micah dawson author at My Family Travels
Article
This Fascinating Minnesota Train Ride Is Perfect for an Unforgettable Day Trip

The whistle blows and you are suddenly a kid again, pressing your face against the window. That feeling never gets old. Minnesota...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Highest Rated Steakhouses in All of Minnesota

A good steak does not need a crown or a velvet rope. It just needs heat, salt, and someone who cares. Minnesota has no shortage...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This 1800s Minnesota Village Is Frozen in Time and Free to Explore Year-Round

Horses pull wagons down dirt roads while costumed interpreters churn butter like it is 1870. And you can just walk right in without paying a dime.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Laid-Back Minnesota Restaurant Is Known for What Might Be the State’s Best Walleye Sandwich

The restaurant sits right on the water, which makes sense because the star of the menu swims nearby. Minnesota has a laid back spot where the walleye sandwich has achieved near...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Minnesota State Park Has 13 Miles of Hidden Caves Beneath Its Farmland

Farmland stretches for miles on top, but a whole different world hides underneath. Minnesota has a secret beneath the cornfields and quiet roads.

Read More    7 min read

Article
All-In-One Minnesota Waterpark Resort Where Massive Slides And Indoor Waves Meet Stress-Free Family Dining

Checking into a hotel and never leaving is the dream, right? This place makes that dream a reality. Minnesota families have figured...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Minnesota Narnia Trail That Turns a Simple Family Hike Into a Magical Experience

A simple family hike should not feel like a chore. This one feels like stepping through a wardrobe. The path twists gently through...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Suspension Bridge Hangs High Above the Forest With Stunning Waterfall Views

An Oregon suspension bridge hangs high above the forest, swaying just enough to remind you where you are. Below, the trees stretch out like a green sea.

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Best Borscht In The Pacific Northwest Is Served In This Unassuming Oregon Diner

A humble Oregon diner is quietly serving up something you’d never expect to find in the Pacific Northwest - borscht that people swear by as the best in the region. It arrives...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Cozy Oregon Diner Serves Chicken Fried Steak That’s Hard to Beat

A cozy Oregon diner greets you with that classic comfort-food energy the moment you walk in. Warm booths, clinking plates, and the smell of something frying that immediately gets...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Minnesota Pizza Hut Is One Of The Last Remaining With Its Original Hut-Shaped Roof

You almost drive right past it because it looks like a toy. That little roof is impossible to miss once you actually see it. It...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Spooky Oregon Road Trip Is the Creepiest Adventure You’ll Ever Experience

I thought I knew Oregon's cozy side - until I traded my coffee shop visits for fog-choked backroads and forests that seem to hold their breath as I drive by. Suddenly, I'm passing...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Prime Rib at This Classic Minnesota Supper Club Is Seriously Out of This World

A classic Minnesota supper club sets the scene the moment you walk in - dim lighting, soft chatter, and that slow, timeless rhythm of a place that knows exactly what it is.

Read More    6 min read

Article
An Exotic Journey to the Somali Horn of Africa in Minnesota

A surprising slice of the Horn of Africa comes alive in Minnesota, where culture, food, and community blend into something vibrant and deeply rooted. This isn’t just a themed...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Spooky Oregon Coastal Trail Takes You to the Ruins of a Forgotten Town

A fog-heavy stretch of Oregon coastline sets the tone long before you reach the trail, and everything only gets more unsettling as you move forward. This coastal path doesn’t...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Compact Oregon Museum Offers a Unique Blend of Local History and Scenic Waterfall Views

A compact Oregon museum doesn’t usually sound like the kind of place that takes your breath away - but this one quietly does exactly that. Inside, local history unfolds in a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
A Crystal-Clear Hot Springs Sits in the Middle of Oregon Like a Hidden Oasis Most People Drive Right Past

A crystal-clear pool of hot water sits quietly in the middle of Oregon, almost like nature decided to hide its best secret in plain sight. Most people drive right past it without...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Charming Minnesota Bakery Is Famous for Its Cinnamon Rolls Loved Far Beyond the State

Warm, sweet, and impossible to ignore - the smell alone is enough to guide you straight to this charming Minnesota bakery. One look at the cinnamon rolls and you immediately understand...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Iconic Oregon Chowder Spot Is a Must-Visit Haven for Seafood Lovers

A warm, creamy bowl hits the table and suddenly the whole Oregon coast feels closer than ever. This iconic chowder spot has become a quiet haven for seafood lovers who know exactly...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Unbelievably Huge Oregon Thrift Store Is a Treasure Hunt Where Everything Feels Like a Steal

Aisles that seem to stretch forever, random finds at every turn, and that addictive feeling that the next corner might hold something even better. This Oregon thrift store is basically...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Off-Road Park Is a Mud-Filled Playground Built for Hilly, High-Excitement Adventures

