amara blake author at My Family Travels
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10 Tastiest Virginia Burger Shacks To Hit This February

Something special is sizzling across Virginia right now, and burger lovers are the ones reaping the rewards. February might bring...

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This Virginia Lake Town Is A Foodie Oasis Feeding Visitors Way Above Its Pay Grade

Can a town of just over a thousand people serve up restaurant experiences that rival big-city dining scenes? Clarksville makes a compelling case that size doesn't dictate sophistication.

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Inside Virginia’s Beloved Seafood Shack, Where Tradition Still Tastes Fresh

Think all seafood joints are the same? Think again. Along the waterfront in Virginia Beach, there is a spot that has built its...

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The Giant Thrift Warehouse In Virginia Where $30 Travels Far

Thrift shopping hits different when you skip the standard racks and head straight for the bins. While most people browse neatly hung items at traditional stores, seasoned bargain...

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This Virginia BBQ Joint Is Known For Its Secret Family Recipes

Tucked along Timberlake Road in Lynchburg, Virginia, sits a spot where smoke billows like morning fog and the smell of slow-cooked perfection hits you before you even park. County...

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This Massive Virginia Flea Market Feels Like A Treasure Hunt Jackpot

Few places capture the thrill of a real treasure hunt like this flea market. This sprawling outdoor bazaar turns ordinary weekends into exciting adventures, with rows of vendors...

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This Virginia Coastal Town Is A Stunning Time Capsule Where Historic Charm Meets Pure Modern Luxury

If your idea of a perfect getaway isn’t bright lights and endless traffic, then this town might just be Virginia’s best-kept secret. Nestled on the serene Eastern Shore, this...

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This Virginia Bavarian Village Is The Perfect European Escape Without The Passport

Dreaming of a Bavarian mountain retreat but not eager to book an international flight? In Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Fenton Inn offers an alpine-inspired escape that feels...

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Discover Fascinating Stories At This Virginia Museum You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Picture this: a Victorian brick chapel that holds more secrets than your average history textbook could ever squeeze between its covers. Tucked away on a university campus in Lexington,...

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This Virginia Seafood Bistro Turns Every Meal Into A Coastal Celebration

Think seafood boils are just for beach vacations and boardwalks? This Virginia Beach spot proves otherwise. Outer Banks Boil...

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This Virginia Vegan-Friendly Eatery Shows Plant-Based Dining Can Be Epic

Think plant-based food means bland bowls and boring salads? Roots Natural Kitchen in Richmond is here to prove that theory spectacularly wrong.

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This Virginia Pizza Place Turns Every Slice Into A Giant Feast

Think your appetite can handle what's lurking at 722 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg? Benny Vitali's serves slices so ridiculously oversized that one piece could feed a small...

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This Virginia Small Town Feels Like A Storybook Village

Picture a place where time slows down, where historic homes line quiet streets, and where the waterfront sparkles under endless skies. Onancock sits tucked along Virginia's Eastern...

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The 11 Best Mexican Restaurants In Virginia From Street Tacos to Fine Dining

Virginia might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of authentic Mexican cuisine, but that's about to change. Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the...

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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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This Virginia Town Will Make You Question What The South Really Means

What happens when a Southern college town collides with presidential history, world-class wineries, and a food scene that could rival cities triple its size? You get Charlottesville,...

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This Virginia Fabric Wonderland Spans Three Stories And Delights Crafters

Think your local fabric store has it all? Try climbing three flights of stairs through a century-old schoolhouse packed floor to ceiling with everything from bridal lace to leather...

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This Enormous Virginia Thrift Store Is Turning Road Trips Into Shopping Missions

Think thrift stores are cramped, chaotic spaces where you dig through dusty bins hoping to strike gold? Thrift Store USA in Norfolk flips that tired stereotype on its head.

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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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11 Virginia Towns Where Northern And Southern Cultures Clash

Virginia sits smack in the middle of a cultural tug-of-war that's been going on for centuries. This state has one foot planted firmly in Southern tradition and the other stepping...

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This Hidden Museum In Virginia Will Change How You See Southern History

Tucked away in Virginia's rolling countryside lies a battlefield that witnessed one of the Civil War's most brutal and transformative sieges. Petersburg National Battlefield isn't...

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This Virginia Town Where Time Slows And Seafood Shines Is A Locals-Only Treasure

Tucked along the banks of the Rappahannock River in Virginia, Urbanna is the kind of place where the world slows down and worries melt away like butter on a hot oyster. With a...

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This Virginia Restaurant Has Brunch Locals Say Feels Like A Second Home

Walking into Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen at 415 19th St in Virginia Beach feels less like entering a restaurant and more like stepping into your favorite cousin's...

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This Restaurant In Virginia Is Known For Its Cozy Fireplace And Seasonal Menus

Tucked away in the heart of Harrisonburg, Virginia, there's a dining destination that turns every meal into a celebration. Local Chop & Grill House at 56 W Gay St isn't just...

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A Virginia Mediterranean Restaurant Locals Recommend For Shared Plates

Ever stumbled upon a place that makes you feel like you've teleported straight to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean without leaving Virginia? That's Zaytinya in Arlington...

