zara wells author at My Family Travels
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9 Oregon Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants Locals Claim Are Better Than Fancy Places

Oregon locals know something that many tourists miss. The best meals in the state often come from the smallest kitchens, where family recipes and honest cooking matter more than...

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This Hidden Oregon Sushi Spot Is a Local Favorite for Good Reason

A rainy Tuesday pushed me off my usual dinner routine and straight into Miyamoto, and nothing about my sushi standards has been the same since. From the outside, this little spot...

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9 Lesser Known Oregon Places That Are Still Under the Radar

Oregon has so many incredible places that tourists flock to every year, but I've discovered some spots that most people drive right past without even knowing they exist. I've spent...

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This Oregon Jet Boat Adventure Reveals Scenery Most People Never Get to See

Gold Beach sits along Oregon's southern coastline where the Rogue River meets the Pacific, and most visitors never see beyond the highway viewpoints.

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Oregon Locals Keep Showing Up to These Places for One Reason

Oregon holds a special kind of magic that keeps locals coming back to the same cherished places year after year, and it's not about following tourist brochures or chasing viral...

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This 2.8-Mile Trail Might Be One of the Most Unique Hiking Experiences in Oregon

Walking on metal grates suspended over a rushing river feels like a scene straight out of an adventure movie. Your footsteps clang against steel, the sound of whitewater roars...

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This Historic Restaurant in Oregon Will Take You Back to the 1800s

Gold Rush history comes alive every time you walk through the doors of the Jacksonville Inn Restaurant in Jacksonville, Oregon. This 1861 building has weathered fires, rebuilds,...

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Oregon’s Best-Kept Mac and Cheese Secret Lies in the Woods

Finding extraordinary comfort food in the mountains often means stumbling upon places that locals guard fiercely. Skyway Bar...

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This Tiny Oregon Town Is a Lesser-Known February Paradise for Adventure Seekers

Joseph, Oregon sits at the edge of something spectacular. This tiny mountain town, home to just over a thousand residents, transforms into a winter wonderland every February when...

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Hike This Oregon Path and You Might Spot Majestic Elk in the Wild

A photographer friend would not stop talking about this trail. Dramatic cliffs. Wild coastal light. Roosevelt elk wandering through open meadows like they pay property taxes.

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Even If You’re Not in Portland, This Oregon Food Spot Will Blow Your Mind

Albany might not be on your radar when you think about Oregon's food scene, but that's about to change. Tucked into a historic building downtown sits a restaurant that's been quietly...

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This Haunted Gold Dredge Is Full of Ghostly Legends Locals Can’t Explain

I stood on the weathered deck of the Sumpter Valley Gold Dredge, and a chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the Oregon mountain air. This massive floating factory...

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This Secret Oregon Underground Tour Takes You Back to the Old West

Walk down 31 SW Emigrant Ave in Pendleton, and you might pass right by one of the most captivating historical experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

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You’ll Never Guess Which Oregon Town Locals Call “Heaven on Earth”

I still remember the first time I rounded the bend on Highway 101 and caught sight of Cannon Beach. The Pacific stretched endlessly before me, and rising from the surf stood Haystack...

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This Little Oregon Lodge Makes Pie That Turns Into a Destination

I stumbled upon Beckie's Café during a road trip to Crater Lake, and instantly knew I had discovered something special. Tucked into the forest near Prospect, Oregon, this charming...

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This Oregon’s Ultimate Mac and Cheese Joint Lets You Create Comfort Food Perfection

I wandered into MAC'D in Portland one random night, and it completely blew my mind. This isn’t your grandma’s baked casserole or some overpriced fancy version you can barely...

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This Oregon Hike Takes You Deep Into a Magical Lava Tube Wonderland

Exploring caves in Oregon has become a bit of an obsession, but nothing has stopped me in my tracks quite like Boyd Cave. Hidden in the Deschutes National Forest just outside Bend,...

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This Oregon Restaurant Is Perfect for a Valentine’s Day You’ll Actually Remember

Chasing unforgettable meals across Oregon has taken me to a lot of tables, but Le Pigeon in Portland feels like it exists in a league of its own. Tucked into the Buckman neighborhood...

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These Oregon Restaurants Run Out Of Food Almost Every Day in February (For All The Good Reasons)

In Oregon, February turns the dining scene into a full-on race against the clock. While most restaurants quietly wait for customers during the slow winter months, a select few...

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Unlimited Plates, Zero Regrets at This Oregon All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Favorite

The smell of sizzling meat hit before the door even closed behind me, and suddenly dinner felt less like a meal and more like a night out. K-pop thumped through the room, grills...

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This Oregon Furniture Store Makes Handcrafted Amish Pieces Worth Every Penny

Stepping into Amish Traditions in Beaverton, the first thing that hits you is the smell of real wood - the kind of solid hardwood scent you just don’t get in big box stores....

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This Hidden Boardwalk in Oregon Lets You Wander Among Towering Giants

A rainy morning drive down the Oregon Coast led me to the Rockaway Big Tree Boardwalk Trail, and it completely changed my idea of accessible outdoor adventures. This 1.2-mile boardwalk...

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This Oregon Train Serves Gourmet Meals as You Cruise Through Breathtaking Canyons

I hopped aboard the Santiam Excursion Trains in Lebanon, Oregon, and immediately knew this wasn’t your average train ride. Imagine gliding through the stunning Santiam Canyon...

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This Oregon Coast Seafood Stop Is Smoking in the Best Possible Way

I stumbled onto South Beach Fish Market on a foggy Oregon morning, and the moment I caught a whiff of hickory smoke drifting across Highway 101, I slammed on the brakes.

