Freedom and Whiskey Weekend Getaway
Discovery history, savor freedom, and taste excellence with a Freedom and Whiskey Getaway in Orange County, Virginia!
Freedom and Whiskey Weekend Getaway
“… Freedom and Whisky gang thegither, Take aff your whitter …” – Robert Burns, The Author’s Earnest Cry and Prayer
Discovery history, savor freedom, and taste excellence with a Freedom and Whiskey Getaway in Orange County, Virginia!
Located in the heart of the Piedmont region of the Virginia Foothills, Orange County boasts an abundance of history and heritage; outdoor recreation; farm-to-table food experiences; superb wineries, breweries, and distilleries; and unique boutiques, galleries, and spas. Make your plans to spend a fun, relaxing weekend exploring the best the county has to offer.
Montpelier is the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth President of the United States. Set on 2,650 acres, Montpelier is more than just the home of one of America’s Founding Fathers. It’s a place to learn how our Constitution affects our everyday lives. It’s a site that brings its legacy of slavery out of the past and under the lens of our current understanding of the world we all inhabit. It’s an ongoing archaeological dig that tells us more about 18th-century life. It’s a destination for anyone who wants to know more about how the thinking of James Madison changed the world.
- Daily guided house tours that explore the legacies of James and Dolley Madison, the Enslaved Community, and the U.S. Constitution
- Miles of walking trails winding through horse pastures, wildflower meadows, and forests
- Beautifully landscaped gardens
- Galleries
- The award-winning exhibition The Mere Distinction of Colour
- The Gilmore Cabin, a restored Freedman’s farm
- The 1910 Train Depot
Just a few miles south of Montpelier in Barboursville is The Virginia Foothills Distillery & Company. Distillers Colonel Chuck and Christen Reinhold and restaurateurs Chef Craig and Donna Hartman lend their expertise gleaned from the finest distilling traditions from around the world to bring an equally world-class spirits distillery. Visit and learn the fascinating story behind their first and finest spirit – Blind Preacher – and savor this rye bourbon, distilled and aged to the highest degree of excellence using a sweet mash process. The distillery offers a 10% discount on merchandise with proof of purchase of a tour at Montpelier. With this same proof of purchase, guests can also enjoy a free whiskey-tasting flight for two
Next door is the Exchange Cafe, also owned and operated by the Hartmans. Serving an assortment of locally sourced meats, seafood, and vegetables grilled over hickory coals, the Exchange Café offers visitors a sampling of the bounty of the Virginia Foothills region, celebrating local produce, Virginia wine, and honoring the food they put on your table.
Built ca. 1830 and located in historic downtown Orange, the Holladay House is the perfect place from which to explore the area. Hosts Pat McAloon and Monica Xia will ensure that your stay is perfect in every way. With six rooms and gathering spaces, guests can expect modern convenience in a historic setting. As an added treat, guests can enjoy a special Full Tea or Princess Tea by reservation. Pat and Monica are happy to offer 10% off the nightly rate to guests who provide proof of purchase of a tour or merchandise from Montpelier’s museum shop.
Centrally located a half-day drive or less from major cities along the East Coast, Orange County offers the best of Virginia nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here you can explore the country’s rich past and savor its future in the same day, or make it a leisurely weekend getaway! Orange is conveniently located 20 miles from Charlottesville, VA; 60 miles from Richmond, VA; 70 miles from Washington, DC; and 160 miles from Norfolk, VA.
