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small town america

Kiwi Picking in Virginia is The Fall Activity I Didn’t Know I Needed

October 15, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

kiwi picking virginia

Yes, you can go kiwi picking in Northern Virginia! Chances are you are reading this because you were like, “What?! I didn’t even know kiwi picking was a thing! I want to do that!”– and so here are the details, my friends:  Kiwi picking at Virginia Golden Kiwi in Vienna, Virginia opens each Fall for […]

Filed Under: Cool Ideas, Travel Well Tagged With: northern virginia, small town america

The 5 Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Northern Virginia (& Pumpkin Picking, Too!)

October 1, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

apple-picking-northern-virginia

Apple picking in Northern Virginia is almost as fun as pumpkin picking in Northern Virginia. Fortunately, at many of the farms on this personally-vetted list, you can do both!   Even the people who live in the area don’t always know that Virginia is a state known for its incredible depth and variety of apples. NPR […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: nature, northern virginia, small town america, virginia

At This “Freshtaurant” in Rural Pennsylvania, Sourdough Cookies & Farm-to-Table Sourcing Capture the Spirit of Appalachia

October 1, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

On a recent road trip through rural Pennsylvania, we had the pleasure of dining at famed Bedford, PA restaurant, Horn O Plenty– a thoughtful farm-to-table “frestaurant” whose community-driven mission and historic aesthetic make it a lovely addition to any foodie-traveler’s Bucket List.  Horn O Plenty was founded by chef and 4th generation farmer Mandisa Horn, […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: farmers markets, small town america

At This Charming Paw Paw Festival in Maryland, America’s “Secret Fruit” Shines

September 21, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

paw paw festival maryland

Momentum is growing behind a beautiful Paw Paw Festival that takes place at a 25-acre homestead in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Frederick, Maryland– an event that’s fast becoming one of the DMV area’s best-kept secrets in the realm of local food. Organized by permaculturist and landscape designer Michael Judd of Ecologia […]

Filed Under: Cool Ideas, Travel Well Tagged With: nature, small town america, washington dc

The 9 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Charlottesville, Virginia

September 10, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

best-breakfast-charlottesville-virginia

The best breakfast and brunch spots in Charlottesville, Virginia reflect the decidedly locavore ethos of this charming foodie city.  From farm-to-table touchstones and classic greasy spoons to European-inspired bakeries and international cuisine, Cville offers a great variety of breakfast dining options– as long as you know where to look.  Between the cosmopolitan influence of the […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: restaurants, small town america, virginia

9 Cool Things to Do in Cumberland, Maine

July 10, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

Cumberland, Maine is a lovely little idyllic town in Southern Maine that’s known for its peaceful recreation areas and luxuriously slow summer living. It’s full of charmingly expansive farmland, lush wooded areas, and welcoming small town New England heritage that makes it a nice place to, quite frankly, simply wander around.    Having a car […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: Maine, nature, small town america

9 Beautiful Places to Stay in Kennebunkport, Maine

July 5, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a gorgeous place to stay in Kennebunkport, Maine, then look no further. This insider’s guide to the best places to stay in Kennebunkport– whether you’re looking for a resort hotel, glamourous camping, or a cute little BnB– has something for everyone seeking a unique stay in one of America’s most enduringly […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: hotels, Relaxing getaway, small town america

The 8 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Alexandria, Virginia

July 5, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

The best breakfast + brunch spots in Alexandria, Virginia reflect the locavore foodie ethos of this charming historic city. Whether you’re looking for a fancy new age restaurant, a healthy option, or a traditional greasy spoon, Alexandria can provide it– especially if you know where to look. Fortunately, like all of our bespoke restaurant guides, […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: american cities, northern virginia, restaurants, small town america, virginia

A Gorgeous Place To Go Peach Picking in Northern Virginia

July 2, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

peach-picking-northern-virginia

Looking for a gorgeous place to go peach picking in Northern Virginia, or near DC? Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia is an ideal spot for a serene day trip, reminiscent at once of a scene from the orchards in Call My By Your Name, or a naturalistic Renaissance painting. It’s gorgeous!  When peach season […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: nature, northern virginia, small town america, virginia

10 Cool Things to Do in Keene, New Hampshire

June 14, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

Keene, New Hampshire is a quaint little college town in the rolling hills of Southern New Hampshire that makes a great low-key destination for a weekend away.  If you’re looking to experience historic small-town New England at an affordable and accessible pace, Keene is a great place to start. Because of its pastoral roots and […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: american cities, nature, small town america

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