amara blake author at My Family Travels
Article
11 Virginia Restaurants With Senior Discounts Worth Knowing About

Good food is something everyone deserves, but the price tag can sometimes get in the way. That is why a senior discount at a restaurant is more than just a few dollars off the...

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10 Virginia Horseback Riding Destinations Surrounded By Beautiful Scenery

There is something about riding a horse through open fields and forest trails that feels both timeless and freeing. The rhythm of the horse, the sound of hooves on dirt, the scenery...

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9 Virginia Water Trails Made For A Perfect Day Of Kayaking

There is something about being on the water that makes everything else fade away. The sounds of the city are replaced by the splash of your paddle and the call of birds.

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This Secret Fabric World In Virginia Features Thousands Of Bolts For Creative Makers

You walk through the doors and your breath catches. Bolts of fabric stretch in every direction, arranged by color and pattern, and the sheer volume is overwhelming.

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This Virginia Indian Buffet Is a Locals-Only Secret Worth Finding

Some of the best restaurants are the ones that tourists never find. They are hidden in strip malls or tucked away on side streets, serving food that has earned a loyal local following.

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It Turns Out One Of America’s Absolute Happiest Places Is This Tiny Virginia Town

There are rankings for everything these days. Best places to live, best places to retire, best places to visit. But there is...

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11 Best Breakfast Restaurants In Virginia To Start Your Day Right

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so they say. But the truth is, a good breakfast is simply the best way to start the day, whether you have a long drive ahead...

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10 Virginia Small Towns That Refuse To Sell Their Soul For Tourist Dollars

There is a certain kind of small town that has figured out what matters. The main street is still full of local shops, not chain stores.

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This Virginia Restaurant Makes Comfort Food Feel A Little Smarter And A Lot More Fun

Comfort food is supposed to be simple. But sometimes you want it to be a little smarter, a little more interesting, without losing the warmth that makes it comforting.

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Virginia’s Most Unusual Coffee Shop Is A Professional Bike Shop On A Famous Rail-Trail

You are out for a ride on a well-known rail-trail, the wind in your hair and the miles rolling by. Then you see it, a place that seems to understand exactly what you need.

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The Breathtaking Virginia Open-Air Gathering Where Hundreds Of Independent Makers Assemble Just Once A Year

Once a year, the shores of this Virginia lake transform into something magical. Hundreds of independent makers gather in one open-air space, setting up booths filled with crafts,...

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The Famous Haunted Virginia Landmark That Opens Its Doors To Horror Fans Throughout The Fall

The building stands on a hill, old and weathered, with a history that has fueled decades of legends and late-night conversations. This famous haunted Virginia landmark opens its...

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9 Virginia Steakhouses Tucked Inside Timeless Country Manors and Historic Estates Worth Every Mile of the Drive

A steak dinner is one thing. A steak dinner in a historic manor, surrounded by old stone and candlelight, that is something else entirely.

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This Expansive Virginia Mountain Adventure Area Is an Outdoor Playground With Trailside Cabins, Guided Tracks, and Serious Off-Road Action

The trail starts out gentle enough, gravel crunching under the tires as you roll through the forest. Then it narrows, tilts upward, and suddenly you are gripping the wheel, picking...

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This Rugged 7-Mile Virginia Trail Winds Into an Ancient Old-Growth Forest with Trees Up to 400 Years Old

You walk through the forest and the world changes. The trees grow larger, their trunks thick and scarred by centuries. The canopy...

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This Virginia Farmers Market Has Fresh Produce At Prices So Low Customers Call It A Hidden Gem

The prices look like they belong in another decade. A basket of tomatoes for a few dollars. A bag of peppers that costs less...

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The Historic Virginia Plantation Where You Can Still See Revolutionary War Damage And ‘Hospital Artifacts’ From 1781

The bullet holes are still in the walls. The floorboards still carry stains that tell a story. This historic Virginia plantation...

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This Massive Virginia Indoor Waterpark Resort Features Thrilling Slides And Multi-Seasonal Heated Pools For The Ultimate Family Getaway

The slide drops you into a splash, and the wave pool rocks you with every surge. This massive Virginia indoor waterpark resort features thrilling slides and multi-seasonal heated...

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This Award-Winning Virginia Country Bar Keeps The Line Dancing Alive Every Weekend

The boots are on the floor, the music is loud, and the crowd is moving as one. This award-winning Virginia country bar keeps the line dancing alive every weekend, a place where...

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9 Virginia Corn Mazes That Will Get You Lost For Hours (And You’ll Love It)

You step into the corn and the world disappears. The stalks are tall, the paths twist, and the only way out is to keep moving. These...

