Top 10 Foodie Activities in Northern Virginia
As a born and bred Northern Virginia resident, I know the big draws and the special secrets this area holds and I'm all about sharing! These are my top ten favorite foodie activities in Northern Virginia: 1. Wolf Trap Summer Concert Series. Vienna VA
Grab lawn seats and pack a picnic and cocktails for your favorite band or musical. Lawn seats run from $20-30 depending on the night and performance. I go to at least 2-3 Wolf Trap events a summer and have seen the likes of Seal, Earth Wind and Fire, and Legally Blonde all while sipping wine on the hillside.
2. Catoctin Creek Distillary Tour and Tasting at Magnolia's. Purcellville VA
Loudoun County's only distillery is an organic and award winning producer of liquor. It has been snapped up by DC's hottest restaurants and is making a serious splash in the world of alcohol. When I took my tour the owners joked that it's more of a nano brewery because it's so small. The tour is only one room but you're free to ask all the questions you want. *Warning: You will exit the tour smelling like rye. Probably not a great activity before dinner*
3.Winery Tour
Loudoun County is known as DC's wine country. As someone whose family ran one of the few vineyards in northern Virginia in the 80's and 90's I can't believe the number that have been established in the past ten years! You have plenty to choose from but Bluemont has great views and Breaux (voted the county favorite again) has a great cajun festival.
4. South Street Under Leesburg VA
A coffee shop, cafe, and bakery rolled into one, South Street is a beautiful place to sit outdoors in downtown Leesburg. Their ciabatta bread is to die for, not to mention you can walk a block up the hill to shop in great boutiques. My favorite meal is the tuna melt and tomato with a Pellegrino.
5. Shilla Asian Bakery Annendale VA
A Korean bakery with amazing prices! Bring your reusable shopping bag because you're going to want to try everything. The best advice I can give is to try anything that looks interesting and share with friends.
This is one of the most hidden gems in the area. Tucked away in an underground cafe in historic horse country, pick up these homemade marshmallows along with ice cream or a panini.
7. Patowmak Farms Lovettsville, VA
"A modern American style, paired with Certified Naturally Grown and organic produce, organic, wild and natural meats, sustainable seafood and a broad assortment of wines, including organic, biodynamic, and vegan, provide an exceptional dining experience." The farm also offers cooking classes if you're looking for a great gift. The dining area is quite a drive but the view overlooking the Potomac river is wonderful.
8. Loudoun County Farmers Markets
LVHMA runs summer markets located in Ashburn, Leesburg, Cascades, and Brambleton. The markets are "Producer-Only" so the people you meet are the ones who grow the product! This is where we buy our stevia plants along with orange and chocolate mint plants. Yum!
9. Stoneybrook Organic Market Hillsboro, VA
Completed quite recently, this small market is also a 45 acre certified organic farm. The market and farm also offer a CSA program focusing on heirloom varieties.
10. Waterford Fair, Waterford, VA
Go for the kettle corn and the local ice cream! After a decade of yearly attendance to this colonial fair, I've finally learned that it's just better to buy two large bags to take home. The fair takes place in the midst of beautiful historic houses and colonial art demonstrations in October.
Visiting NoVA? Tell me where you go!
