Nestled amongst the rolling hills between Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia lies the picturesque Brandywine Valley. With gorgeous du Pont family estates and more than 3,000 acres of landscaped gardens, it’s a region best known for being a flower-lover’s paradise. But once the mid-Atlantic’s leaves have finally fallen and the flowers
A Packed Suitcase reader needs a little advice from their favorite mid-atlantic travel blogger. You know what that means... It's time for another edition of "Ask Chris." Here we go! Chris, I just stumbled across your web-site. It’s great. I love the mid-atlantic focus as it seems to be an often overlooked
Trip Overview: The quaint, riverside town of Occoquan, Virginia in Prince William County is a quintessential day trip that has it all-- rich colonial history dating back to the 1700s, some serious small town charm, boutique shops, great dining and a relaxed, waterfront vibe. And the best part? It's all a mere 35
After several trips down to Southwestern Virginia in the past year, I've realized a few things about myself. One: There's a big part of me that wishes I had a southern accent Two: Pimento cheese slathered on ritz crackers is amazing... especially when washed down with a cold glass of sweet tea And three: I really, really like bluegrass
Located in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville, Virginia is a city that really celebrates its historic roots. The area in and around Charlottesville was once home to 3 of our nation’s earliest presidents--- Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe--- and today over 200 years later,
When I was a kid, I absolutely loved reading Choose Your Own Adventure books. I always thought they were so whimsical and creative, and got a kick out of getting to choose each decision step by step to see where the story would take me. A few weeks ago, when it came time
Trip Overview: To say that a weekend in Hershey is a sweet escape is quite the understatement. There's literally chocolate everywhere. The streetlights are topped with jumbo Hershey's kisses, the coffee's roasted with cocoa beans, the people are all as nice as can be and -- heck -- in certain places even the air
“While you weren’t looking, Richmond got cool.” This statement from Frommers as it named Richmond one of its top places to visit to 2014 has recently kicked off a flurry of national recognition for Virginia’s capitol city that to many is long overdue. Indeed, Richmond offers visitors much more than just
Richmond, Virginia is in the midst of a serious foodie revolution. Craft breweries, artisan bakeries, mixology hotspots, independent coffee houses and inspired farm-to-fork eateries are popping up all over Virginia's capital city, giving this southern gem a surprisingly hipper, Pacific Northwest vibe. In recent months, publications like Frommer's and the New York Magazine have
Trip Overview: This DC Day Trip is perfect for those looking for a last minute afternoon out of the city. With more than 1,400 farms spread out over 200,000 acres, Frederick County is truly an escape to a simpler time. Here, winding country roads, open fields and fresh country air await in
Trip Overview: For this DC Road Trip, we focus on the quaint town of Middleburg, Virginia. Known as the nation's "Horse and Hunt Capital," Middleburg is an upscale rural escape that's just about an hour away from the nation's capital. Its historic district dates back to the 1700s and is listed
This past November, I hit the road for an Old School Virginia Road Trip. My first stop was Roanoke, a city about 3 1/2 hours away from D.C. that I had heard about, but never visited before. With my limited knowledge, Roanoke was faceless with ambiguous features. But after my day
