Apartment Showcase Blog

Lansdowne: Fine Wine, Dining Await the Renter in This Upscale Community

Filed under: Lansdowne, Va.,Leesburg, Va. — Scott D @ 5:21 pm on February 16, 2011

Lansdowne (aka “Lansdowne on the Potomac”) is a small unincorporated community in Loudoun County, Va.

Technically, it’s part of historic Leesburg, which, as of July 1, 2009, had a population of 40,927 people. (Of course, the Lansdowne area has far fewer residents). For people that follow population demographics, you’ll know that Loudoun County has been one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties in the last decade. Renting an apartment in Lansdowne, you’re about 30 miles from downtown Washington, D.C., a doable morning commute if you can get up early … and we suggest you do so as early as possible.


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Lansdowne Town Center
Lansdowne, VA 20176

Lansdowne is known for the Lansdowne Resort, a luxurious spot for people to be pampered. You’ve got your spa; you’ve got your massage; you’ve got your golf; you’ve got your food; you’ve got your drink. You’ve also got your attractive, 40ish-looking lovers on the website saying come hither.

You also better have the greenbacks to stay here. Assuming you move to Lansdowne and you’re, say, a teacher, I can’t imagine a better place to be a pool boy or towel girl during the summer.

Lansdowne may also be famous as home to the National Conference Center, which bills itself as “one of the largest and most comprehensive conference centers in the nation.” That’s impressive.

As Lansdowne is in Leesburg, renters also have that town proper just to the northwest of them and all the amenities so afforded, including Leesburg Historic District, a farmers’ market, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets and of course: WINE!

[ Related: Leesburg Lives Up to "Grape" Expectations ]

Known as DC’s Wine Country, Leesburg and the surrounding area have plenty of wineries. If you dig further into that tricked-out website of theirs, you’ll see the place is horse country, too. Giddy-up.

Heading back to Lansdowne proper … Lansdowne Town Center offers the renter Harris Teeter, Allyssa Bryn, Bach to Rock and the Lansdowne Animal Hospital for your pooch or kitty cat.

But where this classy plaza really shines is in its veritable smorgasbord of restaurants. Your tummy gets to choose from the likes of Noku Japanese Grill & Sushi, Emilio’s Brick Oven Pizza and Grill, Mariachi Restaurant and Burapa Thai Classic Restaurant. Just so you don’t think me some kind of food snob, the place also has a Subway. Who doesn’t want to eat fresh?

Leesburg: No Such Thing As a Dull Weekend

Filed under: Leesburg, Va. — Scott D @ 8:55 pm on October 21, 2010

Leesburg, Va., does its best to entertain citizens with a variety of family-friendly events all year long. They have an annual egg hunt for the kids near Easter and celebrate the Flower and Garden Festival around the same time. This year’s festival saw more than 36,000 people enjoy landscape designs and all things plant-related. On hand were 133 retail vendors and 12 food vendors to satiate the public’s need to spend money and eat.

As to be expected, Leesburg patriotically observes Memorial Day and also has a Sept. 11 Observance on the Town Green. On a more upbeat note, the town also celebrates the 4th of July with an annual Independence Day Celebration. This year’s celebration featured a parade, an evening concert and what the town claimed was “the largest fireworks show in Northern Virginia.” The event drew an estimated 23,000 revelers, even some from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland. The renter in Leesburg won’t have to leave town to show their patriotism.

[ Related: Leesburg Lives Up to "Grape" Expectations ]

On the athletic charity side of things, the Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with Loudoun Interfaith Relief to host the 8th Annual Freeze Your Gizzard Cross Country 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Nov. 20th. The event begins at 9 a.m. and runners must donate two cans of food to the Loudoun Interfaith Relief’s food bank.

The town also celebrates the holidays with a series of events in December leading up to Santa’s big day, including a tree lighting, Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show and a holiday parade and festival. “Ho, ho, ho” … remember that line from “A Christmas Story” when Santa kicks Ralphie down the slide?

On to something a little more artsy. Acoustic on the Green takes place June through August on the Town Green on Saturday evenings from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Washingtonian Magazine named it a “Best Bet for Summer Concerts,” so they must be doing something right.

And last but not least is the institution known as Leesburg’s First Friday, where the town, like it says, hosts multiple events simultaneously on the first Friday of every month: music, wine-tasting, art shows featuring local artists, all the good stuff. The event is sponsored by the Loudoun Arts Council, the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun Downtown Business Association.

