leesburg, va

farmgal · #1 07/30/10, 09:08 AM

we have a wedding to attend in leesburg, virginia, my son and I. we will be there august the 14th and have the wedding on monday the 16th. I hope to do something else while we are there. Anyone have any suggestions? We also are just tossing up a tent when we stay there on our friends lawn...lol I need to help cook...uhhggg...lol I am also looking at possible places to relocate (someday) and va is just one of the many places on the list.

I see we will be close to washinton dc. is this worth a visit? I see b and b's to stay at, but $400 a night, good grief, I dont want to buy the place...lol
Any cheaper hotels in that vicinity? maybe you have a farm/operation we can visit? just an idea. what are yours?

momofseven · #2 07/30/10, 12:12 PM

What do you like? Like you mentioned, DC is nearby, (catch the metro in). Monticello is right around the corner, there are umpteen winery's around there too. If your taste runs to something simpler and more primitive there the Frontier Culture Museum in Stanton.

Va is a great state to live in. If you have the time and ability check out the SW part of the state. It's not as pricey as leesburg..... Central VA is still pretty good here too. There are plenty of places that are now affordable. I know if a 30 a. property with a log home, barn and pond that is going for 240,000. House is interesting so I am told...

Navotifarm · #3 07/30/10, 12:42 PM

I lived in Leesburg for several years and had horses I used to board at nearby farms. Now when I go up there, I get LOST!!! Everything has changed. I used to buy barley for an arabian horse I had and have it crushed and bagged at a feed mill which is now barely recognizable as a tower looking part of a huge shopping center! There are lots and lots and lots of things to see in the area. Washington, DC has America's Attic, the Smithsonian! There are many museums. One of my favorites, the Renwick, if you like folk crafts, is right near tthe white house.
I don't know about taking the subway (metro) from Leesburg to DC but I can tell you this, it is scarey!!! Watch out for the machines! They eat your money and don't give back change! When I go to dc from here, I drive to Vienna and park (another horror story) and take the merto in. Do NOT go during rush hour. It costs more and the crowds are rough. There is a website called seathogs.com. Be sure to check it out.
By all means if you want to visit charlottesville, you can pitch your tent and visit with me.
Mid-august hopefully the heat wave we've had here will break. That's hurricane season, though. If you get a chance, Old Town in Alexandria is one of my favorites places. I specially enjoy the Torpedo Factory. And while you're here there may be some country fairs. Lots going on!!!! I've travelled in much of europe and the united states, canada and mexico and I like it here best. Scenically, anyway.

Zephaniah · #4 07/30/10, 01:08 PM

Your Son and You are getting married???

LOL

Bfly Farmer · #5 07/30/10, 01:31 PM

We moved out of Leesburg last year. We just couldn't afford the taxes any more, but my husband still works up there. There is tons to do locally without the drive into DC. What are your interests? Civil War? Nature? History? Farms?

Smithsonian Air & Space at Dulles
C & O Canal
Balls Bluff Battlefield
Manassas Battlefield
Oatland (historic mansion and gardens)
Donna Manor (home of George Marshall)
Aldie Mill
Mt. Zion Church
Harpers Ferry

Those are just a few things. Feel free to pm me for better ideas and directions, details.

As for hotels, there are a few. I would look at the visitors website to help you out there. www.visitloudoun.org

I would invite you out to our farm, but unfortunately I am going to Mo. that weekend to pick up hogs. What to farm sit? LOL!

Let me know if I can help.

Sarah

Ravenlost · #6 07/30/10, 02:12 PM

I was going to suggest Harper's Ferry too. I used to live near Leesburg, but it's been 13 years so I'm sure I wouldn't recognize the place now. Downtown Leesburg used to be a fun place to walk around and Balls Bluff Battlefield is right there in Leesburg.

Honestly, there's so much to do in that area you'll have trouble picking something. My vote would be for Harper's Ferry though...one of my favorite places on earth.

Jokarva · #7 07/30/10, 03:50 PM

If you're that close and have any interest in DC I'd try to plan a visit, don't think Metro runs from Leesburg though. Tons to see in DC, it's a beautiful city - but probably hot as blazes in August.

