Why Louisa? Louisa is a quaint and beautiful town that you need to visit. Louisa has so much to offer as far as things to do, places to see, people you can meet, restaurants where you can eat delicious food, and shops where you can pick up unique gifts for your friends or family. Louisa is the best place in Virginia! We take a look at Louisa with Louisa Virginia-top ten things to do or see.
1. The Louisa Historic District
The Louisa Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973 and is considered one of the best examples of a 19th-century town planned by a single person, Dr. John Brockenbrough in 1835. The area includes an entire block of Louisa’s commercial district including the Louisa County Courthouse building.
2. The Louisa Theatre
The Louisa Theatre is a beautiful old theatre that has been restored beautifully and now includes live performances from time to time as well as movies for kids. It shows great films like Mary Poppins, Singin’ in the Rain, and more! You can find Louisa Theatre at the corner of Main Street and Sixth Avenue, across from Central Bank.
3. Zephyrhills Winery
A visit to Louisa is not complete without a stop by Zephyrhills Winery for wine tasting! They offer tours with tastings as well on Saturday afternoons. You can also relax in their beautiful outdoor garden courtyard or on the porch with a glass of wine and enjoy Louisa’s famous sunset. Zephyrhills Winery also has a store with wine and gourmet goodies to take home, too. This has been Louisa’s top stop on the wine tour for years!
4. The Chef’s Table
A great place to eat in Louisa is The Chef’s Table! They offer both traditional American fare as well as some delicious Southern dishes like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, pulled pork sandwiches or even bourbon pecan pie for dessert. A favorite of Louisa locals, you’ll be sure to enjoy The Chef’s Table.
Talking of hotels in Louisa, you can also find the famous Louisa Hotel, a historic hotel that has been in operation for more than 100 years and was originally opened as a train station to provide travelers with shelter while they waited for their trains. The Louisa Hotel is Louisa’s only restaurant and bar.
5. Louisa Lake
This is a great place for kids! Louisa Lake has an amazing playground and there are also biking trails that encircle the lake for those who love to bike or skateboard. It’s one of Louisa’s most popular spots because it’s so close to the Louisa Theater, making it a great place for families. Louisa Lake also has a variety of water sports, such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Louisa Lake even has its own fishing pier! The playground is awesome for kids and adults alike and a great place to try new things.
6. The Louisa Museum
The Louisa Museum has been open since 1983 and offers evidence of early Louisianan life as well as telling stories about those who lived in Louisa from pre-historic times through the present day. The museum is also home to an extensive collection of Louisianan art.
The Louisa Museum of Fine Arts is another great place to get up close and personal with art in a small-town setting. Their exhibitions rotate throughout the year so there is always something new for visitors to see.
7. Louisa Fire Department
Louisa is home to the Louisa Fire Department, which was established in 1891 and is one of the oldest volunteer fire departments in Virginia. Their annual Truck or Treat event has quickly become a popular destination for young Louisians who love getting free treats and seeing all the trucks on display during the Halloween season. The Louisa Fire Department also hosts one of Louisa’s oldest and most popular events, the Louisa Fair. The Louisa Fair began in 1853 with a livestock show which has grown to include crafts vendors, live entertainment, games for kids, and food.
8. The Virginia State Arboretum
The Virginia State Arboretum is home to over 400 plant species, many of which were collected by Louisianan botanist Thomas Nuttall. The arboretum has a number of scenic trails, including the Louisa Creek Trail which has some great views for those who want to see Louisian’s nature without going too far. In addition, Louisa has Louisiana’s first public sculpture park, the Louisa Sculpture Garden.
9. Louisa County Courthouse
There are Louisa Virginia historic sites throughout town, including the Louisa County Courthouse that was built in 1884 to replace a courthouse that had burned down. The Louisa Library is also on Main Street next door to the Louisa Post Office which has been operating for over 130 years. The library offers Louisa residents free computer and wi-fi access with a library card. The Louisa courthouse, on the other hand, is not open to the public, but Louisa residents are welcome inside for a tour.
Louisiana is also home to one of the most significant historic sites in all of Virginia, Historic Jamestowne, which was founded by English colonists under Captain John Smith in 1607 as a way station for supplies on their journey to Jamestown Island. Today it offers visitors an in-depth look at the early history of America.
10. Louisa County Agricultural and Industrial School
Louisiana is also home to Louisa County Agricultural and Industrial School, a school for African-Americans that was built in 1878 on 400 acres just outside Louisa Courthouse. It operated as a boarding school until 1928 and today it operates as an agricultural high school with 640 acres that can be rented for weddings and other events. The high school currently offers classes in agriculture, architecture, and horticulture. This has seen Louisa County Agricultural and Industrial School become the perfect location for Virginia’s burgeoning film industry.
In conclusion, Louisa County is rich with historic sites and picturesque landscapes. Whether you enjoy an afternoon exploring Louisa Courthouse, or taking in Louisa’s agricultural history at Louisa Agricultural and Industrial School, Louisa has something for everyone! To top it all, Louisianians are known as the friendliest people in America according to a Travel + Leisure survey from 2012. This is due to our community’s strength.