Get Lost: The Five Best Corn Mazes in the D.C. Area

Filed under: Frederick, Md.,Fredericksburg, Va.,Leesburg, Va.,Upper Marlboro, Md. — Anthony @ 7:12 pm on October 20, 2010
Corn maze

Children of the corn: While most mazes offer a moderate challenge during the light of day, the difficulty really ramps up after dark.

Like most people, I’m always on the lookout for a fun, corn-related activity.

Now, living inside the beltway, one doesn’t see a lot of corn in situ – couch potatoes, yes, but not a lot of actual corn. Imagine my delight when I discovered that there are actually several bona fide corn mazes in the area.

For the uninitiated, a corn maze is just what it sounds like – a life-sized maze cut through a farmer’s field of corn – and there are bushels of them within an hour or so of the vast, corn-less city. Best of all, most farms host a variety of autumnal amusements – hayrides, pumpkin patches and the like – so you’re bound to find something that grows on you.

Here’s a look at five of the best mazes in the area, ranging from modest puzzlers to full-blown labyrinths.

Greenstreet Gardens
Location: Lothian, Md.
Size: 5-6 acres
Open: Through Oct. 31

The folks at Greenstreet specialize in growing a variety of plants and flowers for retail and wholesale customers, but they also operate a small corn maze on their 55-acre farm in Lothian, which is east of Upper Marlboro. At no more than six acres, the maze is easy on the feet. Plus, the Wild West theme should help hold the interest of any youngsters who happen to undergo a sudden attack of Xbox-withdrawal halfway to the exit. Other attractions on the farm include a haunted trail, hayrides and the corn pit – a giant sandbox filled with corn kernels.

Belvedere Plantation
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Size: 8 acres
Open: Through Nov. 7

Featuring a cool sunflower design, the maze at Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg, Va., is among the most attractive in the area. It’s well appointed, too: There are themed sound effects throughout, and several elevated corn bridges assist the disoriented wanderer with a sneak peek at what’s around the next bend. Perhaps most helpful are the numerous “rubbing stations” scattered about the maze, giving explorers a chance to make their own souvenir maps. Daring adventurers will want to visit on Nov. 6 when organizers will turn out the lights, transforming the site into a “moonlight maze.” Just remember to bring a flashlight. When you’ve finished roaming through rows of corn, check out the hayrides, take a spin on a pedal tractor or squeal with delight at the pig races. Burgers, wraps and even turkey legs await the hungry explorer at the farm’s own Red Rooster Grill.

Sunrise Farm
Location: Gambrills, Md.
Size: 11 acres
Open: Through Nov. 7

The maze at Sunrise Farm in Anne Arundel County sports a Maryland theme this year, and with 11 acres of clever twists and turns, it may feel at times like you’re walking across half the state. But, fret not: Each visitor gets a map at the entrance, so even the directionally challenged are assured of making it back to civilization eventually. If you still manage to get stuck – or simply lose track of your friends – just raise your safety flag, and one of the “corn cops” on patrol should be able to steer you clear. Animal lovers will note the chance to interact with some of the farm’s fluffier residents, including sheep, ducks and cattle, while the fossil and mineral hunt offers amateur archaeologists the chance to get their hands dirty.

Summers Farm
Location: Frederick, Md.
Size: 14 acres
Open: Through Nov. 2

Located roughly an hour north of D.C. in Frederick, Md., Summers Farm makes for a fairly convenient road trip for city slickers. The 14-acre, Redskins-themed maze is broken up into two sections: a smaller one for the kids and a larger, more challenging parcel for advanced pathfinders. This year’s big addition is “corn texting”: Bring your cell and text specific, maze-related keywords to help you zero in on the exit and earn a chance to win some prizes. But the maze is only part of the attraction at Summers. With a pumpkin patch, a jumping pillow, rubber ducky races, an apple cannon, Goat Mountain (I don’t know what that is, but it sounds bucking awesome), Bunnyville, pony rides and more, this place is a veritable agricultural amusement park. Food is available at the Sweet Shoppe and the Barnyard Grill, or you can rent a campfire space, which comes with food, picnic tables and wood for your fire.

