ethan calloway author at My Family Travels
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This Virginia Mansion Was Once Left To Decay, Now It’s A Gorgeous Ruin You Can Wander Through

High above Virginia rises a marble palace that feels almost unreal in its scale and beauty. Weathered yet magnetic, it commands attention with chipped columns, fading frescoes,...

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This Mysterious Virginia 4,000-Pound Pyramid Was Built To Defy The Secrets Of Ancient Egypt

Among Virginia’s many historical oddities, one sight feels almost unreal: a towering granite pyramid rising from a quiet hillside cemetery. It dominates the landscape, weighing...

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This Easy 1.5-Mile Hike In Virginia Is So Scenic, You’ll Be Dreaming About The Views For Days

Not every unforgettable hike demands steep climbs or sore legs. In Virginia, one short and easy trail delivers sweeping panoramic views that stay with you long after the walk is...

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This Haunted Virginia Museum Has A Secret Collection That’s Not For The Faint Of Heart

Some places in Virginia carry stories that go far beyond what any history textbook could ever capture. Tucked along the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria sits a building...

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This Quirky Virginia Town Is Known As The “Moonshine Capital Of The World” For Its Famous Mountain Spirits

Some towns are known for their beaches, others for their skylines, but this one in Virginia has a reputation that's entirely its own. This small but spirited town earned the bold...

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The Virginia City Where $1,400 A Month Easily Covers Rent, Groceries, And Utilities

Most people assume you need a hefty paycheck to live comfortably in Virginia, but this place is flipping that script in the best way possible. Tucked into the southern part of...

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This Tiny Drive-In Restaurant Has Been Serving The Best Burgers In Virginia Since 1983

Certain spots cling to your memory long after the last bite, and one of Virginia's local treasure is exactly that kind of place. Nestled within a smallVirginia town sits a classic...

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A Taste Of New Orleans Is Hiding In This Virginia Spot With The Best Fresh Beignets Ever

Virginia just got a whole lot sweeter, and I'm not sure locals are ready to admit how good it is. A a little café opened its doors and quietly started serving up the kind of powdery,...

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The High-Octane Virginia Track Where You Can Pilot A Professional Race Car

Adrenaline kicks in long before you reach this place. In the rolling hills of southern Virginia, a legendary road course has spent decades turning everyday drivers into track-day...

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The Best 3-Michelin-Star Meal In The World Is Hiding In This Small-Town Virginia Landmark

Okay, real talk: is a tiny Virginia village really home to one of the most jaw-dropping dining experiences on the planet? I walked into a small Colonial town, fully skeptical,...

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This Is Officially The Greatest Day Trip You Can Take In Virginia

Okay, let me just say it out loud: some places in Virginia make you feel like you stumbled into a painting that nobody told you about. The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch across the...

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This Virginia Destination Pairs Asparagus Picking With Mountain-Slide Fun

Forget the typical weekend routine. There is a working farm in Virginia that somehow manages to combine fresh asparagus harvests with four massive mountain slides, zip-lines, hiking...

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This Giant Virginia Cement Mixer Was Transformed Into A Functional Walk-In Kaleidoscope

In Virginia, an ordinary cement mixer took an unexpected turn into something unforgettable. Once built to haul concrete, this 3,000-pound machine now delivers a completely different...

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This Underground Organ In Virginia Is The Largest Instrument On Earth

Deep underground in Virginia, a hidden symphony waited millions of years to be heard. This instrument transforms ancient stone into music, turning natural formations into resonating...

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This Old-Fashioned 1950s Diner In Virginia Is A Timeless Comfort Food Classic

Step inside and the world shifts in an instant. One moment you are in present-day Virginia, the next you are surrounded by gleaming chrome, glowing neon, and the comforting rhythm...

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The Peaceful Virginia Town Where Residents Say Living Slower Is The Secret To Joy

You know that feeling when a place instantly slows your heartbeat. Set in the Virginia countryside, this spot feels like stepping into a softer rhythm where pine-scented air and...

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10 Charming Virginia Small Towns Where Retirees Live The Good Life On A Budget

Virginia has a secret, and retirees are catching on fast. Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and rolling Shenandoah valleys, a string of small towns offers big-hearted living...

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This Breathtaking Virginia Trail Leads To A 66-Foot Waterfall Tucked In A Shaded Mountain Creek

Most trails promise a view. This one delivers a roar. Deep in Jefferson National Forest in southwestern Virginia, a shaded mountain...

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This Breathtaking Virginia Trail Leads To A Sparkling Mountain Reservoir Tucked Away In The Pines

Tucked deep inside the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, there is a place in Virginia so quietly spectacular that locals practically guard it with their lives....

