My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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11 Highest Rated Italian Restaurants In All Of New Jersey

I don’t know about you, but when I think of New Jersey, I don’t just picture boardwalks and traffic circles - I picture pasta. Handmade, saucy, carb-loaded perfection.

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9 Vermont Candy Shops That Make You Feel Like A Kid Again

Got a sweet tooth that never really went away? Vermont might be known for maple syrup and ice cream, but its candy shops are...

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This Indiana Park Hosts an Annual Kite Festival That Draws People From Across the State

I first heard about Coxhall Gardens from a friend who raved about the kite festival, and honestly, I thought she was exaggerating. How exciting could a kite event really be?

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This Virginia Harbor Reflects A Strong Military And Civilian Divide

Can a city truly balance military might and civilian charm without losing its soul? Hampton sits at that crossroads, where naval uniforms brush past beach towels and fighter jets...

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This Texas Lake Town Families Keep Returning To

Granbury has a way of sneaking up on you. You come for a quick lakeside getaway and suddenly you are talking about when you can come back.

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This Oregon Breakfast Spot Serves Mornings Better Than Anyone Else

Breakfast along the Oregon coast has taken me to more cafés than I can count, but nothing comes close to the tiny, magical world inside Lazy Susan Cafe in Cannon Beach. This cash-only...

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9 Secret Seafood Spots Across Oklahoma Worth The Trip

Think Oklahoma is all steak and barbecue? That’s what most people expect, but locals know the state has some surprising...

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This Oklahoma Breakfast Spot Is So Good It Turns Ordinary Mornings Into Something Epic

Think breakfast in Oklahoma City means boring chain restaurants and predictable menus? Think again. Some mornings demand more...

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The Luxurious New Jersey Resort Where Locals Escape For Everyday Bliss

I’ll admit, when someone says “luxury resort,” New Jersey isn’t the first place that pops into my head. But then I found myself tucked away in the rolling hills of Vernon...

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9 Secret Trails In Michigan Still Off Your Radar

Looking for a low-key adventure? Michigan has trails that don’t usually show up on the big travel lists, but that’s exactly...

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This Indiana Restaurant’s Over-The-Top Milkshakes Are Actually Breaking the Internet

I've walked down Massachusetts Avenue more times than I can count, and every time I pass Gordon's Milkshake Bar at 865 Massachusetts Ave, I see the same thing: people with their...

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12 Virginia Local Food Markets Worth Driving Across The State For

Think your local grocery store has it all? Think again. Virginia's food markets are where the magic happens, where farmers shake...

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Small-Town Texas Steakhouses That Make Any Road Trip Delicious

Some of the best steaks in Texas are not anywhere near a big city. They are sitting off highways you almost skip, in towns where the sign has more character than the skyline.

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This Oregon Safari Lets You Drive Through Giraffes, Rhinos, and More

I never expected to lock eyes with a giraffe through my windshield in southern Oregon, but there I was, frozen in my driver’s seat and grinning like a kid. Wildlife Safari in...

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10 Spots In Wisconsin Where Cheese Curds Rule

Ever wonder what a true Wisconsin road trip tastes like? It’s not just about the miles, it’s about chasing the cheese...

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This Peaceful Oklahoma Wetland Trail Feels Like a Hidden Escape for Nature Lovers

If you think Oklahoma is all red dirt and prairie grass, you clearly haven't wandered into Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. Horton's Slough Trail proves that our state holds...

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This Classic No-Frills New Jersey Spot Might Just Serve The Best Fries In The State

The first time I pulled up to Tick Tock Diner on Allwood Road in Clifton, I wasn’t just hungry, I was curious. That gleaming chrome exterior practically screams “classic Jersey,”...

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10 California Hikes That Stay Beautiful And Uncrowded

You want beauty without the crowds, right? California has so many trails where the views stay big and the foot traffic stays...

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This Indiana Restaurant Serves Ramen That Students Keep Coming Back For

Walking into Kyuramen on Massachusetts Avenue feels like stepping into another world. The neon glow spilling onto the sidewalk caught my eye immediately, and once inside, the buzz...

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This Virginia Small Town Has History Written Into Every Cobblestone

Think small towns are boring? Think again. Clifton Forge in Virginia packs more character per square foot than cities ten times...

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Locals Say This Texas Thrift Store Has Hidden Treasures You Won’t Believe

I went into Top Drawer Thrift expecting a quick browse and walked out wondering how this place is not constantly packed. Sitting at North Loop and Airport Boulevard, it feels nothing...

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11 Spots In Coastal Maine Serving Chowder Like A King

Chowder crawl, anyone? A coastal Maine loop sounds like the perfect excuse to eat your way through the state.

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8 Oregon Buffets That Don’t Look Like Much But Hit Every Craving

I’ve spent years roaming Oregon, and the best meals almost never look impressive from the outside. Some of my all-time favorites came from buffets hiding in strip malls, stuck...

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This Tiny Oklahoma Jail Is a Time Capsule From the Wild Days of Frontier Justice

Some people think that real history lives in museums behind velvet ropes, but what if the most authentic slice of the Old West sits unlocked in a ghost town, waiting for you to...

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12 Romantic Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day In New Jersey

Valentine’s Day in New Jersey is basically my excuse to act like a hopeless romantic without crossing the Hudson. Why fight...

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10 Taco Spots Californians Can’t Get Enough Of

Ready to eat your way through California? A taco road trip isn’t just an idea anymore, it’s a plan worth making.

