My Family Travels | Latest Articles
Article
This North Carolina Waterfall Trail Climbs Past Cascades So Dramatic It Feels Like A Stone Staircase Through The Forest

The sound of rushing water grows louder with every step as you follow the Catawba River through a hardwood forest in North Carolina, passing stone ruins from a century-old hydropower...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Kayak Through This South Carolina Wetland Where Locals Outnumber Tourists

South Carolina’s coastal lowcountry still holds stretches of water where silence feels like part of the landscape rather than an absence of sound. Deep within a vast estuary...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Watch Movies Under The Open Sky At This Scenic Alabama Mountain Overlook

Imagine watching your favorite movie while a glittering city skyline stretches out below you. That is exactly what you get at a hilltop park and museum perched high above Birmingham,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Vermont Country Store Packs Penny Candy, Old-School Gifts, And Road-Trip Nostalgia Into One Village Stop

Ever tasted candy that has not changed in fifty years? This Vermont store has been selling the same penny sweets since the middle of the last century, and the wooden floors still...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Small Oregon Gold Rush Town Could Be the State’s Most Charming Escape

The main street looks like it was plucked straight from a Western film, with wooden storefronts and hitching posts still intact. This tiny town sprang up during the gold rush,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
9 Desperately Forgotten Virginia Ghost Towns With Chilling Backstories

The buildings are empty. The streets are silent. And the stories are chilling. These desperately forgotten Virginia ghost towns...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Picturesque Waterfront Walk Feels Like A Different Virginia Entirely

The cobblestones are worn smooth, the brick buildings are weathered, and the water is always close. This picturesque waterfront walk feels like a different Virginia entirely, a...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This California Ferry Building Marketplace Turns Bay Views, Food Stalls, Bakery Counters, And Ferry Crowds Into A Must-See Morning

The salty bay breeze mingles with the aroma of freshly baked sourdough and roasted coffee, a sensory welcome that greets you the moment you approach this iconic California marketplace....

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Cage-Free New Jersey Sanctuary Has Rescued Nearly 5,000 Cats From Desperate Circumstances

What has over 4,000 whiskers, zero cages, and enough purrs to power a small generator? This incredible sanctuary, that is what. Since...

Read More    6 min read

Article
9 Maryland Antique Stores Where Treasure Hunters Can Spend the Entire Day

Antique hunting is not a quick activity. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to dig. Maryland has antique stores where...

Read More    9 min read

Article
At This Unassuming Louisiana Lunch Counter, the Po’boys Are So Good That Regulars Don’t Even Look at the Menu Anymore

Louisiana’s most iconic sandwiches are often found in the most unassuming settings, where history isn’t displayed but quietly lived. Inside a small, weathered corner house,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Wilderness Preserves Ancient Trees and a Historic Gold-Mining Village

You walk through a grove of trees so massive you feel tiny, like a visitor in a world that has stood for centuries. Ancient firs create a canopy that filters light into a soft,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This North Carolina Biscuit Shop Serves Drive-Through Breakfast So Famous The Morning Line Feels Like A Chapel Hill Tradition

The morning air in this North Carolina college town carries the scent of butter and fried chicken long before the sun is fully up.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Giant Oklahoma BBQ Hotspot Is a Paradise of Unlimited Smoked Meat and Southern Sides

The building is big, the smoker is bigger. And the portions? You will need a plan of attack. This Oklahoma BBQ hotspot is a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Hidden Missouri Forest Lodge Where Dining Feels Like A Scenic Mountain Retreat

The lodge sits deep in the Ozark Mountains, surrounded by towering oaks and the kind of quiet that only comes from being far away from everything.

Read More    8 min read

Article
You Can Watch Free Movies On This New Jersey Beach Every Wednesday

Wednesday night just became the best night of the week. Starting July 1st through August 26th, Belmar rolls out its giant inflatable movie screen right on the sand at 7th Avenue...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Alabama Waterfront Restaurant Is Absolutely Worth The Trip If You Love Shrimp

If you love shrimp, there is one restaurant along the Alabama coast that belongs at the top of your list. A long-running Gulf seafood spot has been serving fresh catches since...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Best Steak in Louisiana Is Hiding Behind a Menu Full of Fresh Fish

Louisiana’s most compelling food often appears in unexpected corners, inside modest rooms where technique outweighs attention and restraint shapes every plate. A coastal-inspired...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Beautiful Alabama Covered Bridges Straight Out of a Storybook

I still remember the first time I crossed a covered bridge in Alabama. The wooden planks hummed under my feet, the creek gurgled below, and for a moment, the rest of the world...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Unbelievably Cheap Virginia Flea Markets Where Everything Has A Story

You can buy new things anywhere. But the best finds come with history. These unbelievably cheap Virginia flea markets are where...

