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Overview
Established in the 18th century, Leesburg, Virginia is now the center of one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. This quaint, yet commercially bustling town is located 35 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. in between Dulles International Airport and the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the crossroads of Routes 7 and 15. As a visitor to Leesburg, you will be immersed in three centuries of history and greeted by scenic rolling hills, quaint shops and outlet mall, historic sites, equestrian farms, nearby wineries and a growing multinational community of technology companies. Downtown Leesburg is designated a National Register Historic District and is one of the best preserved and most picturesque historic towns in Virginia. The town served as the staging ground for the British during the French and Indian War, and Colonials during the Revolutionary War. During the War of 1812, vital documents including the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence were kept safe here. President James Monroe, author of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 resided nearby at Oak Hill, and in 1825, General Marquis de Lafayette received a grand reception in Leesburg. Finally, in recent history, Leesburg was the home of General George C. Marshall, former U.S. Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who authored the Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.
Ball's Bluff Regional Park
First Friday Gallery Walk
George C. Marshall International Center
Morven Park
Museum of Hounds and Hunting at Morven Park
Oatlands Plantation
White's Ferry
Museum of Hounds and Hunting at Morven Park
Leesburg, VA 20178-7433 703-777-2414 Open April to October. Closed Mondays, unless a National Holiday. Foxhunting is a Virginia heritage since Colonial times. This museum serves as the repository of the art, artifacts, literature of the centuries-old sport of foxhunting including a collection of paintings, bronzes, and photographs.
Oatlands Plantation
Leesburg, VA 20175 703-333-3134 Open April through December Open to the public as one of 19 national properties of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the 1803 beautifully appointed mansion features antiques, restored Carriage House, shaded picnic grove and a four-acre formal garden.
George C. Marshall International Center
Leesburg, VA 20176 703-777-1880 Friday - Saturday January 1 - March 31 Friday - Monday April 1 - December 31 The George C. Marshall International Center maintains the Dodona Manor home to General and Mrs. Marshall. The home is listed as a National Historic Landmark. General George C. Marshall, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, served as Secretary of State from 1947 to 1949, President of the America Red Cross from 1949 to 1950, Secretary of Defense from 1950 to 1951 and head of the American delegation to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Ball's Bluff Regional Park
Leesburg, VA Open All Year, Dawn to Dusk Civil War Battlefield on the Potomac River hill where the Union fell backward into the river in a defeat that merited a congressional investigation. Self-guided tours of this regional park preserves the site and includes .75-mile hiking trails with interpretive signs and the Ball's Bluff National Cemetery.
First Friday Gallery Walk
Leesburg, VA Open First Friday of Every Month (Except January), 6 PM - 9 PM Enjoy a relaxed evening strolling along moonlit brick sidewalks in historic Leesburg. Browse through art galleries and specialty shops filled with quality art, fine gifts, professional crafts, antiques and collectibles. Many of the stops along the way offer wine and cheese and other refreshments.
White's Ferry
Dickerson, MD 301-349-5200 Open Daily From 5 AM to 11 PM This unique ferry carries passenger vehicles across the Potomac from Leesburg, Virginia to Maryland. The Ferry Pavilion offers canoe and Jon boat rentals, a snack bar as well as fishing equipment and souvenirs.
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Eyes On Us