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This Historic Virginia Market Packs a Vibrant Downtown Pavilion into a Multi-Vendor Foodie Haven Every Week

The pavilion is buzzing with energy. Vendors line the space, each one offering something different. Fresh produce, baked goods,...

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11 Beaches In Virginia Facing Jellyfish Advisory Alerts This Summer

Summer in Virginia means beach days. But this year, swimmers need to pay attention. Eleven beaches in Virginia are facing jellyfish...

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This Giant Virginia Cement Mixer Was Transformed Into A Functional Walk-In Kaleidoscope

You walk through the door and the world dissolves into color. Light bounces off mirrors, patterns shift and swirl, and you feel like you have stepped inside a dream.

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This Virginia Vietnamese Bakery Serves Bánh Mì So Fresh, Locals Can’t Stop Coming Back

The baguette is crispy, the pork is tender, and the pickled vegetables add the perfect tang. This Virginia Vietnamese bakery serves bánh mì so fresh that locals cannot stop coming...

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9 Virginia Museums Dedicated To One Very Specific (And Bizarre) Thing

You have seen the usual museums. Art, history, science. But Virginia has another kind of museum, the kind that makes you tilt...

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11 Beaches In Virginia That Are Way Better Than Virginia Beach (And Locals Know It)

Virginia Beach gets all the attention. The boardwalk, the crowds, the high-rise hotels. But there are other beaches in Virginia,...

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The Homemade Ice Cream at This Virginia Roadside Drive-Thru Stand Is Worth Every Mile of the Drive

The line of cars snakes down the road. People wait patiently, windows down, ready for what is coming. The homemade ice cream...

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10 Unbelievably Cheap Virginia Flea Markets Where Everything Has A Story

You can buy new things anywhere. But the best finds come with history. These unbelievably cheap Virginia flea markets are where...

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This Shenandoah Valley View Proves The Blue Ridge Mountains Outshine Any Virginia Beach Sunset

Virginia Beach sunsets are beautiful. The sky turns pink and orange over the water, a classic coastal view. But this Shenandoah...

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10 Historic Small Towns in Virginia That Time Forgot

You drive through them and wonder why more people do not stop. The main streets are lined with buildings from another century, the pace is slow, and the people are friendly.

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This Secluded Virginia Hideaway Is Where President Washington Found True Peace

George Washington knew a good piece of land when he saw it. He owned many properties across Virginia, but this secluded hideaway was where he found true peace.

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This Virginia Mountain Bookmobile Has Been Delivering Books Since 1946

Imagine a library that comes to you, winding through misty Blue Ridge mountain roads to drop off books right at your doorstep. That is exactly what has been happening in Patrick...

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10 Virginia Caves With Underground Wonders You Can Actually Walk Through

The cool air hits you as you descend. The light fades. And the underground world opens up. These Virginia caves have wonders...

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This County Park Was Once The Heart Of Virginia’s Forgotten 19th-Century Gold Rush

Gold. The word made people do strange things in the 19th century. They abandoned farms, left families, and flooded into the...

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This Boutique Virginia Art Museum Was Just Named The Best In The Region

The building is elegant, the exhibits are thoughtfully curated, and the whole experience feels intimate and personal. This boutique Virginia art museum was just named the best...

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Virginia’s Best-Kept Mountain Resort Secret Has an Award-Winning Trout Stream and Rustic Wilderness Restaurant

The trout stream winds through the property, clear and cold, a favorite of fly fishers who have come from across the country. The restaurant serves rustic wilderness food, hearty...

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One of Virginia’s Last Remaining Drive-In Theaters Rebrands and Celebrates Its 70th Anniversary

Drive-in theaters are a dying breed. But this Virginia landmark refuses to go quietly. One of the state's last remaining drive-ins...

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10 Virginia Tea Rooms Ranging From Immersive Historic Gatherings To Traditional British Afternoon Teas

The kettle is on, the cups are out, and the scones are warm from the oven. Virginia has a wonderful collection of tea rooms, and they range from immersive historic gatherings to...

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The Virginia Coastal Town With So Few Residents You Will Feel Like You Stepped Back In Time

The ferry ride is the first hint that you are leaving the modern world behind. Then you step onto the dock and the quiet hits you.

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This Historic Virginia Old Town Landmark Has Been Serving Acclaimed Artisanal Thin-Crust Pizza For Decades

The pizza arrives at the table with a thin, crispy crust, charred in spots, topped with fresh mozzarella and bright tomato sauce. This historic Virginia old town landmark has been...

