dylan mercer author at My Family Travels
Article
Locals Tried To Keep This Breathtaking Virginia State Park Quiet For A Reason

I get why the locals wanted to keep this place to themselves. Douthat State Park is the kind of beautiful that makes you want to be selfish.

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The Prime Rib At This Classic Virginia Supper Club Is Seriously Out Of This World

There is a certain kind of restaurant that feels like stepping back in time. Dark wood. Low lighting. Waiters who have been there forever and know exactly how to take care of you.

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This Virginia RIverside Town Is Packed With Creative Arts And Historic Charm

Some towns have history. Some towns have art. This Virginia riverside village somehow packed both into a space so charming...

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This European-Style Market In Virginia Feels Like A Walk Through Imported Flavors And Old-World Finds

No passport required. No transatlantic flight. Just a little storefront in Virginia that somehow manages to feel like a German village market.

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This Virginia State Park Spans Over 400 Acres And Protects A Rare Freshwater Tidal Marsh Ecosystem

You have probably driven past the exit a hundred times without a second glance. But tucked off that familiar highway is over a thousand acres of pure Virginia magic, and honestly,...

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This Haunted Virginia Inn Still Has Civil War Bloodstains On The Floors

Check in, if you dare, but maybe bring a nightlight and a backup nightlight. This old inn doesn't just have ghost stories; it has physical proof that history got very messy.

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This Southwestern Virginia Steakhouse Proves That Real Hospitality Lives Below The James River

Some restaurants serve food. Others serve an experience so layered in history, warmth, and flavor that you walk out feeling like you witnessed something rare.

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This Remote Virginia Beach Ghost Town Is Slowly Being Swallowed By The Atlantic

There is something creepy and beautiful about watching a town disappear. This one is doing exactly that, one storm at a time. What...

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This 300-Vendor Virginia Flea Market Is Where One Man’s Trash Becomes Another Man’s Treasure

Forget the mall. Forget the big-box stores. Some of the most thrilling shopping experiences happen on a grassy field in the heart...

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This Historic Department Store In Virginia Is Now A Monthly Artisan Market Open One Weekend A Month

Virginia has a way of tucking extraordinary things into small towns, and this place is no exception. Once home to a beloved historic department store, this charming little town...

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This Virginia Jail Is One Of the Oldest Places In The State You Can Still Visit, If You Dare

Not all of Virginia’s history feels polished or comfortable. Some of it hides behind thick stone walls and iron bars, waiting to be explored.

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This Hidden Virginia Treasure Is The Oldest Continuously Running Inn In The USA

History does not just sit quietly here, it surrounds you the moment you arrive. In Virginia stands a remarkable inn that has been welcoming travelers since the late 1700s, earning...

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The Guinness World Record For The Longest Pleasure Beach Belongs To This Vibrant Virginia Destination

Forget everything you thought you knew about beach towns, because one coastal destination in Virginia is playing a completely different game. Stretching across miles of Atlantic...

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10 Charming Towns That Feel Like England, But Are Pure Virginia Magic

Virginia has a secret that most people outside the Commonwealth never talk about. There are towns so steeped in history, so layered with cobblestone charm and colonial character,...

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The Crumbling Ruins Of This 19th-Century Virginia Victorian Mansion Sit Right In The Middle Of A Golf Course

It appears without warning, rising from the fairway like a forgotten relic that refuses to disappear. In Virginia, a Victorian mansion is slowly giving way to time, its crumbling...

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This Virginia Zen Garden Feels Exactly Like Stepping Into Another World

It hits you the moment you arrive. In Vienna, Virginia, a 95-acre botanical escape creates instant distance from the rush of Northern Virginia.

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The Virginia Town Where The Cost Of Living is 23% Lower Than The State Average

Most people think affordable living in Virginia is a myth, but the state sits a city that completely flips that idea on its head. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and jaw-dropping...

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10 Virginia Shopping Locations That Are An Experience, Not An Errand

Virginia has a serious secret, and locals have been keeping it way too long. Forget the usual mall crawl and predictable chain stores, because this state serves up shopping destinations...

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This Massive Go-Kart Track In Virginia Will Take You On An Exhilarating Fun Ride

Virginia Beach has no shortage of ways to have a great time, but there is one spot that locals and first-timers keep coming back to year after year. Go-kart racing, mini golf,...

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This Century-Old Virginia Collection Pairs Rare Vintage Cars With Period Art And Fashion

Few attractions in Virginia deliver this kind of instant impact. Right beside the famous Luray Caverns sits a museum that pulls car enthusiasts and history lovers in without effort.

