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small town america

The 9 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Charlottesville, Virginia

January 10, 2026 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

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

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

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

The 5 Best Restaurants in East Hampton (& Nearby)

May 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

The 9 Best Restaurants in Bristol, Rhode Island

April 2, 2025 by Molly Beauchemin Leave a Comment

Bristol, Rhode Island is a small coastal town known for its seafood– in particular, oysters– and its lively waterfront dining scene. As a result, the best restaurants in Bristol are great places to try Rhode Island coastal cuisine and uniquely local dishes made from regionally-sourced meat, dairy, veg, and baked goods.  With its cute, walkable […]

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

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