52 Fun Things to Do in Loudoun by Frederick News-Post

2 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

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Travel back to Civil War era Loudoun at Aldie Mill Historic Park a former Loudoun hub that once provided grain for both Union and Confederate troops. The building dates to 1809 and was once the largest mill of its kind in Loudoun. Today, helpful volunteer guides provide tours about how the mill worked. If you’d like to see the mill in action, visit on a weekend between April and November. When the water level is high enough, docents will provide live demonstrations of the mill’s tandem metal water wheels. Behind the mill, walking trails and signs provide additional information about the site’s history.

See a Historic Mill Run Again

Few historic sites are more quintessentially “Loudoun” than Morven Park. Initially built in the 1800s, the mansion’s most famous residents were former Virginia governor Westmoreland Davis and his wife, Marguerite. They renovated the central house into a magnificent Greek Revival structure. You’ll find a taste of Europe behind its doors, with tapestries and antique furniture imported during Marguerite’s travels. And for the eagle-eyed visitor, check out the phone listing on the wall near the kitchen for some famous 20th-century names. Also housed in the mansion is the Museum of Hounds and Hunting of North America, an homage to both Morven’s and Loudoun’s equestrian history. Steps away, the Winmill Carriage Museum features 40 horse-drawn vehicles, fascinating for historians of any age. A visit to Morven Park must include a tour of the grounds, as well. The gardens and tree-lined walking path leading up to Morven Park make for perfect photo ops. Expect to see all of Loudoun’s hallmarks on the 1,000-acre property: an equestrian center with regular competitions, polo games, and events; kennels for the annual Virginia Foxhound Show; hiking trails; and farmland. Families often use the park for walking their dog or outdoor excursions. Bring a picnic lunch from one of Leesburg’s BY RODNEY

History

52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN

local eateries and enjoy this unique park for yourself! 1 What's inside: A wonderful place to live and visit, Loudoun County has something for everyone. Whether you want to shop, dine or just relax, discover all that it has to offer through: things to do in Loudoun 52 fun PRODUCED BY THE LOUDOUN TIMES-MIRROR 703.777.1111 ı LoudounTimes.com 108 Church Street, SE, 2nd Floor Leesburg, VA 20175 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY Alex Mangione Photography Graham Cullen ı Rodney Brown ı Visit Loudoun EDITORIAL Elizabeth Stinnette ı Visit Loudoun DESIGN Samantha Bangh Geordie Wilson, Publisher Connie Hastings, Revenue Director Brittney Hamilton, Advertising Director Shari Keyes, Sales Support Donna Dugas ı Bruce Donaldson ı Kathy Gelwicks Multimedia Marketing Consultants Have the Ultimate Rural Loudoun Experience at Morven Park PHOTO

Where better to begin an exploration of Loudoun’s history than the Loudoun Museum? Housed at the site of the Black-owned Do Drop Inn in Leesburg, the museum features rotating exhibits of artifacts relevant to Loudoun history. Even long-time Loudoun residents will find something new, as the building recently underwent renovations. Current exhibits feature Loudoun in the Civil War, antebellum Loudoun, and the history of Loudoun’s wine industry. Old favorites are still on display, too: One of the museum’s more unique exhibits is a wreath made from human hair, once a common way to honor deceased relatives in the Victorian era. Besides exhibits, the museum also hosts regular lectures and events. For those looking for a paranormal take on history, the museum’s Hauntings walking tour is a must-try. Every autumn, costumed reenactors lead visitors on a walking tour of downtown Leesburg, recounting stories of historic residents – and their ghosts.

AmericanAfricanHeritage 3 History

PHOTO BY ALEX MANGIONE PHOTOGRAPHY

5 Honor Loudoun’s rich Black history by visiting sites from the Underground Railroad, Civil Rights movement and beyond. Walk the beautiful Loudoun County Courthouse grounds in Leesburg, designated an Under ground Railroad Network to Freedom Site for two 1840s trials held when Black abolitionists helped enslaved people escape. The Thomas Balch Library holds a trove of archival and genealogical records, and just up the street, admire the Lassiter Way Mural where two local Black business owners are honored near the historically Black-owned Robinson’s Barbershop. To the south of Leesburg, visit the exhibits at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens to learn about the free and enslaved people who cultivated the plantation’s grounds. Pause at the African American Burial Ground for the Enslaved at Belmont, a rediscovered and lovingly restored site off of Route 7 that takes visitors past unmarked fieldstone grave markers. In Ashburn, stop by the Historic Ashburn Colored School, a one-room schoolhouse restored to look exactly like it did when Black students studied there in the early-to-mid 1900s. The Settle-Dean Cabin in South Riding is a log cabin owned by the formerly enslaved Charles Dean, who owned the land around the cabin after his enslaver deeded the surrounding land to Dean in his will.

Retreat to George C. Marshall’s Home at Dodona Manor Dig into Loudoun’s Past

Nestled at the edge of downtown Leesburg, Dodona Manor is still a refuge from the hustle and bustle, just as it was when politician and military leader General George C. Marshall lived there with his family. While parts of the house date back to 1805, the museum today is decorated as it was in the 1950s, when the Marshall family made it their primary home. In fact, more than 90 percent of the items in the house were owned by the Marshalls. Docents lead interior tours on weekends or during the week by request. Alternately, you can take a free, self-guided tour of the exterior architecture and grounds, including a garden and dozens of original trees. Dodona Manor also houses the George C. Marshall International Center, a nonprofit that hosts classes, seminars and mentorships to promote integrity and selfless leadership today. Check out the museum’s website for information about federal holiday celebrations, educational talks and book clubs hosted in partnership with Loudoun County Public Library

Loudoun’sHonor

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Visit a Civil BattlefieldWar Take

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A few miles south of downtown Leesburg on Route 15, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens offers a pleasant historic getaway for the whole family. The 19th-century Greek Revival house, set on 350 acres, has been restored to look as it did both when the 19th-century Carter family and 20th-century Eustis family owned the property. The Eustis family invested in renovating the house’s gardens, a legacy that visitors can enjoy today. The four and a half-acre garden, complete with terraced hillsides for plantings, seasonal flowers, walking paths, and the oldest restored propagation greenhouse, is a highlight of the site. Visitors can either purchase a full house and garden tour or a grounds and trails pass if they only want to visit the exterior of the property. Like Morven Park, Oatlands acknowledges its past as a plantation that enslaved African Americans before and during the Civil War. Museum staff are currently working to record every reference to an enslaved person in their archives so descendants can track their genealogy. A special year-round walking tour discusses the daily lives of enslaved people at Oatlands. All tours are by reservation at the Oatlands website. a Garden Tour at

On the border between the Union and Confederacy, Loudoun County proved a vital battleground during the Civil War. You can visit Loudoun’s largest battlefield at Ball’s Bluff Regional Park, located at the edge of Leesburg. The Battle of Ball’s Bluff happened in October of 1861, when a false intelligence report led Union forces to raid Confederate territory. A Confederate patrol found the Union forces, leading to a battle that the Union lost. Visitors can either take self-guided tours along the walking trails or guided weekend tours led by volunteer interpreters from April to November. Be sure to check out the cemetery, the final resting place of 54 Union soldiers. Follow the Friends of Ball’s Bluff Facebook page to find out when the park will host live reenactments. Previously, the park has hosted a reenactment on the anniversary of the battle and historical cannon and weaponry demonstrations.

