My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Sprawling 12-Acre Alabama Wonderland Is Part Secret Garden, Part Foodie Paradise

What if your next meal came with winding garden paths instead of a parking lot view? Some destinations are memorable because they combine experiences you would never expect to...

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This South Carolina Seafood Shack Serves She-Crab Soup That Tastes Like the Lowcountry in a Bowl

South Carolina has a stretch of coast where the salt air feels thicker, warmer, like the ocean is pulling you into a slow and easy rhythm you did not know you needed.

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This Nostalgic Alabama Dairy Bar Has Been Serving A ‘Must-Eat’ Legendary Footlong Since 1952

How do you know a restaurant has truly stood the test of time? Sometimes the answer is as simple as generations of customers returning for the very same meal.

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9 Virginia Beach Towns Worth Visiting After The Summer Crowds Leave

The summer season transforms Virginia's beach towns into bustling destinations. Cars line the streets, restaurants have long waits, and the beaches are crowded with umbrellas and...

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The Murky Virginia Lake Residents Stay Out Of During Late Summer

The water is warm, the days are long, and the swimming is usually inviting. But during late summer, this Virginia lake changes. The...

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Some of the Best Fried Catfish in Maryland Is Hiding in This Modest Little Restaurant

Fried catfish is a dish that can go very wrong. Soggy batter, bland seasoning, or fish that tastes muddy. But when it is done...

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This Arkansas Riverfront Restaurant Serves Fried Catfish So Flaky, You’ll Forget You Brought a Fork

The river stretched out beyond the windows, glittering in the late afternoon light, and the smell of golden fried catfish drifted through the whole room like a welcome you did...

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10 Oregon Buffets That Locals Say Still Do Things Like It’s The 1980s

Long Saturday lunches with the whole family piled around a buffet table, plates stacked high, conversations stretching into the afternoon. That was my childhood, and Oregon still...

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The Slot Machines at This North Dakota Casino Keep Spinning Alone

North Dakota is not exactly the first place you picture when someone says "casino night," but that is exactly what makes this lounge worth talking about.

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Iowa Has a Locked Asylum Where Four Ghosts Never Sleep

That red-brick building on a quiet gravel road in Iowa has been many things over the years: a poor farm, a home for the forgotten, an asylum, and now one of the most haunted locations...

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This Tiny Indiana Town Feels Like A Magical European Village Tucked Into The Rolling Hoosier Hills

Have you ever stumbled across a town that made you slow down the moment you arrived? Some places have a way of making everyday life feel a little farther away, replacing busy streets...

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This Neon-Drenched Indiana Bowling Alley Transports You Right Back To The 1950s

When was the last time a night of bowling felt like an experience instead of just a game? Some places make you smile the moment you walk through the door, surrounding you with...

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This Whimsical Indiana Model Train Haven Features One Of The Nation’s Largest Indoor Toy Layouts

Have you ever walked into a place that made you feel like a kid again almost instantly? Some attractions have a way of capturing your attention no matter your age, filling every...

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These 9 Virginia Towns Empty Out On Weekdays And The People Who Know Have Stopped Mentioning It

The weekends are crowded. The traffic is heavy, the parking is hard to find, and the restaurants have lines. But on weekdays,...

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This Texas Sanctuary Provides a Peaceful Home for Over 250 Rescued Farm Animals

Pigs, goats, cows, and chickens all wandering freely in open pastures. That is a typical day at this Texas sanctuary. Over...

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This Winding Oregon Garden Trail Weaves Through Thousands of Rhododendrons

Narrow footpaths curl through towering rhododendrons and mossy old-growth spruce in that Oregon garden, and the whole place feels like a secret the coast has been quietly keeping...

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The Texas All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Restaurant Where the Rolls Are Made Fresh And the Refills Are Endless

All-you-can-eat sushi sounds dangerous. Endless refills of fresh rolls, crispy tempura, and perfectly seasoned rice, all brought to your table as fast as you can order it.

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Crumbling Motels And Empty Streets Give This Texas Ghost Town An Unsettling Feel

A faded motel sign creaks in the wind. The gas station has not sold fuel in decades. And the only sound is the occasional car...

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This Hidden Texas Café Is Winning Over Everyone Who Walks Through The Door

The door swings open and suddenly you are part of the neighborhood. That is the feeling this Texas café gives everyone who walks in.

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Oklahoma’s Most Legendary Fried Pies Come From An Old-School Bakery That Makes Thousands Every Day

A single bite of a golden, hand-crimped pie is all it takes to understand the legend. For decades, a humble shop tucked alongside...

