If you don't know it by now, the missus and I are big believers in happy hour. We don't treat it…read morelike a hobby so much as a part-time job with better benefits. Today's venue of choice was a place called Rivers End, which sounds like either a cocktail bar or a warning label, depending on how your day's going. It starts off a little funny because you have to figure out the right door, then march yourself up the stairs like you're reporting for duty. Once you get up there, though, it feels like the kind of cool old place that's seen some things. You can almost feel the years rolling by, from Caribbean rum days to whiskey nights to the modern era of "smart cocktails," where they put things like herbs and intentions in your drink. The vibe was right. Cocktails were great--strong enough to matter, smooth enough not to apologize for. The food was excellent across the board, the kind that makes you stop talking for a minute so you can do some serious fork work. Most important, our waiter Shane was dead on the mark: there when you needed him, gone when you didn't, and never once tried to explain the menu like we'd just landed from Ohio for the first time. I can't find a single thing to complain about, which for me is almost a complaint in itself. Good value, good food, and a good scene--about all you can ask from an afternoon you're not spending at work. Next visit will be brunch, and I hope it's soon. Oh, and I did have the tostadas, but I got so excited by the smell I forgot to take a picture. Lewis would've understood. Some things are meant to be eaten, not photographed

River End is a hidden gem in Fredericksburg. The cocktails are excellent--well-crafted and…read moreunique--and the appetizers are different from the usual, but in the best way. Everything we tried was delicious. The speakeasy-style entrance is a fun touch: you pick up the phone and "call ahead" to unlock the door (even though it's more about the experience than an actual lock), which really sets the mood. Inside, the vibe is cozy and immersive, and they often have a live band that adds to the Renaissance-inspired aesthetic. Overall, great drinks, great food, and a really cool atmosphere. Definitely a spot worth checking out.

I didn't do much research but decided to stay at the courtyard Marriott in downtown for the…read morewalkability. It's not a bad hotel by any means, just nothing about it stands out as fantastic. It gets the job done for being a hotel and that's about all I can give it. Beware the parking experience is a little strange as it doesn't have a visitor lot and has to be valet so if you have a car be warned. The rooms are nothing fantastic, they feel very early 2000s which isn't bad but isn't great either. I feel the bathroom could use a remodel because the sink drains were clogged, and the bathroom felt very outdated. The room was spacious though with two queen beds, a chair and very cold A/C. It also had a nice tv in the room too. Beds also felt very comfortable which is nice for a hotel. I definitely would consider this hotel again now that my expectations are a little lower on what to expect. The hotel bar was always dead without anyone around, but the lobby in it of itself was very spacious and accommodating. I also really enjoyed how many things that were walkable around downtown Fredericksburg from the hotel. A ton of breweries, the river front, and restaurants were all within a mile to walk which made it a breeze. It's a very small town with not a lot going on during the week but it did the job.

My wife and I stayed here for a business trip to Fredericksburg. It was okay. The bed was…read morecomfortable and the room was clean. On the other hand, there were several small things that needed maintenance (a small hole in a wall, some peeling wall paper, etc.) and you can hear everything going on in the hall. Also, the restaurant is okay. Their menu is a company-wide menu for Courtyard hotels. I had the loaded breakfast tots every morning. These are pretty good the first time, but after the third day I was kind of over it. Also, it cost extra to add scrambled eggs. Main complaint was that there were few gluten free options for me for breakfast. I would rather stay in an Air BnB.

The Inn has opened the Gazebo at Fredericksburg Square. This indoor/outdoor eatery is open three…read moredays a week and offers dishes from what the chef finds fresh at the markets that day. Excellent food, good service, reasonable prices. You have to be on their email list to get the days they will be open and what the menu will be for any given day. Just call them and ask to be placed on the email list. A great place for a special meal when they open for a special event like Easter or Mother's Day.

I had my wedding here in 2011 and it occurred to me that I needed to write a review. This place was…read moreexceptionally beautiful and a bargain. Van and Deborah were great to work with and the DJ was perfect. They have been doing this for so long that they and their staff are very accomplished and attentive. We had a wedding of just under 100 guests and everyone still talks about it. The venue was beautiful. When people entered they were greeted by passed appetizers and drinks. All of the waitstaff were dressed impeccably and also removed any empty glasses and trash. We had the bacon wrapped scallops, which were divine, as well as the lamb kabobs. There was a third, but I cannot remember what it was. Regardless, I was not disappointed. For the meal we had a served buffet and they called people by table. I was initially apprehensive about this, but it went quickly and everyone was satisfied. We offered the roasted chicken and the prime rib. My mother's friend's husband still talk about the Prime Rib. We also had roasted potatoes and a rice pilaf. Everything was delicious. For drinks there was ice tea, water and Coke soft drinks. We elected to have a wine and beer bar, but in the middle of the reception (I believe because the size of people who attended was smaller than expected) they opened it up to a full open bar. The DJ was perfect and allowed the timing of the reception to be run efficiently without us being rushed. After my husband and I left, my mother told me that the staff was very efficient at wrapping up the cake as well as all of the presents, so she was able to enjoy the wedding without needing to clean up or get the family together afterwards. For NOVA and the DC Metro area, this place is a hidden gem and complete bargain. You get the glamor and prestige without the $50K price tag.

