amelia cross author at My Family Travels
Article
This Is The Most Eccentric Award Winning Restaurant In Virginia

Richmond’s dining scene sets a high bar, yet one restaurant manages to outshine the rest in the most unexpected way. This boldly imaginative spot has earned national attention...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Basilica Is The Only African-American Shrine Of Its Kind In The U.S.

Step inside and you feel it immediately, a sense of history and purpose woven into every detail. This place stands as a landmark unlike any other in the country.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Trail Lets You Discover Multiple Scenic Waterfalls In A Short, Enchanting Hike

You know a trail is special when the world fades the moment your feet hit the dirt. In the mountains of Virginia, a short loop manages to deliver more scenery in a mile and a half...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Breathtaking Virginia Escape Lets You Sip Your Morning Coffee Inside A Luxury Treehouse

High in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, this mountain retreat redefines what a luxury escape can feel like. Set among sweeping ridgelines and deep valley views, it blends refined comfort...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Rustic Virginia Steakhouse Still Sears Hand-Cut Ribeyes Over An Open Charcoal Hearth

Most steakhouses chase trends, but this one in Virginia has stayed exactly the same since 1965, and that is the appeal. Along Holiday Drive in Charlottesville, the charcoal still...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Hidden Virginia Gem Serves Authentic Lao And Thai Dishes In A Cheery Family Atmosphere

Virginia offers plenty of memorable places to eat, yet occasionally a restaurant stands out in a way that is impossible to ignore. In a modest shopping center, a family-owned spot...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Quirky Virginia Eatery Is A Chocolate-Themed Wonderland Where Every Dish Features Cocoa

Chocolate takes on a completely different identity at this Loudoun County restaurant, where it moves far beyond dessert and into something far more inventive. What begins as curiosity...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Coastal Virginia Lighthouse Was The First Federal Public Works Project In American History

Not all landmarks make a lot of noise, but some carry more history than most people realize. Inside an active military base along Virginia’s coastline, one towering structure...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Virginia’s Forgotten Bay Crossing That Changed Travel Forever

Locals still argue the old ferry was better. Visitors point to the bridge-tunnel as the bay’s defining landmark. But the most...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Cafe Transports You Into A Galactic Spaceship For Half-Pound Cookies

Picture this: you're strolling through the charming historic streets of downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, when suddenly a doorway pulls you into what feels like the cockpit of...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Virginia’s Secret Aquamarine Pool Is The Enchanting Mountain Escape You’ve Been Searching For

Deep in the mountains of southwest Virginia, within Jefferson National Forest, a hidden pool of blue-green water glows against ancient rock. The color looks unreal at first glance,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
7 Underrated Virginia Road Trips For A Crowd-Free Escape

Virginia has a way of surprising you. Most people rush straight to the Blue Ridge Parkway or Virginia Beach, completely missing the quiet backroads, dramatic canyons, and charming...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Legendary Virginia Seafood Buffet Features 70+ Items And All The Crab Legs You Can Handle

Okay, hot take: most all-you-can-eat buffets are just mediocre food piled high enough to distract you from the price tag. But what if I told you there's one spot along the Virginia...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Historic Virginia Estate Is The Only Home In The USA Recognized As UNESCO World Heritage Site

Some places just stop you in your tracks, and this spot is absolutely one of them. Perched on a mountain just outside Charlottesville, this iconic estate is the only private home...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Hole In The Wall Spot Serves A Wagyu Burger That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Picture this: you’re cruising through a quiet corner of Virginia, craving something more than the usual fast-food fare, when you spot a modest doorway tucked between the locals’...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Adventure Area Is An Off-Roading Playground Hiding In The Mountains

Forget the beach crowds and overpriced tourist traps. There is an off-roading paradise in Virginia that most people have never heard of, and the locals who know it want to keep...

