Western Loudoun Arts Itinerary
Begin at Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville, Western Loudoun’s premiere venue for music, art, dance, and theater. Enjoy the art exhibit in the center’s gallery and if there’s a performance during your stay, purchase tickets. While you’re there, take a walk on one of Franklin Park’s 3.5 mile perimeter trails, and if it is winter and there’s snow on the ground, enjoy watching the sledding, snowboarding, and cross country skiing on the park's rolling hills. All of these activities provide inspiration for future paintings, so don’t forget your sketchbook!
Next, drive a few miles west to the Hill High Orchard complex on Harry Byrd Highway (Route 7). There, the Gateway Gallery and Gift Shop, a cooperative venture by local artists and artisans, offers one of a kind fine arts and fine crafts. It is staffed by the artists themselves, and they are eager to share their creative processes with visitors. Next door, the Round Hill Art Center hosts classes for all ages in everything from pottery to painting and textiles. View some of the work their students have on display. Then, head over to Bogati Bodega & Vineyard’s tasting room, where you can sample their latest wines and purchase a tapas plate for lunch and enjoy it on the patio next to the pond - another great place to do some sketching. The Hill High Country Store, also in the complex, is most famous for their pies and jams. Take some home with you!
From Hill High, take Loudoun’s most popular scenic byway, Snickersville Turnpike, southeast. You will pass stone stacked fences and horse farms around every bend, so get out your camera. Make a stop at the Philomont General Store, an authentic early American country store that was built in 1913, where you can still find almost anything, from crafts by local artisans to international and Virginia wine and craft beer, to gourmet foods and gifts. There’s plenty in stock for creating your next still life display. Grab a barbeque sandwich while you’re there if you haven’t had lunch yet.
From the Philomont General Store, take St. Louis Road, Route 611, south into historic Middleburg. Here, you’ll find charming art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops. Be sure to visit The National Sporting Library and Museum, a research library and art museum that celebrates the art, literature, and culture of horse and filed sports. Don’t miss the sculpture in the courtyard, a three-quarter life-size bronze masterpiece of a war-weary horse to honor the 1,500,000 horses and mules that lost their lives during the Civil War, many within 20 miles of Middleburg.
Just a little further east on Route 50, you’ll find Swedenburg Estate Vineyard. Stop in for a tasting, and take home a mystery novel written by local author Ellen Crosby. Ellen has written a series of mystery novels, each named after a Swedenburg wine and incorporating Middleburg’s love of horses.
Before retiring for the night, head back into the town of Middleburg to dine at one of Loudoun’s Destination Restaurants, the Red Fox Inn. This 1728 inn is the longest continuously run inn and restaurant in the country, and serves contemporary American cuisine in a casual, elegant atmosphere with hunt country décor, original fireplaces, and interesting architectural details. Alongside the tavern, American and European paintings and sculptures from 1750-1950 are displayed at the Red Fox Fine Art gallery.
And if culinary art is another one of your passions, make a weekend out of your visit and take one of Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn’s cooking classes, which are offered one weekend each month.
