lila merrick author at My Family Travels
Article
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...

Read More    10 min read

Article
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...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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.

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Virginia Go-Kart Track Turns A Simple Ride Into A Full Experience

Ready to swap your boring weekend routine for something that'll get your heart racing? K1 Speed in Sterling, Virginia is where indoor go-karting meets pure adrenaline, and trust...

Read More    9 min read

Article
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.

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    9 min read

Article
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.

Read More    12 min read

Article
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.

Read More    11 min read

Article
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.

Read More    10 min read

Article
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.

Read More    10 min read

Article
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,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    9 min read

Article
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,...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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.

Read More    8 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    8 min read

Article
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.

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
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...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Arizona Regions That Show The State’s Geographic Contrast

Arizona stands as one of the most geographically diverse states in America, where towering mountain peaks meet scorching desert valleys in a stunning display of natural variety.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Michigan Areas That Come Alive In The Colder Months

Winter transforms Michigan into a magical wonderland where communities embrace the snow and cold with open arms. From charming...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Things Oklahoma Locals Wish December Travelers Understood Before Visiting

Oklahoma sits in the heart of America, where the Great Plains meet southern hospitality. December transforms this state into...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Florida Getaways That Suit Empty Nesters Seeking Relaxed Travel

Empty nesters deserve getaways that feel peaceful, not packed with crowds and chaos. Florida offers more than just theme parks...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Vermont Backroads That Are A Joy To Explore

Vermont is home to some of the most breathtaking backroads in all of New England. These winding routes take you through dense...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Washington State Viewpoints With Endless Water Views

Washington State is home to some of the most breathtaking water views in the Pacific Northwest. From rugged coastal cliffs...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Historic Neighborhoods In Louisiana With Strong Local Identity

Louisiana's neighborhoods are like living museums, each telling its own story through architecture, music, and traditions passed down through generations.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Ohio’s Amusement Parks Locals Still Love

Ohio has earned a special place in the hearts of thrill-seekers and families alike, offering some of the most exciting amusement parks in the country.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Denver Fine Dining Restaurants Worth Dressing Up For

Denver has grown into a culinary hotspot where incredible chefs create unforgettable dining experiences. If you love the idea...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Spots In Washington State Where Sunsets Steal The Show

Washington State transforms into an artist's canvas every evening when the sun begins its descent. From rugged coastlines where...

Read More    8 min read

Article
8 California Filming Locations You’ll Recognize From Beverly Hills, 90210

Remember watching Brenda, Brandon, Dylan, and Kelly navigate high school drama in sunny California? Beverly Hills, 90210 wasn't...

Read More    7 min read

Article
9 California Filming Locations You’ll Recognize From Baywatch

Remember watching lifeguards run in slow motion across sunny beaches while dramatic music played in the background? Baywatch...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Underrated Museums In Kansas With Surprising Collections

Kansas might not be the first place you think of when planning a museum adventure, but this heartland state holds some truly fascinating surprises.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Quiet University Towns In Virginia Built Around Historic Campuses

Virginia is filled with charming places where history and education come together in the most peaceful ways. These special...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Hidden Canyon Viewpoints In Idaho With Minimal Crowds

Idaho holds some of the most breathtaking canyon views in the entire country, yet many remain wonderfully unknown to most travelers.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Small Town Courthouses In Texas That Dominate Their Downtowns

Texas is famous for its grand architecture and rich history, and nowhere is this more evident than in its county courthouses. These...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Historic Cemeteries In Louisiana That Locals Actually Visit

Louisiana's burial grounds tell stories that textbooks simply cannot capture. From elaborate above-ground tombs to humble potter's...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Oregon Meat Stores Known For Fresh Cuts Locals Trust

Oregon has earned a reputation for quality meat markets that prioritize freshness and local sourcing. From bustling Portland...

Read More    6 min read

Article
New York’s Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show That Travelers Shouldn’t Miss

Every winter, the streets of Manhattan transform into a glittering wonderland, and nowhere is this magic more visible than at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Ohio Restaurants Locals Say Taste Just Like Grandma’s Cooking

Ohio holds some of the most heartwarming dining spots where every bite feels like a warm embrace from grandma. These hidden restaurants...

Read More    8 min read

Article
The Dullest Place In California Where Silence Feels Too Loud

Darwin, California, sits at the edge of nowhere, where the desert stretches endlessly and the only sound is the wind whistling through abandoned buildings.

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Hawaii Beach Towns Transformed By Tourism Growth

Hawaii has always been a dream destination for travelers seeking paradise. But some of the state's most beloved beach towns...

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Quaint Farm Stays In Vermont That Locals Love For A Short Getaway

Vermont offers more than just stunning fall foliage and maple syrup. The Green Mountain State is home to some of the most charming...

Read More    8 min read

Article
Texas’s Abandoned Prairie Town That Became a Colorful Creative Refuge

Marfa sits in the middle of the West Texas desert, a place where tumbleweeds once outnumbered people. What started as a dusty...

Read More    7 min read

Article
10 Small-Town Ohio Restaurants That Are Serving Some Of The Best Amish Food In The Midwest

Ohio is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the country, and with that comes incredible food traditions passed down through generations.

Read More    8 min read

Article
10 Montana Scenic Valleys Surrounded By Snowy Peaks

Montana holds some of the most breathtaking valleys in the entire country, where towering mountains meet wide open spaces. Snow-capped...

Read More    7 min read