ronan keats author at My Family Travels
Article
A Tiny Texas Pie Shop Worth The Drive From Anywhere For Its Homemade Slices

A person does not drive across Texas for just any slice of pie. But this tiny shop makes a convincing argument. The recipes...

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Need A Quick Reset? This Quiet Texas Lake Park Is Surprisingly Easy To Reach

A person does not need to drive five hours or take a week off work to find some peace in Texas. This lake park sits close enough for a day trip but feels far enough to matter.

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The 1.5-Mile Boardwalk at This Texas Coastal Preserve Is Free to Visit, Priceless to Experience

Free things in Texas are usually a letdown. A dusty roadside plaque or a patch of grass near a gas station. But this 1.5-mile...

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This Historic WWII Site In Texas Tells A Story You Won’t Find In Textbooks

History books leave a lot out. Like the fact that thousands of German and Italian prisoners of war once lived in a camp right here in Texas.

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This Texas Ice Cream Shop Offers So Many Sundae Flavors It’s Hard To Choose

The lineup at the counter moves slow for a good reason. Everyone is staring at the flavor board like it is a final exam. This...

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8 Mom-And-Pop Texas Restaurants That Deserve More Attention

Every city has those little restaurants that everyone loves but nobody talks about. The ones with the faded sign and the same booth since 1987.

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The Senior-Friendly Promenade at This Texas Lake Wraps Around 9 Miles of Shoreline With Constant Water Views

A nine mile walk sounds like a lot until the path is flat and the views never quit. This Texas lake wraps its shoreline in a smooth paved promenade that does not ask for hills...

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The Old-School Texas Diner Where The Pie Counter Alone Is Reason Enough to Go

You walk past the booths and head straight for the glass case near the register. That is where the pies sit, waiting for you. They...

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A Texas Safari Park Where You Can Drive Through And See Exotic Animals Up Close

You roll down your window and suddenly a zebra is staring at you like you owe it money. That is just how this place works. You...

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This Charming Little Texas Spot Serves Up a Gyro That Stays on Your Mind Long After the Last Bite

You walk past the counter and see it right away, a tall tower of meat spinning slowly, getting crispy on the outside. That is the sign you are in the right place.

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The Largest Music Store In Texas Carries Over 250,000 Vinyl, CDs, Tapes, And More

You think you have seen a record store, then you walk into this one. A quarter million albums, tapes, and CDs spread across a space that feels like a warehouse for music lovers.

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This 1-Mile Texas Trail Might Be One of the Most Unusual Hiking Experiences in the State

You never expect a hike in the desert to feel like a ghost story, but here you are walking among crumbling stone buildings and rusted machinery. The trail is short, barely a mile,...

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Big City Diners Travel To This Small Texas Town Just For The Steak

You expect big city steaks to be the best. But sometimes you have to drive to a small town to find the real thing. People from...

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A Texas Cafe Known For Classic Mexican Plates And A Long-Time Local Following

You grab a sticky menu with no pictures, just a list of plates that have been served here for longer than you have probably been alive. The waitstaff walks up, pencil behind the...

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You’ll Never Forget Your First Visit To This Magical Botanical Garden Sitting Quietly In Texas

You turn down a quiet road and suddenly the world gets softer. The grass seems greener, the air smells like flowers, and you have no idea how you missed this place for so long.

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This Hidden Bridge in Texas Will Captivate Anyone Who Loves Local Legends

You would never guess a quiet little bridge hid such a wild past. The iron trusses were built back in the 1800s to connect some small communities, but it is the local stories that...

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The Massive Asian Market That’s A Texas Staple For Bulk Groceries and A Taste of Seoul

You come for the bulk rice and giant bags of noodles, but you stay for the food court. This market is huge, aisles stretching out with every Asian ingredient you could possibly...

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This Massive Texas Rooftop Bar Offers A Skyline View That Most Locals Still Haven’t Discovered

Finding a rooftop bar with a great view usually means fighting through a crowd of people taking selfies. This one is the opposite.

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This Texas Restaurant Is So Wonderfully Weird, You Have To Experience It

Some restaurants serve food. Galaxy B&G in Killeen, Texas serves an entire universe. The moment you step inside, the ordinary...

