dylan mercer author at My Family Travels
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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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This Drive-Thru Dinosaur Adventure In Virginia Is A Prehistoric Heart-Pounding Thrill

Think you know what makes a perfect family adventure in Northern Virginia? Picture this: life-sized dinosaurs lurking in the shadows, prehistoric roars echoing through the trees,...

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10 Eerie Sites In Virginia That Will Send A Shiver Down Your Spine

Think Virginia is all about historic charm and scenic beauty? Think again. Beneath the surface of this storied state lies a darker...

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The Fish And Chips At This Charming Restaurant Are A Total Game-Changer For Seafood Fans

Think you've tasted the best fish and chips in Virginia? Let's settle this debate once and for all. There's a spot along George...

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The Shrimp And Grits At This No-Frills Restaurant In Virginia Are 100% Worth The Gas Money

Can a plate of shrimp and grits really justify a road trip? Most people would roll their eyes at driving out of their way for breakfast.

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This Magical Waterfall Trail In Virginia Is The Ultimate No-Stress Adventure For Families

Think all Virginia waterfall hikes require mountaineering skills and a sherpa? Think again. Cascade Falls near Pembroke has cracked...

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People Drive From All Over Virginia Just For One Bite Of This Tiny Bakeshop’s Secret Recipes

What makes people wake up early on a weekend and drive for hours just to get a pastry? The answer is simmering in a charming old gas station turned bakery in Warrenton, where the...

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People Drive From All Over Virginia To Eat At This Bunker With The State’s Best Burger

Can a fast food joint really be worth the drive? Ask anyone who's made the trek to Front Royal, and they'll tell you absolutely yes.

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This Stunning Boardwalk Hike Is Virginia’s Best Kept Secret For Outdoor Lovers

Tucked away in Woodbridge, Virginia, there's a trail that makes you feel like you've stumbled into a nature documentary. Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Trail isn't your typical dirt path...

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Food Lovers Flock To This Virginia Diner For Hearty Southern Breakfasts This February

What makes a breakfast spot worth driving across Virginia Beach for? At Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen, locals and visitors alike gather around tables buzzing with...

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Virginians Are Traveling Miles To This Charming Antique Store For The Insane Vintage Haul Of A Lifetime

Treasure hunting takes on a whole new meaning when you step inside this sprawling Virginia wonderland packed with vintage finds that'll make your heart skip a beat. Folks from...

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This Virginia Small Town Is Known For Its Covered Bridges And Charming Streets

If you think all small towns are the same, Covington, Virginia will change your mind faster than you can say “mountain magic.” Nestled in the Alleghany Highlands and home to...

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10 Virginia Dog-Friendly Restaurants That Serve Up More Than Just Treats

Think your pup deserves a seat at the table? Virginia's dining scene is stepping up its game, and four-legged friends are finally getting the VIP treatment they've been drooling...

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11 Highest-Rated Italian Restaurants In All Of Virginia That Are Worth Every Bite

From the bustling streets of Northern Virginia to the coastal charm of Virginia Beach, the Old Dominion is serving up authentic Italian cuisine that rivals anything you'd find...

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This Virginia Coastal Fort Shows How War, Trade, And Slavery Shaped The Region

What if a single fort could tell the story of America's most defining moments? Fort Monroe stands at the tip of the Virginia Peninsula, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic,...

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This Virginia Outdoor Museum Shows How Cultures Met And Fought

Think you know how America was really built? Not just through big battles and famous names, but through ordinary people hauling their entire lives across an ocean and carving out...

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This Virginia Mountain Town Is A Perfect Spring Escape

Tucked into the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains painting the skyline, Lexington might just be Virginia's best-kept secret for springtime adventures. This tiny independent...

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This Virginia Coastal Café Turns Fresh Catch Into Culinary Art

Can a restaurant really make you fall in love with seafood all over again? Skeptics might say every coastal spot claims to serve the freshest catch, but Catch 31 Fish House &...