Catch a Show at Franklin Park Hunt for Public Art

6 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

Catch Live Music at the Tally Ho

PHOTO BY NEAL ALFANO & MILES PARTNERSHIP

Providing a diverse slate of performing arts for all ages, Franklin Park Performing Arts Center is the heart of music and theater in western Loudoun. Housed in a former dairy barn, the 260-seat theater boasts a year-round slate of musical, theatrical and educational events. Included in the 2022-2023 season are the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival, Kenny Rogers tribute band The Gambler Returns, and the ever-popular, family-friendly Last Ham Standing improv troupe. Check out the center’s Music for Dessert performances to experience local and regional musicians in an intimate setting. The theater’s lobby also serves as a free art gallery for a variety of student and local exhibits. A recent hit was a visit of original Bob Ross paintings. If you know where to look, art is just around the next corner in Loudoun County. At Leesburg’s Raflo Park Sculpture Garden, walk among a two-year installation of contemporary sculptures from local artists, set among three acres of open space, picnic tables, and a gazebo along the W&OD Trail. A new installation just went up this June. Leesburg is also home to multiple public murals after its town council encouraged local art installations a few years ago. Amy Bobcheck of Loudoun Art Tours hosts walking tour packages for Leesburg’s mural scene, or for a self-guided experience, try the town’s TourLeesburg app. Hunt for a special bit of Virginia culture by finding Loudoun’s four LOVE signs. A nod to Virginia’s slogan, Virginia is for Lovers, these signs serve as fun local photo opportunities. Each LOVE sign is designed to reflect the particular culture of its town – the one in Purcellville pays homage to the many local wineries, in Lovettsville to the town’s German heritage, and the two in Leesburg to the W&OD Trail and a local elementary school. Purcellville has joined in on the public art scene with its own mural downtown, as well as annual pop-up exhibits, where local artists paint chairs, benches, wine barrels, or fences later put up for auction. You can still find many of these installations around the town of Purcellville, so take a drive and keep your eyes peeled!

Catch one of the many entertaining tribute bands, like The Reagan Years or U2topia, or try new solo performers and bands in a wide variety of genres. Some more recent performers have included American Idol alum David Cook and bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain. Be sure to grab a bite to eat or a drink at one of downtown Leesburg’s many restaurants and breweries, all within walking distance, before or after the show.

A venue with a rich history, the Tally Ho Theater still rocks in downtown Leesburg. Built in 1931 and named after the famous fox hunting cry, the Tally Ho thrived as a 500-seat cinema that showed Hollywood classics and summer blockbusters. After 2000, the theater changed ownership a few times before finally ending its movie theater run in 2012. Now, under the ownership of Jack Devine, the Tally Ho has been renovated into a bustling live music venue.

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For a night out to see a show, you can’t go wrong with Stagecoach Theatre Company.

Founded as a traveling dinner theater company, Stagecoach has grown to have its own black-box theater with regular performances. The company’s murder mysteries are still one of its most popular offerings. Held both at its theater and at outside venues, like Oatlands, restaurants, and wineries, live performers put on an interactive murder mystery based around a particular theme, where you are the detective! Be sure to check out the company’s holiday-themed mysteries for Halloween and Christmas, if you’re looking for a festive performance. If you have a group of 2-10 friends, Stagecoach also offers private murder mystery gatherings, either at their black-box theater or a venue of your choice. Not game for a mystery? Stagecoach also regular ly hosts performances of Sly’s Magic show and the Stagecoach Bandits Improv Comedy, a Whose Line is it Anyway-style improv show for adults. Coming later this year is the Rated S Sketch Comedy, a Saturday Night Live-style comedy show. Visit Stagecoach Theatre Company’s website or social media for a list of the latest shows and dates.

Tour Local Art Galleries Enjoy Dinner and a Show with Stagecoach 11 12 FROM $570 SUVVIP6HSWINETOURS FORUPTO 6PEOPLE. YOUCANCREATE ACUSTOMIZEDTOURORC HOOSEFROM ONEOFOURPRE-DESIGNEDTOURS. OURTOURSAREARRANGEDBYPROXIMITYWHICHALLOWS FOR ARELAXEDTOURINGSCHEDULEWHILESAVORINGWINE AND DRIVINGTHROUGHSOMEOFVIRGINIA’S MOSTPICTURESQUECOUNTRYSIDE.

Loudoun has a thriving fine art scene and dozens of talented artists in every medium. To view Loudoun’s artistic talent for yourself, the county’s art galleries make for a perfect day trip. Visit Middleburg’s The Byrne Gallery to view rotating exhibitions of paintings, jewelry, sculpture and more. Hop up to Leesburg for the Gleedsville Art Gallery, which features the original work of American artists. A couple of blocks over, The Fine Gallery, run by artist mother-daughter duo Kaeley and Rusty Boyle, features contemporary art by emerging artists. The studio is also home to various art classes. Finally, take a drive west to the picturesque Round Hill and its Gateway Gallery Cooperative and Gift Shop. Gateway Gallery serves as not only a shop for local art, but a studio space for more than a dozen Loudoun artisans. Stop into the gift shop for unique jewelry, paintings, fabric arts, ceramics and more. Or, walk the halls of the cooperative and meet the artists at work. Hungry or thirsty after appreciating all that art? Check out the delicious Mom’s Apple Pie Bakery at Hill High Marketplace or Bogati Winery.

With the trees changing and a crisp breeze in the air, Loudoun brings out a host of festivals that invite visitors to enjoy the great outdoors. Usually hosted in September at the Leesburg Executive Airport, the Leesburg Air Show has something for all ages. World War II-era planes sit on the tarmac for viewing, and in the afternoon a live aerial show wows audiences with stunt performers and flyovers. Another event perfect for family fun is the Fall Farm Tour, usually held in October. More than two dozen local farmers open their doors for self-guided tours, either through a paper brochure or through the Eventzee app.

Enjoy the holiday season Loudoun-style with some of its towns’ most festive events. Christmas in Purcellville runs during the first week of December, with a tree lighting in front of Town Hall, a holiday parade, a holiday market at Bush Tabernacle, and a visit from Santa at the Purcellville Train Station. Be sure to pick up a holiday lights tour brochure, starting Dec. 10, so you can take a pic turesque drive around Purcellville’s most festively decorated houses. Christmas in Middleburg is a highlight of the season for a good reason. Parade Day, usually on the first Saturday of December, is a nostalgic delight of vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, and a troupe of red-coated hunters and foxhounds parading down the main street. Even if you miss the parade, don’t miss Middleburg’s walkable streets decked out for the holidays, or the charming The Christmas Sleigh, which sells elegant Christmas goods year-round –and delicious German stollen during the holiday season only.