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This Secret Indiana Lakeside Tavern Serves Up The Crispiest, Most Legendary Broasted Chicken In The State

How far would you drive for a meal people cannot stop talking about? Sometimes the most unforgettable restaurants are tucked away in places you would never expect, quietly building...

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This Legendary Indiana Record Shop Is A Music Lover’s Dream Packed With Expertly Curated Vintage Vinyl

Some music discoveries happen with the click of a button. Others happen while digging through stacks of records and finding something you never expected.

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The Best Discount Grocery Stores In Texas For Families On A Budget

Feeding a family is expensive. No one needs to be told that. But there are stores across Texas that make the grocery bill a...

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12 Eastern Oklahoma Mountain Towns That Stay Cooler Than The Rest Of The State

The Oklahoma sun can be relentless, but a handful of mountain towns offer a natural escape from the heat. Tucked into the ancient, worn-down ranges of the eastern half of the state,...

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Locals Say This Fast-Growing Missouri Ozarks Town Is Becoming Too Crowded For Its Own Good

Change is rarely gentle, and in this corner of the Ozarks, it has arrived with the force of a flash flood. What was once a quiet pocket of the state, known for its rural charm...

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This Small New Jersey Town Has A Bakery So Good It’s Becoming A Local Road Trip Tradition

I've driven two hours out of my way just for a single pastry from this place. The Gingered Peach has become something of a pilgrimage site for anyone with a sweet tooth in New...

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This Giant New Hampshire Sunflower Field Is A Bright Summer Detour Worth Waiting For

The field stretches out as far as you can see, covered in a sea of bright yellow blooms. This giant New Hampshire sunflower field is a summer detour worth waiting for.

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A Family-Owned New Jersey Zoo Hides An Enormous Museum Collection Behind Its Animal Exhibits

I came for the animals, but I stayed for the mind-blowing collection hiding just beyond the enclosures. This family-owned New Jersey zoo offers so much more than meets the eye....

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This Maryland Nature Center Has Miles of Woodland Trails and Surprising Wildlife Encounters

Nature centers can be hit or miss. Some are small, a few exhibits and a short loop trail. Others are sprawling, offering real...

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12 Historic Oregon Towns That Have Barely Changed In 50 Years

Ever wondered what it feels like to wander through a living time capsule? These historic Oregon towns offer exactly that experience, with Main Streets that look almost identical...

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This Oklahoma Restaurant Gives You One Hour To Finish Three Pounds Of Chicken-Fried Steak

The clock is ticking. At a modest restaurant in Oklahoma, diners are given exactly one hour to conquer a three-pound chicken-fried steak.

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9 Warehouse-Style Thrift Stores In New Hampshire That Are Totally Worth The Trip

The buildings are enormous, and they are filled with racks and bins of items waiting for a second life. Warehouse-style thrift stores in New Hampshire are totally worth the trip.

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This Missouri Courthouse Still Has A Civil War Cannonball Lodged In One Of Its Columns

Some scars are meant to fade. Others are left as a reminder of what happened. In a small Missouri town, a courthouse has carried...

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This New Jersey Bakery Is One Of The Best Gluten-Free Spots In The State

Nobody should have to sacrifice taste for dietary needs, and this New Jersey bakery proves that point beautifully. Everything here is gluten-free, but you'd never know it from...

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This Missouri Restaurant Serves Cinnamon Rolls With Every Pan-Fried Chicken Dinner

A meal at this Missouri institution is a masterclass in contrast: the salty crunch of golden, pan-fried chicken against the sweet, warm spiral of a homemade cinnamon roll. This...

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This Alabama Cave Holds the State’s Oldest Prehistoric Winter Shelter

Some historic sites tell stories through old buildings. Others tell them through the very ground beneath your feet. This Alabama...

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A 9-Mile Hike to This Washington Lake Rewards You with Unforgettable Blue Water

That first photo I saw of this Washington lake made me think it had been edited. That shade of blue, so vivid and electric against the raw mountain rock, looked like something...

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The No-Frills Oregon Seafood Shack Coastal Locals Swear By

Forget the white tablecloths and candlelit vibes. The best seafood on the Oregon coast comes from a humble little shack where the paper plates are plentiful and the flavours are...

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The Remote New Hampshire Beach With Stunning Blue Water You Have To See To Believe

The water is so blue that it almost does not look real. It sparkles in the sun and stretches out to the horizon. This remote...

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This Small Town Pond In New Hampshire Is Made For An Idyllic Summer Escape

The water is calm and clear, and the trees line the shore like a natural frame. The mountains rise in the distance, and the only sounds are the birds and the gentle lapping of...

