micah dawson author at My Family Travels
Article
A Look Inside Pennsylvania’s Old Asylum Rumored to Be Haunted

Curiosity pulls you up N Church Street before you even notice the trees leaning in and the brick towers watching like sentries. Pennhurst Asylum in Pennsylvania sits quiet, yet...

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Hidden Hole-in-the-Wall Bayou Seafood Stands in Arkansas Worth Discovering

Arkansas hides quiet culinary stories, and Mr Cajun's Kitchen is one you will want to remember even after its doors have closed. You will still hear locals in North Little Rock...

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A Retro Maine Diner That Refuses to Change – Just Pancakes and Nostalgia

Maine rewards early risers with soft light, cold air, and the clink of coffee cups at a tiny railcar on Franklin Street. Palace Diner in Biddeford keeps the ritual simple, and...

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The Most Honest Culture Shock Spots in Pennsylvania for City Travelers

City pace trains you to skim, but Pennsylvania rewards those who slow down and look closer. Across the state you will find places where daily life follows its own rhythm, where...

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12 New England Villages in Massachusetts That Feel Like Holiday Postcards

You want that instant holiday postcard feeling, the kind that makes you slow down, breathe in crisp air, and watch windows glow like lanterns at dusk. Massachusetts delivers scene...

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10 Kansas Diners With Small-Town Charm and Big Flavor

You feel the pull of the open road when a small neon sign flickers on the horizon and promises real Kansas comfort. These diners deliver that familiar sizzle, warm greetings, and...

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Take a Magical Drive Through 4 Million Christmas Lights in North Carolina

You are about to enter a pocket of North Carolina where the holidays feel close enough to touch. The lights of McAdenville glow across every street, pulling you into a small town...

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This Small Town’s Seafood is Worth a Road Trip All the Way to North Carolina

You can taste the coastline the moment you roll into Calabash, North Carolina, where the docks frame a town built around the sea. The promise here is simple, fresh, and unmistakably...

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10 Charming California Villages Off the Beaten Path

California still hides small towns where conversations linger on porches and the scenery steals your attention before your phone does. These quieter villages invite you to slow...

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Michigan Farmers’ Markets in Small Towns Full of Local Flavor

Small town markets in Michigan have a way of slowing the day and sharpening your senses. You hear the low hum of neighbors catching up, see hand painted signs, and feel a real...

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The Hidden North Carolina Highland Village Guarded by Blue Ridge Mists

You can feel Boone before you ever see it, a hush in the air where Blue Ridge mists curl around the hills and soften every edge. This high country town in North Carolina pairs...

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Winter Magic Hiding in Small Town of Alabama

Winter in Mentone, Alabama wraps everything in a calm that feels like a soft blanket, and you can sense it the second you arrive. The mountain air turns crisp, waterfalls whisper...

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Explore the Storybook Streets of a Small Town in North Carolina Everyone Loves

If you have ever dreamed of wandering storybook streets where porches creak softly and creeks shimmer at sunset, Beaufort in North Carolina is calling your name. You will find...

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This Peaceful Lakeside Town in Michigan Will Steal Your Heart

You are about to fall for a Michigan lakeside town where time seems to slow and simple pleasures feel big. Saugatuck invites you to breathe deeper, wander farther, and savor every...

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7 Local Myths About North Carolina’s Restaurants

North Carolina is known for its charming eateries, but beneath the delicious dishes lies a world of mysterious tales. Each spot has its own legend that adds a sprinkle of enchantment...

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9 Oregon Hidden Restaurants Known For A Single Signature Dish

Oregon is a treasure trove of culinary surprises, tucked away in its bustling cities and serene coastlines. Let me take you on a delightful journey through nine hidden restaurants,...

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10 Secret Arizona Desert Spots You’ve Likely Never Discovered

Arizona is often associated with iconic landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. Yet the state also holds many lesser-known desert destinations that showcase its...

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The Ultimate Boating Bucket List: 10 Must-Visit Florida Spots

Have you ever noticed how every life-altering conversation starts at 2AM, when the world is quiet, eyelids heavy, and your guard has finally dropped? That’s when you admit you’re...

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The Hidden Holiday Customs That Bring This New York Village to Life Every December

Traveling through New York this December opens the door to discovering the charming village of Dryden. Tucked away from the city’s bright lights, this small town embraces the...

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10 Old Montana Mining Towns Frozen In The Gold Rush Days

Grab your pickaxe, my adventurous friends! We're setting off on a wild ride through the forgotten corners of Montana, where the echoes of the Gold Rush still hum in the wind. Each...

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Why You Could Get in Trouble for Whistling After 10 PM in Vermont

If you’re traveling through Vermont and feel like letting out a loud whistle under the stars, think again - locals take their quiet seriously after 10 PM. Vermont's quaint towns,...

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10 Hidden Coffee Huts In Alaska Perfect For Cold Mornings

Alaska's frigid mornings are best complemented by the warmth of a steaming cup of coffee from one of its unique, cozy coffee huts. These hidden gems offer not only delicious drinks...

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10 Hidden Gem Towns in Iowa That You’ll End Up Loving

While exploring Iowa, consider taking a detour to some lesser-known hidden gem towns. Each one offers unique charm, vibrant culture, and fascinating history that will make your...

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The Forgotten Pennsylvania Turnpike Tunnels That Travelers Explore By Flashlight

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, the abandoned turnpike tunnels near Breezewood offer a journey into a world left behind. These eerie passageways, particularly the Sideling...

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The Desert Casino In Arizona That Locals Hide From Outsiders But Tourists Find By Nightfall

In the heart of Arizona's West Valley, a gleaming beacon of entertainment rises from the desert sands: the Desert Diamond Casino. Operated by the Tohono O?odham Nation, this $400...

