Understand

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Fredericksburg was founded in colonial times as a "port city" on the Rappahannock River. At the time, it was at the farthest point navigable by large ships trading goods with the Old World. The city was a center of trade for the plantation owners and farmers nearby, but it never matched the level of commerce enjoyed by Richmond and Alexandria.

The city was contested during the American Civil War and changed hands several times. The most famous battle in Fredericksburg saw General Burnside repeatedly march thousands of his troops across the river and up Marye's Heights to their doom.

In recent years, Fredericksburg's population and surrounding communities have boomed as housing costs closer to Washington, DC forced commuters to seek neighborhoods farther out. Many commuters living in Fredericksburg drive an hour to two hours each way to work in DC. Fredericksburg is also a popular home for Marines commuting to nearby Quantico.

While the city has seen massive growth as a bedroom community, the historic downtown area and battlefields have been well preserved.

Eat

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Hyperion is perhaps the most popular coffee shop in the city of Fredericksburg. Many college students and faculty hang out and work there. The coffee is very good and reasonably priced, and there are also food items (like pastries and muffins) available there.

Central Park contains many notable eateries, including Panera Bread (with free wireless internet), Chipotle, Bonefish Grill, Olive Garden, A&W, Long John Silver's, and many more.

The Stafford Marketplace has a few places to eat, most notably another Panera Bread (also with free wireless internet).

Carl's Ice Cream (aka Carl's Frozen Custard or Carl's Electrofreeze) is the best ice cream in Fredericksburg, perhaps even best in the area...or the world. The line is usually long, but it goes quickly (typically a 10 minute wait). They stick to the basics, only serving chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream, as well as sundaes, shakes and malts. The maple walnut sunday is popular. Carl's is located at 2200 Princess Anne Street just off US Route 1. They're open 7 days a week from mid February to Mid November. Ordering is reminiscent of Jerry Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi" episode. Customer-enforced protocol calls for one to approach the counter with money in hand, order decisively and step aside quickly.

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