My Family Travels | Latest Articles
Article
The Highest Lake In Oklahoma Is Ready To Be Your Springtime Living Room

Think of the last place you would expect to stumble across a glittering lake in Oklahoma. You're probably thinking flat plains, red dirt, and tumbleweeds rolling past a gas station.

Read More    8 min read

Article
A New Jersey Resale Shop Where Locals Score Designer Pieces

My idea of a perfect afternoon used to involve a coffee and absolutely zero ambition, but then someone pointed me toward a certain consignment shop on a charming street in New...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Walk Among Nearly 30 Retired Military Aircraft At This Indiana Museum

I still remember the first time I stood next to a real B-47 Stratojet and felt genuinely small. There is something about being that close to a machine built for war that no textbook...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This No-Frills Virginia Kitchen Is A Taco Purist’s Dream

Some spots in Virginia don't need a fancy sign or a trendy interior to earn a loyal following. There's a small family-owned kitchen in Alexandria that has been quietly winning...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny Texas Town Offers Rodeo Roots, Historic Streets, And A Slower Pace Of Life

Dusty streets, rodeo culture, and quiet mornings make this Texas town feel like it belongs to another time. The pace is slower, the atmosphere is calm, and the western roots are...

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Burgers At These 9 Humble Restaurants In Oregon Are Worth The Trip From Anywhere In The State

What if the perfect burger could turn an ordinary afternoon into something worth talking about later? That’s exactly the kind of surprise I kept running into across Oregon.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Hidden Oklahoma Park Might Be the Lakeside Escape You’ve Been Dreaming Of

Sometimes you stumble onto a place and immediately think, why did it take me so long to get here? Imagine a mix of tall trees lining the road as you drive in, deer grazing near...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Quaint New Jersey Town Fuses Small-Town Magic With Scones, Horses, And Wandering Lanes

There’s this little New Jersey town that feels like it’s playing tricks on you, in the best way. One minute you’re nibbling...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Beginner-Friendly 2-Mile Hike In Indiana Leads You Through A Sanctuary For Endangered Bats

I never expected to find a bat sanctuary hiding in plain sight just outside of Plainfield, Indiana. This park quietly sits on 210 acres of woodland, and once you step onto its...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Dine With The Dead At Virginia’s Oldest And Most Haunted Tavern

Some restaurants serve great food. Some serve history. But very few serve both, with a side of the supernatural. This centuries-old...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The No-Frills Texas Restaurant That Proves Simple Food Done Right Never Goes Out Of Style

Some of the best meals in Texas come from places that never tried to be trendy in the first place. No flashy décor, no complicated menu, just food people keep coming back for.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Groovy Oregon Café Serves Up Live Music And Gourmet Burgers And Pizza

What if your next coffee run also doubled as a backstage pass to the best live tunes in town? In Oregon’s laid-back café scene, there’s a spot that quietly rewrites the rulebook.

Read More    6 min read

Article
The 9 Most Authentic Old-Fashioned General Stores In Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a way of slowing you down. Not in a frustrating, stuck-in-traffic way, but in a pull-over-and-look-around kind of way.

Read More    9 min read

Article
You’d Never Expect New Jersey’s Crispiest Fried Chicken To Come From This Humble Market Stall

My expectations were pretty low when someone told me the best fried chicken in New Jersey was hiding inside a farmers market. A...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Niche Indiana Bistro Features Modern British Cuisine In A Hidden Small Town

I never expected to find a British bistro in a small Indiana town, but this place in Gas City completely changed my idea of what Midwestern dining can be. Sitting just off I-69,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Virginia Seasonal Spectacle Is The Most Instagrammable Spot In The State

Okay, so I need you to picture this: rolling fields bursting with every shade of pink, purple, red, and yellow you can imagine, all tucked away in the Virginia countryside. Spring...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Underwater Bowling Alley and Restaurant In Texas Is A Family Adventure Like No Other