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Indiana’s Must-Visit Pancake House for the Breakfast of Your Dreams

I've been chasing the perfect breakfast around Indianapolis for years, and let me tell you something honest. Lincoln Square Pancake House at 613 W 11th St has absolutely ruined...

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This Virginia Hidden Mountain Trail Offers Endless Views And Solitude

Think you've seen all the best views in Virginia? Think again. Tucked away along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park sits...

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This Little-Known Texas State Park Lets You Enjoy a Full Day Outdoors for Just $5

I did not expect five dollars to buy this much peace. Blanco State Park is one of those places that quietly overdelivers without asking for attention.

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11 Upstate New York Ranches Perfect For A Getaway

Looking for a road trip that feels easy and refreshing? Upstate New York has the perfect loop: fresh pine air, relaxed ranches,...

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This Lesser Known Oregon Spot Is Making the Popular Ones Look Overrated

I’ve driven past Cannon Beach more times than I can count, crawling through traffic just to snap the same photo as everyone else. Then I found Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area...

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11 Unassuming Spots in Oklahoma Serving Outrageously Fresh Seafood

Oklahoma and fresh seafood might sound like an unlikely pairing to some folks, but that assumption couldn't be more wrong. Landlocked doesn't mean limited when restaurant owners...

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This Once-Quiet New Jersey Spot Is Now Tourist-Ruined, According To Locals

I remember when Asbury Park felt like a peaceful seaside escape. Back then, I could stroll the boardwalk without weaving through crowds or waiting forever for a slice of pizza....

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This Indiana City Has a Cat Cafe That’s Basically a Paradise for Feline Fans

Walking into Nine Lives Cafe & Cat Lounge on Shelby Street, you might expect a cute coffee shop with a few cats wandering around. What you find is something entirely different.

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10 Unusual Monuments Only Nevada Could Create

Nevada doesn’t do ordinary, and I like that. When it comes to monuments, the state has a knack for turning wild ideas into...

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This Virginia BBQ Joint Proves Small Menus Can Deliver Big Flavor

I used to fall for the biggest-menu-wins idea until I pulled up to County Smoak on Timberlake Road in Lynchburg and realized I had it backwards. This place keeps it simple on purpose,...

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This Indiana City Is Home to a Massive 10-Day Festival That Takes Over the Entire Town

Rockville is one of those places that makes you wonder why you waited so long to visit. Tucked into Parke County, it comes alive every October during the Covered Bridge Festival,...

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These 12 Texas Towns Feel Made for Valentine’s Weekend

Valentine’s Day in Texas does not have to mean fighting for reservations or pretending a crowded restaurant feels romantic. I started looking for places where romance happens...

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This Haunted Oregon Lighthouse Locals Avoid After the Sun Goes Down

Perched high on Oregon’s rugged coastline, Heceta Head Lighthouse has been guiding ships safely for over a century - but after dark, it feels like something else is in charge....

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9 Nevada’s Most Underrated Museums Worth The Detour

We are rolling through Nevada with a loose plan and a strong curiosity! These museums just keep popping up like friendly surprises...

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These Oklahoma Diner Burgers Are So Good, Loyalty Comes With the First Bite

Can a burger really make you loyal on the first bite? Some folks in Norman say absolutely yes, while others think the glory days are gone.

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A Lesser-Known New Jersey State Park That Deserves Your Attention

I’ll admit it - the first time I heard about Cheesequake State Park, I thought someone was joking. But in Middlesex County, this New Jersey park is one of the state’s best-kept...

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This Indiana River Trail Is a Favorite for Kayaking and Wildlife Spotting

I first paddled Blue River on a bright May morning, and I remember thinking the water looked like liquid glass reflecting the limestone bluffs above. Southern Indiana holds plenty...

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This Virginia Seafood Restaurant Built Its Reputation On No-Frills Freshness

I thought I knew seafood until I realized how often it gets smothered, dressed up, and overcomplicated for no good reason. Then I found The Atlantic on Pacific, and everything...

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8 Texas Thrift Stores That Make $35 Feel Like a Fortune

I set myself a challenge that sounded ridiculous at first. Walk into Texas thrift stores with just thirty-five dollars and see what actually happens.

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This Oregon Train Serves Gourmet Meals as You Cruise Through Breathtaking Canyons

I hopped aboard the Santiam Excursion Trains in Lebanon, Oregon, and immediately knew this wasn’t your average train ride. Imagine gliding through the stunning Santiam Canyon...

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This Unassuming Oklahoma Restaurant Delivers Dock-to-Plate Flavor Far From the Coast

Landlocked states don't get enough credit for serving top-tier seafood, and Oklahoma City proves that theory wrong every single day. Seafood lovers swear by coastal spots, but...

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10 Places in Indiana That Prove the State Is Way More Interesting Than People Think

I used to think Indiana was all about cornfields and racetracks until I started exploring the state with fresh eyes. What I discovered completely changed my perspective and turned...

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This Striking Norfolk Pier Is A Record-Breaking Paradise For East Coast Anglers

I thought I had seen every fishing spot Virginia could throw at me, then I spent time on Ocean View Fishing Pier and realized how wrong I was.

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This Small Texas Town Feels Like a Secret You’ll Want to Keep for Yourself

Salado feels like the kind of place you accidentally fall in love with. One minute you are driving through Central Texas, the next you are slowing down without even trying, wandering...

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