Leesburg, Virginia, is Calling!
Nathan Pipkin
Revised May 3, 2024
If you have an upcoming weekend free, and live within driving distance of Leesburg, Virginia, your next choice for a weekend trip should be a no-brainer! Situated between the bustle and glamour of the nation’s capital and the pastoral beauty of Virginia’s farmland, Leesburg is sure to have the right sights, events, and cuisine for all manner of travelers. After spending several years as a local, here’s what I’d recommend to someone making his first visit!
When
it comes to lodging, the area has a number of quaint bed-and-breakfast options.
My personal favorite is “Stone Gables,” which beautifully maintains five unique
rooms in a stone-gable barn. Stone Gables’ website explains the structure was
constructed in 1823!
That being said, historical lodgings might not be your style. And that’s okay! Part of Leesburg’s charm is its diversity, and that extends to accommodations. Other bed-and-breakfasts abound, and weary travelers can also find refuge in one of eight different chain hotels.
Once you’re settled in and the time has come to find food, you’ll be met with no shortage of options. Everything from Mexican and Italian to Vietnamese and Peruvian is represented, but my personal recommendation is also a local favorite. “Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers” won our “Battle of the Burgers” back in 2020, as well as the title for “best burger in the region” in 2015, 2016, and 2018, according to Northern Virginia Magazine. After your first visit, I’m sure you’ll understand why!
Melt’s menu offers over a dozen unique burgers, incorporating ingredients like salmon, fire-roasted southwestern green chiles, and a variety of imported cheeses. My favorite is the “Diner ‘Blue Plate’ Special,” but you could also stop by to try their “Special Burger of the Month,” which changes as frequently as the name implies and never fails to be creative.
But travelers cannot live by burgers alone—a visit to Leesburg can also be a great opportunity to brush up on American history. Consider heading into historic Leesburg and taking a tour of Dodona Manor, the home of General George C. Marshall. Marshall is now known as “the organizer of the Allied victory in World War II” and the man behind the “Marshall Plan” that hastened Europe’s recovery and earned its namesake a Nobel Peace Prize. This info can be found on the Loudon Now website, but a visit to Marshall’s estate gives travelers a chance to experience some of this history, as well as a peaceful glimpse into domestic life in the early 20th century.
Wherever you stay, whatever you eat, and however you decide to spend your time, I hope your visit to Leesburg is one for the scrapbook! Leesburg has lots to offer for those ready to slow down, take a deep breath, and experience life in between the nation’s capital and the farmland of the Old Dominion state.
(Note: I was unable to find a Photo Gallery option in the "Create" view of my YouTube channel.)
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