Historic Leesburg Travel Guide by Loudoun County Magazine

Historic Leesburg Travel Guide by

Loudoun County Magazine

Historic L

A Tour for Ta Architectur

Leesburg

asting, History, e and Charm Article by Jessica Monte

When to Visit Summertime in Virginia is hot but with ample air conditioning inside the shops, museums, and on travel tour buses, it’s easy to get around to see all that Historic Leesburg has to offer. Temperatures stay at 80° through September and then cool off to milder weather by October. In the evenings, you’ll want to bring a light jacket or sweater while relaxing at a cafe, summer concert, or sipping wine at one of Historic Leesburg’s many restaurants.

How to Travel When traveling by air, tourists should fly into Dulles National airport although Reagan National Airport is also nearby. Both airlines serves domestic and international airlines. Consider renting a car or purchase a pass with the many tour buses in the region so you can explore nearby wineries, estates, and Virginia’s Hunt Country.

Where to Stay There are a number of business hotels located nearby Historic Leesburg, which is designated a National Register Historic District. Hotels include the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Leesburg, Hampton Inn, Best Western, and Homewoods Suites by Hilton. These hotels provide the comforts of pools, fitness centers, saunas and hot tubs, lounge areas, bars and wifi.

Nearby the Town of Leesburg, visitors can also enjoy staying in friendly bed and breakfasts housed in historic structures. Stone Gables Bed & Breakfast, soon to be opening, in Leesburg includes rustic woodwork with cozy spots for quiet retreat. Blue Hill Farm in nearby Historic Waterford also offers traditional Virginian architecture, gorgeous views, a pool and easy access to Virginia’s wine country. Faith Like A Mustard Tree, a gorgeous wedding venue and destination is also a bed & breakfast cottage with gorgeous views and easy access to Historic Leesburg. Just a few minutes away from Historic Leesburg is the Lansdowne Resort & Spa which provides access to world class golf, pools, spa, restaurants, wine and more.

What to Do Explore Historic Leesburg and admire the Classical Revival, Greek Revival, and Georgian architecture dating back to 1757.

If you’re a history buff, begin a historic tour of the town at the Loudoun Museum located at 16 Loudoun Street SW and is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Here you can learn about the divided history of Leesburg and Loudoun County during the Civil War. The Thomas Balch Library, also located in Historic Leesburg offers Civil War Walking Tours, Architectural and Economic Tours, Genealogy seminars and serves as a designated Underground Railroad research site. The George C. Marshall House is also open to the public for tours on Saturday and Sunday on the hour and ½ hour.

After a walking tour of the town, grab a bite to eat at King Street Oyster Bar, Light Foot Restaurant, the Old Town Grill, Shoes Cup & Cork, the Wine Kitchen, Tuscarora Mill Restaurant, Fire Works, and Senor Ramon’s Taqueria.

Shop at Historic Leesburg’s many boutiques including Misguided Angels, the Lucky Knot, Brick & Morter, the Very Virginia Shop, Rouge Spa & Apothecary, Lou Lou’s Boutique, 27 South, the Sunflower Shack, Comic Logic, Madisonbelle, Black Shutter Antique Center, Blossom & Bloom Shop, Best Rack Around, Healthy by Nature and many more. Downtown Leesburg’s shop owners are friendly and will help you find your way around. Grab dessert and coffee at B Doughnut, King Street Coffee, and Sidebar.

Relax at Rouge Spa & Apothecary Boutique, Awakenings Spa Boutique, and Leesburg Spa. Fitness enthusiasts can bike, run or walk on the beautiful 45 mile skinniest park in Virginia, the WO&D Trail. For bike rentals, book with Get Out and Go Tours prior to your trip.

Historic Leesburg is also home to a number of art galleries including the Tryst Gallery, The Fine Gallery, the Medlin Art Gallery, and the Clay and Metal Loft. Be sure to call ahead for tours and hours.

For more tour information, stop by the Visit Loudoun office on South Street in Downtown Leesburg.

Nearby Historic Leesburg Visit the many historic estates in the surrounding rolling hills of Loudoun County. Tour the Davis Mansion at Morven Park and learn about the history of the Swann and Davis families as

well as the property’s adventurous architectural history, boxwood gardens, and carriage museum. If you visit on a Saturday, stay for an evening of Twilight Polo, a game of polo on a smaller arena making it easier to watch the game, socialize, and sip brews and wines from Loudoun County’s local breweries and vineyards.

The Oatlands Historic House and Garden is another old Southern estate in Leesburg that offers historic tours of the mansion Thursday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

The Enslaved Community Tour is offered at 1 p.m. Rich with local history, national players, and Washington socialites and stories, the Oatlands is a must stop for history and architectural travelers.

Virginia’s Wine Country is another popular attraction for visitors to Leesburg. Chariots for Hire provide daily tours in luxury vehicles, limousines and buses. Cork & Keg Tours also provide comfortable wine tours for visitors to Loudoun County’s wineries. For craft brewery enthusiasts, ride and tour Loudoun County’s breweries with Beer Bros.

What to Bring Wear comfortable shoes to fully experience the history, architecture and character of the Town of Leesburg with one of the many walking tours that are available. In summertime, wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses and pack a water bottle (although you can purchase adorable canteens at the Lucky Knot and Brick & Morter). For photography enthusiasts, be sure to bring a DSLR camera, a tripod and a wide angle lens for landscape and street photography. Another camera option is a lightweight Fuji X100f, a fixed lens rangefinder camera. Also, be sure to bring an appetite for all the great restaurants, wineries, and bakeries. Last,

prepare to relax at the many accommodations nearby Leesburg.

Where to Eat Be sure to pack a picnic for winery and estate tours. There are grocery stores near town however there are not many restaurants in Virginia’s Wine Country. We recommend you dine within the Town of Leesburg for dinner.

Additional Stops Everything is within an hour from the Town of Leesburg. On a typical weekend trip, travelers can explore at whatever pace they desire from high adventure white water rafting to low key cruising across wine country. Day trips to consider: • • • • • •

Historic Waterford Harpers Ferry National Park Middleburg, known as the Heart of Virginia’s Hunt Country Balls Bluff Battlefield Washington, D.C. Shenandoah National Park

For a more extensive photo essay on Touring Leesburg, visit http://www.loudouncountymagazine.com