sadie clarke author at My Family Travels
Article
Tourists Are Losing It Over This All You Can Eat Pizza Spot in Indiana

I went to Crown Point for the all you can eat night at Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria and left with more than a full plate. I found a local ritual that mixes timing, variety, and small...

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What West Virginia Locals Think When Tourists Stop for “Rustic Charm”

Visitors come to West Virginia chasing what they call “rustic charm”, a slower pace, old barns, and winding mountain roads that feel like a step back in time. Locals don’t...

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10 Hidden Illinois Neighborhoods Locals Say Have the Best Halloween Street Displays

Illinois takes Halloween seriously, but the best displays aren’t always in the big cities or tourist-heavy suburbs. Locals know the real magic happens in small, close-knit neighborhoods...

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How Colorado Locals Lost Their Quiet Towns to Tourist Selfies

Colorado’s mountain towns used to attract travelers looking for quiet hikes and local charm. Now, many residents say that peace has been replaced by tripods, drones, and long...

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The Catfish at This Arkansas Café Is So Good, Tourists Don’t Share the Address

Arkansas has no shortage of catfish joints, but one small café has become a quiet legend. Tucked off a county road near Lake Village, Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales and Pies Café...

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The Real Reason Locals in Arizona Wish Tourists Would Stop Coming

Arizona’s landscapes draw millions every year, towering canyons, saguaro forests, red rock valleys, and desert sunsets that seem made for postcards. But behind the welcome signs,...

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Travelers Can’t Stop Talking About the Apple Cider Donuts at This Connecticut Orchard

In central Connecticut, surrounded by rolling hills and farm stands, Rogers Orchards in Southington draws visitors for one reason that everyone agrees on, the apple cider donuts....

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The Creepy Ohio Attraction Locals Swear Is Still Haunted

Ghost stories across Ohio have revealed which places truly leave a mark. Moonville Tunnel stands out because the night does most of the work. The quiet feels heavy, the air cools,...

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8 Unexpected Lessons Tourists in New Jersey Learned About Beach Towns

One summer I visited several Jersey Shore towns expecting sunny days, boardwalks, and sea-salt in my hair. I walked away with something different, and more lasting: a lesson in...

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Why Washington’s Thrift Markets Are a Goldmine for Halloween Treasures

I time my fall trips to Washington around thrift days because Halloween gear turns up in every corner. I see racks shift weekly, and I never leave empty handed. Why thrift shopping...

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9 Hidden Texas Restaurants Locals Don’t Want You To Find

Gastronomic adventurers, rejoice! Forget the well-trodden paths and chain restaurants. If you’re craving a slice of Texas that’s off the beaten track, then you're in for a...

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The Real Reason Tourists in Arizona Are Banned From Certain Canyons

Arizona’s canyons attract hikers, photographers, and sightseers from around the world, but not every canyon is open to the public. Each year, visitors are surprised to learn...

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10 Utah Slot Canyons Perfect For Epic Photos And Adventure

Squeezing through narrow, twisting passages carved by ancient waters is my absolute favorite way to experience the raw beauty of Utah's desert landscape. These slot canyons; where...

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Irish Tourist Orders “Pizza” in Florida and the Result Went Viral

A single missing letter turned a hungry tourist’s order into a global punchline. When an Irish visitor asked for “Margherita” in Florida, the server delivered lime and tequila...

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9 Local Favorite Bars in Chicago Tourists Always Overlook

Chicago’s bar scene runs deep. Visitors often stop at the famous rooftops or brewery chains, but locals know the real gems hide on quiet corners and neighborhood side streets....

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Only in Texas: 10 Funny Travel Photos You’ll Never Forget

I chase road-trip laughs the way some folks chase sunsets, and Texas never lets me down. Quirky sculptures and playful public art turn simple stops into stories I still tell. I’ve...

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Locals Reveal the Part of Hawaii Tourists Rarely Understand

I travel to Hawaii often, and locals keep teaching me what I missed on earlier trips. The islands pulse with real life, not a postcard loop. If you slow down and listen, you’ll...

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What California Tourists Keep Getting Wrong According to Locals

I’ve crisscrossed this state for years, and locals keep telling me the same things tourists get wrong. Some are small missteps that sap time and money. Others lead to frustrations...

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The Abandoned Haunted Hotel in Florida That Still Draws Travelers

Florida’s landscapes hold not just beaches and palm-lined streets but traces of forgotten grandeur. Among the state’s most talked-about ruins was the Putnam Hotel in DeLand,...

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Travelers Take Note: Rain Returns Midweek Across Maryland, Virginia & Pennsylvania

Rain is making a comeback midweek across the Mid-Atlantic. Forecasts point to steady or scattered showers, especially during the morning hours. This means wet roads, lower visibility,...

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7 Michigan Diners With Old School Charm You Won’t Expect

I chase classic diners because they tell honest stories you can taste. Michigan keeps surprising me with chrome facades, neon glow, and menus that favor comfort over fuss. I picked...

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Why Tourists in South Carolina Are Busted for Selling Fake Tours

I keep hearing stories about visitors who try to sell tours on the fly and wind up in handcuffs. The rules in South Carolina look simple from the outside, but they run deeper than...

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7 Hidden Washington Steakhouses Tourists Rarely Discover

Washington State is known for its culinary diversity, but beyond the well-trodden restaurant districts and bustling tourist hubs lie hidden gems that truly showcase the region’s...

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Why Tourists in Alaska Keep Getting Caught Fishing Illegally

Alaska’s stunning wilderness attracts anglers from across the globe, drawn by the promise of record-breaking salmon, halibut, and trout. Yet behind the dream of landing the perfect...

