Settled by Quakers in the 1700s, Hamilton, established in 1835, is quintessential small-town America: beautiful homes on shady tree-lined streets, kids playing in the park. A weekend retreat from the heat of Washington, D.C. in the late 1800s, – the W&OD railway line stopped just south of town-today’s Hamilton is more residential, but visitors come on weekends for the surrounding wineries and breweries and the restaurants of nearby Purcellville.
Must Do:
Drink Wine
Newly opened 3 Creeks Winery sits at the confluence of three creeks on a farm a few miles south of the village. Try the barrel fermented 2018 Viognier at tables near the creeks. The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards won the Governor’s Cup for best wine in Virginia in 2017. Enjoy superb French Bordeaux style vintages in a tasting room carved out of a century-old barn. Firefly Cellars is another new winery adjacent to a horse farm and a rural stretch of the W&OD trail. Enjoy a wine flight or a cool glass of sparkling Blanc de Blancs in the backyard looking out at fields and horses.
Dine Around
At the western end of town is rustic Lowry’s Crab Shack, serving oysters, shrimp, fish, hard and softshell Maryland crabs and cold beer to loyal locals. At the other end of town is Hamilton Station Pizza & Gastropub serving excellent burgers, steak, tuna salads, pizza and craft ales in a carpeted lounge bar or on the sunny patio.
Fruit Picking
Wegmeyer Farms is a boutique pick-your-own farm south of town on the way towards Lincoln. Pick strawberries and more than 30 varieties of pumpkins. This family-owned farm has had products featured at The White House and on Chef Emeril’s cooking show.
Farm Stores
On Hamilton Station Road just north of town is Spring House Farm Store, a jewel-box sized roadside shop selling delicious farm meats, free range eggs, dairy products and other farm food items. A few miles further on, at the intersection of Route 9, is Paige’s Pitstop, a larger farm store stocked with a range of fresh fruit, veggies, meats, ice cream, baked goods and garden plants. Jules Caribbean BBQ food truck is outside on weekends.
Not to Miss Events
Memorial Day Parade
Fire trucks, fifth graders, little league baseball teams on trailers pulled by tractors – the Hamilton Memorial Day Parade is small town America at its finest. Kids throw candy from decked out trucks at cheering crowds lining the leafy streets as the parade makes its way from the fire station on the eastern end of town and to just beyond Lowry’s Crab Shack.
Weekend Music
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards hosts live music most weekends. Visit the website to see the lineup.