I showed up expecting just another off-road park, but this Oregon spot quickly turned into a full-blown mud-soaked playground. Hills come at you fast here, and every climb feels...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Oregon’s Giant Fabric Wonderland That Crafters Are Absolutely Obsessed With

Oregon turns into a color explosion the moment you step into this fabric wonderland. I walk in and it feels like every wall is competing for attention at once.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Historic Oregon Shipwreck Served for Decades Before Becoming a River Landmark

A historic Oregon shipwreck like this doesn’t just sit still - it carries decades of stories with it. I arrive and immediately see how it’s become part of the river itself,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Iconic Oregon Biker Hangout Is Known For A Wild Desert Vibe And A Loyal Crowd

This iconic Oregon biker hangout doesn’t try to impress anyone - it just exists exactly how it wants to. I roll in and the desert vibe hits immediately, dry, open, and unapologetically...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Stunning Oregon Coast State Park Is Home to Dramatic Sea Stacks and the Largest Island Off the Coast

The Oregon coast doesn’t ease you in here - it goes straight for drama. I arrive and the first thing that hits me isn’t the beach, it’s the massive sea stacks rising out...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Rural Oregon Market Hiding a Deli Counter Where the $7 Sandwiches Are Sliced-to-Order and Genuinely Massive

This rural Oregon market doesn’t look like much from the outside. Step inside, and everything changes fast. There’s a deli...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Jaw-Dropping Viewpoints in Oregon That Feel Like the Best Seats in the State

Oregon doesn’t really believe in average viewpoints. I hit the first one and immediately realize every stop on this list feels like it was designed to make you pause mid-sentence.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This 0.5-Mile Oregon Coast Trail Leads to a Hidden Beach With a Waterfall Flowing Right Onto the Sand

Oregon hides a 0.5-mile trail that feels like a shortcut to something unreal. I step onto it and almost immediately hear the ocean mixing with the sound of rushing water ahead.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Tucked Away in an Oregon Forest Sits a Museum So Beautiful It’s a Masterpiece Itself

Tucked deep inside an Oregon forest, a museum appears like it was carefully placed there just to surprise you. I walk up expecting something simple, then instantly realize the...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Coast Hidden Gem Lets You Walk Through Forest Trails, Dunes, and a Mysterious Labyrinth

Oregon’s coast hides a spot that feels like three adventures rolled into one. I started in dense forest trails, where the air is quiet and every step feels like you’re being...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This 3,000-Acre Adventure Park in Oregon Is a Nature Lover’s Dream

Hold onto your hiking boots - this 3,000-acre Oregon adventure park is basically nature on steroids. I spent the day exploring trails, rivers, and forests that make you feel like...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Adventure Area Is an Off-Road Playground Hiding in the Hills

Strap in, because this Oregon adventure area is basically a hidden thrill factory in the hills. I hit the trails and instantly understood why off-road enthusiasts keep whispering...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Oregon’s Oldest Amusement Park Just Dropped Unlimited Ride Passes for the First Time Ever

Oregon’s oldest amusement park just shook things up in the best way possible. Unlimited ride passes are finally here, and yes, my inner kid is screaming with joy.

Read More    7 min read

Article
People Drive From All Over Oregon To Dine At This Legendary BBQ Spot

I never thought BBQ could inspire road trips - until I tried this legendary Oregon spot. People genuinely drive for hours just to get a taste, and now I understand why.

Read More    6 min read

Article
See a 300-Year-Old Sitka Spruce on a 1-Mile Oregon Trail

Walking this one-mile trail in Oregon, I wasn’t expecting to be stopped in my tracks - but then I saw the 300-year-old Sitka spruce. Its massive, twisting branches make you feel...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Historic Oregon Tavern Pairs Legendary Burgers With Live Local Harmonies

There’s a little secret locals whisper about when they’re chasing a night that feels both familiar and fresh. In Oregon’s historic heart, a tavern serves burgers that have...

Read More    7 min read

Article
People Drive From All Over Oregon To Squeeze Into This Hole-In-The-Wall Pizza Joint

What’s the one food?filled adventure that gets people from the coast to the high desert? All just to squeeze into a modest pizza nook.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Massive 600-Acre Zoo In Oregon Is Home To Animals From Around The World

Spending a sunrise stroll among miles of winding trails and animal enclosures turned my ordinary Saturday into something extraordinary. This expansive 600-acre zoo in Oregon houses...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Only Place in Oregon That Nobody Has Anything Negative to Say About

When you wander through the rain-kissed streets of this Oregon city, you’ll eventually find a little oasis. It feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Massive Oregon Thrift Store Is A Treasure Hunt Waiting To Happen

