dorian hayes author at My Family Travels
Article
Take A Ride On A Virginia Murder Mystery Train For A Night You’ll Never Forget

The train rolls through the countryside, the lights are low, and the story begins to unfold. This Virginia murder mystery train offers a night you will never forget, a combination...

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10 Virginia Swimming Holes Where Locals Watch Out For Snakes Before Jumping In

The water is cool and inviting, the rocks are smooth, and the setting is perfect for a summer swim. But before you jump in, there is something to keep in mind.

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11 Old-School Virginia Diners That Feel Like A Trip To The 1960s

The vinyl booths are red, the neon signs glow, and the coffee is always fresh. These old-school Virginia diners feel like a trip to the 1960s, places where the past is preserved...

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11 Easygoing Virginia Walks That Feel Like A Mini Adventure

You do not need a long hike to feel like you have been on an adventure. Sometimes a short walk is all it takes, a path that leads you through a forest, along a river, or to a view...

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9 Must-Visit Budget-Friendly Fabric Shops In Northern Virginia

Fabric shopping can be expensive. The good prints are often priced high, and the selection at big-box stores can feel limited. But...

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This Family-Owned Virginia Mexican Restaurant Is Giving Every Chain In Town Serious Competition

The chains have their formula. The same menu, the same decor, the same flavors from one location to the next. But this family-owned...

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The Murky Virginia Lake Residents Stay Out Of During Late Summer

The water is warm, the days are long, and the swimming is usually inviting. But during late summer, this Virginia lake changes. The...

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This Virginia Coastal Town Is Slowly Becoming A Favorite For People Who Hate Crowds

The beach is wide, the water is calm, and the boardwalk is quiet. There are no high-rise hotels, no traffic jams, no lines for ice cream.

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This Small Virginia River Town Has A Walkable Downtown And Almost No Fuss

Some towns make you work for their charm. Others offer it up without any fuss at all. This small Virginia river town belongs...

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This Virginia Butcher Shop Serves Farm-To-Table Meats Raised The Old-Fashioned Way

The meat counter is stocked with cuts that look different from what you find at the grocery store. The color is deeper, the marbling is more pronounced, and the knowledge behind...

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This Gorgeous Coastal Trail In Virginia Should Be On Your Bucket List

The trail winds through a coastal forest, the trees thinning as you approach the water. Then the dunes appear, rising high above the shore, covered in grass and scattered with...

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This Luxury Virginia Waterfront Resort Has Become A Favorite Haven For People Wanting To Slow Down And Recharge

The pace of modern life leaves little room to breathe. But this Virginia waterfront resort offers a different rhythm, a place where the schedule is flexible and the only thing...

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This Peaceful Virginia Cabin Haven Borders Shenandoah National Park With Woodland Trails And No Crowds

The park entrance is just down the road, but you would never know it from the quiet of the cabin. This peaceful Virginia cabin haven sits on the edge of Shenandoah National Park.

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10 Of Virginia’s Biggest Rivers For Boating And Outdoor Exploration

Virginia is a state shaped by water. From the mountains to the coast, rivers cut through the landscape, offering endless opportunities for boating and outdoor exploration.

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This Massive Virginia Library Has A Secret Coffee Shop And Used Bookstore Inside

You walk through the doors of this massive Virginia library, expecting the usual silence and rows of reading room tables. But then you notice a coffee shop tucked into the corner,...

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This Virginia Restaurant Serves Deviled Eggs So Good Locals Never Skip Them

Deviled eggs are often an afterthought, a side dish that gets pushed to the edge of the plate. But at this Virginia restaurant, they are the main event.

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10 Affordable Virginia Places To Beat The Summer Heat

Summer in Virginia can be brutal. The heat rises, the humidity settles in, and the days feel longer than they should. But finding...

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This Virginia Waterfall Loop Takes You Past Multiple Gorgeous Cascades In Just 1.5 Miles

Some waterfall hikes make you work for every single view, punishing your legs on the way down and then demanding double the effort on the way back. But this Virginia trail offers...

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This Virginia Joint Was Voted Best Slices By Hundreds Of Virginia Tech Students

College students know pizza. They eat a lot of it, and they have strong opinions about where to get the best slice. When hundreds...

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11 Summer Day Trips In Virginia That Feel Like A Vacation Without The Airport Lines

Summer is the season for getting away, but not everyone has the time or the budget for a full vacation. The good news is that you do not need a plane ticket to feel like you have...

