Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park in Leesburg, VA!

This weekend the family and I checked out Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park in Leesburg, VA. This 67-acre Loudoun County park has three different hiking trails, red, orange and white trails that lead to the Potomac River. The ruins that surround the parking lot were built by Charles Paxton in 1869 when he purchased 200 acres in Loudoun County. The farmhouse and ice house are the only structures still standing with the farmhouse being private property.

We took the orange trail then we met up with the white trail which led us to the Potomac River. I recommend taking the white trail if you have little ones. The white trail is wider and a little easier hike. The white trail is located at the back of the parking lot and clearly marked with white rectangles can be seen on the trees along the path. The only area that you wouldn't be able to take the a stroller or wagon on the white is when you get to the Potomac. You have to scale some steep trail and some steps. Once you get down by the water the kids have plenty of area to walk around. The water table was pretty low when we were there so it might not be such a large area in the wetter months. There are no restrooms at the park and it's a take your trash with you site.

If you're into geocaching there are many caches hidden in the park. Like this one that the kids and I found on our walk.

This is great park to walk around as the trails aren't that long for the kiddos. There are several picnic benches near the parking lot and trail heads if you want to pack a lunch or snack. It's too bad that there are no restrooms or we would of have stayed longer. The park is off of Edwards Ferry Road and if you're coming from the West it's hard to see the park entrance. But if you're coming from the East you can see the park sign clearly.

Brandon Park in Leesburg, VA!

A few weeks ago we checked out Brandon Park in the Town of Leesburg, VA. This small park includes a small piece of equipment equipped with special needs ramps and lots of grass for the kids to run around on.

The piece of play equipment is in great condition with a little bit of shade around it. The best part about the park is the creek that runs along the perimeter and the kids can toss rocks and sticks into the water. Sadly the park doesn't have a restroom but if you're in a real pinch a car dealership is next door with a restroom. If you're driving over to the park there is no parking lot but plenty of open spaces at the dealership right next to the entrance to the park.

This a cute neighborhood park and live in the area or you're stuck at the local car dealerships you should walk over and check them out!

Franklin Park in Purcellville, VA!

Today we were out in Western Loudoun County and decided to hit up Franklin Park in Purcellville, VA. This 203-acre park has lots of natural space and plenty of activities for everyone. Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center is also located in the park.

The park has many different sports venues including inline skating rink, volleyball court, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, disc golf course and swimming pool. In addition to the sports venues there are two different trails an outer loop used for hiking, walking and biking and the inner loop is used for horseback riding. A catch and release pond is located by the baseball fields and has several docks to fish from.

A large fenced in playground is located over by the baseball fields along with an indoor restroom and picnic pavilion. The playground has two large pieces of equipment and both toddler and regular swings. The play area has plenty of shade near and over the equipment.

This is a very nice park with plenty of activities for everyone. The park has a great natural feel and the kids had a great time walking the trails. If you live in the Purcellville area I would highly recommend checking out this park.

Tuscarora Creek Park in Leesburg, VA!

Last week we checked out Tuscarora Creek Park in the Town of Leesburg, VA. A local Dad had told me about the park along with a few others. The park gets it's name from the Tuscarora Creek which sits below the park near the W & OD Trail. Trail access is available right next to the park and a paved path takes you down a slight hill to the trail.

The park has one piece of play equipment which is more appropriate for the older kids than the younger crowd. There are both toddler and regular swings available. There is no shade over the equipment but the kids can escape the sun either under the pavilion or amongst the trees that surround the park. A picnic pavilion is available to rent along with the restrooms. Sadly the restrooms are only available during the rental periods.

The Tuscarora Creek Park in Loudoun County is small but great if you live near the Battlefield Parkway Expansion Bridge. With access to the W & OD Trail if you live near you could use the trail to access the park. An added bonus is the small creek down the paved trail where the kiddos can check out the frogs and throw rocks into the water.

Greenway Park in Leesburg, VA!

Today we checked out Greenway Park in Leesburg, VA. The park is located in the single-family home neighborhood of Greenway Farms in the Town of Leesburg.

This is a very cute neighborhood park with a tot lot, nature trail and basketball court. Sadly there are no restrooms or swings but the kids had a great time playing on the equipment. There isn't any shade over the equipment but there a few picnic tables in the shade between the playground and basketball court.

Great park and if you live near the Greenway Farms development in Loudoun County you should check it out!

Douglass Community Park in Leesburg, VA!

Yesterday we were shopping in Leesburg and stumbled across Douglass Community Park. This great fenced in park is located off E. Market Street behind the Douglass Community Center. The W & OD Trail runs by the paved trail to the community center and is another great way to get to the park.

