owen lark author at My Family Travels
Article
This Texas Wildlife Refuge Protects A Rare Prairie Chicken Most People Have Never Seen

First surprise: it is not actually a chicken. The Attwater’s prairie-chicken is a grouse, and it has become one of North America’s most endangered birds after losing most of...

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This Texas Steakhouse Lets You Grill Your Own Steak Over An Open Flame

Ordering a steak is one thing. Being handed the responsibility for what happens next makes dinner considerably more interesting. This...

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This Texas Restaurant Serves Southern Comfort Food Inside A Former Gas Station

Barbecue already has enough personality without fancy surroundings, but this Texas restaurant apparently decided a memorable building would not hurt either.

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An 1880s Texas Jail Has Become An Art Museum Without Losing Its Cells

Most art museums do not come with prison bars, heavy cell doors, and the occasional reminder that somebody once desperately wanted out.

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This Historic Texas Town Kept Its Charm Because Tourists Never Notice It

A town does not need boutique hotels, packed sidewalks, or a line outside every café to be worth a detour, and this quiet Texas community is a good example.

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This Texas Bakery Makes Giant Croissants That Barely Fit On The Plate

The first croissant I ordered here arrived looking less like a pastry and more like a small golden pillow, and honestly, the plate barely contained it.

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We Visited The Best Sushi Restaurants In Texas And Here’s Which 10 Made The Cut

Sushi rankings can get serious fast, especially in Texas, where the choices now stretch far beyond the predictable rolls people once associated with the category.

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11 Overhyped Texas Towns That Aren’t Worth Your Time Or Money

There is a certain kind of Texas town that looks irresistible in photos, sounds perfect in travel guides, and then leaves you wondering where all your weekend money went.

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This Texas Store Turns Browsing Into A Trip Through Decades Of Pop Culture And Nostalgia

There are antique stores, and then there are places where you start wondering how half the objects from your childhood ended up under one roof somewhere in Texas.

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This Texas Buffet Serves a Mountain of Seafood for a Low Price

Buffets are dangerous for anyone who walks in saying, “I’ll just have one plate,” and this Texas spot makes that promise especially hard to keep.

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From Early Morning Pancakes To Late Night Comfort Food, This Texas Café Never Misses A Beat

Pancakes at sunrise. Burgers at midnight. And a steady stream of regulars filling the tables in between. That is the rhythm...

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The Walls Of This Tiny Texas Chapel Are Covered In Thousands Of Hand Painted Frescoes

A tiny chapel in the middle of Texas. Its walls covered in thousands of hand painted frescoes. It is a sight that belongs in...

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This Hidden Texas Café Is Winning Over Everyone Who Walks Through The Door

The door swings open and suddenly you are part of the neighborhood. That is the feeling this Texas café gives everyone who walks in.

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The Best Discount Grocery Stores In Texas For Families On A Budget

Feeding a family is expensive. No one needs to be told that. But there are stores across Texas that make the grocery bill a...

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Looking For Italian Food With A View? This Texas Restaurant Delivers Both

A plate of pasta is great. A plate of pasta with a lake view is something else entirely. This Texas restaurant serves up both,...

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9 Texas Vintage Stores Where Locals Actually Shop For Retro Finds

Skip the overpriced curated spots with chalkboard signs and $200 t-shirts. The real vintage gold in Texas lives elsewhere. These...

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The Massive Texas Lake That Was Built Over An Entire Abandoned Town

A lake so big it swallowed an entire town. Sounds like a myth. But it is real. This Texas lake was built over a town that had...

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9 Quiet Texas Beach Bars Where Locals Escape the Summer Crowds

The summer crowds are everywhere. But locals know where to go to escape them. These quiet Texas beach bars are the kind of...

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This Texas Seafood Restaurant Skips The Plates And Serves Boils The Old Fashioned Way

No plates. No fancy presentation. Just a pile of shrimp, crab, and sausage dumped onto a paper-covered table and a whole lot...

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13 Secret Bookstores In Texas That Locals Love To Browse

The smell of old paper, the thrill of finding a signed first edition, and the quiet hum of a store where time stands still. That is what you will find at these Texas bookstores.

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Locals Swear By the Made-to-Order Sandwiches at This Texas Spot

A sandwich made exactly the way you want it is a simple pleasure. But this Texas spot has turned it into an art form. Fresh...