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8 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022 Art + Events

Pick a pumpkin or select a skein of local alpaca wool perfect for a new autumn scarf, and meet the farmers who make the many local foods and beverages you enjoy. October also holds the Waterford Fair, where historical reenactors and artisans demonstrate their craft in the quaint, 18th-century town of Waterford. For those who want to delve into Loudoun’s wine culture, October’s Loudoun Wine Awards is the perfect event. Sommeliers and other wine professionals judge vintages from across Loudoun, culminating in an awards ceremony and dinner at the luxurious Lansdowne Resort and Spa. Also in October, don’t miss the Middleburg Film Festival at Salamander Resort & Spa, bringing Hollywood’s glitz and glamour to Loudoun. Watch an Oscar contender a few weeks before its premiere and attend post-film Q&A’s with stars like Kenneth Branagh, Emma Stone, or Sterling K. Brown.

Fall into Loudoun’s Best Autumn Events Bundle up for a Holiday Parade

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With the thawing of winter comes the flowers – and festivals – of a Loudoun spring. On the third weekend of April, the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival brings more than 125 vendors from around the region and country, offering gardening supplies, plants, landscaping, out door furniture, and more. Grab a new plant or just enjoy the food, music, and greenery. Kicked off in 2018, Hillsboro’s Gardens in the Gap, held in May, features music, food, markets, and five historic gardens in the lovely village of Hillsboro. May also brings the Spring Farm Tour, a self-guided tour of more than two dozen local farms. The tour comes just in time to enjoy local farmers’ first spring produce, and to meet a baby farm animal or two. Similar to the farm tour in late May or early June, the Western Loudoun Art and Studio Tour is a self-guided driving tour for Loudoun’s art scene. Peek inside local artists’ studios, view demonstrations of their craft, and purchase a piece of local art to enjoy in your home. Early June marks the Round Hill Appalachian Trail Festival. Founded in 2019 when town leaders realized that Round Hill sits between two Appalachian Trail camping centers, the festival celebrates all things great outdoors. With activities for all ages, you can learn hands-on camping skills like nature art, trail cooking and more from hiking experts. MattedOriginalAr MattedOriginalArtPiece tPiece ByDeborah ANDGETONEFREE. Everythingishandmade in inLoudounCounty. LoudounCounty. S Leesburg, VA 20175 Loudoun offers a wide variety of events for those looking to beat – or bask in – the summer heat. The Purcellville Wine and Food Festival, usually in July, brings dozens of food and wine vendors to Dillon’s Woods, a small park centrally located near Bush Tabernacle. Spend the day sampling local cuisine and listening to local bands. Enjoy a week of nostalgia and fun at the Loudoun County Fair, usually in late July or early August, with rides, farm animal competitions, family-friendly shows, and a rodeo. TASTE Leesburg brings local art, music, food, and craft beverages to an entire block of downtown Leesburg, usually in August. Purchase food straight from vendors or buy an unlimited tasting ticket if you’d like to enjoy alcoholic beverages. Throughout the summer, the Tarara Summer Concert Series brings live music from every genre and decade to Tarara Winery, north of Leesburg. Enjoy a glass of wine, dinner from a food truck or your own picnic as you enjoy the music and activities for the entire family.

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The Children’s Fair section features fun activities, free games and a petting zoo. Be sure to visit the inside of the historic caboose, located behind the community center and opened especially for the fair.

Looking to shop for deals? Swing over to the Leesburg Premium Outlets, where you can find great discounts on brands like Calvin Klein, Coach, Nike and more. Leesburg also hosts events nearly every week, with parades for all the major holidays—check out the town website for the latest schedule.

BustlingLoudoun’sExploreHeart: LEESBURG Kick Back for some Good Old Country Fun: LUCKETTS

No matter your interests, age, or budget, Leesburg has something for everyone.

Revisit a bygone time in Lucketts, an unincorporated town near the Maryland border known for its antique stores, historic charm, and bluegrass. The Old Lucketts Store, an 1879 general store, is home to an emporium of more than 35 vendors who sell antiques, furnishings and vintage home goods. Just down the way is Roots 657 Café and Local Market, a seller of gourmet foods and home to a café of homemade soups, award-winning smoked meats, and fresh-baked goods all sourced regionally.

Towns Villages

Gateway to Appalachians:the BLUEMONT Feed Your Belly, Mind, and Soul: HILLSBORO

Co-founder and Chef Rich Rosendale is one of 70 Certified Master Chefs nation wide. Lucketts Bluegrass started in the 1970s in the Old School House in town, and since then has become the longest, continually scheduled bluegrass concert series in the world. Stop by October through April for one of the group’s two bluegrass concerts per month, and in the summer jam to one of its free outdoor summer concerts.

Loudoun County’s seat, Leesburg is home to a picturesque historic downtown, vibrant events, and a bustling food and entertainment scene. Leesburg’s Arts and Cultural District, located in its downtown and Crescent districts, provides government incentives to artists and arts organizations. As a result, arts-loving visitors can find a host of murals, art installations, galleries, and live music venues. Be sure and stop by on a First Friday, when artists perform around the downtown area, to get the full experience! Downtown Leesburg is worth a visit in itself. Its historic buildings and charming alleyways are perfect for a photo shoot with friends or for a walking tour, either self-guided with the TourLeesburg app or with a local, knowledgeable guide. Check out the Very Virginia Shop for a regional souvenir, The Sunflower Shack for classic sweets and thoughtful gifts, or any of a dozen other boutiques, galleries, bookshops and coffee shops. For food try one of the dozens of delectable restaurants, brew eries, and cocktail bars, and be sure to try Delirium Café, America’s only location to serve the award-winning Belgian beer.

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Check out the annual Bluemont Shamrock 5K/10K, which meets at Great Country Farms, and helps raise money for the Bluemont Community Center. Every autumn, the Bluemont Fair offers artisan craft vendors, local cuisine, a Native American corner, and archaeological and historical demonstrations.

With its recent revitalization and charming small-town events, Hillsboro is one of the best-kept secret day trips of Loudoun. Described by a 19th-century tourist as a “town made of stone,” the village still boasts historic stone houses and shops, set against a majestic backdrop of the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Grab a bite of health-conscious, but delicious food at Stoneybrook Farm Market and enjoy one of the many programs at the Old Stone School, a popular and picturesque event space for the town. One of these events is Eat, Drink and be Literary! While dining on locally sourced food and drinks, feast your mind on engaging, intimate talks with historians, scholars, writers and performers several times a year. Another popular Hillsboro tradition is Music in the Gap, a free outdoor summer concert series starring regional musicians in multiple genres.

