isla cunningham author at My Family Travels
Article
This Small Virginia Town Is Widely Considered the Ultimate Capital of Autumn Colors

Fall is the season for leaf peeping, and Virginia has plenty of places to see the colors change. But this small town is widely considered the ultimate capital of autumn colors.

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A Forest Service Cabin Sits High on a Virginia Mountaintop And You Can Rent It For $75 A Night With All The Comforts Of Home

Some cabins are rustic to the point of discomfort. You sleep on a hard bunk, cook over a fire, and spend the whole trip missing your own bed.

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These 11 Virginia Craft Schools Made Us Appreciate Handmade Work In A Whole New Way

Handmade work is easy to take for granted. A pottery bowl, a woven basket, a carved wooden spoon. They look simple, but they...

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This Virginia Estate Combines A Gilded Age Mansion A Japanese Garden And A 45 Foot Waterfall

Some estates are one thing. A house, a garden, a view. This Virginia estate is several things at once, and that is what makes...

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This Charming Virginia Town Near The Appalachian Trail Feels Made For A Mountain Getaway

Some towns are made for passing through. You stop for gas, grab a snack, and keep moving. This Virginia town is not one of those...

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This Quiet Virginia Coastal Town Has The Best Early Fall Oysters

Fall in Virginia brings cooler weather, changing leaves, and something else worth celebrating. Oysters. The waters along the...

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These 10 Unusual Virginia Attractions Might Change The Way You See The State

Virginia has plenty of famous attractions. Historic sites, scenic drives, and mountain views that draw visitors from across the country.

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This Virginia Mountain Town Still Feels Like A Real Hometown

Some towns put on a show for visitors. They polish the main street, hang the flowers, and sell the same souvenirs you can find anywhere.

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This Hidden Virginia Mountain Market Offers Incredible Amish Baking, Handcrafted Goods, And Giant Deli Sandwiches

You smell the bread before you see the building. Fresh, warm, and yeasty, the kind of smell that pulls you through the door without a second thought.

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10 Virginia Hiking Trails Locals Avoid In September Because The Copperheads Are Too Active

September is a beautiful month for hiking in Virginia. The weather is cooler, the leaves are starting to turn, and the trails are less crowded.

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10 Virginia Towns Where Almost Nothing Is Open After Dark And Nightlife Barely Exists

Some places in Virginia wear their quietude like a badge of honor. Long after the sun dips behind the mountains or melts into the Chesapeake, these small towns simply go still,...

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This Hidden Virginia Island Has Private Cabanas, Sandy Beaches, And Water So Inviting You’ll Never Want To Leave

You cross the bridge and the world slows down. The water is calm and blue, the sand is soft, and the cabanas are waiting. This...

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You Can Join A Book Club Or Meet An Author At This Virginia Bookstore

Bookstores are more than places to buy books. They are community hubs, spaces where readers gather to share ideas and discover new stories.

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This Virginia Restaurant Makes The Atmosphere Almost As Memorable As The Food

The setting is elegant, the lighting is warm, and the service is flawless. But the food is what brings people in, and this Virginia restaurant makes the atmosphere almost as memorable...

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This Virginia Picnic Spot Has The Kind Of September View You Never Want To Leave

The air is cool, the sky is clear, and the view stretches out in front of you like a painting. This Virginia picnic spot has the kind of September view you never want to leave,...

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This One Of A Kind Virginia Restaurant Deserves A Spot On Your Next Road Trip

Some restaurants are worth going out of your way for. This one of a kind Virginia restaurant deserves a spot on your next road trip, a place where the food is creative, the setting...

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These 11 Virginia Restaurants Serve Country Cooking With Plenty Of Local Charm

Country cooking is about more than just food. It is about the feeling, the warmth, the sense that someone in the kitchen cares about what they are serving.

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This Virginia BBQ Joint Is Recognized As The State’s Oldest Barbecue Restaurant

The smoke rises from the pit, the meat is slow-cooked, and the recipe has been the same for decades. This Virginia BBQ joint is recognized as the state's oldest barbecue restaurant,...

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This Mennonite-Owned Virginia Butcher Shop Is A Meat Lover’s Paradise With Old-School Custom Butchering

The counter is full of cuts, the knowledge behind it is deep, and the quality is evident in every piece of meat. This Mennonite-owned Virginia butcher shop is a meat lover's paradise,...

