History, Towns, and Wine Country Itinerary
10am: Begin your exploration of Loudoun with a visit to Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Arrive in time for the on-hour guided tour of the 22-room Greek revival home that was once the center of a thriving 3,400-acre plantation. Then, continue your tour through four acres of formal gardens and connecting terraces. Don’t miss the Carriage House gift shop!
12pm: Take some time to stroll the brick sidewalks in the historic district of Leesburg, Loudoun’s county seat. Have lunch on your own in one of the many local eateries downtown. Then find yourself browsing through the many antique shops and specialty boutiques and meet our friendly local merchants.
3pm: Experience our wine country at one of Loudoun’s most scenic wineries. Sunset Hills Vineyard produces award-winning wines from a historic farm, inside an Amish restored 140-year-old barn. Enjoy a tour and tasting of their current wines and then relax on one of their two decks offering panoramic views of the Blue Ridge and Short Hill Mountains.
5:30pm: Return to Leesburg for dinner at one of the area’s most acclaimed restaurants, Lightfoot Restaurant, situated across from the stately county courthouse. Lightfoot was named in honor of Francis Lightfoot Lee, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The restaurant is housed in a turn-of-the-century bank, turned polished, exquisite dining space adorned with a rare and striking collection of 1920s original French posters. The food is imaginative and does not disappoint.
