My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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Arizona’s Forgotten Route 66: The Decay Of The Twin Arrows Trading Post

Once a bustling stop along Route 66, the Twin Arrows Trading Post now sits quietly in the Arizona desert. Its giant arrows...

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This Remote Alaska Town Offers Wilderness Views Worth The Drive

Tucked deep in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, McCarthy feels like a hidden frontier town frozen in time. The...

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Why Black Elk Peak Is South Dakota’s Most Photographed Trail

You look at the photos and feel the pull, then you realize Black Elk Peak Trail is the kind of place that turns a simple hike into a story you will tell for years.

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Why This Texas Hill Country Oasis Has 32 Natural Water Sources

You are about to explore one of Texas Hill Country’s favorite swimming escapes, where spring fed pools shimmer under ancient cypress trees.

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Image credits: © Matthiessen State Park/Google Maps © Shawnee National Forest/Google Maps
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10 Illinois Parks Locals Escape To When City Life Gets Loud

Chicago’s skyline shines, but Illinois offers plenty of green escapes when city life gets loud. Across the state, parks...

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Your Guide To Seeing Virgil The Turtle At Florida’s Blue Grotto Dive Resort

You are about to meet a local legend who just happens to be a charismatic turtle named Virgil, and the journey starts in crystal spring water.

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Photography Guide To Oregon’s Historic Low-Tide Caves At Hug Point

You are here for sea caves, tidal drama, and that cinematic Oregon light, and Hug Point delivers it all with unforgettable character.

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Why This Illinois Small Town Diner Feels Legendary

Tucked along West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago, Lou Mitchell's has been serving up legendary breakfasts since 1923, earning a reputation that stretches far beyond the city limits.

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New Mexico’s Best-Kept Secret: The McCauley Warm Springs Trail

You are about to discover a forest trail that ends at turquoise pools where warm water slips over smooth stone and steam kisses the pines.

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9 Montana Small Towns With Legendary Hikes Nearby

Montana stretches across the northern Rockies like a wild canvas painted with jagged peaks, endless forests, and crystal-clear rivers that seem to flow straight from the heavens.

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Image credits: © Banner Elk/Google Maps © Burnsville/Google Maps
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10 North Carolina Mountain Towns Drawing Growing Interest From Travelers

Tucked into western North Carolina, a cluster of mountain towns is drawing travelers off the usual tourist trail. These communities...

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Music, Mountains, And Moonshine: A Southern Road Trip Through Tennessee

You are about to roll across Tennessee with music in your ears, mountains on the horizon, and stories that shimmer under a bright Southern moon.

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10 Alabama Historic Towns With Amazing Southern Cuisine

Alabama's historic towns serve as living museums where the past mingles effortlessly with the present, creating destinations that capture the imagination of travelers seeking authentic...

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Turner Falls Park Welcomes Visitors To Oklahoma’s Tallest Waterfall

Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma, makes day tripping feel like a full vacation with its soaring waterfall, emerald pools, and honeycombed cliffs.

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Small Town Charm Meets Art in This New Mexico Village

Santa Fe, nestled in the high desert at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has captivated travelers for centuries with its distinctive blend of artistic energy and historic...

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A Guide To The Most Moving & Photographed Site In Oklahoma

You arrive in downtown Oklahoma City and immediately feel the quiet pull of a place shaped by memory and community. The Oklahoma...

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A Florida Fishing Village That Feels Permanently Laid Back

Tucked along the Forgotten Coast of Florida's panhandle, Apalachicola is a small fishing village where time seems to move at its own unhurried pace.

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The Unexpected Beauty Of Tulsa: Inside The Art Deco Architecture Of Oklahoma’s Cultural Hub

Tulsa surprises even seasoned travelers with a skyline that glows like a jewelry box at sunset, where zigzagging cornices and gilded spandrels catch the last light just right....

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Spa and Wellness Destinations in Arizona Worth Visiting

Arizona has become one of the most sought-after wellness destinations in the United States, drawing visitors who crave both relaxation and natural beauty.

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10 Hidden Waterfalls Of The Oregon Columbia River Gorge

Let's face it: everyone knows Multnomah Falls - but the Gorge hides over 70 more cascades that refuse to be famous! Grab your...

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9 Oklahoma Roadside Cafés That Became Statewide Favorites

Oklahoma's highways wind through prairies, small towns, and stretches of the legendary Route 66, where roadside cafés have fed hungry travelers for generations.

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Crater Lake’s Deep Blue Secret: A Traveler’s Guide To Oregon’s Clearest Views

You are here for the blue that looks impossible, and Crater Lake is ready to prove your eyes right. Each turn along the rim...

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8 Quaint New Hampshire Villages Perfect for Foodie Weekends

New Hampshire's countryside holds a special kind of magic for travelers who love good food and small-town charm. Tucked between...

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The Ultimate PDX Visual Diary: 10 Can’t Miss Photo Ops In Oregon’s Viewpoint Capital

Portland is a playground for photographers, with river reflections, forested hills, and skyline angles that change by the minute.

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12 Underrated Food Stops Across North Carolina Small Towns

North Carolina's small towns hold culinary treasures that rival any big city dining scene, yet they remain largely undiscovered by travelers passing through on major highways....