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This Virginia Roadside Gem Serves Big Portions And Even Bigger Southern Hospitality

The building is unassuming, the parking lot is gravel, and the sign is the kind that has been there so long that locals do not even see it anymore. But they see the food.

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This World-Class Virginia Art Museum Is Open And Completely Free To Visit 365 Days A Year

Art museums are often expensive. You pay for parking, pay for admission, and then pay for the audio guide. But this Virginia...

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9 Virginia Springs To Visit This Summer, According To Locals

Summer in Virginia means heat, humidity, and the search for something cool and refreshing. The best answer is always a spring, a natural pool of water that stays cold even in the...

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Food Experts Identified This Unassuming Virginia Cuban Cafe One Of America’s Top Places To Eat

You could easily drive past it and never think twice. The storefront is plain, the sign is simple, and the building does not scream "award winner" from the outside.

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This Tiny Virginia Mountain Town Has A Bakery So Good It’s Becoming A Local Road Trip Tradition

You smell it before you see it. Butter, sugar, and apples baking into something golden. This tiny Virginia mountain town has...

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Fresh Peach Ice Cream Keeps Summer Crowds Coming Back to One Famous Virginia Orchard

The peaches are ripe, the sun is hot, and the line at the ice cream stand is long. Fresh peach ice cream keeps summer crowds coming back to one famous Virginia orchard, a seasonal...

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This Virginia Spot Earned High Praise From The Culinary World And We’re Not Surprised

When the culinary world takes notice, you pay attention. And this Virginia destination has earned high praise from some of the most respected voices in food.

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An Iconic Virginia Cheese Shop That Dairy Lovers Will Absolutely Adore

You look into the eyepiece and the world falls away. Stars that have been burning for billions of years come into focus, distant planets and galaxies that feel impossibly close.

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This Waterfront Virginia Seafood Spot Serves Stunning Views, But The Fried Catfish Steals The Show

The views are stunning. Water stretching to the horizon, boats drifting past, and a breeze that carries the smell of salt. But...

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Everyone Goes to Virginia Beach, But This Nearby Coastal Town Might Be Even Better

Virginia Beach gets the crowds. The boardwalk, the hotels, the traffic. But just a short drive away, there is a coastal town...

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This Specialized Virginia Museum Is The Only One In The United States Dedicated Entirely To The Peanut

You have eaten peanuts. You have probably used peanut butter. But have you ever learned about the history of the peanut? This...

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Virginia’s Favorite Upscale Dining Oasis Where You Dine Inside A Restored 1830s Gristmill

The water wheel is still there, quiet now, a reminder of the building's past. The stone walls are thick, the ceilings are high, and the atmosphere is warm and elegant.

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This Massive Virginia Brazilian Steakhouse Serves Continuous Tableside Meat For One Fixed Price

The meat keeps coming. Slices of beef, lamb, pork, and chicken, carved tableside by gauchos who move with practiced efficiency. This...

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11 Hidden Beaches in Virginia Perfect for a Quiet Escape

The crowded beaches are easy to find. But the quiet ones take effort. These hidden beaches in Virginia are for people who want...

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9 Overrated Virginia Shore Towns That Have Become Way Too Overpacked And Crowded In Summer

The secret is out. These Virginia shore towns were once peaceful escapes, places where you could relax without fighting for a parking spot.

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The Best Free Farm Zoo In Virginia Is An Absolute Hidden Gem

The animals are friendly, the grounds are clean, and the price is impossible to beat. This free farm zoo in Virginia is an absolute hidden gem, a place where families can spend...

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This Stunning Virginia Exhibit Features A Living Masterpiece That Is Over 125 Years Old

It has been growing for 125 years, a living masterpiece that changes with the seasons. This stunning new Virginia exhibit features a living treasure that has been alive since the...

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This Tiny Virginia Diner Counter Never Closes And Serves Icons From Scratch

The neon sign glows through the night, a beacon for anyone who needs a meal at any hour. This tiny Virginia diner counter never closes, serving icons from scratch to hungry travelers,...

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This Virginia State Park Has One of the Most Epic Hiking Trails in the Mid-Atlantic

You start the hike through fields of wild ponies, their manes blowing in the wind. The trail climbs, and the views open up, mountain after mountain fading into the distance.

