My Family Travels | Latest Articles
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The Pennsylvania Riverfront Café That Turns Rain Into A Reason To Stay

Let’s point the car toward the Delaware River and let the weather call the shots. If the clouds roll in, even better, because...

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This Virginia Historic Landmark Sparks Opinions About Tradition

Can a single house hold the weight of an entire nation's turning point? Some say Appomattox Court House is hallowed ground where America found peace, while others argue it represents...

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These 9 Virginia Festivals Highlight Cultural Tensions And Community Spirit

Virginia pulses with a vibrant mix of history, heritage, and modern voices that clash and unite at the same time. Throughout the state, festivals serve as meeting grounds where...

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This Texas Sinkhole Has an Unsettling Silence You Can’t Explain

The first time I stood near the Devil’s Sinkhole in the Texas Hill Country, the quiet stopped me in my tracks. Not peaceful quiet, but the kind that feels heavy, like the land...

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Why This Haunted Colorado Diner Is Best On Dark Cloud Days

You know how some places just come alive when the sky turns heavy and gray? That is Moonlight Diner & Bar out on Tower...

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This Magical Waterfall in Oregon Remains a Well-Kept Secret

I still remember the first time I stumbled upon Toketee Falls in Oregon, tucked away in the Umpqua National Forest like a secret waiting to be discovered. The drive alone felt...

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Oklahoma’s Comfort-Food Map of Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Is Peak Cozy

Some people believe meatloaf is outdated, that it belongs in a bygone era of TV dinners and suburban sameness. But drive through Oklahoma and you will find a different story entirely,...

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This New Jersey Flower Farm Is A Golden Escape You’ll Never Forget

In the rolling hills of Bernardsville, New Jersey, I found a place that feels more like a painting than a farm. Peony’s...

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This Indiana Meadow Blooms Like Magic Every Spring, and Locals Can’t Get Enough

Every spring, something extraordinary happens at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. The meadows burst into color, trails come alive with wildflowers, and locals flock to...

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8 Off-the-Radar State Parks in Texas You’ve Probably Never Heard Of but Should Visit

Texas is huge, and for a long time I thought I had a pretty good handle on its outdoor scene. Turns out I was barely touching it. Everyone...

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Chicken Fried Steaks Locals Argue Are the Best in Texas

Texas does not mess around when it comes to comfort food, and chicken fried steak has always felt personal to me. I grew up hearing arguments about who does it best, who makes...

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9 Oregon Breakfast Spots That Take Mornings Very Seriously

Morning light hits the Pacific Northwest differently, especially when you know a plate of something extraordinary is waiting just down the street. Oregon has quietly built a breakfast...

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South Dakota Winter Weekend Route Through Hill City Custer And Beyond

You up for a winter run through the Black Hills with me? I’m thinking quiet roads, frosty pines, and small towns that feel...

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People Will Chicken-Out of Any Plan to Drive for This No-Frills Oklahoma Fried Chicken

Some folks claim they'd drive across state lines for the perfect fried chicken, but when it comes to Nashbird in Oklahoma City, people aren't just willing to cancel plans, they're...

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The New Jersey Spot Serving German Potato Salad Everyone’s Talking About

I’ve eaten my way through plenty of small-town restaurants, but Sebastian’s Schnitzelhaus in Wrightstown, New Jersey, genuinely surprised me.

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9 Hidden Oregon Cafes With Stories You Won’t Believe

Oregon has always been known for its wild landscapes and creative spirit, but tucked away in its cities and small towns are cafes that go far beyond great coffee and pastries....

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This Hidden Indiana Spot Offers Locals the Ultimate Stargazing Experience

When darkness falls across northern Indiana, something magical happens at Tippecanoe River State Park near Winamac. The sky transforms into a glittering canvas of stars, planets,...

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10 Midwest Rural Towns Where Visitors Miss The Unwritten Rules

You know how some places seem chill until you accidentally break the vibe? That is the Midwest small town thing in a nutshell....

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This Virginia Park Preserves The History Of An Ancient Island Village Underwater

What if you could stand where an ancient civilization once thrived, now resting peacefully beneath the rippling surface of a massive lake? Occoneechee State Park in Clarksville,...

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This Indiana City Has Earned a Reputation for Its Brunch Scene and Local Favorites

Evansville sits along the Ohio River in southwestern Indiana, quietly building a reputation that goes way beyond its riverboat history and Angel Mounds. While most folks know it...

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Everyone Says This Mom-And-Pop Diner in Texas Is a Must-Stop for Breakfast

The first time I walked into Bill Smith’s Cafe in Van Alstyne, I knew exactly why it’s been around since 1956. There’s nothing flashy about it, and that’s the whole point.

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12 Southern Buffet Towns Travelers Journey Hours To Enjoy Each Weekend

Some weekends just call for good food and a simple plan. No complicated schedules, just a road map and an appetite.

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The Lesser Known Oregon Town People Move Through Until They Suddenly Stay Longer

I rolled into Jacksonville thinking it was just another pit stop on my way to somewhere bigger. Boy, was I wrong. This tiny Gold...

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Tourists Ruined This Once-Quiet Oklahoma Getaway by Loving It Too Much

What happens when a secret slice of paradise becomes everyone's favorite escape? Broken Bow Lake in southeastern Oklahoma knows the answer all too well.

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These Relaxing New Jersey Trails Take You To Secluded Hideaways

New Jersey might be famous for its beaches and boardwalks, but hidden within this small state are trails that lead to some of the most peaceful, untouched corners you could imagine....