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The Historic Flea Market In Virginia Where Every Sunday Feels Like A Festival

Sunday morning at this Virginia flea market feels different from any other day of the week. The vendors arrive early, setting up tables filled with treasures.

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This Stream-Fed Virginia Reservoir Has Water So Clear You Can Spot The Bed And Environmentalists Want To Keep It Clean

You look down from the dock and you can see the bottom, rocks, sand, and fish swimming below. The water is so clear that it feels almost unreal.

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This Virginia Antiquing Emporium Features a Multi-Vendor Labyrinth of Handpicked Collectibles

You walk through the door and the world disappears. Rows of booths stretch in every direction, each one filled with treasures from another era.

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This Unusual Virginia Town Skipped The Stoplights And Went All In On Trails, Pizza And Charm

You will not find a stoplight in this Virginia town. Not one. The main street is lined with old buildings, the pizza shop is...

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This Massive Flooded Virginia Quarry Secretly Holds A Sunken Jet Airplane On The Bottom

You look down into the blue-green water and see the faint outline of something large. It is not a rock. It is not a log. It...

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Virginia Has A European Deli So Authentic It Feels Like A Hidden German Market

You walk through the door and suddenly you are not in Virginia anymore. The air smells like sausage and sauerkraut, the shelves are packed with imported mustards and chocolates,...

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10 Virginia Yarn Stores Every Creative Person Should Definitely Visit

There is a certain kind of joy that comes from walking into a yarn store. The shelves are packed with colors, arranged in rainbows, soft skeins waiting to become something beautiful.

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This Virginia Lavender Farm And Flower Field Is Made For A Calm And Colorful Summer Day

The rows of purple stretch toward the horizon, buzzing with bees and swaying in the breeze. The scent is calming, sweet and herbal, the kind of smell that makes you close your...

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Virginia’s Finest Historic Dining Experience Is Hidden Inside This Regal Old-School Hotel Restaurant

You step into the hotel lobby and the world outside fades away. Crystal chandeliers, polished wood, and the quiet hum of a room that has seen decades of celebrations.

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This Virginia College Town Is Worth Visiting For A Weekend Getaway

College towns have a certain energy. Coffee shops full of students, bookstores with worn armchairs, and main streets that hum with life.

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Virginia’s Year-Round Christmas Destination Is As Magical As It Sounds

It is July. The sun is hot, the humidity is high, and you are thinking about snow. That is the magic of this Virginia year-round...

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This Virginia Sunflower Field Is A Bright Summer Detour Worth Waiting For

Summer in Virginia means heat, humidity, and sunflowers. Fields of them, stretching toward the sky, their bright faces following the sun across the horizon.

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The Oldest Working Forge In Virginia Where You Can Watch Blacksmiths Hammer Designs Into Iron By Hand

The ring of metal on metal echoes through the open door. Sparks fly as a blacksmith hammers a glowing piece of iron into shape. This...

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This Cozy Mountain Cabin Restaurant In Virginia Serves Up Incredible Bison Burgers And Old-School Hospitality

You drive up a winding road, past fields and forests, until you see a log cabin tucked into the mountains. This cozy Virginia restaurant feels like a secret, the kind of place...

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This Nostalgic Drive-In Movie Theater In Virginia Is The State’s Last Non-Profit Throwback To A Perfect Summer Night

There is something magical about a drive-in movie theater. You park your car, tune your radio, and settle in for a show under the stars.

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The Eerie Ruins Of A Remote Virginia Settlement Said To Be Founded By Shipwreck Survivors

Deep in the dunes, hidden from the beach crowds, there are ruins. Crumbling chimneys and faded foundations, all that remains of a settlement that should not exist.

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This Mennonite Market In Virginia Draws Crowds For Its Homemade Sandwiches

The line starts forming before noon. Locals know to arrive early, because once the sandwiches run out, they are gone until tomorrow.

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The 200-Acre Virginia Museum Where Recreated Farms Still Showcase the Way Settlers Lived Centuries Ago

You walk down a path and suddenly you are in a German farmhouse from the 1700s. A few steps later, you are in an Irish thatched cottage.

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This Tiny Virginia River Town Offers Soulful Bluegrass Jams And Unbeatable Front-Porch Charm

You hear the music before you see the town. A banjo, a fiddle, someone singing about lost love and hard work. This tiny Virginia...

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This Charming Bavarian Lodge In Virginia Serves Up Crispy Schnitzel And Mountain-Sized Portions

The first thing you notice is the building. It looks like it was airlifted straight from the Alps, with wooden balconies and flower boxes and a sloping roof.

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