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Oregon’s Charming Beach Town Perfect for Budget-Friendly Escapes

I fell hard for Manzanita the first time I kicked off my shoes and walked that endless stretch of sand. This tiny Oregon coastal town has everything I crave: ocean air, mountain...

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8 Oregon Places Tourists Ruined and Locals Still Aren’t Over It

Oregon has always been a treasure trove of natural wonders, from rugged coastlines to ancient geological formations that tell stories millions of years old. Locals have cherished...

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6 Oregon All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants That Are Basically a Food Lover’s Dream

Oregon has become a paradise for anyone who loves eating until their heart and stomach are completely satisfied. From the bustling streets of Portland to the scenic coastal towns,...

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10 Unassuming Oregon Restaurants That Don’t Look Like Much Until You Taste Them

I have spent years exploring every corner of Oregon, and I can tell you that some of the best meals I have ever had came from places that looked like they might serve mediocre...

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Oregonians Will Drive Miles for the Pancakes at This Retro 1950s Diner

I stepped into the Blue Moon Diner at 20167 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy in Beaverton, Oregon, and felt like I had slipped straight into 1955. The chrome gleamed in the morning sun,...

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Oregon Locals Swear by the Cinnamon Rolls at This Humble Little Restaurant

I'll never forget the first time I walked into Otis Cafe and caught a whiff of those legendary cinnamon rolls baking in the back. My stomach literally growled so loud the person...

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This Small Oregon Café Draws Crowds From Across the State for Its Eggs Benedict

Tucked along Highway 26 in the tiny mountain community of Rhododendron, Oregon, sits a legendary breakfast spot that has earned a cult following across the Pacific Northwest.

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Oregon’s Humble BBQ Spot Serves the Most Delicious Pulled Pork Around

Tucked away in Milwaukie, Oregon, sits a BBQ joint that's rewriting the rules of smoked meat perfection. The Smoking Jay has quietly earned a reputation as one of the Pacific Northwest's...

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These 9 Oregon Trails That Reveal Secret Views Only Locals Know

Oregon holds treasures far beyond the crowded tourist hotspots, tucked away on trails that wind through forests, canyons, and coastlines most visitors never discover.

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These Oregon Restaurants Locals Know Are Worth Waiting For

Oregon has earned a reputation as a foodie paradise, where culinary creativity meets fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients in every bite.

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9 Unassuming Oregon Restaurants With Incredibly Fresh Seafood

Oregon's rugged coastline stretches for over 360 miles, offering some of the freshest seafood in the entire Pacific Northwest. From...

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This Legendary Oregon Burger Joint Is Hidden Inside an Airplane Hangar

Tucked away in the small town of Boring, Oregon, near Damascus, sits a burger joint that locals have been raving about for over three decades. Carver Hangar isn't your typical...

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These Oregon Burger Places Locals Can’t Stop Recommending

Oregon knows how to do burgers right, and locals have spoken loud and clear about where to find the absolute best patties in the state. From juicy, dry-aged beef melting under...

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These Oregon Restaurants Feed the Same Locals Over and Over Again

Oregon has built its reputation on fresh ingredients, creative chefs, and a food scene that refuses to follow trends blindly. From the bustling streets of Portland to quiet coastal...

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These 9 Unassuming Stops in Oregon Locals Pair With a Good Meal

Oregon holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers who know where to look beyond the glossy restaurant guides and tourist traps.

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These 10 Oregon Towns Look Normal But Hide the Best Local Spots

Oregon doesn't always shout about its treasures. While big cities grab headlines, some of the state's most memorable experiences...

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These 10 Quiet Places in Oregon Locals Visit When They Need a Reset

Oregon has a way of making you feel like you're the only person left on earth. While tourists flock to Crater Lake and Cannon Beach, locals slip away to lesser-known corners where...

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These 9 Small Oregon Museums Locals Actually Enjoy

Oregon hides some of the most fascinating and unusual museums you've probably never heard of, tucked away in small towns and unexpected corners of the state.

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These 10 Places in Oregon Look Forgettable on the Map – Locals Know Better

Oregon doesn't always show its best cards at first glance. Sprawled across diverse terrain from coast to high desert, this state harbors countless spots that barely register as...

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9 Small Oregon Restaurants Worth Driving a Few Hours For

Oregon's culinary landscape stretches far beyond the bustling streets of Portland, hiding remarkable dining experiences in small towns and coastal villages that reward adventurous...

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These 10 Places in Oregon Visitors Overlook but Locals Appreciate

You think you know Oregon, then a back road bends and the map goes quiet, and the state reveals something softer and wilder than the headlines ever promise.

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10 Once-Popular Places in Oregon That Were Left Behind

Oregon tells its stories in places time forgot, where wind moves through boardwalks and moss guards the last names on weathered signs.

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Michigan Attractions Many Locals Tend To Avoid

You love Michigan, and so do I, but not every buzzworthy spot is worth your time when crowds take over. Locals learn the rhythms of the state and quietly steer toward calmer corners...

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These Are 10 Portland Cafés Only Locals Really Know

You came to Oregon for the big names, yet the soul of Portland hums quietly inside the cafés locals guard like secrets. Slip...

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These Are 11 Places Locals Go for the Perfect Chowder

You are here for Oregon chowder, and locals are not shy about pointing you to the real-deal bowls that warm you from the docks to the dunes.

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These 11 Buffet Restaurants Across Oregon Are Local Favorites

Oregon’s buffet scene is diverse, lively, and shaped by neighborhoods that love to gather around a long table. You will...

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