Temple Hall Farm
Location: Leesburg, Va.
Size: 24 acres
Open: Through Nov. 7

At a whopping 24 acres, the maze at Temple Hall Farm just outside of Leesburg, Va., features more unexpected turns than an M. Night Shyamalan double feature. Forget a map; you might need your Tom-Tom to get through this one. The elaborate boy scout-themed design – commemorating the scouts’ 100-year anniversary – seems a bit ironic. I’m not sure that even Lewis & Clark could make it through this thing before harvest time. Regardless, if you’re looking for the ultimate maze challenge in the D.C. area, this has to be it. The 286-acre farm also features a working corn cannon, a pumpkin blaster (with an artillery range and targets … cool!), pig races and a cow train. And while you’re waiting for the search party to drag your friends out of the maze, check out the paintball shooting gallery.

Hidden History: Five D.C.-Area Museums You Won’t Find in the Tourist Guide

Filed under: Alexandria, Va.,Germantown, Md.,Leesburg, Va.,Northwest, D.C.,Rockville, Md. — Anthony @ 7:27 pm on October 6, 2010
Police line-up

The chef did it: Staff at the crime museum can answer all of your pressing law enforcement questions, like how a police line-up works, what fingerprint dust is made of, and why there are so many Law & Order spin-offs on TV.

The Washington, D.C., area is known for its marquee museums — with the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum being particular favorites of the public, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

But, it’s not all dinosaurs and dive bombers around here. Instead, here’s a look at five under-the-radar museums that, while they may lack the name recognition and foot traffic of the Smithsonian stalwarts, are no less deserving of your time.

Stonestreet Museum of 19th-Century Medicine
Location: Rockville, Md.
Open: Wednesday through Sunday
Admission: $5.00

Ideal for a pre-Halloween scare, Rockville’s Stonestreet Museum – named for the physician who practiced out of this tiny, one-room office in 1852 – offers a history lesson on tough-to-stomach, Civil War-era medicine. The assorted medical “tools” – an amputation kit and bowl of leeches leap out – will surely induce a cringe, while the simple mortar-and-pestle device helps explain how we all got along before Tylenol GelCaps. There are also a wood-burning stove and kettle – for dispensing hot coffee to sleepy patients? Twice each month, lively interpreter Clarence Hickey – wearing a top hat and frock coat – portrays Dr. Stonestreet for visitors, demonstrating the operation of various surgical instruments, expounding on the prevailing medical opinions of his day and generally making visitors feel good that they never had to visit the doctor 150 years ago.

National Museum of Crime & Punishment
Location: Northwest, D.C.
Open: Seven days a week
Admission: $19.95

If you’re into C.S.I., Law & Order, heck, even Starsky & Hutch re-runs, then the National Museum of Crime & Punishment in Northwest, D.C., is your place. More than 100 exhibits spanning three floors offer an extensive look at America’s criminal heritage and law enforcement’s on-going efforts to bring crime to heel. Many of the exhibits are interactive, providing hours of felonious fun: Lock yourself in the pillory, test your reflexes in the Wild West shooting gallery and even try to crack a safe within the time limit. On the “punishment” side, experience the anxiety of standing in a police line-up, attempt to outwit a real lie detector test and put the pedal to the floor in a simulated, high-speed police chase. There’s even a crime scene investigation exhibit with a lab and morgue. Make sure you check out the array of execution machines, including an electric chair, gas chamber and – gulp – guillotine.

Museum of Hounds & Hunting
Location: Leesburg, Va.
Open: Seven days a week
Admission: $10.00

Tucked away in a corner of the spacious Morven Park estate in Leesburg, Va., the Museum of Hounds & Hunting preserves the rich – albeit somewhat obscure – history of fox hunting in America. Just the sort of genteel activity the good Dr. Stonestreet would’ve been into, no doubt. Exhibits range from the traditional – there are dozens of paintings and statuary of the sporting life – to more exotic fare, like the interactive replica of a harness maker’s workshop with its life-sized “workers.” Hunt hard enough and you’ll flush out some true gems: an authentic huntsman’s horn from 1731 and General George S. Patton’s own hunting diaries. Keep your eyes peeled for the bizarre, 19th-century jockey chair, a spring-loaded contraption on which riders would sit and bounce for up to 30 minutes to maintain riding muscles during days of inclement weather.

George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill
Location: Mount Vernon, Va.
Open: Seven days a week (through Oct. 31)
Admission: $4.00

Here’s something they don’t teach in school: When he wasn’t chopping down cherry trees or refusing to lie through his wooden teeth, George Washington ran a whiskey still. A very successful one. In 1799 alone, the former president’s operation pumped out 11,000 gallons of liquid gold, making it the largest distillery in the young nation. But, there was more to Washington’s business portfolio than booze. He also operated a large gristmill that produced flour and cornmeal for export abroad. Stop by Mount Vernon, which is south of Alexandria, to learn more about Washington’s entrepreneurial side. Costumed distillers and mill operators bring the facility to life, while an in-depth exhibit on the building’s second floor sheds more light on the man’s life. There’s even a period gift shop, where you can purchase colonial-themed jellies, toys, cornmeal and, yes, some of that presidential whiskey.

