Stafford Tourism brochure 2013.indd

WELCOME TO
STAFFORD
Our sites are visitor friendly! Parks,
golf, history, and fun are just minutes
from I-95. Our Visitor Center guides
will help match your interests
and travel schedule.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
OPEN DAILY 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
224 Washington Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
540.654.1844
INTRODUCTION
Stafford has centuries of stories to share. In
Stafford you can view the full breadth of the
American story as seen through a lens of local
history. George Washington grew to manhood
in south Stafford as our nation was being born.
The greatest American conflict played out on our
soil and 12,000 enslaved people freed themselves
before Lincoln’s announced their emancipation.
The sites described below bring this important
history to life.
HISTORY
Chatham Manor
120 Chatham Lane, Fredericksburg,
VA 22405, 540-371-0802, Exit 133A
This stately home overlooking Fredericksburg
from Chatham
Heights was the
headquarters of
General Ambrose
Burnside. It is the
only private home
in America visited
by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
A free movie depicts the impact of the Civil War
on area residents. Admission is free. Open daily
9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., Mon–Sat. www.nps.gov/frsp
George Washington’s Ferry Farm
268 Kings Highway (State Route 3),
Frederickburg, VA 22405
540-370-0732, Exit 133A
This is the farm that raised
the father of our country.
Explore the history of the
farm through the archeological research, a demonstration garden and a
NEW iPad tour. (iPad is
provided for visitor use.)
Open Daily March – Dec.
(March-Oct. 10 a.m. – 5pm
– Nov. & Dec. til 4 p.m.), www.ferryfarm.org
Heritage Parks & Trails
Parks and Scenic Trails – Stafford County offers
a wide variety of public trails and parks to enjoy.
From paved walking paths to single track foot trails
progressing deep into woodlands and along shorelines. Many parks preserve historical sites and interpret the important role that Stafford played in
national events. For an overview of parks offerings
lake and river fishing, boating, picnic shelters, public pools and trails visit www.StaffordParks.com
Government Island
191 Coal Landing Road, Stafford VA 22554
540-645-1844, Exit 140
Scenic heritage trail that leads through 17 acres of
woodlands and wetlands inhabited by hundreds
of species of plant life and wildlife. A nature lovers delight. The beautiful boardwalk leads you
to an early American stone quarry that provided
the stone that built the U.S. Capitol and the White
House. Interpretive Signs tell the story of the stone,
the people, plants and animals that call this natural
area home. www.StaffordParks.com
Belmont/Ferry Farm Trail
80 Butler Road and 120 River Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, 540-654-1844, Exit 133A
Walk it, Bike it, Run it, Enjoy it your way. This two
mile trail through southern Stafford County connecting the grounds and trails at Gari Melcher’s
Home and Studio (co-located with the Stafford
Visitor Center) with the Historic Point of Falmouth,
John Lee Pratt Park and St. Clair Brooks Park.
www.StaffordParks.com
www.TrailToFreedom.com
offers the best overview for this
African American heritage tour.
An 8 stop walking tour starts in
the City of Fredericksburg. The
driving trail starts in Stafford
County and offers 10 points
of entrance ending at Aquia
Landing Park (see below.)
Aquia Landing Park
YMCA Water Park
212 Butler Road, Fredericksburg 22405,
540-371-9622, Exit 133A
Summer fun for everyone! Day passes over
visitors a fun outdoor summer activity (season
operations). Well supervised water play including
large slide, lounge chairs and special features for
the very young. $.
White Oak Civil War Museum &
Research Center
985 White Oak Road, Fredericksburg, VA
22405, 540-371-4234, Exit 133A
Experience the living conditions of Civil War
soldiers. See display cases filled
with thousand of bullets,
belt buckles and boots left
behind by Civil War
soldiers. Examine the
enormity of America’s
greatest conflict.
Maps, letters and
primary source
materials are available at the Research Center.
Wed.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm. $. whiteoakmuseum.com
Crow’s Nest
A 1 mile (round trip) nature trail hike providing several excellent views of fresh water tidal
marsh located along Accokeek Creek. Special
events including Fall and Spring Open Houses
and birding and big tree walks. For complete
information listings check TourStaffordVA.com
Riverside Theater
95 Riverside Parkway,
Fredericksburg, VA
22406, 540-370-4300,
Exit 133B
New art
exhibits and
theater
offerings
encourage
frequent return
visits to
Stafford.
Musical theater lovers
come from miles to enjoy
this Broadway musical
experience. This 450-seat
theater offers dinner and
a show perfect for
special occasions and
group outings. Saturdays
feature special
Children’s Theater
offerings. $$.
riversidedt.com
Gari Melchers Home & Studio
224 Washington St., Fredericksburg, VA 22405,
549-654-1015, Exit 133A
(garden below) Melchers’ Impressionistic work is
timeless, but the exhibition space continually
offers new artwork to enjoy. Gardens and walking trails are open fee-free to the public. Studio
and home tours are vailable daily (excluding
Wednesdays) for a fee. $. garimelchers.org
Restaurants & Lodging
Experience all the flavors of Stafford’s 125 restaurants. Delight in their unique qualities: crabcakes
to Creole, sizzling steaks to slimming salads,
German to Greek. Our website offers a complete
guide to Stafford restaurants.
