violet carter author at My Family Travels
Article
The Haunted Missouri Resort That Still Smells of Perfume and Cigars

Missouri’s Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs blends elegant architecture with stories that linger in the nose as much as the mind. Visitors still report traces of floral...

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Why Everyone’s Traveling to This Wisconsin Village for Its Old Fashioned Winter Magic

Cedarburg, Wisconsin turns cold months into a living postcard, and travelers are catching on. Historic mills glow under string lights, side streets stay calm, and the village builds...

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10 Hidden Harbors In Maine Where Lobster Is A Way Of Life

Ah, Maine! Where the wind whispers secrets of the sea, and every harbor is a hidden gem. If you're looking for lobster (and let's be honest, who isn't?), these ten delightful spots...

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10 Seafood Buffets That Define Delaware’s Coast

Delaware's coastline is a seafood lover's dream come true. From crispy shrimp to succulent crabs, the state's seafood scene is as vibrant as a summer's day. Join me as I explore...

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10 Oregon Cities That Look Boring But Hide Strange Energy

Oregon boasts a tapestry of cities that, at first glance, might seem like just another spot on the map. Yet, beneath their mundane facades lies a peculiar vibe waiting to be uncovered....

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10 Georgia Coastal Fish Shacks Every Traveler Must Visit

Pack your appetite and your sense of adventure because we're taking a whirlwind tour of Georgia's vibrant coastal fish shacks! Each of these hidden gems offers not just a meal...

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10 Tennessee Towns With Halloween Vibes You Won’t Forget

If you're itching for a Halloween adventure that will haunt your memories in the best way possible, Tennessee's towns offer a spooky charm that's unmatched. From ghostly gatherings...

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Minnesota Travelers Are Doing This One Thing Right When Booking Flights

Minnesota travelers have cracked a smart, repeatable system for booking flights out of Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, and it is paying off with better routes and...

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10 Hidden Halloween Getaways in Virginia Locals Keep to Themselves

Virginia hides its best Halloween retreats behind quiet lanes, mountain folds, and coastal bends that locals hesitate to share. If you crave foggy mornings, creaking porch steps,...

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10 Utah’s Weirdest Laws Visitors Can’t Stop Accidentally Breaking

Utah mixes red rock drama with a legal code full of curveballs, and travelers often learn about them the awkward way. From snowball limits in college towns to rules about clouds,...

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The Indiana Neighborhood That Turns Into a Full Blown Halloween Carnival

I travel for neighborhood stories, and Irvington’s Halloween week keeps drawing me back. This Indianapolis community turns everyday blocks into a thoughtful, creative carnival...

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7 Classic American Diners in Illinois Open 24 Hours for Every Traveler

Like a sun-chaser following the last rays of light, I pursue late-night pancakes, a habit Illinois readily accommodates with its endless, round-the-clock diners. If you crave a...

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The Montana Restaurant Road Trippers Swear Has the Best Bison Meatloaf

I chase road food that feels rooted in a place, and Montana keeps pulling me back. Bison meatloaf sounds simple, yet it tells a story of ranches, open ranges, and cooks who care....

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8 Hidden Lobster Counters in Rhode Island Locals Don’t Want Tourists Finding

I chase lobster counters that stay just under the radar, the kind locals whisper about after a beach day. This list blends working docks, classic shacks, and a few unconventional...

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The Tiny North Carolina Beach Shack That Serves Fish Tacos Locals Call Addictive

I chase small coastal spots where the menu stays tight and the flavors feel personal. On Surf City’s main drag, I found a tiny North Carolina beach shack that locals swear by...

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Why Oregon’s Harbor Markets Are a Hidden Paradise for Seafood Lovers

If you love seafood and haven’t yet explored Oregon’s harbor-side markets along the coast, you’re missing out. These lesser-publicised gems offer an experience that combines...

