Overview
Leesburg is in Loudoun County, Virginia. During the War of 1812, Leesburg was used as a temporary capital of the United States when the British occupied Washington.
5 sights · 5 things to do · 8 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Leesburg
Historic Morven Park
This 1,000-acre estate, home of World War I-era Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis, includes history spanning over 200 years. Tours change frequently, highlighting the Confederate camp that was here during the Civil Wa…
Oatlands Plantation
Oatlands, a National Trust site, encompasses 360 acres in scenic easements and features a Greek Revival mansion, circa 1804, rare 19th-century brick dependencies including America's oldest restored propagation greenhouse…
Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
This park preserves the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff. This 1861 clash was the largest to take place in the county during the Civil War. It occurred along the banks of the Potomac River, where the Union fell backwar…
Dodona Manor
The George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor offers tours of the restored former home of General George C. Marshall, Architect of Allied Victory for World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of …
Historic Leesburg
DC's Wine Country
Loudoun County's wine country is now home to twelve wineries, featuring rolling hillsides dotted with vines and unique tasting rooms located in historic barns, Mediterranean-like villas, and caves. The best way to experi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 34 mi away (major hub). Directions
Leesburg is less than an hour drive from downtown Washington, D.C.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $20 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Historic Morven Park, Dodona Manor, Oatlands Plantation
- Lunch Blue Ridge Grill
- Afternoon Historic Leesburg, Tarara Winery
- Dinner Döner Bistro
- Evening Bunker Sports Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park, DC's Wine Country
- Lunch South Street Under
- Afternoon Leesburg's First Friday, Court and Markets Days of Leesburg
- Dinner Fireworks Wood Fired Pizza
- Evening Downtown Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County.
Get in
By car
Leesburg is less than an hour drive from downtown Washington, D.C.
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 $2.50 (EZ-Pass, coins or cash only), and another just after the airport, which is $5.20 for 2-axle vehicles. The toll booths after the airport accept credit cards and EZ-Pass.
- Alternatively, Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) is a 55-mph highway with several stoplights.
From the south (Warrenton):
- US Highway 15 north.
From the west:
- Virginia Route 7
By bus
- Loudoun County Transit operates commuter buses between the Leesburg Park & Ride at 19730 Sycolin Rd and DC or Arlington. The journey costs $10 if paid via SmarTrip card or $11 if paid with cash. These buses operate service from Leesburg to DC on weekday mornings and from DC to Leesburg on weekday evenings.
- Reverse commute buses operates between the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station and 1 Harrison St SE in Leesburg weekday mornings at 8:02AM. From there, you can walk around historic Leesburg or take a trolley to the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets. The bus leaves downtown Leesburg at 5:05PM and returns to Wiehle-Reston East station at 5:30PM.
- Loudoun County Transit also operates the 7 on 7 bus service from Ashburn to Leesburg, where further connections are available to the DC metro stations. You can take the WMATA (subway) Silver Line train to Wiehle-Reston East station. Exit the station using the south entrance to go to the bus stop for Loudoun County Transit. Catch the Wiehle Express bus to George Washington University campus in Loudoun, then transfer to the 7 on 7 bus. The 7 on 7 bus runs every 30 minutes whereas the Wiehle Express bus runs every 45 minutes. The bus fare for the 7 on 7 bus is $1 and the bus fare for the Wiehle Express is $2. If you are planning to go to Leesburg in the morning, take the reverse commute bus mentioned above because that trip will be faster.
By plane
The other way into Leesburg is via small aircraft
Go Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO)
Does not host commercial flights, but does have a small landing strip that is used by private and charter aircraft.
Leesburg is 20 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). It is possible to fly nearly any American commercial airline into Dulles.
By boat
Place White's Ferry
In operation since 1786, White's Ferry is the last working ferry on the Potomac River. A widely used means of crossing the river (and a shortcut) between Maryland and Virginia since its inception. Today, commuters use the ferry daily, where 24 vehicles can be transported at a time. It's off Rt. 15, just north of Leesburg at the White's Ferry Road intersection.
Get around
By foot
The center/historic district 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.
By trolley
Virginia Regional Transit operates the Leesburg Trolley (bus route 53), which provides service between downtown Leesburg, the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, and the Leesburg Park & Ride Commuter Bus stop. This bus runs from 7AM until 7PM, Monday through Friday. On Saturday, it runs from 10AM until 9PM and on Sunday it runs from noon until 6PM. The fare is 50 cents. Phone numbers: +1 877-777-2708, +1 540-338-1610.
See
See Historic Morven Park
This 1,000-acre estate, home of World War I-era Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis, includes history spanning over 200 years. Tours change frequently, highlighting the Confederate camp that was here during the Civil War, Davis’ contributions during World War I, the 19th century Winmill Carriage Collection of horse-drawn carriages, and Marguerite Davis’ boxwood gardens. The historic mansion and Museum of Hounds & Hunting are open Sa Su noon-5PM. Meet at the Coach House Visitors Center for the tour. Tours on the hour from 11AM–4PM, and by advanced appointment.
