lila merrick author at My Family Travels
Article
This Iconic New Hampshire Restaurant Is Famous For A Dish Locals Never Stop Ordering

There is a dish at this New Hampshire restaurant that locals order without even looking at the menu. They have been ordering it for years, and they have no intention of stopping.

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This Virginia Curiosity Shop Is Packed With Appalachian Folk Finds And A Little Mystery

Some shops are easy to figure out. You walk in, see the shelves, and know exactly what you are getting. This Virginia curiosity...

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This New Hampshire State Park Offers One Of The Seacoast’s Most Relaxing Birding Escapes

The waves lap gently against the rocky shore, and the air smells like salt and pine. This New Hampshire state park offers one of the seacoast's most relaxing birding escapes, and...

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11 Beautiful Virginia Gardens That Feel Like Peaceful Little Escapes

Some escapes require a plane ticket and a week off work. Others are just a short drive away, waiting behind a gate or at the end of a quiet road.

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10 New Hampshire Dog Walking Spots That Make An Everyday Walk Feel Like A Proper Outing

Here is a debate worth having on a leash: is the best dog walk the one closest to your door, or the one worth loading the car for? Granite State dog owners argue about this constantly,...

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Everything At This New Hampshire Cafe Is 100% Gluten-Free And Dairy-Free

You know how hard it can be to find a place to eat when you have dietary restrictions. Most restaurants offer one or two options that are safe, and they are usually boring.

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These 11 Virginia Sandwich Shops Are Local Favorites For A Reason

Here is a debate worth having over lunch. Which Virginia sandwich actually deserves the crown, the towering New York style corned beef stacked in a Falls Church deli case, or the...

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You Can Still Ride Virginia’s Hidden 87-Foot Wooden Coaster That Has Thrilled Families For Decades

Some coasters chase records. The tallest, the fastest, the most inversions. But the ones that stick with you are often the ones that do not need any of that.

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This Is Officially The Best Burger In New Hampshire, According To Reviews, Is It Worth It?

You have seen the reviews, thousands of them, with five stars across the board and people calling it the best burger they have ever eaten. But is it really worth the hype?

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This Virginia French Bistro Is So Good Robey Martin Says You Have To Drive And Try It

Robey Martin knows food. She has spent years covering the Virginia dining scene, and she does not throw around praise lightly. When...

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This Charming Covered Bridge In New Hampshire Is Worth Adding To A White Mountains Road Trip

The wooden structure spans the river, and the water rushes beneath it. The surrounding trees frame the scene perfectly. This...

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The Virginia Town Where Summer Temperatures Barely Reach 75 Degrees

The heat is relentless, the humidity is thick, and the air conditioner is running nonstop. But there is a Virginia town where summer temperatures barely reach 75 degrees, a place...

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The Best Meal We Had This September Came From This New Hampshire Restaurant

The plates arrived and we all stopped talking. That is how good the meal was. This New Hampshire restaurant served the best meal...

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9 Fun Things Families Can Do For Free In Virginia This September

September in Virginia offers a window of perfect weather, and the best part is that many of the season's best activities do not cost a thing. This list has nine fun things families...

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Wake Up In New Hampshire Mountains At This State Park Surrounded By Lake And Forest Views

The morning mist rises off the water, and the first rays of sunlight hit the treetops. The air is crisp and cool, and there is no sound except the birds greeting the day.

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10 Virginia Events In September 2026 You Won’t Want To Miss

September in Virginia is a sweet spot. The summer heat starts to fade, the leaves begin to turn, and the calendar fills with events that celebrate the season.

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This Virginia Plaza Has A Massive Asian Market That Keeps Locals Coming Back

You walk through the doors and the world expands. The smells, the sounds, the sheer variety of products, it is overwhelming in the best possible way.

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We Found The Perfect Little New Hampshire Beach Bar For Laid Back Waterfront Views (Just Bring Cash)

The view is stunning, the drinks are cold, and the vibe is perfectly laid back. We found the perfect little New Hampshire beach bar for waterfront views.

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This Cozy New Hampshire Italian Joint Has A James Beard-Nominated Chef Behind It

The dining room is small and intimate, with candles flickering on every table. The food is creative and beautifully prepared. This...

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This Virginia Fossil Site Lets You Dig Through Ancient Dirt And Keep The Fossils You Find

You kneel down in the dirt, brush away the sand, and see the dark shape of something ancient. This Virginia fossil site lets you dig through ancient dirt and keep the fossils you...

