Loudoun

MOTTO

I byde my time

FOUNDED 1757

Unique experiences with every visit

Virginia’s third-most populous county

The best way to describe Loudoun County is a meeting between Washington, D.C., sophistication and rural charm. Trendy wineries, shopping and restaurants are around every corner, but at the same time you may come around a bend and find yourself behind a tractor chugging between fields.

This blend of outdoor adventure, vibrant historic areas, unique shopping and a delicious food and alcohol scene – all centrally located to the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region – make for a day trip with something for everyone.

Getting Out

With the extension of the D.C. Metro into the county last year, Loudoun is becoming an increasingly desirable place to live. But the county also jealously preserves its rural western half.

No visit to Loudoun is complete without stopping at one of its several working farms. Wegmeyer Farms in Hamilton and Crooked Run Orchard in Purcellville offer you-pick produce in season, and Fields of Flowers outside Purcellville lets you clip your own colorful bouquet. Georges Mill Farm in Lovettsville sells homemade goat cheese and produce in its farm store; in the spring, don’t miss the opportunity to play with their baby goats!

Outdoor adventure enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities in Loudoun. Naturelovers can hike the trails at Bears Den, which has access to the Appalachian Trail; and Red Rock Wilderness Overlook and Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, which both provide scenic Loudoun views. Explore your thrill-seeking side by ziplining at Empower Adventures Middleburg, shooting at Pev’s Paintball or Hogback Mountain Paintball, or axe-throwing at Purcellville’s Elysium Axe Bar. While the W&OD Trail, a former railroad line, is a popular place to walk or bike, local cycling enthusiasts prefer the 18th-century dirt roads. These 300 miles of unpaved roads make for a little-known and picturesque outing. Several local bike shops, such as Plum Grove Cyclery, have weekly guided rides.

Explore The Towns

Each Loudoun town has its own distinct flavor, making for a unique day trip with every visit. In Ashburn, explore a bustling, semi-urban community with dozens of international dining options and shopping. One Loudoun, besides its flagship Alamo Drafthouse and Trader Joe’s, has a large fairground with community events every week, including a massive farmers’ market, carnival and concert series.