Shop, dine, golf & explore history

General Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own men at the Battle of Chancellorsville.  On his way to Richmond for medical attention, the general rested in a small outbuilding on the grounds of “Fairfield,” Thomas C. Chandler’s plantation in Guinea Station, VA.  The location was chosen because it was in close proximity to the railroad and behind friendly lines.  Nine days later, Jackson died there.  This shrine is now part of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Did you know?  The Chandlers, who owned the plantation where Stonewall Jackson died, are the great-great grandparents of Melinda Normand, owner of Osage Cottage.

After years of searching for Washington’s boyhood home, the remains of Ferry Farm were excavated in 2008. This is the site of some of the most legendary stories about the statesman, including tossing a stone across the Rappahannock (not a silver dollar across the Potomac) and cutting down a cherry tree. In the excavation, many artifacts of the family’s life were unearthed, including pottery, wig curlers, a bone toothbrush handle and the broken-off bowl of a pipe.

This beautiful, Georgian-style mansion represents the pre-Revolutionary War wealth and status of Washington’s sister Betty Washington Lewis and her husband, Fielding Lewis, a Fredericksburg merchant. Lewis lost his fortune during the war, but the home built by the couple survived.

The Spotsylvania area was the site of four major Civil War battles: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania. The Civil War Life museum brings this period in history to life with displays of original artifacts, life-sized displays and “stereograph” three-dimensional photography taken during the battles. Dress up in your Civil War best and have a tin-type photo taken as a souvenir of your stay.

More than 85,000 men were wounded and 15,000 killed in the Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania Civil War battles. Including four battlefields and several historic buildings, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is the second largest military park in the country.

Gari Melchers, one of the most famous Impressionist artists of his day, lived and worked at Belmont in Falmouth, VA, between 1916 and 1932. The richly furnished country house and working studio are still as they were in the 1920s. Outside, explore the beautiful formal gardens and wooded hiking trails on the 27-acre retreat. Inside, enjoy special exhibitions of both Melchers’ art and that of his contemporaries.

The Fair has moved to Meadow Event Park in Caroline County. The park was developed at the site of Meadow Farm, the breeding home of race horses Riva Ridge and Secretariat. This 360-acre space will include a 75,000-square foot exposition hall, a 10,000-square foot pavilion, and a 143-stall horse barn. State Fair dates: September 24-October 4, 2009.

In 2005-2006, Golf Digest ranked this course number one on the east coast and number two in the U.S. for “Best New Upscale Public Golf Courses.”

From the Carroll News: "Nestled away in a rather ordinary-looking white building off U.S. 58 in Laurel Fork sits a potential goldmine for antique collectors. Even if you are just in the market for a single antique piece of furniture or a conversation item, chances are you will find it for a great price at Timeless Treasures Antiques and Collectibles."

This cat-themed gift shop has been in Fredericksburg, Virginia for 19 years. Get more information at www.thecatscloset.com.

A Place In Time is a must-see in timeless downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia. Here you'll find an eclectic mix of elegant gifts for heart and home. Just a couple of delights among hundreds include: Vera Bradley handbags, Godiva Chocolates, Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries, Christopher Radko ornaments, April Cornell table linens, Aromatique fragrances, Tracy Porter designs and Mark Roberts fairies.

Castiglia's is, "home of some of the best Italian food in Spotsylvania County, Virginia! Pizza, pasta, seafood, and more... Fredericksburg is home to an authentic Italian getaway."

"At TruLuv’s American Bistro, you'll enjoy extraordinary wines, fine spirits and great food, creatively prepared by a chef that will exceed your every expectation. James Cha and staff invite you to enjoy modern American cuisine, served in a riverview setting."

Want to see how beer is made and then sample the brew? At Blue & Gray Brewing Co., you'll sample world-class beer that’s brewed locally. If you visit between June and August, you can actually see hops growing on the brewery site.

Ten Lake Anna wines recently received awards and accolades in competitions such as the Taster’s Guild International Wine Competition, the International Eastern Wine Competition and the Virginia State Fair. The bucolic landscape around this family-owned Spotsylvania, VA, winery also makes the perfect setting for a variety of seasonal events.

Rated among the top ten Virginia wineries by the 2007 Virginia Wine Festival Poll, Potomac Point Vineyard & Winery in Stafford, VA, offers tours and tastings. This lovely Mediterranean-style estate even has a bistro for dining.

A Super Target, along with 75 other stores and restaurants, are conveniently located in Cosners Corner shopping center at Exit 126 off I-95.