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This Woodland Virginia Hike Rewards You With A Swinging Bridge At The End Of The Trail

You walk through the forest, the path winding between trees and over small streams, the canopy filtering the light into a soft green glow. The trail is not long, but it feels like...

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Why Travelers Keep Escaping To This Charming Mountain Lodge Restaurant In Virginia

Some places are worth the drive just for the food. Others are worth it for the setting. This Virginia mountain lodge restaurant...

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This Charming Virginia Farm Offers Interactive Tours With Friendly Alpacas

You step into the pasture and the alpacas approach, curious and gentle, their soft eyes watching as you reach out a hand. This charming Virginia farm offers interactive tours with...

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This Fascinating Museum In Virginia Takes You Deep Into America’s Maritime Past

The anchors are massive, the figureheads are carved with care, and the stories of the sea are told in every exhibit. This fascinating museum in Virginia takes you deep into America's...

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10 Hiking Trails In Virginia That Offer Jaw-Dropping Views And Unforgettable Adventures

Virginia holds a special place in the hearts of outdoor lovers who crave stunning scenery and exciting trails. From rocky peaks...

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This Family-Run Virginia Spot Gets Real Heritage Flavor Right

Virginia is a state built on history. From the first English settlements to the Civil War to the civil rights movement, the ground is layered with stories.

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Most People Have Never Heard Of This Enchanting Waterfront Village In Virginia

You cannot drive there. There are no chain stores. And most people have never heard of it. This enchanting waterfront village...

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The Historic Virginia Mountain Theatre Where Actors Once Traded Shakespeare for Ham and Eggs

During the Great Depression, this Virginia mountain theatre found a way to survive. When audiences could not pay for tickets, they traded food instead.

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This Virginia Shopping Village Offers Handcrafted Goods, Antiques, And Local Farm Produce All In One Place

You walk through the doors and the first thing you notice is the smell. Fresh bread, cinnamon, and something frying. Then you...

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The Indoor Virginia Market Where Mennonite Vendors Sell Everything From Handcrafted Furniture To Fresh-Baked Apple Pie

You walk through the doors and the smell hits you first. Fresh bread, cinnamon, and something frying. Then you see the rows of...

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11 Virginia Mountain Towns That Still Feel Like The 1950s

That winding road through the Blue Ridge made me slow down the moment a brick storefront and a hand-painted sign caught my eye. Virginia's...

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10 Bucket List Adventures In Virginia You Cannot Have Anywhere Else

Ancient caverns glitter beneath Virginia's surface, wild ponies splash across open water, and rugged mountain trails give way to untouched Atlantic coastline.

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This Danville Monument Reminds Virginia Of A History Much Of The State Tries To Forget

Grand Italian Villa-style homes usually make me think of wine country or coastal estates, not the raw weight of American history. Virginia proved me wrong.

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This Is The Only Place In Virginia Where You Can Ride A Historic Hand-Cranked Carousel

Virginia has a carousel that stopped me mid-stride the moment I saw it. A small, spinning carousel sits just outside a museum, and it looks like something pulled straight out of...

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9 Virginia Villages That Keep Their Charm By Avoiding Tourists

Most road-trippers never discover Virginia's quiet side, and honestly, that is part of what makes it so special. I have spent...

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This Historic Virginia Quarry Is A Hidden Nature Park Surrounded By Ancient History

Walking along a creek in Virginia, I found a place that stopped me cold the moment I understood what I was standing on. The...

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This Virginia Town Is A Real-Life Victorian Postcard Where The 20th Century Never Happened

This Virginia town still feels like it belongs to another century, and I stumbled onto it almost by accident. Wrapped in brick...

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Virginia Locals Brave Outrageous Morning Lines For This Diner’s Legendary Brunch And Never Regret It

I've never understood people who willingly stand in line for breakfast. Then I found myself at this Virginia diner at 8 a.m....

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The Underrated Virginia Zoo That Deserves Way More Attention

The zoo is small but well-designed, with enclosures that prioritize the well-being of the animals and viewing areas that bring you closer to the action. This underrated Virginia...

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This Striking Virginia Bridge Turns A Drive Across The James Into A Scenic Moment

You drive across the river and the view opens up, the water stretching below and the skyline visible in the distance. This striking Virginia bridge turns a routine crossing into...

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This Grand Virginia Building Started As A Boom Era Hotel And Still Stands More Than A Century Later

The building is grand, the architecture is stately, and the history is visible in every corner. This Virginia building started as a boom era hotel and still stands more than a...