Arlington National Cemetary, Iwo Jima, Mt Vernon, Marine and Air Force Memorials - lots to see just outside DC too.

Then there's Charles Town Races and Slots heading the other way (in WV), if you're into that sort of thing.

Navotifarm · #8 07/30/10, 04:07 PM

Farmgal, Harper's Ferry, Point of Rocks and other places in Maryland are easy distance from Leesburg. And you'll be coming down through Pennsylvania, right? So many places to visit! Have you thought of looking for KOA's and other places to camp out? I'm sure there's one in Harper's Ferry because I went to an Airstream jamboree there once. After you've worn out your welcome at your friends' place, perhaps you could look up camp sites around LeesburgN use them as base camps and then foray out from there. Try Shenandoah National Park etc also. How healthy are you? If you sign up as a wwooffer you can stay all kinds of places and eat, too, for four hours' work a day.
I'm glad somebody else doesn't think the metro goes to leesburg. That worried me! It does go to dulles airport and all sorts of other interesting places, though, including Old Town Alexandria.

farmgal · #9 07/30/10, 09:14 PM

Thank you all for the insight. I have looked up some of the mentioned places, still have more to check out later. I like all the places everyone listed. It would be of interest to see washington for sure, as we have never been there.

Am I reading the internet right, the smithsonian museums are free? what about parking? am I able to park close to the white house and walk there? there is a tourist bus but its not our thing. We figured, spend a day in washinton and museum therin, then stay at a hotel outside of washington. spend the next day doing something else (as posters listed) and head toward home. I'm 7 hours from home in washington.

I read driving in washinton is not fun, whats up with that?

I can sleep in the house were we are staying but everyone smokes there. we'd rather hang outside.....lol

Navotifarm · #10 07/30/10, 09:33 PM

We are telling you to take the metro in. It is very NOT advisable to try to drive into DC and park there. If you find a parking garage you will have to pay megabucks. Park outside like way outside and take the metro back and forth to dc if you go. Entrance to most of the museums is free but don't plan to eat at them or go to some of the things there like the big movies (I forget what they are called) unless you want to spend lavishly!

MELOC · #11 07/30/10, 10:53 PM

if you are coming down rt. 15, you should spend an extra day and tour the gettysburg battlefield. have lunch at the otthouse in emmitsburg, md. maybe visit the grotto at mount saint mary's college.

harper's ferry is a bit further up the road than i would want to drive from leesburg if i intended to return. not really THAT far, but not right next door. watch that road at night. point of rocks to leesburg seems like an easy drive, but i have seen lots of bad stuff on that road. it is one of the main routes to the amphitheater in warrenton, va. (current name escapes me...it used to be the nissan pavilion). lots of drunks on that road at night. very busy during rush hour as well and it is only a glorified secondary road in many places.

if you do stop in emmitsburg, holler across the ridge and i may hear ya, lol. i only live about 10-12 miles away.

MELOC · #12 07/30/10, 11:03 PM

by the way...the area around gettysburg and emmitsburg it one of the loveliest places to be in the spring. there are wild redbud trees everywhere. the land around this area is out of sight, though. not so bad 30 miles west and off the beaten path...just west of the "great valley". anything between here and baltimore or DC is expensive.

Ravenlost · #13 07/30/10, 11:04 PM

I never thought Harper's Ferry was that far and I lived the other side of Leesburg. I do agree that you do NOT want to drive in DC! Park outside (I always went to Vienna) and take the metro. The Smithsonian museums are all free and are easy access from the metro. You need to get tickets to get into the White House in advance. You should be able to do this online. They can be hard to get as everyone wants to see the White House!

Bfly Farmer · #14 07/31/10, 05:54 AM

The metro doesn't run to Leesburg or Dulles. The easiest place to pick it up is Vienna on I-66. They have plenty of parking and it is free on the weekends.

I believe if you contact your Congressman's office, they can get you White House tickets, but they need advanced notice so I would call immediately.

