Leesburg, Va.
Getting there: Leesburg is an easy, 4-hour (220 mile) drive from Pittsburgh on mostly highway roads. You'll skip the Washington, D.C., beltway traffic as you head south toward Virginia before the craziness of Interstate 270 in Frederick, Md. You might get caught behind a truck on Route 15, through rural woodland and farmland. But the route is lovely, especially after you cross the Point of Rocks bridge over the Potomac River into Virginia. Where to stay: Leesburg is home to several moderately priced chain hotels along with a handful of bed-and-breakfasts. There’s also the AAA Four Diamond Lansdowne Resort & Spa, which offers a championship golf course, 12,000-square-foot spa and four restaurants. If you’re looking for romance, Goodstone Inn in nearby Middlesburg is one of more than a dozen B&Bs sure to melt your significant other’s heart. Food and drink: Dining is as upscale or laid back as you like. We noshed on some solid wood-fired pizza at Fire Works near the historic Tuscarora Mill (order the Black Sheep); had pit-smoked barbecue at Smokehouse Live while listening to live music; and enjoyed a lovely smoked salmon plate at Trinity House Cafe. Be sure to visit Mom’s Apple Pie, the rhubarb/strawberry and sour cherry varietiies are fantastic. For terrific breakfasts, head to Shoes Cup and Cork on North King Street. Activities: Along with biking and antiquing, Leesburg offers the Civil War’s Ball’s Bluff Battlefield, with guided tours from May-Oct., and two house museums: Marshall House, home of Gen. George C. Marshall, and Oatlands Plantation, a National Historic Landmark. Horse lovers can visit the Museum of Hounds and Hunting at Morven Park, the only foxhunting museum in the country. Wine tastings cost anywhere from $5 to $15 so track down a Tuskie’s Wine Trail Guide — it’s full of coupons. If you plan multiple stops, Point-to-Point Limousines offers winery tour packages that start at $40/person. Information: visitloudon.org or 1-800-752-6118