My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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This Easy Indiana Hike Unveils A Lush Secret Garden Hiding Right In The City

I have lived in Indiana long enough to think I had seen every green corner this city had to offer. Then someone mentioned Holcomb Gardens, and I honestly could not believe I had...

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This Virginia Fabric Wonderland Will Make You Want To Start A New Quilt Project Today

Okay, Virginia quilters, I have a confession to make. I walked into what I thought would be a quick afternoon stop, and I ended up spending hours completely lost in a sea of the...

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This Abandoned Massachusetts Quarry Site Is Basically A Giant Graffiti Stone Playground

Colorful, chaotic, and a little unreal, this abandoned Massachusetts quarry does not exactly ease you into the experience. The place hits you fast with huge stone walls, wide-open...

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The Hill Country Olive Farm Where You Can Taste Fresh Texas Olive Oil

Fresh olive oil tastes different when it comes straight from the source in Texas. The flavors are richer, smoother, and easy to notice right away.

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One Of The Highest Lakes In Oregon Is Ready To Be Your Dramatic Springtime Retreat

What would happen if you swapped the usual weekend grind for a sunrise over one of Oregon’s highest lakes? The idea alone feels like a reset.

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This Giant Oklahoma Ranch Store Is Part Hardware, Part Farm Supply, Part Clothing Shop and a Treasure Hunt Inside

You know that kind of store where you walk in for one thing and somehow leave carrying five. Oklahoma has a spot like this, and it has become a go to stop for shoppers all over...

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This Virginia Hole In The Wall Spot Serves A Wagyu Burger That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Picture this: you’re cruising through a quiet corner of Virginia, craving something more than the usual fast-food fare, when you spot a modest doorway tucked between the locals’...

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Iowa Has A Furniture Stop Where Amish Craftsmanship Is The Whole Point

Some furniture stores make you think about prices first, but this Iowa stop makes craftsmanship the part you notice right away. The moment you start looking around, it becomes...

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The French Toast In New Jersey That Could Ruin Your Diet (In The Best Way)

Some mornings, you wake up with absolutely zero intention of eating something life-changing, and then the universe has other plans.

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This Indiana Pizzeria Serves Authentic Charred Crust Pies With Mozzarella Made Fresh Every Hour

I never thought I would find a pizza this close to what I ate in Naples, Indiana of all places. But this little spot completely changed my expectations in a way I didn’t see...

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This Virginia Adventure Area Is An Off-Roading Playground Hiding In The Mountains

Forget the beach crowds and overpriced tourist traps. There is an off-roading paradise in Virginia that most people have never heard of, and the locals who know it want to keep...

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This Abandoned New York Institution Still Sits In The Open Like A Ghost Campus

It is one thing for a place to be abandoned, but it is another for it to keep sitting out in the open like the world somehow forgot to finish saying goodbye.

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The Smashburgers At This Tiny Texas Burger Spot Leave A Lasting Impression

Some of the most talked about burgers in Texas come from a spot you could easily overlook. The space is small, but the flavor is anything but.

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This Hidden Oregon Lounge Lets You Sip Underground In Style

There’s a rumor among friends that the best nights in Oregon aren’t always found on busy streets. Some are hidden just out of sight.

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Adorable Alpacas And Magnolia Trees Make This Oklahoma Family Farm A Must-Visit This Spring

Imagine you pull up to a farm on a breezy spring morning, magnolia blossoms are swaying overhead, and suddenly a fluffy, big-eyed alpaca is staring you down like you owe it a snack....

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This Amish Variety Store In Colorado Turns One Stop Into A Full Cart

You can walk in planning to grab one or two things, and then watch that plan completely fall apart by the time you reach the next aisle. This Amish variety store in Colorado has...

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10 New Jersey Cinnamon Rolls Worth The Early Alarm

There’s something about cinnamon rolls in New Jersey that makes waking up early almost worth it. The smell alone could drag...

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Discover The “Train That Ran On Water” At This Unique Indiana Canal Landmark

I still remember the first time I pulled into Metamora and felt like I had somehow slipped back in time. The smell of fresh-ground grain drifting from an old mill, the sound of...

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The Famous Field Of Dreams Movie Site In Iowa Is Even Cooler In Person Than You’d Expect

Why does this movie site feel like so much more than a quick photo stop once you finally see it in person? The famous Field Of Dreams site in Iowa answers that almost immediately.

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This Virginia Kitchen Serves A Plate Of Biscuits And Gravy That Locals Call The True Gold Standard

There’s something magical about stumbling upon a humble kitchen in Virginia that serves up a plate of biscuits and gravy worth writing home about. The moment you walk in, the...

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The Washington Thrift Shop Where Stylish Finds Come With An Even Better Price Tag

Why pay full price when a thrift find can look this good and feel even smarter? This Washington shop has the kind of stylish selection that makes bargain hunting feel less like...

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The Historic Texas District Where The Wild West Still Comes Alive Every Day

The Wild West still feels alive in this part of Texas every single day. Cattle drives, wooden storefronts, and the sound of boots on brick streets set the scene.

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This Historic Oregon Tavern Pairs Legendary Burgers With Live Local Harmonies

There’s a little secret locals whisper about when they’re chasing a night that feels both familiar and fresh. In Oregon’s historic heart, a tavern serves burgers that have...

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The Cozy Washington Bookstore Where Books And Dinner End Up On The Same Plan

Dinner plans get a lot more appealing when a bookstore somehow ends up improving them. This cozy Washington spot has the kind of pull that makes a simple browse stretch naturally...

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This Oklahoma Hilltop Steakhouse Serves Food That Tastes as Epic as the Panoramic Views

I was driving through the wide open plains of western Oklahoma, nothing but sky and horizon in every direction, when something on a hill caught my eye. A building perched up there...

