marissa lockwood author at My Family Travels
Article
This 3-Mile Trail Might Be One of the Most Unique Hiking Experiences in Minnesota

You have done the lake hikes and the river walks. This one is completely different. The trail takes you through a forest that...

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This Historic Stone Church in Oregon Dates Back to 1846

A historic stone church in Oregon quietly stands as if it’s been waiting for visitors since 1846. I walk up and instantly feel like I’ve stepped into a different century, where...

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The Secret Waterfall In Minnesota That Most People Drive Past

Most people zoom right past this waterfall without ever knowing it exists. The parking lot is small and easy to miss completely. A...

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The Oregon Narnia Trail That Turns A Short Walk Into A Storybook Adventure Under Ancient Redwoods

You do not need a wardrobe to find Narnia. You just need a short trail and a little bit of imagination. The walk is barely a...

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An All You Can Eat Sushi Spot In The Middle Of Oregon’s High Desert Should Not Be This Good

Sushi belongs near the ocean. Everyone knows that. So what is fresh fish doing in the middle of a high desert? The math does not add up.

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Spring Is The Only Season You Can Book This Oregon Lodge Without Breaking The Bank

Spring is all about rain, mud, and the lingering guilt of unfulfilled New Year’s resolutions. But here’s the good news: that same gloomy weather scares off the peak season...

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Walking Through This Oregon Barn Is Like Stealing A Peek Into 10,000 Square Feet Of History

You step inside and the smell of old wood and forgotten stories hits you immediately. Oregon has a barn that feels less like a building and more like a time machine with a leaky...

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For Two Weeks Each Spring, Minnesota’s North Shore Waterfalls Become Absolutely Unstoppable

Winter finally loosens its grip and the real show begins. Minnesota's north shore transforms for about two weeks each spring into something primal and loud.

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The All-Day Breakfast at This Cozy Minnesota Cafe Will Spoil You for Every Other Diner

Breakfast lovers, prepare to have your standards ruined forever. The good news is that breakfast lasts all day here. The better...

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This “Museum of Natural History That Never Was” Is Hiding in Someone’s Garage in Oregon

It sits inside someone's garage, which is your first clue that this is not a typical museum. Oregon has a strange little collection that bills itself as a natural history museum...

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This Quirky Oregon Tea Spot Feels Like a British Escape Right by the River

A bright red telephone booth stands next to a river, and somehow it makes perfect sense. Oregon has a way of making the unexpected feel completely natural.

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10 Oregon Day Trips That Feel Completely Different From Typical Tourist Stops

Tourist brochures always send you to the same crowded spots. You know the ones. Long lines, overpriced parking, and photo bombers...

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This Oregon Coast Museum Houses the Original Cannon That Inspired the Town’s Name

A whole town named after a single cannon. That sounds made up, but it is completely true. This small museum holds the very cannon...

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The Oregon Park Where Beavers Work And Owls Watch

You do not need to go far to feel like you left the city behind. This park sits right in the middle of everything, yet it feels completely wild.

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This Historic Oregon Hot Springs Resort Is Back Open With 30 Pools and a Desert Oasis Vibe

A historic Oregon hot springs resort reopens like a desert mirage you can actually walk into. Thirty pools are scattered across the property, each with its own temperature, mood,...

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Oregon’s Underground History and Its Forgotten Chinatown Tunnels

Beneath the streets of Oregon, a hidden world quietly waits - one filled with stories most people walk right over without ever realizing it. Oregon’s underground history takes...

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Besides Towering Ice Cream Cones, This Iconic Oregon Drive-In Serves Some Of The Best Burgers Around

Let’s be honest, a towering ice cream cone is basically a food groups cheat code. You hold it up, admire the swirl, and immediately regret not ordering two.

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This Unique Oregon Shop Blends Vintage, Thrift, and New Finds Into One Unforgettable Stop

A quirky Oregon shop throws the rulebook out the window and mixes vintage, thrift, and brand-new finds all under one roof. It’s part treasure hunt, part time travel, and part...

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The Secret Buddhist Forest Where Giant Golden Statues Rise Above The Pines

A quiet forest suddenly levels up the moment giant golden statues start rising between the trees. Yes, actual towering figures, glowing through the pines like they don’t belong...

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This Oregon Night Market Is A Sensory Explosion Of Southeast Asian Street Food

Lights, music, sizzling grills - this Oregon night market hits you all at once and doesn’t let up. It’s a full-on sensory rush, packed with Southeast Asian street food that...

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11 Highest Rated Farm-to-Table Restaurants In All Of Oregon

Fresh doesn’t get fresher than this - Oregon’s top farm-to-table restaurants turn local ingredients into full-blown flavor experiences. Menus change, seasons shift, and somehow...