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Wave Pools, Lazy Rivers, And Thrilling Slides Make This Texas Waterpark A Summer Favorite

Wave pools that make you feel like you are at the ocean. Lazy rivers that actually let you relax. Slides that make your stomach...

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One Of Texas’ Best Waterfront Seafood Restaurants Is Hiding In A Quiet Coastal Town

A quiet coastal town. A restaurant right on the water. And seafood so fresh it might have been swimming earlier that morning....

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7 Stunning Barrier Islands To Explore In Texas

White sand, salt air, and the kind of quiet you can only find when you are surrounded by water. That is what you will find on these Texas barrier islands.

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The Best No Kids Allowed Retreats In Texas For Couples Who Need A Break

A vacation without kids sounds like a dream. And these Texas retreats make it a reality. No playgrounds, no kids' menus, no...

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This Tiny Coastal Texas Town Is Packed With Seafood, Charm, And Waterfront Views

A town so small you could blink and miss it. But that would be a mistake. This coastal Texas spot is packed with fresh seafood,...

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This Historic Texas Restaurant Has Barely Changed In 100 Years

A restaurant that has barely changed in a century is not just a place to eat. It is a time capsule. This Texas spot has been...

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Almost Nobody Outside Texas Knows About This Giant Fabric Store

A fabric store so big it could swallow your local craft shop whole. And almost nobody outside Texas knows about it. That is...

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8 Beginner-Friendly Bike Trails In Texas For Easy Weekend Rides

A bike ride should not feel like a test of endurance. These Texas trails are proof. Eight beginner-friendly routes that are...

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On This Remote Texas Road, a Hidden General Store Serves the Best Burgers Around

A general store in the middle of nowhere that serves burgers worth driving for. That is exactly what you will find on this remote Texas road.

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This Quirky Texas Diner Lets You Enjoy Your Meal While Watching Model Trains Circle Above You

A burger is great. A burger with a model train circling above your head? That is next-level dining. This quirky Texas diner...

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9 Central Texas Bike Trails That Feel Like A Secret Getaway In 2026

A bike trail that makes you forget you are still in the city is a rare find. These nine Central Texas trails do exactly that. They...

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Great Food, Live Music, And A Giant Outdoor Yard Make This Texas Restaurant A Local Favorite

A restaurant with a yard that big should be illegal. But here we are. This Texas spot combines great food, live music, and...

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This Texas Lake Resort Is Perfect For Families Who Love Cabins, Campfires, And Time On The Water

A place where the kids can run wild, the adults can actually relax, and nobody has to ask "what's next?" because the lake does the planning for you. That is exactly what this Texas...

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These Texas Cabins Are Suspended Among 80 Foot Cypress Trees And Feel Like A Childhood Dream

Remember being a kid and dreaming about having a secret hideout up in the trees? This place makes that dream real. Suspended...

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This Historic Texas Restaurant Offers a German Buffet That Has Locals Returning Every Single Week

A German buffet that has people coming back week after week is not something you stumble upon every day. But this Texas spot has managed to create exactly that kind of loyalty.

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This Hidden Texas Swimming Hole Is The Refreshing Escape You’ll Wish You Found Sooner

Let me just say this upfront, I wish someone had told me about this place years ago. It is the kind of spot that makes you wonder how it stayed hidden for so long.

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11 Summer Day Trips in Texas That Feel Like a Vacation Without the Airport Stress

Look, I love a good vacation as much as anyone. But does it really have to involve TSA lines, overpriced airport sandwiches, and that one person who takes their shoes off at the...

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This Authentic 1877 Tall Ship Is a Floating Piece of History on the Texas Coast

A ship from 1877 still floating on the Texas coast. That is not a museum exhibit. That is a living piece of history. The ELISSA...

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The Best BBQ Restaurants in Lockhart, Texas You’ll Want to Drive Out Of Your Way For

Some towns are known for their charm. Others for their scenery. Lockhart is known for something far more important: barbecue....

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This Crystal-Clear Texas River Is Almost Too Beautiful to Believe

You look at the water and think it cannot be real. Clear, blue-green, and moving at a pace that invites you to jump right in. This...

