Top Things to Do in Northern Virginia for Luxury Travelers in 2025

Exclusive Vineyard Experiences
While Napa Valley’s wine country notoriety is renowned the world over, Virginia is quickly becoming America’s next great wine getaway. Home to over 300 versatile vintners, the region’s diverse blends are earning accolades, including Wolf Gap Vineyard and Winery, whose Clare Sparkling rosé won gold in the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Cup, and Chrysalis Vineyards, which earned top spot for their Norton-based blend Bull Run Mountain Cuvée.

In Delaplane, RdV Vineyards’ Bordeaux-style reds are best paired with local charcuterie and enjoyed via their exclusive Collector’s Club. Stone Tower Winery in Leesburg is a 400-acre, family-owned estate atop Hogback Mountain. Stellar vineyard views are paired with access to unreleased wines, private events and curated picnics. In Middleburg, Cana Vineyards and Winery offer exclusive seasonal winemaker dinners overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, while Greenhill Vineyards’ small batch wines add charm to its private polo-view tastings and farm-to-table dinners.
Boxwood Estate Winery, founded by former Washington Commanders owner John Kent Cooke and designed by legendary American modernist Hugh Newell Jacobsen. A boutique, Bordeaux-focused gem, it features private and curated whiskey tastings, winemaker consultations, and seasonal, farm-to-table al fresco dining in the vineyard gardens.

Iconic, Experiential Stays
Located in Old Town Alexandria, The Alexandrian blends historic charm with bespoke boutique sophistication and seasonal Southern cuisine, inspired and nurtured through rock-solid relationships with local producers. In Middleburg, Salamander Resort and Spa, a Forbes five-star resort owned by Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, sits on 340 acres of pristine Virginia horse and wine country. Enjoy a range of experiences, including a sunset helicopter tour over lush and storied Virginia horse country and private equestrian lessons, spa indulgences, curated wine and whiskey flights, and al fresco dining on a garden terrace. Add a private polo lesson complete with custom riding attire, and a champagne breakfast on the stables’ terrace for a rejuvenating retreat.

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Nearby Goodstone Inn is a quaint 265-acre, restored 19th-century countryside estate featuring 18 historic suites and boutique cottages. Relax and unwind in The French Farm, a picturesque oasis perched hillside and surrounded by lush gardens, offering chic, country decor and unparalleled seclusion. Enjoy a private tour of the property on horseback before dining and imbibing outdoors, courtesy artisanal whiskey pairings and curated tasting menus in meticulously manicured gardens.

Nearby, in the Shenandoah Valley, experience Staunton’s Victorian-era architecture, preserved brick streets, hidden historic sites and private art galleries. Visit the American Shakespeare Center and Blackfriars Playhouse, the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, and explore the preserved childhood home of President Woodrow Wilson with private guided tours and after-hours access, afternoon tea and lunch in the gardens.

Embark on a private tour of the largest cavern in the eastern United States in Luray before exploring legendary Shenandoah from the ground, on the water and in the air. Private hiking and photography tours offer access to hidden trails and glorious vistas. Guided camping and glamping experiences are paired with stargazing sessions with astronomers. Tailored canoe/kayak excursions along the Shenandoah River are accompanied by gourmet culinary experiences. Sunrise or sunset helicopter tours offer panoramic, picture-perfect views of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, while chauffeured luxury vehicles – or classic convertible rides – make for a great adventure along Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, aka “America’s Favorite Drive”.

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Artisanal Treasures
Whether it’s a private glassblowing experience at Staunton’s Sunspots Studios or indulging in ethical, small-batch, award-winning, artisanal bean-to-bar elegance at Chantilly’s River-Sea Chocolates, northern Virginia has a plethora of luxe experiences. Near Great Falls, L’Auberge Chez Francois seamlessly combines historic elegance with artisanal culinary mastery, complete with Alsatian-inspired architecture, charming garden views and delectable chef-curated experiences. In Tysons, Joon, the birth child of Executive Chef Najmieh Batmanglij and Michelin-starred Chef-Owner Chris Morgan, serves as the gold standard of Eastern Mediterranean cuisine. James Beard semi-finalists, Joon’s lush interiors, saffron-scented air, and artisanal fare make it an ideal bespoke evening.

Photo by Sadie Mantell / Shutterstock.com.

Enjoy whiskey elegance at its best at Catoctin Creek, one of Northern Virginia’s most esteemed artisanal spirits producers, and the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since Prohibition. It’s Roundstone Rye, Mosby’s Spirit, and Watershed Gin are renowned award-winners, celebrated for their taste, execution and craftsmanship. Be a ‘Distiller for a Day’ by mashing, fermenting and distilling your whiskey, and invest in a 30-gallon cask, choose your flavor profile, proof level and custom branding. Alternatively, savor their intimate, candlelit ‘Dinner at the Distillery’, an exclusive, four-course seasonal menu masterpiece, brilliantly paired with curated cocktails, all set within the warm, iconic glow of their copper-still tasting room.