How To Spend One Day In Fredericksburg, Virginia?
Are You Looking To Spend A Day In Fredericksburg, Virginia? Keep Reading To Find All The Details!
If you’re looking for a charming Virginia destination that combines history, beautiful architecture, and plenty of things to see and do, Fredericksburg is a great choice.
Located between Washington, D.C. and Richmond, this historic city makes an easy day trip or weekend getaway.
From exploring the picturesque historic downtown and learning about Fredericksburg’s Civil War history to browsing local shops and enjoying a delicious meal, there’s plenty to pack into a single day.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to spend one day in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Including the best things to see, where to eat, and how to make the most of your visit.
Tip: Before you start planning one day in Fredericksburg, Virginia, check the operating hours for the attractions.
They change based on the season, and some of them have limited hours and days when they are open.
Start Your Day At Ferry Farm
George Washington’s Ferry Farm is the perfect place to begin a day because it introduces you to one of the city’s most famous historical connections: George Washington.
Located on the northern side of the Rappahannock River, Ferry Farm was the childhood home of Washington.
His family moved to the property in 1738 when George was just six years old, and he lived here until he was 22.
One of the highlights of visiting Ferry Farm is the reconstructed Washington family house.
Archaeologists spent years excavating the property and eventually discovered the foundations of the original Washington house.
The reconstruction was built using archaeological evidence, historical research, and 18th-century construction techniques and opened to the public in 2018.
Archaeologists have found everything from household objects to evidence of outbuildings associated with the farm.
Inside the house, you’ll get a glimpse into what life was like for the Washington family during George’s childhood.
They provide clues about how the Washington family lived and worked.
Also, Ferry Farm is an interesting place to learn about the complicated reality of life in colonial Virginia.
Why is it called Ferry Farm?
It’s called Ferry Farm because the property was located next to a ferry crossing on the Rappahannock River.
The ferry connected the two sides of the river and was an important transportation route in colonial Virginia.
It provided a way for people, horses, wagons, and goods to cross the river.
However, the ferry itself was operating in the area before George Washington’s family lived there.
How long does it take to visit Ferry Farm?
Plan to spend around 1.5 hours at Ferry Farm.
This gives you enough time to take the guided tour of the reconstructed Washington House and explore the grounds on a self-guided tour.
Allow extra time if you want to explore the archaeological sites and more of the property.
Also, there is a small museum inside the Visitors Center with artifacts found on the property.
As well as a garden with vegetables and herbs that would have been found in the Washington family garden.
Stop For Lunch At Orofino Restaurant
After exploring Ferry Farm, head into downtown Fredericksburg for lunch at Orofino Restaurant.
After a morning spent walking around the farm and learning about colonial Virginia, Orofino is a nice change of pace.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and serves Italian-inspired food made with fresh ingredients.
A lot of their menu changes every month, featuring food from a different part of Italy.
We were there in June, and that month the food was inspired by Sicily. We tried a variety of pizzas and pastas, and everything was excellent.
However, when you go, the menu will probably be different, but it is worth checking to see if they still have the Busiate Pistacchio e Granchio pasta. It was sooo sooo good!
I would plan to give yourself enough time for a proper lunch rather than rushing through the meal.
You’ll have a busy afternoon ahead, and taking a break here gives you a chance to recharge before continuing with your sightseeing.
Another advantage is the location. Once you’re finished eating, you’ll be well positioned to continue exploring the historic part of Fredericksburg.
Allow: Around 1 hour for lunch
Take A Trolley Tour Of Fredericksburg
After lunch, get an overview of the city with a trolley tour from Washington Heritage Museums.
If you’re visiting Fredericksburg for the first time, this is one of the best ways to understand the city before exploring more of its historic sites.
Rather than simply walking from one building to another, the trolley gives you the bigger picture and connects the different pieces of Fredericksburg’s history.
You’ll hear stories about George Washington and his family, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and other notable figures connected to Fredericksburg.
Also, the tour delves into Fredericksburg’s Civil War history. The Union and Confederate forces fought the Battle of Fredericksburg in and around the city in 1862.
I particularly liked doing the trolley tour because it gives you a chance to see parts of the city you might otherwise miss.
Our tour guide and driver was amazing; she shared a ton of stories and information.
It can also help you decide which areas you want to explore more closely afterward.
Allow: Approximately 1 hour
Visit Possum-bilities
After spending much of the day learning about American history, it’s time for something completely different.
Head to Possum-bilities, a rescue and educational centre dedicated to opossums.
This was one of the most unusual stops on the itinerary and a fun addition to a day that’s otherwise heavily focused on history.
