marissa lockwood author at My Family Travels
Article
This Oregon Seafood Market Lets You Pick Fresh Fish and Have the Kitchen Cook It on the Spot

Choosing dinner off ice rarely happens this literally. Here, the fish gets selected first, then walked straight into a kitchen ready to cook it immediately.

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This Enormous Oregon Buffet Has Over 250 Items

Two hundred fifty items sounds impossible to count accurately, let alone sample in one visit no matter how hungry you arrive. Stations...

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One Oregon Garden is Filled With Tiny Stone Castles, Bridges and Villages

Miniature worlds don't usually take decades to build, yet someone clearly didn't mind the wait here. Tiny castles rise no taller...

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This Breathtaking Oregon Open-Air Market Brings Together Hundreds of Independent Makers

Hundreds of independent makers rarely gather under one roof, let alone entirely outdoors under open sky instead in Oregon. Stalls stretch across blocks here, each one run by someone...

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This Buffet Is One Of The Most Mouthwatering All-You-Can-Eat Destination In Oregon

Portion control doesn't exist once you walk through these doors. That's exactly the point, and exactly why people keep coming back for more.

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12 Oregon Places That Look So Strange You’ll Think You Left the U.S.

Some landscapes just don't match their surroundings at all. A handful of spots across Oregon manage exactly that, looking like they belong somewhere else entirely.

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Everything at This Oregon Cafe Is Completely Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free

Sometimes it's not about what you're giving up, It's about what you're gaining. At this Oregon cafe, the menu is entirely free of gluten and dairy, and you'd never know it from...

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These Oregon Places Feel Like You Found Them First

Discovering somewhere before anyone else talks about it hits differently than following a crowded recommendation list. A handful of spots across Oregon still offer exactly that...

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This Charming Minnesota French Restaurant Feels Like a Cozy Parisian Bistro

Some restaurants make you forget where you are. This one does that within seconds of walking through the door. Soft candlelight, clinking wine glasses, and the smell of butter...

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Wait, This Is Oregon? This Hidden Beach Has Caribbean-Blue Water And Barely Any Crowds

Photos of this water get mistaken constantly for somewhere tropical. Caribbean blue, clear enough to see straight to the bottom, absolutely nothing like the moody gray coastline...

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10 Packed Oregon Fabric Shops With Trims, Notions and Bolts You Cannot Find Online

Bolts of fabric used to fill shops from floor to ceiling before online shopping flattened the whole experience into scrolling and guessing. A few places in Oregon never gave that...

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This Old-School Deli In Oregon Is Worth The Drive From Anywhere In The Country

A deli claiming to be worth a cross country drive sounds like exaggeration. Then you actually taste the sandwich, and suddenly that claim doesn't feel dramatic at all.

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This Oregon Hiking Trail Looks Easy At First But Gets Wildly Different Once You Reach The Woods

Flat ground and easy footing greet you at the trailhead, tricking most hikers into thinking this one stays simple the whole way. It...

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The Best Filipino Restaurant In Oregon Serving Authentic Island Cuisine

There's a difference between eating food and tasting a culture. At this Oregon restaurant, you get the latter. The chef behind it has been recognized nationally for reimagining...

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This Minnesota Horse Farm Offers The Kind Of Adventure That Changes Your Perspective

It’s easy to forget how good it feels to be outside, to move slowly, and to connect with something real. At this Minnesota horse farm, you get exactly that - a chance to trade...

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This Stagecoach Stop in Oregon Has a Tri-Tip Sandwich That Will Make You Forget the Drive

The road stretches long and empty through eastern Oregon, with nothing but high desert and sky for company. Just when you start to wonder if you've missed the turn, a building...

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People Are Going Out Of Their Way For The Donuts At This Tiny Oregon Shop

You've heard about Portland's famous doughnut shops, but there's one tiny spot that has people driving across the state just for a taste. This cozy Oregon shop serves mini doughnuts...

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This Oregon Horse Farm Offers The Kind Of Adventure That Changes Your Perspective

Forget everything you think a ranch vacation should be. This Oregon horse farm isn't a themed resort with staged hayrides. It's a place that hums with the rhythm of the land and...

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This Old-Fashioned Oregon Diner Serves Comfort Food People Travel Miles To Eat

Some places just feel like home the second you walk through the door - worn vinyl booths, the gentle hum of conversation, and the kind of food that wraps around you like a warm...

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This Oregon Spot Is a Tropical Escape With Creative Plant-Filled Interior That Steals the Show

Step through the door and suddenly you're not in Oregon anymore. The air feels warmer, the lighting softens, and you're surrounded by a lush indoor jungle. This spot has created...

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How Much Money Do You Need For 3 Days In Minnesota If You’re Traveling On A Budget?

