Visiting Fredericksburg, VA

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I'm in Fredericksburg, VA this weekend and next weekend. My girlfriend is a civilian engineer for the Navy, and she's working on a weapon for the Navy down here this summer. The last time I was here I checked out a few pawn shops, SSG Tactical, and the Fredericksburg battlefield. I'm going to check out a few more battlefields this weekend, but I was wondering if there were any gun shops or civil war gift shops that you guys highly recommend checking out. Thanks!

 

[tlmetesh]

I lived in Fredericksburg for 9 years. Moved an hour northwest last April.

I would recommend Lee's Headquarters right across the street from the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center and their sister shop, The Picket Post, on Caroline Street. Both have great original Civil War relics, weapons, etc. If you go to Lee's Headquarters and Blane Piper is working behind the counter, tell him Logan sent you!

 

[jackvs1]

Check this local gun shop out, about 30 minutes away but to me worth it. I found my pre 29, 6 1/2 inch, with box and coke grips there. There is also a diner next to it; good food.

Big Dog Outfitters Your friendly local experts and supplier of quality firearms, accessories, and expert firearm knowledge and advice!

 

[CajunBass]

Run up 95 (that's Nawth) take the exit for 17 West, and drive out to Opal. Take a right on 29 at the Sheetz station, and get in the left lane. Go a couple of hundred yards, watch for the bear on the roof. Turn left...good luck..traffic can be heavy. Stop in at Clarke Brothers guns. Go in and visit a while. It's an old time gunstore, with a pretty neat unofficial museum at the same time. The stuff hanging on the walls is not for sale.

You can shoot there too. They have a handgun, rifle, shotgun, archery range out back. I'm not sure if they rent guns or not. You have to buy your ammo there. The ammo is a little more than say Wal-Mart, but use of the range is free.

Clark Brothers Gun Shop | Warrenton, Virginia, guns, shooting range, Northern Virginia firing range

An hour or so south of Fredericksburg will put you at the Atlee/Elmont Exit on 95. Take the Elmont one...I forget the number and you're at "Ali-Babba's House O Guns", or as it's better known, "Greentop" sportings goods. Guns of all kinds, fishing tackle, clothing, etc.. If you see an old, fat guy with a gray beard, and a lady on an electric scooter, stop and say hi. That will be Misty and I.

Green Top Hunt & Fish - Hunting Gear | Fishing Tackle | Outdoor Gear

Or go on south to Richmond (about 70 miles south of Fredericksburg). Lots of museums there, as well a number of Civil War battlefields. A little farther south will put you in Petersburg with it's battlefield (the crater etc.), as well as the Quartermaster Museum and Women in the Army museum at Ft. Lee.

Swing west from Richmond Petersburg, and an hour or so puts you in Appomattox Court House, and the Battlefield/Surrender Field there. That's probably best saved for a day when both of you can go.

Couple hours west of Fredericksburg, and you're on Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Well, I could go on, but you get the idea.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Run up 95 (that's Nawth) take the exit for 17 West, and drive out to Opal. Take a right on 29 at the Sheetz station, and get in the left lane. Go a couple of hundred yards, watch for the bear on the roof. Turn left...good luck..traffic can be heavy. Stop in at Clarke Brothers guns. Go in and visit a while. It's an old time gunstore, with a pretty neat unofficial museum at the same time. The stuff hanging on the walls is not for sale.


Clark Brothers Gun Shop | Warrenton, Virginia, guns, shooting range, Northern Virginia firing range

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Well, I could go on, but you get the idea.

FYI........................


We used 17 west coming back from OBX a couple of weeks ago ......I'm guessing here..... but if I recall correctly ...... the first 5-7 miles of 17W off 95 were/are one long construction zone.........

not to bad on a Tues afternoon...... could be pure hell on a weekend....heck 95 won't be a picnic..................

always wanted to stop but it's just about halfway (4.5hrs) from Pittsburgh and OBX...... This Dad is all about keeping on the move...... a gun shop stop for me would mean two antique shop stops for the wife


Skyline Drive would be a nice day trip ...... the Lodge is at the midpoint...... eat and return......

 

[GatorFarmer]

I lived in nearby Stafford for years. Head up to Stafford, actually Triangle, and visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Quantico.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I went to gander mountain. I've been to cabelas and bass pro shop, but never been to go gander mountain. They're very over priced but I did find a few deals in the clearance section. Tomorrow I'm going to check out Lee's Headquarters civil war shop. I love Gettysburg, and I was expecting Fredericksburg to have a ton of civil war gift shops. If my girlfriend doesn't mind, I found a few more nearby gun shops I might check out. I'm visiting her next weekend too, and I can always visit the shops that I missed on Friday while she's blowing stuff up at work.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

Also thanks for the suggestions! I think next weekend we'll do the usmc museum in Quantico.

Also Philly traffic is horrible, but my goodness! Northern VA has to be some of the busiest roads I have ever seen!

 

[ChuckS1]

I lived in nearby Stafford for years. Head up to Stafford, actually Triangle, and visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Quantico.

Do this. Go to the Pacific section and ask for Jack Matthews, who is an Iwo Jima vet. He'll be the old gentleman in the chair. He'll give you a first hand account of the landing.

I live in Stafford and IMHO you're wasting your time going to Clark Brothers. It's a gun store, just like every other one.

If you like bourbon, the Bowman distillery is on Rt 17, as well as the Blue and Gray brewpub. Both worth a visit and quick lunch.

Old town Fredericksburg is nice if you like antiques and Civil War shops. The Old Deutschland restaurant is worth the stop.

Chatham Manor is worth the stop. Go out to the gardens and check out the greenhouses. The one with the new paint was my youngest son's Eagle Scout service project he did on July 5th.