Located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bluemont is a perfect place to enjoy a mountain view at one of the town’s several wineries or breweries, or get out into the mountains by hiking up to Bear’s Den Overlook or The Roller Coaster, both on a section of the Appalachian Trail in Loudoun County. Want to exercise for a good cause?

Find a little bit of German culture right in Loudoun by visiting the town of Lovettsville. Founded as The German Settlement in 1820, Lovettsville is still home to a substantial German-speaking population, so much so that you might hear a snatch of German conversation when visiting one of the local estab lishments. Perhaps fittingly, one of the town’s biggest events of the year is its Oktoberfest in September. Opening with a ceremonial keg tapping, celebrate the harvest with live music, authentic German food, a fun run, and a biergarten. In the spring, enjoy the free Mayfest, where you can enjoy local music and food with a large, child-friendly activity area. Not able to catch one of the celebrations? Lovettsville still offers a large number of dining options, including the cozy 1836 Kitchen and Taproom, and the delightful community coffee and ice cream shop Back Street Brews. Other highlights include the 1765 New Jerusa lem Lutheran Church and cemetery, and Willows Vintage Charm antique store.

Visit Settlement:GermanThe LOVETTSVILLE Treat Yourself to Authentic MIDDLEBURG Go Thrifting and Have Some Family Fun: PURCELLVILLE Travel Back in Time: WATERFORD 21 22 23 24

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Luxuriate in the town where the rich and powerful, most famously Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis, would retreat from the bustle of Washington, D.C. Discover one of the Kennedys’ haunts for yourself at The Red Fox Inn and Tavern, established in 1728, by eating at the award-winning taproom or staying in one of its elegant suites. Middleburg is also home to luxurious retreats such as Goodstone Inn, on its own 265-acre farm estate, and Salamander Resort and Spa, host to the sumptuous Middleburg Film Festival. Experience Middleburg’s tradition of equestrian events and hunting for yourself at the National Sporting Library & Museum, home to a library and galleries with art from around the country. In nearby downtown Middleburg, explore independent shops and restaurants, including the charming The Fun Shop that sells a little bit of everything. Within a short drive, enjoy a glass of wine or beer in the beautiful surroundings of several wineries and breweries, like Boxwood Estate Winery or Lost Barrel Brewing A town that balances small-town charm and rural beauty, Purcellville is perfect for a family-friendly, walkable day trip. Looking to spruce up your home or ward robe with goods that are new to you? Go thrifting at one of Purcellville’s quality secondhand shops, including Blue Ridge Hospice, Re-Love It, It’s Bazaar, and The Clothing Closet Nichol’s Hardware, located in the heart of downtown Purcellville, is an authentic neighborhood hardware store that has hardly changed since the mid-1900s. Purcellville offers a wide variety of dining as well, from highscale cuisine to locally sourced burgers, from French bistro to authentic Thai. After eating, savor Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, Loudoun’s first legal distillery since Prohibition and makers of Virginia’s most-awarded whiskey. For some evening family fun, don’t miss Bush Tabernacle, built in 1903 as an arena for religious gatherings and now a family-friendly roller rink. The building and its parking lot are also home to multiple community events, including the weekly Purcellville Farmer’s Market and craft fairs through out the year. Next door during the summer, check out Fireman’s Field for frequent baseball games. Transport yourself to another century in Waterford, a historically Quaker mill town whose main street hasn’t changed much in appearance since the 19th century. Peek through the windows of a well-preserved one-room schoolhouse at Second Street School, home to an African-American school and house of worship after the Civil War. Take the winding, narrow main street down to Janney’s Mill, which operated for more than a century from about 1830 to 1939. Closed during the year, the mill opens for craft exhibitions during the annual Waterford Fair on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of October, when local artisans and historians demonstrate their skills. Learn a craft for yourself at Waterford’s Craft School, where students of all ages can learn skills like weaving cane, spoon carving, painting and more. The nearby, 144-acre Phillips Farm dates back to the first Quaker settlers of 1733 and is now a lovely, easy trail that meanders past a creek and through forest, where avid bird watchers can find dozens of local species. Be sure to check out the Waterford Corner Store, which sells local, handmade goods.

With the Appalachian Trail winding through western Loudoun, it’s no wonder that the county offers hiking for all skill levels. Want an easy, half-day excursion? Bazil Newman Riverfront Park in Leesburg is an access point to the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a network of trails that stretches all the way from central Virginia to western Pennsylvania. The park, on land once owned by a free Black ferryman and abolitionist, offers wooded riverside walking trails along the historic Elizabeth Mills canal lock system. Of course, the Appalachian Trail itself offers several hikes for Loudoun day-trippers. Bears Den Overlook is a relatively short hike with a gorgeous view of the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains, with huge boulders perfect for sitting, climbing, or picnicking. The hike passes the Blackburn Trail Center, a way station for long-distance Appalachian Trail hikers and a venue for seminars and weddings. For dedicated hikers, challenge yourself with the 12.5-mile Appalachian Trail Roller Coaster, with more than 3,500 vertical feet of steep hills, including 300 and 400-foot ascents and descents over natural boulders.

Take Scenica Hike

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Is the weather perfect to get outdoors? Spend a relaxing day along the Potomac River at the 838-acre Algonkian Regional Park in Sterling. The park’s picnic shelters and vacation cottages, with 2-5 bedrooms, front the Potomac for a scenic view. If you have your own kayak or canoe, the park’s boat ramp is an ideal entry point for an excursion down the Potomac. For the kids, venture to the park’s Volcano Island Waterpark, a tropical paradise-themed jungle a 230-foot open slide, water play area, pool, and a miniature golf course. For adults, try the park’s original 18-hole, par 72 Algonkian Golf Course. The course offers a full range of amenities, including a driving range, putting green, pro shop, and clubhouse restaurant. Algonkian also offers several easy hiking trails, including the horse-friendly Ira Gabrielson Trail that leads into neighboring parks.

View the Potomac at Algonkian Regional Park

Meet the Local Wildlife at Banshee Reeks

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Visit Loudoun’s native wildlife in their own backyard at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve near Oatlands in Leesburg.

Set on nearly 700 acres of forest with 20 miles of trails, Banshee Reeks is a perfect place for an easy hike. Go fishing at the park’s catch and release pond, or bird watch to find dozens of birds and other native species. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy holds monthly trail walks through the park –during a recent winter walk, visitors found 42 different species of birds. For a completely different view of the park, don some night vision goggles and meet the park’s nocturnal wildlife! On the third Saturday of every month, help the environment and give back to the park during Volunteer Day, where you can remove invasive plants, maintain the pollinator garden, improve the trails and more.

