Main Street, Virginia
Nestled in the scenic Virginia Piedmont, Loudoun’s towns and villages offer visitors an opportunity to experience authentic American heritage and culture. Each of Loudoun’s seven towns and numerous villages offers a taste of Americana, a glimpse into days past, and a welcome respite from “everyplace, USA.” From Leesburg’s charming streetscapes to Middleburg’s horse and hunt traditions, and from Philomont’s quaint country store to Waterford’s nationally recognized historic village, Loudoun’s towns and villages each have a unique story to tell. Explore the towns and villages of Loudoun, and meet the people who call them home and want to share what is special about them with you.
Main Street Leesburg was established in 1757 as the county seat of Loudoun and sits at the intersections of King, Loudoun, and Market streets. The historic architecture remains and its red brick sidewalks are lined with clothing and gift boutiques, antique and furniture shops, and local eateries and restaurants. Enjoy a leisurely day browsing through shop after shop, then embark on a progressive dinner to include peanut soup at the Leesburg Restaurant, a cheese plate at the Wine Kitchen, the lamb trio at Tuscarora Mill, and the world’s smallest ice cream sundae at Lightfoot Restaurant. End your day with a movie at the historic Tally Ho Theater.
Main Street Middleburg is Washington Street through this town which is known as the nation’s capital of horse country. For more than 100 years sporting enthusiasts and their horses have claimed the town and its lush rolling countryside as their own. The horse theme is no secret, with eateries lining the historic sidewalks with names such as Cuppa Giddy Up. Shop the town’s upscale boutiques and antique shops, stop in The Boxwood Winery’s Tasting Room Wine Bar & Shop, and then have a crab cake dinner at the Red Fox Inn, the oldest continually operated inn in the United States.
Main Street Purcellville sits along Main and 21st Streets, where you feel at home surrounded by large Victorian homes shaded by century-old trees. When the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad made Purcellville its final stop in 1874, the economy boomed. Today the railroad bed is a paved park, the W&OD Railroad Regional Park, used by cyclists and hikers and drops visitors off right downtown. Shop in the town’s boutiques, antique stores, and furniture stores, making sure not to miss the Purcellville Marketplace for amazing gifts and the venerable Nichols Hardware. The locals claim that if Nichols doesn’t have it, you don’t need it. End your day at Magnolia’s at the Mill, one of Loudoun’s destination restaurants.
Loudoun’s smaller towns and western villages also have distinct Main Street appeal. Lucketts is known for its antique shops clustered around the village’s only stoplight. The "German Settlement" of Lovettsville offers country shops and restaurants as well as the Lovettsville Historical Society Museum. Hamilton offers visitors delectable seafood at Lowry’s Crab Shack. Drive through Hillsboro, to see its charming collection of stone houses and fences and stop at the one-of-a-kind jewelry store and Stoneybrook Organic Farm for local produce. In Waterford, one of only a few National Landmark Villages in the country, stroll the peaceful residential streets and soak up the history and architecture. Round Hill offers a local favorite dining spot, Savoir Fare. Philomont offers a traditional country store experience at the Philomont General Store. And stop in the village of Aldie to visit the historic Aldie Mill and pick up a Thanksgiving sandwich or a mouth-watering cinnamon roll (one of our favorite sweet treats) at the Little Apple Pastry Shop.
