster plants, but instead I basically boarded a flight to Caffeine Airlines.

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10 New Jersey Hidden Spots Most Locals Don’t Even Know About (With Map)

New Jersey has more hidden gems than a jewelry store with a blackout. Sure, everyone knows the diners and the boardwalks,...

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The 10 Best Tex-Mex Restaurants In New Jersey You Can’t Miss

Tex-Mex in New Jersey? Oh yes, and it’s hotter than a jalapeño in July. These restaurants sling tacos so good they should...

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Why This National Award-Winning Eatery Is The Toughest Table In New Jersey Right Now

I showed up at The Pasta Shop on a Tuesday evening thinking I'd beaten the rush, only to find a two-hour wait already building outside the unassuming storefront on First Avenue....

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10 Local Brands In New Jersey That Residents Are Proud To Call Their Own

Here's the real truth: New Jersey isn't just about diners, boardwalks, and exit numbers on the Turnpike. Behind the hustle and bustle lies a collection of homegrown brands that...

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This Hidden Waterfall Reveals New Jersey’s Untamed Beauty

I didn’t expect to stumble on one of New Jersey’s most stunning natural treasures in the rugged hills of the northwest, but Buttermilk Falls in Layton proved me wrong in the...

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11 Haunted Hotel Stays Across New Jersey That Promise An Eerie Night

Can you handle a wake-up call from the other side? Because I thought I was just booking a cute New Jersey getaway, and instead...

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This 70-Mile Long Path Is Perfect For Running, Biking, And Spotting Forgotten New Jersey Ruins

I first stumbled onto the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Trail on a crisp autumn morning, and I haven't stopped exploring its winding pathways since.

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The 10 Most Authentic Old-Fashioned General Stores In New Jersey

Does New Jersey still remember what most states have forgotten? I think it does. Along winding country roads and tucked into...

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The New Jersey Tavern Mixing Legendary Burgers With Local Tunes

Honestly, I didn’t expect to fall in love with a tavern on Valley Road, but Tierney’s has been stealing hearts since 1934. Picture...

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This New Jersey Forest Hides A Natural Spring Where You Can Sip The State’s Purest Water

Have you ever tasted water so fresh it actually makes you want to ditch your tap for good? I have. Lately, I’ve spent a lot...

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11 New Jersey Diners That Closed And Left Locals Heartbroken

I’ll be honest with you, I still get a little misty thinking about the diners that shaped my weekends in New Jersey. Those...

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12 Timeless New Jersey Diners That Make Every Mile Worth It

I've spent years chasing down the best comfort food across the Garden State, and nothing quite compares to the magic of a classic New Jersey diner.

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This New Jersey Beach Town Proves Simpler Summers Were Better

I still laugh about the first time I visited Bay Head, New Jersey. I pulled into town thinking I’d grab a quick coffee before hitting the beach, but the pace here had other plans.

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Why This New Jersey Lake Is Often Called The ‘Bermuda Triangle Of The Garden State’

Round Valley Reservoir sits tucked away in Clinton Township, New Jersey, holding secrets beneath its crystal-clear waters that have puzzled visitors and locals for decades.

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This Furniture Store In New Jersey Sells Custom Woodwork From Amish Artisans

I stumbled upon Affinity Furniture on a sunny Saturday morning in Clarksboro, and let me tell you, it was like discovering a hidden treasure chest of handcrafted beauty right here...

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This Mom-And-Pop Eatery Proves Chicken Steaks Belong To New Jersey

I never thought a simple meal could spark such fierce loyalty until I stepped into Lillo's Tomato Pies on Marne Highway in Hainesport, where the chicken steak reigns supreme and...

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10 Reasons You Should Pack Your Bags And Move To New Jersey

I used to think New Jersey was just traffic jams, reality TV, and jokes from people who’ve never actually been here. Then...

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New Jersey’s Fabric Treasure Trove That Keeps Locals Coming Back

When I first heard “fabric store on Route 22,” I pictured a quiet little shop with dusty bolts of cloth. Then I walked into Fabricland in Green Brook Township, and wow… this...

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10 New Jersey Restaurants With Outdoor Seating Locals Build Their Nights Around

There’s something about a Jersey evening that makes me want to trade four walls for string lights and fresh air. The second I sit outside, the food tastes brighter, the drinks...

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9 Stunning Beaches In New Jersey That Tourists Ruined

New Jersey boasts some of the most beautiful coastal stretches on the East Coast, with golden sands, rolling waves, and that salty breeze everyone craves during summer vacation....

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11 Riverfront Towns In New Jersey That Feel Like A Different World Entirely

New Jersey might be famous for its highways and boardwalks, but tucked along its winding rivers are charming little towns that feel like time capsules, storybook villages, and...

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This Family-Friendly New Jersey Zoo Offers One Of The State’s Best Deals

What’s the only place in New Jersey where lions, giraffes, and red pandas don’t charge admission? Cape May County Park & Zoo.

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The New Jersey Park That Tourists Ruined Still Leaves Locals Holding A Grudge

Have you ever tried enjoying cherry blossoms while dodging selfie sticks? That’s the reality at Branch Brook Park in Newark,...

