owen carlisle author at My Family Travels
Article
10 Mesmerizing New Jersey Crystal Shops For Collectors, Seekers, And Dreamers Alike

Crystal shops in New Jersey have a way of pulling you in before you even realize it. The shelves sparkle, the air feels charged,...

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The Last True Italian Market In New Jersey Where The Founder Still Punches The Dough At 85

There are places you stumble into expecting a quick sandwich, and then there are places that completely rearrange your understanding of what food can feel like.

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New Jersey’s Ultimate All-You-Can-Eat Rib Feast That Keeps Hungry Travelers Coming Back

New Jersey doesn’t exactly whisper when it comes to barbecue; it shouts, and you can smell it before you even pull into the parking lot.

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This 130-Acre New Jersey Sanctuary Lets You Explore A Hidden Forest Of 3,500 Rare Plant Species For Free

Imagine wandering into New Jersey and finding a 130-acre sanctuary that feels like nature’s best-kept secret. Instead of crowds, you’re met with quiet trails and a forest alive...

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10 Lavender Farms Across North And South Jersey That Deserve A Visit This Summer

Somewhere between my third deep breath of purple-scented air and accidentally stepping into a bee's personal space, I realized lavender farms are basically therapy you can walk...

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This New Jersey Equestrian Store Is A Massive 18,000-Square-Foot Wonderland For Riders And Horse Lovers Alike

What’s the wildest shopping trip you’ve ever had in New Jersey? I’ll admit, this one takes the crown. The first time...

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This Massive Indoor Adventure Park In New Jersey Is A Maze Of Endless Fun

New Jersey has more than its fair share of surprises, and one of them is a massive indoor adventure park that feels like stepping into pure chaos and joy.

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This New Jersey Bar Is Located Inside A Genuine 18th-Century Stagecoach Stop

There are some places you stumble into thinking you already know what to expect, and then the building itself stops you cold. Walking...

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A New Jersey Resale Shop Where Locals Score Designer Pieces

My idea of a perfect afternoon used to involve a coffee and absolutely zero ambition, but then someone pointed me toward a certain consignment shop on a charming street in New...

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This Quaint New Jersey House Preserves Stories From The Age Of Canals

New Jersey has a knack for hiding spots, and this little house is one of them. It looks quaint from the outside, but inside it’s brimming with stories from the canal era that...

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10 New Jersey Wilderness Spots For Safely Spotting Black Bears In Their Natural Habitat

The first time a black bear crossed my trail in New Jersey, my hiking boots nearly walked themselves back to the parking lot without me.

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9 New Jersey Hamburger Joints That Seriously Know How To Bring The Bite

Somewhere between my third burger of the afternoon and the moment my napkin gave up entirely, I realized New Jersey might just be the most underrated burger state in the country....

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This New Jersey Gorge Is A Crown Jewel Of Freshwater Splendor And Hiking Trails

Hiking in New Jersey can sometimes feel like nature is showing off, and this gorge is proof of that. The trails twist and...

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The 1920s New Jersey Bus Garage Transformed Into A Premier 6,500-Square-Foot Antique Showroom

New Jersey has a knack for turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. A bus garage from the 1920s could have easily faded into history, but instead it’s buzzing with...

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The New Jersey Beach Where Driftwood Creates Natural Sculptures

Driftwood has a way of turning beaches into art galleries, doesn’t it? Along this New Jersey shoreline, the pieces twist...

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The New Jersey Hamlet With A Surreal Sculpture Park Locals Proudly Recommend

Somewhere in the quiet hills of New Jersey, there is a place that makes you question whether you accidentally wandered into a dream.

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A Day At This Old-Fashioned New Jersey Market Feels Like A Journey Into Simpler Times

There’s a market in New Jersey that feels like stepping straight into a time machine, minus the clunky buttons and flashing lights.

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This New Jersey Bridge Dares Drivers To Face A Scarier Drive With No Shoulders And Nowhere To Hide

The first time I drove across this bridge, my hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. There are no shoulders,...

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Some Of The Best Fried Catfish In New Jersey Is Served At This Low-Key Restaurant

There are some places you stumble upon almost by accident, and Roy's Fish Fry is exactly that kind of spot. The first time...

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The New Jersey Steakhouse You Barely Notice That Serves A Filet Mignon You’ll Never Forget

Is it possible for a place to be this low-profile and still serve the most talked-about dish in the county? In New Jersey...

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This New Jersey River Float Might Be The Coolest Way To Spend The Day

Imagine a sun-kissed afternoon where the only soundtrack is gentle water lapping against a floating tube, the breeze teasing you as you drift lazily downstream.

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The New Jersey Restaurant Where Everything Tastes And Feels Like Home

There are diners, and then there is Chit Chat Diner, a place that stopped me in my tracks the moment I walked through the door. Honestly,...

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10 Dog-Friendly Hikes In New Jersey Where Trails Are Made For Tails

The first time my dog sprinted ahead of me on a wooded trail in New Jersey, I realized this state was hiding something truly special.

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A Modest New Jersey Restaurant Pulls Big Crowds With Unforgettable Greek Dishes

When I walk into SOUVLAQUERIA in Union, the first thing that hits me is the aroma of grilled meats and fresh herbs. The team...

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The Farm-To-Table Eatery In New Jersey Serving Bowls Bursting With Fresh Flavor

From farm fields to your fork, this New Jersey eatery proves fresh flavor doesn’t need a passport. Bowls here aren’t just...