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This Kentucky Pie Kitchen Turns A Dessert Stop Into The Whole Reason For The Drive

Why does a simple dessert stop suddenly feel a lot more serious when pie is involved? This Kentucky pie kitchen answers that very quickly.

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This New Jersey Colonial Farmhouse Hides Tales Of Revolutionary War Bravery And A Legendary Local Heroine

Most New Jersey historic plaques are just places where George Washington took a nap, but this farmhouse actually has some backbone.

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This Indiana Restaurant Features Gourmet Southern BBQ Served In A Converted Gas Station

I never thought a tiny roadside building west of Indianapolis would become one of my favorite food destinations in all of Indiana. But the first time I caught the scent of hickory...

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This Michigan Laundromat And Cafe Turns A Basic Chore Into A Community Hangout

Laundry is usually the part of the week people try to get through as fast as possible, but this Michigan spot clearly had a better idea. Instead of feeling like a place you rush...

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These 10 Enchanting Antique Shops In Virginia Are A Paradise For Treasure Hunters

There’s something magical about stepping into a shop where history and charm collide, especially in the heart of Virginia’s winding towns. Picture aisles lined with polished...

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The Washington Antique Town With Shops, Charm, And A Great Food Scene

Why does an antique town feel so much more tempting when great food is part of the deal too? This Washington spot answers that almost immediately.

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Hidden Beneath A Texas Street, This Restaurant Is A True Underground Secret

Beneath a busy Texas street, this hidden restaurant feels like a secret most people walk right past. From above, you would never guess what is waiting below.

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This Often-Overlooked Oregon State Park Feels Like a Secret You’re Not Supposed to Find

Imagine hearing a whisper from the trees about a place in Oregon that most visitors never write about. It’s the kind of spot that appears on a friend’s “hidden-gem” list,...

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This Delaware Animal Experience Is Packed With Otters, Kangaroos, And Plenty Of Surprises

How often does one animal stop manage to surprise you before you have even made it all the way through? This Delaware experience has that effect almost immediately, because the...

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This Oklahoma Restaurant and Mercantile Is Famous for Mouthwatering Comfort Food and Irresistible Homemade Biscuits

Imagine a place where the smell of fresh-baked biscuits hits you before you even open the door. There are shelves packed with charming gifts, a bakery humming with activity upstairs,...

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This Tennessee Country Market Brings Amish Roots, Bakery Cases, And Deli Comfort Food Together In One Stop

How do you turn a simple country market stop into the part of the day people keep talking about afterward? This Tennessee spot makes that look very easy.

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This Massive New Jersey Traveling Market Turns $25 Into A Treasure Hunt For Punk Rock Art, Vinyl, And Weird Curiosities

You know those places in New Jersey where shopping feels more like an adventure than a chore? This traveling market is exactly that.

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This Floating Double-Decker Tiki Cruise In Indiana Belongs On Your Bucket List

I never thought I would find a floating party boat in southern Indiana, but here we are, and honestly, it might be one of the coolest things I have stumbled upon in this state....

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This Florida Super Thrift Spot Feels Like A Secret Weapon For Deal Hunters

Walking into a place like this feels a little like getting access to shopping information other people should probably keep to themselves. This Florida super thrift spot has that...

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This Cozy Virginia Coffee Nook Is A Best-Kept Neighborhood Secret

There’s something magical about slipping into a tucked?away coffee nook where the aroma of freshly brewed beans mingles with the soft hum of conversation, and you can almost...

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This Easygoing Georgia Seafood Spot Serves The Kind Of Meal Locals Never Get Tired Of

Why do locals keep choosing this Georgia seafood spot when there are plenty of places to eat along the way? The answer starts showing up as soon as the meal hits the table.

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This Magical Waterfall Hike In Texas Feels Like A Hidden Fairytale World

This Texas waterfall hike feels like something out of a fairytale. Tall trees, quiet trails, and the sound of flowing water set the tone right away.

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This Indiana Farm-To-Table Spot Offers A Rare “Wagyu” Burger Made From Their Own Herd

I never expected a small town in northeast Indiana to completely change the way I think about a burger. But the moment I took that first bite, I understood what all the talk was...

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This Oregon Museum Is Where The Sunken Stories Of The Great Lakes Are Brought Back to the Surface

Did you know that fewer than one-in-ten Great Lakes shipwrecks have ever been fully documented? Somewhere in Oregon, a modest museum brings that fact to life.

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This Unassuming Oklahoma Restaurant Makes Chicken Wings That Locals Say Are Legendary

I have walked into plenty of places by accident, but the ones that really stick are the ones locals seem to guard like a secret. That is exactly the feeling I got at a spot on...

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This Remote New Jersey Landmark Lets You Watch Wild Deer From Your Table At Sunset

Imagine sitting down for dinner in New Jersey and realizing you’ve got front-row seats to a wildlife show. Deer wander by...

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This Hidden Indiana Lake Has The Bluest Water And Best Sunsets

I grew up hearing about Lake Maxinkuckee from my grandparents, and the first time I actually stood at its shoreline, I completely understood why they never stopped talking about...

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Virginia’s Best-Kept Geological Secret Is A 400-Million-Year-Old Rock Maze

Somewhere deep in the Appalachian highlands of Virginia, a sandstone labyrinth sits quietly at the top of a mountain, waiting for the curious and the bold. Most people drive right...

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You’ll Be Stuffed in Minutes at This Legendary Texas Buffet

One plate is never enough at this Texas buffet. The portions are generous, the options keep coming, and it is easy to go back for more.

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The Riverside Oregon Cafe Where Every Ingredient Is Grown Just Steps From Your Table

Ever catch yourself wondering why a simple bite can bring back a rush of memories? That’s exactly what happened when I found a little riverside spot in Oregon.

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