owen lark author at My Family Travels
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The Texas Brisket Everyone Drives Hours to Try

Tucked into Houston's Montrose neighborhood on Richmond Avenue, The Pit Room has become a pilgrimage site for barbecue lovers from across Texas and beyond.

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Texas Cities That Feel Like They’re Competing With Each Other

Texas is a state where everything feels bigger, bolder, and more competitive. From bustling metropolitan areas to rapidly growing suburbs, cities across the Lone Star State constantly...

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These Texas Towns Start as Travel Stops but Affordable Rent Makes Them Hard to Leave

Texas stretches across vast landscapes where highways cut through desert plains, rolling hills, and border towns that once existed solely to serve travelers passing through. Many...

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Texas Cities Locals Say Are No Longer Worth Moving To

Texas has long been a magnet for people seeking wide-open spaces, booming job markets, and a lower cost of living compared to coastal states.

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These Texas Locations Locals Say ‘Just Feel Off’

Texas is a state of wide-open spaces, endless horizons, and rich history that stretches back centuries. But not every corner...

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These Texas Small Towns Still Live by Unwritten Rules

Deep in the heart of Texas, small towns operate on a different rhythm, where handshakes still mean something and neighbors look out for one another without being asked.

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This Texas Town Has No Business Being This Charming

Tucked into the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg feels like a place that shouldn't exist in modern-day Texas.

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The Weird Small-Town Museums in Texas You Remember Long After

Texas is a land of contradictions, where cowboy culture meets cutting-edge innovation, and where the strangest collections find homes in unassuming small towns scattered across...

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These Are the Small Texas Towns Locals Escape To For a Peaceful Winter Weekend

Texas winters bring a special kind of magic to the state's smaller towns, where the pace slows down and the charm turns up. While...

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These Texas Diners Are Serving Comfort Food Worth Leaving Town For

Texas has always been a place where food tells stories, and nowhere is that truer than in its beloved diners scattered across the Lone Star State.

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9 Winter Weekend Road Trips Across Illinois

Illinois transforms into a wonderland of frozen waterfalls, historic charm, and snowy landscapes when winter arrives. The...

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10 Florida Weekend Destinations That Often Go Unnoticed

Florida is famous for its theme parks and crowded beaches, but the Sunshine State hides countless treasures that most travelers never discover.

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These Texas Towns Locals Say Changed the Most After Becoming Tourist Favorites

Texas has always been a land of wide-open spaces, rugged history, and small towns that once lived quietly under the radar. But...

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The Oregon Diner That Never Tried to Attract Tourists and Never Needed To

Tucked along the South Pacific Highway in Medford, Oregon, Debby's Diner has been serving breakfast and lunch to locals for years without ever chasing the tourist dollar.

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Spots Where New York Feels Most Like Itself, Away From Tourist Traffic

New York City pulses with an energy that draws millions of visitors each year, but the real magic happens in the quiet corners where locals actually live their lives.

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These Are The Hidden Lakes Across Northern California That Locals Rarely Promote

Northern California stretches from the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the granite spires of the Sierra Nevada, creating a landscape filled with alpine basins, forest valleys,...

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Exploring Florida Beyond the Beaches and Typical Tourist Traps

Florida is famous for its sunny beaches and crowded theme parks, but there is so much more to discover in the Sunshine State. Beyond...

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First-Time Impressions of Texas and How to Enjoy Popular Cities Without Falling for Tourist Traps

Texas stretches across a landscape so vast and varied that first-time visitors often find themselves surprised by just how much personality each region holds.

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Oregon Hiking Trails That Changed After Growing Popularity

Oregon's wilderness has always drawn adventurers seeking towering peaks, dense forests, and rugged coastlines that feel untouched by time.

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10 Popular Colorado Lakes That Struggle With Overcrowding

Colorado's mountain lakes have long drawn visitors seeking crystal-clear waters, dramatic alpine scenery, and outdoor recreation at its finest.

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9 Colorado Towns Where Food Tastes Better After the Hike

Colorado's mountain towns have a special way of rewarding hikers who spend their mornings on rocky trails and alpine meadows. After...

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9 Sweet Shops Across Iowa Towns Where Everything Still Tastes Homemade

Iowa has always been home to a special kind of magic that happens when sugar, butter, and tradition come together in small-town kitchens.

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Why Travelers Can’t Stop Talking About This Missouri Hillside Town

Nestled along the rolling bluffs of the Missouri River, Hermann sits like a perfectly preserved postcard from another era, where cobblestone streets wind between German-style architecture...

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Why This Connecticut River Town Feels Like a Step Back in Time

Tucked along the banks of the Connecticut River in Middlesex County, Essex is a charming town that transports visitors to an era when life moved at a slower, more gracious pace.

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10 Small Georgia Towns People Often Detour for Just to Stock Up on Road Trip Meals

Georgia's backroads hide some of the most satisfying food stops in the South, where travelers gladly veer off their routes just to taste what locals have loved for generations.

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10 Mississippi River Towns Where Time Moves Slower Than the Water

The Mississippi River winds through the heart of America like a liquid timeline, carrying stories of steamboats, cotton trade, and centuries of Southern charm.