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10 Most Boring Places in Hawaii That Are Weirdly Peaceful

Here are 10 unusually quiet spots in Hawai'i, they may lack major tourist hype, but they offer a kind of peacefulness you might welcome. “Boring” here means low-activity, under...

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The BBQ Ribs at This Colorado Tavern Are So Good, Tourists Make Detours for Them

If you’re driving through Colorado and craving barbecue worth rearranging your route for, I suggest pulling off at Piggin’ Out Smokehouse in Lakewood. The full-rack ribs keep...

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The Utah Smokehouse Serving Brisket Mac and Cheese Worth the Calories

Utah might be better known for mountains than barbecue, but R&R Barbecue, a fast-casual chain that started at its flagship in downtown Salt Lake City, changed that reputation....

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7 Secret Thrift Corners in Nebraska Every Bargain Hunter Should Know

Nebraska’s secondhand scene doesn’t scream for attention, but locals know it hides some of the best deals in the Midwest. From small-town basements to community-run barns,...

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Why California Locals Don’t Go Near the Beaches Anymore

California’s beaches built the state’s image, surfboards, sunsets, and endless summer. But talk to longtime residents, and you’ll hear a quieter truth: many don’t spend...

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10 Most Boring Cities in Montana That Have Unexpected Quirks

Montana’s wide-open spaces are famous, but not every town buzzes with nightlife or tourism. Some places move at their own quiet rhythm, calm, steady, and often overlooked. Yet...

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What Alaska Locals Say About Tourists Who Think the Sun Never Sets

Every summer, travelers arrive in Alaska expecting endless daylight. Locals understand why. The idea of a sun that never sets sounds mythical, yet the daily rhythm tells a more...

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This Arkansas BBQ Spot Serves Brisket That Locals Call “Dangerous”

I came to Johnson for one thing and found a lot more. The smoke led me to Wright’s Barbecue, where locals warned me it might ruin other brisket for me. They were right, and I...

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The Hidden Anger Locals in California Feel Toward Tourists Who Never Leave

I love showing friends around California, but I also hear locals whisper the same complaint after the crowds depart. The strain builds when visitors settle in forever-peak mode...

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10 Abandoned Places In Oregon That Went Viral And Are Worth Seeing

Oregon, my adventurous friends, is a treasure trove of abandoned wonders. From shipwrecks to ghost towns, the Beaver State offers a curious blend of history and mystery wrapped...

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Massachusetts Man’s Flight Panic After Watch Sends Shocking Luggage Alert

A routine hop turned into a heart-pounder when a smartwatch flashed the worst possible message: your suitcase was left behind. In the tight cabin air, a single alert spiraled into...

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Vegas Hotel Sparks Outrage With Controversial Mini Bar Policy

Vegas hotels promise spectacle, but it’s the tiny fridge that’s stealing the show, and the headlines. A wave of controversial minibar policies has travelers feeling nickeled-and-dimed...

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10 Hidden Michigan Steakhouses Worth the Drive Tonight

I chase great steaks the way some folks chase sunsets. Michigan keeps surprising me with rooms that sizzle, servers who care, and cuts that live up to the drive. Tonight might...

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10 Secret Hiking Trails in Colorado Known Only to Locals

I chase quiet trails where my boots find more grouse tracks than footprints. Colorado still holds pockets of calm if you know where to look and plan with care. I pulled these routes...

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Meet the Nebraska Town With Only One Resident, Run by an 89 Year Old Woman

What does it take to keep a town alive when everyone else has gone? In Monowi, Nebraska, the answer is Elsie Eiler, a woman whose persistence, humor, and habit sustain a place...

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10 Essential Tips For Exploring Alcatraz Island Like A Pro

Alcatraz Island isn't just a former federal prison; it's a treasure trove of history floating in San Francisco Bay. I've visited 'The Rock' more times than I can count, and let...

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7 Best Old School Diners in Texas Worth Hitting the Road For

I chase roadside breakfasts and counter-stool stories across Texas, and I never get tired of the hunt. Old school diners reveal more than menus. They show how a community eats,...