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National Ice Cream Day Is The Perfect Excuse To Visit These Incredible Texas Ice Cream Destinations

Finally, a holiday I can fully support. National Ice Cream Day is basically a national excuse to indulge, and these Texas ice cream destinations are ready to help you celebrate...

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This Texas Restaurant Has Been Serving The Same Tex-Mex Recipes Since 1953

Some restaurants chase trends. This one has been doing the same thing since 1953, and it is working. The Tex-Mex recipes have...

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You Can Escape To Europe Without Leaving Texas At This Charming Timeless Village

A European village in the middle of Texas. Sounds like a fever dream, but it is real. Cobblestone paths wind past old-world...

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You Don’t Have To Be A Serious Hiker To Love These 7 Easy Texas Trails All Under 5 Miles

Let's be honest. Not everyone wants to hike ten miles and sleep on the ground. These Texas trails are for the rest of us. Each...

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The Texas Hill Country Tavern Where Local Bands Play Under The Stars

A cold drink, a live band, and stars so bright they almost feel fake. That is a typical night at this Texas Hill Country tavern. The...

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Fresh Cappuccinos, Imported Italian Goods, And A Beautiful Market Make This Texas Spot Worth Lingering In

I have a weakness for places that make me forget I am in a hurry. This is one of them. A cappuccino that actually tastes like...

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These 13 Texas Places Feel Like They Were Built For Doing Absolutely Nothing

Ever feel like the whole world is in a rush and you are the only one who wants to hit pause? These Texas spots understand that assignment.

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This Texas Place Is So Unusual It Doesn’t Feel Real

A place that is so unusual it doesn't feel real is a must-see. This Texas spot features a collection of large, Easter Island-style statues that create a surreal and unexpected...

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One Bite of the Pierogi at This Texas Restaurant and You’ll Already Be Planning Your Return

One bite of a perfectly made pierogi is enough to make anyone plan a return visit. This Texas restaurant serves these traditional dumplings with a level of care that is immediately...

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The Short 1-Mile Texas Hike That Packs More Scenery Than Trails Twice Its Length

A hike that is only a mile long but delivers more scenery than trails twice its length is a true treasure. This Texas hike leads to a landscape filled with hoodoos and balanced...

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11 Texas Stores People Walk Into “Just To Look” And Leave Two Hours Later

Some stores have a way of keeping people there for longer than they expect. These Texas spots are the kind where a person walks in "just to look" and ends up leaving two hours...

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This Texas Garden Center Is Also Home To One Of The State’s Most Charming Cafés

A garden center is a delightful place to browse plants, but one that also has a charming café is a true destination. This Texas spot offers both, creating a relaxing and inviting...

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Traditional Nigerian Soups, Fufu, And Homestyle Cooking Make This Texas Restaurant Worth Discovering

A restaurant that serves traditional Nigerian cuisine is a delicious discovery. This Texas spot offers a menu full of comforting flavors.

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The Giant Greenhouse At This Texas Garden Center Feels Like A Botanical Vacation

A greenhouse that feels like a botanical vacation is a rare escape. This Texas garden center is home to a giant, lush greenhouse filled with tropical plants, vibrant flowers, and...

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The Giant Barn At This Texas Market Is Filled With Handmade Amish Furniture And Home Decor

A giant barn filled with handmade furniture is a shopper's dream. This Texas market offers a large selection of Amish-crafted pieces, from tables to chairs to home decor.

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Beyoncé Says This Texas Cajun Seafood Spot Is Her Favorite

When Beyoncé mentions a favorite restaurant, people take notice. This Texas Cajun spot has earned the superstar's seal of approval.

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This Texas Market Has Fresh Produce at Prices So Low Locals Call It a Steal

A good deal on fresh produce can make a person's day. This Texas market is known for having quality fruits and vegetables at prices that are hard to beat.

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The Bread At This Texas Bakery Is Still Made With A Sourdough Starter That’s Older Than Most Customers

A sourdough starter that has been alive and fed for years is a beautiful thing. It is a living ingredient that gives bread its distinct character and depth of flavor.

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8 Hidden Texas Buffets That Serve Real Homemade Comfort Food Just Like Grandma Used to Make

A buffet can be a gamble, but some spots are worth the risk. These hidden Texas buffets are known for their homemade comfort food, the kind that tastes like it came from a family...

Read More    10 min read