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Top 7 Vegan Donut Shops in Pennsylvania That Are Worth the Wait

Pennsylvania has quietly built a reputation for plant-based treats, and its vegan donut shop scene proves it. Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or just looking for a new sweet...

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Florida in Winter Surprises Tourists With More Rain Than Sun

Florida has long promised winter travelers the sunniest of welcomes. Yet, this past season, many found themselves reaching for umbrellas instead of sunglasses. What happened? I...

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This New York Gastropub Is Changing How Locals Dine Out

The Elgin sits a block from Rockefeller Center, and it’s not just another New York City bar. Locals treat it as a spot that feels casual but thoughtful, and over time it has...

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How California’s Tourism Boom Drove Up Rents and Pushed Out Residents

California’s sun, coastlines, and legendary attractions have always pulled in visitors, but what happens when that popularity changes the places locals call home? As a travel...

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7 Ohio Fast Food Restaurants Every Traveler Needs to Know

Ohio’s fast food scene blends national classics and homegrown gems. As a travel enthusiast who loves exploring regional flavors, I always pay special attention to chains that...

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7 Florida Parks Lost to Time and Overgrowth

Florida’s tropical climate, high heat, humidity, rapid vegetation growth, makes it easy for deserted parks, old attractions, and forgotten recreational sites to be swallowed...

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10 Reasons Food Lovers Travel to Texas Just to Eat

When I plan a trip, food ranks high on my list of priorities. If you share that mindset, Texas is a destination you shouldn’t overlook. This state’s culinary landscape is as...

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Where to Pile Your Plate High: 7 Alabama All You Can Eat Restaurants

Alabama’s dining scene is rooted in hearty meals and familiar flavors, and some restaurants go all-in with all-you-can-eat options. From fried chicken to catfish and Southern...

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8 Pasties That Turn Michigan’s Mining Towns Into Travel Worthy Spots

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the pasty is more than food, it’s part of local history. Cornish miners brought the hand pie tradition here in the 1800s, and it became a staple...

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7 Tennessee Soul Food Spots Where Food Meets the Blues

Tennessee’s food and music often go hand in hand. In cities like Memphis and Nashville, you’ll find restaurants where plates of soul food share space with the sounds of blues,...

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6 Lesser Known Desert Retreats in West Texas

You know that feeling when your phone pings one too many times and you’re tempted to hurl it into the nearest cactus? West Texas offers the kind of hidden retreats where...

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The Forgotten Story of Shoney’s Rise and Decline in Tennessee

You know, there’s nothing like watching a hometown favorite quietly vanish while everyone’s too busy scrolling to notice. Shoney’s in Tennessee was more than a restaurant....

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Top 8 Cozy Cafés in Washington to Escape Autumn Rain

When Washington’s skies turn gray and the air cools, a warm café becomes more than a stop for coffee. It’s a place to pause, dry off, and enjoy something simple. Across the...

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7 Iconic Fast Food Joints in Pennsylvania That Locals Still Love

Pennsylvania has plenty of big national chains, but locals often point to homegrown spots that shaped the way they eat on the go. These restaurants built loyal followings with...

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9 Florida Restaurants Serving Steaks Way Better Than You’d Expect

Picture this: You walk into a restaurant expecting the usual Florida steak, maybe decent, possibly chewy, definitely overpriced. Then your fork hits the plate, and suddenly you’re...

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10 Florida Road Trips That Show a Different Side of the State

People think they know Florida. They picture mouse ears, retirees, and neon drinks sweating by the pool. But you and I both know Florida is the friend who texts you at 2 AM with...

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A Glimpse Into Everyday Life in Montana’s Hidden Ranching Communities

Montana’s wide-open spaces are often celebrated for their beauty, but tucked between mountain ranges and rolling plains are small ranching communities that quietly carry on traditions...

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5 Popular Hawaii Hikes That Aren’t Worth the Crowds, According to Locals

Hiking in Hawaii brings the promise of lush valleys, dramatic cliffs, and ocean vistas that travelers dream about. But not every well-known trail delivers a peaceful day outdoors....

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5 Scenic Rail Rides Through Vermont’s Fall Colors You’ll Never Forget

Vermont’s fall season is famous for fiery reds, glowing oranges, and golden yellows that sweep across its rolling hills. One of the best ways to take it all in is from a train...

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DC Weather Alert: Thunderstorms Tuesday, Wet Week Ahead

September in Washington, DC, often brings unpredictable weather. This week, the capital is experiencing classic Mid-Atlantic conditions: high humidity, scattered storms, and rain...

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9 New York City’s Impossible to Book Restaurants Everyone Talks About

New York has more restaurants than you could ever try in a lifetime, but a handful stand out for being almost impossible to get into. These are the spots friends ask about, the...

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7 Florida Day Trips Perfect for Families Who Love Food

Florida is often about beaches and theme parks, but some of the most memorable days I’ve had in the state revolve around food. A good meal, a market stop, or a small-town specialty...

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A Historical Stroll Through Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine

Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine, Iowa, isn’t just another graveyard, it’s a living record of the state’s journey from the 1800s to now. Every time I visit, I notice how the...

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8 Small Art Fairs in Upstate New York

Upstate New York has a way of blending community and creativity. Beyond the big city shows, smaller art fairs pop up in towns and villages, giving local artists a stage and visitors...

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Article
California Diner That’s Legendary and Easy on the Wallet

There’s something charming about stepping into Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner in Yermo, California. Sitting right off Route 66, this spot feels like a time capsule from a different...

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8 Historic Virginia Villages Perfect for a Day Trip

Virginia’s backroads hide more than just scenic beauty, they shelter stories. Over the years, I’ve journeyed through dozens of small villages, and some have lingered in my...

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