lila merrick author at My Family Travels
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We Found A Virginia Indian Eatery With A Table-Serve Buffet So Tasty You Will Want To Linger All Day

Buffets are usually about quantity, not quality. Fill a plate, go back for more, leave feeling heavy and slightly disappointed. But...

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7 Abandoned Virginia Asylums Where The Patients Never Really Left

Abandoned buildings have a way of holding onto their past. The walls remember. The hallways echo. And when those buildings once...

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This Tiny Virginia Town Is Home To A Steakhouse Serving Unforgettable Ribeye

Small towns are not supposed to have great steakhouses. That is the rule, or at least the assumption. Drive far enough away from...

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This Massive Virginia Hardware Store Is A Multistory Treasure Trove Of Unique Oddities

Most hardware stores are predictable. Aisles of tools, rows of paint, the same brands you have seen a hundred times. This Virginia...

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This Classic New Hampshire Restaurant Serves Onion Rings Locals Keep Talking About

Confession: I usually skip onion rings when I eat out, because most of them are sad, greasy disappointments that are not worth the calories or the heartburn. But the people in...

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This Virginia Treehouse Lets You Sleep 2,700 Feet Above The Blue Ridge Mountains

Most hotel rooms have four walls, a bed, and a window. This one has a treehouse perched on a mountain, 2,700 feet above the Blue Ridge, with views that make your phone camera work...

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This Hidden New Hampshire Breakfast Spot Feels Like Home From The First Bite

You know that feeling when you walk into a restaurant for the first time and within five minutes you are already relaxed, like you have been coming here for years instead of just...

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This Hidden Virginia Trail Leads To A Wild Beach That Feels Frozen In Time

The path is narrow, shaded by trees, and easy to miss if you are not paying attention. That is the first clue that you have found something special.

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This New Hampshire Museum Feels Like A Cabinet Of Curiosities Spanning Nearly Four Centuries

I have been to museums that tell one story very well, and I have been to museums that try to tell too many stories and end up feeling confused. This one in New Hampshire is something...

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10 Senior-Friendly And Tranquil Nature Trails Across Virginia

Not every trail needs to be a workout. Some should just be pretty, flat, and easy on the joints. Virginia has plenty of those,...

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The Historic 460-Foot Covered Bridge In New Hampshire Most Tourists Have Never Heard Of

There is something about a covered bridge that feels like a secret handshake between people who have lived in New Hampshire for a long time and everyone else who is just passing...

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This Virginia Horseback Ride Lets You Trek Through Coastal Marshes Just Like A Wild Pony

Okay, real talk. Is Chincoteague the most underrated coastal gem in Virginia, or has it secretly been the best-kept secret all along?

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11 Virginia Locations That Still Feel Undiscovered Despite Being On The Map

Virginia holds countless secrets tucked between its mountains, valleys, and coastline. While many travelers flock to popular destinations, some remarkable places remain wonderfully...

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This New Hampshire Market Feels Like A Quick Trip To An Italian Village

I have never been to an Italian village, but I imagine it smells something like this place in New Hampshire does, with fresh bread and aged cheese and tomatoes that actually taste...

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This Chrome-And-Neon Virginia Diner Still Feels Like A Decades-Old Time Capsule

Walking into this Virginia diner is like stepping into a photograph from the 1950s. The chrome shines, the neon glows, and the booths have that perfect vinyl texture that squeaks...

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10 Virginia Small Towns That Feel Like Stepping Into A Different Century

Let's be real: modern life is exhausting. The notifications, the traffic, the relentless pace. Sometimes you just want to walk...

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This Town In New Hampshire Is So Affordable, You Can Retire Here On Just $1,800 A Month

Retirement calculators usually make me want to crawl under a rock and never come out, because they all assume you have six figures saved and a financial advisor on speed dial....

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The 31 Mile Virginia Rail Trail Where You Can Cycle, Walk, Or Jog Under A Thick Canopy Of Trees Without Highway Noise

Thirty-one miles of paved trail with no cars, no trucks, and no highway noise. That is the promise of this Virginia rail trail, and it delivers exactly that.

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This Century-Old New Hampshire Landmark Offers A Nostalgic Glimpse Into Life In 1781

I walked into a building that has been standing since before George Washington was president. That fact alone stopped me mid step. This...

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You Can Find Fossilized Shark Teeth At This Virginia State Park

Walking through the woods of this Virginia state park, you would never guess that ancient sharks once swam where you are standing. But the cliffs along the water tell a different...