The Loudoun County playground has two large pieces of play equipment, one small piece of equipment, a small rock wall, and two sets of swings. The equipment was in great condition with a few of the pieces being brand new. With the leaves on the trees the park has lots of shade including the picnic shelter near the playground. Restrooms are available inside the playground and according to a Dad at the park they have a porta potty near the park from April to October.

This is a great community park in Old Town Leesburg with lots of things for the kids to do!

One Loudoun Coming Soon to Loudoun County!

The much anticipated One Loudoun has finally broke ground. One Loudoun has been labeled as "Loudoun County's New Downtown." The large project will be developed off of Loudoun County Parkway and Harry Byrd Highway (Rt. 7). Suburban communities like Lansdowne, Ashburn and Sterling will benefit from the proximity of this project. Now Loudoun County residents won't have to travel to Reston Town Center to find all these amenities in one place.

One Loudoun is going to be a pedestrian friendly atmosphere with lots of walking paths and natural spaces. The large development will include shopping, restaurants, an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, corporate office space, and a four star luxury hotel. In addition the community will include new single family homes by Camberley Homes and townhomes by NV Homes in all different price ranges.

I'm looking forward to all the walking paths and natural spaces for the kids to run around during the spring and summer months. When everyone is done playing we can go grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that are going to be in One Loudoun.

Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn, VA!

Today we checked out Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn, VA! Since we couldn't be outside today we decided to hit up this local favorite in Ashburn. Jumping Jack Sports is located in the same strip mall as the Sports Bounce of Loudoun. Remember to wear your socks  as shoes are not allowed on the inflatables.

My boys had a blast running through the inflatable obstacle course, climbing the rock wall and jumping in the bounce house. My littlest guy wasn't left out either, there were plenty of ride on toys and balls for him to kick around. During the open play session they had a monitor person not just watching the kids but helping them over the tougher parts of the obstacle course. He even took my youngest son down the big slide and from then on I couldn't get him out.

The open play sessions change from week to week so it's best to check their website for dates and times. In addition to open play, Jumping Jack Sports offers sports classes for children and  for a fee you can hold your child's birthday party here. Restrooms were available and clean. No snacks are allowed inside the building so the play area was very clean.

Even though the open play session was only an hour and a half the kids were pooped out once we got home and took a long nap. If it's yucky outside come check out Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn.

The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille in Sterling,VA!

This weekend we checked out The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille located next the Dulles Town Center Mall in Sterling, VA! We had heard some great things about the restaurant especially that kids meals are free with every purchase of an adult burger, sandwich, or entree.

The restaurant was very kid friendly. The booth seating had a personal TV at each table that allowed you to change the channel to whatever you wanted to watch plus you could turn it off once your meal arrived. The waitress also offered to bring the children's food out early as the kids were starving from walking around the mall. One little tidbit that I thought was neat was they had triangle shape crayons! No need to chase crayons under the table they don't roll away. It's the little things in the life! They offered a good variety of healthy foods for the kids including apple wedges with every meal. The restrooms were very clean and even though the place was busy our food got to us in a good time. 

One thing we did read is that the free kids meals are 7 days a week all day long but only at this location. I can't speak for other Greene Turtles but the Kids Eat Free offer is only good at this location. If you ever  get stuck with hungry kids and you want cheap and healthy alternative to home cooking check out The Greene Turtle!

Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly, VA!

Today we checked out Ticonderoga Farms in Chantilly, VA! This time of year is great because local Northern Virginia Farms have Fall Pumpkin Festivals and Ticonderoga Farms is one of them.

With a small admission fee you can play on the playground equipment, go down the large slides, rope bridge, climb up into forts, enjoy a hayride and walk the barnyard area. The best part is you recieve a small pumpkin with each paid admission. My kids always get a kick out of picking out their own pumpkins.

The kids had a great time. Ticonderoga Farms is not as large as the Cox Farms Fall Festival but there is still plenty of things for the family to do at this Loudoun County farm.

Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA!

A friend of mine told me about a great little farm in Western Loudoun County named Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA.

The working farm is 200-acres and was started as a Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA). A CSA is a program where members support the farm and in return share in the crops. The farm is also a U-pick farm where you can take a wagon ride out to the fields and pick fresh vegetables or fruit depending on the season. There is a small admission fee but the farm is lovely and well worth it.

Besides the fresh vegetables, fruit and kettle korn Great Country Farms has a lot to offer the family while you visit. The cow train, large inflatable pillow, and Gem Mining are just a few things you can do at the farm. They offer plenty of play equipment all over the play area along with a barnyard for the kids to see goats, chickens and pigs.

We had a great time and will definitely come back!