lila merrick author at My Family Travels
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This Virginia Mountain Vista Serves Views Straight Out Of A Dream

Maybe you've driven past a thousand mountain overlooks, snapped a quick photo, and moved on without a second thought. But what if there's one spot that stops traffic, hosts wedding...

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The Highest Lake In Virginia Is Ready For Your Next Weekend Escape

Think you know Virginia's best kept secrets? Perched high in the Appalachian Mountains sits a place that's equal parts natural wonder and Hollywood legend.

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The Massive Antique Mall In Virginia That Feels Like Shopping Paradise

Think you can walk through an antique mall in an hour? Think again. Williamsburg Antique Mall in Virginia will challenge that...

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Top 10 Chinese Restaurants In Virginia That Always Deliver

Virginia and world-class Chinese food might not be the pairing you expect, but they absolutely belong in the same sentence. From...

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The Virginia Mountain Locals Don’t Want You To Know About

Think you know Shenandoah National Park? The scenic overlooks and the famous Skyline Drive might be what bring the crowds, but there’s a whole other side to this Virginia mountain...

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This Virginia Catfish Gem Has A Way Of Turning First-Timers Into Lifelong Regulars

What makes a restaurant so magnetic that people drive miles out of their way just to eat there again and again? The Fishin' Pig has cracked the code on creating that kind of irresistible...

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This Virginia Lavender Escape Feels Lifted Straight From The French Countryside

Picture endless purple rows stretching toward the horizon, the air thick with fragrance so intoxicating you'll swear you've teleported to Provence. Now imagine that scene exists...

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Explore 10 Surreal Virginia Quirky Roadside Attractions That Defy Expectations This Spring

Virginia, the Old Dominion, is a playground for the curious and the adventurous, hiding some of the most bizarre and jaw-dropping roadside attractions you’ve ever seen. From...

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This Little Virginia Coast Café Makes Clam Chowder That Wins The Show

On a stretch of Virginia’s Eastern Shore where the roads wind past marshes, tidal creeks, and quiet fishing villages, there’s a little café that has quietly captured the hearts,...

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10 Virginia’s Secret “Tiny-Villages” You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

When it comes to Virginia, most travelers immediately think of Williamsburg’s historic streets or the sun-soaked sands of Virginia Beach, but the real magic often hides in the...

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This Hidden Presidential Estate In Virginia Is The State’s Most Stunning Historical Gem

Tucked along the winding roads of Charles City County sits a treasure that most travelers zoom right past on their way to bigger names. Sherwood Forest Plantation isn't just another...

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This Virginia Mountain Escape Is Equally Famous For Its Beauty And Its Ghosts

Hidden deep in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains stands a legendary retreat that has been hosting guests since before the United States was born. The Omni Homestead Resort isn’t...

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This Virginia Museum Turns A Simple Visit Into A Journey Through Time

What if you could walk through centuries of maritime history, touch artifacts from legendary sea battles, and explore miles of peaceful trails all in one afternoon? The Mariners'...

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This Hidden Virginia Museum Brings America’s Horsepower History Roaring Back

Think all museums are dusty, boring, and full of stuff your grandparents dragged you to see? Think again. Tucked away in Colonial...

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This Virginia Zipline Adventure Lets You Soar Above The Blue Ridge

Tucked into the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, there's a mountain playground that refuses to pick just one season to shine. Massanutten Resort sprawls across the Virginia landscape...

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This Virginia Tower Lets You Spot Five States From One Scenic View

Think you've seen the best views in Virginia? Think again. Tucked away in the mountains near Clintwood sits a towering secret...

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This Virginia Diner Has Legendary Pancakes That Locals Swear By

What makes a pancake legendary? Is it the fluffiness, the toppings, or maybe the secret ingredient that keeps locals lining up before dawn?

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This Little-Known Virginia Boardwalk Trail Rewards You With Sweeping Coastal Scenery

Think all the best coastal trails in Virginia are already overcrowded tourist traps? Think again. Tucked away in Kilmarnock,...

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This Secret Virginia Swimming Hole Is Nature’s Most Perfect Answer To A Summer Heatwave

I thought I knew what summer swimming was until I ended up deep in the backcountry of southwestern Virginia, standing in front of a pool that made every neighborhood swim spot...

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10 Virginia Towns Every History Buff Will Argue About

What makes a Virginia town historically significant? Ask ten history lovers and you'll get twelve different answers. Some swear...

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This Sprawling Flea Market In Virginia Turns Browsing Into An All-Day Adventure

Massaponax Flea Market in Fredericksburg, Virginia, sprawls across enough space to turn a casual stroll into a full-blown treasure hunt that'll gobble up your entire weekend. Packed...

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This Rare 200-Year-Old Bridge In Virginia Is One Of The Few Still Standing In America

Picture a bridge so old it remembers when horses ruled the roads, yet it still stands proud and sturdy over a crystal-clear creek in the heart of Virginia. Humpback Covered Bridge...

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This Haunted Virginia Sanatorium Still Draws Chills From Its Troubled Past

Think your town has ghost stories? St. Albans, Virginia holds secrets that make most haunted tales look like bedtime stories. Tucked...

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This Historic 17th-Century Church In Virginia Is A Must-See Architectural Treasure

Picture this: a brick church standing proud since the days when Jamestown was still finding its footing, where the original stained glass still catches the light just like it did...