Bright, creative. and affordable coworking space. convenient location in downtown Fredericksburg…read more Tons of free parking.

From the owner: RingSpaces is not just a coworking facility; it is a dynamic hub designed to meet the diverse…read moreneeds of professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses in our vibrant community. Combination of Versatile Spaces, Amenities Galore and Event Hosting.

I love, love this place. Down to the decor, the personnel, and the affordability. The place was…read morebeautiful. If you get a chance book this place, you will not be disappointed.

From the owner: REIGN the venue is in downtown Fredericksburg, VA and is open for all your event needs. Book your…read morenext event at REIGN.

A very charming old school renovation of a piece of history, easily accessible through town roads…read more With real keys, this place has kept its romantic atmosphere and many overstuffed lush pieces are around every corner. Check in and access was easy at all times of day or night. It is still an older space and the floors are not friendly to normal walking and noises can be heard everywhere. The electronic cords all seem to be a bit of a mess as well. But the bathooms were well supplied and bed was cozy. Nice stay in a place that's not an everyday chain.

The good things. 1. Parking lot was well lit and safe…read more 2. Staff was friendly. 3. Rooms and lobby were clean. The bad and why I recommend you Do Not Stay Hear. 1. NO HOT WATER. Sign in room said to let shower run for 10 min. I let it run and run and the water never got warm. Froze my Azz trying to take a shower. 2. Bed was Horrible. When you layer down you sunk 4 to 6 inches and the center caved in. 3. Ceilings fan sounded like it was going to fall from the ceiling. 4. Walls paper thin could hear everyone else. 5. Floors slanted and creeked so loud you would never have to worry about someone seeking up on you. 6. Room extremely hot with dry air. No ventilation and you couldn't use the suicide ceiling fan. 7. Smell - room smelled like someone was cooking onions in it just before we got there. I have stayed in historic bed and breakfast and hotels that were well kept. This place was just run down and needed updated beds and a good plumber.

Austin was amazing!! We will be back ASAP!! Thanks for being do great! And never change the…read moreplaylist!!!

After visiting some friends in NOVA, I decided to drop by and visit Strangeways. I've been to the…read moreRVA location but it was cool getting to see this place in person. Huge brewery located in a quiet area, very friendly beertenders and a great selection of new beers!

This Mother's Day weekend, we finally decided to tour Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont --…read morethe country retreat of American artist Gari Melchers. This has been on my FXBG bucket list for quite some time, and honestly, I have no idea why we waited so long to visit. What an absolute treat it was. For those unfamiliar with him, Gari Melchers was one of the most respected artists of his generation, known for his portraits, murals, and landscapes. Born in Detroit to German immigrants, he studied art in Düsseldorf and Paris before eventually settling at Belmont Estate in Falmouth, Virginia, near Fredericksburg. Even President Theodore Roosevelt sat for one of his portraits during Melchers' prolific career. I won't go too deep into the history lesson here, but I will say that his "country retreat" was absolutely stunning. My husband and I spent a couple of hours wandering through the gardens, touring the home, and exploring Gari's personal studio. It was such a peaceful and immersive experience. I found myself completely absorbed in his story, his artwork, and the beauty of the property itself. Since I was in a dress, we skipped the walking trails this time, but we definitely plan to go back soon in more appropriate attire to explore them. If you enjoy history, art, architecture, or simply beautiful places, I highly recommend adding Belmont to your list of places to visit.

Excellent tour. Beautiful art studio and museum. There is also a hiking trails inside. Highly…read morerecommended.

The Most Unacceptable Hotel Experience I've Ever Had…read more My stay at Hyatt Place Fredericksburg at Mary Washington was the most unacceptable hotel experience I've ever had. During the night, a pair of women's panties fell out of the bedsheets onto the floor. There is no misunderstanding or excuse for that. It means the bed linens were not properly stripped or changed after the previous guest. I definitively slept in a bed that someone else had already slept in before me. I had been sleeping naked in those sheets under the assumption I was in a clean, properly prepared room. Instead, I was put into used bedding that had clearly not been serviced to even the most basic housekeeping standards. That creates serious sanitation concerns. No guest should ever have to worry about exposure to used sheets, leftover personal items, bodily residue, bacteria, skin contaminants, or any other hygiene risks because a hotel failed to do the bare minimum. What made this even worse was management's response. Rather than Joshua, the manager, taking ownership of the situation, apologizing, and making it right, the hotel chose to cancel my stay and ban me from the property. Instead of correcting a legitimate cleanliness failure, they attempted to silence the guest who reported it. Think about that: a customer reports sleeping in dirty sheets with another guest's underwear still in the bed, and management's solution is to remove the customer rather than address the problem. That tells you everything you need to know about accountability at this property. I expected Hyatt standards. What I received was a deeply unsanitary room and a management team more concerned with avoiding responsibility than doing the right thing. Avoid this location if cleanliness, professionalism, and guest respect matter to you.

First off, the parking was a bit inconvenient... But, the…read moreroom was very nice and the FREE breakfast was great! It should be called breakfast buffet.. yum! We will definitely stay there again.