marissa lockwood author at My Family Travels
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This Oregon Steakhouse Still Cooks Over an Open Flame Like the Old Days

There are some places you stumble upon that just feel right the moment you pull into the parking lot. Tumalo Feed Co. Steakhouse...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Mexican Buffet in Oregon Is A Flavor Lover’s Dream When You Want To Try A Little Of Everything

Pulling off the Pacific Highway in Junction City, Oregon, the last thing you expect is a Mexican buffet that genuinely stops you in your tracks.

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This Unassuming Bakery In Oregon Serves A Cinnamon Roll That’s Pure Perfection

Aurora, Oregon might not be on everyone's radar, but tucked along Pacific Highway East sits a bakery that's changing minds one cinnamon roll at a time. White Rabbit Bakery has...

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This Tiny BBQ Joint In Oregon Will Serve You Some of the Juiciest Pig Wings You’ve Ever Tasted

Smoke curls through the air, carrying the unmistakable scent of slow-cooked meat that promises something unforgettable. Kansas City-style barbecue has found a new home in Portland,...

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This Oregon Lake Town Is a Foodie Heaven Feeding Visitors Way Above Its Pay Grade

Population just over 1,000, yet the culinary ambition here punches far above its weight. Tucked beneath the dramatic peaks of the Wallowa Mountains, Joseph, Oregon has earned its...

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This Giant Oregon Vintage Store Lets You Load Your Backseat With Treasures For Next To Nothing

Tucked away in a historic home, this Oregon shop feels like stepping into a carefully curated time capsule where every corner hides a potential treasure. This place transforms...

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This Tiny Oregon Coffee Shop Is Making Everyone Rethink Morning Drinks This Spring

A random Saturday on Division Street completely wrecked my usual routine, and I did not see it coming. Walked into Bula Kava House out of curiosity and walked out questioning why...

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9 Oregon All You Can Eat Spots That Roll Out Endless Surprises

I love a lot of things about Oregon, but its food scene continues to surprise me in the best way. All you can eat spots might sound basic, but Oregon turns endless dining into...

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This Tiny Oregon Bakery Feels Just Like a Paris Sidewalk Café

Tucked away in the heart of Oregon's bustling Hillsboro neighborhood sits a charming little slice of France that transports you straight to the cobblestone streets of Paris without...

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Oregon Locals Say This City Feels Different Than the Rest

Portland, Oregon has always marched to the beat of its own drum, and locals will be the first to tell you that this city feels nothing like anywhere else. While other cities chase...

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This Oregon Tunnel Leads to One of the Most Beautiful Views You’ll Ever See

Walking through a tunnel carved into solid rock while gazing at the Columbia River through stone-framed windows sounds like something out of an old adventure novel. The cool air...

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This Tiny Oregon Restaurant Is a Hole-in-the-Wall With Massive Flavor

Authentic Mexican cooking rarely needs neon signs or trendy interiors to get your attention. Most of the time, the real deal is tucked behind a simple storefront, letting the food...

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This Oregon All-You-Can-Eat Is Worth the Drive Even If You’re Not in Portland

Driving south from Portland might not seem like the obvious choice for dinner, but Oregon City holds a dining secret that changes the game completely.

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This Buffet in Oregon Is a Foodie Paradise You Can’t Miss in 2026

Portland’s food scene keeps leveling up, and every so often a place comes along that locals won’t stop talking about. Dwaraka...

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9 Tiny Oregon Towns Where You Can Actually Live Like a Local

Oregon's smaller communities offer something increasingly rare: a chance to slow down and actually know your neighbors. These aren't tourist traps with inflatable beach toys and...

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This Oregon Bakery Serves Food Worth Traveling For Even If You’re Not in Portland

This place doesn’t scream “must stop,” but I’ve learned the hard way that skipping it is a mistake. That unassuming turnoff leads straight to Creswell Bakery, and once...

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Oregon Hides a Secret Beach You Can Reach Only Through a Cliff

Walking through a pitch-black tunnel carved straight through solid rock might sound like something out of an adventure novel, but it's actually your gateway to one of Oregon's...

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10 Mind-Blowing Oregon Places You Won’t Believe Exist Until You See Them

Oregon doesn't play by the usual rules when it comes to landscapes. While most states stick to one or two signature looks,...

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2026 Highest Rated Italian Restaurants In All Of Oregon

Oregon has quietly become one of the best places on the West Coast to find authentic Italian cooking. I'm talking about the kind of food that makes you close your eyes and imagine...

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This Beach in Oregon Hides a Maze You Can Only Explore at Low Tide

I stumbled onto a slice of Oregon coast magic that left me completely in awe. Face Rock Wayside in Bandon isn’t just a beach - it’s a canvas where art and nature collide in...

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Cowboy Roots and Big Mountain Views Come Together in This Tiny Oregon Town

Pulling into Enterprise, Oregon, I expected a quick pit stop and maybe a cup of coffee. What I didn’t expect was to fall completely in love with this rugged little town tucked...

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This Small Oregon Town Serves Views, Llamas, and Big Surprises

Driving into Mitchell, Oregon, population 138, feels like stepping into a forgotten frontier town where time slows down and the scenery hits like a punch.

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This Hidden All-You-Can-Eat Spot in Oregon Is Making Sushi Fans Rethink Everything

Eating my way through all-you-can-eat spots has made me pretty skeptical, but what I found tucked away in Beaverton completely caught me off guard. Hiyaku Buffet at 15700 NW Blueridge...

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The Best 2026 Oregon Buffets Ranked by Locals (You Won’t Believe #7)

Spent months eating my way through Oregon’s all-you-can-eat scene, and honestly, I’m still thinking about it. What started as casual curiosity turned into a full-on mission...