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The Dullest Village in Vermont That’s Basically a Real Life Snow Globe

Tucked away in the rolling hills of southern Vermont, Grafton is a village that seems frozen in time, where white church steeples pierce winter skies and covered bridges span gentle...

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Why Locals in Portland, Oregon Are Irritated by Crowded Winter Farmers Markets

Portland, Oregon transforms into something magical during winter months, when fog rolls off the Willamette River and Mount Hood's snow-capped peak gleams in the distance.

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11 Small Christmas Towns in Pennsylvania So Charming You’ll Want to Stay All December

Pennsylvania transforms into a winter wonderland each December, with small towns across the state glowing under twinkling lights and festive decorations.

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10 Maryland Villages That Feel Straight Out of a Holiday Storybook

Maryland holds a special place in the hearts of travelers who crave the magic of small-town charm, especially during the holiday season.

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10 Arkansas Stops Often Labeled “Boring” That Offer the Most Rest

Arkansas holds a quiet charm that many travelers overlook in their rush to reach more famous destinations. Across the Natural...

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10 Small Oklahoma Towns That Show Quiet Places Have Their Own Appeal

Oklahoma's countryside hides treasures that most travelers overlook when rushing between major cities. Small towns scattered...

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The “Nothing-To-See” Mississippi City With the Best Soul Food on Earth

Jackson, Mississippi sits quietly in the heart of the Deep South, often overlooked by travelers racing toward more famous destinations.

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The “Sleepy” Arizona Town That Became a Filmmaker Hideaway

Sedona sits tucked between towering red rock formations in the high desert of northern Arizona, where the landscape looks like something borrowed from another planet.

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8 Hidden Nature Retreats in Alabama Perfect for a Quiet Weekend

Alabama hides some of the most peaceful natural escapes in the South, where towering forests meet ancient canyons and quiet waterways wind through untouched wilderness.

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Colorado Stuns Visitors With Denver Christkindlmarket Drawing Massive Holiday Crowds

Denver transforms into a magical winter wonderland each holiday season, and at the heart of this festive transformation lies the Denver Christkindlmarket, a traditional German-style...

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New York Delivers the Best Rockefeller Center Spectacle This Year You Must See Once in a Lifetime

Set in Midtown Manhattan at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111, Rockefeller Center radiates a magnetic energy that travelers feel the second they step onto the granite plaza....

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The Enchanted Forest Trail That Turns Magical in Winter Fog

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Crescent City, California invites you into a hush that only winter fog can weave. The...

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North Carolina Road Trip for People Who Hate Crowds but Love Winter Traditions

Begin in Sylva, North Carolina, where winter slows the clock and the mountains hold the town like a quiet secret. The streets...

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A Restaurant in Maine So Scenic You’ll Forget to Eat Your Food

Perched atop the dramatic cliffs of Southern Maine, The Cliff House at 591 Shore Rd in Cape Neddick offers more than a meal, presenting a fully immersive experience that blends...

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This Abandoned Settlement in California Is Creeping Out Even Ghost Hunters

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada region, Bodie, California stands as one of the most haunting ghost towns in the United States. Preserved...

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This Ghost Town in North Dakota Should Definitely Be on Your Map

Nestled quietly amidst the vast prairies of North Dakota, Griffin stands as a testament to a bygone era. This ghost town captures...

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The Haunted Utah’s Mysterious Ranch With Reported Paranormal Activity

Nestled in the enigmatic landscape of Uintah County, Utah, Skinwalker Ranch has captivated the imaginations of many. Known...

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Travelers Fall in Love With This Idaho Village and Its Storybook Candy Shop

Nestled in the heart of McCall, Idaho, Stacey Cakes is a charming bakery that captures the essence of this picturesque village. Known...

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A Two Day Colorado Winter Route Through Frozen Mining Towns

Explore the charm and history of Colorado's mining towns, beautifully transformed by winter's embrace. This two-day route...

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10 Georgia Forest Lodges With Strange Local Legends

Welcome, fellow adventurers, to a world where the whispering pines hide secrets only the brave dare to uncover. Georgia's enchanted forests are home to lodges that not only offer...

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10 Eerie Pennsylvania Mountain Motels Locals Whisper About

Hello there, fellow adventurers! Ever had a shiver run down your spine at the mention of a haunted place? Well, buckle up, because Pennsylvania’s mountain motels are packed with...

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10 Massachusetts Towns To Celebrate Thanksgiving Like A Local

Ah, Thanksgiving in Massachusetts! It's a time when the air is as crisp as a freshly picked apple and the history is as rich as grandma's gravy.

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10 Lost Idaho Funfairs Locals Still Hear From Underground

Ah, the allure of a forgotten fairground! In Idaho, where the wild landscape meets the whispers of the past, these lost amusement sites tantalize the imagination with tales of...

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The 9 Best Clam Chowder Cafés in Oregon You Seriously Can’t Miss

Exploring Oregon's coastal towns offers more than just breathtaking views; it's also an invitation to savor some of the best clam chowders at charming cafés.

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