Historic Leesburg[1], with an old town feel, is at the heart of one of the fastest growing sections of the country. Loudoun County, Virginia is the second fastest growing county in the United States in 2005. Leesburg is the County Seat of Loudoun County. With several Virginia wineries, outlet malls and lots of open space a short drive from the center of Leesburg, there is much to draw visitors there.
Up until only a few years ago, Leesburg was quite rural. Recently, large tracts of housing developments quickly replaced many of the historic horse farms in the area.
Leesburg is less than an hour drive from downtown Washington, D.C., the nation's capitol.
Get in
By car
From the North (Maryland, Pennsylvania):
US Highway 15 south across the Potomac.
From the East (Washington, DC):
Virginia Route 267 provides tolled access to Leesburg. Two tolls are required - one near I-495, which is 75 cents, and another just after the airport, which is $3.20 for 2-axle vehicles. The toll booths after the airport accept credit cards and EZ-Pass.
Alternatively, Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) is a 55mph highway with several stoplights.
From the South (Warrenton):
US Highway 15 north.
From the West:
Virginia Route 7
By air
The other way into Leesburg is via small aircraft into Leesburg Municipal Airport, which does not host commercial flights, but does have a small landing strip that is used by private and charter aircraft.
Leesburg is only twenty minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport, as well. It is possible to fly nearly any commercial airline into Dulles.
Get around
The only redeeming and truly worthwhile (i.e. unique) travel experience to be had is to visit downtown/old Leesburg. The center of Leesburg is relatively small, walkable area near the courthouse (at the crossing of King Street and Market Street). There are a number of shops and restaurants, as well as the town buildings, within about a quarter of a mile.
See
First Fridays -- the first Friday of every month shops stay open late providing a chance to shop and explore downtown stores in a street festival-like atmosphere.
Flower and Garden Festival -- downtown streets are closed while local vendors provide insight into gardening and landscaping products and ideas.
Leesburg Court Days -- one weekend in August, Leesburg goes back in time more than two hundred years to provide visitors with the flavor of the beginning of colonial times. During this weekend, colonial reenactors, street musicians, militia and frontiersmen walk the streets of Leesburg in an attempt to bring back the mid-1770's.
Do
Buy
Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets[2] Outside of downtown on Route 15. A good source of good deals on designer and name brands including Barneys New York, Lacoste, Theory, J.Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, Gap, and Adidas.
Downtown shops are an excellent source of antiques, wine and food.
Eat
Bella Luna, tel. 703-777-5001
Blue Ridge Grill, tel. 703-669-5505, good food, next to a McDonalds on route 15
Courthouse Deli [3] - good food, daily lunch special, starting at $6, downtown 703-777-4600
Eiffel Tower Cafe [4] - good food, starting at $20, downtown
Johnson's Charcoal Beef House, tel. 703-777-1116
The Leesburg Restaurant - good food, great lunch specials, starting at $6, downtown
The Lightfoot [5] - excellent food, starting at $25, downtown
South Street Under - good sandwiches, downtown
Tuscarora Mill - excellent - meals starting at $20, downtown
Mighty Midget - excellent BBQ (the pork kind), inexpensive, open seasonally
Drink
Downtown Saloon - a biker bar
Kings Court Tavern - great dixieland jazz band on Tuesdays
Bunker - sports bar
Spanky's Shenanigans
Vintage 50 brew pub
Tuscarora Mills or Tuskies - Great choice of Micros and Belgian beers.
Sleep
There are a number of new and slightly older motels in town. Here are some of them:
Best Western Inn, tel. 703-777-9400
Comfort Suites, tel. 703-669-1650
Hampton Inn, tel. 703-669-8640
Holiday Inn, tel. 703-771-9200
Leesburg Colonial Inn, tel 703-777-5000
Norris House Inn, tel. 703-777-1806
Olive Branch Lodge, tel. 703-777-3039
Leesburg Colonial Inn - A small unique bread and breakfast with reasonable rates, tel. 703-777-5000
Stay safe
The town of Leesburg is a reasonably safe place to live and visit. Take normal precautions but in reality there is little street crime. You are more likely to be licked by a overly friendly dog than experience any crime.
Get out
Great Falls Park, McLean, Virginia. Gorgeous national park with waterfalls and hiking trails, minutes from the beltway. Kayaking and rock climbing. http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/grfa/ Going to the park after a large rain storm provides different views as the water levels can change drastically.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - National Air and Space Museum, 14390 Air & Space Museum Pkwy. Chantilly, VA 20151 (202) 357-2200 Located near Dulles International Airport, this museum houses many air/spacecraft, including the SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane, the Concorde supersonic jet and the space shuttle "Enterprise". Parking is available for $12/vehicle. Additionally, a shuttle is available from the Air and Space Museum downtown. Prices range from $5 to $7 depending on number of tickets bought. [6]
Tarara Winery, tel. 703-771-71000 [7]. Wine tasting and other events on this 475 acre farm devoted to producing fine wines.