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This Daily All-You-Can-Eat Mexican Lunch Buffet In Virginia Is A Flavor Lovers Dream

Virginia has a lot going for it, but a daily all-you-can-eat Mexican lunch buffet that actually delivers on flavor? That is the kind of discovery that stops a road trip in its...

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This Virginia Bar Is A Tribute To Intergalactic Heavy Metal

Walk into Richmond’s nightlife scene and this spot rewrites the rules instantly. Nothing about it feels ordinary. Walls splashed...

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10 Historic Virginia Sites Where America Was Born

Some places don't just tell history, they breathe it. Virginia is one of those rare states where you can literally stand on the ground where America took its first steps, made...

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This Scenic Virginia State Park Lets You Dig For Prehistoric Shark Teeth On A Hidden Fossil Beach

Scan the shoreline for a moment and you might spot something that predates humanity by millions of years. Along Virginia’s Northern Neck, this spot offers one of the most unusual...

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The Authentic Italian Market In Virginia Where The Owner Still Shares A Taste Of The Old Country

It starts with one bite and suddenly you are somewhere far from Virginia Beach. Inside a modest shopping plaza, this small Italian market feels like a direct line to southern Italy.

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This Haunting Virginia Landmark Tells The Eerie Legends Of One Of The Oldest Historic Homes In The Region

Few places make history feel this immediate, where the weight of the past seems to settle in the air the moment you arrive. In the heart of Blacksburg, this estate stands as a...

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The Charming Virginia River Town Officially Recognized As The Antique Capital Of The Commonwealth

Is this the most underrated small town in all of Virginia, or do locals just want to keep it to themselves? This compact riverside gem has officially earned the title of Antique...

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This Scenic Virginia River Park Is Home To The Historic Ruins Of A 19th-Century Canal System

Certain places demand your attention the moment you arrive. One park in Virginia unfolds with striking waterfalls, rugged hiking trails, and the weathered stone remains of a canal...

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This Historic Antique Empire In Virginia Hides Endless Vintage Treasures Within Its Massive Halls

Forget scrolling through online marketplaces at midnight, hoping to snag something remotely interesting. Virginia has a jaw-dropping antique destination that makes every other...

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This Hidden Virginia Bridge Is The Site Of A Famous Cold War Soviet Spy “Dead Drop”

In a quiet neighborhood park in Virginia, a small footbridge hides one of the most startling espionage stories in American history. Most people cross it without a second thought,...

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This Virginia Landmark Has Been Serving Traditional French Classics For Decades

In the heart of Virginia, this long-standing culinary landmark has been serving authentic French classics for decades. Walking through its doors feels like entering a cozy Parisian...

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We Found A Haunted Virginia Trail That Takes You On A Bone-Chilling Trek Through The Pines

Some trails are just hikes. Others leave you looking over your shoulder long after you have gone home. Deep in the Blue Ridge...

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10 Lakeside Campgrounds In Virginia With Unbeatable Shoreline Views

Virginia is sitting on a seriously underrated secret: some of the most jaw-dropping lakeside campgrounds on the entire East Coast. Locals debate it all the time.

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This Roadside Virginia BBQ Shack Serves Loaded Smokehouse Plates That Barely Fit On The Tray

There’s something magical about pulling into a roadside spot in Virginia and being greeted by a massive, loaded plate that seems to defy gravity. The moment the first bite hits...

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Virginia’s Highest State Park Is A 4,500-Acre Nature Lover’s Paradise

Somewhere in the far southwestern corner of Virginia, the mountains don't just rise, they absolutely soar. I stumbled onto a park that felt more like Scotland than the American...

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This Iconic Virginia Potato Chip Factory Lets You Watch The Kettle-Cooking Magic Through Giant Windows

Some road trip stops are just pit stops. Others turn into stories you keep telling long after the journey ends. In Virginia’s...

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This Restored Virginia Village Is Where The American Civil War Officially Ended

Some places carry the weight of history so deeply that you can almost feel it in the air. In hills of central Virginia, there is a quiet village where one of the most defining...

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This Virginia Fabric Wonderland Will Make You Want To Start A New Quilt Project Today

Okay, Virginia quilters, I have a confession to make. I walked into what I thought would be a quick afternoon stop, and I ended up spending hours completely lost in a sea of the...

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The Best Fried Bologna Sandwich Is Tucked Away In This Tiny Virginia Town

Somewhere deep in the Appalachian highlands of Virginia, a tiny town is quietly winning the sandwich game. This Virginia spot might not ring a bell for most people, but locals...

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10 Iconic Virginia Restaurants That Are Absolutely Worth The Hype (And The Tolls)

Virginia has a way of making you feel things, especially at the dinner table. From the misty Blue Ridge Mountains to the cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg, this state...

