Fun Fact: According to legend, Francis Fauquier won the land that is now Fauquier County in a poker game.

We bestowed 5 out 5 stars to Fauquier County for dog friendliness.

Located in Virginia’s horse and wine country, Fauquier (pronounced FawKeer) County provides so many spots for Spot that we could barely keep up! Every corner teems with dog friendly stuff and we wanted to do it all. (Fauquier County offers plenty of dog friendly accommodations but we live nearby so we didn’t stay overnight.)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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We started at the top of Fauquier County and worked our way down.

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Delaplane

Our Delaplane triptych began at a jaw-droppingly beautiful state park that only got better when the stars came out.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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Sky Meadows State Park

11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane

I found it impossible to be in a bad mood, or even a blah mood, while I explored Sky Meadows State Park. Immediate effects from a short hike included exhilaration, renewed energy, and a bit of giddiness.

For anyone needing a nature fix, I have good news: The park includes over 20 miles of trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Map from dcr.virginia.gov

Sky Meadows State Park shows its LOVE and Jake says that the feeling is mutual.

We began with a self-guided tour around the historic grounds of its working farm.

Jake ponders the history of the Bleak House and log cabin.

We then hiked the easy 1.6 mile Corporal Morgan Trail, named for the young soldier who lived on this property and died fighting for his country during the Revolutionary War.

Jake hikes the Corporal Morgan Trail.

We also wanted to check out the park’s most popular hike—the Piedmont Overlook Trail. This short but steep trail rewarded us with spectacular views.

Liesl, our foster dog, takes in the view.

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We timed our visit to Sky Meadows’ Dark Sky Park to coincide with clear skies. We only brought snacks but other visitors brought folding chairs, telescopes and photography equipment.

Amos looks for the Dog Star (Sirius) at Sky Meadows Dark Sky Park.

Photos from Facebook | Sky Meadows State Park

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Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery

3623 Grove Ln., Delaplane

Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery features enough dog friendly seating for everyone to bring a dog or three.

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The Mirrored Tomb of Architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen

10608 Pleasant Vale Rd., (entrance on Scuffleburg Rd.), Delaplane

Calling all taphophiles!

Check out the most stunningly original (but also amazingly simple) tomb that I have ever seen.

We reflected upon this mirrored tomb.

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Markham

The pack embarked on a Markham trifecta—hiking a portion of the AT, checking out a small lake, and enjoying the benefits of wine country.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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Appalachian Trail

Tuckers Lane Appalachian Trailhead Parking, Markham

We like to keep things simple and this trailhead features an adjacent parking lot for easy access.

Bonus! This trailhead includes an Amos-sized bridge.

Although the four-legged members of our pack would like to hike the AT all the way to Maine, we turned back after a couple of miles.

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Thompson Lake

Parking Area-2283 Leeds Manor Rd., Markham

Liesl poses for the camera at Thompson Lake.

Located within the Richard G. Thompson Wildlife Management Area, a visit to Thompson Lake requires an access permit.

I immediately took a shine to the lake’s lovely fern-lined trail through the forest.

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Naked Mountain Winery

2747 Leeds Manor Rd., Markham

The super dog friendly Naked Mountain Winery welcomes four-legged guests into its tasting room, onto its deck and around its grounds.

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Marshall

In Marshall we adventured along a river and enjoyed a dinner date.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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Riverside Preserve

8150 Leeds Manor Rd., Marshall

Grendel sees water. Grendel jumps in. End of story.

The pack hikes the Riparian Ramble Trail.

Mack prefers fishing. I love hiking. The Riverside Preserve offers the best of both worlds. Mack did a little fishing while the rest of the pack hiked among nonstop wildflowers.

Map from FauquierCounty.gov

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Orlean Market

6855 Leeds Manor Rd., Marshall

This is not our first rodeo at the Orlean Market. We previously celebrated an anniversary with a fabulous meal at this local institution.

We appreciate the oodles of dog friendly seating here and the terrific service.

A salad with falafel for me and a crabcake sandwich for Mack

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The Plains

The Plains represents horse country at its finest. We trekked around the location of the infamous Gold Cup steeplechase and admired The Plains historic downtown.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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Great Meadow

5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains

Liesl goes hatless on her walk around Great Meadow.

Each year at the Great Meadow’s Gold Cup events, a landscape of colorful toppers, chapeaux, and fascinators appear like wildflowers in a field.

In between hosting its world class events, Great Meadow welcomes canines and their humans to walk its trail. The only accessory required? A leash.

Map from greatmeadow.org

After registering for its dog walking program, we leashed up for more than 2 scenic miles around the Great Meadow.

Liesl accessorizes with a smile and a leash at the Great Meadow.

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Bistro @ The Porch

6483 Main St., The Plains

Bistro @ The Porch features dog friendly seating for both fair and foul weather.

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The Plains Historic Downtown

Main St., The Plains

It’s very easy to fall head over heels in love with the eclectic charm of The Plains. (Don’t say you haven’t been warned.)

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Warrenton

To explore the wonders of Warrenton, we created a CaNine Top Nine List.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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1. Cheesecake Heaven, 5125 US-29, Warrenton

First impressions are important and Warrenton’s Cheesecake Heaven drive-thru made a delicious first impression on our pack. (Jake apologizes for barking while we placed our order. He was very excited.)

