sophia wells author at My Family Travels
Article
This Controversial Monument in Texas Still Stands and Sparks Heated Debate Even in 2026

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first heard about Confederate Memorial Plaza in Anderson, Texas. The name alone carries weight, the kind that makes you pause and wonder what...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Texas Vintage Store Is Packed With Rare Collectibles and Incredible Finds

I wasn't expecting much when I first pulled into the small parking lot on Garland Road, but the moment I stepped through the door at Curiosities Antiques, everything changed.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Texas Town Offers Quiet Trails and Scenic Views Few Tourists Know About

I first heard about Bandera from a friend who swore it was the kind of place that reminded her why she loved Texas in the first place. Tucked into the Hill Country about an hour...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Texas Amish Store Sells Food Made From Scratch That’s Worth the Drive

I almost skipped this stop because it sounded too random to be real. An Amish cheese shop in Montgomery, Texas did not exactly line up with my expectations of a Texas food run.

Read More    6 min read

Article
People Across Texas Keep Coming Back to This Massive Thrift Store

I wasn't expecting much when I pulled into the parking lot off Williams Street in Rockwall, honestly. Another thrift store, another afternoon of browsing through racks that might...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Unpretentious Texas Cafe Has a Chicken Fried Steak That Steals the Show

Town Cafe is the kind of place you only find if you are paying attention. Sitting right off Highway 75 in Centerville, it does not look flashy or loud, but the full parking lot...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Massive Texas Thrift Store Has Deals That Justify a Long Drive

Texas Thrift Windcrest is one of those places where you walk in confident you will “just look” and then completely lose track of time. It is huge, like genuinely overwhelming...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Small Texas Town Feels Like a Secret You’ll Want to Keep for Yourself

Salado feels like the kind of place you accidentally fall in love with. One minute you are driving through Central Texas, the next you are slowing down without even trying, wandering...

Read More    8 min read

Article
8 Texas Restaurants Worth Booking Ahead for Valentine’s Day

Planning a Valentine’s Day dinner in Texas is not for the indecisive. I have learned the hard way that the best spots book up fast, and waiting too long usually ends with a backup...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Secret Texas Diner That Food Lovers Are Driving Miles to Reach

Strawn, Texas is tiny enough that you could blink and miss it, which makes what happens inside Mary’s Cafe even more ridiculous in the best way. I am talking about a place that...

Read More    6 min read

Article
These 10 Unassuming Texas Restaurants Serves Some of the Freshest Seafood in the State

Texas gets all the credit for barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the coastline is where some of my most memorable meals have happened. With more than 350 miles along the Gulf, there is...

Read More    10 min read

Article
This Texas Hidden Flea Market Features 500+ Vendors and Endless Food Options

Bussey’s Flea Market is one of those places where you tell yourself you are just stopping by, then realize hours have passed. Sitting right off Interstate 35 in Schertz, it feels...

Read More    9 min read

Article
8 Off-the-Radar State Parks in Texas You’ve Probably Never Heard Of but Should Visit

Texas is huge, and for a long time I thought I had a pretty good handle on its outdoor scene. Turns out I was barely touching it. Everyone...

Read More    7 min read

Article
You Have to Try the Biscuits and Gravy at This Little Texas Spot

I’ve learned that if a breakfast place has a line before the sun is fully up, it’s either wildly overrated or absolutely worth it; and Texas Sunrise is firmly in the second...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This 104.6-Acre Park in Texas Remains a Well-Kept Secret

Tucked along the winding Blanco River in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Blanco State Park at 101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, TX 78606 offers travelers a refreshing escape from the bustle...

Read More    8 min read

Article
A Charming and Affordable Texas Town You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Tucked into the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Kerrville sits alongside the clear, winding Guadalupe River, offering travelers a slice of small-town charm without the tourist...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Texas Seafood Buffet Is Locals-Only Secret

Tucked away in the heart of Houston on South Loop West, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen has been drawing travelers and locals alike into its warm embrace for years. This isn't your...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Colorful Texas Landmark Makes Absolutely No Sense and That’s the Point

Tucked away on Munger Street in Houston's East End sits one of Texas's most wonderfully weird destinations: The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.

Read More    6 min read

Article
Texas Landmarks Locals Will Protect at All Costs

Texas doesn't just love its landmarks. It guards them like family heirlooms, ready to fight tooth and nail to keep them standing tall.

Read More    9 min read

Article
Texas Towns Where Tourists Say They Always Get the Worst Experience

Texas is a state known for its sprawling landscapes, rich history, and proud culture, but not every corner of the Lone Star State lives up to the hype.

Read More    9 min read

Article
Texas Mom-and-Pop Diners That Put Chain Restaurants to Shame

When those big chain restaurants start feeling a little too predictable, it's time to hit the back roads of Texas and discover where the real magic happens.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Texas Museum Gives Visitors the Rare Chance to Drive a 32-Ton Tank

Deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country, where cattle ranches meet military history, sits one of the most unusual attractions in the Lone Star State.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Small Texas Towns Locals Say Feel Like a Time Capsule

Texas stretches wide across the American South, a land where endless horizons meet rolling hills, dusty plains, and rivers that wind through centuries of stories.

Read More    10 min read

Article
This Enchanting Texas Eatery Is A Living Disney Movie Come To Life

Ever wonder what it would feel like to step through the screen and dine inside your favorite childhood fantasy? The Magic Time Machine in Dallas delivers exactly that kind of enchantment,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Famous Texas Places That Somehow Avoid the Crowds

Texas stretches across nearly 270,000 square miles, and within that vast expanse lie countless treasures that most travelers never discover.