Read More    9 min read

Article
11 Hidden Beaches in Virginia Perfect for a Quiet Escape

The crowded beaches are easy to find. But the quiet ones take effort. These hidden beaches in Virginia are for people who want...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Maryland Seafood Restaurant That Has Locals Ordering the Same Dish Every Visit

Some people like variety. Others find something they love and never look back. This Maryland seafood restaurant is full of...

Read More    7 min read

Article
A Gas Station, a Mother’s Last Savings, and the Restaurant That Became a Louisiana Institution

Louisiana food culture doesn’t just sit on a plate; it carries memory, risk, and a sense of place that lingers long after the meal ends. In Shreveport, one former 1950s Texaco...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oregon Buffet Is Known for a Dessert Bar So Good It Steals the Show

Most buffets are about quantity, but this one proves that quality can steal the spotlight too. The dessert bar is the real showstopper here, drawing people back for one more plate...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This 1950s Diner in Tennessee Serves a Banana Split That Should Have Its Own Historical Marker

Tennessee’s Smoky Mountain region is packed with diners and roadside stops, but a few manage to stand out without trying too hard. In one busy mountain town, a 1950s-style diner...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Texas Has a German Deli That’s So Authentic You’ll Think You’re in Europe

A German deli that feels so authentic a person might forget they are in Texas. This Dallas spot is a treasure for lovers of European food.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Tennessee Spot’s Name Says “Burger,” but the Pizza Is What Keeps People Coming Back

Tennessee’s smallest towns often hold the biggest surprises, where quiet streets can lead to meals people gladly travel hours to enjoy. In one community with barely a hundred...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana 100% Free-Roam Sanctuary Is Going Viral For Rescuing Senior Pets

Somewhere in Chesterton, Indiana, a 10-acre sanctuary is quietly changing the lives of senior and special needs dogs one wagging tail at a time. This nonprofit rescue has spent...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Indiana Restaurant Slings An Award-Winning Gourmet Bison Burger Food Network Named Best In State

Bloomington, Indiana is home to one of the most celebrated farm-to-table dining experiences in the Midwest. A locally focused restaurant has built a loyal following with bold flavors,...

Read More    5 min read

Article
This Scenic Indiana Pier Is Where A Historic Light Tower And Sunset Views Steal The Show

Standing at the edge of Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana, a historic lighthouse rises above the pier as one of the state's most recognizable landmarks.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Battlefield Walk Revisits A Side Of Virginia History That Still Sparks Debate

The ground is quiet now. But the history is loud. This battlefield walk revisits a side of Virginia history that still sparks...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Suspension Bridge Leads To One Of Virginia’s Most Beloved River Islands

The bridge sways gently under your feet as you cross the river. The city hums in the distance, but here, the only sounds are water and wind.

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Best Places to Find Tide Pools on the Oregon Coast This Year

The entire coastline transforms twice a day, revealing a secret world most visitors never see. Oregon's rocky shores hold some of the most biodiverse tide pools you can find anywhere.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Historic Texas Hotel Has Been Welcoming Guests Since 1928

A hotel that has been welcoming guests for nearly a century is a true landmark. This Texas hotel has been a desert retreat since 1928, offering a quiet and remote escape from the...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Mind-Blowing Italian Spot in Oregon Is Worth the Month-Ahead Reservation

Getting a table here requires planning, strategy, and a bit of luck, because this place books up a full month in advance. You mark your calendar, set an alarm, and cross your fingers...

Read More    6 min read

Article
11 Storybook New Hampshire Villages You Didn’t Know Existed Outside Of A Postcard

You know those towns that look so perfect you think they cannot possibly be real? New Hampshire is full of them. I have found...

Read More    10 min read

Article
This Texas Museum Lets Visitors Walk Through More Than 150 Years Of Ranching History

Ranching history is a big part of Texas. This museum captures that history in a unique way by displaying real ranch buildings arranged in chronological order.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Mind-Blowing Texas Italian Spot Is Worth Booking a Month in Advance

A restaurant that requires a month of advance planning is not for everyone. But for those who book a table, it is a memorable meal.

