Lovettsville, Virginia

First settled by German immigrants in the 1730s, Lovettsville started out as a working town serving nearby farms. Today it is an active community that retains its small-town character. Lovettsville sits in the mostly rural Loudoun Valley against the backdrop of the Short Hill Mountains, a couple of miles from the Potomac River and 54 miles from Washington. The scenic surrounding countryside is graced with barns, wood fences, farms, and wineries. New residential developments have sprung up on the western side of Lovettsville, while the eastern side has remained largely as it was decades ago. The charming Lovettsville Historic District represents the community as it appeared in the mid-20th century, including several historic churches. The town honors its German roots by hosting a popular Oktoberfest every fall. Lovettsville residents can commute to Washington using the MARC train station in Brunswick, Md., just across the Potomac River.