Area Attractions
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Living in Patrick Henry College's hometown of Purcellville, Virginia provides a sense of quaint country living without sacrificing an amazing world of opportunity. PHC is at the center of many political, cultural, and natural attractions, all less than an hour away. Students can take study trips to the Library of Congress, hike the Appalachian Trail, fish and swim in the Shenandoah River, play Frisbee on Washington's National Mall or enjoy time with friends at local coffee shops. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, PHC also offers students spectacular rock climbing opportunities.
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Being near the capital doesn't just facilitate great internship opportunities; it allows for a great city experience. Just forty-five minutes away, Washington D.C. offers some of the best historical and cultural venues in the country. Students stroll through the National Gallery of Art, enjoy concerts at the Kennedy Center, and wander through the massive Smithsonian Museums. The White House, the Capitol, the breathtaking cherry blossom season, and the rich history of the area make Washington a place you'll remember for the rest of your life. |
| For an adventurous weekend road-trip, many PHC students enjoy traveling to New York, Philadelphia, or Virginia Beach. A visit to the brand new Washington Nationals baseball stadium is a popular day trip for those who want to watch the Nationals play the best teams in professional baseball. And for a wintry day excursion, students take advantage of college night discounts at Whitetail, Round Top and Liberty ski and snowboard resorts, all less than two hours away. |
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| Parks & Historic Sites | Coffee Shops | Nearby Towns | Washington D.C. | Dancing |
Parks & Historic Sites:
Raven’s Rock, Bluemont, VA
Miles from Campus: about 10 miles
A popular destination for PHC students, Raven’s Rock is about a 15-minute drive from campus and overlooks the Shenandoah and Winchester valleys. Students visit Raven’s Rock for its hiking and rock climbing attractions, or for bonfires and camping trips.
Harper’s Ferry, WV
Miles from Campus: 20 miles
Harper’s Ferry is a quaint and picturesque home to a slice of American history. John Brown’s historic attack on slavery took place here, and the Appalachian Trail runs through the town. Students visit Harper’s Ferry for its beautiful hiking trails and phenomenal view of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers.
Appalachian Trail, VA, WV, MD
The Appalachian Trail is approximately 2200 miles long. It stretches through 14 states, including Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. The trail runs through Harpers Ferry, WV, and is easily accessible to students and visitors who are interested in getting a taste for hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
Franklin Park, Purcellville, VA
Miles from Campus: 5 miles
Franklin Park is a local park, with 203 acres of rolling hills under a beautiful view of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Picnic facilities are provided and children can enjoy playground facilities year-round. The park has a pond and two hiking trails. The park is only a short drive for students and an excellent opportunity to escape the daily routine of school and class for some sunshine and outdoor activity.
BTI Whitewater, on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers
If you’re interested in rafting, kayaking, canoeing, or tubing down the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, BTI Whitewater may be just the ticket. Picnic areas with tables and grills are provided. Live bands also perform on scheduled weekends over the summer.
Antietam National Battlefield Park, Sharpsburg, MD
The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army’s first invasion into the North with a loss of 23,000 soldiers. The park commemorates this historic battle by providing guided tours of the battlefield as well as hiking, driving, and biking trails. The park is open all year.
Gettysburg, PA
Just an hour drive from the campus of Patrick Henry College lies the beautiful and historic Gettysburg National Military Park. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, resulting in a loss of 51,000 men. Today the park commemorates that battle with guided tours through the park and a visitor center and museum. The town also provides many opportunities for shopping and food.
Ball’s Bluff Regional Park, Leesburg, VA
This national park commemorates the largest Civil War engagement to take place in Loudon County, the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. Today the park is home to a cemetery, and provides visitors a glimpse into the historic past with hiking trails and interpretative signs. Free battlefield tours are provided on weekends from April through October.
Luray Caverns, VA
Luray Caverns lies in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and attracts visitors from around the world to see its magnificent, underground rooms—complete with soaring ceilings, towering columns, and breathtaking stalactites. The caverns are open for touring every day of the year.
Coffee Shops:
Market Street Coffee, Purcellville, VA
Miles from Campus: 1 mile
Just a short walk or drive from campus, Market Street Coffee is a popular destination for PHC students. The shop has an artistic flair and frequently features local musical artists both from the local community and the PHC student body. The shop offers a discount to students and free wireless internet, and serves longtime favorites such as gelato, marketccinos, smoothies, and other coffee selections.
Blackberries
Miles from Campus: about 2 miles
A popular hangout place for PHC students, Blackberries offers a wide selection of delicious coffee and baked goods in a charming and spacious environment. The shop also offers giftware items, such as handbags, glasses, jewelry, and chocolates. Free wireless internet is available, and the shop offers two levels of seating options—perfect for an intensive studying session or a visit with friends.
