Back in the day — colonial days, that is — Fredericksburg was an important port on the Rappahannock River. At the time, it was at the farthest point navigable by large ships laden with treasured items from Europe and beyond. The city soon became a key trading center for the plantation owners and farmers nearby, although it never reached the commercial traffic that Richmond and Alexandria enjoyed.
The city also was in the center of the Civil War in Virginia, and changed hands numerous times between Union and Confederate forces. During the battle in Fredericksburg, Union General Burnside repeatedly marched his troops across the Rappahannock River and up Marye’s Heights, where Confederates picked them off easily from their positions high up on the hill. Today you can visit the site of the sunken road, stroll up the hill to where the Confederates enjoyed a superior strategic position, and then visit the National Cemetery where the Union casualties were interred.
But Fredericksburg is most known for its colonial buildings, including the homes of George Washington’s siblings and mother.
- Travel on the Sunken Road Walking Trail and learn about the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg
- Pay your respects to the mom of the Father of our country and visit Mary Washington’s Monument
- Check out Fredericksburg’s murals
- Grab coffee and a freshly baked sticky bun at Eileen’s Bakery and Cafe
- Visit the Apothecary Museum to learn what makes a leech happy
- Browse the antique stores lining Caroline Street
- Get a malt or a shake at Goolrick’s Modern Pharmacy
- Grab a mid-day pick-me-up at Hyperion Espresso
- Visit the Fredericksburg National Cemetery and pay your respects to the men who fought to preserve the Union
- Learn about the perils of 18th century travel at the Rising Sun Tavern
- Have an after-dinner caipirinha at Curitariba Art Cafe
- Eat in an old bank vault at FoodE
- Learn about the sit-in civil rights protest that finally integrated the lunch counters at Woolworths, Peoples and Grants Department Store on Caroline Street
- Take the trolley car tour and learn about the interesting history of Fredericksburg
- Take a selfie at Fredericksburg’s very own LOVE sculpture
- Follow the footsteps of Mary Washington and walk down Rocky Lane down to the Rappahannock River
- Shop the world at Latitudes
- Buy your dog a bone at Dog Krazy
- Learn about George Washington’s mom at the Mary Washington House
- Check out a craft beer brewery, like 1781 Brewery
- Have a hot slice of pizza at Benny Vitalis
- Cross the Rappahannock River to visit George Washington’s childhood home at Ferry Farm
- Check out some regional wineries such as Potomac Point Winery and Wilderness Run Vineyard
- Learn about our fifth president at the James Monroe Museum
Look for articles in the coming months about these daytrip destinations. Fredericksburg is a quaint town just brimming with Revolutionary War, colonial, and Civil War history. With some interesting restaurants, a growing number of distilleries and craft beer breweries, and lots of antiques stores and boutiques, there’s something for everyone!
* Nah. It took me three days!
Updated April 2019