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10 Tranquil Spots In Arkansas That Are Perfect For Slow Days

If you’re traveling through Arkansas and craving quiet, unhurried days, skip the hustle and explore tranquil spots tucked into forests, along rivers, or in charming small towns....

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The Hidden Ohio Restaurant That Turns Into A Winter Wonderland

If you’re traveling through Ohio during the holidays, there’s one hidden gem that locals keep returning to: The Golden Lamb in Lebanon. Each winter, this historic restaurant...

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The Florida Island Retreat That Travelers Are Calling Paradise Found

If you’re traveling in search of a slice of paradise, look no further than Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Breakfast Counters In Ohio That Feel Timeless

If you’re traveling through Ohio and want to eat like a local - where the coffee is always hot, the regulars greet the staff by name, and the menu hasn’t changed in decades...

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Spa And Wellness Escapes In California’s Quiet Corners

If you’re traveling through California and craving peace, wellness, and solitude, look beyond the bustling cities. From dramatic cliffside resorts in Big Sur to mountain lodges...

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The North Carolina Mountain Drive That Feels Straight Out Of A Movie

If you’re traveling through North Carolina’s High Country and crave a drive that feels like it belongs on the big screen, few routes compare to Grandfather Mountain’s winding...

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10 Vermont Winter Towns That Feel Like A Holiday Movie

Vermont in winter is like stepping into a snow globe: magical, charming, and oh-so quintessentially holiday movie-esque. Each town offers its own delightful quirks and picturesque...

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Iowa’s Quiet Amish Places Worth Adding To Your Midwest Road Trip

If you're traveling through the Midwest and craving an escape into quiet countryside, Iowa’s Amish settlements offer a rare chance to step into a simpler, slower, and deeply...

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Awkward Things Tourists Do In Oregon That Locals Side-Eye

If you’re traveling to Oregon, you might think you’re blending in - but locals have a keen eye for tourist missteps. From mispronunciations to missing quirky traditions, there...

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Hidden Amish Secrets Tourists Aren’t Supposed To See In Pennsylvania

If you’re traveling through Pennsylvania’s Amish Country - perhaps along the winding roads of Lancaster County or the backroads near Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand - it’s easy...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Breakfast Diners In Texas That Locals Swear By

If you’re traveling through Texas, forget the fancy brunch spots and polished coffee bars - the real magic of a Texas morning is found in its hole-in-the-wall diners. These are...

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Why Locals In Washington Say This Is The Best Town For Handmade Gifts

If you’re wandering Washington in search of meaningful souvenirs, Seattle is where your gift hunt turns into a love story. The city hums with studios, markets, and boutiques...

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How Locals In Arizona Celebrate Thanksgiving – And Where They Eat

Trade snowdrifts for sunbeams and experience Thanksgiving where saguaro silhouettes meet golden-hour feasts. In Arizona, traditions blend with Southwestern flavors, desert adventures,...

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Alaska After Dusk: Chasing The Northern Lights Beyond Midnight

As darkness falls in Alaska, the sky transforms into a canvas of dancing green, pink, and purple lights. Beyond midnight, travelers witness one of nature’s most magical spectacles...

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Why Tourists In Connecticut Keep Getting Fined For Feeding Ducks In Parks

It’s a sunny Connecticut afternoon: a picnic blanket unfurls, kids giggle, ducks waddle closer - and then a ranger appears with a clipboard. Surprise turns to confusion. How...

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“Don’t Pick The Wildflowers”: Why Texas Locals Are Losing Patience With Tourists

Texas is famous for its wildflowers, wide?open spaces, and friendly locals - but some visitors are testing that legendary hospitality. Before you slam the brakes for a bluebonnet...

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The Hidden Charm Of 10 Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Louisiana

If you’re traveling through Louisiana and want to eat where locals actually eat, skip the glossy restaurants and follow the scent of boiled crawfish down a backroad. We’re...

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10 Missouri Towns Locals Avoid Because Of Tourists

If you’re traveling through Missouri, some of the state’s most charming towns come with a catch: locals often steer clear when peak season hits. From Branson’s dazzling stages...

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10 Boring Towns In Ohio That Tourists Now Call “Surprisingly Beautiful”

If you’re traveling through Ohio, you might not expect to find much beyond cornfields and quiet streets. But ask anyone who’s stopped in the right small town, and they’ll...

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Is South Florida In Hurricane Melissa’s Path After Jamaica And Cuba

If you’re planning a trip to South Florida, you’re likely watching Hurricane Melissa’s headline-grabbing journey through Jamaica and Cuba and wondering what it means for...

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Delaware Beach Communities Locals Abandoned To Tourists

Summer lays a glittering spell across Delaware’s shoreline, turning sleepy streets into neon-lit corridors of beach bars and boardwalk fries. From Rehoboth to Fenwick Island,...

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This North Carolina Seafood Buffet Is So Good, Locals Try To Keep It Off GPS

Tucked along the windswept shores of the Outer Banks, Captain George’s in Kill Devil Hills serves an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet that feels like a local secret. With snow...

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The Weird Nevada Law That Tourists Can’t Believe Is Real

Nevada’s deserts hold more than mirages - they hide a law so strange that visitors think it’s a prank: you can’t ride a camel on state highways. This relic from the 19th...

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The All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Spot In Rhode Island That’s Worth The Flight

Steam rises in fragrant ribbons from lobster pots as drawn butter perfumes the air, and laughter drifts across a mirror-still lake. Welcome to The Nordic in Charlestown, Rhode...

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The Haunted Road In Ohio Locals Refuse To Drive Every Halloween

If you’re planning a road trip through Ohio this Halloween, here’s what you should know about the haunted backroad even locals won’t drive after dark. Gore Orphanage Road...

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