Loudoun’s county seat is a picturesque little burg with a historic downtown bustling with restaurants, cafes, bars, breweries, boutiques and chic home décor stores. Dine on oysters, tacos and farm-to-table fare on King Street (our restaurant row), find a unique gift and soak up the storied ambience of a town that, once home to icons such as General George C. Marshall, is now the residence of artists, designers, tech entrepreneurs and more.

 

Must Do:

Passed Times

Founded in 1758, Leesburg is rich in history. Walk the grounds of historic Morven Park and the terraced gardens of the 1798-established Oatlands; 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, including the Loudoun Museum and Leesburg Courthouse, download this app here or book a guided tour with Historic Leesburg Walking tours.

 

 

Dine Around

King Street is teeming with lively bars and eateries. Try the lobster roll and spicy Kentucky Mule cocktail at King Street Oyster Barthe 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.

 

 

Leesburg Coffee Corridor

There are no less than seven coffee shops and espresso bars within a few blocks of each other on and around King Street, earning it the sobriquet Leesburg CoCo. The eponymous King Street Coffee serves award-winning local roaster Lone Oak Coffee as does the cozy Euro-style SideBar Coffee. 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 newly opened Goosecup, which roasts its own beans, sourcing from Zambia, Ethiopia, Honduras and elsewhere.

 

 

Live Music

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.

 

 

Beer Crawl

There are no less than six breweries in downtown all within walking distance of each other. Loudoun Brewing CoBlack Hoof and cozy nook Crooked Run make crisp lagers and malty IPA’s, and we love the summery back yard at Black Walnut and front yard at Dynasty Brewing Co. The downtown district is also home to America’s first Delirium Belgian Beer Café.

 

 

Explore Market Station

Comprising of 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) and South Street Under (don't miss the fresh-baked ciabatta), as well as a brewery, cidery, nail salon, health food store and the Loudoun Visitor Center.

 

 

Shop Class

Leesburg Premium Outletsjust outside the historic district, offers bargain deals on major designers, while the town has a slate of stylish boutiques, home decor stores, gift shops and thrift stores, among them Lou Lou's27 SouthBrick & Mortar and Resourceful Woman.

 

 

The Sporting Life

Not far from the downtown district is Segra Field, which is home to pro sports teams – Major League Rugby’s Old Glory DC and 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.

 

 

Luxe Resort

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.

 

 

Urban Village

Enjoy the shops, bars, restaurants, bowling alley and multiplex cinema of the pedestrianized lifestyle and residential precinct the Village at Leesburg.

 

 

Not to Miss Events

Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival, April

Founded in 1990, this annual rite of spring in Loudoun features floral designers, flower growers, landscapers, gardening suppliers, plant sellers and much more, as well as live music, food stands and entertainment for kids.

 

Independence Day Parade and Fireworks, July 4

Leesburg’s annual Independence Day celebration comprises of a morning parade of floats through the historic downtown 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 annual Loudoun County Fair at the Loudoun County Fairgrounds on Dry Mill Road is 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 much more.

 

The Loudoun Museum Hauntings, October

Since 1991, Loudoun Museum staff and volunteers have helped thousands discover the real night life of Leesburg, Virginia. Hauntings takes attendees on a downtown walking tour, telling stories about the historic homes and their inhabitants from the past - some highly ghostly in nature. The tours will be held October 22-23, 2021.

 

Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show, December

The 31st annual arts and crafts show takes place at Ida Lee Park Recreation Center on Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5, 2021, from 9 a.m.- 4 .pm.  Shop for one-of-a kind handcrafted items from more than 95 local and regional artisans – the perfect gifts for the tree.

 

Christmas and Holiday Parade, December

The annual parade, with Santa leading the way, begins at 6 p.m. on December 11 at Ida Lee Park and travels down King Street through historic downtown Leesburg taking in the festive streetlights and the illuminated holiday tree on the Town Green. Ho, ho, ho!