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Dog-Friendly Beaches Every Texas Pet Parent Needs On Their List

Taking your dog to the beach sounds great until your pup gets slammed by a wave and never wants to go near the water again. This list avoids those disasters.

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A Texas Burger Spot Where the Double Patty Burgers Have Signature Crusty Edges

You know that perfect crusty edge on a burger, the part that gets a little crispy and caramelized from the hot griddle? This place has mastered it.

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This Maryland Hole-in-the-Wall Pizza Joint Will Never Disappoint Your Late Night Cravings

Late night cravings are a dangerous game. You want something hot, greasy in the best way, and fast enough that you do not starve before it arrives.

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The Coolest Small Towns in Maryland for a May Weekend Getaway

May weekends were basically invented for wandering into a small town and pretending you live there. You know the vibe. Main...

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10 Towns In Texas Where Gas, Groceries, And Dining Out Are Surprisingly Affordable

Living in Texas does not have to cost a fortune, especially if you know where to look. There are towns across the state where your wallet gets a break at the pump, the grocery...

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The Fried Shrimp at This Texas Waterfront Spot Crackle When They Hit the Basket and Disappear Just as Fast

You can hear them before you even see them. That crackle, that sizzle, that sound of something perfect coming out of the fryer. The...

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A Short Steep Hike in This Texas Park Rewards You With a 360-Degree View of the Hill Country

It is short, but do not let that fool you. The climb is steep enough to get your heart pumping and your legs reminding you they exist.

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This Texas Lake Lets You Fish for Free Without a License and Nobody Knows About It

Fishing is great until you realize you forgot to buy a license or the fees add up faster than the bites. This lake solves all of that.

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The Pot Roast at This Texas Diner Only Appears on Certain Days and Regulars Plan Their Week Around It

You have to check the calendar before you even think about showing up. The pot roast at this diner does not appear every day, only on certain chosen ones, and regulars have their...

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This Iconic Texas Record Store Spans 25,000 Square Feet And Is A Must Visit For Music Lovers

Twenty five thousand square feet of nothing but records. That is not a typo. This iconic spot is a music lover's dream, the...

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A Texas Beachside Spot Where You Can Grab Seafood, Burgers, And Soak In The Coastal Vibe

The salt air hits you first, then the smell of fried shrimp and grilled burgers. This beachside spot nails the coastal vibe without trying too hard.

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9 Texas Trails That Combine Easy Walking With Great Views

You want great views but you do not want to climb a mountain to get them. That is completely fair. These nine trails deliver...

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The Portions at This No-Frills Texas Diner Are So Big You Will Need a To Go Box

You know a place is serious when they hand you a to go box before you even order. That is exactly what happens here. This no...

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This Texas Antique Mall Has Over 250 Vendor Booths Filled With Fiestaware and Handcrafted Decor

You know you are in for a long afternoon when an antique mall has over 250 vendor booths. That is not a quick stop. That is a...

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A Texas Drive-In Where You Get Two First Run Movies for Less Than the Price of One Multiplex Ticket

Movie tickets keep getting more expensive, and that is just for one screen. This drive in gives you two first run movies for less than what a multiplex charges for a single showing.

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This Secret Texas Spot Has 40 Miles Of Trails And Hardly Any Crowds

You know that feeling when you find a trail and realize you are the only person on it for miles? That is the reality here. This...

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A Texas Seafood Restaurant Where Fried Fish And Shrimp Platters Are Really Popular

Sometimes you just want fried seafood that does not pretend to be healthy. This place gets it right. The fish comes out golden...

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10 Chicken Fried Steaks In Texas That Are Always A Hit and Worth the Drive

Some people chase sunsets or waterfalls. Smart people chase chicken fried steak. This dish is Texas comfort food at its finest,...

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This Easy 1.2-Mile Texas Trail Takes You To To Peaceful Riverside Hot Springs

You want a beautiful payoff without hiking all day and sweating through your shirt. This trail is only about a mile, which means you can actually enjoy the walk instead of just...

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This Secret Picnic Area In Texas Has Views That Are Worth The Stop

Most people spend their weekends fighting for a parking spot at the same three popular trailheads, but if you know which winding road to follow, you’ll find something much better....

