zara wells author at My Family Travels
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11 Affordable and Beautiful Small Towns to Live in Pennsylvania

You are ready for a place that feels friendly, looks charming, and keeps life affordable without cutting out what matters. Pennsylvania is packed with small towns where community...

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Why Travelers Drive Across Illinois This Winter for Cozy Pit-Stops

Experience the charm of Illinois this winter with cozy pit-stops that highlight comfort food, nostalgic attractions, and scenic drives.

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The Forgotten Oklahoma Village Where Time Never Moved On

Picher, Oklahoma sits in the far northeast corner of the state like a cautionary postcard that never faded. You come for the ghostly quiet, the towering chat piles, and the way...

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This Oregon Coast Town Wins Hearts Right Away

Manzanita in Oregon draws you in the moment the wind carries the salt air down Laneda Avenue. The beach opens wide, the mountain rises behind it, and every corner feels tailored...

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11 Montana Destinations Locals Believe Tourism Has Transformed

Montana feels different when the crowds arrive, and locals will tell you exactly where the changes show up first. You can sense it on the sidewalks, in the trailhead parking lots,...

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Quiet Wyoming Mountain Town Near Grand Teton With Outdoor Charm

Alpine, Wyoming feels like a secret the Tetons quietly keep, a peaceful base where mountain light pours over rivers and red rock. You get the grandeur without the clamor, with...

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This Oregon Lakeside Escape Feels Like a World Apart

Tucked among the evergreens of southern Oregon, Lake of the Woods Resort feels like a small, breathing pause in a noisy calendar. The shoreline hush, the gentle chop of the lake,...

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10 Small Towns in Michigan That Feel Effortlessly Charming

Michigan rewards curious travelers with towns that feel handcrafted for wandering, each one offering a different vibe without trying too hard. You get storybook streets, waterfront...

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This Mountain Valley Town in California Feels Like a Hidden World

Tucked in a high valley of the Eastern Sierra, Bridgeport, California feels like a secret you stumble upon after the map runs out. The streets stay quiet, mountains fold around...

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10 Quirky Michigan Attractions Most People Don’t Know About

Michigan rewards curiosity with oddball wonders tucked between forests, lakes, and small towns. You will find places where gravity plays tricks, vintage machines clatter to life,...

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How a Once-Unnoticed Texas Town Became Home to the State’s Largest Food Truck Festival

You might not expect a quiet North Texas town to host a festival that fills a historic square with bright trucks and bigger smiles, but Graham pulls it off with ease. The Food...

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10 Maryland Bay Towns Locals Still Treat Like a Working Harbor, Not a Destination

You might picture resort crowds when you think of the Chesapeake, but Maryland still shelters harbors where the work never stopped. Nets dry on rails, diesel hums at dawn, and...

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10 Rhode Island Villages Hiding Just Beyond the Tourist Coastline

Slip past the busy boardwalks and you will find Rhode Island at its most authentic, tucked inside villages where stone walls, mill ponds, and small town porches tell the story...

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Texas Delivers a Stunning Holiday Experience at Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas glows like a beacon for festive fun in the Dallas Fort Worth area, and every corner feels tailor made for your memories. You step into...

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10 Nebraska Small Towns Transformed Into Crowded Hotspots Locals No Longer Enjoy

Nebraska keeps surprising travelers who think only of endless prairie, because its small towns now pulse with festivals, trails, and scenic rivers. You will find postcard streets...

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Massachusetts Turns Boston’s Holiday Market Into a Must-Visit Seasonal Sensation

Boston’s holiday season feels brighter the moment the markets flicker on, and you sense it the second you step toward Seaport or SoWa. Massachusetts pulls the city together with...

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Colorado Turns the Broadmoor Into a Holiday Light Spectacle Worth the Trip

Holiday lights change how you feel about a place, and at The Broadmoor they turn winter into a story you can walk through. You will come for the glow and stay for the little discoveries,...

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11 Oregon Small Towns That Truly Shine in Winter

Winter in Oregon transforms small towns into quiet escapes, where forests hush under snow and the ocean puts on a dramatic show. You get mountain views, historic streets, and coastal...

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Step Into the Pennsylvania Village Frozen in Time

Step into Eckley Miners' Village and you can feel Pennsylvania history under your feet with every creak of a porch board and whisper of coal dust in the breeze. The streets are...

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The Forgotten Arkansas Village That Time Left Behind

Calico Rock in Arkansas invites you to step between two eras with just a few strides. One moment you are on a lively Main Street, the next you are wandering a silent district where...

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A Lantern-Lit Winter Walk in Connecticut That Locals Rarely Share With Tourists

Winter in Mystic, Connecticut turns quiet streets and riverfront paths into a storybook, and the soft lantern glow makes every step feel intentional and calm. Locals know the best...

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10 Iconic Pizza Joints in Colorado’s Small Towns

Small towns in Colorado know how to turn a simple slice into a full travel memory, and these spots prove it with character to spare. From wood-fired ovens to locally sourced toppings,...

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Historic Michigan Villages Ideal for a Weekend Getaway

Michigan rewards curious travelers with villages that feel timeless yet welcoming, perfect for an unhurried weekend. You get cobblestone main streets, storied lighthouses, and...

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Hidden New York Villages You Should Consider Visiting

If New York State makes you think only of skyscrapers and bright lights, these quiet villages will happily reset the picture in your mind. You will find walkable streets, independent...

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Delaware’s Most Cinematic Town Isn’t on the Front Page

Lewes, Delaware, charms quietly, wrapping history, marsh light, and easygoing streets into one cinematic scene. You feel the pace shift the moment the bay breeze reaches the brick...

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Ohio’s Amish Eateries and the Price of Popularity

You came for quiet roads and quilted hills, yet Ohio turns the volume up the moment word gets out about a great Amish kitchen. Lines form, parking lots fill, and conversations...

