The first thing that comes when thinking of Northern Virginia (NOVA) are major cities and endless suburban sprawl. However, at the furthest corner of NOVA are two small towns, Leesburg & Waterford, which retain their picturesque historic charms yet remain under the radar. These two towns are about 11 minutes apart, making them a perfect destination to spend a day or two. This blog post about Leesburg and Waterford is the second of a three-part series on my recent trip exploring NOVA following Alexandria and followed by Winchester.
Exploring Downtown Leesburg
After finishing the museums listed below, I walked around Leesburg’s charming downtown. Unlike other small towns, Leesburg’s commercial district surrounds a block rather than stretching out on the main street. A few blocks away is Market Station, a collection of shops and restaurants surrounding an old historic mill.
First Downtown Leesburg…
Now Market Station…
While I never got the opportunity to eat in Leesburg, I did make a fun stop at a store. Sunflower Shack sells old fashioned sweet treats and home decor items. Although I could not buy any chocolates because it was such a hot day, I did buy four sodas. The sales clerk kindly wrapped up the sodas when I told them I was from out of town; the sodas managed to survive the trip home in perfect condition.
Museums of Leesburg
Oatlands Historic House and Gardens was built by George Carter, the son of Robert Carter III, whose house I saw in Williamsburg. George Carter fought his father’s decision to manumit (legally free) his slaves. The tour heavily focus on the lives of the enslaved people and what happened to them after emancipation. The tours also talked about the Eustis family, the second family who lived in the house. Oatlands also has a beautiful walled garden just steps from the mansion.
Dodona Manor was built in 1803, but is most associated with George C. Marshall, whose second wife bought the house in 1941. The second wife had a brief career as a Shakespearean actress in Britain, but her Kentucky accent held her back. The tour guide noted the modesty of George C. Marshall as his bedroom was small and spartan. One interesting thing on display was a television set, which is not something one normally finds in a historic house.
Exploring Waterford
On the final day of the trip, I decided to make a detour to visit Waterford, which I only discovered from watching this video last year. Waterford turned out to be a unique experience because (minus all the passing cars) the town completely retains its colonial look. Waterford’s main street is incredibly tiny and, with the exception the mill, church, post office, and corner store, has only houses rather than the standard storefronts. Waterford’s history is also interesting because it was founded by Quakers. Why Waterford remains under the radar is a complete mystery to me.
Conclusion
Overall, I highly recommend visiting Leesburg and Waterford as a day trip, or perhaps a two-day trip as I did not include Morven Park, which is another place I highly recommend. One could spend several hours wandering through both Oatlands and Morven Park’s gardens. The two small towns are conveniently located a little over an hour away from Washington D.C., as well as being relatively near Harpers Ferry and Antietam National Battlefield.
Here are some helpful tips. While Oatlands grounds are open every day, guided tours of the house are only available from Thursdays through Sundays at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. Oatlands is not located in Leesburg, instead being 14-minute drive away. George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor located several blocks away from downtown Leesburg, and is only open on Friday through Sunday. Keep in mind that the entrance to Dodona Manor is on Edwards Ferry Road, not E Market Street; also, they have a tiny parking lot, so those with time and the ability to walk could park downtown and take an 11-minute walk to the house. Waterford is most known for the Waterford Fair, which happens in early October.
Below is my companion YouTube video about Leesburg and Waterford. If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe.
Restaurants in the Greater NOVA Area
There are plenty places to eat in Leesburg (not so much Waterford), either in the downtown area, Market Station, or the strip malls at the edge of town. If you want more dining options, try some restaurants in the greater NOVA area, such as those listed on my Alexandria blog post. In order from closest to furthest to Leesburg: Swadi Pakistani Kitchen, Rice Culture (Chantilly location), Malaysian Kopitiam, Marufuji Japanese Market, Hawk & Griffin, Fettosh, and El Pike Bolivian Restobar. There are also two Roy Rogers fast food restaurants located within Leesburg.