Fauquier County has long been a haven from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC. The county has married city-slicker sophistication, southern sensibilities, and fresh air at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Friday Evening
Unpack Your Bags…
At Poplar Springs Manor and take a stroll around its almost 200 acre estate. Visit during the warmer months and squeeze in some time at their saltwater pool or playing bocce but be sure to leave time to…
Hit The Town
Old Town Warrenton has quite the variety of local shops and galleries lining its brick sidewalks. The historic area is especially vibrant on the first Fridays of May-October when it hosts live music, street entertainers, and special sales.
Satisfy Your Tastebuds
While in Old Town find Claire’s at the Depot in the town’s historic former train station. The menu is eclectic, changes seasonally, and features vegetables, herbs, and flowers from Claire’s own organic garden.
Satisfy your Sweet Tooth
Hop in the car for a very short drive to a local favorite, Carousel Frozen Treats. Even without the historic charm of Old Town, the frozen yogurt stand is the go-to place to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Saturday
Grab Some Goodies
Head back toward Old Town Warrenton and pull over at the Red Truck Bakery. The granola, pastries, pies, and double-chocolate moonshine cake made at Red Truck Bakery is touted as the best in Fauquier County and, some say, the USA.
Get Taken For A Ride
Fauquier County is horse country and an equestrian experience is not hard to find. Drive over to Hume and pull into Marriot Ranch, a bed and breakfast and working cattle farm. Book a trail ride ahead of time and request a picnic lunch to have a bite to eat while touring parts of their 4,200-acre ranch. For a less strenuous equestrian experience head over to Great Meadow and view a polo game. Twilight polo games are quite popular.
Wine Down
After the ride mosey over to one (or more) of the 23 vineyards and wineries in Fauquier County. Canine-friendly Barrel Oak Winery (BOW) approaches the vineyard experience with whimsy while RdV Vineyards requires an appointment but offers an intimate and educational tour of its winery and solid granite caves. Three Fox Vineyard is a top rated vineyard and has thrown some Italian and French inspiration into their wines while Delaplane Vineyards proclaims it only uses authentic Virginia winegrapes.
Eat Up
The Red Fox Inn and Tavern proudly serves traditional Virginian and Southern fare in historic Middleburg. Established in 1728, the Red Fox’s fieldstone walls, oak tables, and stone fireplaces invite indulgence in a hearty traditional Virginian dinner. Take a stroll after the meal to appreciate the idyllic village of Middleburg.
Sunday
Get Some Fresh Air
Before returning home grab a few more breaths of clean Fauquier County air at Sky Meadows Park. Hiking, biking, and horse trails wind through the 1,864 of forests and open pastures. Open from 8am to dusk there is plenty of time to take in the views and plan your next Fauquier County weekend.