52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022 15 •ApparatusDisplays •LEGOCompetition •Food Trucks, Ra es &More! •EquipmentDemos •CPRInstruction •FreeEyeScreeningsfrom SterlingLionsClub •Station Tours •FireSafetyforALLages Funandeducationalforthewholefamily! Forparkingandadditionalinformation, scantheQRcodeorvisitusat: ashburnfirerescue.org/go/OpenHouse RUNWITHUS, SOWE CANRUN FOR YOU! STATION6TOHOUSE6 ASHBURN VOLUNTEERFIREANDRESCUEDEPARTMENT OCTOBER9th /11:00AM -3:00PM• StationNo. 6-20688AshburnRoad,Ashburn OPENHOUSE AVFRD5K ·OCT1,2022 STARTS AT 4:30PM Our4thAnnualracestartsat4:30pmat Station 6at20668Ashburn Road,Ashburn andendsatHouse 6BrewingCo.atAtwaterDrive,Ashburn. AfterpartywithLIVEmusicby PaperAirplanes,food,beer &more! To registerorformoreinformation,scantheQRcodeorvisitusat:ashburnfirerescue.org/go/5k Looking forsomethingfun, interestingandunique to dothisFall?Visitthe ClerkofCircuitCourt Oiceand reviewavast collectionof valuable, relevant andinteresting historic court records datingback to 1757inour Historic Recordsmuseum. ResearchingLoudounand U.S.history inthese court recordsisfascinating, intriguing, enlightening andempowering. Hon. Gar yM.Clemens ClerkoftheCircuitCourt www.Loudoun.gov/clerk (703) 348-2458 • WWW.CANAVINEYARDS.COM • @CANAVINEYARDS 38600 JOHN MOSBY HIGHWAY • MIDDLEBURG, VA 20117 The Loudoun countryside awaits in your backyard. Come experience the Virginia Governor’s Cup winning winery with a delicious wine tasting or flight curated by our winemaker. Our wide-open green spaces and multiple seating areas welcome you and your family. Open year-round, we are child and pet-friendly! Experience, Sip, Savor Participate in America’s favorite pastime at Fireman’s Field in Purcellville, home to the collegiate summer baseball team, the Purcellville Cannons Part of the Valley Baseball League, the Purcellville Cannons prepares young baseball players for the major leagues. Attend a game for a genuine smalltown America experience: an enthusiastic local announcer, throngs of cheering fans, grandstand hot dogs, and plenty of activities for the kids. The team likewise gives back to the community, offering baseball camps for children over the summer. Arriving a bit early? Beat the heat and have some fun at Bush Tabernacle, a family-friendly skating rink right next door.

Catch a Small-Town

Baseball Game28

Offering a wide range of activities yearround, Franklin Park in Purcellville is one of western Loudoun’s top outdoor destinations. Besides an outdoor pool, playground, tennis courts, and sports fields, experience the park’s scenic walking trails through woodlands, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Go fishing in the catch-and-release pond, fly a kite or play frisbee in one of the open fields, enjoy a round of disc golf, or try your hand at pickleball on one of the newly refinished courts. Franklin Park hosts regular sports and outdoor classes, including swim lessons, disc golf courses, and more. Up on the ridge by the Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, a 260-seat Play a New-to-You Sport at Franklin Park 29

For a hole-in-one hit for the whole family, check out the Dulles Golf Center and Sports Park in Sterling. Open year-round, the park isn’t just for golf – though its practice range, with the comforts of covered, lighted and heated Power Tee stations, has been named one of the top 50 stand-alone golf ranges by the Golf Range Association of America. Golfers will also enjoy the Chuck Will Golf Academy, a program designed to provide video swing analysis and training to all skill levels. If you prefer miniature golf, be sure to check out the park’s 18-hole course, with replicas of America’s most iconic lighthouses. Not interested in golf? Dulles has plenty more to offer, including batting cages, deep-sand volleyball training and leagues, and gemstone panning at the Rocky Mountain Cove Mining Company. Buy a membership for the golf-lover in your life, or celebrate at the park with one of its birthday party or corporate events packages.

High AdventureWith its mix of history and outdoor adventure, Claude Moore Park in Sterling is a unique natural retreat for urban eastern Loudoun. Walk in George Washington’s footsteps on Vestal’s Gap Road, a half-mile stretch of trail running parallel to the Potomac River. Washington used the road throughout his military and presidential career, most famously from 1753-1755 during the French and Indian War. For more history, check out the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, a complex of museums and exhibits that bring Loudoun’s agricultural history to life. Kids will enjoy the Children’s Farm, Grandma’s Kitchen, and Ms. Su’s Schoolhouse, all interactive indoor exhibits that demonstrate what life was like in turn-ofthe-century Loudoun. For adults, explore the exhibits about the Native American experience and the preserved Waxpool General Store. Annual festivals provide demonstrations of classic crafts, like a quilting bee and apple festival. Want to expend some energy? Visit the Claude Moore Recreation Center for its indoor water park, tubing river, rock climbing wall and gymnasium. Walk

Washington’sinFootsteps 30 Sports +Recreation Tee up at GolfDullesCenter31 32

16 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

Even the most die hard of thrill-seekers will find adventure in Loudoun. Soar through the treetops with Empower Adventures in Middleburg, at Salamander Resort and Spa. The course has five eco-friendly zip lines and two suspension bridges, all winding through beautiful forests in one of the most rural areas of the county. Other packages include tree rappelling and survival courses. Maybe instead of the forest, the water is more your style. If that’s the case, brave the Harpers Ferry Adventure Center in Hillsboro. Near the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers at Harpers Ferry, this stretch of the rivers features unbeatable mountain views and a wide variety of wildlife, including regular bald eagle sightings. This stretch is also home to thrilling Class I-III rapids, and the Adventure Center offers multiple whitewater rafting packages. Beginner and intermediate rafters can traverse the rapids with experienced guides, while for those in search of a challenge, “Duckie” kayaking trips are perfect. No matter your adventure, one of the Adventure Center’s ATVs or shuttles will take you back to where you started. The Adventure Center also offers tubing, ziplining, and a ropes course for more outdoor fun. Finally, for the ultimate thrill try iFly in Ashburn, where people of all ages can have a genuine indoor skydiving experience. iFly’s high-tech wind tunnels allow visitors the weightless feeling of skydiving without the expense or extensive training. Float on a column of air while flight instructors take you every step of the way, and afterwards check out the photos taken during your flight!

