Like a lot of places around Virginia, this town is named for the Lee family. But while Leesburg drips with history, the shops and restaurants here are right on trend. From elegant home goods to the hottest denim labels, Leesburg boutiques are stocked with covetable items. The eating and drinking are tops, too: Nearly a dozen breweries and pubs jostle side by side with farm-to-table restaurants and local roasters. Buildings have been thoughtfully repurposed and remain beautifully preserved—many stone and wooden structures date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Download the new Tour Leesburg app to follow the architectural walking tour, learn about Leesburg’s African-American heritage, or find the murals spread around town.
DRINK
Goosecup, a sleek new wine, beer, and coffee bar, is a popular spot for virtual work and coworking, as well as a klatch for friends. Try the signature Orange Sunshine espresso. 216 S. King St., Leesburg, goosecup.co
NOSH
Located in the basement of the Market Station complex, South Street Under bakery is best known for buttery focaccia and housemade quiches. 203 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg, southstreetunder.com
SAVOR
At Crooked Run Brewing, brewer Jake Endres says his fermentation process is helped along by the yeast in the air from the bakery next door, which helps explain why the sour beers are so mouthwateringly tart. Market Station, 205 Harrison St., Leesburg, crookedrunbrewing.com
HANG
Can you put your toes in the sand in Leesburg? Yes, you can. At the Key West–inspired MacDowell’s Brew Kitchen, find a beach chair by a firepit, order the Loaded Tots, and kick back to live music. During “hibernation season,” the local landmark serves bar bites and craft beer inside. 202-B Harrison St. SE, Leesburg, macdowellsbrewkitchen.com
HUNT
After living abroad for years, Tyra Flynn returned to NoVA and decided to open a shop inspired by the vibrant souks and markets from her life overseas. At The Global Local, she curates a mix of local artisans and international makers supporting women’s collectives. 103 Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg, globallocalshop.com
EXPLORE
Dodona Manor is a bucolic estate once owned by General George C. Marshall. Today, you can take a docent-led tour of the manicured gardens and house, which has been restored with furnishings owned by Marshall and his wife, Katherine, when they lived there in the 1950s. 312 E. Market St., Leesburg, georgecmarshall.org
PERUSE
Elyse Smith, owner of Muz & Rose, has an eye for timeless goods, stocking both vintage apparel and new finds from JUST Female and Harper Leigh jewelry in this friendly boutique inside a Victorian house. 3 Loudoun St. SW, Leesburg, muzandrose.com
REWARD
Wish you could find the perfect uniform for life in the big city? Madisonbelle has you covered. This sophisticated boutique specializes in the most important articles of clothing in every woman’s life: quality jeans, wearable tops, and statement jewelry. 5 Loudoun St. SE, Leesburg, madisonbelle.com
YEARN
27 South Interiors, a two-story home-decor store, is stocked with modern furniture and accoutrements (like Sydney Hale candles and charcuterie boards) that you might see in an elegant Loudoun County mansion. 27 S. King St., Leesburg, 27-south.com
DEVOUR
SideBar/Nightshift covers your morning joe at its street-facing window, a hearty lunch or dinner in the dining rooms, and cocktails in the lounge upstairs. 24 S. King St., Leesburg, sidebarlbg.com
SAMPLE
The Very Virginia Shop is crammed full of peanuts, honey, chocolates, and hot sauces from local farms and makers, plus cookbooks, historic memorabilia, T-shirts, and college gear. 16 S. King St., Leesburg, veryvirginia.com
DELIGHT
At Mocatinas, it’s hard to restrict yourself to only one sweet treat, but we recommend the seasonally flavored macarons. This pink-hued, Instagram-worthy dessert shop also sells ice cream from Bassetts in Philadelphia and gives out free cotton candy from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. 3 E. Market St., Leesburg, mocatinas.com
SALUTE
Craft-beer enthusiasts gather at Black Hoof Brewing Company to watch sports, play Scrabble, and hang with friends. Order the Bavarian-style pretzel with German beer cheese, then choose from the seven beers on tap. 11 S. King St., Leesburg, blackhoofbrewing.com
PAMPER
Rouge Spa & Apothecary smells like a tropical escape and is packed with impossible-to-find products sold only at the most luxe shops, like Italian toothpaste, Irish egg-white soap, Hawaiian body cream, and French shaving cream. 17 S. King St., Leesburg, rougespa.com
Feature image courtesy Visit Loudoun
This story originally appeared in our November issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