Read More    8 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
This Virginia Underwater Ghost Town Is A Hauntingly Beautiful Piece Of History

Somewhere beneath the glassy surface of a Virginia lake, an entire town is sleeping. You're about to read one of the most fascinating and eerie stories in the Commonwealth, a place...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Rugged Virginia Summit Leads To A Labyrinth Of Towering Sandstone Crevices

Somewhere in the rugged highlands of southwest Virginia, a mountain trail winds upward through forest and fog until it spills into one of the most jaw-dropping geological spectacles...

Read More    8 min read

Article
8 Haunted Virginia Ruins That Belong On Your Bucket List

Picture yourself stepping into the shadows of Virginia’s most enigmatic ruins, where every cracked stone has a story to tell. From quiet, fog?drifted landscapes to hidden corners...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The 10 Best Home-Style Eateries In Virginia For Laid-Back Dining

Virginia has a serious talent for feeding people well. Across the state, from the misty Blue Ridge Mountains to the breezy Chesapeake coast, tucked-away kitchens are turning out...

Read More    10 min read

Article
This Historic Virginia Riverside Tavern Is A Must-Visit

Some places just stop you in your tracks, and a certain riverside tavern tucked into a small Virginia town does exactly that. Locals have been debating for years whether this spot...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Haunted Virginia Forest Trail Might Be The Most Terrifying Hike You Take All Year

Some trails offer stunning views and peaceful solitude. Others carry a weight that no map can prepare you for. Deep in the heart...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Virginia Restaurants Locals Secretly Gatekeep From Tourists

Virginia has a serious culinary secret problem, and locals want to keep it that way. Tucked between colonial history, rolling Blue Ridge foothills, and sun-drenched coastlines,...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Virginia Gem Serves Massive Breakfast Skillets In A Sleek Farmhouse Setting

If you’ve ever craved a breakfast that feels both hearty and stylish, you’ll love discovering this hidden gem tucked away in Virginia. Picture a sleek farmhouse atmosphere...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Historic 1826 Library Is One Of Virginia’s Most Beautiful Architectural Treasures

Some buildings just stop you cold. Standing at the edge of the Lawn at the University of Virginia, I felt that exact jolt the moment the white columns came into view.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Historic Virginia Lighthouse Offers A Unique Overnight Stay You Will Never Forget

Imagine spending the night inside a real lighthouse, watching the river shimmer below while the soft glow of a fireplace fills your room. Virginia is full of surprising getaways,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
A Small Virginia Riverside Village Defined By Authentic Bluegrass Melodies And Porch Life

Some places stop time in the best possible way. Tucked along the banks of the New River in Grayson County, Virginia, there is a tiny town where front porches double as concert...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Step Inside A Strange Virginia Drugstore Dedicated To The Bizarre Secrets Of Colonial Healing

Virginia has no shortage of history, but tucked along a charming street in Fredericksburg sits a place that will genuinely make your jaw drop. Long before modern hospitals and...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Historic Virginia Apothecary Now Serves the State’s Most Enchanting Lunch

Tucked inside a charming historic building in Occoquan, Virginia, there is a lunch spot so magical it almost feels like stepping into a storybook. Locals swear by it, first-time...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Massive Virginia Safari Park Lets You Bathe Elephants, Feed Giraffes, And Zip Line Through 1,100 Acres Of Rolling Forest

Picture yourself cruising through rolling hills while a curious llama sticks its entire head through your car window, begging for snacks. Sounds wild, right?

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Railroad Town Still Feels Economically Divided

Clifton Forge sits tucked into the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia, where the Jackson River cuts through the mountains and railroad tracks still run like veins through the heart...

Read More    9 min read

Article
These 8 Virginia Small Towns Feel Forgotten By Modern America

What happens when progress leaves a place behind? Across Virginia, there are small towns where time seems to have stopped, where Main Street storefronts stand empty, and where...

Read More    8 min read

Article
11 Virginia Historic Homes And Mansions That Showcase Architecture And Timeless Beauty

Virginia has a treasure trove of historic homes and mansions that tell stories of bygone eras and architectural brilliance. From stately Georgian estates to grand antebellum plantations,...

