dylan mercer author at My Family Travels
Article
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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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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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 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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Locals Say This Virginia Town Has The Most Charming Main Street

Staunton stands out as one of Virginia's most captivating destinations, where history meets modern charm in perfect harmony. Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, this independent...

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10 Wildlife And Nature Experiences In Virginia That Most Tourists Don’t Know About

Virginia holds countless natural treasures beyond the typical tourist trail. While most visitors flock to well-known parks and popular hiking spots, the state shelters remarkable...

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Pick Fruit Or Flowers At These 9 Virginia Farms That Make You Feel At Home

Virginia's countryside offers a special kind of escape from everyday life, where rolling hills meet charming family-run farms that welcome visitors with open arms. Picking fresh...

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A Virginia Italian Restaurant Locals Recommend For Homemade Pasta

Nestled in the charming town of Clifton, Virginia, Trattoria Villagio has become a favorite spot for anyone craving authentic Italian cuisine without leaving the state. Locals...

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9 Hidden Lakes In Virginia Perfect For A Quiet Escape From The Crowds

Virginia offers countless opportunities to escape the noise and chaos of everyday life, especially if you know where to look. Tucked...

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9 Pastry Shops In Virginia That Will Make Your Sweet Tooth Rejoice

Virginia has become a paradise for anyone who loves fresh pastries, flaky croissants, and decadent desserts. From the historic...

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These Are 10 New York State Ice Cream Shops Off The Beaten Path

New York State has more to offer than just the bright lights and busy streets of its famous cities. Hidden throughout the countryside...

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10 Hidden New Jersey Fast-Casual Restaurants Tourists Often Miss

New Jersey offers far more than just boardwalks and beaches for hungry travelers. Scattered across the state are remarkable...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Oyster Houses In Mississippi Locals Love

Mississippi's Gulf Coast hides some of the best oyster spots you'll ever find. These aren't fancy restaurants with white tablecloths...

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10 Peaceful Oregon River Villages Locals Hope Tourists Skip

Oregon hides some of its most charming secrets along quiet riverbanks where locals prefer to keep things peaceful. These small...

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10 Hidden Oklahoma Breakfast Places Locals Swear By

Oklahoma holds some of the most charming breakfast spots you'll ever discover, tucked away from the usual tourist trails and beloved by those who call this state home.

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10 Pennsylvania Landmarks Worth Visiting At Least Once

Pennsylvania stands as one of the most historically rich states in America, offering visitors a chance to walk through centuries of compelling stories.

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10 Roadside Diners In New Mexico Locals Recommend

New Mexico offers some of the most authentic roadside dining experiences you will ever find in the American Southwest. From...

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10 Must-Try Restaurants in Oregon This Season

Oregon has become a culinary destination where chefs celebrate the bounty of each season with creativity and passion. From...

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10 Florida Regions That Reveal The State’s Rural Side

Most people picture Florida as a land of theme parks, crowded beaches, and neon-lit cities. But beyond the tourist hotspots...

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10 Thing To Know Before Visiting Oklahoma’s Lake Towns

Oklahoma might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of waterfront getaways, but this state is home to some truly charming lake towns that offer unforgettable...

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10 Arizona Dining Spots You’re Likely To Hear About From Locals

Arizona's food scene goes way beyond the tourist traps and chain restaurants you'll find near major attractions. Locals know...

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10 Montana Locations Where Cell Service Disappears And Calm Takes Over

Montana's vast wilderness and remote terrain naturally create zones where cellular signals fail. These disconnected spaces...

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10 California Restaurant Chains Locals Secretly Prefer Over Big Names

California's food scene is famous around the world, but not all the best spots are the ones tourists flock to. While visitors...

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10 California Locations You’ll Want To Walk Through Slowly

California isn't just about rushing from one famous landmark to another. Some places in this beautiful state are meant to be...

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10 Relaxing New Hampshire Weekend Getaways You Can Take Year-Round

New Hampshire is a state filled with natural beauty, charming towns, and endless opportunities for rest and adventure. Whether...

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