I would definitely second Harper's Ferry. It is awesome. It is about 30 minutes outside of Leesburg and an absolutely beautiful drive over the mountains.

mountainlaurel · #15 07/31/10, 07:25 AM

I live at Harpers Ferry and it is not that far away. Maybe 30 minutes with traffic. Take route 9 West to Charles Town from Leesburg. At Rt 340 turn left. You can see Harpers Ferry across the river there. Cross over the Shenandoah River and you're at Harpers Ferry. You can tube the river, there are 2-3 outfits here such as River Riders and River & Trail Outfitters in Knoxville that rent tubes, kayaks, canoes. But be warned, it is crowded. Last week there was 200 people on the river when a tornado came thru and the rescue co had to herd them into a tunnel on the canal to avoid it. And that's was just at the spot where the Shenandoah and Potomac come together. It's a big thing here and a pain in the neck when you're going somewhere.
There's also the Antietam Battlefield just across the river in Sharpsburg if you're into Civil War history. Another 20 minutes or so.

Emmitsburg is about an hour north, so it's a lot further than Harpers Ferry is.

MELOC · #16 07/31/10, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainlaurel

I live at Harpers Ferry and it is not that far away. Maybe 30 minutes with traffic. Take route 9 West to Charles Town from Leesburg. At Rt 340 turn left. You can see Harpers Ferry across the river there. Cross over the Shenandoah River and you're at Harpers Ferry. You can tube the river, there are 2-3 outfits here such as River Riders and River & Trail Outfitters in Knoxville that rent tubes, kayaks, canoes. But be warned, it is crowded. Last week there was 200 people on the river when a tornado came thru and the rescue co had to herd them into a tunnel on the canal to avoid it. And that's was just at the spot where the Shenandoah and Potomac come together. It's a big thing here and a pain in the neck when you're going somewhere.
There's also the Antietam Battlefield just across the river in Sharpsburg if you're into Civil War history. Another 20 minutes or so.

Emmitsburg is about an hour north, so it's a lot further than Harpers Ferry is.

but it's on the way on rt. 15 and that was suggested if she were to decide spend an extra day to tour gettysburg.

mountainlaurel · #17 07/31/10, 01:12 PM

If she goes to Harpers Ferry, all she has to do is take Rt 340 North towards Frederick and get on Rt 15 at Frederick to head back home. No biggey. Instead of going North on 15 out of Leesburg, she goes west on 9 for about 20 minutes and that's not much time after traveling 7 hours. She can still stop at Gettysburg and Emmitsburg on her way home if she would care to.

farmgal · #18 08/02/10, 02:10 PM

Ok, I have an itinerary for our lil' trip. On tuesday the next morning after the wedding, We will drive from leesburg to washington where I found cheap places to park on this site
http://www.bestparking.com/index.php

I called the garages of choice, rates prior to 9 am are 11 bucks for the day and she stated they have never filled up. Its $15 after 9 am. They are a few blocks from the white house etc.
Spend the day there.

get our car and head back to our hotel in alexandria, swim in the pool and sleep. next morning breakfast and back to washington for more touring. then leave that area to where ? not sure...lol

we cannot get tickets to go through the white house, they said 4 months for ny ers...go figure. how close to the white house can we get? maybe the lobby...lol?

I am looking more into the harpers ferry thing now, but my son wants the computer...

Thanks for the input.. now any suggestions on what museums to go through while in downtown dc? the smithsonian castle looks cool...

Ravenlost · #19 08/02/10, 02:50 PM

All the museums are cool!

As for the White House, you'll be able to see it from the street. That's as close as you'll get without a ticket.

Have you considered touring Mount Vernon? It's been a few decades since I was there, but I remember it being really nice...like a living history farm.

Navotifarm · #20 08/02/10, 08:01 PM

Farmgal, unless you have to get back to NY for animals, why not take a couple of days to tour Virginia to see how you feel about it? Why give it such short shrift because of high taxes? Clearly, taxes in New York are higher because huge numbers of New Yorkers are relocating here. Try Bath County, VA. It is beautiful and I don't think yeir taxes are very high.
What's this about staying at an hotel with swimming pool? What happened to the tent on the lawn?