In the rolling hills of Appalachia, you’ll find a host of small towns and villages teeming with vintage shops, rustic venues, historic buildings, breweries, wineries, and the soft inclination of lovers strolling at dusk. This is Loudoun County, Virginia, a close-knit community rooted to a history of agriculture. 

Today, Loudoun has evolved into a scene full of expanding businesses, growing neighborhoods, and cultural diversity, making it a premier destination which attracts gourmands, outdoor enthusiasts, historophiles, and art lovers alike. When planning your next stay, these are the places to visit that you won’t want to miss!

Salamander Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for a place to hang your hat, Salamander Resort & Spa should be your first choice. This relaxing retreat nuzzled in 340 acres just outside of Middleburg, Virginia, has garnered a reputation as a Forbes Five-Star resort and a top destination for equestrians and epicureans alike. With plenty of outdoor space, guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a putting green, a full equestrian center, and inspire friendly competition through lawn games like corn hole and life-sized chess. Not to mention a 23,000-square-foot luxury spa and premier dining options like Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill make Salamander Resort & Spa the perfect place to foster your own tranquility and imbibe.

Catoctin Creek

Located in Purcellville, Virginia, Catoctin Creek is the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition and we’re continually picking up awards, having recently made Maxim’s list of The Best New American Rye Whiskeys of 2021. 

Visitors can gain an education in whiskey and learn how it’s made from scratch by joining one of our tours that occur every hour on the hour. Or you can choose to taste a flight of signature spirits, whiskey, brandy, and cocktails for an experience that defines what it means to be a Virginia distillery.

Our internationally acclaimed spirits come from locally sourced ingredients in Purcellville since 2009. Produced from traditional production methods, our flagship whiskey, Roundstone Rye, is the perfect drink to start off your tasting.

Harper’s Ferry Adventure Center

A paradise for the modern explorer and families alike, Harper’s Ferry Adventure Center is located in Purcellville, Virginia, and it offers a mix of exciting outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, tubing, ziplining, a ropes course, camping and so much more. Enjoy a lazy day on the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers or fuel your adrenaline by taking part in one of their many adventures. There’s something for everyone at Harper’s Ferry Adventure Center.

Leesburg Art & Cultural District

For over 250 years, Leesburg has been the cultural hub of Loudoun County. With tons of places to visit, you’ll have the option to tour an eclectic selection of galleries and small studios, enjoy public art displays, shop in a variety of niche boutiques, and dine in some of Loudoun’s finest restaurants. After a long day, settle into the evening by catching a show at the Tally Ho Theatre, where you’ll enjoy live music in a venue that was originally opened as Leesburg’s first movie house.

Morven Park

The former home of Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis and his wife Marguerite, Morven Park is now operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation. Guests have a variety of options when visiting the grounds in Leesburg, from touring the mansion and its three museums, watching equestrian events, attending educational and recreational programs, to observing the breathtaking scenery of surrounding Loudoun County. 

Lightfoot Restaurant

Housed in the building that served as the People’s National Bank for a half-century, Lightfoot Restaurant opened in 1999, and it remains one of Leesburg’s staple eateries. Known for it’s comfortable atmosphere and casual refinement, Lightfoot is a reminder of a different time with an interior decorum of bank vault doors, large parisian posters adorning the walls, and a marble staircase that leads to a mezzanine piano bar. 

Chef Ingrid Gustavson serves seasonal American cuisine, boasting southern and ethnic accents like Fried Green Tomatoes, Blue Ridge Spinach Salad, and their renowned “Atomic” Crab Cake. When stopping in Loudoun, be sure to book a reservation at Lightfoot Restaurant or walk in for an impromptu dining experience that will transport you back to a different era.

Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery

Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery isn’t your typical tasting experience. It’s a combination room for drinkers and oenophiles alike. With each of their beverages paired alongside a musical genre or lyrical inspiration, Notaviva provides all of its guests with a feeling that stirs the soul. Located on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge mountains in Hillsboro, Virginia, visitors can experience a wide selection of small batch hand-crafted beverages, encompassing beer, wine, ciders, and hard seltzers.

Planning Your Staycation?

Looking for your next travel destination? Discover Virginia through Loudoun County. Whether engulfing yourself in the artistic world of Leesburg, finding tranquility at Salamander Resort & Spa, or sipping high quality whisky at Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, there’s something for everyone in Loudoun.