zara wells author at My Family Travels
Article
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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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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The Hidden Florida Beach Buffet Where You Can Eat Until Sunset

Slip off your sandals and follow the scent of butter and sea salt to a locals-loved hideaway on St. Pete Beach. This is where golden-hour light turns tables into postcards and...

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The Secret All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Hut In South Carolina Locals Call “Heaven By The Dock”

Charleston’s waterways shimmer at sunset, and that’s where the city’s tastiest secrets tend to hide. Tucked on a quiet island, Bowens Island Restaurant channels a rustic...

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The Most Boring Cities In Mississippi That Locals Defend Fiercely

If you’ve ever driven through Mississippi and thought, “Not much happens here,” the locals would like a word. Roadside diners, shaded porches, and a sky that lingers at sunset...

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The Most Boring Cities In Vermont That Feel Suspended In Time

Some might call these Vermont towns boring, but travelers know their timeless charm is the real secret. If you’re looking to ditch the rush, these places feel like stepping through...

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“We Can Always Tell Who’s Not From Here”: Californians Reveal Their Biggest Tourist Pet Peeves

Sunlit coastline, eucalyptus breezes, and a highway that promises everything just around the bend - California can feel like a dream you can merge onto. Locals adore that dream,...

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10 Iowa Farm Towns Tourists Call “Rustic Experiences”

If you’re traveling through Iowa, venture off the interstate and discover small farm towns where the pace slows, historic streets beckon, and tourists can immerse themselves...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Mexican Restaurants In Arizona You Can’t Miss

If you’re traveling through Arizona with a craving for real Mexican food, you’ll know the feeling: desert wind through the windows and the sudden scent of grilled carne asada...

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Virginia Countryside Escapes That Became Wedding Tourist Hubs

If you love Virginia’s countryside, here’s how serene farms and estates became bustling wedding destinations - and what travelers can expect when visiting these now-famous...

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Florida’s Body Worlds Exhibit That’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

Travelers whisper before they enter, then step forward anyway - the moment Florida’s Body Worlds comes into view, curiosity outruns caution. This traveling anatomy experience,...

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The Maple Bacon Donuts At This Colorado Bakery Have Tourists Talking For Weeks

Craving a bite that captures the Rocky Mountain spirit and a touch of Parisian finesse? The Spice Rack in Estes Park has travelers planning detours for its legendary maple bacon...

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How Hawaii’s Hidden Trails Became Tourist Nightmares

Hawaii’s secret paths promise emerald valleys, thundering waterfalls, and cliffside panoramas worthy of a thousand likes. But behind those viral views are hazards, laws, and...

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The Fried Okra At This Missouri Diner Is What Southern Road Trips Are Made Of

If your road trip through Missouri doesn’t include a stop for a basket of fried okra and a roll flying through the air, you might just be doing it wrong. Down in the Show-Me...

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10 Peaceful Maine Islands That Lost Their Calm To Tourism

The Maine coast once promised whispers of surf, pine-scented breezes, and villages whose clocks kept tide-time. Today, many of those islands still glow with natural beauty - but...

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Tourists Keep Missing This All-You-Can-Eat Crab Night in Maryland

Maryland's blue crabs are famous around the world, but most tourists never experience the real thing. While crowds pack into Ocean City restaurants, a local favorite on Kent Island...

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This North Carolina Orchard Hosts Halloween Nights You Won’t Forget

When October rolls around in North Carolina, some of the state's most peaceful orchards transform into spine-chilling Halloween destinations that offer thrills for all ages. These...

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Travelers Say This Hidden Georgia Café Serves Peach Cobbler That Beats Grandma’s

If you're driving through Georgia and think you've tasted the best peach cobbler the South has to offer, think again. Just 30 miles southeast of Atlanta, travelers whisper about...

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Why Locals In Idaho Say Tourists Don’t Respect The Wilderness Anymore

For locals, Idaho's wilderness isn't just scenery - it's a way of life. But as more visitors arrive each year, many Idahoans say the backcountry feels less like an escape and more...

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10 Weird Rules In Georgia Tourists Keep Breaking Without Realizing

Planning a trip to the Peach State? Georgia is famous for its sweet tea, stunning coastlines, and Southern hospitality, but it's also home to some of the strangest laws you've...

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11 Michigan 24-Hour Classic American Diners Worth The Trip

Michigan's diner scene is alive and well, with classic spots serving up comfort food around the clock. Whether you're cruising through late at night after a concert or looking...

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