• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Grace & Lightness Magazine

Inspiring Wonder. Traveling Better. Making Mental Health Cool.

  • Mood Recipes
  • Life Coaching
  • Anxiety Hacks
  • Travel Well
  • Cool Ideas

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 Ecologica […]

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

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

An Insider’s Guide to Kennebunkport, Maine

June 10, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin 5 Comments

Sandy-Pines-Maine-Grace & Lightness

Once known merely as the dreamy backdrop of the Bush family compound, Kennebunkport, Maine is a tiny New England town on the state’s rocky southern coast– the perfect place to have a quintessential New England beach experience. Today, however, Kennebunkport also has a hotel and restaurant scene that makes it a world-class summer travel destination. […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: american cities, Maine, nature, Relaxing getaway, restaurants, small town america, Travel Guide

At This Lovely Lavender Farm in Maryland, Guests Can Do Yoga, Commune With Bees, Pick Their Own Lavender, and Sometimes Nap

June 2, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

lavender farm maryland

Picking fresh lavender during the warmth of summer is a Bucket List experience for plant and nature lovers, one that conjures visions of tranquil frolicks in the French countryside and other Edenic pursuits.  For those living in the DMV area, however, Soleado Lavender Farm in Dickerson, Maryland offers a limited number of pick-your-own lavender events […]

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

5 Beautiful Places to Go Strawberry Picking in Northern Virginia (2025 Edition)

May 1, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

strawberry picking northern virginia

When May and June roll around, it’s strawberry-picking time in Northern Virginia. This is a great Mother’s Day and/or Father’s Day activity, depending on whether the season starts early or goes long. For two or three precious weeks in the early fruit season, picking strawberries in Northern Virginia becomes the region’s most lovely agricultural activity– […]

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

The 5 Best Restaurants in East Hampton (& Nearby)

April 28, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

The best restaurants in East Hampton capture the ethereal loveliness of summertime along one of the East Coast’s most storied coasts. Whether you’re looking for decadent dining experiences (like tucking into the East Hampton Grill’s epic Oysters St. Charles) or rustic seed-to-table beach food (looking at you, Page), these five wonderful East Hampton restaurants demonstrate […]

Filed Under: Travel Well Tagged With: New York City, restaurants, small town america

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Sign up for the G&L Newsletter!

  • Understanding Ho’oponopono: A Beautiful Hawaiian Teaching About Forgiveness

  • Ted Lasso’s Biscuit Recipe (The Real Recipe from The Show)

  • The 15 Best Restaurants in Charlottesville, Virginia (+ Other Locavore Gems)

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

  • 15 Cool Bucket List Things to Do in Northern Virginia

  • 9 Free Guided Meditation Videos for Stress

  • A Quick Breakdown of Byron Katie’s “The Work”, & How To Practice At Home

  • The 15 Best Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina (& What To See While You’re There)

  • The 6 Best Free Meditation Apps of 2025

  • The 16 Best Asian Restaurants in NYC

Search The Archive

Footer

Pages

  • About This Magazine
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Copyright © 2025 Grace & Lightness Magazine