We all like sand and the sea but you don’t have to travel to the beach to enjoy Spring Break this year. Less than an hour from DC, yet a world away, a variety of family friendly activities await in Loudoun.
Forget the surf – go where the grapes grow.
Adventurous
Loudoun is the perfect place for adventure-lovers and thrill seekers alike! Hiking enthusiasts will love “The Rollercoaster” section of the Appalachian Trail above Bluemont and Round Hill, but the lesser known Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park in Leesburg is home to several native plants and varieties of wildlife and an easier hike for kids. For something slightly more daring, zip through the treetops at Empower Adventures Middleburg with expert instructers guiding you through the 20-acre course of lush forest, flying as high as 670-feet in the air - talk about adrenaline rush! Not an outdoors person, but love a physical challenge? UP! Ultimate Adventure Park in Ashburn opened in January 2025, the 7,000 square foot adventure facility is equipped with a 33-foot high zip line, ropes course, 36 unique climbing walls and more. Be sure to check the website for current hours of operation. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center also has a great zip line course over a forest canopy in addtion to a numerous water activities; kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting - just to name a few! They are not the only source for exploring the Potomac River, Paddle Nova offers kayak, canoe and stand-up paddle board rentals at Reservoir Park and along the stretch of the Potomac.
Educational
Ever feed a baby goat? Wonder where cheese comes from? Make your way to historic Georges Mill Farm in Lovettsville where visitors get to feed and snuggle with the new litter of baby goats each spring. You can visit the goats on any weekday, weekends are reservation only. For spring break, April 14 to April 18, it is also reservation only, so don't miss out! The farm store also sells superb cheeses – chevre, feta, blue – produced with milk from those goats. Sticking to the theme, Double 8 Alpaca Ranch in western Loudoun offers private one-hour farm tours for families as an oppurtunity to learn about the llamas, alpacas and the story of those who occupy the ranch. Enjoy up close encounters with the fluffy friends, and don't forget to capture the memories with a selfie! Other educational opportunities include needle felting classes - a crafting technique to create imagery using a barbed needle, loose wool and alpaca fibers. Check the class schedule here. In eastern Loudoun, just minutes away from Washington-Dulles International Aiport, Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum provides hands-on educational programming and events for engaging families in the world of farming and animals. Make the learning experience fun and guide yourself through the interactive exhibit, which includes a sensory garden. If you are interested in long-term learning, you can inquire about the private programs available, find more details and events here.
Sporting
Outdoor recreation is where Loudoun thrives on the sporting scene, go out to Leesburg-based premier 5,000-seat stadium, Segra Field, to catch local pro soccer team, Loudoun United, go toe and toe with the comepetition on home turf. Though, the home opener game isn't until March 29; you and your best buds can host a fun-filled gathering on the field - or any of their other event spaces. Find out more details here. What about a family day spent cycling? Everyone knows the scenic Washington & Old Dominion Trail, but did you know you can ride it on battery powered bikes rented from Pedego Electric Bikes in downtown Leesburg? Perfect for family or friend groups, less experienced riders can hit cruise control with battery power, while stronger cyclists get to pedal the traditional way. In eastern Loudoun, just outside the Brambleton community, is Hal & Berni Hanson Regional Park equppied with 17 athletic fields, including pickleball courts, a skate park, over 75 acres of outdoor leisure space, and an events venue. The new state-of-the-art padel facility in Sterling, Padel Up, is the first of it's kind in the DC and surrounding areas. Padel is a sport that originated in Mexico, but has become the fastest growing sport in the US and Loudoun is hopping on board. The place comes equipped with 4 indoor padel courts, organic smoothie bar, coffee bar and a pro shop!
Cultural
If you’re more inclined to arts and culture, Loudoun has that too. Loudoun Art Tours offers guided tours of downtown Leesburg’s exciting public art scene, from the contemporary pieces in Raflo Park Sculpture Garden to the stunning new Journey to Freedom mural on the wall of the Loudoun Museum that depicts Bazil Newman, a Black 19th Century Loudoun landowner and ferry business operator taking a young Black boy across the Potomac to Maryland on a moonlit night. The same river can be accessed at Bazil Newman Riverfront Park. The Byrne Gallery in Middleburg is kicking off spring with "The Poetry of Spring" art show through the month of March - celebrate local Loudoun artists and embrace the use of floral colors and soft tones as we enter into the warmer months. For fans of artistic performances, StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn presents frequent shows for all taste; from stand-up and improv nights to magicial demonstrations and crime mystery dinners - this month's theme is Lady Thistledown’s Poisoned Quill - spooky! Check their calendar for dates and locations to experience the series before it ends. For the kids tagging along on spring break, they will love Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center - they host family-friendly exhibits, shows and sketch classes. On March 26, they will be celebrating spring with the "Beale Street Puppets: Spring Shenanigans" performance - apart of their monthly puppet show series. Check the calendar here.
Indulgent
What’s a visit to Loudoun without fine wine, beer and food? At glorious 365-acre Doukenie Winery outside Hillsboro, parents can enjoy a bottle of the crisp award-winning 2023 Rosé while the kids play on the lawns or even fish in the pond on the grounds. Brewery-wise, Dirt Farm Brewery in Bluemont have a fish fry extravaganza every Friday until April 18. Chow down on fresh, battered and fried fish with a generous side portion of coleslaw and fries - a classic fish feast, but it won't be complete without a cold brew. Wash down your meal down with an in-house beer, you can choose from their homegrown series which includes a refreshing peach ale perfect for the warmer season. For outdoor dining, families love the massive outdoor patio seating at Sweetwater Tavern in Sterling which overlooks a pond and fountain - kick back with a view and enjoy good bites, the lobster bisque are fresh and bursting with flavor making it the great starter. If you're really hungry, their Louisiana Pasta with chicken, andouille sausage, tomato, scallions & penne pasta drenched in a spicy creole cream sauce, is a real belly filler - wash it down with a cocktail from the outside bar without having to miss out on the blossoming spring views and sunkissed skin. In Leesburg, the secret garden at the back of popular King Street café Shoe’s Cup & Cork is the ultimate lunchtime hideaway. As for sweet treats, the county has you covered. The Yard at One Loudoun in Ashburn does craft milkshakes with outrageous toppings while Purcellville has two iconic ice cream parlors – Gruto’s for soft serve, and Tipped Cow Creamery for artisanal farm ice cream.