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How Tourists Are Turning This Once-Quiet Indiana Town Into a Traffic Nightmare

Nashville, Indiana used to be the kind of place where you could drive down Main Street without hitting a single stoplight or worrying about finding parking. Locals knew every face,...

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This Virginia Peaceful Mountain Town Is Full Of Healing Springs And Scenic Views

Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia, Hot Springs is a tiny mountain town that feels like stepping into a wellness retreat designed by nature itself. With a population...

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This Massive Texas Flea Market Brings Bargain Hunters From Every Corner of Texas

The first time I went to Traders Village, I thought I was just stopping by a flea market. I was very wrong. Sitting off Mayfield...

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Oregon Locals Swear by the Cinnamon Rolls at This Humble Little Restaurant

I'll never forget the first time I walked into Otis Cafe and caught a whiff of those legendary cinnamon rolls baking in the back. My stomach literally growled so loud the person...

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This Oklahoma Amish Bakery Is Low-Key One of the Sweetest Stops in the State

Some folks believe the best food in Oklahoma is hiding in plain sight on a stretch of Route 66, served by hands that know the meaning of slow cooking and real ingredients. Others...

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The New Jersey Sushi Bar Where Every Table Gets A Hidden Surprise

I’ve wandered into plenty of sushi spots during my travels, but Kim’s Sushi in West Orange, New Jersey, completely caught me off guard.

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This Indiana City Offers Unexpected History Lessons Around Every Corner

Crawfordsville sits quietly in west central Indiana, about 49 miles northwest of Indianapolis, holding stories that most people drive right past without a second thought. This...

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This All-You-Can-Eat Mexican Spot In Virginia Is A Local Favorite For Good Reason

Ever wonder where locals flock when they're craving unlimited Mexican food without breaking the bank? Tucked away in Yorktown, Virginia, Cinco de Mayo Mexican Restaurant has been...

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These 8 Hole in the Wall Restaurants in Oregon End Up Becoming Favorites

I stumbled into my first hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Oregon completely by accident, and it changed how I eat forever. You know those tiny spots tucked between laundromats and...

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So Wide Open It Feels Empty, This Oklahoma State Park Makes You Wonder Where Everyone Went

Oklahoma has some incredible state parks, but here's the real question: why do so many people drive right past one of the most unique landscapes in the entire state?

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This Idyllic New Jersey Spot Is Straight Out Of A Storybook With Charm Around Every Corner

Chester, New Jersey is one of those places that feels like it was plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale book. Tucked...

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This Hidden Mineral Spa in Indiana Is Perfect for a Relaxing Escape

French Lick Springs sits quietly in southern Indiana, a place where mineral waters once drew visitors from across the country seeking healing and relaxation. The town built its...

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This Historic 17th-Century Church In Virginia Is A Must-See Architectural Treasure

Picture this: a brick church standing proud since the days when Jamestown was still finding its footing, where the original stained glass still catches the light just like it did...

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You Have to Try the Biscuits and Gravy at This Little Texas Spot

I’ve learned that if a breakfast place has a line before the sun is fully up, it’s either wildly overrated or absolutely worth it; and Texas Sunrise is firmly in the second...

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These Oregon Cafés Serve Coffee Strong Enough to Power Your Morning

I never understood the hype around coffee - until Oregon showed me what real caffeine power feels like. This state isn’t just home to coffee shops; it’s where cafés serve...

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These Oklahoma Tortillas Are So Good People Smuggle Them Home in Bags

Some people swear by their grandma's cooking, while others argue that the best tortillas come from a hole-in-the-wall spot nobody's heard of. But what if there's a place in southern...

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The Quirky Roadside Motel In New Jersey That Redefines Kitschy Escapes

I used to pass Feather Nest Inn countless times without giving it a second thought - just another roadside motel in Cherry Hill, right?

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7 Italian Eateries in Indiana Where Pasta Is Taken Seriously

Indiana might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of authentic Italian food, but the Hoosier State has some seriously impressive pasta spots. From family-run...

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This Hidden Virginia Mountain Getaway Is Ideal For Snow Lovers And Spa Seekers

Think a luxury resort can't deliver both adrenaline and zen? Think again. Tucked into the Allegheny Mountains, this Virginia...

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This Quirky Museum in Texas Is One of the Most Fascinating Spots You’ll Visit

I didn’t expect to be standing in the middle of East Texas staring at a building made entirely of salt; but that’s exactly what happened in Grand Saline. The Salt Palace isn’t...

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10 Lesser-Known Hikes in Oregon You Must Visit in 2026

Oregon is packed with some of the most breathtaking trails in the country - but you don’t have to elbow through crowds to experience them. After years of exploring this wild,...

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This Oklahoma Ghost Town Was Never Fully Abandoned, and That’s the Creepiest Part

Some places faded overnight, but Nowata, Oklahoma took a different path. This small town in northeastern Oklahoma never quite gave up the ghost, and that half-life existence might...

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The New Jersey Restaurant Where Boomers And Gen Z Agree On The Menu

Hidden in a strip mall along Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands, Navesink Fishery has cracked the code that most restaurants only dream about: creating a menu that brings together...

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This Open-Air Train Through Virginia Combines Scenic Views And Nostalgic Vibes

Picture yourself rolling through the Virginia countryside on a vintage maintenance-of-way rail car, wind in your hair, trees whizzing past, and the clickety-clack of steel wheels...

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12 Oregon Overlooks So Stunning They Spoil The Rest

When we travel, we’re all chasing the same thing: easy days and moments we’ll never forget. Oregon delivers both, especially...

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