I am going down to Middleburg with a friend who has never been there. I once drove down to The Plains and remember it as being an absolutely beautiful drive. Is my memory correct? I thought I might also go over to Marshall and see Tri County Feeds. Is that a nice tack shop and worth the drive? How does it compare to the tack stores in Middleburg? …I know the restaurants in Middleburg but not the other places…any recomendations? Thanks
The Plains Road is pretty, but I like the views from Zulla and Atoka roads even more. Forlano’s, Girasole, and the Rail Stop in The Plains are good, so is the Whole Ox for sammiches. If you come to TCF any afternoon Weds. through Sunday, I love getting to meet other COTHers! There is a little Mexican place across the road, nothing to write home about, but total comfort Mexican food. Marshall itself has the Marshall Diner, Foster’s for burgers, a couple of pizza joints and a great little ice cream stand if it’s hot.
If you like winding roads, take Rectortown Road out of Marshall all the way to Delaplane Grade, then go left toward Delaplane or right to Upperville. If you wind up in Upperville, Hunters Head Tavern is a wonderful farm-to-table restaurant for lunch or dinner. Atoka Rd. and Rokeby Rd. are beautiful roads as well. Another favorite road is Crest Hill Rd. out of Marshall all the way to the village of Flint Hill. Gorgeous drive that takes about 1/2 hour - totally worth it, especially if you go to 21 Crows for coffee or the Griffin Tavern for a pint (and I love their fish and chips).
If you’re looking for a straight forward H/J/Eventing/Racing tack shop with top of the line brands of tack and clothing, The Tack Box in Middleburg I think is your best bet. There are sometimes great deals to be had at the tack consignment shop, The Tack Exchange, just a few doors down from the Tack Box.
Tri County has a lot of clothing that reflects an equestrian life style as well as riding/show clothes. My favorite store is Horse Country in Warrenton - top of the line everything with a special focus on hunting, equestrian life style and an awesome collection of horse books where you can lose yourself for hours.
Don’t worry getting lost on the back roads - GPS works surprisingly well in this area.
When I have visitors from out of town, this is the route I take to show them “Virginia”.
Starting from Aldie (I head up rt 15 to get to Aldie), I go up Snickersville Pike to Rt 7, then left on Mt Weather Rd (or whatever they are calling it these days) to Rt 17 at Ashby Gap and Paris. Then I go south on Rt 17, past Delaplane, join and leave I66, and continue on 17. I keep going on 17 to Warrenton, but you could peel off at Marshall (where 17 leaves I66) or at the Plains (e.g., turn left at Great Meadow) and head back to Middleburg from there.
I second Zulla Road, most beautiful IMHO. Takes you from 50 to Tri County.
I second Janet’s route, Paris Mountain is beautiful, as is Warrenton.
