caleb winslow author at My Family Travels
Article
10 High-Rated New Hampshire Restaurants That Are Actually Worth The Hype (And The Drive)

We have all been burned by highly rated restaurants that turn out to be all hype and no substance, overpriced plates and disappointing flavors that make you question whether online...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This 150-Acre Virginia Zoo Lets You Feed Giraffes And Glide Above A Treetop Canopy

Most zoos are about looking. You stand behind a fence or a glass wall and watch the animals from a distance. This Virginia zoo...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Old-Fashioned Virginia Restaurant Brings Back Memories Of Grandma’s Cooking

There is a certain kind of restaurant that feels like stepping into a memory. The food is simple, the portions are huge, and the whole place smells like Sunday dinner.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Roadside Waterfall In New Hampshire Delivers Big Views With Almost Zero Effort

I love a good hike. But sometimes I do not want to earn my views. Sometimes I just want to pull over and see something beautiful...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Breathtaking Spots in Virginia You Need On Your Bucket List

Virginia is a state that rewards exploration. The mountains, the coast, the small towns, the hidden waterfalls, the overlooks that make you pull over and just stare.

Read More    9 min read

Article
Step Inside New Hampshire’s Iconic Bookstore That Readers Travel Miles To See

There is a certain smell that only exists in old bookstores. It is a mix of paper and dust and something sweet from the worn wooden shelves.

Read More    7 min read

Article
Walk Above The Wetlands On This Stunning 4,000-Foot Virginia Boardwalk

There is a certain kind of walk that resets your brain. The kind where you are surrounded by water and sky and the only sounds are birds and wind.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This 3-Mile Hike Is A Must-Add To Your Virginia Bucket List

Some hikes are long slogs with a mediocre view at the end. This Virginia hike is not one of them. At just three miles round trip,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Small Virginia Raw Bar Serves Sea Food Sandwiches Worth Traveling Across The State For

Soft-shell crab season is a special time in Virginia. The crabs molt, shed their hard shells, and for a brief window, they become soft enough to eat whole.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This New Hampshire Diner Serves The Most Delicious Homemade Comfort Breakfast

You know that feeling when you wake up hungry and nothing will do except a breakfast that takes its time and does not rush you out the door? That is exactly what I found at this...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Heartbreakingly Beautiful Virginia Ruins Nobody Is Saving

There is a certain kind of beauty in things that are falling apart. A crumbling factory wall covered in ivy. A rotting barn with...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Hidden Cafe In New Hampshire Serves Pancakes With Plane Views

I have eaten pancakes in a lot of places over the years, but I have never eaten them while watching small planes take off and land right outside the window. This hidden cafe in...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Charming New Hampshire Farm Serves Breakfast With A Petting Zoo On The Side

I have eaten breakfast on patios and in diners and at my own kitchen counter plenty of times, but I have never eaten breakfast while a goat watched me from three feet away. This...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny New Hampshire Restaurant Serves Chicken Pot Pie Locals Swear By

There is something about a chicken pot pie that feels like a hug in food form, but only when it is done right, and most restaurants do not bother doing it right anymore because...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia BBQ Spot Serves Smoked Brisket Worth Tracking Down

Brisket is easy to mess up. Too dry, too fatty, too tough, too bland. A thousand ways to get it wrong. But when it is right,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Hidden BBQ Stop In Virginia Is Known For Apple Cider Donuts

You walk in for the barbecue. That is the plan, anyway. The brisket looks good, the pulled pork is tempting, and the whole place...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny Virginia Town Is The Unexpected Birthplace Of Chapstick

You have probably used chapstick hundreds of times without thinking about where it came from. The answer is a small Virginia town that most people drive right past.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Whimsical New Hampshire Trail Leads Right Into The Hundred Acre Wood

I did not expect to feel like a character from a children's book while hiking in New Hampshire, but this trail had other plans for me. The path winds through quiet woods with little...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Gorgeous Town In New Hampshire Is So Peaceful, It Feels Like A Hallmark Movie Set

You know those movies where someone inherits a bakery in a small town and falls in love by the end of the second act, even though the whole plot makes no sense? This New Hampshire...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Remote Virginia State Park Feels Like Virginia’s Wildest Coastal Secret

You cannot drive to this park. That is the first thing you need to know. The only ways in are by foot, bike, or boat, which means...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Ultimate Virginia Waterpark Resort Where Giant Slides And Indoor Waves Meet Relaxed Family Dining

You know the drill at most waterparks. Chaos, screaming kids, overpriced chicken tenders eaten standing up, and parents who look like they have given up on joy entirely.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Easy New Hampshire Treks That Reward Every Hiker With Incredible Summit Views

Not every good view in New Hampshire requires you to suffer first. I have learned this the hard way after a few trails that humbled me completely.

