There are lots of things to do in Fredericksburg, VA for fun, especially for those that want to relive the town’s history.
There’s also a lot to learn from every visit to Fredericksburg, as the town is popular for the major part it played in the American Civil War. Thus, most of the tourist attractions here are centered around the town’s history and patristic sources.
Best & Fun Things to Do in Fredericksburg, VA
Below are some things to do in Fredericksburg, VA:
#1: Tour the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park in Virginia was set up as a way to show respect for the four (4) most notable battles fought in the American Civil War, these include:
- The Battle of Fredericksburg
- The Battle of Chancellorsville
- The Wilderness Battle
- The Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse
Credit: Nps.gov
As one of the things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun, you can come and take a look at the many monuments and memorials found in the park, some of which include the 127th Pennsylvania Volunteer Monument, the Humphrey’s Division Monument, and the Fifth Corps Monument.
The park is also home to four (4) major buildings that played a crucial role during the Civil War, these include the Chatham and Ellwood Manor, the house where Stonewall Jackson died, and the Salem Church.
You and your family and friends can visit come here this summer and take guided walking tours around the park and battlefields.
The Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park is located at 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22405.
#2: Pay a Visit to James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library
Part of the many things to do in Fredericks VA includes paying a visit to one of its very prominent museums and memorial libraries.
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is a place that was built as a way to commemorate the life and achievements of James Monroe (the fifth president of the United States).
Credit: Jamesmonroemuseum.umw.edu
So, if you’re looking to understand the personal side of the late President James Monroe, from his old letters and documents to the plates he dined with when alive, then you should consider visiting this place.
James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library are located at 908 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#3: Have Fun at the Central Park Fun Land
This is one of the very few awesome things to do in Fredericksburg VA with the kids; it is definitely a family fun center for all, irrespective of your age.
Credit: Fredericksburg.com
You will get the opportunity to engage in some indoor fun activities like laser tag games, mini-bowling, arcade games, as well as an indoor roller coaster ride.
Some outdoor fun activities which you and the kids can engage in include go-karting, batting caging, mini-golfing, some of the park’s carnival games, and lots more.
You can also treat yourself to something nice at the park’s lovely cafe where they serve amazing food and drinks.
The Central Park Fun Land of Fredericksburg is located at 1351 Central Park Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#4: Tour the Mary Washington House
This 18th-century house museum is the place where the mother of the late first President of the United States (George Washington), Mary Ball Washington, stayed towards the end of her life.
The house was bought as way back as 1772 for £275 (pounds).
Credit: Kenmoreinn.com
Feel free to take a walk around the beautiful garden here, and just generally have a feel of the serene environment. There’s also a display of some of Ms. Washington’s personal possessions, including a mirror that she considered her”best dressing glass”.
The Mary Washington House is located at 1200 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#5: Explore the Kenmore Plantation & Gardens
The Kenmore Plantation & Gardens is a factious War-era Georgian-style brick mansion that was built by Fielding Lewis and his wife, Betty Washington Lewis (the sister of George Washington) in the 1770s.
Credit: Gardenvisit.com
A tour around this fascinating mansion is definitely one of the many things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun. This will give you a feel of the past as you feed your eyes on the elegant, dazzling and original furnishings found in the mansion.
Looking up at the mansion will leave you marveling at the mansion’s original hand-carved plaster ceilings; the artistry here is nothing like you’ve ever seen before.
Kenmore’s Plantation & Gardens is located at 1201 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA.
#6: Explore the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center
This is also definitely one of the many things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun. The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center was built as a small museum to honor the cultural history of the town of Fredericksburg and its surrounding areas.
Credit: Fredericksburg.com
You can get to see the simplest aspects of living in Fredericksburg in its Heritage Center, and engage in things like old love letters, review local court cases, take a look at personal photographs, and others.
The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center is located at 900 Barton Street Suite #111, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#7: Visit the Chatham Manor
The Chatham Manor is a beautifully Georgian-styled house that was built in 1771. Over the years, this place has seen several significant historical events, and in the year 1805, the house was the site of a slave rebellion.
The Chatham Manor was once used as headquarters and hospital, as well as a battleground during the American Civil War for the Union side.
Credit: Tourstaffordva.com
Though the battle of the American Civil War left the manor in despair, the glory of the house was carefully restored in the early 20th century.