The centre provides an opportunity to learn more about these often misunderstood animals and the important role they play in the ecosystem.
Rather than simply seeing opossums, the experience focuses on education, conservation, and the work involved in caring for rescued animals.
Opossums are actually fascinating creatures, and visiting a rescue centre is a great way to learn about their behaviour, natural history, and ecological importance.
Keep in mind that you cannot hold the possums, but you can pet them while Leslie holds them.
Also, there is a two-story store filled with homemade products from different small businesses. I got a small crocheted possum made by a local artist.
Possum-bilities holds workshops, events and activities on a regular basis as well, and they sell a ton of possum-inspired merch.
If you’re an animal lover, or simply enjoy finding quirky attractions that aren’t on every standard tourist itinerary, this is definitely worth adding to your day.
Allow: Around 1 hour
Step Inside The Mary Washington House
Return to Fredericksburg’s historic district for a visit to the Mary Washington House.
Visiting George Washington’s mother’s home gives you a chance to learn about another important member of the Washington family.
He purchased the house in 1772 for his mother, and she lived here until her death in 1789, making the house her final home.
In 1789, shortly before travelling to New York for his inauguration as the first president of the United States, Washington visited his mother here and received her blessing. It was their final farewell.
Inside, the museum has been restored and furnished with period pieces, including several objects associated with Mary Washington herself.
The house provides a more personal look at the Washington family and everyday domestic life during the 18th century.
I think this stop is particularly worthwhile after visiting Ferry Farm earlier in the day because you get to see two different chapters of the Washington family’s story.
At Ferry Farm, you’re learning about George Washington’s childhood. Meanwhile, here, you’re learning about his mother during the final years of her life.
Also, the house is located within Fredericksburg’s historic district, so it’s easy to combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding streets.
Allow: Around 45 minutes
Tip: Tours of the Mary Washington House are timed, so check the schedule when planning your day.
Washington Heritage Museums currently recommends purchasing tickets in advance because capacity is limited.
Explore The Rising Sun Tavern Museum
Your next stop is the Rising Sun Tavern Museum, another fascinating historic building in downtown Fredericksburg.
Despite being known today as the Rising Sun Tavern, the building actually began as a private home.
Charles Washington, George Washington’s younger brother, built the frame house around 1760.
It was later converted into a tavern in 1792 and served travellers for several decades.
Keep in mind that taverns were important gathering places in 18th-century communities.
Travellers could stop for food and drink, spend the night, and exchange news, while locals could meet and socialize.
The Rising Sun Tavern’s preserved rooms and period furnishings help give you an idea of what that experience would have been like.
One interesting detail is that the building’s current name isn’t actually the name it originally operated under.
When the building became a tavern in 1792, locals called it the Golden Eagle or Eagle before renaming it the Rising Sun.
Allow: Around 45 minutes
Tip: If you’re interested in Fredericksburg’s historic houses, Washington Heritage Museums operates several museums in the city. There are combination passes can be a good option if you’re visiting more than one.
End Your Day With Dinner At Foode
After a full day of exploring, finish your Fredericksburg itinerary with dinner at Foode in the historic downtown.
Foode has been part of Fredericksburg’s food scene since 2011 and focuses heavily on local ingredients and community.
One of the dishes the restaurant is particularly famous for is its fried chicken, so this is a great option if you’re craving something comforting after a long day of sightseeing.
Beyond the food, Foode’s location in historic downtown makes it a convenient final stop.
Rather than having to drive somewhere else after dinner, you can finish your meal and spend a little more time wandering through Fredericksburg’s historic streets.
If you still have some energy after dinner, take a leisurely walk around downtown.
Seeing the historic buildings in the evening gives you a completely different perspective compared with visiting during the busy daytime hours.
The chicken and waffles were really good, and pretty much everything that had fried chicken.
Allow: Around 1–1.5 hours for dinner
Final Thoughts On Spending One Day In Fredericksburg
One day in Fredericksburg is enough to get a great introduction to the city, especially if you combine the major historic attractions with a few more unusual experiences.
Starting at Ferry Farm allows you to explore George Washington’s childhood and learn about life in 18th-century Virginia.
The trolley tour then gives you a broader understanding of Fredericksburg’s history before you dive deeper into individual sites like the Mary Washington House and Rising Sun Tavern.
And because a day spent looking at historic buildings can get repetitive, adding Possum-bilities and stopping for meals at local restaurants gives the itinerary some variety.
By the end of the day, you’ll have experienced several different sides of Fredericksburg.
From colonial history and the Washington family to Civil War stories, local food, and one very unique opossum rescue centre.
