Road Trips

Leesburg and the Loudoun Valleys (2-day)

Day 1

Begin with a stop in Leesburg at the Loudoun County Visitors Center. We'll provide you with a map, driving directions, and the following brochures and guidebooks: an Official Visitors Guide to Loudoun County, the Loudoun Wine Trail Guide, the Virginia Civil War Trail Guide, the Mosby Heritage Area Quaker Site Guide, and the "Walk With Us Through Waterford" book. These are free and will be useful tools for interpreting sites along the way.

Next, head south of Leesburg to Oatlands Plantation. Plan to arrive in time for the on-the-hour tour and allow about two hours at this National Trust property to see the 1804 mansion, formal gardens, and 1810 greenhouse. Be sure to save time for shopping in the museum gift shop!

After leaving Oatlands, take scenic Harmony Church Road (Route 704) west toward Hamilton, Lincoln, and Purcellville. Note the unique Victorian homes in Hamilton. Watch for cyclists along the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park as you enter Purcellville, and enjoy a little lunch and shopping there. Don't miss two landmark shops, the Purcellville Marketplace and Nichols Hardware, as well as the 21st Street antique shops. Purcellville is also in the heart of the Loudoun Valleys where you can find u-pick farms, nurseries, and wineries.

End the day with a wine tasting at any of the nearby wineries found in the Wine Trail Guide.

Day 2

The second day of your tour offers more scenic drives along winding roads and plenty of options for "tasting" the many flavors found in Loudoun's towns. Start by picking up a picnic at Hill High Orchard in Round Hill. The store is located on Route 7 and also offers some of the best pies and baked goods in the area.

Next, drive through Hillsboro, Loudoun's smallest town known for its charming collection of stone houses and fences, on the way to Hillsborough and Breaux wineries. Enjoy your picnic and spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains while tasting their wines.

After lunch head back east to Waterford, which is one of only a few National Landmark Villages in the country. Use the "Walk With Us Through Waterford" guidebook to appreciate the history and architecture. Waterford also offers Sunday afternoon guided tours, concerts, and lectures, so be sure to check our calendar of events for the schedule.

Leave Waterford, driving north on Milltown Road (Route 681) for a spectacular drive to Lovettsville, known as the "German Settlement", where you will find beautiful architecture and a variety of country stores framed in the scenic setting of the Shorthill Mountains.

Finally, end the day east of Lovettsville in Lucketts where you can enjoy antiquing at the eclectic Old Lucketts Store or sipping wine at one of three wineries.