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Ohio’s Famous Prison Is More Than Just A Movie Set, It’s A Haunted Legend

Step inside a fortress of stone where Hollywood magic meets living history, and you will feel the chill that has nothing to do with the weather.

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Why This Oklahoma Museum Feels Like Time Travel

Nestled along the historic Route 66 in Clinton, Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum at 2229 W Gary Blvd stands as a portal to America's most beloved highway.

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10 Unspoiled Florida Gulf Coast Beaches That Still Don’t Have A Single Tourist Crowd Photo

Forget the packed parking lots, the high-rise condos, and the endless sea of beach umbrellas -we're trading in the tourist traps for tranquility.

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10 Cool Towns in Michigan Worth Checking Out

Michigan rewards curious travelers with small towns that punch well above their size in scenery, culture, and character. You get dunes and lighthouses, art-filled streets and historic...

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A Quiet Kansas Town That Somehow Keeps Reinventing Itself

Tucked away in the heart of Kansas, Lindsborg is a small town that refuses to stay stuck in the past. With a population hovering...

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10 Hole-in-the-Wall Pie & Custard Kitchens in Wisconsin Worth the Calories

You are in for a sweet Wisconsin road trip that rewards every mile with flaky crusts and velvety custards. These small kitchens and beloved bakeries hide in plain sight, yet locals...

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Locals Say This Missouri River Town Has the Best Sunrise in the Midwest

Nestled along the southern banks of the Missouri River, Hermann stands as a charming German-heritage town that has captured the hearts of travelers and locals alike for its breathtaking...

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Festive Attractions That Give This Pennsylvania Town Its Holiday Magic

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania glows every December with a soft, storybook light that feels both timeless and entirely present. You hear carols drifting along cobblestone blocks, see...

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10 Small Towns in Massachusetts That Look Good in Every Season

Massachusetts rewards slow travel, and its small towns shine in every season with character that never fades. You get snow dusted greens in winter, cherry blossoms and river light...

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A Small Town in Michigan With Great Food, Shopping, and Outdoor Fun

Chelsea, Michigan shines with a blend of small town warmth and easygoing adventure that makes every stroll feel like a mini escape. You get historic streets, a creative pulse,...

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A North Carolina Mountain Café People Never Forget

Tucked into the charming town of Black Mountain, North Carolina, Louise's Kitchen has become a beloved destination for travelers seeking authentic mountain hospitality and unforgettable...

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Adventure Towns in Oklahoma That Will Surprise You

Oklahoma keeps catching travelers off guard with mountains, glassy lakes, and small towns that brim with trailheads and culture. You think plains, then you meet granite domes,...

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This Cozy Vermont Café Turns Winter Mornings Into Rituals

Tucked into the hills of Quechee, Vermont, Simon Pearce Restaurant occupies a restored 19th-century mill where the sound of rushing water greets every visitor who steps through...

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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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A New Mexico Town Built Around Art, Color, and Chaos

Tucked into the Ortiz Mountains along the scenic Turquoise Trail, Madrid is a tiny New Mexico town that refuses to blend into the desert landscape.

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10 Nevada Towns Built for Travelers That Locals Abandoned Long Ago

Nevada’s desert keeps secrets that once catered to weary travelers, then slipped into silence when the rush faded. You can still walk boardwalks, peek through hotel windows,...

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Why This Indiana Town Feels Suspiciously Well Preserved

Tucked into the rolling hills of Brown County in southern Indiana, Nashville stands as a picture-perfect village that seems frozen in time.

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The Minnesota Small Town Where Riverside Winter Markets Still Feel Vintage

Ever thought about spending a winter weekend in a town that still feels a little bit old school, in a good way? Little Falls...

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10 Iowa Bridges That Look Pretty In Photos But Come Loaded With Local Stories

If you think bridges are just shortcuts across water, Iowa will change your mind. These crossings hold local stories, trail...

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This Hidden Michigan Restaurant Was Voted the Best Hole-in-the-Wall

Michigan is full of culinary surprises, and Mr. Kabob in Detroit proves the best meals often come from the most unexpected corners. You walk in for a quick bite and leave with...

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Where To Eat By The Shore In North Carolina’s 12 Coastal Diners That Will Surprise You

These diners always make a simple plate of seafood taste like a discovery. I've been in countless restaurants, and I can tell...

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12 Mississippi Secret Smoke Barns That Make The Drive Worthwhile

Road trips through Mississippi always seem to end up enjoying amazing food in hidden locations. But locals nod like you belong....

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This Oregon Mountain Town Is Where Winter Adventure Begins

Winter starts to feel real the moment you roll into Detroit, Oregon, with frosty evergreens rising above Detroit Lake and the Cascades quietly shimmering around town. The streets...

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The Quiet Oregon Forest Town Travelers Wish They’d Found Sooner

Tucked between towering Douglas firs and the McKenzie River, McKenzie Bridge feels like a secret waiting to be discovered. This...

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9 Nevada Desert Stops That Make Long Drives Actually Enjoyable

Long stretches of highway across Nevada can feel endless, but the Silver State hides unexpected and rewarding stops between its vast desert expanses.

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