There’s something thrilling about suddenly discovering you have a long weekend ahead. Summer might be winding down, but Labor Day Monday approaches and what better way to enjoy the extra day off than with a mini-vacation in DC’s Wine Country®?
Here are some of the best ways to close out the summer in Loudoun.
Music in the Vines
Put your roach stompers on and end the summer with a twang at the famous Tarara Summer Concert Series. This Labor Day Saturday, sing along to the sounds of Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw and more as the winery hosts cover band Nashville Nights – the Ultimate 90s Country Experience at the outdoor pavilion overlooking the lake. Meanwhile, at the other end of the county, 868 Estate Vineyards hosts the annual LoCo Music Fest on Sunday August 31 – some 50 bands and artists performing to raise money to buy equipment for local musicians. Artists scheduled to appear include The Darby Brothers, Ramona, Laura Cashman, Delta Spur and Todd Brooks with Pour Decisions. You’ll be dancing on the lawns, wine glass in hand in no time.
Sweet Treats
After a long day in the sun, cool off with some sweet treats from Loudoun’s best ice cream parlors. Family-owned Gruto’s serves high-quality soft serve from March-October in Purcellville and year-round at the Leesburg outpost. Tipped Cow Creamery makes delicious vanilla and chocolate waffle cones in-house and offers rotating seasonal flavors on top of the regular tastes. Check out our Cool Loudoun Treats blog for more ideas.
Soak in the Sun
Enjoy the last hot days of the year at some of Loudoun’s best outdoor pools and parks. Volcano Island Waterpark, near the banks of the Potomac River in Sterling, has towering twin waterslides, while the AV Symington Aquatic Center at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg features water slides, a lazy river and a large beach area. For a more relaxing public pool vibe, the Lovettsville Community Center pool has a diving board, splash pools for kids and is lined with deck chairs for catching late summer sun.
Take a Hike
With trails winding through the mountains and along the Potomac River, there's a hiking experiences for everyone in Loudoun. Try the “Rollercoaster” section of the Appalachian Trail between Bluemont and Hillsboro out west, or soak in Potomac River views at Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Park just outside historic Leesburg. Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling also has great river views and if you think you’re going to be tired post hike, why not book one of the park’s riverfront cottages for an overnight stay?
Eat Fresh
Pick up the last of this summer’s fresh fruits and vegetables at one of Loudoun’s many farmers markets or farm stands. On Route 15 north of Leesburg, eclectic Farmer John’s Market sells local veg and greens as well as farmed mushrooms, while nearby Brossman’s Family Farm (open May-October) offers seasonal fruit, veg and herbs on top of honey, eggs, baked goods, jams, preserves and even ice cream. Further west, Spring House Farm Store on Hamilton Station Road sells the grass-fed beef, pork and poultry of a local farm, while Paige’s Pit Stop on Route 9 offers fresh baked goods on top of local produce. If you like what you see, come back in the fall to pick your own apples or pumpkins at Crooked Run Orchard, Great Country Farms or Wegmeyer Farms.
Where to Stay
Make a weekend of it by booking a room at Loudoun’s coolest new hotel: the 39-suite Hotel Burg, which opened on Leesburg’s happening King Street on August 1. Soak up great views of the historic downtown from your room or the roof deck (open to guests and club members) and then enjoy craft cocktails and farm-to-table food at the sublime Diana Lounge or restaurant The Hunton. For a quieter, more rural retreat, Hidden View B&B outside Hillsboro is set on 10 rolling acres with sublime Blue Ridge views and has an inviting swimming pool. Traveling with the family? Loudoun is home to countless brand name hotels that are minutes from historic Leesburg, the popular One Loudoun entertainment district or Washington Dulles International Airport.