See Oatlands Plantation
Oatlands, a National Trust site, encompasses 360 acres in scenic easements and features a Greek Revival mansion, circa 1804, rare 19th-century brick dependencies including America's oldest restored propagation greenhouse, circa 1810, and a magnificent four acre English terraced garden. Oatlands offers guided tours of the mansion, grounds, and gardens. Oatlands also offers two gift shops featuring unique gift and gardening items. Guided house tours on the hour; last tour at 4PM.
See Balls Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
This park preserves the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff. This 1861 clash was the largest to take place in the county during the Civil War. It occurred along the banks of the Potomac River, where the Union fell backward into the river in a defeat that merited the first congressional investigation on war. The national cemetery here is one of the smallest in the country, where 54 Union soldiers are buried (only one of whose identity is known). A one-mile loop hiking trail offers interpretive signs. No public restrooms.
See Dodona Manor
The George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor offers tours of the restored former home of General George C. Marshall, Architect of Allied Victory for World War II, Special Ambassador to China, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Nobel Peace Laureate. Ninety percent of the furnishings and memorabilia are original to the Marshall period of residency, from 1941-1959. The home sits on four acres of land in downtown Leesburg, and is under garden restoration.
Do
Do DC's Wine Country
Loudoun County's wine country is now home to twelve wineries, featuring rolling hillsides dotted with vines and unique tasting rooms located in historic barns, Mediterranean-like villas, and caves. The best way to experience Loudoun's wine country is along the Wine Trail. Pick up a copy of the brochure at the Loudoun County Visitors Center and spend a day or more traveling along scenic byways as you visit each winery. Look for the grape cluster signs along the roadways to assist you on your wine tour.
Festivals and events
Do Flower and Garden Festival
Leesburg's annual Flower and Garden Festival is held in the Historic Downtown on the third weekend of April each year. Walk through award-winning landscape displays and shop for fresh flowers, plants, garden furniture, gifts and more. Enjoy live music and a variety of food vendors. Children's activities include hands-on art projects, puppet shows and storytelling.
Do Court and Markets Days of Leesburg
An annual, heritage-based special event in the historic downtown, centered on the Loudoun County Courthouse lawn, Court and Market Days celebrates the period in the Town’s early history during which the Circuit Court was in session only once a year. During these Court Days, the Town of Leesburg took on a festive atmosphere as people from around the countryside. The event features reenactments of actual court cases from the period 1750 to 1825, street scenes in which historical interpreters discuss the events of the time period, artisan demonstrations, traders selling their merchandise, a farmers market and period entertainment would converge upon Leesburg to conduct business and to socialize. Held on the third Saturday of October each year.
Buy
Downtown shops are an excellent source of antiques.
Eat
Eat Döner Bistro
One of very few places in the US to get authentic, German-style döner kebabs.
Eat South Street Under
Sandwiches.
Mid-range
Eat Fireworks Wood Fired Pizza
Supreme ingredients, thoughtful cooking, and full flavored food.
Eat The Lightfoot
The Lightfoot Restaurant offers classic architecture and lunches, dinners, banquets and private events.
Eat Tuscarora Mill Restaurant
Tuscarora Mill is an independent, locally owned restaurant, cafe, bar, and bakery that opened in 1985. The restaurant supports the buy local movement with the products of several dozen local growers, cheese makers, wineries and farmers and livestock producers. Great choice of Micros and Belgian beers.
Splurge
Eat The Wine Kitchen
Offers wine and food without pomp or circumstance.
Eat Restaurant at Patowmack Farm
Offers local, organic cuisine and a seat with a view of the Potomac River. Meals are à la carte or prix fixe menu on Friday or Saturday, and a casual $45 three-course prix fixe menu on Thursday nights or Saturday or Sunday brunch. Reservations required.
Drink
Leesburg specifically, and Loudoun more broadly, is at the nexus of the craft-brewing boom in Virginia, due in part to breweries not being subject to the same restrictions that bars have. Downtown Leesburg hosts several craft breweries, including Crooked Run, Dynasty, Black Hoof Brewing, and the Loudoun Brewing Company.
Drink Downtown Saloon
Biker bar
Drink Kings Court Tavern
Great Dixieland jazz band on Tuesdays
Drink Spanky's Shenanigans Pub
Sleep
Go next
- Great Falls, Virginia - includes Great Falls Park, a gorgeous national park with waterfalls and hiking trails, minutes from the beltway. Kayaking and rock climbing. Going to the park after a large rain storm provides different views as the water levels can change drastically.
- Harpers Ferry, West Virginia includes Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- Manassas, Virginia includes Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Chantilly (Virginia) includes the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - National Air and Space Museum
- Middleburg, Virginia has great shops, wineries and horse country.
Nearby
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Bluemont
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Germantown
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