lila merrick author at My Family Travels
Article
This Beloved New Hampshire Cafe Is Getting A Second Life Under New Owners

Some cafes have a way of becoming part of a town's rhythm, and when they close, people notice. This New Hampshire spot had built that kind of following over the years, so when...

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10 Virginia Meat Markets Where Folks Stock Their Freezers Cheaper Than Any Chain Store

Freezers are not just for leftovers. For a lot of families in Virginia, they are the difference between paying full price at the grocery store and buying in bulk at a fraction...

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This New Hampshire Japanese Restaurant Puts Sushi, Ramen, And Hibachi On One Big Menu

Choosing between sushi, ramen, and hibachi usually means picking a restaurant that specializes in one and hoping the others are decent. This New Hampshire spot takes a different...

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These 9 Virginia Restaurants Are Joining A Statewide Celebration Of Latino Food This October

October brings a statewide celebration of Latino food to Virginia, and the lineup this year is worth clearing your calendar for. Nine restaurants are participating, each one offering...

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Thousands Of Hot Dogs Come Off The Grill At This Old-School Virginia Diner

Grills have a way of telling you whether a place knows what it is doing. The sound, the smell, the speed at which food comes off the heat.

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9 New Hampshire Hobby Stores Where You Could Easily Lose Track Of Time

Some stores are quick stops, and some are places where an afternoon disappears before you notice. Hobby shops tend to fall into the second category, and New Hampshire has several...

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9 Hobby Stores in Virginia Where You Could Easily Lose Track of Time

Hobby stores are dangerous in the best way. You walk in for one small thing, and three hours later you are still there, holding a kit you did not know existed and mentally rearranging...

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This New Hampshire Country Store Has Been Welcoming Shoppers Since 1781

Not many businesses can claim they have been open for more than two centuries, but this New Hampshire store can. The doors first opened in 1781, and the same building has been...

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9 Virginia Bird Sanctuaries Where A Quiet Morning Can Turn Into Something Unforgettable

Birds are easy to overlook until you actually start paying attention. Then suddenly there are colors, calls, and movements everywhere, and a quiet morning turns into something...

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This New Hampshire Thrift Warehouse Is Where Resellers Go Before the Public Even Knows

There is a particular kind of shopper who knows exactly when new inventory hits the floor, and they are usually the first ones through the door. This New Hampshire thrift warehouse...

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10 Virginia Riverwalks Made For A Relaxing Change Of Scenery

Water has a way of slowing things down. Standing beside a river, even for a few minutes, does something to the nervous system that a parking lot never will.

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This New Hampshire Overlook Delivers Panoramic Mountain Views Without The Hike

Not every incredible view requires a long climb, and this New Hampshire overlook proves that point convincingly. The viewing area sits close to where you park, which means you...

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11 Virginia Japanese Restaurants Worth Going Out Of Your Way For

Japanese food in Virginia has come a long way from the days of simple sushi rolls and teriyaki. Today, you can find restaurants serving ramen with broth that simmers for hours,...

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This Old-Fashioned New Hampshire Diner Serves The Kind Of Breakfast Worth Waking Up Early For

Most people hit the snooze button when the alarm goes off. This New Hampshire diner gives you a reason not to. The doors open...

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This Historic Virginia Mill Restaurant Serves Trout With A Creekside View

Water runs beside this historic Virginia mill restaurant, and the sound of it follows you to the table. The building itself has been standing for generations, its old bones preserved...

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This Magical New Hampshire Shop Is Filled With Art Treasures And Storybook Charm

Some shops sell things, and some feel like stepping into another world. This New Hampshire spot falls firmly into the second category.

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This Virginia Ghost Lake Was Meant To Be A Water Paradise, Now It Is One Of The Strangest Sights You Will Ever See

Lakes are supposed to stay put. They fill their basins, reflect the sky, and remain where they have always been. This Virginia...

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This New Hampshire Greek Diner Is The Comfort Food We Need Right Now

Comfort food has a way of showing up exactly when you need it, and right now, a lot of people need it. This New Hampshire Greek diner delivers in a way that feels both familiar...

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This Might Be The Best Brisket We’ve Found While Exploring Virginia Backroads

Brisket is the kind of meat that separates serious barbecue joints from the rest. It takes hours of patience, the right wood, and a pitmaster who knows when to pull it. Some of...

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This New Hampshire Farm Produces Some Of The Most Delicious Farm-Fresh Pork In The Region

Buying pork from a grocery store is convenient, but it rarely compares to the real thing. This New Hampshire farm has built a reputation on producing some of the most delicious...

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You Can Observe Tens Of Thousands Of Migrating Waterfowl At This Peaceful Virginia Coastal Refuge

Migration season brings something spectacular to this quiet stretch of Virginia coast. Tens of thousands of waterfowl pass through every year, and the refuge gives you a front-row...

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A Popular New Hampshire State Park Where You Can Reserve A Scenic Spot In Nature

Planning a camping trip can feel overwhelming when every good spot seems to be booked months in advance. This New Hampshire state park makes it easier.

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This Spooky Virginia Restaurant Turns A Simple Meal Into A Ghost-Lover’s Night Out

Dining here is not just about the food. This spooky Virginia restaurant turns a simple meal into a ghost-lover's night out, combining Southern cooking with stories of the supernatural.

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This Upscale New England Kitchen In New Hampshire Serves An Iconic Chocolate Bag You Have To Try

Some desserts are memorable, and some become the reason people book a table months in advance. This New Hampshire kitchen falls into the second category, and the dessert in question...

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This Tiny Virginia Mountain Hamlet Has Retro Soda, A Historic General Store And A Hidden Waterfall

Stopping here feels like stepping into a postcard from another decade. This tiny Virginia mountain hamlet gives you several reasons to pull over.

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This New Hampshire Butcher Shop Is So Clean and Fresh, Locals Have Given Up on Supermarket Meat

Once you start buying meat from a real butcher, it is hard to go back to the plastic wrapped packages at the grocery store. This New Hampshire butcher shop has built a following...

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The Massive Bi-Annual Virginia Flea Market True Pickers Return To Year After Year

Twice a year, this Virginia town transforms into something that pickers dream about all year long. This market brings together vendors, collectors, and treasure hunters for a massive...

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This Historic Forest Service Cabin Sits Right off a Scenic New Hampshire Highway and Costs $75 a Night

Finding an affordable place to stay in New Hampshire is harder than it should be, which is why this historic cabin stands out. It sits right off a scenic highway, surrounded by...

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Summer Ends But This Virginia Farmers Market Keeps Going All Year Long

Most farmers markets are seasonal. They open in the spring, run through the summer, and close when the weather turns cold. This...

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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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