Imagine stepping into a colossal thrift shop in Oregon and instantly feeling like a pirate on the hunt for hidden gold. I...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny Oregon Restaurant Is Famous For Its Authentic Thai Food

I’ve always chased the perfect bowl of tom yum. On a rainy afternoon in Oregon I found a little kitchen tucked behind a storefront that changed my mind about where great Thai...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurant Serves a Cheeseburger People Cannot Forget

I stumbled onto this tiny Oregon spot one afternoon, and the moment I bit into their cheeseburger, I knew it would stay with me forever. The place is tucked away, no flashy signs,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Retro Oregon Spot Lets You Rent Movies And Grab Ice Cream At The Same Time

Who's ready for some serious nostalgia and a double dose of delight? We found the most incredible place in Oregon that's bringing back the best of classic movie nights with an...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Milkshakes At This Old-School Oregon Stand Are Worth The Trip Alone

There’s something so special about a classic roadside stop, especially when the sun is out and the windows are rolled down. I...

Read More    6 min read

Article
When to Expect Oregon’s Waterfront Cherry Blossoms to Peak This Spring

Every spring, something quietly spectacular happens along the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. The cherry trees lining the waterfront burst into clouds of pink and white,...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Oregon Farm Stay Comes With Alpacas and Wide-Open Skies

Somewhere along a quiet stretch of Oregon Route 213, the world slows down in the best possible way. Marquam Hill Ranch sits tucked into the rolling hills south of Portland, and...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Coastal Village Feels Like a Nordic Fishing Town From Another Era

Pulling into Port Orford for the first time, I genuinely thought I had taken a wrong turn somewhere along Highway 101 and landed in a small Norwegian fishing village tucked into...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Coastal Trail Gives You 360-Degree Ocean Views

Standing at the edge of the Pacific, where ancient forests meet crashing waves, I discovered a trail system that changed how I think about coastal hiking. Cape Perpetua near Yachats,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Insanely Steep Gondola Ride in Oregon Takes You to the State’s Highest Restaurant

Riding a gondola nearly 4,000 feet straight up a mountain sounds like something out of an adventure movie, but it's real and waiting for you in eastern Oregon. The Wallowa Lake...

Read More    7 min read

Article
February Is the Best Time to Visit This Peaceful Oregon Lakeside Escape

When winter settles deep into the Cascades, this alpine lake transforms into a sanctuary of silence where nature feels slower, softer, and more contemplative.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Flea Market Is a Treasure Hunter’s Dream Come True

A sunny Sunday morning pulled me into a market that instantly felt like Portland at its best. I thought I was just browsing. Three...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Garden Earns a Spot on the 2026 World’s Most Stunning Gardens

I still remember the moment I stepped through the entrance at 611 SW Kingston Avenue in Portland, Oregon, and felt the entire world quiet down around me. The Portland Japanese...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Hidden Oregon Gem Is a February Must-Try Even If You’re Not in Portland

Depoe Bay hugs Highway 101 at one of the most dramatic stretches of the Oregon coast, where waves slam into dark rock and gray whales cruise past close enough to spot from shore....

Read More    7 min read

Article
These 10 Oregon Stores Sell Tillamook Cheese for Way Less Than You’d Expect

Oregon knows cheese. More specifically, Oregon knows Tillamook cheese, that creamy, tangy gold that graces everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to fancy charcuterie boards.

Read More    9 min read

Article
Why Locals Escape to This Luxurious Oregon Resort in February

February on the Oregon coast brings something most people try to avoid: storms, rain, and relentless wind. But locals know better.

Read More    7 min read

Article
You Won’t Believe What This Tiny Oregon Town Hides From Tourists

I rolled into Bandon, Oregon on a foggy winter morning thinking it was just another stop on Highway 101, and then my jaw hit the floor. Most people snap a quick pic at Face Rock...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Buffet Surprise Diners With Unexpected Flavors and Variety

Sitting high above the coast with wide-open ocean views, Hill Buffet & Grill in Newport is one of those places that completely sneaks up on you.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Buffet Is Worth the Drive Even If You’re Not in Portland

Last weekend, I made the scenic drive to Grand Ronde, Oregon, and found myself face-to-face with a seafood paradise I didn’t know existed: the Spirit Mountain Casino Seafood...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oregon Mountain Overlook Serves Views Straight Out of a Dream

Climbing the 120 stairs to Sherrard Point for the first time felt like stepping onto a postcard. Perched at 4,055 feet in the Columbia River Gorge, Larch Mountain delivers one...

Read More    7 min read

Article
8 Oregon Buffets That Don’t Look Like Much But Hit Every Craving

I’ve spent years roaming Oregon, and the best meals almost never look impressive from the outside. Some of my all-time favorites came from buffets hiding in strip malls, stuck...

Read More    7 min read