Fredericksburg (Virginia): See
1 University of Mary Washington, 1301 College Ave, ☏ +1 540 654-1000. A small liberal arts college near Downtown Fredericksburg. It has been voted, in the past, as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States, according to the Princeton Review. Its architecture is comparable to that of the University of Virginia. (updated Jun 2019)
2 Fredericksburg Battlefield. Was the site of a key battle during the American Civil War. You can visit, for example, the infamous Marye's Heights.
Just outside the city in Spotsylvania County (a separate political jurisdiction in Virginia), 3 other large major battlefields to see: Chancellorsville, Lee's "masterpiece" and where Stonewall Jackson fell in battle; The Wilderness, known for its brutal fighting in some of the most dense forest and thicket in Virginia; and Spotsylvania Courthouse, known for its 2-week-long bloody stalemate on Grants march to Richmond in 1864.
3 James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, 908 Charles Street, ☏ +1 540 654-1043. (updated Aug 2018)
4 Kenmore Plantation. A Georgian mansion that was once occupied by Fielding Lewis and Betty Washington Lewis, George Washington's sister.
5 Mary Washington House. A short walk from Kenmore. A small frame structure, it was purchased by George Washington in 1772 for his mother, Mary Ball Washington, who lived much of her widowhood in Fredericksburg. Of interest is the garden now maintained by a volunteer group of certified Master Gardeners. A huge crepe myrtle is thought to have been planted by Mary herself.
6 Hugh Mercer Apothecary, Caroline St. in downtown. A restored 18th-century pharmacy. Take a tour, the guides are dressed in period attire and take you through the building explaining 18th-century medicine and local history.
7 Belmont/Gari Melchers Museum, 224 Washington St, Falmouth, ☏ +1 540 654-1844. A great little estate near the Rappahannock. Impressionist painter Gari Melchers lived here. The estate is very well maintained and features beautiful gardens and a separate art gallery where many of his works are on display. Guided tours of the mansion are also available. (updated Jul 2020)
8 Ferry Farm, ☏ +1 540-370-0732. George Washington's boyhood home. (updated Oct 2021)
9 Chatham (pronounced, "chat-um"). A Civil War-era mansion that overlooks the Rappahannock where Union soldiers crossed at the battle of Fredericksburg. It also provides a great view of the city. Take US-17 or US-1 to River Road, or cross the Hwy 3 bridge from downtown Fredericksburg and make a left when you see the sign.
10 Rising Sun Tavern Museum, 1304 Caroline St, ☏ +1 540-371-1494. Open March through October.. A former tavern run by Charles Washington, brother of George in 1760; it began operating as a tavern in 1792. An historic landmark, the atmosphere is all historic, right down to the southern cuisine and servers dressed in colonial attire giving in-depth tours. $10. (updated Apr 2024)
Lower Caroline Street. …