In Texas, you can go bowling inside a glowing underwater world that feels nothing like a typical night out. Ocean-themed lanes and bright colors instantly set the scene the moment...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Top 10 Restaurants Serving The Best Lasagna In Oregon

What if the perfect plate of lasagna was hiding in an unlikely corner of Oregon’s foodie map? Just waiting for the right palate to discover it.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This All-You-Can-Eat Catfish Spot In Oklahoma Keeps Seafood Lovers Coming Back For More

Every once in a while you find a place that completely reshapes what you think a great meal should be. Not the kind with dim lighting and tiny portions, but something far more...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Waterfront New Jersey Classic Is The Seafood Spot Locals Try To Keep For Themselves

New Jersey has seafood spots that locals guard like secrets, and this one is definitely on that list. The waterfront view sets the stage, but it’s the plates piled high with...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Quiet Virginia Lake Is A Mountain Sanctuary That Feels A Million Miles Away

Most people scroll past Virginia's Alleghany Highlands without a second glance, and honestly, that's a mistake worth talking about. Deep in the mountains, there's a lake so pristine,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This West Texas Oasis Has A Giant Spring-Fed Pool In The Desert

Out in the desert, the last thing most people expect to find is a massive pool filled with crystal clear spring water. Yet this desert park surprises visitors with exactly that,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Oregon Mountain Locals Don’t Want You To Find

What if the most breathtaking view in Oregon isn’t on any brochure, but hidden behind a rusted gate that locals barely acknowledge? I heard a whisper about a secluded ridge while...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Secret Oklahoma Wetland Wildlife Spectacle With Monarch Butterflies and Eagles

Imagine standing knee-deep in silence, surrounded by thousands of birds you never expected to see in Oklahoma. The sky fills with wings, the water shimmers, and for a moment, you...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Florida Thrift Stop Feels Like A Secret Weapon For Shoppers On A Budget

Saving money feels a lot more fun when the place doing the saving also feels like a really good find. This Florida thrift stop has that exact kind of appeal, because it gives budget-minded...

Read More    6 min read

Article
These New Jersey Amish Bulk Food Stops Make Pantry Restocks Feel Like A Budget Hack

Somewhere between my third handful of bulk trail mix and my second bag of homemade fudge, I realized I had completely lost track of time.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Stone Quarry Features 30-Foot Deep Sapphire Water Tucked Inside a Hidden Forest

There are places in Indiana that feel like they belong in a dream, and this hidden quarry swimming spot is absolutely one of them. I still remember the first time I heard about...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Best Fried Bologna Sandwich Is Tucked Away In This Tiny Virginia Town

Somewhere deep in the Appalachian highlands of Virginia, a tiny town is quietly winning the sandwich game. This Virginia spot might not ring a bell for most people, but locals...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Vermont Pie Bakery Is The Kind Of Sweet Little Stop People Gladly Go Out Of Their Way For

What kind of bakery makes people happily add extra miles just for pie? This Vermont stop answers that pretty quickly, because the place has the kind of sweet, small-scale charm...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Texas Country Diner Is Where Farm-To-Table Still Means Local, Not Trendy

Some diners feel refreshing simply because they keep things honest. This Texas country diner focuses on simple meals made with ingredients that come straight from nearby farms...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Rugged Oregon Hike That’s More Stunning Than You’d Ever Expect

What if the most breathtaking scenery in Oregon came wrapped in a challenge you’d normally reserve for seasoned trekkers? Imagine a narrow ridge that suddenly opens to a panorama...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Oklahoma Museum Brings Frontier River And Trail Stories To Life

The first time I pulled off the highway in southern Oklahoma, I was just looking for a quick stop. Stretch the legs, grab a drink, then get back on the road.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Michigan Village Known As The Antique Capital Of The State Is A Dream Day Trip For Treasure Hunters

Treasure hunters do not need much encouragement, but this Michigan village makes the whole day feel impossible to keep under control. Known as the antique capital of the state,...

Read More    7 min read

All ages will love the oceanfront pools at the Cancun Hilton Resort. photo c. Hilton
Article
14 Surprisingly Affordable Last-Minute Family Spring Breaks

It’s not too late to plan a family spring break with friends and family of any age, on any budget! The 24-hours news cycle almost demands that we wait to see...