King Barn Dairy MOOseum
Location: Boyds, Md.
Open: Saturdays & fourth Sunday of each month (through October)
Admission: Free

Located just outside of Germantown in Boyds, Md., the MOOseum eschews the stuffy atmosphere of traditional exhibit halls in favor of a more down-to-earth vibe. And, by that, I mean you may come across some cow poop. This dairy heritage museum – located on a real, 350-acre dairy farm – recounts the history of milk production in Montgomery County, demonstrating the route that your glass of 2% takes from Ol’ Bessie to your breakfast table. Attractions include various artifacts related to dairy production, an extensive photo collection and a map tracing the histories of more than 300 MoCo dairy farms. On special days, you’ll find live dairy cows on-site and organizers demonstrating some of the dairy farmer’s favorite pastimes, like milking, cheese making and ice-cream making.

D.C. Superlatives: Five Reasons to Love the Washington Area

Filed under: Ashburn, Va.,Dulles, Va.,Leesburg, Va.,Northwest, D.C.,Southwest, D.C.,Wheaton, Md. — Anthony @ 9:10 pm on September 23, 2010

Let’s face it: One of the nice things about residing in or near the nation’s capital is that, well, it’s the nation’s capital. There’s a certain amount of prestige that accompanies living in the lengthy shadow of the Washington Monument and sharing a ZIP code with the president.

Metro escalator

Remember your escalator etiquette. Walkers on the left, standers on the right. Tourists? They usually just stand wherever they want.

But, the metro area offers so much more than monuments, museums and law makers. D.C. reigns as America’s most political, most powerful city, to be sure. But, here’s a look at five, lesser-known – though not necessarily insignificant – superlatives attached to our beloved metropolis and its suburbs.

America’s Most Vertiginous Escalator: At 230 feet, the escalator at the Wheaton Metro station isn’t just the longest in the country; it’s the longest in the western hemisphere. Moving at roughly 90 feet per minute, this vertigo-inducing beast is actually slower than most mall escalators. Its “speed” (I use that word loosely), coupled with its length, means it takes just under three minutes to reach the bottom – enough time to email your boss that you’ll be late for work thanks to the western hemisphere’s longest escalator. Fortunately, because of the way the station was designed, you can’t spy the platform from the escalator. Thus, you are spared the heartache of seeing your train pull away as you inch downward … even though you know it totally is. Sigh.

World’s Most Well-Stocked Beer Cooler: You’ve heard the song, “99 Bottles of Beer”? Well, D.C.’s The Brickskeller has that beaten by, oh, several hundred cases. This curiously named tavern has been a fixture of the DuPont Circle neighborhood since 1957 and houses a veritable library of bottled beers – 1,032, to be exact. According to “Guinness World Records,” that number represents “the largest selection of commercially available beers” at any bar in the world. And, they’ve got beer from all over the world. Looking for that Scaldis Special Ale from Belgium? They’ve got that. Ukrainian Obolon Lager? Got that, too. Surely, you can’t get a bottle of Kenya’s Tusker? Shipment just came in. If you fancy yourself an ale aficionado, then visit The Brickskeller the next time you’re in DuPont.

Beer picnic

Forget that beer picnic you've been planning. Instead, grab your best pair of socks and join your fellow suds-lovers down at The Brickskeller.

America’s Snazziest County: Despite what you may have seen on “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” the wealthiest county in the nation isn’t out west. It’s right here at home: Loudoun County, Va. According to a 2007 survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, Loudoun’s median household income of $107,207 is the highest among U.S. counties, edging neighbor Fairfax County ($105,241) for the top spot. Loudoun owes its financial windfall in part to its proximity to Dulles Airport and its courtship of high-tech companies like Verizon Business and satellite-maker Orbital Sciences Corporation, both of which have headquarters in Loudoun. However, the county holds firm to its rural roots, too: There is a bustling equestrian industry, highlighted by Morven Park, where national equestrian events are held each year, and the county is home to more than 20 wineries. Treat yourself to a Sunday drive through Loudoun and count the Bentleys.

