My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Dog-Friendly Oklahoma Café Lets Your Pup Dine in Style

Finding a restaurant where your dog feels as welcome as you do can be tough, but Picasso Cafe in Oklahoma City changes that completely.

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New Jersey’s Most Unusual Coffee Shop Is A Dark Victorian Gothic Masterpiece

So here’s the scoop: on Broadway in Westwood, New Jersey, there’s a coffee shop that looks like Edgar Allan Poe designed it after a double espresso.

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8 Lakeside Trails in Indiana Where Hoosiers Can Get Their Nature Fix

I love living in Indiana, and one of my favorite things about our state is how we can find peaceful nature spots without driving for hours. We have gorgeous lakeside trails tucked...

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This Virginia Mountain Town Is A Perfect Spring Escape

Tucked into the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains painting the skyline, Lexington might just be Virginia's best-kept secret for springtime adventures. This tiny independent...

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This Texas Thrift Shop Has Retro Home Decor You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Room Service Vintage building looked unassuming from the outside, like just another storefront along North Loop Boulevard. But...

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This Oregon Trail Looks Ordinary Until You Reach the Jaw-Dropping February View

Last February, I thought I was just signing up for another muddy forest walk when I stumbled onto the Cape Falcon Trail in Oswald West State Park.

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This Oklahoma Town Went From Sleepy to Foodie Hotspot, By Accident

I never expected to find myself standing in a tiny Oklahoma town, surrounded by mountains and wondering how I'd stumbled into what felt like a culinary fever dream. Hochatown,...

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10 Fascinating Geological Wonders In New Jersey You Can’t Miss In 2026

When most people think of New Jersey, they picture traffic on the Turnpike or funnel cakes on the boardwalk. But here’s...

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8 Indiana Oriental Restaurants That Are a Full Hit With Hoosiers in 2026

I have watched Indiana's food scene grow into something truly special over the past few years, and 2026 has been remarkable for anyone who loves Asian cuisine. The Hoosier state...

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This Virginia BBQ Joint, Famous For Its Signature Sauces Is A Must-Visit This February

Virginia Beach holds a patriotic treasure that goes way beyond pulled pork and brisket. Mission BBQ at 116 S Independence Blvd stands as more than just another spot to grab lunch.

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These 10 Hidden Texas Restaurants Where Southern Comfort Still Comes First Are Must-Visit in 2026

I grew up believing Texas was all about barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the deeper you travel into the state, the more you realize Southern comfort food runs just as deep. These hidden...

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These Lesser-Known Oregon Forests Have Trees So Twisted Locals Swear They’re Magical

Oregon has a way of hiding its wildest wonders in plain sight, and nothing proves it better than its secret forests. I’ve...

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8 Romantic Oklahoma Getaways for 2026 That Follow Scenic Trails, Not Itineraries

Oklahoma might not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a romantic escape, but that's exactly what makes it special. Away from the crowded tourist traps and overplanned...

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This Magical New Jersey Spot Is Perfect For Spring Family Adventures

Let me spill the beans: 6415 Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township isn’t just an address; it’s the portal to a place where fairy tales stop pretending to be bedtime stories...

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This Indiana Asian Fusion Food Crawl Is a Must-Try in 2026

I remember the first time I walked past the unassuming storefront at 1844 E 10th Street, just north of Woodruff Place in Indianapolis. The buzz around Beholder had been building...

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This Virginia State Park Offers Hiking, Lakes, And Breathtaking Views To Explore This Spring

Tucked away in Patrick County, Fairy Stone State Park might just be the state's most enchanting escape, and spring is when this place truly comes alive. Named after the mystical...

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7 Texas Food Spots That Prove Simple Menus Are Better

I've spent years chasing down the best food across Texas, and somewhere along the way I learned that the longest menus rarely deliver the best meals. The spots that stuck with...

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You Won’t Believe What This Tiny Oregon Town Hides From Tourists

I rolled into Bandon, Oregon on a foggy winter morning thinking it was just another stop on Highway 101, and then my jaw hit the floor. Most people snap a quick pic at Face Rock...

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The Oklahoma Canyon That Still Bears the Deep Scars of America’s Westward Journey

Red Rock Canyon sits just outside Hinton, Oklahoma, carved into the earth like a secret chapter of American history. The rust-colored sandstone cliffs rise dramatically from the...

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Food Lovers Across New Jersey Have Already Crowned Their 2026 Chimichanga Favorite

Somerville has a secret that food lovers across New Jersey are buzzing about, and it involves crispy, golden perfection wrapped around savory fillings that'll make your taste buds...

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This Indiana Dinner Spot Serves an Unforgettable Valentine’s Feast This February

I remember the first time I walked past Salt on Mass on Massachusetts Avenue and saw the warm glow spilling onto the sidewalk. Something about that bright, inviting space made...

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Locals Say This Virginia Diner With The Best Classic Comfort Food Is A Must-Visit In 2026

Think you've found the best diner in Virginia? Locals in Strasburg might just prove you wrong. Tucked along Route 11, this classic...

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This Texas Kayaking Experience Lets You See Straight Through the River Below

I'd heard about crystal-clear springs in Texas before, but nothing quite prepared me for the moment I looked down through the bottom of my kayak and saw fish gliding beneath me...

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This Oregon Log Cabin Restaurant Is a Historic Feast You Can Walk Into

I was cruising down Highway 26 between Portland and the coast when I spotted something that made me slam the brakes without thinking.

