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The Loudoun Museum & Shop chronicles town and county history through exhibits, videos and a walking tour. Trace its beginnings in 1758, through the revolution when the county was known as “the bread basket of the revolution,” through the Civil War, to the present. There are 5,000 objects in the collection, from Native American to ­locally crafted silver. Of particular note is a collection of seven letters sent by the Lucas family to their former masters, the Heatons of Loudoun County. The emancipated slaves retuned to Africa in 1830, but kept in close contact with the Heatons. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for students, teachers and seniors, and free to children under 10 and members. (14-16 Loudoun Street, SW, tel. 703-777-7427, www.lou­doun­museum.org)

Dining

Eating in historic Leesburg can mean a century-old diner, a candlelit Colonial-style dinner, or fish and chips and a game of darts in a British pub. Georgetown Café and Bakery has an elevated dining deck in the back with a pergola for shade. (19 S. King Street, tel. 703-777-5000, www.leesburgcolonialinn.com)

The Green Tree Restaurant serves “early Colonial cuisine” using 1700s recipes. They light candles on the tables – even for lunch. (15 S. King Street, tel. 703-777-7246, www.lees­burgcolonialinn.com)

King’s Court Tavern is an English Pub serving fish and chips from an authentic British menu. (2C W Loudoun St SW, tel. 703-777-7747, www.leesburgcolonialinn.com)

Leesburg Restaurant is reminiscent of an old-style small town diner that first opened for business in 1865 as Beuchler’s Bakery and Ice Cream Shop. Consistency is its middle name – the place opens every day at 7 am, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. (9 S. King Street, tel. 703-777-3292)

Lightfoot Restaurant is in a restored 1900 bank building and serves American cuisine. (11 N. King Street, tel. 703-777-2233, www.light­foot­restaurant.com)

At Market Station, Tuscarora Mill Restaurant serves American cuisine in either a formal dining room, the more casual café, or outdoors on the terrace. They have 21 beers on tap. (tel. 703-771-9300, www.tuskies.com)

Nido Italiano Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner. (tel. 703-777-7786)

See also the Laurel Brigade and Leesburg inns under Lodging, below.

Lodging

There are several bed & breakfast inns in the historic district. The ­Laurel Brigade Inn has five Colonial guest rooms with private bath and air conditioning. The restaurant overlooks the garden, where you can eat in the outdoor gazebo, weather permitting. The fare is Southern, served with Virginia wines and live classical jazz guitar music from 7-9 pm. (20 W. Market Street, tel. 703-777-1010, www.laurel­bri­gade.com, $$)

Leesburg Colonial Inn & Bella Luna Restaurant has 10 guest rooms with four-poster beds and Oriental rugs, but with all the modern amenities. The restaurant serves Northern Italian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere. (19 S. King Street, tel. 703-777-5000, www.lees­burg­colonial­inn.com, $$)

The Norris House Inn & Stone House Tea Room is a stately 1760 inn at 108 Loudoun Street SW. Three of the bedrooms have fireplaces; there’s a parlor, library, sunroom and veranda. On weekend afternoons tea is served in the stone house or in the gardens. (tel. 800-644-1806, www.norrishouse.com, $$$)

It’s outside town a few miles, but wouldn’t it be neat to stay on a working vineyard? Tarara Vineyard, Winery and Bed & Breakfast is on a 475-acre farm on the Potomac River. All rooms include a bottle of wine, two souvenir glasses and a light breakfast. (13648 Tarara Lane, tel. 703-771-7100, www.tarara.com, $$$)

Pet-friendly: Amazing – on two counts! A Holiday Inn in an 18th-century mansion that takes pets! The Holiday Inn at Historic Carradoc Hall is about two miles from the historic district on eight acres of trees and rolling countryside. There are five suites, the Mansion House Restaurant and the Lighthorse Tavern. Pets are allowed – no extra