Salamander Middleburg Salamander Middleburg
Salamander Middleburg
handwritten thank you note from Kennedy Onassis proclaims it the “ most enchanting house in Virginia .”)
Even if you ’ re not staying here , you should check out the owner ’ s forsale collection of 18th and 19th-century “ animal sporting art .” Think hounds , foxes , and genteel equestrians , reflections of Middleburg ’ s past and present .
SHOPPING : Another Blue Moon consigns items that radiate the Middleburg esthetic : silver stirrup cups , a vintage Louis Vuitton suitcase , and a Frederick Remington bronze recast of a bucking bronco . A second location features more oversized items . A former buyer for Bergdorf Goodman owns Chloe ’ s of Middleburg and stocks women ’ s apparel , jewelry , and gift items . A big seller : cotton knit sweaters emblazoned with “ Middleburg .” Crème de la Crème carries eclectic wares ranging from Moroccan baskets to French linens to its line of candles . The Byrne Gallery hosts changing exhibits of artists .
DINING : King Street Oyster Bar features daily seafood specials . Its Sunday brunch and $ 1.50 happy hour oysters ( 3 p . m . -6 p . m . daily ) are popular with locals . The Red Fox Inn & Tavern has stood on this site for almost three centuries , with considerable tweaks and additions . A four-course seasonal tasting menu is served nightly ( closed Wednesday ) in the dining rooms . Casual dinner fare is available in the pub . The Upper Crust is the go-to spot to satisfy your sweet tooth . Or grab a sandwich on the patio or in the reconstructed historic toll house out back .
LODGING : Welbourne Inn sits on 520 acres located five miles from town and has five main guestrooms , with overflow space for related guests . It ’ s been in the same family for eight generations . The original stone house dates to 1775 ; the “ new ” wing is from 1870 . An inn since the 1930s , past guests include F . Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe , who incorporated the setting into stories . Dogs are welcome ; guests can interact with 90 retired horses who board here .
Salamander Middleburg gets a five-star nod from Forbes for its lodgings and spa . Set on 340 acres within walking distance of town , amenities include an equestrian center , indoor and outdoor swimming pools , lawn games , tennis courts , and a putting green .
The Red Fox Inn has 22 guestrooms in five buildings , including the original 1728 inn .
EVENTS : The second Saturday in May , Art in the Burg brings a festive atmosphere to South Madison and Federal streets . Virginia ’ s oldest steeplechase races , the Middleburg Spring Races , take off the third Saturday in April at Glenwood Park . ( Fall races are in October .) Also in the fall , the four-day Middleburg Film Festival .
Don ’ t miss : National Sporting Library & Museum is dedicated to “ country pursuits ,” including foxhunting , steeple chasing , and polo . On exhibit through March 3 : Theodore Roosevelt ’ s Sporting Universe .
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