Loudoun County is located in the northern part of the state of Virginia, USA and is the third-most populous county in Virginia. Its population grew drastically from the 1980s, partly due to the newly-built Dulles International Airport, which attracted new businesses, workers, and families to settle in this county.
It was also originally a rural county. In the 1990s, Loudoun underwent major suburbanisation and today, it is home to numerous international IT headquarters, more than 40 wineries, and 25 farms. Their wineries also produce some of the world’s best recognised wines.
This charming county is known by many for its stunning scenery, variety of business opportunities, vibrant history, and amazing people. Loudoun has so much to offer in almost every aspect. From what to eat to where to shop, here’s your complete guide to the best things to do in Loudoun County:
Have a taste of internationally-acclaimed spirits at the Catoctin Creek Distillery
The Catoctin Creek Distilling Company started in 2009 and became the first legal distillery in Loudoun County. It is located in Purcellville, in the centre of Loudoun Valley. This distillery got its name from the Indian tribal name, “Kittocton”, which means “place of many deer”. Catoctin depicts a variety of mountains and creeks that fit perfectly with the Potomac River and Chesapeake Watershed.
The Catoctin Creek Distilling Company produces organic wine and food, free of pesticides and chemical additives. Their grain and fruit are also mostly sourced locally. Their spirits have been acknowledged with a wide variety of international awards and accolades, including awards from the American Distilling Institute and Fox News. It was also named as Virginia’s Most Awarded Whisky by Virginia’s Finest.
The Catoctin Creek Distilling Company also holds regular events such as dinner and culinary presentations that are open to public, such as the Dinner and Whiskey at Historic Aldie Mill event. This has been running for 6 years, and you’ll enjoy whiskey-tasting and delicious food. They also organise tours and tastings, for free!
The Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Address: 120 W Main St Purcellville, VA 20132
Opening Hours: 1 pm - 7 pm. Closed on Mondays
Contact: (540) 751-8404
Shop till you drop at Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Boasting over 110 designers and name-brand outlet stores, The Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets is the main shopping destination for tourists and locals in the area. The place has an outdoor village-like setting that not only proves to be inviting, but also makes people shop in ease and convenience, especially when it’s situated just 17 miles (27.4 kilometres) from Dulles International Airport.
With internationally-famous stores such as Coach, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, and outlet stores Pottery Barn Outlet and Williams-Sonoma Outlet, The Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets will be every shopper’s paradise. This place is also located near multiple attractions such as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Airt and Space Museum and other historic attractions.
Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Address: 241 Fort Evans Rd NE Leesburg, VA 20176
Opening Hours: 10 am - 9 pm daily. Closes at 7 pm on Sundays
Contact: (703) 737-3071
Website: Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Get a taste of history at Movern Park
Movern Park is actually a Leesburg estate that consists of the Westmoreland Davis Mansion, the Winmill Carriage Museum, and the Museum of Hounds and Hunting. The latter is known for its amazing displays of art, artefacts, and memorabilia about the sport of fox hunting. It is located in the north wing of the Westmoreland Davis Mansion, which was owned by Westmoreland Davis, the Governor of Virginia between the years of 1918 to 1922. The mansion is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered a Virginia Historic Landmark.
Movern Park’s gardens and grounds were first opened to the public in 1967 by Westmoreland Davis, who established the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation to benefit the public of the home that she and her husband had purchased in 1903.
Today, Movern Park is a top choice of venue for weddings and events, including equestrian events, which occur almost every weekend. These events are free to spectators as well. There are also tours held of the mansion and museums.
Movern Park
Address: 17195 Southern Planter Lane Leesburg, VA 20176
Contact: 703 777 2414
Website: Movern Park
Visit the Loudoun vineyards, one of the county's top attractions
Loudoun has been referred to as the area’s Wine Country, especially for the fact that it is home to over 40 wineries that are Virginia’s leading producers of grape wines. This could be the result of favourable soil conditions, the temperate climate, and technical experts. These wineries produce internationally-acclaimed wines, and most of them feature stunning mountain views and tours. With 6 different clusters of wineries, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
One of the vineyards is 868 Estate Vineyards, a family-run business situated on 120 acres (48.6 hectares) of forests, orchards, and gardens. Their tasting room features Pinot Grigio, Rose, Chardonnay, Merlot, and more. They also have a fine-dining restaurant that offers amazing delicacies with a culinary approach to the farm-to-table concept, and also hosts events. They have a wide range of tasting packages, some paired with food and sweets while others cater to groups. The Truffle Tasting, for example, will have you tasting 6 different red and white wines paired with chocolate truffles such as White Chocolate and Apricot Truffle, Calebeaut Ganache Truffle, and more.
868 Estate Vineyards
Address: 14001 Harpers Ferry Rd Purcellville, VA 20132
Opening Hours: 11 am - 5 pm. Mondays and Tuesdays are by appointment only
Contact: (540) 668-7008
Website: 868 Estate Vineyards
Another vineyard in the area is Breaux Vineyards, located in Purcellville. It is a Cajun-owned winery that started in 1997 and was named in the book “250 Best Wines 2012” by Oz Clarke. It is considered to be one of Virginia’s largest grape-growers and suppliers, with 17 different grape varieties planted. Breaux Vineyards produces a whopping 144,000 bottles of wine annually. They were also voted in 1st place as “Virginia’s Favorite Winery” for four consecutive years from 2008. Breaux Vineyards offer tasting tours that start from as low as 5 USD. Visitors can also enjoy live music at the end of each month.