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This Quirky New Hampshire Eatery Serves Seafood So Good, You’ll Want To Move In Next Door

I have driven past places like this a hundred times and wondered if they are actually good or just coasting on location. This one in New Hampshire is the real thing.

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The Stone Atop This Virginia Peak Helped Build The Washington Monument

Hiking to the top of this Virginia mountain is rewarding enough on its own. The views stretch for miles, and the air feels cleaner than anything down below.

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This Virginia Campground Lets You Wake Up Right Next To The Water

There is camping, and then there is waking up with the river practically at your feet. This Virginia campground understands the difference.

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This Virginia Landmark Preserves The Authentic Spirit Of Colonial America

I have stood inside plenty of old churches, but this one felt different. The walls are sturdy, the bricks are weathered, and the silence has a weight to it that makes you speak...

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The Windows On This Abandoned Virginia Asylum Are Bricked Up But Locals Say Faces Still Appear At Night

Let’s be real. There is “creepy,” and then there is “the locals bricked up the windows and people still see faces.” That is a whole different level of nope.

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This Dreamy Virginia Beach Town Makes A One-Day Escape Feel Like A Mini Vacation

You do not need a whole week to feel like you got away. Sometimes one day is enough, especially when the destination is this dreamy.

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This Family-Run Virginia Restaurant Is Known for Massive Plates of Authentic Mexican Classics

Some restaurants feed you. Others feed you and then send you home with leftovers for tomorrow. This Virginia spot falls firmly...

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10 Best Virginia Campgrounds For Riverside Mornings And Water Views This April

April in Virginia is tricky. One day it is warm enough for shorts. The next day you need a jacket. But here is what works no matter the weather.

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This Massive Virginia Battleship Is The Largest Of Its Kind Ever Built

You do not fully understand the word "massive" until you stand next to this thing. I have seen plenty of ships in movies and documentaries, but nothing prepared me for the USS...

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This Virginia Gem Is Serving Up The Most Authentic Peking Duck Around

Finding authentic Peking duck in Virginia is not impossible. But finding the best? That takes a local who knows where to point. Crispy skin. Tender meat.

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This Virginia Ferry Ride Will Carry You To A Destination Frozen In Time

Imagine a place with no chain restaurants. No traffic lights. No stress. Now imagine getting there by boat.

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This Small Virginia Town Is Quietly Known For Its Historic Charm, And Unexpected Road Trip Appeal

Most people zoom right past it. Highway 7, windows up, eyes forward, destination already locked in. Big mistake.

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This Enchanting Virginia Tea Room Is An English-Inspired Escape For Pastry Lovers

Hold on. A tea room inside a shopping center that feels like an English manor? I did not believe it either until I walked through...

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10 Virginia Historic Theaters Where The Stage Has Been Alive For Over A Century

There is something about walking into a theater that has been around for over a hundred years. The creak of the floorboards. The...

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This 4.4 Mile Virginia Hike Takes You To A 69 Foot Waterfall You Can Swim In

Some hikes just give you a view and send you home. This one gives you an adventure and a swimming lesson. You will start by ducking...

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10 Virginia Coastal Escapes That Aren’t The Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Virginia's coastline is wildly underrated, and honestly, the boardwalk crowd has been sleeping on some seriously spectacular spots. From wild pony islands to sinking fishing villages,...

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This Beloved Virginia Candy Destination Has Been Making Sweet Memories For Over A Century

Step inside and everything slows to a sweeter pace. In a gorgeous neighborhood, a small candy factory has been turning out old fashioned hard candies for more than a century, using...

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This Virginia Theater Survived The Great Depression And Is Still Packing The House Tonight

Some historic places feel like a museum you have to tiptoe through. This theater is not one of them. It survived financial...

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10 Rural Virginia Towns Where You Can Still Buy A House For $150,000

Think Virginia is only for Washington D.C. commuters with seven figure budgets? Look past the crowded suburbs. Out past the interstate...

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Virginia’s Most Underrated Lake Has 800 Miles Of Shoreline And Zero Crowds

It’s easy to miss, but overlooking this place means skipping one of the East Coast’s most impressive lakes. Along the Virginia border lies a vast reservoir with nearly 800...

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You Can Tour A Real-Life Fairy Tale Castle Hidden Deep In The Virginia Countryside

Think you need a flight to Europe to wander through a true Tudor manor? Not quite. Virginia quietly delivers the real thing....