Read More    10 min read

Article
Ancient Fossils Are Hidden In The Cliffs Of This Virginia State Park

The cliffs along the water look like ordinary dirt and rock. But inside them, pressed into the layers of ancient sediment, are things that should not be there.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Hidden Virginia Waterfall Features A Scenic Natural Slide

Most waterfalls ask you to look, take a photo, and move along. This one invites you to play. Tucked away in the Virginia woods,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Restaurant Lets You Dine Surrounded By Stunning Sea Life

Eating dinner while a massive tank of sea life swims right next to your table is not something I knew I needed. But now I am spoiled.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Cozy Virginia Cottage Cafe Looks Like It Was Built For The Perfect Coffee Break

I have sat in a lot of coffee shops that felt like they were designed by someone who had never actually wanted to relax. Hard chairs, bright lights, that weird industrial pipe...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Bridgerton-Inspired Virginia Farm Is The Ultimate Spot For Tea And Mini Moo Cuddles

I did not know I needed to drink tea while cuddling a miniature cow. But here we are. This Virginia farm took the whole Bridgerton...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Mountain Cave Offers Authentic Homemade Meals With A View

Eating inside a cave sounds like something from a fantasy novel. Eating inside a cave with mountain views and homemade cooking? That...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Iconic Virginia Record Store Holds Over 100,000 Records And Is A Must-Visit For Music Lovers

Some places just have soul. Tucked into the beating heart of Richmond, Virginia, there is a record store so packed with musical treasure that a single afternoon barely scratches...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Mountain Is Made Of Rare Rocks And Hosts A Massive Collection Of Rare Plants

Let’s be honest, most mountains are just big piles of dirt and regular old rocks. Boring, right? Well, one peak in our state...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This No-Nonsense Springfield Spot Proves Northern Virginia Actually Owns The Fried Chicken Crown

People love to argue about fried chicken. Everyone thinks their hometown does it best. But there is a spot in a busy suburban...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Best View In Virginia Costs Exactly Zero Dollars And Requires A 10-Minute Walk

Some hikes ask for your whole Saturday and both knees. This one does not. You can literally show up in flip flops and still earn...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Only Hotel In Virginia With A Full-Time Dog Concierge

Plenty of Virginia hotels have charm, but this one comes with a four-legged staff member on duty. Set within a former shoe factory in a historic corner of the state, this boutique...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Virginia Diner Hasn’t Changed Much Since The 1940s, And That’s Exactly What Makes It Charming

Some places just refuse to budge, and honestly, good for them. Tucked in Virginia, there's a tiny diner that has been slinging comfort food around the clock since 1930, and it...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Timeless Drive-In Theater In Virginia Still Shows Movies Under The Stars

Long before streaming took over, this place was already perfecting the movie night experience. In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, a rare outdoor theater has been lighting up the...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Oldest Purpose-Built Masonic Building In America Is Tucked Away In Virginia, And You Can Still Visit It

Blink and you will miss one of Richmond’s most remarkable pieces of history. In Church Hill stands a building that quietly carries centuries of stories, older than much of the...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Breathtaking State Park In Virginia Is So Quiet, You’ll Practically Have It All To Yourself

Forget everything you expect from Virginia’s coastline. There is a stretch of wild shoreline that feels completely removed from modern life, even though it sits just miles from...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Massive 20-Foot-Tall Apple Sculpture In Virginia Is A Must-Stop Photo Op For Road Trippers

You do not expect a giant apple to be the highlight of a road trip, but this one earns its spot instantly. In Virginia, a massive apple sculpture stands boldly in front of an elegant...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Cozy Restaurant In Virginia Has Crab Cakes Known Throughout The Commonwealth

Let’s clear this up from the start. Do crab cakes in Virginia really reach legendary status, or is that just hype passed between food lovers?

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Fascinating Virginia Exhibit Is Dedicated To Reptiles And It’s Truly Captivating

Okay, real talk: Virginia has some seriously cool attractions, but this one just might top the list. In Central Virginia, there is a reptile museum so packed with scaly wonders,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Spooky Horror-Themed Bar In Virginia That Keeps Halloween Alive Year-Round

Forget everything you think you know about Virginia nightlife, because one Richmond bar flips the script in the best way possible. This spot pulses with eerie energy, where Halloween...

