mason hale author at My Family Travels
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This Small-Town Oklahoma Diner Is Famous for Its Massive Chicken-Fried Steak

Tucked away in the heart of Cherokee Country, Tahlequah offers visitors a slice of authentic Oklahoma charm that feels worlds away from the hustle of city life.

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This Random Oklahoma Landmark Is a Laugh-Out-Loud Tribute to a Beloved Holiday Movie

Is the Chickasha Leg Lamp the most hilariously random roadside attraction in Oklahoma, or just another overhyped tourist trap that locals roll their eyes at?

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This Small Oklahoma Restaurant Is Where Seafood Cravings Finally Pay Off

Oklahoma locals can't stop arguing about which seafood spot in the metro truly deserves the crown, and whether you need to leave the state for good coastal flavors or if hidden...

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This No-Frills Oklahoma Restaurant Ends Up Being the Meal You Can’t Stop Thinking About

Tucked away in Oklahoma City sits a little Mediterranean treasure that doesn't need fancy decor or white tablecloths to win you over. Nunu's Mediterranean Cafe serves up authentic...

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This Under-the-Radar Oklahoma Spot Serves Crave-Worthy Breakfast From Morning to Night

Tucked away in Eufaula, Oklahoma, a quirky breakfast spot has been making waves with locals and travelers alike. I Smell Bacon isn't just a clever name; it's a promise of home-cooked...

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These Hole-in-the-Wall Oklahoma Breakfast Spots Locals Swear You Shouldn’t Know About

Oklahoma might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of unforgettable breakfast, but locals know better. Tucked into quiet corners of cities and small towns...

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This Old-School Italian Spot in Oklahoma Has Been Winning Locals Over for Decades

Tucked along South Peoria Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, sits a culinary institution that has become synonymous with authentic Italian cooking and warm hospitality. Mondo's Ristorante...

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These Old-School Oklahoma Buffets Haven’t Changed, and That’s Exactly the Point

Oklahoma holds a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate tradition, especially when it comes to dining. Across the state, a handful of buffet restaurants have stayed...

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These Tiny Oklahoma Restaurants Outsell Bigger, Flashier Places

Oklahoma might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about incredible food, but this state is full of surprises.

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This Small Oklahoma Town Was Forever Changed by One Flood

Webbers Falls sits along the Arkansas River in southeastern Oklahoma, a quiet town where Cherokee history runs deep and the landscape carries stories of resilience. Named for Walter...

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This Oklahoma Town Exists Almost Entirely Because of One Landmark

Arcadia sits along historic Route 66 in central Oklahoma, a town that would barely register on most maps if not for one towering attraction. The giant soda bottle rising 66 feet...

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This Abandoned Oklahoma Town Still Draws More Visitors Than You’d Expect

Glenrio sits quietly on the border between Texas and Oklahoma, a ghost town frozen in time along the legendary Route 66. Once...

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This Oklahoma Buffet Looks Too Simple to Be This Good

Oklahoma City holds a special place in the hearts of travelers who crave authenticity over flash. This corner of the Sooner State...

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This Oklahoma State Park Looks So Unreal, It Feels Like Stepping Inside a Dream

Northwestern Oklahoma holds a secret that seems too surreal to be true. Great Salt Plains State Park sits in Alfalfa County like...

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Why Locals Love a January Drive Through These Forgotten Oklahoma Towns

Oklahoma's forgotten towns hold a quiet charm that comes alive during January's crisp, clear days. While summer brings heat...

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Tourists Call This Oklahoma Town Boring, Locals Call It Home

Enid sits in the heart of northwest Oklahoma, a town born from the rush of settlers during the 1893 Land Run. Wheat fields...

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These All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants in Louisiana Are Worth Planning a Visit Around

Louisiana rewards a big appetite with even bigger flavor, and these all you can eat spots prove it in every bite. You will...

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These All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Restaurants in California Locals Love

California rewards hungry travelers with neighborhoods where sushi bars buzz with energy, servers glide seamlessly between tables, and fresh trays of rolls and nigiri never seem...

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8 Hole-in-the-Wall Iowa Diners Known for Classic Breakfast Comfort

Iowa knows how to do breakfast right, and the state's most beloved morning spots are often the ones tucked away on quiet streets or hidden in small towns you might otherwise drive...

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Perfect 2-Day Coastal Escape in Oregon Only Locals Know

You want an Oregon coast weekend that skips the crowds, keeps the scenery, and feels like a secret shared by a friend. This...

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BBQ Road Trip: 8 California Restaurants Known for Regional Barbecue Styles

California might not be the first place you think of when craving authentic barbecue, but the state has quietly become a melting pot for regional smoke styles from across the country.

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Oklahoma Café Known Among Visitors for Its Cheesecake Desserts

Tucked into a quiet corner of Bethany, Oklahoma, sits a bakery that has quietly built a reputation far beyond its modest storefront.

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7 Ohio Lake Towns Known for Busy Tourist Seasons, Say Locals

Ohio’s lake towns can seem peaceful from a distance, but the pace changes with the seasons. Visitors arrive in larger numbers...

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7 Lesser-Known Taco Trucks in Colorado Cities

Colorado has a strong food truck scene, offering a variety of flavors and regional specialties. You’ll find trucks parked...

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Strange Michigan Laws That Always Seem to Trap Tourists

Michigan’s charm hides a maze of quirky rules that can surprise even the most seasoned traveler. You will find lakeside...