Loudoun County is known as hunt country, so canter on over to one of the county’s many equestrian events to get a taste of Loudoun’s unique history and culture. The Middleburg Spring and Fall Races, offered in April and October each year, boast a proud history with visits from presidents, stars, and Loudoun’s rich and famous. Dress up in country chic—stylish, yet comfortable—to watch the spring steeplechase race, where owners compete for $190,000 in purse money. In addition to the fall’s steeplechase race, see the best of Loudoun’s foxhunting mounts at the Field Hunter Championship, where competitors participate in a mock fox hunt and run a hunting obstacle course. Morven Park in Leesburg is known for multiple equestrian events. Held every spring, the Loudoun Hunt Point to Point Races pits national and inter national competitors against each other on one of Virginia’s most challenging steeplechase courses. Polo in the Park, held at Morven’s Equestrian Center on Saturday evenings throughout the summer, offers a family-friendly chance to watch the sport of kings, with two back-to-back games and tailgating opportunities at the outdoor arena. Dating back to 1853, the Upperville Colt and Horse Show provides the nation’s top-ranked hunters and jumpers, as well as local children and ponies, an opportunity to show off and win prizes. The event takes place in the first week of June every year and includes more than 2,000 horse and rider combinations, a Jack Russell terrier race and an antique car show. Over to an Equestrian Event

Canter

52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022 17

Prefer to watch? Ion hosts periodic concerts and ice dancing performances, as well. In eastern Loudoun, check out the Ashburn Ice House, which offers ice sports for all ages. Stop in for public skating, take lessons, or join one of the rink’s adult or youth hockey leagues. The rink’s Stick and Shoot sessions allow skaters and hockey players of all skill levels and ages to enjoy the rink and practice basic hockey skills. Reserve spots for all of these events online at the Ashburn Ice House’s website. Hit the Ice Even if the weather isn’t so great, you can try a wide variety of indoor sports at venues across Loudoun. Bowl a strike at The Branch in Leesburg, a newly opened, retro-themed bowling alley complete with an in-house restaurant and arcade. Play a unique version of dodgeball in Sterling with Ultimate Archery, a timed game where two teams try to tag each other by shooting safe, foam arrows from bows. Never tried archery before? Every session begins with training.

Thrilling, athletic adventure awaits at Loudoun’s paintball parks. Pev’s Paintball, based in Aldie, has provided safe excitement for all ages since opening in 1993. Its 14 playing fields cross a wide variety of themes, including a fortress, an abandoned town, and a manmade rock field. While Pev’s capture the flag, bomb defusing, or hostage rescue-style paintball games are designed for players age 10 and up, younger players can enjoy the park’s Nerf wars, laser tag, lower-impact peewee paintball, or gelly ball, all by private arrangement. Teens or adults can also try the park’s arrow tag and airsoft games. A few miles up the road in Leesburg, Hogback Mountain Paintball offers an ultimate paintball experience among Loudoun’s hills and forests. Players can enjoy 16 unique courses, including a fort, a castle, and multiple woodland-based areas. For younger and firsttime players, Hogback’s low-impact paintball works just the same as regular paintball but stings a bit less. Hogback also offers seasonal events for all the major holidays—this past year, players could enjoy BBQ with their game over July 4th weekend and could honor D-Day with a Normandy Landing-style scenario over Memorial Day weekend.

For an adults-only experience, try axe throwing at Axes and Os in Sterling or Elysium Axe Bar in Purcellville. Practice your swing at The Ballpark Loudoun, an indoor batting range in Ashburn with high-tech, customizable views of more than 40 ballparks and a competition element similar to bowling.

18 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

Get Some Thrills with a Round of Paintball

36 Sports +Recreation 35 34

Live your dreams of skating on a professional-sized rink – or just have fun – at one of Loudoun’s two ice skating rinks. Ion International Training Center in Leesburg is a world-class training center for ice dancers, ice skaters, and hockey players. With two NHL-sized ice sheets and a 3,500-seat arena, the facility hosts championship-level skating competitions, but it’s also open to the general public with ice skate rentals, as well as classes in hockey, ice skating, and curling.

Have a need for speed? Zoom on over to the Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Sterling, where drivers ages 8 and up can race on a safe, indoor go kart track. The speedway offers axe throwing, as well.

Throw an Axe or Hit a Home Run at an Indoor Sporting Venue

37 38

Go for a calm, picturesque kayak or canoe adventure at one of Loudoun’s picturesque lakes. Beaverdam Reservoir in Ashburn is home to more than 600 acres of parkland and is also a source of public drinking water for the county. Visitors are welcome to bring their own non-gas, car-top vessels to launch for a small fee. You can also drop a line and fish in the reservoir, stocked with several species. Those age 16 and up will need a fishing license. Depending on when you visit, you may also see a scholastic rowing team using the reservoir for practice. In western Loudoun, Round Hill’s Sleeter Lake is worth a visit. Open March through November, the lake overlooks land that used to be an orchard, now near the Hill High Marketplace. This privately owned park is also open to canoe and kayak visits. Bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the provided tables and grills by the lake’s edge, and try some catch-and-release fishing either along the shore or from your boat.

Discover the sport of rugby, the rough British cousin to American football, without going across the pond. Old Glory DC at Segra Field, which joined the Major Rugby League in 2018, made Leesburg’s Segra field its home base only last year. What can you expect from a game? The two teams, not wearing any protective equipment, fight for possession of an oval ball and score points by tries or by kicking the ball through the goal post. The Old Glory DC is passionate about popularizing the sport with American audiences. Before every match, join team players and staff for a free rugby 101 course. Audiences can also join in on the fun with photo booths, performances from hip-hop dance troupe Culture Shock DC, a beer garden and a kids’ zone. The season, which runs from February through early June, has regular theme days at its home games to celebrate various holidays. Whether you’re an avid fan of rugby or are experiencing a game for the first time, the Old Glory DC is a great place to start.

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Revolution Sportsplex is ready to plan your perfect event. From happy hours and private parties to field trips and corporate team building excursions, we’ve got you covered. We have a full-service rooftop bar as well as catering options. We have several event spaces to choose from, including our rooftop, pavilion, classrooms and four turf fields. For more information, molly@varevolutionsportsplex.comcontact

EVENTS AT

Watch Major League Rugby

Spend Afternoonan Fishing

Recreation

Catch

Take a Long Walk (or Ride) Down the W&OD

SoccerMatch 41 Sports

20 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

The best part? Since the course is indoors, you can enjoy the ropes regardless of the cold, heat, or weather. Children as young as 4 can climb with an adult, and the course welcomes visitors of all skill and experience levels. Summit Ropes regularly offers packages for groups, and the onsite Summit Café sells meals and snacks for those who want a bite to eat after all that climbing. Clamber Across a Playground for All Ages

Combine the workout of rock climbing with the fun of a playground at Summit Ropes in Sterling, the largest indoor ropes course in the U.S. Even if you’ve never had experience with rock climbing or a similar sport, staff members will ensure that you have a fun and safe experience. After getting strapped into a harness and watching a safety video, staff will guide you through a hands-on training session to practice with your smart belay cable and other gear. Once you’re on the course, indulge in your American Ninja Warrior dreams by clambering over 120 obstacles, including rocks, “spider webs,” and bridges.

