Things to do in  Fredericksburg

The historic home of George Washington’s mother gives visitors insight into the life and final 17 years of Mary Washington. Period-clad docents welcome you to the 18th-century Mary Washington House and invite you to take a mental step back in time as you explore the original kitchen, guest room where George Washington slept, and gardens.

Embrace history at the Rising Sun Tavern while surrounded by 18th-century furniture and period-clad docents. Originally built as a private residence in 1760 by George Washington’s brother, the home was later leased as a tavern. It is now a historic attraction and one of the four Washington Heritage Museum sites in Fredericksburg.

Walk through the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, a restored 18th-century pharmacy, and experience the medicine of George Washington’s era. Period-clad docents explain the medical practices of the era and share medicinal uses of leeches, cobwebs, and snakeroot. You can even smell and touch the old-time medicines for a full sensory experience.