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This Virginia Family-Owned BBQ Joint Redefines Smoky Flavor

What if the best barbecue in Virginia isn't hiding in some big city but sitting right off the highway in Gloucester Point, where the smoke rolls thick and the welcome is warm?...

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This Virginia Hidden Waterfall Trail Feels Like A Secret Wonderland

Tucked away in Nelson County, Crabtree Falls is proof that Mother Nature has been keeping secrets from us all along. This isn't just another trail with a decent view at the end.

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9 Virginia Towns Where Locals Still Greet Each Other By Name

Small-town charm isn't dead, and Virginia proves it better than most states. Across the Commonwealth, pockets of genuine community spirit still thrive in places where everyone...

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These 10 Virginia Towns Feel Stuck Between Tradition And Change

Think your hometown is the only place wrestling with its past while tiptoeing toward the future? Virginia's got a whole lineup of towns doing the exact same dance.

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These 10 Secret Virginia Spots Offer The Calm You Didn’t Know You Needed

Think Virginia is just about crowded tourist traps and highway traffic? Think again. Tucked between rolling hills, quiet waterways,...

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These 9 Amish-Owned Markets And Farms In Virginia Are Known For Fresh Food And Craftsmanship

What makes Virginia's countryside so special? Tucked between rolling hills and lush farmland, you'll find communities keeping old traditions alive while selling some of the freshest...

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These 10 Virginia Scenic Pull-Offs Are Perfect For Road Trip Photos

Can we all agree that scrolling through someone's road trip photos is way more fun when they actually look good? Nobody wants to see another blurry shot taken through a bug-splattered...

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This Historic Mansion In Virginia Sparks Arguments About The Confederacy

What happens when one of America's most celebrated founding fathers built a stunning estate on the backs of enslaved people? Monticello sits atop a Virginia hill, a testament to...

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This Open-Air Train Through Virginia Combines Scenic Views And Nostalgic Vibes

Picture yourself rolling through the Virginia countryside on a vintage maintenance-of-way rail car, wind in your hair, trees whizzing past, and the clickety-clack of steel wheels...

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This Virginia Amish Market Is A Haven For Handmade Foods And Baked Goods

Tucked away just off I-81 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, sits a treasure trove that feels like stepping back into simpler times. Shenandoah Heritage Market at 121 Carpenter Lane isn't...

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Tourists Keep Hitting The Road For The Prime Rib At This Hidden Virginia Restaurant

Tucked away along Leesburg Pike in Vienna, Virginia, Randy's Prime Seafood and Steaks has become the kind of place people drive hours to visit. Travelers from all over make special...

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10 Virginia Spots Locals Keep Secret And Warn Against Visiting Alone

Virginia hides secrets in its forests, along its winding roads, and within its historic walls. Locals know these places carry stories of isolation, danger, and the unexplained.

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This Is The Riverside Town In Virginia Locals Don’t Promote Online

Tucked along the Pagan River in Virginia, Smithfield is one of those charming riverside gems that doesn't exactly shout for attention, but it should. Famous for its world-renowned...

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This Enormous Thrift Store In Virginia Makes Black Friday Look Overpriced

Ready to experience thrifting like you've never seen it before? Tucked behind the Goodwill office building at 6301 Midlothian Tpke in Richmond, Virginia, sits a treasure hunter's...

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This Virginia Mountain Town Feels Like A Step Back In Time

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon feels like you've stepped through a portal into a gentler, slower time. With its brick-lined streets, historic...

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Locals Recommend This Virginia Restaurant For Its Classic Oysters Rockefeller

Tucked away in a quiet Virginia Beach neighborhood sits a true local treasure that has stood the test of time. Steinhilber's Restaurant has been serving exceptional cuisine in...

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Locals Say This Town In Virginia Has The Best Small-Town Vibes

Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Virginia, Galax is a charming independent city that captures the heart of small-town America. With a population hovering around seven...

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