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This Elegant Virginia Barn Eatery Is Famous For Its Seasonal Farm-To-Table Cuisine

Weekend plans tend to change quickly once this Purcellville spot comes into view. Set inside a beautifully restored grain mill, it pairs historic character with a menu that shifts...

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This Virginia Caffeine Escape Is The Ultimate Off-Beat Roastery

Hidden in the folds of Nelson County’s Blue Ridge landscape, this unassuming coffee roastery delivers an experience that lingers long after the last sip. I came across it by...

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This Virginia Staple Serves Family-Style Cuban Recipes That Feel Like Home

Certain restaurants have a way of pulling you back before the meal is even over. Richmond, Virginia offers plenty of standout spots, yet one corner of the Fan neighborhood keeps...

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This Twisted Virginia Bamboo Forest Might Be The Most Intense Outdoor Fright You Experience This Season

Virginia knows how to do fall, but one attraction on the edge of Chesapeake stands in a league of its own. Hidden within a dense, winding bamboo forest, this outdoor haunt has...

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Virginia’s Field Of Crumbling 20-Foot Statues Is The Most Haunting Post-Apocalyptic Sight In The South

In a quiet stretch of Virginia countryside, 43 massive presidential busts stand abandoned, slowly sinking into the ground as they crack, crumble, and stare into empty space. I...

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This Whimsical Virginia Forest Is Home To Over 100 Hand-Painted Tree Carvings

Virginia has its share of quiet trails, but this one doesn’t stay quiet for long. In the small town of Warsaw, a stretch of forest comes alive in the most unexpected way.

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This Picturesque Peach Orchard In Virginia Is A Scenic Mid-Summer Destination

Okay, hot take: not all orchard experiences are created equal, and somewhere in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia is quietly proving that point in the...

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This Secluded Virginia Kitchen Is So Far Off The Beaten Path The Journey Is Part Of The Reward

Some places just stop you in your tracks, and this one does exactly that. A stunning Victorian mansion has been quietly wowing food lovers and overnight guests for years.

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The Ultimate Hunt For These 10 Iconic Love Signs Across Virginia

Virginia has a love language all its own, and it spells it out loud and proud across the entire state. Scattered from the misty Blue Ridge Mountains to the sun-soaked Tidewater...

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You’re A True Virginian If You Know These 10 Hidden Small-Town Restaurants By Heart

Virginia has a serious secret, and it has nothing to do with politics or history class. This state is absolutely packed with small-town restaurants that locals would rather keep...

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This Rustic Orchard In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Offers A Sweet Taste Of A Simpler Time

Picture a sun?dappled pathway winding through a rustic orchard in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, inviting you to pause and breathe in the simple joys of country life. Here,...

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Dine With The Dead At Virginia’s Oldest And Most Haunted Tavern

Some restaurants serve great food. Some serve history. But very few serve both, with a side of the supernatural. This centuries-old...

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This Virginia Seasonal Spectacle Is The Most Instagrammable Spot In The State

Okay, so I need you to picture this: rolling fields bursting with every shade of pink, purple, red, and yellow you can imagine, all tucked away in the Virginia countryside. Spring...

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This Hearty Virginia Eatery Serves Authentic Romanian Comfort Food That Locals Can’t Get Enough Of

Forget everything you think you know about comfort food in Virginia. Tucked along Patterson Avenue in Richmond's West End sits a small, unassuming gem that has been quietly stealing...

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This Virginia Restaurant Lets You Dine Right Next To Vintage Airplanes

Okay, I have a serious question for you: is a burger automatically better when a real airplane taxis past your window while you eat it? My gut says yes, and Virginia apparently...

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This Art-Deco Virginia Deli Is So Perfectly Preserved It Feels Like A Scene From A Classic Noir Film

Some places just stop you cold the moment you walk through the door. There is a deli tucked into the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, that looks like it was plucked straight...

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This Gorgeous Town In Virginia Could Be The Old Dominion’s Prettiest Escape

Some towns just have it. That magnetic pull, that storybook charm, that rare combination of history, beauty, and personality that makes you slow down and actually breathe.

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10 Virginia Ferry Lines Tourists Ruined By Constant Crowds And Delays

Virginia's ferry lines are some of the most scenic and historically rich ways to cross the state's rivers and bays. But lately, they've become a battleground of bumper-to-bumper...

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The Virginia Amish-Style Market Locals Guard As Their Best-Kept Comfort Food Secret

Okay, let me ask you something: do you actually know the best comfort food spot in all of Virginia, or are you still driving past it every Friday without stopping? Locals around...

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This Humble Virginia Footbridge Is A Sacred Milestone On A Legendary American Trek

Some places stop you cold in your tracks, not because of flashy signs or tourist traps, but because of raw, quiet power. A weathered old bridge in Virginia does exactly that, and...