There are a lot of things to learn here, making it one of the many things to do in Fredericksburg VA.
The Chatham Manor is located at 120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22405.
#8: Visit George Washington’s Ferry Farm
The Ferry Farm was actually once the home of the first president of the United States, George Washington. It holds most of the memory of where the president spent much of his childhood.
Credit: Pilotonline.com
Though the current house now standing for the Ferry Farm is a replica of the original house, archaeologists back then in 2008 were able to find some remains of the original build, which was earlier burnt down in the 1740s, and from 2015 to 2018, they were able to construct an exact replica of the house which was built on the same foundation as the earlier.
George Washington’s Ferry Farm is located in Stafford County, VA, along the northern bank of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg.
#9: Take a Tour Around the Shannon Air Museum
This is definitely one of the best things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun.
The Shannon Air Museum houses some of the world’s rarest collections of vintage aircraft, as well as the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.
Though the museum is quite small, there’s still a lot that you can get to see here, including an interesting range of aircraft and exhibits.
The Shannon Air Museum is located at 3380 Shannon Airport Cir, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
#10: Take a Tour Around the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM)
The Fredericksburg Area Museum showcases a lot of the history of the town. This includes a collection of objects from the early Native American tribes up to the more recent events, such as the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Credit: Theboutiqueadventurer.com
As one of the many things to do in Fredericksburg VA Area Museum includes participating in some of the regularly hosted community events and outdoor concerts.
The Fredericksburg Area Museum is located at 907 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#11: Take a Tour Around the Rising Sun Tavern Museum
The Rising Sun Tavern Museum is yet another notable site in Fredericksburg that has ties to George Washington. The building that houses the museum was built by Charles Washington (George Washington’s younger brother) around 1760.
Credit: Starexponent.com
Today, the tavern museum offers a clear view of the town’s 18th-century life.
You can choose to come here and tour the house with costumed guides that help to bring the history of the place back to life.
The Rising Sun Tavern Museum is located at 1304 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#12: Go and Grab a Bite at Sammy T’s Restaurant
The restaurant offers a variety of meals that caters to all your dining pleasures; from its classic American meals, such as burgers, Brunswick stew, and grilled cheese, to meals for vegetarians and other options, there’s always something for everyone.
Credit: Sammyts.com
Though the building in which the restaurant is being housed has been standing since 1805, the restaurant itself opened officially in 1981.
Sammy T’s restaurant is located at 801 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#13: Satisfy Your Tastebuds at Eileen’s Bakery and Cafe
You can’t agree with me less that this is definitely one of the best things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun. I mean, what’s better than filling up your tummy with some really yummy treats?
Credit: Theboutiqueadventurer.com
This is the best place to visit in Fredericksburg for breakfast or a refreshing cup of coffee.
The bread and pastries served here are handmade daily using fresh local ingredients. So why not just start your day with a lovely cup of coffee with some really nice sandwiches or croissants, or a hearty quiche?
It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun.
Eileen’s Bakery and Cafe is located at 1115 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#14: Go and Have Pizza at the Basilico New York Deli
Even after having something good to start off your day at Eileen’s Bakery and Cafe, you are still bound to get hungry; this could be a result of a relentless tour of some of the above-listed places here, so, if that’s your case, why not pause for a while and go grab a bite at the Basilico New York Deli?
This is definitely one of the best things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun!
Credit: Basilicodeli.com
At the Basilico New York Deli, you get to choose from a variety of corned beef sandwiches, lobster bisque, and NY-style pizzas.
You can also shop for some imported groceries here, as well as fresh Italian baked goods.
The Basilico New York Deli is located at 2577 Cowan Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#15: Go and Have a Nice Time at Strangeways Brewing Fredericksburg
After giving yourself a lovely treat at one of the many restaurants in the town, why not go and enjoy the taste of fine wine at the Strangeways Brewing Fredericksburg. This is definitely one of the many things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun.
You’ll get to taste a variety of delicious Virginia craft beer, alongside everything you need to just relax and have a good time.
Credit: Richmond.com
You can as well engage in the few available arcade rooms and free board games which you and family or friends can play together.
