If you’ve ever inched along I-95 trying to reach Fredericksburg, you know how quickly a day trip can turn into a test of patience. Fortunately, Amtrak offers a smooth ride to the heart of downtown in less than an hour. Once there, you’re free to explore all this thriving historic town has to offer. This story is part of our July Explore Virginia by Train issue. Check back as we share additional weekend trips in Virginia that are just a train ride away.
Travel Time: About 50 minutes by train from Alexandria
Start with a brunch of fried chicken and waffles or pimiento cheese toast at Foode. Then stroll the Fredericksburg Civil Rights Trail, a self-guided loop connecting 10 downtown sites significant to the local fight for desegregation. Stops include Shiloh Baptist Church, where students organized sit-ins, and the former Woolworth’s lunch counter, now part of the Visitor Center. Next, pay a visit to Kenmore, the elegant Georgian-style mansion built for George Washington’s sister Betty and get a closer look at the lives of the Washingtons. And don’t miss the Mary Washington House, where a costumed interpreter takes you through the rooms where George’s mother lived until her death.
To get an appreciation for modern medicine, step inside the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, where costumed guides explain 18th-century remedies. See the desk where the fifth U.S. president penned the
Monroe Doctrine at the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library.
If you’re up for a longer walk, George Washington’s Ferry Farm, his childhood home, lies just across the river. It’s a 1.5-mile walk each way but offers scenic views and a peek into his formative years. Get a taste of the city’s creative scene at LibertyTown Arts Workshop, where more than 60 artists in mediums ranging from weaving to ceramics work under one roof.
If time permits for another meal, grab a table at The Alpine Chef, located in the old train station. The cozy spot run by a Berlin-born chef serves bratwurst, schnitzel, and housemade spaetzle. Nearby Deutschland Downtown is another popular option for German food and drinks in the biergarten. End the day with frozen custard at Carl’s, a retro roadside stand that’s been serving swirls since 1947. Vanilla remains a local favorite. If you’d rather stay closer to the station, get a hand-dipped ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt at Abner B’s Ice Cream before making your way back home.
Feature image courtesy Visit Fredericksburg
This story originally ran in our July Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
