The Artists of Rappahannock Studio and Gallery Tour begins at the Fire Hall in “Little” Washington, Virginia. The 15 studios and 10 galleries are located all around our beautiful, rural, and scenic county.

You will need the map available only at the Fire Hall to find the all the artists' studios and galleries. Most studios are on back county lanes and several are up steep mountain driveways. This is truly an adventure, and it could take both days to visit all the artists and galleries. (If you are thinking of staying overnight, contact our local B&Bs.)

Please get an early start and plan to arrive in Little Washington in time to pick up your map, view the displays, and have time to venture out to all 25 venues. All the studios and galleries will have displays at the Fire Hall, so you can see what to expect as you plan your routes. The Fire Hall opens at 10AM both days. There is a $10 contribution at the door to help RAAC fund the Tour.

Our local dining establishments are gearing up for the crowds; look below for the details.

DIRECTIONS TO THE FIRE HALL
IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

FROM WASHINGTON, DC AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Take I66 West to Rt 17 South. Follow Rt 17 into Warrenton and turn right at the light. Follow the signs to Rt 211 West, turning right at the light onto Rt 211 West. Drive 22 miles and turn right at Business 211 into “Little” Washington. Follow signs to the Fire Hall, which is immediately on your right.

FROM THE FREDERICKSBURG AREA
Take I95 North to Rt 17 North. Follow Rt 17 North to Warrenton. Turn left at the Rt 17 Business/29 Business/15 Business exit. Turn left at the 3rd light onto Rt 211 West. Drive 22 miles and turn right at Business 211 into “Little” Washington. Follow signs to the Fire Hall, which is immediately on your right.

FROM THE CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA
Take Rt 29 North to Madison. Turn left onto Rt 231 North, following signs to Skyline Drive/Sperryville. Follow Rt 231 to Sperryville and turn left at Rt 522 North. Follow Rt 522 North to Little Washington. Turn left at the 3rd Washington exit, Business 211. Follow signs to the Fire Hall, which is immediately on your right.

FROM WINCHESTER, FRONT ROYAL, AND AREAS NORTH
Take Rt 522 South through Front Royal, then follow Rt 522 South 15 miles and turn right where it joins with Rt 211 West. Drive 3 miles and turn right at the first exit to Little Washington, Business 211. Follow signs to the Fire Hall, which is immediately on your right.

GUIDE TO DINING IN RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY

Rappahannock County is blessed not only with wonderful artists but also with nationally and regionally recognized restaurants, inns, and B&Bs. On the weekend of the Artists’ Tour, there will also be several special food venues available for dining.

This guide is arranged by village to help you decide where and when to dine.

WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA —Artists’ Tour Headquarters

The Country Café, 389A Main Street (next to the Post Office), will be open Saturday from 8AM to 9PM and Sunday (for the Tour weekend only) from 8AM to 5PM serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a charming country setting. No reservations.

Washington Baptist Church, 180 Gay Street, will serve box lunches from a food tent on Gay Street as well as from their fellowship hall, which is across from The Packing Shed Gallery. Lunch hours both days.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 379 Gay Street, will host a special dinner to raise funds for a well in Matatiele, South Africa. Authentic South African dishes will be served beginning at 6PM Saturday.
No charge; donations accepted.

Sunnyside Market, 337 Gay Street, has sandwiches, snacks, and drinks for carryout. Open 9:30AM to 6PM daily.  540-675-1074.

The Inn at Little Washington, Middle and Main Streets, one of the top 10 restaurants in the world, is the Benefactor of the Tour.
Dinner by reservation only: 540-675-3800.
Website: theinnatlittlewashington.com

AMISSVILLE, VIRGINIA

Epicurious Cow (ECOW), 13830 Lee Highway (Rt 211). Fabulous array of gourmet cheeses, wines, meats, fresh fish, organic and regular fresh vegetables and fruits, and baked goods. Eat in or take home. Bring a cooler for the perishables!
ECOW is a Friend of the Tour. 540-675-2269.
Website: www.epicuriouscow.com

FLINT HILL, VIRGINIA

Flint Hill Public House, 675 Zachary Taylor Highway (Rt 522). Serving lunch 11:30AM to 2PM and dinner 5:30 to 9PM on Saturday; serving dinner Sunday from 4 to 8:30PM. Casual dining.
Reservations: 540-675-1700.
The Public House is a Friend of the Tour.
Website: www.flinthillpublichouse.com

Griffin Tavern & Restaurant, 659 Zachary Taylor Highway (Rt 522). Serving from 11AM to 9 PM. Casual dining. The pub (with a bar menu) is open late with live music.
Griffin Tavern is a Friend of the Tour. 540-675-3227.
Website: www.griffintavern.com

Four and Twenty Blackbirds Restaurant, 650 Zachary Taylor Highway (Rt 522). Fine dining in a casual setting. Dinner by reservation Saturday; brunch only on Sunday. Reservations: 540-675-1111.

SPERRYVILLE, VIRGINIA

The Thornton River Grille, 3710 Sperryville Pike, in the heart of Sperryville. Casual fine dining. Open Saturday for lunch 11AM to 3:30PM and dinner 5 to 9PM; Sunday brunch from 10AM to 3PM. Reservations: 540-987-8790.
The Thornton River Grille is a Friend of the Tour.
Website: www.thorntonrivergrille.com

Also in Sperryville are:
Rae’s Place (soups, sandwiches, and wraps)
Burgers  ‘n’ Things (burgers, fries, shrimp baskets, etc.)
Apple Hill Bakery (sandwiches, pies, baked goods)

Special food tent in the Schoolhouse parking lot, 12018 Lee Highway (Rt 211). In addition to their in-house restaurant service, several of the Sperryville restaurants will have hot and cold lunch items at the tent both Saturday and Sunday. Full information will be provided at Tour Headquarters at the Fire Hall in Little Washington.

Questions about the tour? E-mail info@raac.org.