Breaux Vineyards
Address: 36888 Breaux Vineyards Ln, Purcellville, VA 20132
Opening Hours: 11 am - 5 pm. Closed on public holidays
Contact: 1-800-492-9961
Website: Breaux Vineyards
Visit Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park and National Cemetery
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park and National Cemetery is the third-smallest national cemetery in the US and consists of the graves of 54 members of the Union Army that were killed during the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. These men are interred in 25 graves and the identity of all, except for one, is unknown. There are also monuments to fallen Confederate Sergeant Clinton Hatcher and Union Brigade Commander Edward Dickinson Baker, not buried here, located next to the cemetery.
The battlefield area of the park was named as a National Historic Landmark in 1984. The regional park consists of marked trails that stretch for over 7 miles (11.3 kilometres), including a trail along the Potomac riverbank. There are guided tours held every weekend from the months of April to November, including volunteer and history events.
Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
Address: Ball’s Bluff Road Leesburg, VA 21076
Contact: 703-737-7800
Visit Aldie Mill Historic Park
Aldie Mill Historic Park is a water mill that was built between 1807 and 1809, and it was once referred to as the largest factory of its kind in Loudoun County. It is powered by twin waterwheels, making it Virginia’s only known grist mill of this kind. Its current president, James Monroe, was actually a customer who lived at the nearby Oak Hill. The mill has ground grain using the waters of the Little River for over 150 years. The mill is named in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Aldie Mill organises tours and demonstrations for the public during the weekends of April to November.
Aldie Mill Historic Park
Address: 39401 John Mosby Highway Aldie, VA 20105
Opening Hours: Saturdays - Sundays: 12 noon - 5 pm
Contact: 703-327-9777
Website: Aldie Mill Historic Park
Visit the National Sporting Library and Museum
Located in Middleburg and founded in 1954, the National Sporting Library Museum is situated on a 6-acre (2.4-hectare) campus and consists of a research library and and fine arts museum that showcases the heritage and traditions of the country’s angling, horsemanship, shooting, and more. The abundance of archives and the art collection offers extensive information on everything you need to know about the country’s sporting history.
The National Sporting Library Museum also holds regular educational programs, exhibitions, and family activities all year round. An example of one of the popular events is the Open Late concert, where visitors can enjoy great music paired with local wine and Virginian craft beer. These concerts are free and open to the public. Museum tour costs are included with the admission ticket, although advance reservation is required.
National Sporting Library Museum
Address: 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117
Opening Hours: 10 am - 5 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Contact: (540) 687-6542
Website: National Sporting Library Museum
Eat your heart out at some of Loudon's best restaurants
And you thought we forgot about the food! Loudon is home to a wide variety of restaurants and eateries serving the best savoury and sweet dishes. Indeed, the food is so great that it has seen patrons leaving with contented stomachs and coming back for more! There are just so many great eating places in Loudoun that it is impossible to name them all. So, here are two of our top picks: Tuscarora Mill and Lola’s Cupcakes.
Tuscarora Mill is located in Leesburg and serves as a restaurant, cafe, bar, and bakery. Started in 1985, this independent and locally-owned business offers food that is mostly made from local produce, including cheese and wine from local cheese-makers and wineries. They also cater for banquets, wedding receptions, and other special events. Tuscarora Mill boasts 11 different menus, including a separate menu for allergies and special dietary requirements, and another for beer, cocktails, and wine!
Tuscarora Mill
Address: 203 Harrison St., Leesburg, VA 20175
Opening Hours: 11 am - 11 pm
Contact: 703-771-9300
Website: Tuscarora Mill
Lola’s Cupcakes is known for amazing and very famous bakes and sweets. Lola initially started selling cookies at the farmer’s market back in 2002. In 2006, she rented a few rooms in a Victorian building located in Leesburg for her bakery. She was also featured on The Rachel Ray Show and Fox 5 TV, as well as in a few magazines. Her bakery had to close in 2013 to make way for office spaces. In 2015, Lola started selling her bakes again in Leesburg, but only on the weekends at the Very Virginia Shop in downtown Leesburg. From Friday afternoons up until Sunday, customers swarm the place to get their hands on Lola’s trademark Ginger Chocolate Cookies and M&M Cookies. Lola’s goodies also contain no preservatives or artificial flavours, to ensure great taste.
Lola's Cupcakes
Address: 16 S King St Leesburg, VA
Opening Hours: Friday afternoons - Sundays
Contact: +1 703-973-6400
Website: Lola’s Cupcakes
So much more to offer than just wineries and vineyards
As you can see, Loudoun County isn’t just about its wineries and vineyards, although they are incredibly popular with visitors. This county in Virginia has a wide history, heritage, and culture, with so much picturesque scenery to marvel at too!
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