Cheer for Loudoun’s own soccer team by visiting a Loudoun United FC game at Segra Field. Founded in 2018 as the reserve team for D.C. United, Loudoun United moved to Leesburg after the construction of the 5,000 seat Segra Field in 2019. Loudoun United ’s season runs roughly from March to October every year. Like Old Glory DC, Loudoun United offers theme nights, including swag giveaways for the lucky first 500 or 1,000 fans to walk through the gate. A fan of the team but not able to hit the road for away games? Loudoun United offers several local watch party locations where you and fellow supporters can cheer on the team. a + Stretching 45 miles from the Shirlington neighborhood in Arlington to Purcellville, much of the Washington and Old Dominion Rail road Regional Park winds through Loudoun. Built over a former rail line traveling out from Washington, D.C., the park today teems with foot and bike traffic rather than steam engines. Many Loudouners use the park as a place to take a bike ride, run, walk the dog, or even rollerblade. For those in search of a day trip, make the four-hour, one-way bike ride along the entire park. Starting in Purcellville will give you a largely downhill ride – be sure to grab a bite to eat from one of the restaurants or Sweet Rose Bakery, right at the end of the trail, and enjoy the bright yellow renovated train station, a centerpiece of downtown Purcellville. The ride will take you through some of the most picturesque views of western Loudoun and eastern Loudoun, a perfect way to get to know the county. Along the way, step or pedal off the trail to relish one of the many breweries, eateries and sites of Loudoun. For biking enthusiasts, several bike shops are within an easy ride of the trail and offer organized trail rides along both the W&OD, as well as Loudoun’s unique, historic gravel backroads.

Few things can beat a pool or water park for those hot summer days. If you’re looking for a watery retreat, Loudoun has plenty of options. At Volcano Island Waterpark, located inside Sterling’s Algonkian Park, feel like you’ve drifted away to a tropical island. Frolic among fountains, slides, squirters, and most famously, the 500-gallon dumping bucket in the waterpark’s play center. The play center is set in shallow water, making it safe for all ages. For the slightly more adventurous, try the 230-foot open slide or 170foot tube slide. A main pool and splash pad complete the watery fun. In Leesburg, the A.V. Symington Aquatic Center offers a wide variety of activities for a whole afternoon of watery fun. The youngest tots will enjoy the whale cove toddler area, while older kids will have a blast on the two slides, splash buckets, and other aquatic play features. Rather kick back and relax? Tube down the park’s 600-foot lazy river or read a book on the “beach” area or grassy picnic area. For a quicker bit of fun, try the splash pad at One Loudoun, where delightfully unpredictable spurts of water rise from the ground from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. over the summer. a

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Make

Pick OwnYour

For the freshest of local produce, nothing beats pick-your-own! Wegmeyer Farms , situated on a 19th-century farm in Hamilton, offers strawberry, sunflower and pumpkin picking, as well strawberry and pumpkin CSAs for those who’d rather have their produce ready to go.

Purcellville’s Fields of Flowers provides everything you need to cut your own flowers, with dozens of varieties growing outdoors by a historic red barn. Just up the way in Waterford, Hope Flower Farm offers classes and unique gifts on its historic 25-acre flower farm.

In Purcellville, Crooked Run Orchard has remained in the Brown family for more than 250 years. Come with your own buckets or request one from the Browns to pick a wide variety of produce, all for free admission. Visit the working farm’s picturesque orchards for cherries, peaches, apples, and pears, and its fields for blackberries, asparagus, pumpkins and more.

22 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022 Farms+Agriculture 43

To find out the latest pick-your-own offerings, visit Crooked Run’s Facebook page. For a pick-your-own farm that offers additional kid-friendly play areas, a bakery, and more, try Great Country Farms in Bluemont. Various festivals throughout the year, complete with special activities, highlight the farm’s various pick-your-own produce offerings. Rather pick some flowers for your kitchen table or for a special someone? Try one of Loudoun’s flower farms.

Buy pressed flower jewelry or a freshly picked bouquet, or explore one of the farm’s regular in-person or online classes on floral design. Or, try the farm’s winery, flower CSA, or special events.

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In Leesburg, Temple Hall Regional Farm Park operates as a working historic farm, with some parts of the property dating back to 1810. Visits are free from April through September, with a charge in October to pick pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. Interpreters will discuss farm life routines and introduce guests to the many heritage breed farm animals on site. Yearning for the soothing scents of lavender? South of Purcellville, Blooming Hill Lavender Farm and Gift Shop provides year-round lavender products made on site from 100 different varieties of lavender. Visit between May and July to enjoy (and smell!) the fields of flowers, and check the events calendar for occasional public and private teas. Finally, walk on the wild side at Leesburg Animal Park, where you can meet a variety of exotic and farm animals at the park’s live shows, petting areas, and pony and camel rides.

Looking for an activity that combines outdoor fun, communing with nature, and local cuisine? Visit one of the dozens of Loudoun’s farms, several of which remain open to the public year-round. Perhaps most well-known is Great Country Farms, a 400-acre, family-run farm set amidst the foothills of Bluemont. You-pick produce is available starting in June, with “festivals” for the harvest of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, from peaches to potatoes to pumpkins. Kids will get a kick out of a host of attractions, including year-round mazes, themed play areas, putt putt, a fishing pond, and a place to visit farm animals. For the adults, try a subscription to the CSA, or join the farm club for unlimited admission.

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In addition to farms, Loudoun boasts several markets and stands selling locally-grown food, perfect for a day trip of farm-hopping. For rich goat cheese, visit George’s Mill Farm in Lovettsville – and check out their adorable baby goat sessions in the spring! Grab some produce, meat, jellies, and more at Paige’s Pit Stop in Waterford, or a wide variety of produce at Purcellville’s Potomac Vegetable Farms, which has been in operation for more than 50 years. For sustainable, pasture-raised meat, stop into the honor-system Spring House Farm Store in Hamilton or Long Stone Farm Store in Lovettsville. Cruise past the gardens of Farmer John’s Wayside Market in Leesburg and try some fresh-from-the-field produce. Brossman’s Family Farm is open year-round in Leesburg, offering produce, local honey, baked goods, ice cream, and more, as well as a Christmas tree lot over the holidays. For farm-fresh eggs, try Leesburg’s Loudounberry Farm, which offers both quail and hen eggs. After all that shopping, want to take the night off from cooking? Stoneybrook Farm and Market in Hillsboro sells fresh salads, breakfasts, and sandwiches in addition to a wide selection of local canned goods, meats, CSAproduce,seasonalandsubscriptions.