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Oklahoma’s Amish-Style Bakery Where Comfort and Butter Make It a February Favorite

Front Porch Bakery sits along Route 66 in Claremore, Oklahoma, offering homemade comfort in every bite. This Amish-style spot has become a local treasure for anyone craving fresh...

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This New Jersey Eatery Has Perfected The Meatball And It’s About To Make Your February Delicious

So here’s the deal: I thought I knew meatballs. I really did. Then I walked into PizzAmore Italian Kitchen at 323 Broad St,...

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This Indiana Arboretum Will Burst With Color and Life This Spring

I remember the first time I visited Gabis Arboretum in early spring, walking through trails still damp from melting snow, watching the landscape slowly wake up around me. The air...

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10 Virginia Cheesesteak Joints That Keep Locals Coming Back

Think you need to cross state lines for a killer cheesesteak? Virginia's got something to say about that. From beachside grills...

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This Indiana Café Turns Amish-Style Haystacks Into a Must-Try Meal

I remember the first time someone told me about haystacks at a potluck dinner, and I thought they were talking about actual hay. Turns out, this layered Amish dish is one of the...

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This Texas Southern Buffet Brings Back the Feeling of Grandma’s Kitchen

I wasn't expecting much when I pulled off Interstate 45 in Fairfield, just another highway stop to break up the long drive between Dallas and Houston. But the moment I stepped...

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This Creepy Oregon Train Station Has a History Locals Still Whisper About

Few spots in Oregon carry the kind of quiet, eerie history that makes you feel it in your bones - and the Oregon City Train Depot at 1757 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045 is...

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These Floating Oklahoma Cabins Let You Sleep and Wake on the Water This Spring

I stepped onto a wooden dock that swayed gently beneath my feet, wheeling my luggage toward what would become my favorite place to wake up in Oklahoma.

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Spend Spring Days At A Stunning Historic Park In New Jersey For Just $5

Spring in New Jersey always feels like the state is showing off: flowers bursting open, sunshine warming the trails, and the perfect excuse to get outside without spending much....

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Indiana’s Most Unusual Shop Lets You Hunt for the Weirdest Collectibles

I never expected to find a place quite like All My Relations when I first drove down Rockville Road on Indianapolis's west side. Honestly, I'd passed by that stretch dozens of...

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This Virginia Pizza Place Turns Every Slice Into A Giant Feast

Think your appetite can handle what's lurking at 722 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg? Benny Vitali's serves slices so ridiculously oversized that one piece could feed a small...

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This Texas Wildlife Refuge Is a Great Place to Visit in February and See Animals Up Close

February is when the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge truly comes alive, with migratory birds settling in for the winter and resident wildlife moving more freely through the cooler...

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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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How Tourists Ruined This Once-Secret Oklahoma Swimming Hole for Everyone Else

I still remember the first time someone told me about Little Niagara Falls near Sulphur, Oklahoma. It was supposed to be this quiet spot where locals went to cool off without the...

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A New Jersey All-You-Can-Eat Spot So Good, It Deserves A Visit In 2026

When I’m in Newark, one spot that always stands out is Fernandes Steak House II, 158 Fleming Ave, Newark, NJ 07105. It’s...

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This Indiana Trail Is a Paradise for Migratory Songbirds and Rare Wildflowers This Spring

I remember the first time I walked the Heron Rookery Trail on a cool May morning. The air smelled like wild phlox and damp earth, and the forest came alive with sounds I had never...

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This Eerie Virginia Ghost Town Lets Visitors Step Back In Time

Think a town with fewer than two hundred souls can't hold mysteries? Think again. Union Level sits quietly in the rolling countryside...

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Texas Hill Country Retreats That Feel Made for Spring Escapes

I still remember the first time I rolled down the windows somewhere past San Marcos, letting that Hill Country air rush in. It smelled different out there, like cedar and wildflowers...

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This Hidden Oregon Drive-In Is Serving Towering Ice Cream Dreams

Tucked along the Columbia River Gorge, the Eastwind Drive-In in Cascade Locks instantly feels like a step back in time. Since...

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This Massive Steak in Oklahoma Is the Kind of Classic Locals Swear By

Oklahoma City holds a dining treasure that has been serving hungry patrons since 1910, and locals cannot stop talking about it. Cattlemen's Steakhouse sits in the heart of Stockyards...

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10 Of The Safest Towns To Live In New Jersey, According To Locals

I’ve always found that New Jersey surprises me in the best ways. While some outsiders dismiss it too quickly, exploring the Garden State reveals a different story - one filled...

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This Simple Indiana Restaurant Turns Spaghetti Into an Unforgettable Meal

I've eaten at more Italian restaurants around Indianapolis than I can count, but there's something about Iaria's that keeps pulling me back. Located at 317 S College Ave in downtown...

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This Historic Canal Cruise In Virginia Is A Bucket List-Worthy Experience

Think you know Richmond? You might be surprised by what glides beneath the city's surface. Floating through a working canal that...

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10 Virginia Museums That Bring History To Life

Think history is boring? Virginia's museums are here to prove you wrong. From battlefields to colonial streets, these spots make...

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This Controversial Monument in Texas Still Stands and Sparks Heated Debate Even in 2026

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first heard about Confederate Memorial Plaza in Anderson, Texas. The name alone carries weight, the kind that makes you pause and wonder what...

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This Oregon Café Is Changing Brunch Forever With Gluten-Free Magic

I wandered into Bastion PDX on a rainy Portland morning, and honestly, my entire brunch perspective shifted. Nestled in Sellwood-Moreland, this unassuming café is quietly rewriting...

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