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You Will Need A Fork, A Knife, And A Napkin The Size Of The Chesapeake Bay To Finish This Virginia Burger

The burger arrives on a plate that barely fits it. The patty is thick, the toppings are piled high, and the bun is struggling to hold everything together.

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This Virginia Swimming Park Feels Like A Beach Getaway Without The Shore

The water is cool, the waves are gentle, and the sun is warm. But there is no ocean in sight. This Virginia swimming park feels...

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This Secret Virginia Museum Lawn Suddenly Becomes A Whimsical Outdoor Art Exhibit

The lawn is quiet and green, dotted with sculptures that seem to appear from nowhere. This secret Virginia museum lawn suddenly becomes a whimsical outdoor art exhibit, a place...

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9 Virginia Cities With Low Living Costs For Retirees On A Fixed Income In 2026

Retirement is supposed to be a time of ease, but rising costs can make that hard. Finding a place where the cost of living is manageable is essential, and Virginia has several...

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This Spring-Fed Virginia Swimming Beach Still Costs Just Four Dollars

The water is cool and clear, fed by natural springs that keep it refreshing even in the heat of summer. This spring-fed Virginia swimming beach still costs just four dollars, a...

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The Gorgeous 105-Mile Virginia Scenic Drive Locals Say Beats Meditation

The road winds through the mountains, the views opening up with every turn, and the world feels like it is moving at a slower pace. This gorgeous 105-mile Virginia scenic drive...

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11 Virginia Hiking Trails Where The Wildlife Still Feels Untouched

Some trails feel like they have been walked too many times. The wildlife has retreated, the birds are quieter, and the sense of discovery is diminished.

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9 Virginia Areas Where Black Bears Keep Showing Up This Summer

Black bears are having quite the summer in Virginia, and honestly, who can blame them? The Old Dominion is packed with jaw-dropping forests, misty mountain ridges, and sprawling...

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This Virginia Surf Sanctuary Has Public Neighborhood Access And A Five-Mile Shoreline

The beach stretches for five miles, wide and open, with waves that roll in from the Atlantic and a shoreline that feels like it belongs to no one. This Virginia surf sanctuary...

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10 Amazing Swimming Pools Offering Day Passes Across Virginia

Sometimes you do not need a whole weekend at a resort. Sometimes you just need a few hours by the water, a chance to cool off and relax without committing to an overnight stay.

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The Virginia Beach Where Sea Glass Is Surprisingly Easy To Find This Year

The tide rolls in and out, carrying treasures from the deep and depositing them on the shore. On this Virginia beach, the treasures are pieces of sea glass, smoothed by time and...

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This Remote Virginia Restaurant Is So Hidden You Have To Drive Down A Dirt Road To Find It

You turn off the paved road and the gravel crunches under your tires. The road narrows, the trees close in, and you begin to wonder if you are heading in the right direction.

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6 Virginia Bike Trails That Feel Like A Secret Getaway In 2026

The trail winds through the forest, the trees closing in overhead, the only sounds being the crunch of your tires and the birds in the branches. A bike trail can feel like a secret...

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This Secret Virginia Water Park Lets You Swim, Paddle, And Camp All Weekend

You can spend a whole weekend on the water without ever leaving the park. This secret Virginia water park lets you swim, paddle, and camp all in one place, a hidden destination...

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This Turkish Restaurant In Virginia Is Full Of Authentic Flavor

You step through the door and the aromas hit you first. Grilled meat, warm bread, spices that have traveled across continents. This...

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Your Mind And Body Will Thank You For Visiting These 9 Virginia Spas

There comes a point in every busy schedule when you need to stop, breathe, and let someone else take care of you. That is where a good spa comes in.

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This Virginia Trail Feels Like Walking Through a Hidden Wilderness Dream

You step onto the trail and the world shifts. The sound of the road fades, the trees close in, and the path begins to wind through a landscape that feels ancient and untouched.

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11 Virginia Towns That Are No Longer As Affordable As They Once Were

There was a time when small-town Virginia offered an affordable alternative to the expensive cities. Housing was cheaper, groceries cost less, and the cost of living allowed families...

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People Drive For Miles To Try The Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls At This Hidden Small-Town Bakery In Virginia

You smell them before you see them. Butter, cinnamon, sugar, and something warm and yeasty. People drive for miles to try the...

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You Can Buy Hormone-Free Meat At This All-Natural Virginia Farm

The cattle graze on open pastures. The chickens follow behind, doing what chickens do. And at the end of the cycle, there is...

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