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This Massive Oregon Bookstore Is the Largest in the World

A bookstore so massive it feels less like a shop and more like its own small literary city has quietly taken over a corner of Oregon. You walk in expecting shelves… and suddenly...

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This Oregon Spot Serves 100% Gluten-Free Fair Food Made Fresh From Scratch

A colorful Oregon spot takes fair food and flips the script completely, serving everything 100% gluten-free without losing any of the fun. I walked in expecting compromises, but...

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This Iconic Oregon Drive-In Serves Some of the Tallest Ice Cream Cones Around

This iconic Oregon drive-in doesn’t just serve ice cream - it builds gravity-defying towers of it. One look at these cones and you start wondering if dessert has officially lost...

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One of Oregon’s Largest Parks Is Perfect for Exploring Day or Night

A massive stretch of Oregon wilderness opens up in front of you, and suddenly “just a quick visit” doesn’t feel realistic anymore. This park isn’t just big - it shifts...

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One of America’s Most Peaceful Train Rides Can Be Found Hidden in Oregon

A quiet stretch of Oregon reveals something most people wouldn’t expect - a train ride that feels less like transportation and more like a moving meditation. The rhythm of the...

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This Strange Oregon Phenomenon Is Seriously Mind-Blowing

Something strange is happening in Oregon, and the more you hear about it, the harder it is to believe it’s real. People...

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This 615-Acre Oregon Wildlife Park Lets You Explore Without Ever Leaving Your Car

615 acres of wild Oregon stretch out in front of you, and the best part is - you never even have to leave your car. It feels a little surreal at first, like nature decided to turn...

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The Best Cheeseburger In Oregon Is Served Inside This Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant

I’ll be honest - I didn’t expect to find the best cheeseburger in Oregon tucked away inside what looks like a total hole-in-the-wall. But the moment I took that first bite,...

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This Wonderfully Weird Tiki Bar May Be Oregon’s Most Underrated Hidden Gem

A tiki bar like this doesn’t try to be subtle. I walk in and it instantly feels like Oregon just took a hard turn into something wonderfully weird.

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9 Scenic Bike Paths in Oregon That Are Perfect for Your Next Ride

Oregon doesn’t really do boring bike rides. I hit the first scenic path and immediately realize every turn comes with a view worth slowing down for.

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This Clifftop Oregon Restaurant Combines Historic Elegance With Panoramic River and Waterfall Views

This clifftop Oregon restaurant doesn’t just serve dinner - it serves a full-blown view. I step inside and immediately feel like the river and waterfall are part of the dining...

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The Only Oregon Farm Where You Can Shop The Nation’s Top-Rated Market Every Saturday

This Oregon farm doesn’t feel like a typical stop - it feels like a weekly event everyone already knows about. I arrive on Saturday and immediately understand why people plan...

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This Iconic Oregon Diner Features a Full-Size Cadillac and a Nostalgic Retro Atmosphere

An iconic Oregon diner like this doesn’t just serve food - it serves a full blast of nostalgia. I walk in and the first thing I see is a full-size Cadillac sitting inside like...

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8 Horror-Themed Bars in Oregon That Feel Like a Year-Round Nightmare Experience

Oregon has bars that don’t just serve drinks - they set a whole mood. I step into the first horror-themed spot and instantly feel like I’ve walked onto a movie set that never...

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This Central Oregon Hot Air Balloon Experience Offers Sunrise Flights Above Stunning Mountain and Desert Views

Central Oregon takes adventure to a whole new altitude with sunrise hot air balloon flights over mountains and desert landscapes. I lift off just as the world is still waking up.

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9 Oregon Hidden Gems Serving “Weekend-Only” Country Breakfasts Worth the Drive

Oregon has a delicious little secret: some of the best country breakfasts only show up on weekends. I hit the road early and quickly realized these hidden gems don’t play around...

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This Quiet Oregon Museum Preserves the Epic, Millennia-Spanning Story of America’s First People

This Oregon museum is like a time capsule on turbo mode - and yes, it’s mesmerizing. I stepped inside and suddenly I was face-to-face with artifacts that survived thousands of...

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The 10 Top Bar & Grills in Oregon for Laid-Back Dining

Looking for a spot where you can kick back, grab a drink, and actually enjoy your meal? Oregon’s top 10 bar & grills do exactly that - and then some.

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This Oregon Riverwalk Lets You Stroll Right Next to Massive Ships and Iconic Bridge Views

Oregon’s riverwalk is basically a front-row seat to the city’s coolest sights. Walking here, I found myself side-by-side with massive ships that make you feel tiny in the best...

