World-class wine, food, and scenery make Middleburg a must-visit spot. The tips below will help you plan a spectacular trip to Middleburg, Virginia.
As a resident of the Washington, DC-area, I love escaping to Middleburg, Virginia for the weekend. In less than an hour’s drive, I can be at the foothills of the mountains, enjoying amazing wineries and soaking up the small-town vibe.
And I’m not the only one impressed by Middleburg! Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a regular visitor when John F. Kennedy was in the White House. I think you’ll find Middleburg to be a wonderful escape for you, too.
No matter where you’re coming from, Middleburg is a great weekend getaway. The tips below will help you plan a spectacular trip to Middleburg, Virginia.
Related:
- 10 Best Things to Do in Middleburg, Virginia (A Perfect Weekend Escape!)
- What to Pack for a Perfect Weekend in Virginia Wine Country
Plan transportation in advance
Middleburg is about an hour’s drive west of Washington, DC.
If you’re flying into the DC area, the closest airport is Washington Dulles International. Middleburg is about a 30-40 minute drive from Dulles.
Public transportation isn’t available in Middleburg and Uber/Lyfts are scarce, so don’t plan on relying on these options to get around.
You’ll either need a car of your own or will need to arrange transportation in advance. Some transportation options include:
- If you’re staying at a hotel, check if your hotel can arrange transportation.
- Book tours like this one with transportation included.
- Arrange for your own driver. You can check out “personal driver” and “private driver” reviews on Yelp to find a good driver near Middelburg.
Know the lay of the land
If you’re planning on doing any of your own driving, keep in mind that Middleburg is located in a rural portion of Virginia.
That means the last portion of your journey will be on a rural, two lane road with no streetlights.
If you’re not used to driving in rural areas, then I don’t recommend driving at night. Curvy, narrow roads can be difficult to navigate after the sun sets. Plus, animals like deer, skunks, and raccoons can suddenly appear on rural roads.
I recommend either avoid driving at night or using a driver who is experienced in navigating rural roads.
Book accommodations ASAP
Middleburg has three primary options for accommodations. Because of the area’s popularity, these hotels can fill up quickly, so make sure you book your accommodations as soon as possible.
While each of Middleburg’s accommodations are fairly pricey, they all offer fantastic experiences:
- Red Fox Inn & Tavern: The Red Fox Inn & Tavern is a historic inn that was frequented by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It is located in downtown Middleburg, making it easy to walk to local restaurants and shops. Even if you don’t stay here, I recommend dining at the amazing restaurant.
- Goodstone Inn & Restaurant: The Goodstone Inn & Restaurant offers guest rooms in six different buildings, from stately manor houses to adorable cottages. The buildings are spread across a beautiful 265-acre estate with rolling hills, farmland, and forest.
- Salamander Resort & Spa: The Salamander Resort & Spa opened in 2013 as a luxury getaway. It offers a wonderful variety of activities. You’ll find activities like equestrian programs, zip-lining, axe throwing, and art classes. Plus, the resort will provide transportation to and from local attractions.
If you’re looking for less pricey accommodations, you’ll need to stay about 30 minutes away in Leesburg, Virginia. Less expensive options in Leesburg include the Hampton Inn & Suites and the Homewood Suites by Hilton.
For more details about Middleburg’s accommodations, check out this article.
Make a restaurant plan
Rural Virginia might not be the first place you think about for a fantastic meal. But that will change after you visit Middleburg!
Middleburg has multiple restaurants that are phenomenal. To make sure you experience as many of these restaurants as possible, make a plan of which restaurants you’d like to visit and on which day.
You’ll also want to make advance reservations at the restaurants to ensure your spot at these amazing tables.
I highly recommend including the Red Fox Inn & Tavern as one of your culinary experiences. Their prix fixe meal will go down in history as one of my favorite meals of all time.
If you’re looking for more casual fare, I recommend the Red Horse Tavern for their burgers. And be sure to check out King Street Oyster Bar for their daily happy hour from 3-6:30 pm.
Red Bar Sushi offers awesome sushi. And two Thai restaurants located directly across from each other (Best Thai Kitchen or Thaiverse) just beg you to try both and vote for your favorite.
If you love the dining experience as much as you love the food, then check out the restaurants at the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant and the Salamander Resort & Spa. Both offer world-class dining experiences within luxurious hotel settings.
Read this article for more information about Middleburg’s culinary scene.
Plan *really* far in advance of event weekends
Middleburg has some seriously cool events during the year. Two of these events are Christmas in Middleburg in December and the Hunt Country Stable Tour in May.
If you’re planning on attending either event (which you should!), book your hotel and restaurant reservations as soon as you know you’ll be attending.
Because Middleburg is a small town serviced by a two-lane highway, traffic can accumulate quickly on event days. Plan on staying Friday night in Middleburg or arriving super early on Saturday morning.
Map out your activities
Although Middleburg is a small town, there are many wonderful activities you can enjoy.
Some of my favorite Middleburg activities include visiting wineries, browsing through local shops (like the year-round Christmas store), and visiting the one-of-a-kind National Sporting Library & Museum.
This list of Middleburg activities will help you find all the best things to do in Middleburg during your trip.
Pack your bags!
Because of the luxurious accommodations and local wineries, Middleburg tends to attract a well-dressed crowd.
When preparing your packing list, plan on packing clothes that are on the dressier side. Attire is similar to what you’d wear to a graduation party or baby shower.
Keep Virginia’s weather in mind when preparing your packing list, as well.
From April to October, Virginia tends to be pretty warm and humid. From November to March, Virginia tends to have moderately cold weather. However, it’s still humid in the wintertime, so it may feel colder to you than the actual temperature.
For more tips on what to pack for a trip to Middleburg, check out this article.
Middleburg, Virginia is truly a wonderful place to visit. I hope these tips have helped you plan a spectacular trip to Middleburg, Virginia!
Comments or Questions?
Have a comment or a question? I’d love to hear from you! Visit me on Instagram @eastbymidwest and leave a comment or DM, or send me an email at pam@eastbymidwest.com.