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The Average Virginian Has Only Been To 6 Out Of 10 Of These Towns And Places In Virginia

Virginia is one of those states that packs so much personality into its borders that even lifelong residents keep discovering something new. From the salt-sprayed shores of the...

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Explore The Virginia Train Station That Became A Film Set For Multiple Classic Movies

Step onto a piece of cinematic history right in the heart of Virginia, where the clatter of old tracks once echoed with the footsteps of legendary stars. This charming train depot,...

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This Quiet Corner Of Virginia Offers A Rare Look Into Amish Life

Tucked away in the Shenandoah Valley, the Amish community near Dayton, Virginia, offers visitors a peaceful glimpse into a way of life that values simplicity, tradition, and craftsmanship....

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10 Virginia Restaurants So Unusual They Belong On Your Bucket List

Virginia has a way of surprising people. Sure, you expect rolling mountains, colonial history, and sweet tea on every porch. But...

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Virginia Has a 53-Acre Zoo With Incredible Cheetah and Giraffe Encounters

What if your next weekend adventure came with giraffes, cheetahs, and a zoo that feels more like a wild expedition than a casual stroll? Virginia is sitting on one of the East...

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Prepare To Be Enchanted By The Sweetest Hidden Residents Of This Virginia Sanctuary

Imagine stepping into a quiet corner of Virginia where the air smells of pine and the rustle of leaves hints at something adorable waiting just out of sight. This tucked?away sanctuary...

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This Famous Virginia Castle Holds The Crown As North America’s Oldest Brick Masterpiece

Think you know old? Try standing inside walls that were already ancient when America declared independence. Surry County holds...

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10 Relaxing Virginia Towns Where $1,200 A Month Is Plenty To Retire In Comfort

Virginia has a quiet little secret that most retirees have not figured out yet. Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and rolling Piedmont hills, there are charming small towns...

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The Virginia Landmark Where A 19th-Century Murder Mystery Still Lingers

What if the walls of a colonial mansion could whisper the secrets of a sinister poisoning plot that rocked Williamsburg society? Step into a place where history took a dark turn,...

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This Virginia Football Stadium Has One Of The Most Historic College Game Atmospheres In The South

Picture yourself standing among roaring fans while mountains frame the horizon and tradition pulses through every cheer. Scott Stadium in Charlottesville isn't just another college...

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Virginia Bargain Hunters Swear This Massive Thrift Store Beats Costco

Think thrift stores are just dusty racks of yesterday's leftovers? Think again. Tucked along Richmond Highway in Woodbridge sits...

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The Legendary Steaks At This Small-Town Virginia Spot Outshine Richmond’s Best At Half The Price

Think Richmond's got the monopoly on mouthwatering steaks? Think again. Tucked along Route 1 in North Chesterfield sits a culinary...

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Locals Claim This Virginia Buffet Is the Ultimate Cheat Day Spot

What if your next big splurge meal could include everything from crispy fried chicken to warm cinnamon rolls, all under one rustic roof? That's exactly what diners are raving about...

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Virginia’s Most Unusual Coffee Shop Is A Restored 19th-Century Military Firehouse

Picture this: sipping a perfectly brewed latte inside a historic military firehouse that once protected soldiers and equipment from flames. Firehouse Coffee 1881 transforms a piece...

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The Abandoned Hospital In Virginia That Looks Too Haunted To Explore Alone

Radford holds a secret that sends shivers down the spines of even the bravest souls. Tucked away in the hills sits a building with walls that have witnessed decades of human suffering,...

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This Virginia Amish Store Has Homemade Foods You Cannot Find Anywhere Else

Tucked away in Rural Retreat, there's a place where shopping feels like stepping back in time, where everything is made from scratch, and where the shelves hold treasures you simply...

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10 Virginia Hidden Spots Most Locals Don’t Even Know About (With Map)

Virginia has a reputation for colonial towns, Civil War battlefields, and postcard-perfect mountain views. But beyond the well-trodden tourist trails lies a side of the state that...

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This Legendary Virginia Buffet Is Worth The Drive Even If You’re Not In Richmond

What makes a restaurant worth driving an extra half hour? Some say it's the view, others claim it's the ambiance. But when it...

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10 Low-Key Virginia Spots Serving Pepperoni Pizza Locals Call The Best In The State

Think you’ve already tasted the best pepperoni pizza Virginia has to offer? You might want to take another bite. Step away...

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9 Virginia Restaurants Serving The Best Sub You’ll Ever Try

This state knows how to pile on the meat, melt the cheese just right, and tuck it all into bread that’s crusty on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and downright impossible...

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A Tiny Virginia Bakery That Might Just Have The Best Pizza In The State

Can a small town pizzeria really compete with big city slices? Locals swear this place serves Virginia's finest pies, but some visitors think it's just hype.

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