24 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022 Eat +Drink

46 Make Dinner an Event

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Hit the Ale Trail – Start out at the Loudoun County Visitor Information Center in downtown Leesburg to begin your LoCo Ale Trail journey. With 30 breweries and counting, from the mountainous west to the urban east, the county enjoys a thriving craft beer scene. After you grab your Ale Trail passport, be sure and get it stamped at each brewery you visit for a chance to redeem prizes, such as branded coasters, bottle openers, and a beer cozy – you can either go to the Visitor Center in person or mail in your passport to receive the prizes. Don’t just visit breweries for the locally brewed beer – every weekend and many weekdays, Loudoun’s breweries offer live music, trivia nights, and happy hour specials. You can keep up with the latest events at the Visit Loudoun website. LoCo Ale Trail with Passport 47 Treat family, friends, or a partner to a special night out at one of Loudoun’s classic sit-down restaurants. Dine in luxury at Lightfoot Restaurant, an American restaurant in downtown Leesburg, with its high ceilings, beautiful central bar, and art deco prints. And yes, they do keep the wine in an actual bank vault – the location was a bank for half a century. On the other side of downtown Leesburg, Tuscarora Mill Restaurant , fondly nicknamed Tuskie’s by locals, offers an upscale ambiance and a wide variety of gourmet and American food in a former grain mill. Visit on a Sunday for the restaurant’s Sunday brunch buffet, or for special events, book one of the restaurant’s private rooms. Sister restaurant Magnolias at the Mill offers a similar vibe, located in a former mill at the end of the W&OD trail in Purcellville. Come for the award-winning food and stay for the substantial wine selection or special themed dinners. Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm, part of the well-respected regional chain, serves sustainable, locally sourced gourmet cuisine. The Broadlands restaurant leans into Loudoun’s hunt country roots, with sprawling wood-paneled dining rooms and equestrian and sporting-themed prints. In Middleburg, escape to the award-winning Goodstone Inn and Restaurant, tucked off the beaten path on the site of a 265-acre farm and inn. Voted one of the top three restaurants in Virginia, Goodstone’s farm-to-table rotating menu and picturesque views of the Loudoun countryside make for a memorable dining experience.

BBQ

Get a taste of the world, right at your doorstep, with one of Loudoun’s many international restaurants. In Sterling, La Prensa Tacos and Tapas Bar specializes in gourmet tacos, relying on fresh ingredients for a wide variety of Latin American staples and unique sides, including yuca and plantain fries. Neighboring Ashburn is home to Saigon Outcast and Akira Sushi Bistro Saigon Outcast mixes Western and Eastern cuisine in a casual, industrial atmosphere. Akira uses authentic recipes for both sushi and other traditional Japanese dishes, as well as a selection of sake. For a taste of India, make your way to Leesburg’s 5 Tara Indian Cuisine. A multiple award-winning restaurant, 5 Tara serves recipes straight from the owners’ family in the Punjab region. For both ambiance and authentic Thai cuisine, it’s hard to beat the award-winning Thaiverse in Middleburg. Enjoy the restaurant’s upscale and cozy style while dining on spicy green curry, refresh ing summer rolls or delicious mango sticky rice. Bia Kitchen, inspired by European cuisine, opened in Purcellville just last year. The restaurant’s extensive renovations have transformed the space into a charming slice of Europe, serving small plates so diners can try a wide selection of menu items during their visit. Just to the west in Round Hill, experience a bit of Germany at More Better Restaurant and Beer Garden. Order some bratwurst or schnitzel to go with a wide selection of German and American draft beers, then head outside to the gravel beer garden. Sample Some International Cuisine

Grab a local beer and bring your appetite to try one of Loudoun’s many local BBQ joints. Monk’s BBQ is a Purcellville hotspot with its freshly smoked meats, house-made sauces, local beer and live music. Smokin Willy, just down the road in Purcellville, is an award-winning restaurant that’s a hit with many locals. ResQ BBQ started with owners Chuck and Valerie Meyer making delicious BBQ for friends and became a bustling location in Leesburg. Mission BBQ in Sterling is part of a chain founded to support first responders and military service people. Sample BBQ in a variety of regional styles, and try their grilled chicken and salmon, as well. Have a hankering for Carolina BBQ? Carolina Brothers Pit Barbeque in Ashburn serves authentic Carolina smoked meat, sauce, and sides. Intentionally cooking small batches of meat so it’s fresh every day, Hammerdown Barbeque in Aldie offers a mouthwatering menu of smoked meats and craft beer in an industrial farmhouse-style setting. Finally, for a relaxed ambiance with signature cocktails and regular live music performances, try Schmidt’s Barbecue in downtown Leesburg.

Relish Finger-LickingSome

Eat+Drink

26 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

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Get in the Spirit

TourCountryWine

Founded in 2009, Catoctin Creek was the first legal distillery since Prohibition. Be sure and try their award-winning Roundstone Rye whiskey or one of the spirit flights as you tour the facility. In the mood for homemade cider? Try Mt. Defiance Cidery and Distillery, which handpresses its spirits in small batches. Visitors can get a taste at either the cider barn or the distillery in downtown Middleburg, which also serves cocktails. Flying Ace Farm in Lovettsville serves food to accompany its homemade bourbon, whiskey, and rum. Stay to enjoy the 200-year-old working farm, mountain views, and live music.

28 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

Loudoun isn’t just wine country – it also can boast several local, award-winning distilleries. With a view of its vats from the main street, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company in Purcellville serves its own organic whisky, gin, and brandy.

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With more than 50 wineries and tasting rooms, the decision isn’t how to enjoy Loudoun’s wine country – it’s where! To start, stop by the Loudoun County Visitor Information Center to pick up a Loudoun Wine Trail guide, or download the guide from visitloudoun.org. Visit Loudoun divides Loudoun’s wineries into six regions for easier day trips. Try the Loudoun Heights cluster near Hillsboro for unmatched views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the wide variety of offerings in the Waterford cluster. Down around Leesburg, visit the Potomac and Middleburg clusters, where many vineyards are nestled among farms or horse country. The Harmony cluster near Hamilton and the Snickersville cluster around Bluemont provide some of the most picturesque drives, including down Loudoun’s historic gravel roads.

52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022 29 19600 Lincoln Road, Purcellville Open Friday 2-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pmIncrediblewww.endhardtvineyards.comwines.Beautifulscenery. One of Loudoun’s newest farm wineries! Check us out… Thisadventurewillchallenge yourmindand get youradrenalinepumpingas youracethe clock.Youcanonlywinif youworkasateam! Now Ofering Private Event Space! GiftCardsavailable. 703-468-8538 201 RoyalStSEunit FLeesburgVA20175 www.escaperoomloco.com

For an elegant date night or special treat, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm is a perfect end to a Loudoun day. Set northeast of Lovettsville, the restaurant’s cuisine is sourced on-site at the working farm, which was one of the first certified organic farms in Virginia. Now a Certified Naturally Grown farm, the chefs at Patowmack strive to farm sustainably and provide high-quality, local, and seasonal cuisine. Reserve a table ahead of time—the restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday, and Sundays for brunch—to relax in the restaurant’s all-glass dining room that overlooks a scenic view of the Potomac River.

Return to Nature at Patowmack Farm

30 52 FUN THINGS TO DO IN LOUDOUN | August 2022

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Dine on the restaurant’s set progression menu in the evening, or order from the lunch or brunch menu during the day. All menus change with the seasons and available food, so every visit will provide a different adventure for your tastebuds. Or, try one of the monthly Sunday Suppers that pull their menu from a particular international or regional cuisine. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to end up with a delicious, truly Loudoun meal.

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DISCOVER MORE OF DC’S WINE COUNTRY ® See a new side of Loudoun. Taste new ﬂavors, savor new adventures and enjoy scenic views from a new vantage point. Uncover art, culture and epicurean delights along the way. BRANCH OUT IN LOUDOUN | visitloudoun.org PROUD SPONSOR