Leesburg

Leesburg was founded in 1758 at the crossroads of two Native American trails near the Potomac. Stroll the grounds of historic Morven Park and the terraced gardens of the 1798-established Oatlands Historic House & Gardens. Pay tribute to George C. Marshall at his home Dodona Manor and visit the hallowed ground of Ball’s Bluff Battlefield National Park on cliffs above the Potomac River. For a self-guided walking tour of downtown Leesburg, including the Loudoun Museum and Leesburg Courthouse, book a guided tour with Historic Leesburg Walking tours or download this app for self-guided tours.

King Street is teeming with lively bars and eateries. Try the lobster roll and spicy Kentucky Mule cocktail at King Street Oyster Bar, the locavore cheese plate and wine flights at farm-to-table Wine Kitchen, spicy tacos at modish New-Mexican Señor Ramon or fine dining (and piano music) at the iconic Lightfoot Restaurant. Shutters on King offers superb New American dishes, a raw bar and craft cocktails in a beautifully restored 18^th Century building while Chef Vincent Badiee, a veteran of Michelin-starred restaurants, helms The Huntōn, fine restaurant of the splendid new Hotel Burg.

There are close to a dozen coffee shops and espresso bars within a few blocks of each other on and around King Street, earning it the nickname Leesburg Coffee Corridor (or Leesburg CoCo). Cozy Second Nature Coffee Co. serves award-winning local roaster Lone Oak Coffee while intimate SideBar Coffee has a European-style street side window counter. The secret garden at Shoes Cup & Cork is great for a sandwich and an iced latte as is the courtyard of Cowbell Kitchen across the street. At the corner of Church and Market streets, try Trinity House Café for a Café Dos Leches featuring a hint of nutmeg or visit Goosecup, which roasts its own beans from Zambia, Ethiopia, Honduras and elsewhere. Around the corner on quiet Wirt Street, plant-filled oasis Shake & Bops Botanical Café serves excellent Lone Oak roasted drip coffee, pour overs and espresso.

Opened in 1931 as Leesburg’s first movie house, Tally Ho Theater now features big name musicians such as David Allen Coe and Uncle Kracker, as well as frequent retro acts and cover bands. Be on the lookout for murals, statues and a sculpture garden as you explore. Dive deeper into Leesburg’s public art on an organized tour with Loudoun Art Tours, or download the popular Leesburg walking tour app.

Sample the breweries of downtown Leesburg, all within walking distance of each other. Loudoun Brewing Co, Black Hoof and cozy nook Crooked Run make crisp lagers and malty IPA’s, and we love the summery front yard at Dynasty Brewing Company.

Created from a restored mill and relocated freight depot, the Market Station precinct is home to beloved local restaurants Fire Works (pizza), Jasmine (Chinese), Tuscarora Mill (American bistro), South Street Under (don't miss the fresh-baked ciabatta), Los Tios Grill (Mexican) and the sublime wine and Italian food of Gvino Wine Bar. The complex also houses a brewery, cidery, nail salon, health food store and the Loudoun Visitor Center.

Leesburg Premium Outlets, just outside the historic district, offers bargain deals on major designers, while the historic downtown has a slate of stylish boutiques, home decor stores, gift shops and thrift stores, among them Lou Lou's, Muz & Rose, Wldwst, Brick & Mortar and Resourceful Woman. At the Village at Leesburg, enjoy shops, restaurants- including celebrity-owned The Conche-, bars, a bowling alley, a multiplex cinema and walkable lifestyle.

Not far from the downtown district is Segra Field, which is home to the soccer stars of Loudoun United, feeder team to DC United. The nearby ION International Training Center with its two NHL-sized rinks, is one of the leading ice skating arenas on the east coast. Cyclists, joggers and equestrians are drawn to the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park that perfectly bisects the town.

Set on 500 scenic acres overlooking the Potomac River, Lansdowne Resort is a state-of-the-art golf and lifestyle resort with a slate of restaurants and specialty wellness programs. Meanwhile, the new Hotel Burg in the heart of downtown Leesburg is a boutique property blending timeless elegance and modern comforts.

• Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival (April): This annual rite of spring in Loudoun features floral designers, flower growers, landscapers, gardening suppliers, plant sellers and more, plus live music, food stands and entertainment for kids.
• Independence Day Parade and Fireworks (July 4): A morning parade of floats through the historic downtown is followed by a spectacular fireworks display at Ida Lee Park in the evening.
• Loudoun County Fair (July-August): With farm animals, a petting zoo, live music, beer tents, a carnival, a demolition derby and dozens of food stands, the Loudoun County Fair offers farm-centered fun for the whole family.
• Taste Leesburg (August): Located on the Town Green, this day-long culinary festival features scores of local restaurants, food trucks, breweries, wineries and farm markets offering “tastes” of their best fare. Enjoy bites and brews while listening to live music from the stages.
• Leesburg Air Show (September): Hosted at Leesburg Executive Airport, this annual aviation event gets you up-close and personal with some of the finest planes navigating Loudoun skies and includes acrobatic feats, skydivers, vintage aircraft and more.
• Crossroads Music Festival (September): Presented by BENEFIT, a coalition of musicians and community leaders, the annual two-day Crossroads Music Festival features more than 30 musicians and bands performing on multiple stages in historic downtown Leesburg to raise money for community organizations.
• The Loudoun Museum Hauntings (October): Hauntings takes attendees on a downtown walking tour, telling stories about the historic homes and their inhabitants from the past – some ghostly in nature.
• Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show (December): Shop for one-of-a-kind handcrafted items from more than 95 local and regional artisans – the perfect gifts for under the tree.
• Christmas and Holiday Parade (December): The annual parade, with Santa leading the way, begins at Ida Lee Park and travels down King Street through historic downtown Leesburg. While in Leesburg, enjoy the festive streetlights and the illuminated holiday tree on the Town Green.