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This Unassuming New Jersey Eatery Brings Offshore Catch Straight To Your Plate

Point Pleasant Beach holds a seafood secret that locals have been keeping to themselves for years. Atlantic Offshore Fishery at 212 Channel Dr isn't your typical fancy waterfront...

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The New Jersey Restaurant Where Boomers And Gen Z Agree On The Menu

Hidden in a strip mall along Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands, Navesink Fishery has cracked the code that most restaurants only dream about: creating a menu that brings together...

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The Quirky New Jersey Laws That Surprise Visitors Every Time

New Jersey has a reputation for fast-talking locals, crowded beaches, and world-class pizza, but scratch beneath the surface and you will find a treasure trove of laws that leave...

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The Old-School Diner In New Jersey That’s Full Of Unexpected Foodie Delights

Set at 2654 S Broad St, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610, Broad Street Diner is a genuine throwback to the golden age of American diners, where chrome sparkles, booths invite you to...

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This Scenic New Jersey Getaway Is A Treat Locals Never Take For Granted

Nestled along the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a natural wonderland that stretches across 70,000 acres of pure...

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Why New Jersey Locals Drive Hours Just To Taste These Legendary Fried Clams

Bahrs Landing sits right on the water at 2 Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ 07732, and it has been serving up seafood since 1917. Families,...

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10 Unassuming New Jersey Restaurants With Outrageously Fresh Seafood

New Jersey's coastline stretches over 130 miles, creating the perfect playground for seafood lovers who crave the ocean's freshest bounty.

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This Beloved New Jersey Town Has Captured Locals’ Hearts And They’ll Protect It At All Costs

Nestled in the heart of Essex County, Montclair has become one of New Jersey's most treasured communities, a place where diversity, culture, and small-town charm blend seamlessly....

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The Haunted Restaurant In New Jersey Where Locals Say You Shouldn’t Dine Alone

Picture this: a Revolutionary War-era tavern where the ghosts of history might just pull up a chair at your table. The Cranbury...

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10 Family Attractions In New Jersey Locals Keep Under Wraps

New Jersey often gets labeled as just turnpikes and boardwalks, but locals know better. Hidden between the highways and suburbs...

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The Charming New Jersey Town Locals Keep Under Wraps

Along the banks of the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Frenchtown is a charming borough that feels straight out of a storybook. With its historic Victorian homes,...

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This Massive Flea Market In New Jersey Is The Real Bargain Hunter’s Paradise

Located at 1350 NJ-33 in Farmingdale, New Jersey, Collingwood Auction & Flea Market has been a treasure hunter's dream for decades. This sprawling indoor-outdoor marketplace...

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The New Jersey Restaurants That Quietly Slipped Into Mystery

New Jersey is packed with dining spots that go beyond the ordinary menu and four walls. Some restaurants here have carved out...

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All-You-Can-Eat Buffets In New Jersey Locals Never Want Tourists To Discover

New Jersey is home to some of the most incredible all-you-can-eat buffets that offer endless plates of delicious food from around the world.

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This Iconic Oklahoma Statue Offers A Sense Of History And Scale

You came to Tulsa for a taste of Oklahoma history, and the Golden Driller delivers it with sky high presence and timeless pride.

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Vegan Bakeries To Visit When Traveling Through Florida

You love discovering sweet spots that make travel feel delicious, and Florida is packed with vegan bakeries worth the detour. This...

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This Montana Park Hides Gold Rush History Worth Discovering

Bannack State Park in Montana feels like a time capsule you can walk through, with creaking boardwalks and wind that seems to whisper about the gold rush days.

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Kansas’s Limestone Formations Might Be A Scenic Stop Worth Visiting

Castle Rock rises from the High Plains like a surprise, a chalky landmark etched by wind and time. You come for the solitude,...

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Amber Cascade In West Virginia’s Highlands Offers A Serene Seasonal View

Blackwater Falls in West Virginia’s Highlands turns into a golden spectacle each winter, earning its Amber Cascade nickname. The...

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Michigan’s Deserted Treasure Might Be The Attraction Worth Visiting More Than Once

Detroit keeps secrets that reward curious travelers who love architecture and stories etched in stone and tile. The Lee Plaza...

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South Dakota’s Roadside Giant Turns Heads On Every Highway Trip

You notice it long before the exit, a towering metal head watching the prairie sky with a grin that feels both mischievous and kind.

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The Massachusetts Gallery That Celebrates Art So Bad It’s Brilliant

You came to Boston for the icons, yet the most unforgettable stop might be a gallery that proudly celebrates glorious misfires and beautiful mistakes.

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Why Weekend Getaways To This Texas Gem Make Stress Melt Away

Weekends feel longer in Fredericksburg because the pace naturally slows the moment you arrive. You will notice how the Hill...

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Museums In Wisconsin With Quirky Collections You Didn’t Know Existed

Wisconsin isn’t just about cheese curds and football, it’s also home to some wonderfully quirky museums. Across the state,...

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10 Festive Bakeries In New York With Christmas Cookies Worth The Trip

New York in December feels like a movie set, and the bakeries play a starring role with windows that glow and cookies that sparkle.

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10 Funky New Mexico Art Towns That Feel Like They’re Off The Tourist Map

You want the kind of New Mexico art towns that whisper secrets instead of shouting for attention. These ten places feel tucked...

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