Located in Loudoun County, Va., Leesburg is highly known for being a wedding mecca for those who live in D.C. The charming countryside is just far enough out of the city to make it the perfect getaway, plus all the vintage and historic charm is practically oozing out of every scenic spot.
Start your visit, then, with breakfast at Shoe’s Cup and Cork, where you can enjoy not only a scratch kitchen, but also a cute garden dining area. The menu options are classic and hearty — think eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage — and start at $7.
Get the blood pumping with a hike around Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park. There are seven miles of trails set on the site of the 1861 Civil War battle. You’ll also find one of the smallest national cemeteries in the country.
The Confederates won the battle, and you can follow their trail to Morven Park, where they wintered following their victory. The site includes recreated soldiers’ quarters, plus an estate mansion and carriage house museum.
Grab lunch at South Street Under, where the ciabatta bread is all the rage. Soups, sandwiches, salads and quiche — the menu has everything you need for a light lunch that won’t make you feel loaded down. However, if you’re not about the light options, you could always go with the MacDaddy Meatloaf sandwich, with homemade meatloaf, provolone cheese and spicy tomato chutney. Lunch options start at about $8.
You could easily spend an entire afternoon touring the local Loudoun County wineries (of which there are plenty). Boxwood Estate Winery is known just as much for its architecture as it is its wine, with a uniquely shaped underground cave, where barrels are kept in a particular circular pattern. Tastings are $10.
North Gate Vineyard is remarkable in architectural style for different reasons. It’s a LEED Gold-certified winery in an English Tudor mansion, featuring everything from recycled glass to solar panels. Tastings are just $8.
At some point during your visit, swing by Mom’s Apple Pie for your pick of a wide variety of pies — beyond apple and extending into rhubarb, cherry, peach, raspberry, sweet potato and loads more. These are not your average pies, though. The apple has been called the best in the South. Buy a whole pie for $18 and try your best to share.
Freshen up from your day of hiking, wine tasting and pie eating, and head to Leesburg Public House for dinner. The seasonal and fresh menu is sure to please, whether you’re starting with a round of bacon popcorn or fried green tomatoes for the table, or digging straight into dinner with the selection of salads, steaks, pastas and burgers. Dinner options start at $12.
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