More than 20 hotels, campgrounds and B&B
options are located immediately off of I-95 Exits
133 and 143. A detailed lodging listing is found on
the Stafford tourism website: TourStaffordVA.
com and on the inset maps on opposite page.
Historic Falmouth
401 River Road, Fredericksburg, 22405,
Exit 133A
Falmouth was founded in 1728, the same year as
Fredericksburg. Both were bustling port towns
along the Rappahannock. One of the very first millionaires in America, Basil Gordon, and Moncure
Conway, one of the few public abolitionists in the
south, both lived in Falmouth. Both private
residences remain. The landscape is amazingly
undisturbed tucked “under” the heavily traveled
Route 1. Amy’s Café at 103 West Cambridge,
Fredericksburg, 22405, preserves the character of a
200 year old building with a popular dining spot
“down by the Rivah.” TourStaffordVA.com
Aquia Church
938 Jeff Davis Highway, Stafford, VA 22554,
540-659-4007, Exit 143A–Aquia
One of the oldest churches in America. Church
tours by appointment in advance.
aquiachurch.com
Wine & Spirits
RF&P
Great wines come from Virginia. Stafford has two
wonderful wineries that offer visitors a unique
wine experience only minutes away from the
interstate. Each visitor is given very personal
attention and education about the vineyards and
the wines.
2468 Brooke Road, Stafford, 22554, Exit 140
A recreational wading beach on the Potomac River
along the eastern edge of Stafford County
combines many layers of history. This Underground
Railroad Network to Freedom site interprets the
point of departure of 12,000 enslaved people
escaping to freedom with documentation beginning in the spring/summer of 1862 when Union
forces arrived en masse in Stafford.
Hartwood Winery
345 Hartwood Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22406,
540-752-4893, Exit 133B
One of Virginia’s earliest farm wineries (est. 1989),
Hartwood offers free tours and tastings. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. hartwoodwinery.com
Potomac Point Winery
275 Decatur Road, Stafford, VA 22554,
540-446-2266, Exit 148
Golf & River Recreation
Stafford Civil War Park
400 Mt Hope Church Rd., Stafford 22554,
540-654-1844, Exit 140 This 41
acre park provides detailed
interpretation of the Union
Army’s winter occupation
of Stafford County from
1862-63 and preserves encampment sites, multiple
corduroy roads and 3
artillery fortifications
as well as the pre-Civil
War sandstone bridge
and a Colonial quarry.
Open daily dawn til
dusk.
TourStaffordVA.com
Water and river activities abound in Stafford.
There are 51 miles of shoreline. Water recreation
includes boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking options that are fun and affordable. Call marinas for details.
Aquia Bay Marina
432 Aquia Creek Road, Stafford, VA 22554
540-720-7437 ■ Exit 140 ■ aquiabaymarina.com
Getaways are a great value in Stafford. Explore
our courses and you’ll be calling for a tee time.
Augustine Golf Club
76 Monument Dr., Stafford, VA 22554
540-720-7374 ■ augustinegolf.com
The Gauntlet
18 Fairway Dr., Fredericksburg, VA 22406
540-752-0963 ■ golfgauntlet.com
Cannon Ridge Golf Club
(Currently closed for course renovations
check tourism website for news)
Please Note: The attractions listed off Exit 133 are located in
Stafford County but have a Fredericksburg mailing address.
Art & Theater
Aquia Harbour Marina
1221 Washington Dr., Stafford, VA 22554
540-659-4232 ■ Exit 140 ■ aquiaharbour.org
Hope Springs Marina
4 Hope Springs Lane, Stafford, VA 22554
540-659-1128 ■ Exit 140 ■ hopespringsmarina.com
Grapes and Grains Trail
www.GandGTrail.com Enjoy this spirited escape
from the everyday by visiting a distillery, breweries and wineries. Receive discounts at all trail
locations with your trail ticket. Stops are accessible
at Exit 148 to Exit 118. Trail Tickets can be used
as long as you have trail stops to visit. Visit the
website and plan your trip (hours of operation at
each site vary.) Buy your trail ticket at any of the
locations stops:
Potomac Point Winery (Exit 148)
Hartwood Winery (Exit 133)
A.Smith Bowman Distillery (Exit 130)
Blue and Gray Brewery (Exit 130)
Mattaponi Winery (Exit 118)
Lake Anna Winery (Exit 118)
Elegant tasting experience in a perfect setting for
special occasions. Bistro open for lunch and dinner.
Closed Tuesdays. potomacpointwinery.com
Brewery
Stafford County anticipates several breweries opening very soon. Check our website for the most current
information on great craft beer coming to Stafford.
www.TourStaffordVA.com
Adventure Brewing (opening Spring 2014)
33 Perchwood Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
540-242-8876, Exit 136
Stafford’s first brewery is home to outstanding
craft beer offerings. Pints, tasters and growlers
available to please every beer lovers palate.
Open Thurs–Sun. www.adventurebrewing.com
Holiday Harbor Marina & RV
140 Hope Springs Lane, Stafford, VA 22554
540-659-9935 ■ Exit 140 ■ holidaymarinarv.com
Willow Landing Marina
121 Willow Landing Road,
Stafford, VA 225545 ■ 540-659-2653
willowlandingmarina.com
■
Exit 140
www.TourStaffordVa.com