Read More    11 min read

Article
This Tiny Virginia Pasta House Makes Noodles Better Than Your Nonna

Think your nonna makes the best pasta? Think again. Tucked away in Virginia Beach sits The Veranda, a cozy Italian spot that's...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Loaded Chili Dogs At This No-Frills Diner In Virginia Are Out-Of-This-World Delicious

What makes a hot dog truly legendary? Some say it's the snap of the casing, others swear by the quality of the toppings, but locals in Wytheville know the real secret lies in a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 Dreamy Virginia Gelaterias You’ll Fall In Love With

Virginia has a serious gelato problem, and honestly, nobody is complaining. Tucked into historic downtowns, beachside strips, and buzzing urban neighborhoods, the state's gelaterias...

Read More    9 min read

Article
A Tiny Virginia Pizzeria Is Serving Up Authentic Neapolitan Slices That Rival Italy

Forget everything you thought you knew about American pizza. Somewhere tucked into the charming streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, a small but mighty pizzeria is quietly rewriting...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Humble Restaurant In Virginia Has A Peanut Soup That Has Become A Cult Classic

Some dishes just stick with you. That creamy bowl of comfort that keeps people coming back year after year, talking about it like it's their best-kept secret, even though everyone...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Nostalgic Drive-In In Virginia Is A Time Machine For Burgers And Shakes

Think you've seen every classic American drive-in? Abingdon has a secret that'll make you rethink everything. Tucked away in...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Peaceful Mountain Town In Virginia Pairs Ancient Healing Springs With The State’s Best-Kept Pie Secret

If you believe you’ve explored all of Virginia’s hidden treasures, this mountain hamlet in Bath County will prove otherwise. With barely over a hundred residents, Warm Springs...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Flea Market In Virginia Where You Can Build A New Wardrobe For $50 Is Hiding Right Under Your Nose

Who says you need a high-end mall to elevate your wardrobe? Tucked in Fredericksburg, a hidden weekend marketplace turns ordinary shopping into a treasure-filled adventure.

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Mac And Cheese At This Unassuming Restaurant In Virginia Is Every Cheese Lover’s Literal Fever Dream

Think you've had good mac and cheese? Think again. Tucked away in Newport News, there's a spot that's turning comfort food into...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Hidden Volcano Hike In Virginia Is The Dormant Wonder Your Spring Feed Is Missing

Think Virginia's all rolling hills and historic battlefields? Think again. Tucked away in the southwestern corner of the state...

Read More    7 min read

Article
We Found The Legendary Chili Dogs That Have Been A Virginia Best-Kept Secret For Decades

What if the best chili dog you've ever had is hiding in plain sight on a downtown street corner? Lynchburg locals have been guarding this secret like treasure since the Great Depression,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Hidden Mountain Valley In Virginia Features Rare Species Found Nowhere Else On Earth

What if you could step into a valley so remote and untouched that nature decided to create species found absolutely nowhere else on the planet? Tucked into the Appalachian Mountains,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Farm-To-Table Gem In Virginia Offers A Unique Blend Of History And Cuisine

Can a breakfast spot tucked into the rolling hills of Virginia truly redefine what farm-to-table means? Some travelers swear that Jack's Shop Kitchen in Ruckersville serves up...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Bizarre Virginia Landmark Feels Like A Fever Dream

Picture this: you're cruising down a scenic Virginia highway when suddenly, a towering T-Rex lunges out from behind the trees, jaws wide open, ready to devour your sanity. Welcome...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The French Onion Soup At This Under-The-Radar Restaurant In Virginia Is The Ultimate Cheesy Masterpiece

Think you know every great spot to grab a bite in Virginia? Rachel's Roadside Bar & Grill in Wakefield might just prove you wrong.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Diner Serves Hearty Southern Breakfasts Worth Every Mile

Think a roadside diner can't be a destination? Tell that to the folks who've been making pilgrimages to Wakefield since before your grandparents were born.

Read More    8 min read