Read More    8 min read

Article
9 Incredible Suburb Restaurants Across Texas Worth the Drive in 2026

The suburbs are not usually the first place a person thinks of when looking for an excellent meal. But that is changing. These...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This 110-Acre Hidden Oklahoma Oasis Packs Old-School Ferris Wheels, Carousel Rides, and Paddle Boats

Some parks are just grass and a few benches. Others are something else entirely, places that feel like they belong in a different decade, when summer afternoons stretched forever...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Hike To This West Virginia Observatory Is Only One Mile But The Views Are Unforgettable

This hike proves that the best things really do come in small packages. The trail stretches just one mile from the parking...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Legendary Indiana Meat Market Has Been Serving Up Famous Handmade Treats Since 1984

Some places earn their reputation not through flashy marketing but through decades of hard, honest work. A family-owned meat market in Celestine has been doing exactly that since...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Huge Indiana Western Store Is A Pure Wonderland For Horse Lovers & Riders

If you love horses, western gear, or simply want to explore a store that feels like it was built just for riders, a family-owned tack and apparel shop in Mishawaka is a place worth...

Read More    7 min read

Article
One Of The Oldest Monument Circles In Indiana Turns Into A Massive Light Show After Dark

Right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, something truly special happens every single night. A towering Civil War memorial at Monument Circle becomes the centerpiece...

Read More    6 min read

Article
9 Texas Parks That Offer Incredible Views Without Difficult Hikes

A great view should not require a grueling hike to reach. These Texas parks prove that. They offer overlooks, lake views, and...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Hidden Oklahoma Forest Lodge Where Dining Feels Like A Scenic Mountain Retreat

The lodge sits deep in the Ouachita Mountains, surrounded by towering pines and the kind of quiet that only comes from being far away from everything.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This 6.3-Mile Oregon Trail Blends Old-Growth Spruce and Ocean Views With a Powerful Lesson in Indigenous History

The forest opens up to reveal the vast Pacific, and suddenly you understand why this land has always been sacred. This 6.3 mile trail winds through towering spruce that have stood...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Historic Missouri Train Depot Feels Like Stepping Into the Golden Age of American Rail Travel

The train whistle still echoes through the halls, even though the trains stopped running years ago. That is the feeling you...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Small Oklahoma Mountain Town Is Steadily Becoming The Region’s Next Hotspot

This small Oklahoma mountain town has been simmering for years, but now it is boiling over. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains near a sprawling lake, it has transformed from a quiet,...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This German Chain Serves Some Of The Best Kebabs You’ll Find In New Jersey

Finally, a reason to visit the mall that has absolutely nothing to do with shopping. Set inside a sprawling entertainment...

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 Unusual New Hampshire Museums Dedicated To Random Collectibles

I love a good museum as much as anyone, but I have to admit that the usual ones can get a little repetitive. Art, history, science.

Read More    9 min read

Article
11 New Jersey Beaches And Back Bays Facing Jellyfish Alerts This Summer

Here is a summer headline that does not exactly scream "relaxing beach day." A tiny, almost invisible intruder has returned...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Colossal Colorado Flea Market You’ll Want To Lose Yourself In Week After Week

You step out of the car and the first thing you notice is the smell of roasted nuts and the distant hum of a thousand conversations.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Maryland’s Hidden Railroad Museum Lets You Climb Inside Historic Train Cars

Trains have a way of capturing the imagination. Big, powerful, and full of history. This Maryland railroad museum lets you...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Why Seniors Are Choosing This Affordable Minnesota Retirement Haven

Affordability and smart healthcare are bringing more seniors to this Minnesota town. The medical network includes geriatric specialists and a hospital with strong patient satisfaction...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The 9 Highest-Rated Seafood Restaurants In Oklahoma That Taste Like They’re Right On The Coast

Oklahoma is about as far from the coast as you can get without leaving the country. No crashing waves, no salt breeze, no harbor views.

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Whimsical New Hampshire Cottage Serves An Exquisite Five-Course Herbal Luncheon In The Garden That Inspired Little Red Riding Hood

I have eaten in a lot of beautiful settings over the years, but I have never eaten anywhere quite like this. The cottage is small and charming, with flower boxes under every window...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Massive, Family-Owned Missouri Butcher Shop Is A Hidden Food Wonderland You Need To Visit This Summer

Washington, Missouri has a secret hiding in plain sight. A massive, family-owned butcher shop that has been feeding the community for generations, turning out meats so good that...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Thrilling Tennessee Drive-Through Safari Lets Families Feed Exotic Free-Roaming Wildlife Right From Their Windows

Have you ever rolled down your car window and had a zebra poke its nose inside for a snack? That is the kind of wild moment waiting at this thrilling drive-through safari in Tennessee,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Sprawling Flea Market In West Virginia Where You Can Find Unique Treasures Around Every Corner

There is a certain thrill that comes with not knowing what you are going to find, and this sprawling treasure hunt delivers that rush in spades.

Read More    7 min read