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These Onion Rings In New Jersey Are So Addictive, You Won’t Be Able To Resist Them

There are places you stumble into by accident, and then there are places that feel like they were waiting for you all along. Krug's Tavern is absolutely the second kind.

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This New Jersey Pizza Kitchen Serves Up Gourmet Pies and $10 Chef-Prepared Meals

Forget your average "Friday night slice" routine, because F.A.T. Pizza Kitchen in Toms River is playing a completely different game.

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The Oldest Bookstore In New Jersey Still Welcomes Readers With Charm That Never Fades

Standing on the site of Westfield’s original 1906 Carnegie Library, you can still feel the history in the air. Do you ever...

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This Humble Restaurant In New Jersey Turns Sandwiches Into Pure Perfection

I walked in thinking, “How good can a sandwich really be?” Turns out, dangerously good. The bread was so fluffy I wanted...

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This Restored New Jersey Armory Delivers Stunning Views And Unforgettable Dining

Pulling up to a building that once stored naval ammunition during two World Wars is not exactly how I expected to start a Saturday lunch, but here we were.

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Behind The Counter Of The New Jersey Market That Sets The Standard For Fresh Seafood

What’s the secret to seafood so fresh it practically winks at you? Step behind the counter at Peter’s Fish Market and you’ll find out.

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This Legendary Sandwich Shop In New Jersey Is Making 2026 Tastier Than Ever

They say you can’t buy happiness, but apparently you can order it on a roll with mozzarella. Walking into Fiore’s House...

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The 10 Best Steak Houses In New Jersey That Locals Swear By In 2026

I’ve spent years chasing the perfect steak, and somehow New Jersey turned into my carnivore’s jackpot. From sizzling Jersey...

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This New Jersey Eatery Serves Cheesesteaks That Locals Say Beat Philly

Somewhere in New Jersey, cheesesteaks are causing an identity crisis for Philly. Locals swear their neighborhood eatery serves...

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The Legendary New Jersey Pizza Spot That’s Still Serving After 110 Years

I pulled up to a modest building, half expecting something grand or flashy to announce a 110-year legacy. Instead, what greeted...

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The 10 Best Sushi Restaurants In New Jersey That Keep Fans Coming Back

I never expected to find some of the best sushi outside of New York City right here in New Jersey, but the first time I sat down at a local spot and watched a chef carefully slice...

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11 Scenic Picnic Spots In New Jersey Perfect For Spring Days

I wasn't expecting much when I first started exploring New Jersey's outdoor spaces for picnic spots, honestly. Growing up, I'd...

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The Only Thing Better Than The Menu Is This New Jersey Waterfront View

What’s the first thing you notice when you step into a restaurant, the menu or the view? At The Waterfront in New Jersey, the answer isn’t so simple.

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Step Inside New Jersey’s Iconic Bookstore That Readers Travel Miles To See

What’s better than stumbling into a bookstore that feels endless? This place is a literary haven that has been drawing readers...

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The Oceanfront Spot Locals Call The Real New Jersey Shore Experience

This place feels like my personal escape hatch along New Jersey’s coastline - ten miles of untouched barrier island that makes me forget all about the glitzy boardwalks and crowded...

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This 18-Mile Bike Path In New Jersey Combines Waterfront Beauty With Skyline Magic

New Jersey’s got a secret treasure, and no, it’s not another pizza joint. It’s a trail that turns ordinary bike rides into extraordinary adventures along the Hudson River....

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The New Jersey Spot Where Finishing A Giant Pizza Wins You More Than Just Bragging Rights

Walking into Neptune City’s legendary pizzeria felt like stepping into a slice of New Jersey history. Since 1957, locals...

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This New Jersey Hotel Lets You Dine In A Restored 19th-Century Gilded Age Rail Car

Picture yourself stepping back into the glamorous Gilded Age, where opulence met innovation and every detail sparkled with elegance.

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New Jersey’s Spring Fair Where Tradition Meets Local Pride

Every spring, I feel the pull of New Jersey’s Renaissance Faire - it’s not just an event, it’s a portal. One moment I’m...

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10 Misconceptions Outsiders Have About New Jersey That Locals Prove Wrong

New Jersey gets a bad rap from people who've never actually spent time here, and honestly, it's about time someone set the record straight.

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A Tiny New Jersey Cabin That Might Just Have The Best Pizza In The State

Guess what? I found a rustic hideaway that locals have been raving about for years. The Cabin Restaurant quickly became one...

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This Loving New Jersey Refuge Gives Rescued Animals A Second Chance

In the peaceful pine forests of Forked River, New Jersey, sits a sanctuary where second chances bloom every single day. Popcorn...

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The Low-Key New Jersey Town Where Retirees Enjoy Big Living On Small Savings

When I first heard about Bridgeton, I pictured just another small Jersey town. But then I saw it for myself, tucked quietly in Cumberland County along the Cohansey River, and suddenly...

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A New Jersey All-You-Can-Eat Spot So Good, It Deserves A Visit In 2026

When I’m in Newark, one spot that always stands out is Fernandes Steak House II, 158 Fleming Ave, Newark, NJ 07105. It’s...

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The Giant New Jersey Flea Market That Feels Like A Treasure Hunt Jackpot

I stumbled upon the New Meadowlands Flea Market on a crisp Saturday morning, and honestly, I wasn't prepared for the sheer scale of what awaited me at Lot J Metlife Stadium, 102...

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