Read More    7 min read

Article
Experience Traditional Mennonite Comfort Food At This Iconic All-You-Can-Eat Virginia Buffet

Few places make you pause mid-step and rethink what a meal can be. In Virginia, this all-you-can-eat buffet does exactly that, drawing people in with deep roots in Mennonite food...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Vintage Ice Cream Parlor In Virginia Serves A Time Capsule In A Cone

Certain places stay with you long after you leave. In Norfolk, Virginia, one legendary drive-in has been dishing out comfort food and easy joy for nearly a century.

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Breathtaking Virginia Trail Leads To The Most Photographed Spot On The Entire Appalachian Trail

High above the Roanoke Valley, a rugged outcrop has claimed its place as one of the most recognizable sights along the entire Appalachian Trail. Plenty of Virginia views impress,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Hidden Natural Wonders In Virginia You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Virginia is famous for its history and Blue Ridge scenery, but the state is hiding some seriously jaw-dropping natural secrets that most people completely overlook. I'm talking...

Read More    10 min read

Article
10 Virginia Theme Parks That Belong On Your Family’s Bucket List

Virginia is quietly one of the most thrilling states on the East Coast, and its theme parks are proof that the fun never stops here. From soaring roller coasters and splashing...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Unassuming Virginia Entrance Opens Onto A Nostalgic Realm Where Childhood Never Ends

Picture walking through a plain-looking door in Virginia Beach and suddenly finding yourself surrounded by decades of pure toy magic. Most people drive past this spot without a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Coffee House Brings The Soul Of Southern Brasil To The Historic South

Step inside this historic district café and expectations shift almost immediately. What appears at first to be another charming Virginia coffee shop reveals a layered, Brazilian-inspired...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Restaurant Features A Stunning “Bacon Tower” Served In A Restored Rustic-Industrial Barn

Every so often, a restaurant comes along that completely rewrites expectations. Set inside a beautifully restored barn in Manassas, this spot is drawing attention across the state...

Read More    8 min read

Article
An Unusual Virginia Hangout Where Your Gourmet Espresso Comes With A Side Of Local Art

Not every coffee shop is just about what is poured into the cup. Some places shape an atmosphere people return to again and again. In...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Picturesque Virginia Ranch Is The Top-Rated Destination For A Horseback Adventure

Weekends feel different once you discover this quiet stretch of the Shenandoah Valley, where the pace slows and the landscape does most of the talking. In Page County, a horseback...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Massive 88-Foot Virginia Landmark Is The World’s Largest Freestanding Illuminated Man-Made Star

Let’s settle it: is this Virginia landmark actually worth the hype, or just a glowing light locals use to impress visitors? That question lingers until the drive up Mill Mountain...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Ancient Monolith Guards Cherokee Legends And A Sacred Virginia Mountain Gap

Most stones fade into the landscape, but this one holds onto its secrets. This massive soapstone boulder is etched with more than 1,500 carvings that have challenged archaeologists,...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Sinister Virginia Night Hike Is A Fright-Filled Journey Through The Darkest Woods

Some places take on a completely different energy after dark, and these woods are one of them. Deep in the heart of Virginia, there is a haunted trail that pushes the limits with...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Estate Is Bringing A Massive Italian Renaissance Marble Palace Back To Life

High above the winding roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains, an unexpected sight crowns Afton Mountain. A 52-room Italian Renaissance marble palace, built in 1912, rises with quiet...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Virginia Seafood Restaurant Has Portions So Massive, You’ll Need A Partner Just To Finish Your Plate

Some restaurants feed you. Others absolutely wreck you with portions so generous you start questioning your own stomach capacity. Virginia...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This 90-Year-Old Virginia Tradition Is a Massive Pop-Up City Where Hundreds of Families Live All Week

Some traditions just refuse to grow old gracefully. They grow bigger, louder, and more spectacular instead. One small city transforms...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Chilling Virginia Eatery With a Resident Ghostly Regular

Some restaurants are known for their food. Others are known for their atmosphere. But one Norfolk, Virginia hotspot is equally...

Read More    7 min read

Article
These 10 Enchanting Antique Shops In Virginia Are A Paradise For Treasure Hunters

There’s something magical about stepping into a shop where history and charm collide, especially in the heart of Virginia’s winding towns. Picture aisles lined with polished...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Humble Virginia Museum Houses The Astonishing Life’s Work Of Rail History Masters

Some museums whisper history quietly, but this one in the Virginia mountains practically shouts it from a steam whistle. Tucked along an active rail line in Clifton Forge, a small...

Read More    8 min read