By Adrienne West
The Town of Haymarket is a quaint town found at the intersection of old trade routes and is a Civil War Heritage Trail site. Burned down by Union soldiers, Haymarket rebounded and is now a flourishing community with the perfect balance of keeping its old-world nostalgia and offering modern amenities and boutiques.
8 a.m. Stop by the Hidden Julles Café for a Monte Cristo or eggs Benedict sandwich for breakfast, and enjoy some coffee and people-watching on their outdoor patio. // 14950 Washington St.
9 a.m. Walk one block to the Town Hall and take part in the themed Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 16. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a number of activities for people of all ages throughout downtown. The event includes a scavenger hunt and environmental education booths, a historical building exhibit at the Haymarket Museum, free document shredding at Fauquier Bank and free “dirt” dessert to end the day. // 15000 Washington St., 15025 Washington St. and 15240 Washington St.
9 a.m. For an alternative to the Earth Day event, pick armfuls of tulips and daffodils at Burnside Farms’ Festival of Spring, one of the largest pick-your-own flower sites in the world. Buy tickets before going and reserve one of their three-hour slots, or purchase a passport if you’re planning another visit before the season ends in early May. // 2570 Logmill Road
12:30 p.m. When the grumbling starts, head to the El Vaquero West restaurant for some authentic Mexican dishes like choriqueso, a sausage smothered in cheese sauce, and a dessert of deep-fried cheesecake burritos called xangos. // 14910 Washington St.
2 p.m. Work off that lunch with a few swings at the beautiful Bull Run Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course covering over 450 acres just a few miles north of downtown. // 3520 James Madison Highway
2 p.m. If golfing doesn’t fit the bill, head further into downtown to peruse all the local shops. Pop into Details: A Unique Gift Boutique (6590 Jefferson St.) for specialty gifts and personal items from brands like Pandora and Vera Bradley, and then search the racks at The Very Thing for Her (6630 Jefferson St.), an “upscale ladies and children consignment” store with big-name labels found at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. For the creative ones in the group, stop for yarn and cross-stitch materials at Needles in the Haymarket and for fabric and sewing needs at Oh Sew Persnickety next door (15125 Washington St.). Nestled in between those two shops is a sugar addict’s paradise in Cupcake Heaven and Café, featuring cupcakes and pastries to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.
6 p.m. Grab a table at Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano, where more than 25 years of traditional Italian cooking is wonderfully evident in each plate. Try their linguine with clams in red sauce, and finish with a classic dessert of tiramisu. // 15120 Washington St.