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This Texas Restaurant Specializes In Hot Pot Dining Where You Cook Your Meal At The Table

Some people go to restaurants because they don't want to lift a finger, but the real ones know that the best meals are the ones where you actually get to play with your food. Imagine...

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A Texas Hidden Gem Serving Homestyle Plates Inside A Low Key Local Spot

Breezy neighborhood vibes and an easy warmth from the staff make every visitor feel like a regular before the first round of appetizers even hits the table.

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This $15 Texas Farm Lets You Meet Camels, Sloths, And Enjoy A Full Day Of Family Activities

Rolling up to a dusty gravel road usually means you are about to trade city noise for the kind of country air that invites you to stay a while. This homestead offers a rare combination...

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This Hidden Texas Nature Center Feels Like A Quiet Escape Filled With Shaded Trails And Wildlife

Some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences are the ones that cater to every kind of explorer from the seasoned birder to the casual walker with a stroller. It is rare to find...

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This Texas Bakery Is Known For Classic Cakes And Generations Of Recipes

A great bakery is about more than just what comes out of the oven because the best ones were built on a culture of genuine kindness. When a legacy starts with two brothers and...

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This Texas Burger Joint Is Known for Old-Fashioned Flavor That Still Holds Up

There is something almost cinematic about a neighborhood burger joint that refuses to change with the trends. When a spot has been flipping patties since the early nineties without...

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This Might Be The Most Affordable Town In Texas That’s Actually Worth The Trip

It is a rare thing to find a destination that treats your wallet with respect while still delivering a world class cultural experience. Some towns manage to flip the script on...

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This Massive Texas Market Is Where Tacos, Shopping and Texas Vibes Take Over

This is the kind of place where you show up for one thing and immediately forget what it was. Music in the background, food...

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This Mennonite Country Store In Texas Is Packed With Bulk Foods And Homemade Goods

The kind of place where you walk in for one thing and somehow leave with a full basket. Shelves are stacked with bulk goods,...

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This Texas Restaurant Serves Authentic Nashville Hot Chicken With Serious Heat

Spicy food always sounds like a good idea until it actually shows up. This is the kind of heat that doesn’t ease in, it hits...

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The Po’ Boys At This Texas Spot Are Stuffed, Messy, And Absolutely Worth It

There is no clean way to eat a po’ boy like this, and that’s exactly why it works. Bread barely holding everything together,...

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Climbing This Giant Pink Texas Rock Feels Like Exploring Another Planet

That first step onto the rock feels normal, and then it slowly stops feeling like Texas at all. The ground turns smooth, pink,...

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The Serene Texas Coastal Town That Makes Everyday Life Fade Away

There are places where your brain finally stops running through your to-do list, and this is one of them. Nothing feels rushed...

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This Cozy Buffet In Texas Is All About Nostalgic Home-Cooked Meals

Buffets like this bring out a very specific kind of confidence, the kind where you think you can handle more than you actually can.

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The Oldest Ice Cream Shop In Texas Has Been Scooping Since The Early 1900s

Ice cream just tastes better when it comes from a place that’s been doing it longer than most of us have been alive. There...

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This Little Texas Town Has All The Charm Of Fredericksburg Without The Crowds

Fredericksburg gets the attention, but this is where things feel a little more relaxed. Same Hill Country scenery, same easygoing...

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The Texas BBQ Chain That Locals Rely On For Fast, Classic Pit-Smoked Favorites

Not every barbecue stop needs a long wait and a strategy to get your order in. This is the kind of place people swing by without...

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This Secret Swimming Hole Is By Far Better Than Jacob’s Well

You know those places that people hype up so much they almost stop feeling special? This is the opposite of that. No massive...

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A Texas Mexican Restaurant Famous For Puffy Tacos And Local History

You do not casually order something called a “puffy taco” without being at least a little curious. Then it shows up, light,...

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Authentic Thai Flavors And Michelin Recognition Keep This Texas Restaurant Busy

I would not think twice about a place like this from the outside, and that is exactly how it gets you. No flashy setup, no distractions,...

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Vintage Railcars And Old Locomotives Create A One-Of-A-Kind Stay In This Texas Hotel

Staying the night in a train car sounds like something you joke about until you realize it is actually an option. Instead of...

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