Read More    12 min read

Article
This Hidden New Jersey Town Mixes Rustic Streets With Stories, Shops, And Scenic Paths

New Jersey has towns that feel like they were plucked straight out of a storybook, and this one is no exception. The streets...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Tiny Indiana Town Tavern Where the Award-Winning Fried Chicken Rivals its James Beard-Winning Neighbor

I had no idea a small town in southeastern Indiana could stop me in my tracks the way Oldenburg did. When I first heard about a local spot known for its fried chicken, I figured...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Small Virginia Town Is A Hidden Gem For Railway Lovers And Historic Charm Seekers

Forget the big cities for a minute. Tucked along the old rail corridor just north of Richmond, there is a small Virginia town that has been quietly winning hearts with its Victorian...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Ohio Amish Market With All-Day Breakfast And Comfort Food That Regulars Never Seem To Get Tired Of

How good does an Amish market breakfast have to be to keep regulars coming back again and again? This Ohio spot answers that pretty quickly, because the all-day breakfast and comfort...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Little-Known Texas Beaches So Good We Thought Twice About Sharing Them

Texas has more coastline than most people give it credit for, and hidden between the well-known resort towns are stretches of sand that feel almost too good to be real. I stumbled...

Read More    10 min read

Article
This Little Oregon Izakaya Has Mastered The Art Of Japanese Happy Hour

Ever notice how a modest spot can turn a regular weekday into a tiny festival? That’s exactly what happened the first time I discovered this unassuming izakaya tucked away in...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Oklahoma Trail Makes You Climb Into the Clouds and See the World Stretch Forever

Most trails offer a nice view or two along the way. Then there are the ones that make you stop in your tracks and forget whatever was on your mind a moment earlier.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This North Carolina Seafood Spot At A Farmers Market Has Locals Coming Back For Calabash Platters

How good does a Calabash platter have to be to keep people coming back like clockwork? This North Carolina seafood spot inside a farmers market answers that question fast, because...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Scenic New Jersey Escape Combines Purple Fields And Playful Alpacas

Did you know alpacas hum when they’re curious or content? It’s like their own little soundtrack to life. Now picture that...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Indiana Midnight Market Lets You Shop Vintage Finds and Collectibles Until the Clock Strikes Twelve

There is something genuinely exciting about walking into a place that looks small from the outside and then just keeps going. That is exactly what it feels like the moment you...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Montana Has A Park And Walk Rule That Catches Visitors Off Guard

One wrong parking move and suddenly your Montana stop comes with a lesson you were not planning on. This park and walk rule has a way of catching visitors off guard, mostly because...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Radiant Sunflower Farm In Virginia Is A Stunning Seasonal Day Trip

Some places just stop you in your tracks, and a sprawling golden field of sunflowers stretching as far as the eye can see will absolutely do that. This seasonal gem draws flower...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Kentucky Country Store Hides Amish Meals, Fresh Donuts, And Bakery Cases Worth Pulling Over For

Pulling over for one quick look gets a lot harder when fresh donuts and Amish comfort food are suddenly part of the situation. This Kentucky country store has the kind of setup...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Peach Cobbler At This Restaurant In Texas Is So Good, It’s What Everyone Orders

Some desserts become the reason people return to a restaurant again and again. At this cozy restaurant, the peach cobbler has quietly become the star of the menu, drawing diners...

Read More    7 min read

Article
People Drive From All Over Oregon To Squeeze Into This Hole-In-The-Wall Pizza Joint

What’s the one food?filled adventure that gets people from the coast to the high desert? All just to squeeze into a modest pizza nook.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Abandoned Pennsylvania Dam Ruins Site Still Looks Shockingly Intact

You expect abandoned ruins to look collapsed, scattered, and half-swallowed by time, which is exactly why this Pennsylvania dam site feels so surprising. Even now, the remains...

Read More    9 min read