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This Classic Virginia Drive-In Keeps The Burger-And-Shake Tradition Alive

Picture this: vintage neon signs glowing against the evening sky, the crackle of old-school tunes floating from a jukebox, and the sweet scent of fresh burgers sizzling on a griddle....

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This Virginia Town Is Dividing Tourists and Locals For Unexpected Reasons

Picture this: cobblestone streets lined with colonial buildings, costumed interpreters spinning tales of revolution, and tourists snapping selfies while locals just want to grab...

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Score A Whole Cart Of Treasures For Just $22 At This Huge Virginia Thrift Store

Ready to fill your home with vintage treasures without emptying your wallet? Class and Trash at Scott's Addition in Richmond, Virginia, is calling your name with one of the most...

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This Virginia Restaurant’s Waitlist Is Longer Than A Concert Line

Picture this: a tiny Virginia town where Main Street goes dark at night, no streetlights to speak of, and a single restaurant so beloved that people book tables months in advance...

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This Underrated State Park In Virginia Is So Hidden, Even Locals Rarely Know About It

Tucked away in the rural heart of Virginia lies a treasure that even seasoned locals might miss: Camp Paradise, the lesser-known entrance to High Bridge Trail State Park. While...

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This Restaurant In Virginia Is Hidden Inside A Historic Train Station

Ever stumbled upon a place that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time? Tucked away in the heart of Virginia sits The Depot Grille, a restaurant that lives inside an...

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This Giant Virginia Second-Hand Store Keeps Shoppers Browsing For Hours On End

Thrift shopping has never been this addictive. Uptown Cheapskate in Virginia Beach transforms secondhand retail into an all-day treasure hunt that keeps you coming back for more.

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Virginia Locals Line Up for the Pancakes At This Beloved Small-Town Café

Tucked into a charming red building on East Washington Street in Lexington, Virginia, sits a cozy bistro that's captured the hearts and taste buds of locals for years. The Red...

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Bargain Hunters Swear By This Oversized Thrift Store In Virginia

Ever stumble into a place that feels like a treasure hunt and a time machine rolled into one? That's exactly what you'll get when you walk through the doors of Class and Trash...

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These 10 Virginia Nature Preserves Are Locals’ Best-Kept Secrets

Virginia hides some of the most beautiful natural spots you've probably never heard of. While everyone flocks to the famous parks, locals know where the real magic happens.

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Locals Recommend This 1950s-Style Diner In Virginia For A Classic Cheeseburger Stop

Stepping into The Pink Cadillac Diner feels like traveling back in time to the golden age of American roadside culture. Located at 4347 S Lee Hwy in Natural Bridge, Virginia, this...

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Explore Virginia’s 8 Most Eerie Abandoned Places That Will Send Chills Down Your Spine

Virginia holds secrets that whisper through crumbling walls and echo down forgotten hallways. Across the state, abandoned buildings stand frozen in time, their stories trapped...

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These 10 Virginia Locations Look Straight Out Of A Film

Virginia is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes, historic architecture, and charming towns that seem plucked straight from the silver screen.

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This Is The Town In Virginia Locals Recommend For A Relaxing Riverside Stroll

Smithfield, Virginia, sits along the peaceful banks of the Paukatank River, where history meets small-town charm in one of the state's most welcoming communities.

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Locals Say These 10 Historic Towns In Virginia Still Feel Authentic

Virginia holds a special place in American history, and some of its towns have managed to preserve that heritage without turning into tourist traps.

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9 Hidden Town Gems Along The Blue Ridge Mountains That Are Perfect For Exploration

The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch across Virginia like a timeless ribbon of wilderness, cradling small towns that most travelers overlook.

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10 Historic Taverns in Virginia Where You Can Step Back In Time

Virginia is a treasure trove of history, and its taverns are no exception. These establishments offer a glimpse into the past,...

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These Are 10 Local Pizza Restaurants In Indiana Loved By The Community

Indiana boasts a thriving pizza culture that extends far beyond the big national chains. Local pizzerias across the Hoosier...

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These 10 Hidden Colorado Coffee Shops Turn Heads On Instagram

Colorado has quietly become a haven for coffee lovers who crave more than just a great cup. Hidden throughout the state are...

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10 Hidden New Jersey Crawfish Sheds Popular With Locals

New Jersey might not be the first place you think of when craving crawfish, but locals know better. Tucked away in strip malls,...

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10 Hole-In-The-Wall Hashbrown Cabins In Montana Worth Stopping For

Montana is home to some of the most authentic breakfast spots you will ever find, tucked away in small towns and mountain communities.

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10 Wyoming Cities That Function As Gateways To Major Attractions

Wyoming stands out as one of America's most spectacular states for natural beauty and outdoor adventure. From towering mountain...

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10 Hidden Pancake Barns In Oregon Worth A Stop

Oregon is home to some of the most charming breakfast spots you will ever visit. From the rugged coastline to the mountains...

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10 Alaska National Parks To Visit

Alaska stands as America's last great frontier, a land where wilderness reigns supreme and nature unfolds in its most spectacular forms.

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10 Wyoming’s Winter Lodges With Views You’ll Think Are Photoshopped

Winter in Wyoming looks unreal, and the views from these lodges make you question what is real and what is reflection on snow. You...

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10 Delaware Small Towns That Look Beautiful In Every Season

Delaware may be the second smallest state, but it packs incredible charm into its compact borders. Small towns scattered across...

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