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9 Areas In New Hampshire Where Timber Rattlesnakes Have Been Documented

Timber rattlesnakes are critically endangered in New England, clinging to sun-warmed ledges and boulder fields that most hikers walk right past without noticing.

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This All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Spot In New Hampshire Is A Feast Worth Planning Around

That table covered in butcher paper, a plastic bib around my neck, and a steaming bag of snow crab that made me forget my phone existed for a solid hour. That is what I got when...

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10 New Hampshire Roadside Sculptures And Larger-Than-Life Statues

Driving with the windows down and the radio low, that is when New Hampshire reveals its best surprises. A giant wooden figure appears at the edge of a parking lot. A bronze girl...

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This Virginia Restaurant Served The Same Hand Cut Ribeyes For 60 Years And That’s Exactly How It Should Stay

Virginia has a steakhouse that has been doing something right since 1965. Warm glow spilling through the windows, the faint smell of charcoal in the air, and the quiet hum of a...

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This New Hampshire Drive-Thru Is Known For Ice Cream, But Its Fried Clams Are A True Secret Star

Outdoor ordering windows, golden fried clams, thick onion rings, and an ice cream portion so generous it borders on ridiculous. That is what awaits at this New Hampshire spot,...

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Why You Need to Add This One-Day Blacksmithing Class to Your Virginia Itinerary

I had been planning a trip through the Blue Ridge Highlands, mentally mapping out hiking trails and small-town stops, when a friend mentioned something that made me stop scrolling:...

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12 New Hampshire Buffets That Locals Say Still Do Things Like It’s The 1980s

Walking into a restaurant and feeling like time slowed down somewhere around 1985 is a rare kind of magic. New Hampshire has a handful of these places, spots where the food is...

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This Quirky Virginia Eatery Is Decorated With Taxidermy Opossums And A Museum’s Worth Of Kitsch Art

A golden mini statue of Michelangelo's David stared back at me from across the room while I ate something beautifully crafted, and I realized I had never been anywhere quite like...

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This Small But Gorgeous New Hampshire Beach Still Flies Under The Radar

Most people drive right past a stretch of New Hampshire coastline, and honestly, that might be the best thing about it. A state park in Rye sits quietly along Route 1A, offering...

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This Virginia Restaurant Was Added To The National Register For What It Did During Segregation

That modest building on a Virginia main street stopped me in my tracks the moment I learned its story. Built around 1945, it served as a restaurant, gas station, grocery store,...

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This Rustic New Hampshire Smokehouse Serves Fall-Off-The-Bone Barbecue In A Lodge-Setting Beloved By Skiers And Hikers

Smoke from a slow-smoked pit, wooden beams, brick walls, and a dining room buzzing with hungry skiers and trail-worn hikers. That is what pulls you in at this New Hampshire smokehouse...

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11 Wonderfully Weird Virginia Festivals That Defy All Explanation

Wild ponies swimming across open water and wizards flooding the streets of a Victorian downtown sound like something out of a dream, but in Virginia, these are just regular weekends....

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This Charming New Hampshire Museum Houses Centuries Of Local History Inside A Historic 1800s Home

A handsome Greek Revival building on Union Street stopped me in my tracks during a recent New Hampshire afternoon. That building turned out to be the town's historical society...

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You Can Sleep In A 200-Year-Old Mansion In Virginia For The Price Of A Motel

A long, tree-lined driveway in the Virginia countryside does not usually prepare you for a movie set. But then the mansion...

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Entering This Majestic Downtown Virginia Castle Will Make You Feel Like You’ve Stepped Into A Gothic Fairy Tale

Richmond, Virginia has no shortage of history, but nothing quite prepares you for your first look at this downtown landmark. The moment it comes into view, it genuinely stops you...

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This Unassuming Market Has Been Serving Authentic Haitian Cuisine That Puts New Hampshire On The Culinary Map

Small, bright, and full of warmth, that New Hampshire spot brought something genuinely rare to the Granite State: real, heartfelt Haitian cuisine made with family recipes and serious...

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9 Virginia Bridges That Will Make You Hold Your Breath While Crossing

The first time I drove across one of these bridges, my knuckles went white and my passenger started giving me directions to their own funeral.

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11 New Hampshire Lake Towns Locals Say Have Lost Their Classic Summer Vibe

The lakes are still beautiful, but something has changed. The classic summer vibe is gone. Locals say that many New Hampshire...

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This Wonderfully Quirky Virginia Restaurant Is So Fun, You’ll Never Want to Leave

The energy hits you as soon as you walk through the door. The music is lively, the decor is playful, and the food is the kind that makes you want to order one more thing.