2. Whitney State Forest. 38° 40′ 19.6″, -77° 48′ 20.5″

Whitney State Forest provides an escape from the hustle and bustle in town and many opportunities for sniffs and whiffs.

Map from dof.virginia.gov

3. Barking Rose Brewing Co., & Farm, 9057 Old Culpeper Rd., Warrenton

We met Kavik and Huck who were hanging out with their humans at the Barking Rose.

A dog friendly brewery with a LOVE sign meets our criteria for awesomeness. For a second opinion, we asked regulars Kavik and Huck. They gave the Barking Rose 10 out of 10 paws.

Hello, LOVE! (at the Barking Rose)

4. Airlie, 6809 Airlie Rd., Warrenton

Do you see Airlie’s LOVE sign? If not, no worries. It’s magnified in the photo below.

We attended a wedding reception at Airlie years ago and will always remember the grandeur and stunning landscapes. We love that its accommodations are not just luxurious, but also dog friendly.

5. Warrenton Branch Greenway, Parking at South 4th St. & 8428 Meetze Rd.

Liesl wants me to stop taking photos and start walking (on the Warrenton Branch Greenway).

The dog waste stations and a doggy accessible water fountain heightened our enjoyment of our 4.4 mile “there and back” walk. Warrenton Branch Greenway

We parked at South 4th Street, the site of the Depot Park LOVEwork.

6. Denim & Pearls, 29 Main St., Warrenton

Denim & Pearls offers lots of dog friendly seating options.

Jake highly recommends the ramen at Denim & Pearls as long as he gets a bite of the hard-boiled egg.

7. Licorice Pizza, 32 Main St., Warrenton

Liesl dotes upon Licorice Pizza.

Heck yeah, you should go to Licorice Pizza. If you don’t believe me, just ask Liesl.

8. The Frozen Yogi, 11 Main St., Warrenton

Hello Pup Cups!

The Frozen Yogi serves pup cups AND welcomes dogs inside its fabulous Bali-themed shop.

Jake would like a few more samples for testing purposes.

9. Historic Downtown, (Mostly) Main St., Warrenton

A quick stroll with a four-legged friend through Warrenton’s historic downtown yields an eye popping display of public art.

See if you can find all of these on your trip to historic downtown Warrenton.

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Midland

We adore Midland for the phenomenal parks and also for helping out the county’s homeless pets at its local shelter.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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C. M. Crockett Park

10066 Rogues Rd., Midland

The C. M. Crockett Park served us well as a mini-vacation of hiking and kayaking on Germantown Lake.

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John Marshall Birthplace Park

5160 Germantown Rd., Midland

We followed the half-mile trail beginning at the entrance of John Marshall Birthplace Park until we reached the monument marking his birthplace.

Cropped Portrait of John Marshall by Henry Inman, circa 1832

John Marshall, widely viewed as the most influential Supreme Court justice also served the longest term as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

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Fauquier SPCA

9350 Rogues Rd., Midland

We stopped by the Fauquier SPCA and met Atlas and Junior, two sweeties looking for their forever homes.

(If this is not a good time to adopt, here is how to make a donation.)

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Bealeton

Let’s just say that Bealeton is full of surprises.

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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The Flying Circus Airshow

5114 Ritchie Rd., Bealeton

A dog friendly air show? We’re on it!

This extravaganza in the sky might be the best way ever to spend a Sunday afternoon. The Flying Circus Airshow, a Bealeton tradition, features bi-planes, performers who are not scared of heights, and other fun stuff.

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Messick’s Farm Market

6025 Catlett Rd., Bealeton

Messick’s Farm Market has something for everyone: dog friendly entertainment, a play area for kids, delicious deli sandwiches, homemade doughnuts, frozen custard, and a LOVE sign.

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Morais Vineyards & Winery

11409 Marsh Rd., Bealeton

The elegant Morais Vineyards and Winery welcomes dogs and also has a LOVE sign.

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Giant Roller Skate

12099 US-17, Bealeton

What’s black, white, blue, and 10 feet tall? Give up? It’s Bealeton’s roadside attraction—the world’s largest roller skate sculpture.

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Remington

Remington is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (and also has some really good pizza and ice cream).

My edits on VDOT’s map of Fauquier County

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Self-guided Walking Tour

Start at the parking lot on Main St., Remington

Liesl makes a pig sculpture friend on Main Street.

Civil War buffs know Remington as the site of two Civil War battles. We checked out some of Remington’s post-Civil War structures on a self-guided walking tour.

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Craft & Crust Pizza Tavern

204 E. Main St., Remington

Pirate enjoys pizza with her family.

Hungry after learning all of that history? Craft and Crust Pizza Tavern has you covered.

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Moo Thru

11402 James Madison Hwy., Remington

We found an effective strategy to help us keep up with our canines: fueling up with a banana milkshake at the Remington Moo Thru

This is how you know that she’s a native Virginian.

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Road Trip Reads

These Audible selections provided a backdrop for our adventures.

This book explores the life and legacy of John Marshall, Fauquier County’s much beloved native son.

Pour a glass of Fauquier County’s finest and listen to this local whodunnit.

Long time Fauquier County resident Bunny Mellon hosted Queen Elizabeth for tea, and designed the White House rose garden for her friend Jackie Kennedy. She also experienced a lifetime’s worth of heartache when a tragic accident befell her daughter Eliza.

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