Fredericksburg Firsthand - Living in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is charming city. Its scenic location and timeless appeal make Fredericksburg and ideal location to visit for a day or the weekend but it’s no wonder so many choose to stay for a lifetime.

 

Conveniently Located
The Fredericksburg Region, encompassing the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford and Spotsylvania, is situated along Interstate 95 about an hour south of Washington, D.C. and an hour north of Richmond. 

 

This prime location provides easy access by plane, train, and automobile.  Visitors and business travelers are just a short drive from three major airports, as well as the Stafford Regional Airport, which accommodates corporate jets. 

 

Fredericksburg offers Amtrak and major bus line services.  Virginia Railway Express provides commuter train service to Washington, D.C., while the Fredericksburg Regional Transit bus service offers a growing system of local stops throughout the area. 

 

Culture
With connections to Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, the Fredericksburg area is undoubtedly one of the most historic regions in the country. 

 

In the midst of this historic area, a thriving business community–including the primary retail corridors along Routes 3 and 610–offers visitors many options for dining and a mix of department stores, specialty shops, and national chains. 

 

Visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of the historic city of Fredericksburg while riding on a trolley or horse-drawn carriage, touring museums, perusing the many antique shops, taking a walking tour, or dining at downtown eateries. 

 

The region features many historic homes that are open to the public, such as Belmont, Chatham, and the Mary Washington House, as well as reminders of casualties suffered in the Civil War battles at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Courthouse, and the Wilderness.

 

Family Focused
The Fredericksburg area offers family activities throughout the year, beginning with the dropping of the pear at the New Year’s Eve First Night festivities.  Summer evenings are filled with music at popular concert series and outdoor film festivals, while rafts race along the Rappahannock River at the Fourth of July Heritage Festival. 

 

Fall is ushered in with the Fredericksburg Agricultural Fair - the oldest in America, while December showcases the finest holiday trimmings in historic homes during the annual Candlelight Tour. 

 

Education
Exceptional public and private schools contribute to the quality of life in the Fredericksburg area.  Local educators create challenging learning environments to stimulate and inspire future business and community leaders. 

 

Fredericksburg is proud to be home to the University of Mary Washington. In 2005, the university was ranked eighth among Southern institutions in the “Best Universities-Master’s” category by U.S. News & World Report, and was also ranked the third among public universities in the same category. In addition to the traditional undergraduate liberal arts program on its Fredericksburg campus, the university offers a bachelor’s degree, graduate degrees, and certificate programs at its Stafford campus.

 

Germanna Community College serves approximately 7,000 students seeking associate degrees and certificates each year.  Its Center for Workforce and Community Education provides professional and personal developmental programs designed to meet the training needs of business, industry, and government.

 

Health Care
The Fredericksburg area boasts one of Virginia’s leading regional healthcare facilities – Mary Washington Hospital.  Offering acute care, intensive care, and a 24-hour emergency room, this full-service hospital celebrates more than 100 years of service to the community. 

 

Mary Washington Hospital is part of MediCorp Health System, a locally owned, not-for-profit organization that provides a multitude of surgical, outpatient, and rehabilitative services.  MediCorp also has a cancer center, mobile mammography unit, and an array of community outreach programs.

 

Housing
In recent years, more families have come to call the Fredericksburg area “home” than any other area in Virginia.  This comes as no surprise considering the cost of living, the diversity in home styles, and the wide range of home prices that are available.

 

Downtown Fredericksburg features many 18th- and 19th-century homes that have been lovingly restored.  The beauty and charm of these homes is complimented by established neighborhoods and new communities found in Stafford and Spotsylvania. 

 

These developments feature single-family homes, town homes, apartment homes, and retirement communities, offering amenities that appeal to today’s families – community pools, common play areas, golf courses, and lakes.

 

Recreation
Recreation opportunities abound for those in search of the natural beauty the Fredericksburg area offers.  Aquia Landing, the Rappahannock River, and Lake Anna provide water enthusiasts places to swim, water ski, raft, and ride a riverboat. 

 

Golf lovers can find their way to a leisurely round of golf at one of many award-winning public and private golf courses. 

 

For indoor recreation, the local laser tag arena, bowling alley, skating rink, or ice skating rink are great options.

 

One visit and you will see why so many people call the Fredericksburg Region “home.”   It’s a lively place with plenty of activities and special events, where people have access to a high-quality education–all while enjoying the benefits of a charming, historic community.