Experience rich history, stunning landscapes and fabulous flavors in Virginia’s horse and wine country
Take a deep breath and slowly feel your cares melt away the moment you step foot in Northern Virginia’s Fauquier County. Made up of distinctly charming towns and villages rich with history, culture and viticulture too, Fauquier boasts fabulous eats and pristine landscapes, all enriched with a welcoming vibe. Here’s a roadmap for exploring Virginia’s horse and wine country during a long weekend.
Day 1
Head toward the northern end of Fauquier County for your first stop: The Plains. Immersed in equestrian tradition, this area is cherished for its picturesque rolling land, ideal for saddling up and enjoying a leisurely escape on horseback.
Start with a sip at Happy Creek Coffee & Tea, featuring 100 percent gluten- free baked goods and paninis. With a rejuvenated pep, peruse Main Street’s art galleries or pop into an antique store such as Baileywyck Antiques or Crest Hill Antiques and Tea Room.
Grab lunch at The Front Porch for locally sourced ingredients with a flair. Or, sit down for a top-notch dining experience at The Rail Stop Restaurant serving upscale entrees, house-made pastas and desserts worthy of saving room.
Just a skip away is the historic village of Marshall. Dress like a local with a visit to Tri-County Feeds, offering fashionable looks with an equestrian spin, as well as unique gifts. For additional shopping, Marshall Curated is a home décor and gift shop with items from an exceptional selection of regional vendors.
Dining options in Marshall rival some of the top experiences in the common- wealth. Head to the award-winning Field & Main for hearth-inspired, locally sourced fare in an intimate setting. Menus showcase ingredients from Virginia’s most celebrated farms, wineries and breweries.
For a truly unique experience, try Johnny Monarch’s, a 1962 double-decker bus transformed into a culinary vessel creating upscale comfort food in a community- focused atmosphere. Options like tomato pie, Johnny cakes and hillbilly beans are elevated with quality ingredients and exciting flavor combinations. What- ever you do, save room for a whoopie pie.
Rest easy at The Rooms Up There, a boutique lodging experience featuring three beautifully furnished guest suites with marble bathrooms, each exuding simple elegance in a historic atmosphere.
Day 2
Start this day at the award-winning Red Truck Bakery, serving up freshly-baked muffins, croissants, pastries, biscuit sandwiches and more. Oh, but they’re also known to make the “best granola in North America,” (according to the Travel Channel), moonshine cakes earning accolades from Garden & Gun and pies praised in both Esquire and Washingtonian. It would be rude to leave here without treats for your loved ones back home.
Make a point today to explore the gorgeous scenery Fauquier has to offer. Riverside Preserve, the county’s first access to the Rappahannock River, is ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking or picnicking.
Plan to take a fresh piece of Fauquier home with you by stopping by Valley View Farm or Hollins Farm, each offering pick-your-own fruits and vegetables.
Reward your fruitful efforts with a glass of Virginia wine paired with breathtaking views. Some of the commonwealth’s most treasured sips are in proximity and all worth stopping in for a taste.
Travel south for a restful stay at Chilton House Suites. Rich in American Colonial, Civil War-era and 1920s history, the Chilton House gives a nod to the past while providing modern luxury conveniently located in historic Old Town Warrenton.
Day 3
Spend the morning exploring Old Town’s delightful shops where you’ll find jewelry, art (make-your-own or expertly created), houseplants, equestrian gear, clothing, antiques, books, gifts and more. Don’t forget to stop by Britches Great Outdoors, home of the iconic Warthog brand, exclusively found in Warrenton.
Then, learn more about Fauquier’s past at the Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail. Experience a richly preserved past connected with the present inside one of the most perfectly preserved old jails in Virginia.
From Warrenton down south to Remington, you’ll find plenty of popular wineries and breweries, so plan to bring a couple bottles of your favorites home for later. For your final stop, visit Craft & Crust Pizza Tavern, one of Remington’s newest ventures presenting brick oven pizza, sandwiches, smash burgers and more—a no-fuss way to cap off your very no-fuss weekend.
Author: VisitVirginia