Strangeways Brewing Fredericksburg is located at 350 Lansdowne Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
#16: Let the Spirit Sink Deep at the A.Smith Bowman Distillery
Are you still looking to have a good time at Fredericksburg while tasting new delicious wine flavors? Well, why not you and your friends gas up the car and pay a visit to A.Smith Bowman Distillery; This definitely counts as one of the many things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun.
A.Smith Bowman Distillery is the oldest distillery in Virginia.
Credit: Asmithbowman.com
The distillery was founded in 1934, the day after the end of Prohibition in the United States. It is a local distillery that is well known for its award-winning Bourbon production.
Visitors are offered free tours around the distillery, allowing you to see the production process of its different types of spirits. Your tour shouldn’t end without you tasting one of the amazing spirits being produced here, as well as buying a few of them to take home and celebrate with family and friends.
A.Smith Bowman Distillery is located at 1 Bowman Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
#17: Have Fun Exploring the 6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Company
Filling up your tastebuds already? Well, there’s more!
After engaging in some of the above-listed things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun, 6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Co. is just the best place for you to end your night.
They offer some of the best rotational and seasonal brews in the whole of Virginia.
Credit: Businessyab.com
The company also offers free tours to visitors to get a closer look at their beer production process.
6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Company is located at 1140 International Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22406.
#18: Get Entertained at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
Are you looking to fill your ears with the sound of good music, or just want to get entertained? then head straight to the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts for a few hours of quality entertainment.
Credit: Theboutiqueadventurer.com
Amazing performances are being hosted here weekly where you can engage in dinner show-styled entertainments that include a full three (3)-course dinner (salad, entrees, bread, and dessert). Available on the menu are also some gluten-free meals, meals for vegetarians, and the little ones (kids) as well.
The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is located at 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22406.
#19: Attend One of the Few Fun Events Hosted at the Belvedere Plantation
Belvedere Plantation is a 645-acre heritage farm that dates back to the 1760s. The plantation is dedicated to offering clean, wholesome family-oriented experiences all through the Fredericksburg Fall Harvest Festival.
Credit: Virginia.org
The land surrounding the original plantation house that still stands today is often used to host seasonal family-friendly events. Thus, you and your family can choose to attend one of these events as.
Specifically, the Easter Eggstravaganza event is being held during spring where you and your family or friends can engage in fun games, and activities, play with baby animals, and go Easter egg hunting.
The Belvedere Plantation is located at 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408.
#20: Go and See the Indian Punch Bowl
The Indian Punch Bowl consists of a rock depression that is conceived to have been made by the early Native Americans who resided in the area.
Indian Punch Bowl
The rock was perfectly rounded and shaped like a bowl. Rumour has it that the rock was used by the tribes for mixing poison which their arrows were often dipped into.
The Indian Punch Bowl is located at Rappahannock River Heritage Trail, Fredericksburg, VA.
What is the Average Cost of Living in Fredericksburg, VA?
While taking note of the above-listed things to do in Fredericksburg VA for fun, it’s also good to get to know your everyday spending in the town.
Generally speaking, Fredericksburg is not as expensive as other larger cities in the state of Virginia, but the only downside of living in Fredericksburg is its low minimum-wage salary.
The average cost to buy a home in Fredericksburg, VA is about $279,500, and based on the size of a home, below is a list of how much it costs to rent a home space in Fredericksburg:
| Home Unit | Monthly Rent |
| Studio | $1,170 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,230 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,420 |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,870 |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,320 |
Feeding in Fredericksburg is not quite expensive, below is the average cost of food items in the town:
| Food Item | Cost |
| 1 loaf of white bread | $2.12 |
| 1 Carton Of Eggs | $1.76 |
| 1 Pound Of Chicken | $3.47 |
| 1 Gallon Of Milk | $2.80 |
| 1 Head Of Lettuce | $1.49 |
| 0.5 Liters Of Domestic Beer | $1.86 |
| 1 Bottle Of Mid-Range Wine | $12.00 |
| 1 Pound Of Apples | $1.98 |
| 1 Pound of Ground Beef | $4.59 |
| 1 Pound of Bananas | $0.52 |
Conclusion
Fredericksburg, VA is a fun place to be, and basically, not one that costs a lot.
You and your family or friends can decide to take this holiday period as the best opportunity to bond with each other, and generally, just come and have a good time. Remember, it’s stories like this that are really worth telling!