From George Washington to Civil War fighters and Civil Rights leaders, Fredericksburg, Virginia, is home to America’s stories
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA–JUNE 2025–The stories of Fredericksburg, Virginia’s, history include compelling accounts of the life of America’s first President and his family. They are chronicles of soldiers’ struggles and victories in the American Civil War. And they are narratives of the struggles through Civil Rights challenges in what is now a welcoming and inclusive community. Fredericksburg’s history is American history. Visitors who come to enjoy all this contemporary destination has to offer are surrounded by the stories of the past. Here, when dining at a trendy restaurant or enjoying a morning paddle, visitors are in buildings and on the waters where history was made. On these brick-lined streets and beyond, all the trials and the triumphs are a part of the fabric that created the tapestry of this dynamic place. It’s a place that has preserved it’s storied past and evolved into a popular destination not just for history buffs, but for vacationers looking for unique experiences.
On the banks of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is located midway between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. Interstate 95 and U.S. Routes 1 and 17 pass directly through the city, as does Virginia Route 3. It is also easy to reach via rail, as both Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express provide frequent, convenient service to downtown Fredericksburg.
The Fredericksburg Area Museum (907 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-371-3037) offers the perfect introduction to the many stories of the city’s past. Housed in the historic Town Hall and Market House (c. 1816), the museum’s collection spans thousands of years of history ranging from Native American artifacts to Black Lives Matter posters. The displays and interpretations offer insights into the lives of those who have paddled the Rappahannock, lived in the city and built its businesses as well as those who have been a part of its schools, churches and social and political movements.
Washington’s Connection
George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm (268 Kings Highway, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22405; 540-370-0732) is located just across the river from downtown Fredericksburg. He was six years old in 1738 when his family moved to a farm they called the Home Farm. It later became known as Ferry Farm because people crossed the Rappahannock River on a ferry from the farm to the town of Fredericksburg. Guests can enjoy the visitor center and gardens that feature plants grown in the 18th century, along with a guided tour of the replica of the Washington home. After he and his siblings were grown, George purchased a three-room house in town for his mother. Known as the Mary Washington House (1200 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-1569), where she resided for the final 17 years of her life. Guided tours by interpreters in period dress tell the stories of Mary’s last years and her final visit with her son, just before his inauguration. Nearby is the Mary Washington Monument (1500 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-5630), which was dedicated in 1894, more than a century after her death.
Historic Kenmore (1201 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-370-0732), completed in 1775 and now celebrating its 250th year, is a Georgian-style brick mansion built for George Washington’s sister, Betty Washington Lewis, and her husband, Fredericksburg merchant Fielding Lewis.
Rising Sun Tavern (1304 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-371-1494) was constructed in the early 1760s as the family home for Charles Washington, the youngest brother of George Washington, who was very involved in civic and political affairs in Fredericksburg. The building became a tavern in 1792 and today the museum on this site provides interpretation of colonial tavern life.
The Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop (1020 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-3362) shares the stories of prominent Washington contemporary. The shop is now a museum of medicine, pharmacy and more. Dr. Mercer served the citizens of Fredericksburg with medicines and treatments including leeches, lancets, snakeroot and crab claws. He left his practice to join the Revolutionary army and died as a Brigadier General at the Battle of Princeton.
The Civil War
Fredericksburg was a crucial city in the Civil War, from the Battles of Fredericksburg, to the location of a speech from President Abraham Lincoln. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (540-693-3200) includes four battlefields (Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House) and multiple historic sites. Each of the four battlefields has a driving tour and numerous walking trails. Visitor centers at Fredericksburg Battlefield (1013 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-372-3031) and Chancellorsville Battlefield (9001 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553; 540-372-3031) have introductory films describing the fighting and artifacts from the battles and offer free guided tours, seasonally, of the battlefields. The park also has three historic buildings open to the public.
In the spring of 1862, John Washington, a young enslaved black man, lived on the second floor of the National Bank Building (900 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22401), now the site of Foode. As the Union army approached town that spring of 1862, he was one of the first of more than 10,000 enslaved people who gained their freedom by crossing the Rappahannock River. The building was later a headquarters for the Freedmen’s Bureau during Reconstruction. The Freedmen’s Bureau was set-up after the conclusion of the Civil War to help transition formerly enslaved people to become self-sufficient.
The Trail To Freedom (Begins at 900 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-1776) retraces the route of thousands of slaves who crossed the Rappahannock River to freedom in the spring and summer of 1862. The trail includes a downtown walking route as well as a driving tour.
For those who want to pair their history exploration with some activity on the water, Rappahannock Adventures (540-287-6163) hosts a day-long Rapidan Civil War Paddle and a menu of other historic paddles and tours.
Civil Rights Movement
Fredericksburg is a city that has embraced its past and the struggles and triumphs that have led to its contemporary character. The Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail (601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-1776) includes stories and sites of the local civil rights movement from the end of the Civil War to the present. Its timeline begins in 1865 and includes sites where Black people created educational, housing and business opportunities during Jim Crow-era segregation, as well as buildings where people protested racial segregation in the 1950s and 1960s. It also highlights the role of Black residents in Fredericksburg’s history. The trail includes a walking tour as well as a driving tour.
Hallowed Ground Tours (PO Box 3882, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22402; 540-809-3918) offers architectural tours, Civil War site tours and customized tours. History Walks FXBG (601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-624-8280) also offers engaging walking tours that bring Fredericksburg’s rich Colonial and Civil War history to life, highlighting stories of notable residents and pivotal events that shaped the town’s character.
If You Go
The culinary scene here is second to none. There are more than 40 chef-owned restaurants in Fredericksburg and the variety, as well as the cuisine, is amazing. FoodE (900 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-479-1370) features the regional farm-to-table American cuisine of Executive Chef Joy Crump while Chef Danilo Orofino of Orofino Restaurant (1006 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-373-1352) uses simple, fresh ingredients to bring satisfying flavors to the table in his authentic Italian creations. Tapa Rio (1101 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401, 540-373-0870) is a vibrant Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant known for scenic river views as well as flavorful tapas, pizzaiolos and paella. There are options for pairing superb drinks, as well. These include Rebellion Bourbon Bar and Kitchen (309 William Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-681-1969) which makes whiskey a staple ingredient in their dishes, and many more.
Fredericksburg has a host of lodging options downtown, from well-known branded hotels to one-of-a-kind properties. The Publisher, Fredericksburg: A Tribute Portfolio Hotel (711 William Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-518-2624) is the newest option. This boutique hotel sits on the former site of Fredericksburg’s newspaper and features 98 guest rooms and a host of amenities. The Courtyard by Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District (620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401; 540-369-9321) offers downtown convenience and well-known service and amenities.