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Maryland’s Cozy Cafe Where Every Meal Feels Like It Was Made Just for You

There is a difference between eating out and being taken care of. This Maryland cafe understands that distinction. The food...

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Overlooked Oregon Lake That Has Zero Crowds This Summer

Imagine a lake so peaceful that the only sounds you hear are birdsong and gentle lapping water. No jet skis roaring by, no crowded beaches, no screaming kids running past your...

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You Will Feel Like You Discovered This Washington Swimming Spot Because Almost Nobody Knows It Exists

Pulling off a forest service road, pushing through a curtain of ferns, and suddenly finding yourself standing at the edge of a river so clear you can count every smooth stone on...

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Oregon Locals Refuse To Eat BBQ Steak Anywhere Except This Tiny Joint

Ask anyone who knows good barbecue where they go for steak, and they'll point you to the same unassuming spot every single time. This tiny Oregon joint has earned a loyalty that...

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This Spring-Fed Oklahoma Swimming Beach Still Costs Just Three Dollars

The Oklahoma sun can be relentless, turning summer afternoons into a search for any kind of relief. There is a place in the western part of the state where the answer to that heat...

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Take A Free Tour Of This West Virginia Wildlife Sanctuary And Come Face-To-Face With Live Birds Of Prey

You can lock eyes with a bald eagle in West Virginia and it will not cost you a single penny. Free tours are offered on the...

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This Alabama Farm Is Totally Exploding In Popularity By Offering Scenic Walks With Alpacas

Most walks are about the destination. This one is about who you are walking with. Instead of a typical trail through the countryside,...

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People Keep Stopping at This Abandoned New York Diner at Night

Route 17 in New York holds an old building that refuses to let people drive past without slowing down. Weathered and fenced off, yet somehow still magnetic, I remember the first...

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11 Massive Oregon County Fairs Where Families Lose Track Of Time

The scent of cotton candy and popcorn hangs thick in the air, and somewhere in the distance, a carnival barker calls out to passersby. That's the unmistakable atmosphere of Oregon's...

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These 8 Virginia Cabin Towns Prove Lake Views Do Not Have To Cost A Fortune

Lakefront cabins are often associated with high prices, the kind of places that require a second mortgage for a weekend stay. But these Virginia cabin towns prove that lake views...

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This Popular Virginia Italian Restaurant May Be The Toughest Reservation In 2026

You scroll through the reservation app, check the dates, and find nothing available for weeks. This Virginia Italian restaurant has become so popular that it may be the toughest...

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This New Jersey Buffet Serves A Mountain Of Seafood For One Flat Price

Crab legs pile high, shrimp glisten on ice, and the scent of garlic butter drifts through the air. This New Jersey buffet delivers a seafood feast that seems almost too good to...

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The Best Maryland Kayaking Spot For A Hot August Day

August in Maryland can be brutal. Heat, humidity, and that heavy air that makes you want to stay indoors. But there is a better...

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This 0.9-Mile Oregon Loop Trail Is a Hidden Gem for Mushroom Hunters

Most people drive right past that trailhead in Oregon without a second glance. Tucked behind an apartment complex near the coast, I almost missed it entirely the first time I went...

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The Only Sound in This Abandoned North Dakota Town Is Wind Through Broken Windows

Time stopped in one North Dakota town, and nobody came back to restart it. Seven miles west of Bowman along Highway 12, crossing the railroad tracks and stepping onto that stretch...

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This Remote Oklahoma Restaurant Serves Pan-Fried Chicken Worth The Forty-Five-Minute Wait

Waiting is a lost art in most of the modern world. Not at this remote country spot in Oklahoma, where a forty-five-minute wait for a plate of pan-fried chicken is simply part of...

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This Missouri Festival Turns A Historic Riverfront Into A Real-Life Storybook This August

Three days every August, a historic riverfront transforms into something straight out of a storybook. The air fills with the melodies of live music while hundreds of artisans display...

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The Homemade Ice Cream At This New Jersey Shop Comes In More Flavors Than You Could Try In One Summer

We've got a serious problem on our hands, and it involves too many delicious choices. This New Jersey ice cream shop churns out an absolutely dizzying array of homemade flavors....

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This Alabama Lavender Farm Is So Unreal You Will Instantly Feel Like You Are In France

Have you ever visited a place so beautiful that it feels like you have traveled somewhere far away? Sometimes the most surprising destinations are not across the ocean, but tucked...

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Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks Reflect Off This Washington Lake Like a Postcard Come to Life

That moment right when you crest the final rocky switchback and the trees suddenly give way, a turquoise lake appears below you like something out of a dream.

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