Lansdowne On The Potomac - Leesburg, VA Area Guide

Nestled in historic Leesburg, the region's general history dates back to 1722 when early settlers began inhabiting the area. As the population grew, the Civil War, both World Wars and the post-war boom brought many changes to Leesburg, a town once centered on agriculture. As workers steadily became increasingly educated and increasingly integrated in the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., Leesburg transformed into a charming town with a vibrant arts, culture and shopping scene.

The land destined to become Lansdowne on the Potomac once operated as a sprawling southern plantation. Builders began construction of the community in the late 1990s, with the majority of its residents moving in during the early 2000s.

Loudoun Museum, located 5 miles away in Leesburg, strives to make history fun and exciting. It features annual haunted tours in fall, special exhibits for kids and plenty of exhibits to bring area history to life.

You don't even need to leave Lansdowne on the Potomac to find a tasty meal. Award-winning restaurateurs Elio Domestici and executive chef Giuseppe DiBenigno opened Crossroads Restaurant and Bar, located at the Leisure World clubhouse at Magnolia Grove Square. This upscale Italian eatery specializes in appetizers such as beef or salmon carpaccio, pasta dishes that include everything from traditional lasagna to fresh fusilli with zucchini, and baby shrimp. Entrée options range from grilled lamb chops to veal scaloppine.

Nestled in Lansdowne Town Center, Noku Japanese Grill & Sushi prepares some of the best sushi in the entire county. When you feel adventurous, try specialty rolls such as masago with quail egg, sahara or green dragon. Additional lunch and dinner options include combination dinners, teriyaki boxes, udon noodles and tempura entrées.

When it comes to nightlife, residents can choose from several options, including King Pinz, an upscale bowling alley. It features private rooms, excellent service and a sports grill that serves juicy burgers, freshly baked pizza and entrées such as grilled salmon and beef tips over penne pasta. The bowling alley also has a full bar and a cigar bar. Live music, cold beer and a laid-back atmosphere make Downtown Saloon in Leesburg a local favorite for a casual night out. You won't get any frills here, but you can rely on a fun and friendly crowd, busy bartenders and fun events such as karaoke on Friday nights.

Commuters traveling into Washington, D.C., can take advantage of Metrorail Silver Line Service. The Silver Line Metro bus buses travelers from the Leesburg Bus Station, located about 6 miles from Lansdowne on the Potomac, to Silver Line metro stations like Wiehle-Reston East or Spring Hill. At these stops, travelers can transfer to Metrorail service into the city. Additionally, local public bus service, provided by Loudoun County's 7 to 7 on 7 line, can be picked up at Inova Loudoun Hospital. The bus connects passengers to stops such as the Home Depot and Outlets on Fort Evans Road, the Loudoun County Government Center, George Washington University, Dulles Town Center and the Kohl's on Mirror Ridge Place.

Many residents choose to commute to work by car, although many people also opt to carpool. Alternatively, residents can arrange transportation with Uber or local taxi companies. Find plentiful parking both on the street and in parking lots around businesses.

Proximity to Route 7, a major commuter roadway, and access to smaller roadways such as Route 267 or Route 28, which connect to Interstates 66 and 495 facilitate relatively easy and fast travel throughout the region and beyond. On a beautiful day, you’ll likely see many of your neighbors walking and biking in the community, which features access to bike trails and shared roadways.

Residents of this lovely residential community have access to extensive amenities, most of which are covered by association fees. The Potomac Club, a 30,000 square-foot complex, houses an indoor pool and whirlpool, an outdoor pool and jetted tub, exercise rooms, meeting rooms, a ballroom, a business center and a game room with video games, pool and air hockey. Other features located outside the club include a tot lot, sand volleyball court and an amphitheater that hosts a summer concert series and festivals such as Oktoberfest. Sports fields and tennis courts can be found near Belmont Ridge Middle School.

Loudoun County operates Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park and Kephart Bridge Landing, a 122-acre parkland nestled in Lansdowne on the Potomac. In addition to welcoming pets in its expansive open green space, the park features access to Goose Creek and the Potomac River at Kephart Bridge Landing and access to the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail. This extensive network of walking, biking, horseback riding and boating trails, operated by the National Park Service, links the upper Ohio River basins with the Potomac with pathways once traveled by George Washington.

Although the cost of living in this resort community typically runs higher than the average for Washington, D.C, residents have access to extensive amenities, which helps sweeten the deal. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Lansdowne on the Potomac costs an average of $1,322 a month. Local bars charge $5 to $6 for a pint of beer, allowing patrons to relax with a cold one without breaking the bank.

Taking the Silver Line Metro bus costs $1.50 to $2, while a one-way fare on the Metro costs anywhere from $2 to $6 each way, depending on the destination. Local bus fare costs only $1 each way, but riders must have exact change. Drivers who fill up closer to Leesburg can expect to pay lower gas prices, although most gas prices in the area hover approximately 3 percent above the national average.

Although Lansdowne on the Potomac has its own small shopping center, you'll need to take a short drive toward Leesburg to find specialty stores. Several local gems call the Village at Leesburg home, including Frilly Frocks, a second-hand store that carries women's apparel and accessories. The selection tends to be hit or miss, but you may just find a Gucci handbag or designer clothing. Arts in the Village Gallery carries a variety of handmade artwork including photography, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, ceramics and more. This nonprofit cooperative gallery, which operates as part of Loudoun Arts Council, also features 2,000 square feet of gallery space.

Harris Teeter located in Lansdowne Town Center provides friendly 24-hour service and well-priced grocery items, including fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats, dried goods and personal products. When you need a market with a larger natural food selection, check out the Wegmans at the Village at Leesburg or Healthy By Nature, located in downtown Leesburg, which specializes in friendly service, nutritional supplements, organic foods and gluten-free ingredients.

Stock up on artisan-baked goods, grass-fed meats, farm-fresh produce and herbs, plants, and specialty goods at Leesburg Farmers Market, located in the Virginia Village Shopping Center. This year-round market operates limited Saturday hours during winter, with longer hours and an extra day during spring, summer and fall.