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This Massive 19th-Century Virginia Fortress Was Built To Protect But Became A Prison For A U.S. President

In Virginia, there stands a fortress that feels more like the setting of a gripping story than a simple military site. Massive stone walls rise in Hampton, built to protect a young...

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The Mountain Town In Virginia Where Monthly Rent Still Starts Under $300

Okay, let's settle something right now: is affordable mountain living in Virginia actually a myth, or does it still exist somewhere off the beaten path? I stumbled onto a small...

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This Massive Virginia Cathedral Features 100-Year-Old Stained Glass And Italian Marble

Virginia is full of surprises, but few stop you dead in your tracks like a cathedral that feels like it was airlifted straight from Renaissance Italy. This stunning Catholic landmark...

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10 Massive Thrift Shops In Virginia That Are Almost Too Good To Be True

Virginia is quietly sitting on one of the best-kept secrets in American shopping culture, and it's time the world found out. Forget the tiny donation bins and cramped aisles you...

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The Retro-Style Ice Cream Shop In Virginia Where You Can Relive The Golden Days

Time slows down the moment you arrive here. A small soft-serve stand has been spreading joy since the mid-1990s. The atmosphere...

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This Virginia Attraction Lets You Meet Kangaroos And See Exotic Wildlife Up Close

Hot take: Virginia has one of the most underrated wildlife experiences on the East Coast, and most people have no idea it exists. There is a place where you can hand-feed a bison...

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The Old-School Restaurant In Virginia With The Best Reuben Sandwich You’ll Ever Have

Forget everything you think you know about sandwiches, because one bite of this Reuben changes the standard completely. In Richmond, Virginia, there’s a legendary deli right...

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This Gigantic Secondhand Shop In Virginia Is Worth The Trip From Across The State

Every so often, a shopping spot comes along that completely resets your expectations. In a state filled with solid retail options, this one stands out by offering something far...

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One Of Five Surviving Virginia Pizza Hut Classics Still Delivers a Full Dine-In Nostalgia Trip

Hot take: some dining experiences are so good they deserve to survive every food trend, every delivery app craze, and every fast-casual takeover. Virginia still has five of these...

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This Virginia Museum Houses The World’s Fastest Jet

History runs deep across Virginia, but few places hit with the same level of awe as this one. One enormous museum houses some of the most iconic machines ever created.

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This Alpine Landscape In Virginia Is Home To Wandering Ponies

High above southwestern Virginia, a windswept mountain stretch feels more like the Scottish Highlands than the American South. Across these open balds and rocky ridges, a herd...

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This Charming Coastal Diner In Virginia Is Famous For Its Fresh Crab Cakes And Old-Fashioned Shakes

Blink and you might miss it, but once it catches your eye, it is impossible to forget. On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a gleaming silver diner draws you in with pure nostalgia and...

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The Hidden Creative Warehouse That’s Home To One Of Virginia’s Favorite Donation-Based Art Thrift Stores

Step inside this Richmond warehouse and suddenly everything feels possible. Shelves stretch high with donated fabrics, art supplies, sewing machines, and the kind of materials...

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This Historic 1753 Virginia Estate Feels Like You’ve Been Transported To A French Country Inn

Few places leave a mark before you even step out of the car. In the rolling countryside of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, a limestone estate dating back to 1753 still carries...

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This High-End Virginia Rooftop Spot Blends Japanese Precision With Bold Peruvian Flavors

Virginia Beach offers plenty of oceanfront dining, but few places deliver this kind of unexpected fusion. High above the shoreline, a rooftop restaurant blends Japanese precision...

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This Underground Virginia Wonder Is America’s Oldest Continuously Operating Show Cave

Deep beneath the rolling hills of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, something extraordinary has been welcoming curious adventurers since the early 1800s. Long before national parks...

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This Vibrant Virginia Destination Is Famous For Its Hand-Stuffed Salvadoran Pupusas And Latin Street Food

Skip the usual seafood circuit and head somewhere that completely rewrites the script on dining in Virginia Beach. Away from the coastal crowds, this low-key spot delivers Latin...

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This Charming Virginia Garden Is A Cafe Hidden In Plain Sight

Along a busy commercial strip in Northern Virginia, one café quietly transports you far beyond its surroundings into something closer to a countryside escape. It is easy to miss...

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This Retro Virginia Gas Station Was Converted Into A High-End Destination For Gourmet Artisanal Cuisine

Okay, so picture this: a century-old gas station in the rolling hills of Virginia horse country, completely transformed into one of the most talked-about artisan bakeries on the...

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