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The Oregon Oyster Bar Locals Say Feels Like Stepping Back in Time

The moment I stepped through the heavy door at Dan & Louis Oyster Bar, it felt like Portland’s past wrapped around me. Dark wood walls, glowing brass fixtures, and the briny...

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This Oregon Sushi Spot Serves Big Flavor in a Tiny Space

I stumbled into Hamono Sushi on a rainy Portland afternoon and almost walked right past it. Tucked away at 620 SW 9th Ave, this unassuming spot doesn’t scream for attention,...

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This Secluded Oregon Spot Is Where Steak Lovers Find Paradise

Steakhouses come and go, but nothing quite prepares you for the sheer audacity of the Cowboy Dinner Tree. Hidden in the high desert of Silver Lake, Oregon, this place serves meals...

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This Little Oregon Coast Café Makes Clam Chowder That Steals the Show

I stumbled into Harbor Light Restaurant on Highway Avenue expecting decent seafood and walked out planning my next visit before I even reached my car.

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9 Lesser-Known Oregon Destinations Even Longtime Locals Forget About

Oregon has a way of keeping secrets, even from the people who think they’ve seen it all. I’ve spent years exploring Oregon, and somehow this state still manages to surprise...

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Oregon Coast Where Locals Go When They Want the Ocean to Themselves

I stumbled onto Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats a few years back, and let me tell you, it completely changed how I see the Oregon Coast.

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Oregon Restaurants Where You Can Eat Like a Local and Have It All

Oregon's food scene is all about keeping it real, fresh, and totally unforgettable. From the rugged Outback to the bustling...

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These 8 Tiny Oregon Restaurants Pack More Flavor Than Any Big Name

Oregon has become a powerhouse for adventurous eaters who crave bold, authentic flavors without the fuss of fancy dining rooms or celebrity chefs.

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This Oregon Coffee Spot Let You Sip and Snuggle With Cats

I just found the most purrfect way to spend an afternoon in Springfield, Oregon, and I’m honestly still smiling about it. The Eugene Springfield Cat Lounge blends two things...

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9 Unassuming Oregon Towns With Big Stories Locals Love to Share

Oregon is full of surprises, and some of its best stories are tucked away in towns most people drive right past. I've spent years exploring this state, and I can tell you that...

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10 Lesser-Known Hikes in Oregon You Must Visit in 2026

Oregon is packed with some of the most breathtaking trails in the country - but you don’t have to elbow through crowds to experience them. After years of exploring this wild,...

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Step Inside Oregon’s Most Spine-Chilling Horror-Themed Bar

Portland, Oregon, has always been known for its quirky, creative spirit, but one venue takes that eccentricity to a whole new level of spooky sophistication.

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The Oregon Bar Where Spirits Are Said to Roam at Night

Tucked away in North Portland sits a building that has witnessed over a century of stories, secrets, and some say, souls that never quite checked out. McMenamins White Eagle Saloon...

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The Epic Oregon Pull-Off With a View That’s Legendary in Its Own Right

Tucked along Highway 101 on Oregon's rugged coastline, the Neahkahnie Viewpoint is where sky, sea, and legend collide in one breathtaking sweep.

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These Buffets in Oregon Locals Secretly Think Are the Best

Oregon might be famous for its rugged coastline and towering forests, but locals know the real treasure lies in the hidden buffet gems scattered across the state.

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This Magical Oregon Treetop Retreat Lets You Sleep Among the Trees

Imagine waking up to the soft rustle of leaves, sunlight filtering through the canopy, and the feeling of being cradled high above the forest floor. Out'n'About Treehouse Treesort...

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This All You Can Eat Buffet in Oregon Feels Like a Hidden Playground for Food Lovers

Portland, Oregon has never been short on amazing places to eat, but tucked along the vibrant SE Hawthorne Boulevard sits a spot that locals swear by for one simple reason: the...

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Oregon Locals Still Use These Places Like It’s 2005

Oregon has always marched to its own beat, and locals know the best spots never really go out of style. While the rest of the world chases trends and viral hotspots, Oregonians...

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These Oregon Restaurants Locals Go to Without Even Looking at Reviews

When you live somewhere long enough, you stop checking star ratings and start trusting your gut. In Oregon, locals have their go-to spots where the food speaks for itself, the...

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These 10 Oregon Spots Are Criminally Underrated (Locals Know Why)

Oregon is a state packed with iconic landmarks that draw crowds from around the world, but the real magic lies in the places that don't make every travel brochure. While visitors...

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These 10 Oregon Lookout Points Locals Visit for Stunning Views

Oregon's landscape is a masterpiece painted with contrasts, where rugged coastlines meet alpine peaks, and high desert vistas stretch endlessly beneath wide-open skies.

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10 Restaurants in Oregon That Are Better Than Anyone Tells You

Oregon has long been celebrated for its craft beer scene and farm-to-table dining, but some of its most remarkable restaurants fly under the radar, hidden from the typical tourist...

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10 Oregon’s Best Comfort Food Spots Locals Don’t Talk About on Purpose

Oregon holds onto its culinary secrets with a fierce protectiveness that borders on possessive. Locals whisper about certain restaurants only among trusted friends, afraid that...

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9 Secret Picnic Spots in Oregon Locals Never Tell Tourists About

Oregon hides some of the most breathtaking picnic spots right under the noses of tourists, and locals prefer to keep it that way. While...

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10 Oregon Beaches Perfect for a Quick Local Getaway

Oregon's coastline stretches for more than 360 miles, offering some of the most breathtaking and accessible beaches in the Pacific Northwest.

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10 Places in Oregon That Don’t Seem Strange Until You Know the History

Oregon looks calm at first glance, yet the ground beneath those forests and shores remembers fire, shipwrecks, and improbable fortunes.

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