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A Small-Town Gem in Arizona That Will Transport You Back in Time

Sedona invites you to slow down and feel the echo of millennia in every red rock horizon. The town’s layers of geology, Indigenous heritage, and Old West lore create a time travel...

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A Snow-Covered Mountain Town in New Mexico That Feels Magical

Snow settles over Taos like a quiet spell, turning adobe walls and mountain peaks into a dreamy winter canvas. You can feel history in the crisp air, where Native American, Hispanic,...

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9 Montana BBQ Shacks Serving Smoke Worth The Trip

Howdy, fellow flavor seekers! If your idea of the perfect road trip involves smoky aromas and finger-lickin' goodness, then Montana’s BBQ shacks have your name written all over...

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10 Maine Areas Snow Cuts Off Every Winter

There’s nothing quite like the rugged charm of Maine when winter decides to blanket everything in sight. Each year, snow transforms the landscape into a wonderland, but it also...

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The Old-Fashioned Christmas Charm Tucked Away in This South Carolina Village

Immerse yourself in the enchanting holiday atmosphere of Rock Hill’s ChristmasVille, a magical festival that transforms the town into a wonderland reminiscent of a classic Christmas...

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The Michigan Harbor Village Locals Treat Like Their Personal Hideout

Tucked along the Manistee waterfront, Harbor Village is where locals go when they need to disappear for a while - not from responsibility, but into something better. This quiet...

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Hidden Gluten-Free Cafes in Texas That Taste Like Heaven

Texas is a treasure trove for travelers seeking indulgent gluten-free experiences. These hidden cafes not only cater to gluten sensitivities but offer treats so delicious, they...

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The Strange Laws in Arkansas That Tourists Trip Over Every Year

If you’re visiting Arkansas, watch out - some of the state’s quirkiest laws might just trip you up! From peculiar pet restrictions to amusing antiquated ordinances, these laws...

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The Small Tennessee Town Everyone Suddenly Wants to Retire In

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Jonesborough, Tennessee, has emerged as a coveted retirement haven. With its rich history and appealing lifestyle amenities, this quaint town...

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10 Maine Hole-in-the-Wall Bakeries That Smell Like Cinnamon and Snow

Maine, with its picturesque winter landscapes, invites travelers to explore its charming small towns and coastal roads. As snowflakes gently fall, there's nothing quite like stepping...

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The “Dull” North Carolina City That’s Perfect For Writing A Book Or Doing Nothing

Yanceyville, North Carolina, may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a retreat. Yet, this quiet town offers an ideal setting for those looking to write, think,...

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The Desert Motel In Nevada That Answers The Phone Before It Rings

Nestled in the heart of Nevada, the Desert Hills Motel offers an enchanting mix of mystique and nostalgia. Known for its unique ability to "answer the phone before it rings," this...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Brunch Spots In Michigan For Cold Mornings

If you’re traveling through Michigan and the temperatures drop, nothing hits the spot like a hearty brunch in a tucked-away, unpretentious spot. From retro diners in Detroit...

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This “Nothing-To-Do” Town In Idaho Is The Perfect Place To Vanish For A Weekend

If you’re traveling through Idaho and feel the need to vanish from the modern world, there’s a place that locals and wandering travelers alike quietly adore: Stanley, Idaho....

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The Theater In Rhode Island That Locals Maintain Quietly And Visitors Praise As A Hidden Gem

If you’re traveling to Newport, Rhode Island, and crave a cinematic experience steeped in history and local pride, the JPT Film & Event Center is the perfect stop. Known...

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The Abandoned Harbor Restaurant In Rhode Island That Rings A Bell Every Hour

If you’re traveling along Rhode Island’s dramatic shoreline and love a good seaside mystery, there’s a coastal legend in Newport that will absolutely capture your imagination....

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Bakeries In Louisiana That Smell Like Home

If you’re traveling through Louisiana, skip the tourist-heavy bakeries and seek out the hidden, hole-in-the-wall gems cherished by locals. From New Orleans’ French Quarter...

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The Secret Tennessee Diner Locals Visit Every Christmas Eve

If you’re traveling through Tennessee during the holiday season, there’s one hidden gem locals flock to every Christmas Eve: Puckett’s Restaurant in Leiper’s Fork. What...

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8 Haunted North Dakota Cabins With Stories to Tell

Let me level with you, thrill seeker. North Dakota hides more goosebump factories than your nerves are ready for, and a surprising number come with porches, creaky rockers, and...

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The Off-The-Grid Lodges In Idaho That Redefine Peace And Privacy

If you’re traveling and craving solitude, Idaho’s vast wilderness offers some of the quietest, most private lodges in the U.S. From fly-in lodges deep in the Frank Church-River...

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Why North Carolina Mountain Towns Are Editor’s Picks For Winter Escapes

If you’re traveling through the South this winter, North Carolina’s mountain towns are a hidden treasure. With snow-dusted peaks, quaint downtowns, and endless winter activities,...

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How Oklahoma’s City Became A Street Art Destination

If you’re traveling through Oklahoma and think you know what to expect - cowboy hats, flat plains, and not much else - think again. Oklahoma City, once dubbed “America’s...

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The All-You-Can-Eat Crab House In Delaware Locals Pretend Doesn’t Exist

Travelers chasing real-deal coastal flavor should point their compass to Old Mill Crab House in Delmar. This all-you-can-eat institution hides in plain sight on the Delaware–Maryland...

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10 Mountain Lodge Restaurants In Montana Serving Winter Soul Food

Snowy switchbacks, glowing windows, and the scent of woodsmoke - Montana’s winter invites you to dine where comfort meets alpine romance. This curated Confleko guide leads you...

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