Over the holidays, my husband and I were itching to travel, but we were concerned <obviously> with safety. We normally travel around the holidays- last year we went to Paris and had a wonderful time. Since traveling far is not ideal (or allowed!) right now, and we are still not comfortable flying yet, I started researching places in Virginia. We wanted to make sure wherever we were going was also following safety protocols and wasn't going to be super crowded with other travelers. It also happened to be our 7 year wedding anniversary, so having nice accommodations and a luxe dining experience was also desired.
I kept thinking of Paris, VA. I'd seen signs for Paris in drives along 66 and I would always laugh to myself wondering what Paris, VA is like, since Paris, France is a favorite city of mine. I had also recently seen an article in Northern Virginia Magazine featuring The Ashby Inn, located in Paris, VA. I was intrigued. I looked up the Inn and after seeing the nice accommodations and the highly rated restaurant, I knew this was our place. I booked us for the weekend instantly and was excited for the mini-Paris getaway!
Staying at The Ashby Inn was a great experience. The drive from the DC area is just over an hour down 66. The town of Paris itself is small- just one main road and secluded homes with beautiful views. The Ashby Inn itself is a quaint, historic inn and the hospitality was top-notch. We opted for The Fan room- I selected this room since it had a private entrance and balcony with views and rocking chairs (also so we could be sure we would be distanced from others with the private entrance). It also had a fridge, so we could bring snacks and drinks (which I recommend since the closest convenience store is like 20-30 min away!). I was very happy with the decision on the room and suggest booking The Fan room for your stay!
The highlight was by far the dining. Breakfast was included in the stay and was fantastic. Everything was delicious and I still daydream about the croissants, lol! We also booked dinner (when you book your stay, you should call and book your dinner reservation as well as they fill up fast) and it was also fantastic. From the service to the presentation to the taste- it was all around amazing.
Some additional tips on Paris, VA:
- Be prepared to unplug and reset. If you're looking for a fast-paced experience, you will not find it in Paris. It is very quiet and relaxing and perfect for those looking for escape the hustle and bustle.
- If wine is your thing, you're in luck! There are tons of wineries and breweries near Paris. I recommend visiting Lost Barrel Brewery or Barrel Oak Winery.
- If you're into antiques, there are a great selection of antique shops in close proximity to Paris. I recommend Red Schoolhouse Antiques and Neatoville Antiques.
- For more dining options, Hunter's Head Tavern in Upperville was great. We visited for dinner on our first evening in Paris and everything was great- from the food to the social distancing and safety protocols.
- Middleburg is also close by if you're looking for additional shopping, coffee/dining options, and more.
Overall, we throughly enjoyed our getaway to Paris, VA. It was the perfect distance for a quick weekend trip and it was just what we were looking for in terms of accommodations and safely distancing from others. I highly recommend a stay at The Ashby Inn for your getaway or for a special occasion. While we went in cooler temps (and still had a fun time), I'm looking forward to visiting again with warmer temps. They also have a beautiful patio and outdoor area that will be perfect for the upcoming spring months!
XOXO
Blonde in the District
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