amelia cross author at My Family Travels
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This Iconic Virginia Overlook Features Breathtaking Panoramas Of The Blue Ridge Mountains

You have seen photos of Blue Ridge Parkway sunsets, the kind that make you question if they are even real. But standing at this Virginia overlook, watching the light hit the mountains...

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This Virginia Diner Trail Still Serves Full Plates For Less Than $15

Remember when you could walk into a diner, order a full meal, and still have change from a twenty? That era is not dead yet. It...

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Discover 10 Amazing Destinations With Direct Flights From Virginia Airports

I love a good road trip as much as the next person. But sometimes you just want to get on a plane and wake up somewhere new without spending six hours behind the wheel.

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Prepare To Be Terrified At This Bone-Chilling Virginia Haunted Mansion

Some people like cute haunted houses with plastic skeletons and friendly ghosts who say boo. This is not for those people. Deep...

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This Music Spot Proves The Real Soul Of Virginia Lives In The Southwest

Some places carry a sound so deep in their bones that you can almost hear it humming through the walls. Tucked into the southwestern corner of Virginia, Bristol sits on a state...

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This Small Virginia Town Thinks Their Fried Chicken Is Better Than Any Chain In NoVA And They Might Be Right

Let’s be real. You have probably eaten fried chicken from a drive-through so often you could recognize the box blindfolded. But...

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This Richmond Restaurant Does Southern Food Better Than Anything You’ll Find In Virginia Beach

Let the arguments begin right now, because I am not sorry. Someone finally said the quiet part out loud about who rules Southern cooking in this state.

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10 Virginia Scenic Drives With Pull-Off Views That Will Steal Your Breath

Virginia has a serious talent for making your jaw drop at every turn, and I mean that literally. The state is packed with mountain ridges, river valleys, colonial backroads, and...

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This Virginia Creek Contains 10% Of All Fish Species In The State

You would look at this creek and think it is just another pretty stream. You would be wrong. Somehow, this unassuming little...

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This Virginia Town Had The First Thanksgiving, 11 Years Before Plymouth

Most Americans grow up hearing the same Thanksgiving story: Pilgrims, Plymouth Rock, and a feast in Massachusetts. But Virginia has a bold counter-argument that rewrites the whole...

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This Virginia Town Has A Street Where You Can Walk In Two States At The Same Time

Not every standout destination is a landmark. Sometimes it is a street, and Virginia has one that quietly stands out from the rest.

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The Crispy Pan-Fried Chicken At This Historic Virginia Tavern Is Truly Worth The Trip

Hot take: the best fried chicken in Virginia is not at a modern restaurant, it is served on a wooden table inside a reconstructed 18th-century tavern while a musician plays period...

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The World’s Largest Naval Base In Virginia, Housing Over 70 Massive Warships

Virginia is home to one of the most jaw-dropping military installations on the planet, and most people have no idea just how massive it truly is. Sprawling across thousands of...

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This Retro Burger Stand In Virginia Has Been Serving Big Burgers Since 1956

It has stood the test of time without trying to chase trends. A small burger stand continues to draw loyal crowds decade after decade.

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This Unique Virginia Park Features Seven Natural Limestone Towers

Rising out of the landscape like something unreal, this natural wonder stops you in your tracks before you even get close. In Virginia, seven massive limestone towers stretch skyward,...

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This Hometown Favorite Drive-In In Virginia Has Been Drawing Hungry Crowds For Over 60 Years

Certain places build a reputation the old-fashioned way, and in Virginia, one roadside staple has been doing just that for decades. I arrived expecting nothing more than a quick...

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The Huge Flea Market In Virginia That Treasure Hunters Swear Is Better Than Costco

Forget your warehouse memberships and loyalty cards. Tucked away in the rolling countryside of Virginia, there is a weekend destination so packed with personality, bargains, and...

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This Virginia State Park Offers A Natural Pool Experience That Feels Otherworldly

Straight out of a storybook, one hidden corner of Virginia delivers a natural escape that barely feels real. Deep in the mountains, a striking formation reveals a crystal-clear...

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This Mom-And-Pop Restaurant In Virginia Has The Best Fettuccine Alfredo In The South

Bold claim, right? Somewhere tucked inside Virginia, a small family-run Italian kitchen is quietly winning the pasta wars across the entire South.

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This Cat-Loving Bookstore In Virginia That Feels Like A Hidden Labyrinth Of Shelves

Not all bookstores are built the same, and this one proves it the moment you walk in. In Virginia, there is an independent shop turns browsing into something far more immersive.

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This 45-Mile Virginia Rail Trail Is Perfect For Running, Biking And Discovering Historic Communities

Not every surprise in Virginia comes with bright lights or big crowds. Sometimes it stretches out for 45 miles, smooth, flat, and lined with stories waiting to be noticed.

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This Virginia Historic Site Hosted The Most Famous Speech In America

Step inside this modest church and the past feels suddenly immediate. This is where a gathering of uneasy colonists heard words that would echo far beyond the room itself.

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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’...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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.

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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?

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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