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7 Hidden Lakefront Retreats in Ohio Perfect for a Peaceful Escape

If a quiet shoreline morning sounds like bliss, Ohio has lakefront escapes that deliver calm without the crowds. These retreats...

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The Hidden New Mexico Village Locals Call Their Desert Sanctuary

Tucked between the Sangre de Cristo foothills and high desert light, Chimayó invites you to slow down and listen. You feel...

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9 Quirky Roadside Stops Across Texas Locals Love

Texas highways stretch across endless miles of varied terrain, connecting bustling cities with quiet towns and wide-open spaces.

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8 Hidden Dessert Bistros In Hawaii Worth Every Sweet Bite

Aloha, fellow sugar seekers! Imagine a tropical paradise where palm trees sway, waves whisper, and the real treasure is the delectable secret dessert spots tucked away from the...

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13 Pizza Spots in Washington That Locals Say Are the Best Around

Washington loves a good slice, and locals know exactly where to find it without any fuss. This guide rounds up the pizzerias...

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10 Low-Key Cupcake Cafés in Oregon Locals Prefer to Keep Under the Radar

Oregon hides its sweetest secrets in side streets, sunlit corners, and quiet neighborhoods, where cupcake cafés feel like personal discoveries.

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The South Carolina Stop That Visitors Often End Up Enjoying

Most people discover Walterboro by accident. It's a convenient pull-off along Interstate 95, the kind of place travelers expect to use for gas, food, and maybe a restroom break....

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9 Last-Minute Holiday Craft Markets in North Carolina Worth Planning a Road Trip For

If your gift list still looks a little unfinished, North Carolina delivers with festive markets that stay lively deep into December.

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8 Civil War Sites in Virginia Commonly Included in Historical Tours

Virginia was the heart of the Civil War, witnessing more than 120 major battles, more than any other state. From the war's...

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8 Oregon Art Towns That Feel Creative Without Trying Too Hard

Oregon has a way of nurturing creativity that feels organic and unpretentious. Across the state, small towns have become home...

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Image credits: © Capitola Village Mercantile/Google maps © Carmel-By-The-Sea/Google maps
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8 Coastal Towns in California Known for Scenic Walks and Local Shops

California's coastline stretches over 800 miles, offering travelers countless opportunities to explore charming seaside communities where ocean breezes meet vibrant downtown streets....

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9 New Jersey Landmarks Once Famous Now Faded or Reimagined

New Jersey keeps reinventing itself, and its landmarks tell the story in vivid layers. You can stand where roaring crowds...

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Image credits: © Donnelly/Google maps © Redfish Lake Lodge/Google maps
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9 Idaho Lakeside Towns With Scenic Winter Views

Winter transforms Idaho's lakeside communities into peaceful retreats where snow-dusted shorelines meet crystal-clear waters. The...

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8 Oklahoma BBQ Joints That Keep Regulars Coming Back

Oklahoma has quietly built a reputation for smoky, slow-cooked meats that rival any barbecue destination in the country. While...

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Image credits: © Banner Elk/Google Maps © Burnsville/Google Maps
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10 North Carolina Mountain Towns Drawing Growing Interest From Travelers

Tucked into western North Carolina, a cluster of mountain towns is drawing travelers off the usual tourist trail. These communities...

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8 Oregon Coastal Towns That Still Feel Like a True Escape

Oregon’s coastline stretches for more than 360 miles, and along it sit small towns that have resisted overdevelopment and kept their quiet character intact.

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Image credits: © Livingston Restaurant + Bar/Google Maps © Choteau/Google Maps
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8 Small Towns in Montana That Feel Peaceful Until Peak Season Arrives

Montana rewards quiet seekers with towns that feel like friendly porches, then transform when summer crowds chase big sky dreams.

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8 Forgotten Nevada Roadside Parks That Once Drew Massive Crowds

Nevada road trips used to pause at tiny parks stitched along two lane highways, and those quiet turnouts once buzzed with picnics, postcards, and families chasing desert shade....

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© Miller’s Smorgasbord © The Restaurant and Buffet at Oregon Dairy
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9 Pennsylvania Buffets Locals Can’t Stop Going Back To

If you love a good buffet, Pennsylvania delivers with timeless spots where locals keep returning for comfort, tradition, and easygoing service.

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Florida’s All-You-Can-Eat Vietnamese Buffet That Draws Huge Weekend Lines

Weekends in Florida have a new ritual, and it starts on Park Boulevard where a steady line curls toward a lively doorway. Quan...

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10 Oklahoma Towns Too Pricey for Locals After Tourism Exploded

Tourism has a way of reshaping places you thought you knew, and across Oklahoma the shift feels impossible to ignore. Small...

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Wyoming’s Lonely Mountain Mining Town That Time Completely Forgot

Wind slices through the high valley as the ruins of Kirwin sit quiet against the Absaroka crest, their weathered timbers holding the last warmth of the sun like coals fading in...

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The Honest Reason Arizona Locals Don’t Want More Tourists

Arizona looks stunning in every season, and that beauty keeps postcards and travel reels humming year round. Yet the people...

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Montana’s Deserted Mining Camp That Still Feels Alive at Night

Night settles fast in the mountains, and Garnet answers with a hush that feels watchful and kind, as though the town has learned to greet darkness the same way it greets visitors,...

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10 Bizarre Rules in Maryland You Won’t Believe Exist

Maryland loves a good curveball, and its rulebook proves it with quirks that spark equal parts wonder and laughter. As you...

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