OVERVIEW: The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is both a revered establishment for DC foodies, as well as a bit of a hidden gem. This restaurant frequently makes appearances on regional “best of” lists, yet many have never heard of it. It features a creative, regionally-focused tasting menu that changes weekly. Only
“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
A brand new "Ask Chris" question comes to us fresh from Facebook. And, off we go! Dear Chris, My hubby and I are hoping to do a short trip away with our baby for the first time next month during spring break. Do you have any favorite local spots (within 1-2 hours
There’s nothing like springtime in our nation’s capital. Once the ground thaws and the trees finally start to blossom, Washington D.C. becomes abuzz with cheery positivity... just about everyone seems to have an extra spring in their step. But, the secret's out and people come from all over the nation to
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
The town of Floyd is a quick detour off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Southwest Virginia. Part of the famed Crooked Road musical heritage trail, Floyd is a renowned stop for music-lovers seeking their salvation in the twang-y notes of traditional Americana bluegrass. This November, I spent less than 12
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
The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – G. K. Chesterton Are you thinking ahead towards next year's travels and looking for some inspiration a little closer to home? I've compiled
Another year has come and gone, which means it’s time to reflect on some of my favorite travels from the past 365 days! 2013 marked an important shift here at Packed Suitcase. While I had started #TravelLocal adventuring in October 2012, this year I focused on it nearly exclusively. I’m determined
As we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway deeper and deeper into the heart of south-western Virginia, we passed regional landmarks like Round Meadow Creek and the Mayberry Trading Post before turning onto Squirrel Spur Road, which snaked through the mountains on a scenic and serpentine path. Then, a sign: It's a blink-or-you'll-miss-it
The first weekend of November, I packed up my car and headed out to discover the "Old School" side of Virginia. Found all over the state -- from the largest city to the smallest town-- Old School Virginia shares glimpses of a simpler time. A nostalgic blast from the past where
