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If you’re heading to Leesburg, VA you’re in for a treat. Named for the ancestors of Robert E. Lee who were were early leaders of the town, Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County. Caught between the Potomac River and Catoctin Mountain you will find yourself surrounded by natural splendor and scenic drives. To make the most of your time in the area stick with our guide to find some of the best road trips in the state.
1. Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail
The Great Falls Park is very aptly named. Here you will find some of the most astounding waterfalls in Virginia along the length of the Potomac River. The area profits from over 15 miles of premium hiking trails through the clifftop of the Mather Gorge. The historians among you may enjoy seeking out evidence of Native American petroglyphs from their habitation of the area, or remnants of the Great Falls and Old Dominion Railroad which ran through the region.
2. George Washington Memorial Parkway
From the Great Falls Park, you could choose to drive on to the foot of Mount Vernon along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. If this sounds like it’s for you, you will pass important historical sites such as the Iwo Jima Memorial, inspired by an iconic second world war photograph of six Marines who had scaled Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima, and the Arlington National Cemetery, a 639-acre military cemetery for the fallen from American wars.
3. Theodore Roosevelt Island
Arriving at Mount Vernon from the George Washington Memorial Parkway you will find yourself in the vicinity of Theodore Roosevelt Island. If you had hiking or biking in mind you could park up at Mount Vernon and follow the Mount Vernon trail backward to its origin at Theodore Roosevelt Island along the river. Here you will find a further boardwalk trail over marshland and a memorial to the President for whom it is named.
4. Manassas National Battlefield
Moving away from the Potomac River, further fun for amateur historians can be found at the Manassas, the site of no less than two historic battlegrounds from the American Civil War. There are more hiking trails on offer here, which we would recommend as the best way to familiarise yourself with the rich history of the area, guided by a selection of informational panels along the routes.
5. Shenandoah National Park
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Shenandoah National Park is caught between the Shenandoah River and valley to the West and the Virginia Piedmont to the East. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery the best bet here is to drive the 105-mile road, the Skyline Drive, that traverses the entire park. We’d recommend stopping for plenty of micro-hikes, in particular around Hawksbill and Stony Man mountains. With so much natural beauty and so many sites of special historical importance on offer in the area, a car is a must-have to fully enjoy your trip. If you are in the market for a new vehicle, be sure to come on down to Dulles Motorcars to test drive a new or used vehicle today.
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