Read More    10 min read

Article
The Texas Buffet Locals Quietly Hope Never Goes Viral

Tucked along Northwest Loop 410 in San Antonio sits a buffet that's become a quiet sanctuary for locals who know exactly what they want: endless variety, honest comfort food, and...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Most Expensive Restaurants in Texas and Which Locals Actually Recommend

Texas has become a powerhouse for fine dining, drawing food lovers from across the country to experience some of the most extraordinary meals money can buy.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Texas Town Has a Reputation Locals Don’t Try to Fix

Odessa sits in the heart of West Texas, a place where oil derricks punctuate endless skies and desert winds carry stories of boom-and-bust cycles.

Read More    6 min read

Article
Affordable Texas Cities That Don’t Feel Cheap at All

Texas stretches across a landscape so vast and varied that it feels like several states rolled into one. From rolling Hill...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Texas Diner Locals Say Has the Best Chicken-Fried Steak in the State

Tucked away in the tiny town of Strawn, Texas, along Interstate 20 between Fort Worth and Abilene, sits a legendary roadside eatery that has travelers planning detours and locals...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Texas Town Locals Say You Either Love or Hate

Nestled along the banks of the Brazos River in Central Texas, Waco has become one of the state's most talked-about destinations, sparking passionate opinions from visitors and...

Read More    9 min read

Article
These Texas Views Made Me Pull Over More Times Than I Can Count

Texas stretches out like a living canvas, painting the horizon with colors and landscapes that shift from desert gold to emerald valleys in just a few hours of driving.

Read More    8 min read

Article
These Texas Small Towns Prove Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Texas stretches across vast landscapes where wide open spaces meet centuries of history, and hidden among its sprawling terrain are small towns that capture the heart of the Lone...

Read More    10 min read

Article
The Texas Back Roads Locals Use to Escape Busy Tourist Areas

Texas is a land of contrasts, where sprawling cities meet endless horizons and hidden gems lie tucked between well-worn highways. While...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Hidden Texas Brunch Spots Locals Flock To When Winter Sets In

Winter in Texas brings a special kind of magic to the brunch scene, where locals know exactly where to find warmth, comfort, and unforgettable flavors.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Colorado Ski Towns Often Overlooked but Worth a Weekend

Colorado's mountain landscape stretches across the Rockies with a collection of ski towns that offer far more than downhill runs and chairlifts.

Read More    10 min read

Article
7 Quiet Mountain Lakes in Idaho Well Suited to a Weekend Away

Idaho's mountain wilderness holds some of the most peaceful waters you'll ever encounter, tucked between towering peaks and dense forests that seem untouched by time.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This 24-Hour Oklahoma Diner Captures the Spirit of the Classic American Road Trip

Route 66 memories come alive along Northwest Expressway, where Beverly's Pancake House has welcomed hungry travelers since its doors first opened to Oklahoma City's road warriors.

Read More    11 min read

Article
These Small Oregon Towns Are Well Suited to a Quiet Winter Weekend

Oregon offers a special kind of magic during winter when the crowds disappear and small towns reveal their peaceful character. Snow-dusted...

Read More    8 min read

Article
San Francisco, California Neighborhoods That Feel Different Under Heavy Tourist Pressure

San Francisco stands as one of California's most beloved cities, where Victorian homes climb steep hills and fog rolls through the Golden Gate like a living thing.

Read More    11 min read

Article
These New Jersey Shore Spots Are the Ones Locals Say Tourism Has Overtaken

The New Jersey Shore has long been a beloved escape for families, beachgoers, and adventure seekers looking to soak up the sun and surf.

Read More    9 min read

Article
These 9 Oregon Pizza Restaurants Keep the Focus on Simple Ingredients and Real Flavor

Oregon has become a destination for pizza lovers who appreciate the beauty of simplicity. Across the state, from coastal towns...

Read More    9 min read

Article
Oregon’s Best Breakfast Places Where Mornings Are Treated With Real Care

Oregon has earned a reputation as a state where breakfast is more than just the first meal of the day. From the bustling streets...

Read More    10 min read

Article
7 Wisconsin All-You-Can-Eat Buffets That Stay Packed With Locals

Wisconsin knows how to do comfort food right, and nowhere is that more obvious than at the all-you-can-eat buffets scattered across the state.

Read More    7 min read

Article
8 Chicago Restaurants Locals Love That Tourists Usually Overlook

Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, but the city's best food stories often unfold in neighborhood spots where locals gather and tourists rarely wander.

Read More    8 min read

Article
Your Choice of Arizona Towns Says a Lot About You as a Traveler

Arizona is more than just desert landscapes and scorching summers. This southwestern state is home to charming towns that range...

Read More    8 min read

Article
8 Tennessee Stops Where Comfort Food Hits Different in Winter

When the cold winds sweep through Tennessee's valleys and mountains, there's nothing quite like settling into a cozy restaurant booth with a plate of soul-warming Southern cooking....

Read More    7 min read

Article
12 Native American Cultural Sites Across Arizona Worth Visiting

Arizona holds some of the most remarkable Native American cultural sites in the entire United States, where ancient civilizations left behind breathtaking cliff dwellings, sacred...

Read More    13 min read

Article
This Wisconsin River Gorge Feels Larger Than Life

Nestled in the Baraboo Hills of south-central Wisconsin, Devil's Lake State Park stands as one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the Midwest.

Read More    8 min read

Article
An Oregon Mountain Lodge With Castle-Like Architecture and Setting

High on the slopes of Mount Hood, where snowfields meet ancient forests, stands a lodge that looks like it was pulled straight from a storybook.

Read More    8 min read