Leesburg

 

For more information, go to Visit Loudoun.

 

Loudoun’s county seat is a picturesque little burg with a historic downtown bustling with restaurants, cafes, bars, breweries, boutiques and chic home décor stores. Dine on oysters, tacos and farm-to-table fare on King Street (our restaurant row), find a unique gift and soak up the storied ambience of a town that, once home to icons such as General George C. Marshall, is now the residence of artists, designers, tech entrepreneurs and more.

 

Founded in 1758, Leesburg is rich in history. Walk the grounds of historic Morven Park and the terraced gardens of the 1798-established Oatlands; pay tribute to George C. Marshall at his home Dodona Manor and visit the hallowed ground of Ball’s Bluff Battlefield National Park on cliffs above the Potomac River. For a self-guided walking tour of downtown, including the Loudoun Museum and Leesburg Courthouse, download this app here or book a guided tour with Historic Leesburg Walking tours.

 

King Street is teeming with lively bars and eateries. Try the lobster roll and spicy Kentucky Mule cocktail at King Street Oyster Bar, the locavore cheese plate and wine flights at farm-to-table Wine Kitchen, spicy tacos at modish New-Mexican Señor Ramon or fine dining (and piano music) at the iconic Lightfoot Restaurant.

 

There are no less than seven coffee shops and espresso bars within a few blocks of each other on and around King Street, earning it the sobriquet Leesburg CoCo. The eponymous King Street Coffee serves award-winning local roaster Lone Oak Coffee as does the cozy Euro-style SideBar Coffee. The secret garden at Shoes Cup & Cork is great for a sandwich and an iced latte as is the courtyard of Cowbell Kitchen across the street. At the corner of Church and Market streets, try Trinity House Café for a Café Dos Leches featuring a hint of nutmeg or visit newly opened Goosecup, which roasts its own beans, sourcing from Zambia, Ethiopia, Honduras and elsewhere.

 

Opened in 1931 as Leesburg’s first movie house, Tally Ho Theater now features big name musicians such as David Allen Coe and Uncle Kracker, as well as frequent retro acts and cover bands.

 

There are no less than six breweries in downtown all within walking distance of each other. Loudoun Brewing Co, Black Hoof and cozy nook Crooked Run make crisp lagers and malty IPA’s, and we love the summery back yard at Black Walnut and front yard at Dynasty Brewing Co. The downtown district is also home to America’s first Delirium Belgian Beer Café.

 

Comprising of a restored mill and relocated freight depot, the Market Station precinct is home to beloved local restaurants Fire Works (pizza), Jasmine (Chinese), Tuscarora Mill (American bistro) and South Street Under (don't miss the fresh-baked ciabatta), as well as a brewery, cidery, nail salon, health food store and the Loudoun Visitor Center.