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Travelers Flock To This Beachside Shack In Florida For The Freshest Shrimp

Florida’s coastline is packed with culinary gems, but The Shrimp Shack & Boardwalk Bar stands out for its unbelievably fresh shrimp and breezy beachside charm. This local...

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California Locals Are Tired of These Tourist Habits, And Honestly, We Get It

California is a dream destination for many, with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities. But for those who call the Golden State home, the influx of tourists can sometimes...

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Travel Alert: Big Weather Shifts Coming to Ohio’s Miami Valley This Week

Heads up: the Miami Valley region of Ohio is about to flip the script on its forecast. I’m tracking quick changes that can trip up even seasoned travelers, and I want you ready...

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8 Vermont Fast Food Spots Tourists Hardly Ever Discover

I chase the quick bites Vermonters love, the ones most visitors miss while rushing to the bigger names. These spots move fast, keep it local, and deliver comfort without fuss....

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6 Ways Tourism Changed Ohio’s Natural Beauty

Ohio’s natural beauty is one of its greatest treasures, from the sandstone cliffs of Hocking Hills to the quiet wetlands of the Lake Erie region. But as tourism continues to...

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7 Ways Kansas Lost Its Small Town Charm to Tourism

Kansas’s small towns have long embodied a slower rhythm of life, a place where stories were shared across porches and main streets echoed with familiarity. Yet, in recent years,...

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7 Hidden Casual Dining Gems in Pennsylvania Tourists Rarely See

Pennsylvania holds plenty of surprises for food lovers willing to venture just a little off the beaten path. In my travels across the state, I’ve discovered that some of the...

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8 Hidden Vegan Dessert Spots in Illinois That Everyone Needs to Visit

There’s a certain magic to tracking down vegan desserts in Illinois that feel like your own secret discovery. As someone who’s always on the hunt for plant-based sweets, I...

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7 Florida Beach Towns Locals Avoid After Tourists Turned Them Into Party Zones

Florida has always called to sunseekers, but not every stretch of sand has stayed serene. After years of growing tourism, some beach towns have shifted from laid-back escapes to...

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7 Fall Outdoor Concerts in New York State

There’s something about music under open skies that makes fall in New York State feel unforgettable. With a chill in the air and leaves turning, outdoor concerts take on a special...

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Why Hawaii’s Secret Beaches Aren’t Secret Anymore

Everyone dreams of stumbling across a quiet shoreline in Hawaii, tucked away from the crowds and concrete. I’ve watched these secret beaches change first-hand over the years,...

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8 Ohio Middle Eastern Food Spots That Surprise Every Traveler

Ohio’s Middle Eastern food scene always manages to catch me off guard. Wandering through cities from Cleveland to Athens, I’ve stumbled across kitchens that turn humble ingredients...

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7 Iconic Georgia Dishes Travelers Can’t Stop Talking About

Food tells the story of a place, and in Georgia, every dish feels like a memory waiting to be made. I’ve hit roadside stands, family cafes, and city staples all across the state,...

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One Day Train Trip in Maine Just To Taste Fresh Lobster Rolls

If you love the idea of chasing Maine’s freshest lobster rolls by train, you’re in the right place. My trek from Boston to Maine came down to smart planning and a deep love...

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Popcorn Traditions That Turn Illinois Into a Travel Worthy Food State

Illinois has a deep connection to popcorn. The state consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top producers of corn, and popcorn shops have long been part of local food culture....

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Spot the Hot Pink VW Vans in Wynwood, And Hop On for Free

Florida never fails to surprise me, but the hot pink Volkswagen vans cruising through Wynwood might take the cake for the most unexpected sight yet. As a travel writer always on...

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7 Bizarre Roadside Attractions in Kentucky That Defy Logic

You know that moment on a backroad when you spot something so strange you have to slow down, double-check your GPS, and wonder if you just time-warped into someone else’s fever...

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