We've all been there - excited about a trip, then reality hits when we start adding up the costs. Minnesota might seem like an expensive getaway, but the numbers might surprise...

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11 Tiny Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Oregon Where The Food Is Worth Every Single Minute Of Waiting

You know that feeling when you see a line out the door and think, "No meal is worth this"? These Oregon spots make you eat those words every single time. The wait becomes part...

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The Oregon Towns Where Your Vacation Money Goes Surprisingly Far

You know that sinking feeling when you're on vacation and your budget disappears faster than the sunset? We've all been there. The good news? Oregon has several towns where your...

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10 Easygoing Oregon Walks That Feel Like A Mini Adventure

Let's be honest, most of us aren't training for some epic thru-hike or hunting for the next viral summit selfie. We're just looking for a way to shake off the week, stretch our...

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These 9 Middle-Of-Nowhere Restaurants In Oregon Serve Delicious Steaks Worth Driving For In 2026

Oregon surprises me every time I drive through, pulling me off the main road into something unexpected. I have covered high...

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This Unassuming Minnesota Consignment Shop Is Hiding Premium Brands For Less Than A Cup Of Coffee

The racks are packed with designer labels, and the prices are shockingly low. This unassuming Minnesota consignment shop is hiding premium brands for less than a cup of coffee.

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12 Northern Minnesota Buffets That Locals Say Still Do Things Like It’s The 1980s

Carpet that has seen better decades, steam tables that never stop humming, and a soft-serve machine that drips just a little too slowly. That is the vibe at these Northern Minnesota...

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This Laid-Back Minnesota Restaurant Is Known for What Might Be the State’s Best Chicken Wild Rice Soup

The soup arrives steaming, and the aroma alone makes you forget about the cold outside. This laid-back spot has earned a reputation for a dish that feels like Minnesota in a bowl....

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9 Scenic Minnesota Bike Trails With Stunning Views You Need to Ride This Summer

With more than four thousand miles of paved paths and some of the best cycling infrastructure in the country, Minnesota is a paradise for two wheeled adventures. This summer, the...

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The Walleye at This Minnesota Steakhouse Is So Good It’s Worth the Drive

Fresh walleye, golden and flaky, served with a squeeze of lemon and a side of lake views. That is what makes this steakhouse a destination for locals and visitors alike.

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Marching Drums and Civil War History Come Alive at This Minnesota Fort and Museum

The sound of drums and tramping boots echoes off the old stone walls, and you cannot help but stand a little taller. Costumed soldiers march across the parade ground, rifles gleaming,...

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Get Lost in a Real Minnesota Skyway Maze 10 Stories Above Downtown

Getting lost on purpose is not usually a goal, but this Minnesota skyway maze makes it surprisingly fun. You walk ten stories above downtown on a network of enclosed bridges connecting...

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Why This Minnesota Town Is Ranked Among the Top Places To Retire in All of America

A city with four seasons and a lake near every neighborhood feels like a retirement dream. I watched seniors paddleboarding and biking at their own happy pace along the water.

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This Oregon Coast Gallery Is an Institution for Contemporary Art and Fine Crafts

Highway 101 in Oregon bends around coastal cliffs and towering pines, and one gallery tucked along that stretch caught me completely off guard. I stepped inside and the sheer scale...

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This Oregon Waterfront Restaurant Serves American Dishes and Seafood on a Patio With River Views

Driving the Oregon coast, I found a restaurant that stopped me the moment I arrived. It sits right where the river meets the Pacific, offering one of the most naturally stunning...

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This Hidden Oregon Italian Buffet Serves Endless Pasta And Costs Surprisingly Little

The menu at this hidden Oregon spot works on a simple, brilliant promise: build your own pasta bowl with unlimited toppings all for one set price. You choose your pasta, pick a...

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The Minnesota Soul Food Spot Where The Oxtails Are Legendary And Cash Is King

The smell hits you before the door even fully opens and your stomach immediately knows what is coming. Minnesota does soul food right at this cozy spot where everybody seems to...

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The Hidden Italian Market In Minnesota Where The Pastries And Deli Entrees Are Worth The Drive

The smell of fresh bread and cured meats greets you at the door, and the display case is a work of art. This hidden Italian market in Minnesota is packed with pastries and deli...

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11 Small Town Oregon Buffets That Are Surprisingly Affordable

The steam tables are humming, the plates are piled high, and the prices are low. That is the simple beauty of buffets in Oregon's small towns.

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Oregon Parents Finally Found a Place Where Kids Play and They Relax

Parents, you know the drill. You take your kids somewhere fun and you spend the whole time chasing them. Your coffee goes cold. Your back hurts from bending over.