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This Family-Owned Italian Restaurant In Virginia Serves Authentic Flavors You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

Tucked away on East Broad Street in downtown Richmond, Virginia, sits a culinary treasure that feels like stepping through a portal straight to Northern Italy. La Grotta Ristorante...

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This Virginia Adventure Park Is a Must-Visit For Thrill-Seeking Families

Ready to feel your stomach drop while screaming through the treetops? Busch Gardens Williamsburg brings European charm and heart-pounding thrills together in one incredible Virginia...

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This Virginia Restaurant Put Itself On The Map With A Creamy, Crowd-Favorite Crab Dip

Ready to discover where locals and travelers alike gather for some of the most legendary crab dip in Virginia? Wicker's Crab Pot Seafood in Chesapeake has earned a devoted following,...

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The Cheeseburger And Fries At This Virginia Diner Are Worth A Road Trip

Ever craved a burger so good it makes you want to jump in the car and drive for miles? Virginia Diner in Wakefield has been serving up legendary comfort food since way back when,...

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Locals Recommend These 10 Virginia Dessert Spots Worth Saving Room For

Virginia's dessert scene is a sweet lover's paradise, packed with charming bakeries, ice cream parlors, and confectioneries that locals can't stop raving about. From handcrafted...

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10 Large Secondhand Stores Across Virginia Where You Can Browse For Hours

Virginia offers treasure hunters and bargain seekers plenty of amazing places to explore without breaking the bank. Thrift stores have become popular destinations for anyone looking...

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Locals Say These 9 Virginia Neighborhoods Have The Best Vibe

Virginia is home to some of the most charming and vibrant neighborhoods in the country. From historic streets filled with character to modern communities buzzing with creativity,...

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Locals Love This Virginia Restaurant For Consistent Quality And Comfort

Tucked away in the heart of historic Williamsburg, Virginia, The Williamsburg Inn Dining Room stands as a testament to Southern hospitality and timeless elegance.

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A Park In Virginia Where Locals Love To Watch Wildlife And Enjoy Quiet Trails

Tucked away in Alexandria, Virginia, Huntley Meadows Park offers a peaceful escape from the busy streets that surround it. This wetland sanctuary covers over 1,500 acres and provides...

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Locals Escape To These 10 Quiet Virginia Towns Away From Tourists

Virginia is full of hidden gems that locals love to visit when they need a break from crowded tourist spots. These small towns...

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The Story Behind One Of Virginia’s Most Talked-About Historic Dining Experiences

Boswell's Tavern stands as one of Virginia's most fascinating historical treasures, a place where America's founding story unfolded over shared conversations and strategic planning.

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11 Pizza Places In Virginia That Locals Consistently Rate The Best

Virginia pizza lovers know that the best slices don't always come from national chains. From the bustling streets of Northern...

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10 Virginia Mountains Known For Scenic Views And Photo Opportunities

Virginia's mountain ranges hold some of the most breathtaking vistas on the East Coast, where rugged peaks meet endless horizons and every turn reveals a new photo-worthy moment.

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These 10 Ohio Bakeries Are Hidden Gems Loved By Locals

Ohio has always been a state that knows how to keep its best secrets tucked away from the tourist crowds. While chain bakeries...

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These Are The 10 Maine Seaside Towns Locals Hope Never Get Crowded

Maine's coastline stretches for miles, offering breathtaking views and charming communities that feel like stepping back in time.

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10 Washington Fast Food Gems Off The Typical Tourist Path

Washington state has a fast food scene that goes far beyond the usual chains you find everywhere. While tourists flock to Pike...

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10 Hidden Salmon Kitchens In Oregon That Draw Local Crowds

Oregon's coastline and rivers host some of the best wild salmon runs in the country. Locals have spent years discovering which...

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10 Oklahoma Small Towns Locals Love To Explore On Foot

Walking through a small town offers something special that driving never can. You notice details like old brick patterns, the...

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10 South Dakota Towns That Locals Keep Under The Radar

South Dakota holds countless secrets beyond Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. Scattered across the prairie and tucked into river...

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10 Charming Small-Town Cafes Across Maine

Maine has always been known for its stunning coastline, historic lighthouses, and friendly communities. But tucked away in...

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10 Texas BBQ Places Often Included On Road Trips

Texas has earned its reputation as the ultimate destination for authentic barbecue, drawing food lovers from across the globe. Whether...

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10 Vermont Tiny Villages You’ll Fall in Love With This Winter

Vermont turns magical when snow settles into the valleys and quietly lights up the smallest streets. You will find villages...

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10 Alabama Riverfront Towns That Shine In Winter Fog

Winter fog changes the way Alabama’s rivers breathe and move, softening skylines and sharpening your sense of place. 1....

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10 Oregon Towns Ideal For Pausing On Long Travel Routes

Long drives can feel exhausting, especially when you're traveling through unfamiliar territory. Oregon offers a wonderful solution...

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10 Texas Hill Country Areas That Reward Wandering Without A Plan

Texas Hill Country stretches across a beautiful landscape where adventure waits around every corner. This sprawling region...

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