America’s Skinniest Regional Park: Skinny, heck. Stretching 44.8 miles long but just 100 feet wide, Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is the supermodel of area parks. This Northern Virginia park, which snakes from Shirlington to Purcellville, is home to the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, an asphalt rail trail that runs the length of the grounds and provides a bucolic escape for city-dwelling hikers and bikers. The trail is well-appointed for extended excursions: There are several bed & breakfasts along the route, dozens of historical sites and museums to check out, plus wildlife that you won’t find in the city. For horse-lovers, a 32-mile, public-use bridle path runs alongside the trail.

World’s Most Out-of-Place Memorial: If you’ve ever wondered how it can be that our nation’s thriving lobster industry has yet to be immortalized by way of a giant, bronze statue, allow me to set your mind at ease. Introducing, The Maine Lobsterman. Located (appropriately enough) just off Maine Avenue in Southwest, D.C., the Lobsterman memorial is not a triumphant depiction of the Justice League’s most obscure superhero. Rather, it’s a tribute to the hard-working, hard-living lobstermen of Maine … you know, in downtown D.C. Which, the last time I checked, is crab country not lobster land.

Leesburg Lives Up to “Grape” Expectations

Filed under: Leesburg, Va. — Scott D @ 6:55 pm on August 17, 2010
Touring a vineyard

Savor the picturesque countryside – not to mention the Merlot – at any of a number of wineries in the Leesburg area.

Do you like to imbibe?

Some people do – let’s be honest, some people really do – and for those who have a taste for things finer than Pabst Blue Ribbon, or most beers, there’s Virginia’s Loudoun County, officially known as D.C.’s Wine Country. Of the 22 wineries and vineyards in Loudoun County, eight are located in Leesburg – more than any other city in the county. People are surprised to find a thriving wine industry in Virginia, and Loudoun County is an integral cog in that economic machine.

There are two winery tour companies in Leesburg to help educate your palate: Virginia Wine Adventures and Point to Point Winery & Vineyard Tours. For those that like to get physical, several bike tours of local vineyards are available from the Trail’s End Cycling Company, located in nearby Purcellville.

Finally, be sure to stay on top of upcoming wine-related events in the Leesburg area, including wine tastings, vineyard-hosted art shows and more. Live music is frequently involved. When you rent an apartment in Leesburg, it’s comforting to know that after a hard day at work, fine wine is nearby.

Leesburg: Country Charm with Big-City Amenities

Filed under: Leesburg, Va. — Scott D @ 2:40 pm on July 25, 2010
Wine in Leesburg

More than a half-dozen wineries are located in Leesburg.

As of July 1, 2009, Leesburg, VA, had a population of 40,927. It’s the county seat of Loudoun County, which has been one of the nation’s fastest growing counties in the last decade. So apartment renters may think Leesburg has a lot going for it … and they would be right.

Sitting approximately 40 miles northwest of the nation’s capital, Leesburg was officially founded in 1758, and the spirit of old is kept alive in the town’s historic district, which features many 18th-century buildings. One such structure, the Loudoun Museum Log Cabin, is the only original, exposed log house remaining in Leesburg.

But Leesburg merchants are busy making some mercantile history of their own. The Leesburg Downtown Business Association lists “approximately 80 retail, professional and service businesses” in a 12-block span.

Leesburg Highlights Include:

  • Food and Culture: More than 10 restaurants and cafes, a number of art galleries, hotels and a movie theatre.
  • Great Shopping: Bargain hunters will be sure to hit the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets center, which boasts Calvin Klein, a Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, among many other merchants.
  • Farmers’ Markets: The district even has its own farmers’ market at the Leesburg Saturday Morning Market, which is open every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., from Oct. 2 to April 30. A second farmers’ market, the Loudoun Valley HomeGrown Markets Association Leesburg Farmers Market (a mouthful, I know), occurs May 1 to Oct. 30, from 8 a.m.-Noon. So, citizens leasing apartments for rent in Leesburg in this fair town will not go without their fresh produce.
  • Wine: Leesburg is also famous for being part of DC’s Wine Country™
  • Equestrian Life: Known for its well-established equestrian tradition, for those who own, lease, or just love horses, renting in Leesburg puts you closer to many area boarder barns and competitions.

And for those who love to be outdoors, the Town of Leesburg Parks and Recreation Department maintains 16 parks, including the vast Ida Lee Park complex. Ida Lee also features a recreation center with two pools – one a 10-lane by 25-yard competition pool – a whirlpool spa, fitness center and basketball court.

For the renter who likes a thriving town where the bucolic countryside is nearby, you can’t go wrong with Leesburg.

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