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Virginia’s Top 10 Hidden Vietnamese Gems According To Locals

There’s a whole side of Virginia that most visitors miss—a world of undiscovered Vietnamese eateries whispered about over coffee and shared among locals. From tucked?away noodle...

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This Secret Virginia Ridge Road Leads To A Valley Vista That Feels Like The End Of The World

There’s something magical about finding a secret road that climbs through Virginia’s rolling hills and bursts into a panorama so vast it feels otherworldly. The drive itself...

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This Historic Getaway In Virginia Feels Like A Royal Retreat

Some places just stop you in your tracks the moment you lay eyes on them. Tucked into the charming historic district in Virginia, there is a grand mansion that has been turning...

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There’s A Gorgeous Beach Hiding At This 2800-Acre Virginia State Park

There’s something magical about discovering a pristine beach tucked away inside a massive state park, especially when it feels like the whole world has paused just for you. In...

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This Rugged Virginia Off-Road System Is A Massive Playground For Every ATV Adventure You’ve Been Craving

Some off-road destinations just have that electric, pulse-quickening energy that makes you want to load up the truck and go right now. Tucked inside the George Washington and Jefferson...

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This Virginia Bakery Is A French Castle Escape Straight Out Of A Fairytale

Picture stepping through a door in Northern Virginia and landing somewhere that feels like a storybook brought to life. Tucked inside a Chantilly shopping plaza is a cafe so enchanting,...

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This Must-Visit Riverside Spot In Virginia Serves Legendary Giant Crab Cakes

There’s something magical about finding a place where the scenery and the food both feel larger-than-life, especially when it’s tucked away on a Virginia riverbank. I’m talking...

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9 Little-Known Virginia Beaches So Good We Almost Kept Them Secret

Virginia's coastline is packed with surprises, and most of them don't show up on the usual tourist maps. Beyond the packed boardwalks and souvenir shops, there's a whole other...

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12 Virginia Historic Sites That Will Inspire Any History Buff

Think about walking the same ground where America's founding fathers debated freedom, or standing in rooms where Civil War generals planned their strategies. Virginia holds more...

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This Virginia Adventure Park Offers Family Thrills And Scenic Views

Can you really swing through the trees like Tarzan without leaving Virginia Beach? Turns out, you absolutely can. Tucked beside...

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The Definitive Guide To This Enchanting Mountainside Lodge In Virginia

Tucked high in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, there is a place that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Seriously, is this the most underrated mountain retreat...

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This Low-Key Virginia Fish Shack Pairs Incredible Bay Vistas With Famous Fried Oysters

Some spots just have that magic you can't manufacture. Perched right on the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, there's a seafood joint that locals fiercely defend and visitors immediately...

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This Virginia Book Haven Is A Massive Warehouse Marathon For Every Type of Reader

Somewhere on Hull Street Road in Richmond, Virginia, there is a bookstore that makes every other used bookstore feel a little ordinary by comparison. Locals already know it, regulars...

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This Ancient Virginia Forest Is One Of The Last Places On Earth Where You Can Walk Among 400-Year-Old Giants

Think you've seen every old tree Virginia has to offer? Think again. Tucked away in the rolling hills of Orange County lies a...

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This Virginia Restaurant Feels More Political Than Culinary

Can a restaurant serve up patriotism alongside pancakes? At Founding Farmers in Tysons Corner, Virginia, the answer might surprise you.

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Walk Through The 8 Richmond, Virginia Neighborhoods That Stood In For Historic Films

Richmond, Virginia is not just a city steeped in Civil War history and Southern charm. It is also one of America's most underrated film destinations, quietly doubling as 1860s...

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People Drive From All Over Virginia For The Legendary 40-Ounce Reuben At This Deli

What makes people pile into their cars and drive across Virginia for a single sandwich? Seriously, picture this: folks from Richmond, Virginia Beach, and the Shenandoah Valley...

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The 10 Best Thai Eateries In Virginia You Must Experience

Craving bold flavors that wake up your taste buds and transport you straight to the streets of Bangkok? Virginia has quietly become a powerhouse for authentic Thai cuisine, with...

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The Loaded Truffle Fries At This Cozy Gastropub In Virginia Is Out-Of-This-World Delicious

Some places just have that magnetic pull. You hear about them through a friend, a whisper at a dinner table, or a glowing review from someone who clearly knows their food.

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This Living History Village In Virginia Is A Literal Time Machine To The Colonial Era

Think your local history museum is impressive? Try stepping into an entire town frozen in time, where every cobblestone street, every handcrafted horseshoe, and every powdered...

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