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The Virginia Museum Is Home to a Legendary Civil War Warhorse Frozen in Time

The horse stands motionless in its glass case, preserved for more than a century. It does not look real at first, the dark coat, the alert stance, the saddle still in place.

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9 Overrated Virginia Summer Towns That Have Become Way Too Overpacked And Crowded In 2026

The secret is out. These Virginia summer towns were once quiet escapes, places where you could relax without fighting for a parking spot.

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10 Hidden Gems in Virginia You Won’t Find in Guidebooks

The guidebooks always mention the same places. Monticello, Virginia Beach, the Blue Ridge Parkway. But some of the best spots...

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These 9 Epic Scenic Overlooks in Virginia Do Not Require a Hike

Some views require a long hike and a lot of sweat. But the overlooks on this list do not. You can park, walk a few steps, and...

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The Best Legendary Cheeseburger In Virginia Is Found Inside This Tiny Hole-In-The-Wall Diner

The building is small, the menu is short, and the seating is limited. But the cheeseburger is legendary. This tiny Virginia diner...

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The Giant Virginia Farmers Market And Flea Market You’ll Want To Explore Again And Again

You walk through the gates and immediately realize that one visit will not be enough. The aisles stretch in every direction, lined with vendors selling everything from fresh produce...

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The Virginia Southern-Style Buffet That Locals Call The Greatest All-You-Can-Eat Destination In The State

The line starts forming before the doors open. Families, couples, and solo diners with empty stomachs and high expectations. This...

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This Hilltop Cross In Virginia Is One Of The East Coast’s Most Striking Landmarks

You see it from the road, a white cross rising against the sky, standing on a hilltop as if watching over the valley below. This Virginia landmark is one of the East Coast's most...

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8 Virginia Outdoor Festival Trips That Will Make Your Summer Weekends Something To Remember

Summer weekends in Virginia are meant for outdoor festivals. The kind where you wake up early, pack a cooler, and spend the day outside, surrounded by music, food, and the beauty...

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This Tiny Historical Virginia Town Feels Frozen In Time With A Creekside Main Street And Storybook Woods

You cross a bridge over a creek, and suddenly the world slows down. The main street is lined with old buildings, their brick facades weathered by centuries.

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This Seasonal Virginia Beach Park Has Free Admission, Classic Rides, And The Best Boardwalk Food In The State

The boardwalk is crowded, the ocean is sparkling, and the smell of funnel cake hangs in the air. This seasonal Virginia beach park has free admission, classic rides, and the best...

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This Stunning Boardwalk Hike Takes You Through Virginia’s Wetlands

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.

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This Little-Known Virginia Overlook Might Just Have The State’s Most Spectacular View

Most people drive past this overlook without knowing it exists. The sign is small, the parking lot is gravel, and the turnoff is easy to miss.

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This Giant Italian Wonderland In Virginia Makes Fresh Pasta Daily And Serves Wall-To-Wall Comfort

You walk in and the smell hits you. Garlic, tomatoes, and something baking. The shelves are packed with imported olive oils,...

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10 Virginia Restaurants Offering Stunning Views Worth The Trip In June

A great meal is one thing. A great meal with a stunning view is something else entirely. The food tastes better when you are...

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This Winding 3.5-Mile Natural Lazy River in Virginia Is The Absolute Best Way To Float Your Afternoon Away

Floating down a river is one of the great simple pleasures. You sit in a tube, push off from the shore, and let the current do the work.

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This Virginia Drive-In Theatre Resurrects The 1950s Golden Age With Neon Lights And Retro Snacks

Forget streaming services and overpriced multiplexes. There is a place tucked into the rolling countryside of Virginia where the magic of movies still flickers under an open sky,...

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These 10 Secluded Virginia Cabins Are Locals’ Favorite Off-Season Getaway

When summer crowds fade and temperatures drop, locals across Virginia know exactly where to find peace. Secluded cabins tucked...

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This Massive Virginia Vintage Store Is A Goldmine For Rare Home Décor At Unbelievable Prices

Vintage shopping usually means digging. You sort through dusty shelves and crowded racks, hoping to find something good. But...

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10 Shockingly Affordable Virginia Cabins That Feel Illegal To Rent

Cabins are supposed to be expensive. You pay for the privacy, the views, the chance to wake up in the woods. But the cabins...

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10 Absurdly Specific Virginia Museums That Should Not Exist But Do

Some museums make perfect sense. Art, history, science, the usual subjects. But Virginia has another kind of museum, the kind...

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