Loudoun County

Loudoun County in the state of Virginia is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, yet it still offers lots of charm to those who visit. Many visitors touch down in the Dulles International Airport. Eastern Loudoun is a frequent destination for business travelers working with the Department of Defense or one of the many technology companies located in the region.

Cities

• 1 Ashburn — the county's largest town, in the heart of the Dulles Technology Corridor, which brags to carry more than half of all traffic on the internets.
• 2 Bluemont — right in wine country, with one of Northern Virginia's most popular wineries.
• 3 Leesburg — the county seat, and location of the ever popular Leesburg Corner Outlets mall.
• 4 Middleburg — a favorite country escape for Washingtonians, and the center of Northern Virginia's horse country.
• 5 Sterling — home to Dulles International Airport; Potomac Falls and Dulles make up part of Sterling.
• 6 Waterford — the historic center is a pretty National Historic Landmark.

Understand

The eastern part of Loudoun County is much more densely populated than western Loudoun County. While eastern Loudoun is filled with sprawling suburban neighborhoods, western Loudoun is still largely farmland. Both eastern and western Loudoun have a rich history.

Get in

Loudoun County is in Northern Virginia, just 35 mi (56 km) west of Washington, D.C. in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It borders both West Virginia and Maryland. Home to an international airport, Loudoun is easy to get to from all parts of the globe. It is also accessible via numerous Interstate Highways and US Highways.

By plane

• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD ^IATA), +1 703-572-2700. Located in eastern Loudoun County, Washington Dulles International Airport offers a full range of domestic and international flights. Many Loudoun hotels offer free shuttle service to/from Dulles Airport.
• Leesburg Executive Airport , 1001 Sycolin Rd, SE, +1 703-737-7125. Leesburg Executive Airport is a modern general aviation airport that serves a variety of aircraft including corporate jets. Individuals and groups can charter jet aircraft for domestic and international destinations. Comprehensive services offered. Adjacent to the Dulles Greenway Toll Road (Rte 267).
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA ^IATA), Arlington, +1 703-417-8000. Located approximately 40 mi (64 km) from Loudoun, just outside Washington, DC, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport offers a full range of domestic flights on major, regional, and commuter carriers.
• Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI ^IATA), Baltimore, MD, +1-800-435-9294.

By car

All directions lead you to Leesburg, the county seat and largest town in the county.

From the east From the Capital Beltway around Washington, DC (I-495), take Rte 7 (local business route) west or the Dulles Toll Road (Rte 267 - highway; toll) west toward Dulles Airport using the "local lanes." Do not take the airport access road. From the Dulles Toll Road, continue on the Dulles Greenway (extension of Rte 267 - highway; toll) or take Rte 28 north to Rte 7 west (local business route).

From the south Take I-95 north to the Capital Beltway (I-495) north toward Tysons Corner to the Dulles Toll Road (Rte 267 - highway; toll) west. Do not take the airport access road. Continue on the Dulles Greenway (extension of Rte 267 - highway; toll) or take Rte 28 north to Rte 7 west (local business route). Or, take I-81 north to Rte 7 east.

From the north Take I-95 south to the Capital Beltway (I-495) west to the Dulles Toll Road (Rte 267 - highway; toll) west toward Dulles Airport using the "local lanes." Do not take the airport access road. Continue on the Dulles Greenway (extension of Rte 267 - highway; toll) or take Rte 28 north to Rte 7 west (local business route). Or from Baltimore, Maryland, take I-70 west to Frederick, Maryland and take Rte 15 south.

From the west Take I-66 east to Rte 15 north, or from I-81 take Rte 7 east.

By train and bus

There are three WMATA Metrorail Silver Line stations in Loudoun County (with bus routes that connect to them), as well as commuter buses from Arlington and Washington D.C. However, there are no Amtrak stations in the county.

Get around

Public transportation is somewhat limited in the county. Virginia Regional Transit Authority and Loudoun County Transit operate bus service in Loudoun.

The Visitors Center in Leesburg is a good source for maps of the county and its towns & villages.

See

• Historic Morven Park in Leesburg. This 1,000 acres (400 hectares) estate, home of World War I-era Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis, includes history spanning over 200 years. Tours change frequently, highlighting the Confederate camp located 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.
• Oatlands Plantation, near Leesburg, a National Trust site, encompasses 360 acres (150 hectares) 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 4 acres (1.6 hectares) English terraced garden.
• George C. Marshall International Center at Dodona Manor in Leesburg 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.
• Loudoun County's wine country is now home to thirty wineries and tasting rooms, 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.

Do

• Visit any of the area's regional parks.
• Bike or walk on the W&OD Trail, a 45 mi (72 km) paved hiking and biking trail that begins (or ends) in Purcellville at one end and Arlington at the other, crossing through Leesburg and Fairfax County along the way.

Buy

• 1 Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets (Leesburg). This outdoor village-like setting includes stores such as Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach, J.Crew, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Pottery Barn Outlet, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, and Williams-Sonoma Outlet. (updated Sep 2023)