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11 Oregon Seafood Restaurants Locals Secretly Hope You Never Discover

The locals keep their lips sealed about these spots, and you can see why. They are the kinds of places where the fish was swimming that morning and the owner still greets every...

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This Classic Minnesota Train Car Diner Has Been Serving Comfort Food 24/7 Since 1939

The train car has not moved an inch since 1939, but it has been serving comfort food around the clock for over eight decades. This classic Minnesota diner is a true piece of Americana,...

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This Minnesota Store Has Been Serving Premium Homemade Ice Cream For Over 50 Years

The line stretches down the block on hot summer days, and nobody seems to mind the wait. This Minnesota store has been serving premium homemade ice cream for over fifty years.

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Stay at This Oregon Cabin Lodge for a Cozy Retreat With Stunning Views and Outdoor Pools

The Deschutes River winds through the property, and the Cascade Mountains rise in the distance. This Oregon cabin lodge offers a cozy retreat with stunning views and outdoor pools...

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12 Beautiful Towns In Oregon Where Life Is Cheaper And Way Less Stressful In 2026

In 2026, a different Oregon is calling. One where affordability and lower stress are the main attractions. A recent report...

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A New Oregon Trail Is Transforming an Old Railroad Route Into an 80-Mile Path

Gravel crunches underfoot where locomotives once thundered. An old railroad route, scarred by a devastating storm, is being reborn as an eighty-mile multi-use path. It will slice...

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This Oregon Restaurant Offers a Senior Menu With Discounted Prices for Guests Aged 55 and Older

A menu that makes sense for the wallet and the appetite. This Oregon diner offers a senior menu with discounted prices for guests aged 55 and older, proving that good food should...

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Oregon’s Secret Seafood Spot Is All About Incredible Lobster

You might not expect to find incredible seafood so far from the coast. But tucked away in a valley is a bright building that has become a pilgrimage site for lobster lovers across...

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A Tranquil Minnesota Lake Resort Surrounded by Wildlife Management Areas

The loons call across the glassy water, and the only sounds are rustling leaves and the gentle lap of waves. This Minnesota resort has been a family tradition for generations,...

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Tourists Ruined This Once-Perfect Minnesota Swimming Hole and Locals Still Aren’t Over It

The water is so clear it looks like a swimming pool, and the granite cliffs make you feel like you have discovered a secret paradise. This Minnesota spot was once a hidden treasure,...

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This Oregon Country Resort Has Been Named the State’s #1 Hotel for Four Years Running

A resort in Oregon has quietly claimed the top spot for four years running. Voted the state's number one hotel, this place sets the standard for Pacific Northwest luxury.

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11 Legendary Oregon Steakhouses Every Local Foodie Needs To Visit At Least Once

The best steakhouses in Oregon don't chase food trends. They have been perfecting the art of beef for decades. Some have been...

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We Tried an Oregon Indian Taco That Could Be the Best Bite of Your Life

We tried an Indian taco from Oregon's only Indigenous restaurant, and honestly, it might just be the best bite of your life. The pillowy house-made fry bread is topped with savory...

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This Tiny Oregon Town Is Becoming One Of The State’s Best Adult Weekend Escapes

The high desert air hits different here. Crisp, clean, and completely free of city noise. This tiny Oregon town has quietly become the ultimate playground for adults who need a...

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This Oregon Waterfront Restaurant Is a Favorite Stop for Road Trippers and Locals Alike

The salty breeze rolls in from the water, and the deck is always filled with happy faces. This spot has become a ritual for anyone passing through, a place where the food matches...

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This Minnesota Lakeside Resort Is a 3-Star All-Season Getaway

The view of Lake Darling greets you the moment you step outside, and suddenly the world feels a little more peaceful. This three-star resort offers a four-season escape with enough...

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This Hidden Minnesota Buffet Only Happens Once a Week, and Locals Plan Their Week Around It

You circle the date on the calendar, set a reminder, and start planning your appetite days in advance. This hidden Minnesota buffet only happens once a week, and locals treat it...

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11 Oregon Restaurants So Unusual They Belong On Your Bucket List

Dinner in Oregon can be a full-blown adventure, not just a quick meal. Forget the usual routine, because the state is packed with places where the experience is as memorable as...

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This 4-Acre Oregon Farm Is Famous for Its Friendly Herd of Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys

Some farms have cows, others have sheep, but this one has a herd of miniature Mediterranean donkeys that will steal your heart faster than you can say "carrot." The friendly four-acre...

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This Oregon Museum and Curiosity Shop Is an Immersive Dive Into All Things Macabre

The door creaks open and suddenly you are standing in a Victorian fever dream filled with bones, bottles, and beautifully preserved oddities. This place is not your average museum,...

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