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9 Epic Late Summer Festivals In New Hampshire That You Absolutely Must Add To Your Bucket List

Late summer in New Hampshire is a season of celebration. The weather is warm, the harvest is coming in, and the festival calendar is packed with events that bring communities together.

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10 Virginia Pizza Places That Locals Say Outperform The Big Chains

The big chains have their place, but locals know that the best pizza often comes from the places that are not on every corner. This list has ten Virginia pizza places that locals...

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This Small Town New Hampshire Breakfast Spot Serves Portions So Huge You’ll Need A Nap

The plate arrives at the table and you cannot see the other side. The portions are so huge that you will need a nap after breakfast.

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This Scenic State Park In Virginia Pairs Mountain Trails With Peaceful Lake Views

The mountains rise on one side, the lake stretches out on the other, and the trails wind through the middle, offering views that change with every season. This scenic state park...

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This New Hampshire Hike Is Not For Anyone Scared Of Heights

The trail is steep and exposed, and the drop-offs are sheer. This New Hampshire hike is not for anyone scared of heights. The...

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This Safari Inspired Bed And Breakfast In Virginia Is Anything But Ordinary

You step through the door and the decor transports you. African prints, safari-inspired furniture, and the kind of atmosphere that feels like an adventure.

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This Seacoast Regatta In New Hampshire Turns A Saturday Afternoon Into A Waterfront Adventure

The sails fill with wind, and the boats race across the water. This seacoast regatta in New Hampshire turns a Saturday afternoon into a waterfront adventure.

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The All-You-Can-Eat Korean Barbecue Virginia Foodies Cannot Stop Talking About

The grill is hot, the meat is fresh, and the banchan keep coming. This all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue spot has Virginia foodies talking, and after one visit, the buzz makes sense.

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This Classic New Hampshire Village Store Is Turning Fresh Muffins Into A Destination

The muffins are fresh, warm, and perfectly golden. They come out of the oven in batches, and the smell fills the whole store. This...

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11 Busy Virginia Mountain Towns Residents Stay Away From In Late Summer

The mountain towns of Virginia are beautiful in every season, but late summer brings a wave of visitors that transforms them into something else entirely. The roads fill up, the...

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This Historic New Hampshire Grand Resort Still Feels Unsettling In Daylight

The grand lobby is quiet, and the dust settles on the furniture. The chandeliers still catch the light, but the rooms are empty. This...

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These 9 Virginia Towns Empty Out On Weekdays And The People Who Know Have Stopped Mentioning It

The weekends are crowded. The traffic is heavy, the parking is hard to find, and the restaurants have lines. But on weekdays,...

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This Giant New Hampshire Sunflower Field Is A Bright Summer Detour Worth Waiting For

The field stretches out as far as you can see, covered in a sea of bright yellow blooms. This giant New Hampshire sunflower field is a summer detour worth waiting for.

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These 9 Virginia Lake Beaches Are Perfect For A Hot August Escape

August in Virginia means heat and humidity, and the best way to beat both is to find a lake beach. The water is cool, the sun is warm, and the days are long enough to make the...

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10 Small Towns In New Hampshire So Dreamy, You’ll Swear You’ve Seen Them On TV

The main streets are lined with old-fashioned lamp posts and charming storefronts. The town greens are perfect for picnics and people-watching.

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People Drive From All Over Virginia To Squeeze Into This Hole-In-The-Wall Pizza Joint

The building is small, the seating is limited, and the line often stretches out the door. But people drive from all over Virginia to squeeze into this hole-in-the-wall pizza joint,...

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This New Hampshire General Store Turns A Quick Stop Into A Full On Browsing Adventure

You walk in for a bottle of water and walk out with a bag full of treasures. That is the magic of this New Hampshire general store.

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Bike Through Stunning Virginia Mountain Valleys On This Reimagined Railroad Route

The old railroad bed has been transformed into a path that winds through mountain valleys, past fields and forests, with views that make you forget about the miles. This reimagined...

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This Charming New Hampshire Farm Offers Interactive Tours With Friendly Alpacas

The alpacas are curious and gentle, and they come right up to the fence to greet you. This charming New Hampshire farm offers interactive tours that let you get up close with these...

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11 Virginia Swimming Spots With Crystal-Clear Water Perfect For Summer 2026

Summer in Virginia means finding the water. And not just any water, the kind that is clear enough to see your toes on the bottom and clean enough to make you want to stay all day.

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These 12 New Hampshire Bed And Breakfasts Make Guests Feel Right At Home

You know that feeling when you walk into a place and you can instantly relax? When the host greets you by name and the room feels like it was made just for you?

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