Greenberry’s Coffee & Tea Company, Leesburg, VA
Just a short drive from campus, Greenberry’s Coffee & Tea offers a number of delicious coffee, tea, and dessert choices to customers. The shop has a classy and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a change of scenery or a break from routine. Free wireless internet is provided.
Beans in the Belfry, Brunswick, MD
Beans in the Belfry, a charming café located in an old church, provides a large selection of coffee drinks, tea, and delicious food. Students can explore the balcony of the church and see up into the belfry, or sit in the lower level to enjoy music, the inviting couches, and the brightly decorated room. The shop offers a Sunday “jazz lunch,” twice weekly “English Tea Services” and frequent musical performances. Free wireless internet is provided.
Starbucks, Leesburg, VA
Miles from Campus: about 12 miles
Leesburg is home to two Starbucks shops, both offering the usual Starbucks fare—dark, rich coffee, a variety of Frappuccino options, baked goods, and coffee products. The shops are spacious and inviting, and an excellent place for study. Wireless internet is provided for a fee.
Nearby Towns
Historic Leesburg, VA
Miles from Campus: 8 miles
Leesburg’s Historic District is located just a short distance from campus and provides a charming destination for dining, shopping, or a tour of the historic town. There is a large selection of cafés and restaurants to choose from, in addition to several antique stores and boutiques. Leesburg’s ‘Tally Ho’ movie theater and courthouse are also located nearby. The town’s brick sidewalks and historic architecture complete its image as one of Loudon County’s most charming and elegant getaways.
Old Town Alexandria, VA
Old Town Alexandria was founded in 1749 and is a beautiful and historic town located on the other side of the Potomac River, just across from Washington, D.C. The town is known for its architecture, historic attractions, fine dining, and shopping. Alexandria is complete with cobblestone streets, hiking trails, and colonial homes, overlooking the beautiful view of the Potomac River.
Middleburg, VA
Home to several inns, shops, and restaurants, the town of Middleburg was established in 1787, and now serves as both a historic site and a tourist attraction. Some of Middleburg’s best destinations include their antique shops, book stores, restaurants, and, of course, the Red Fox Inn, billed as the oldest original inn in America. Tourists also visit Middleburg for foxhunting and steeplechasing events.
Leesburg Premium Outlets, VA
Miles from Campus: 10 miles
The Leesburg Premium Outlets are an outdoor shopping mall, complete with all the best stores that the greater D.C. area has to offer. There are 110 outlet stores in total, including Ann Taylor, Barneys New York, Burberry, Crate and Barrel, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Theory, Willams-Sonoma and more. As dining options, Ruby Tuesday and TGI Friday’s are located next to the outlet stores.
Washington, D.C.
Miles from Campus: About 50
Located only 45 minutes away, the nation’s capital serves as a thriving backdrop for activities at PHC. Whether you are interested in art, history, politics, or architecture, there is something to see and do for everyone.
Monuments
No visit to D.C. is complete without seeing our national monuments. Each monument is conveniently situated around the National Mall, making a trip to D.C. a pleasant study break for PHC students. Awe and gratitude, honor and patriotism, well up as one gazes at the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the World War 2, Vietnam, and Korean War Monuments. In nearby Arlington lie the National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
With planning, you can arrange to tour the U.S. Capitol through your Congressman’s office or watch from the galleries as they debate legislation.
Don’t forget to stop and take pictures in front of the White House!
Museums
As home to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. hosts the most extensive, “complex of all the museums in the world.” Whatever your interest, from aviation to African art, there is truly something here for everyone.
Union Station
A train, subway, and bus station for the D.C. metropolis, Union Station serves as the center of this bustling metropolis. Beautiful, nineteenth-century architecture, shopping, and dining all lie inside.
National Conservatory
The National Conservatory holds the greatest variety of floral life in the United States. Exhibits include rare orchids, jungles, deserts, and an outdoor garden.
The John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center
More commonly known as the “Kennedy Center,” this is the stage for entertainment in the area. Students enjoy attending concerts, Broadway shows, ballets, plays, and more at this venue. Also popular are the dances offered on the terrace overlooking the National Mall.
Dancing
Glen Echo Park | More information
The multi-faceted Glen Echo Park offers a variety of dance opportunities, including swing, ballroom, contra, and salsa, all on the beautiful, hardwood floors of the Spanish Ballroom. A group of Patrick Henry students often makes the trek for weekly swing dances held every Saturday night, complete with a live “Big Band.”
