When I think of a weekend trip to Fredericksburg, I automatically think of my many weekends spent at my sister’s former home. She had four acres near Chancellorsville Battlefield. The house was equipped with a pool, plenty of fruits and veggies to pick in the summer and fall, and even a few goats. Needless to say, when I said I was visiting Fredericksburg, I wasn’t experiencing much of the place as there was so much to do at my sister’s mini-farm (not to mention that she’s an amazing cook, so I wasn’t going out to eat). My curiosity for the city sparked a few years ago in 2013 when I ran the Fredericksburg half-marathon in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon. I saw a part of the city I had never seen, a historic downtown area which seemed almost suspended in time as the main street is alive with friendly small shops and restaurants. Curiosity led for me to return for a weekend trip to see what the city had to offer.
What surprised me the most were all the great choices of where to eat in downtown Fredericksburg alone. From a traditional German schnitzel to Salvadorian pupusas, there’s something for every taste when taking a weekend trip to Fredericksburg. Here are my dining highlights:
FoodE: Top Chef contestant Joy Crump brought FoodE to life in downtown Fredericksburg as she wanted to take advantage of the access to the many farms in the area. Her food is not only delicious but casual and accessible. Dining highlight: the mussels paired with cider from Charlottesville and a tall and spicy apple pie for dessert. Price range: moderate. FoodE, 1006 Caroline St C / D, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Soup and Taco: Call me biased but I am always comforted with I go into a Latin restaurant and I can speak Spanish to the staff as it is a sign of authentic cuisine. On a sunny Saturday afternoon expect to wait 15-30 minutes to be seated as it is quite busy. However, the wait is worth it when you bite into a cheesy pupusa (a traditional dish of El Salvador). Price range: budget. Soup and Taco, 813 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Kybecca: This modern restaurant may look like it belongs in a big city like DC, but once you walk past the dapper bartenders and sit at your table, you see the southern influences when it comes to the menu. We started our dining experience with oysters from Maryland and Virginia. From there, I indulged in the sous vide pork loin which was one of the juiciest pork loins I’ve ever tasted. Definitely a must-have. Perfect addition to get your Saturday night started on your weekend trip to Fredericksburg as it is located on William Street which is lined with happening bars and restaurants. Price range: moderate. Kybecca, 402 William St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Goolrick’s Drugstore: One of the places my sister said was a must was to have a drugstore root beer float at Goolrick’s Drugstore. She was right, upon entering, you’re automatically transported to the 60’s with the vintage feel of the counter where teenage girls serve milkshakes and other soda fountain goodies. They even make their own Cherry Coke! Price range: budget. Goolrick’s Drugstore, Budget. 901 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
A. Smith Bowman Whiskey Distillery: Less than a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Fredericksburg, you’ll find A. Smith Bowman Distillery which has won several awards for their small batch spirits. There, you can take a guided tour around the distillery and learn about their process, take in the sweet scent as you walk around the barrels, and finish the tour with a tasting of the wide range of spirits the distillery has to offer. If adding this to your weekend trip to Fredericksburg, make sure to check their website as they host plenty of live music events throughout the year. A.Smith Bowman, 1 Bowman Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408, United States
Other Experiences: For the record, I not only ate during my weekend trip to Fredericksburg but got to indulge in a few unique experiences. Fredericksburg is a gem for those who enjoy military and civil war history. Years ago, I spent several afternoons at the Chancellorsville Battlefield as a young Marine Lieutenant and still recall all the history lessons I learned during my tours. The Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center provides tours and maps for lesser known battlefields. National Park Service also provides a comprehensive list and maps. If a comprehensive battlefield tour is too much, I recommend the Fredericksburg downtown trolley. The guide combines historical and architectural facts of the city, I left the tour loaded with new facts about the region. Another unique experience was taking a soap making class at Lady Burg Soaps. Lady Burg is a family owned affair with husband, wife, and their children running the shop. There, we learned to make salt scrubs from scratch and had a tour of the shop. It was a busy Saturday afternoon with locals stocking up on their favorite bath bombs or picking up ingredients to make their homemade concoctions.
Where to stay: The Caroline House is an elegant Bed and Breakfast located right in downtown Fredericksburg within walking distance to restaurant, shops, and the trolley tour. Taking a longer tour of the area? Check out the Virginia Welcome Center in Fredericksburg.
The verdict: Whether you’re taking a weekend escape from Washington, DC like we did or looking for an interesting stop along I-95, Fredericksburg, VA is a great choice with friendly people and yummy food. Have you taken a weekend trip to Fredericksburg? What are your highlights?
Carl’s is must for frozen custard and Allman’s for BBQ when in Fredericksburg.
Thanks for the tips! Will make sure to check them out next time I’m in town!
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