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This Sprawling Oregon Off-Road Park Is a Real-Life Adventure Playground for Grown-Ups

Oregon turns off-roading into a full-blown playground built for grown-ups who never really stopped wanting to play. I roll in and immediately hear engines, laughter, and the kind...

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This Oregon Coast Dining Spot Is Known for Stunning Ocean Views

This Oregon Coast dining spot doesn’t just serve food - it serves a full-on ocean show with every meal. I sat down expecting a nice view, and instead got waves crashing, seabirds...

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Top 12 Restaurants Along Oregon’s Shore To Visit This Spring

Think spring in Oregon can’t taste amazing? Think again. These 12 shoreline restaurants serve up everything from fresh seafood...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Mexican Buffet In Oregon Is A Flavor Lover’s Dream

This all-you-can-eat Mexican buffet in Oregon is basically heaven for anyone who loves flavor - and a little chaos on a plate. I walked in hungry and immediately felt like a kid...

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These 10 Massive Oregon Thrift Stores Are A Treasure Hunter’s Paradise

Oregon’s thrift stores don’t play around - these places are huge, and they’re packed with surprises. Walking in feels like starting a treasure hunt where you have no idea...

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10 Scenic Oregon Rail-Trails That Lead You Through The State’s Most Picturesque Small Towns

Oregon’s rail-trails are proof that the journey can be just as charming as the destination. Each path winds through picture-perfect small towns that make you want to stop every...

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This Oregon Mountain Town Is The Perfect Place To Unplug And Unwind

Visiting this Oregon mountain town felt like stepping into a slower, calmer version of life. Phones and notifications faded into the background almost instantly.

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This Oregon Pizza Spot Is on Fire and the Hype Is Real

What if the best pizza you’ve ever tasted is still out there, waiting in a quiet Oregon neighborhood? It’s the kind of place that suddenly pops up in every food conversation.

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This Riverside Cottage Escape In Oregon Feels Like Pure Magic

Ever caught yourself day-dreaming about a place where the river’s hush becomes the soundtrack of a lazy Saturday? Imagine a tiny cottage perched right at the water’s edge.

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Tourists Ruined This Tiny Oregon Beach Town Locals Once Loved

After hearing locals reminisce about a seaside spot they once called home, I set out to understand how a once-peaceful Oregon beach town became a hotspot for tourists. The locals...

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These 10 Picturesque Alpine Villages In Oregon Offer A Taste Of The Swiss Alps Without The Passport

Switzerland might be famous for its dreamy alpine villages, but Oregon clearly didn’t get the memo - it just made its own. Scattered across the state are charming little towns...

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This 50-Mile Wildlife Refuge In Oregon Is Home To Over 320 Species Of Birds

The first time I heard about this 50-mile wildlife refuge in Oregon, I thought, “All that… for birds?!”. But then I found out it’s home to over 320 species, and suddenly...

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Top 10 Restaurants Serving The Best Lasagna In Oregon

What if the perfect plate of lasagna was hiding in an unlikely corner of Oregon’s foodie map? Just waiting for the right palate to discover it.

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10 Amazing Buffets All Across Oregon, Not Just In Portland

What if the perfect dinner were waiting just around the corner? It’s ready to surprise you with every bite. Across Oregon,...

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This Unassuming Oregon Museum Is a Portal to an Incredibly Detailed World of Miniature Trains

When I first stepped through the doors of this quiet Oregon museum, I expected a typical history exhibit. What I found was a whole universe packed into a series of tiny rails and...

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This Oregon Ghost Town Looks Frozen In The Gold Rush Era

I’m still thinking about the moment I stepped into a little-known ghost town tucked away in Oregon. Here everything looks perfectly preserved from the Gold Rush days. The streets...

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This Coastal Oregon Road Trip Is Packed With Incredible Chowder Stops

Driving along the Oregon shoreline, I found myself chasing one thing: the perfect bowl of chowder. Each stop felt like a hidden treasure, a place where locals ladle out rich, creamy...

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9 Incredible Cave Journeys Everyone In Oregon Needs To Explore

When I first slipped into a hidden cavern deep in Oregon’s forest, the air was cool, the walls glowed with ancient mineral stains, and I felt like an explorer discovering a secret....

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This Whimsical Oregon Garden Is Filled With Castles Built From Lava, Rock, And Petrified Wood

Exploring that whimsical garden in Oregon felt like stepping into a living fairy-tale. Every corner reveals a castle molded from lava, rock, and petrified wood, each structure...

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Oregon Is Hosting A Glamorous Oscars Watch Party With Red Carpet Style And Big Screen Drama

Oregon is about to host a night that feels almost like Hollywood. With red carpet vibes and big screens showing every moment of the Oscars, it’s shaping up to be a fun way to...

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