Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Stafford, VA

  • Published 2023/02/24

Stafford, Virginia, is a modest but lovely, up-and-coming tourist location worth visiting.

It is a great spot to learn about the country’s history, from George Washington’s childhood house to important Civil War battlefields.

Enjoy the many indoor and outdoor activities at various tourist sites while learning and discovering more about history.

There are indeed many things to do in and around Stafford, whether you’re seeking culture, history, or just a nice family fun day out.

Some of the unique activities and sights to witness at this tourist destination might astonish you.

Here are the 20 best things to do in Stafford, VA:

Go on an Adventure at Government Island

A boardwalk at Government Island

Realest Nature / Shutterstock.com

The Government Island trek in Stafford County, Virginia, is the ideal place for an adventure.

A gorgeous heritage walk winds across the 17-acre island, with interpretive signs allowing visitors to learn about the island’s history from the era of the Native Americans through the early 1800s.

With its wetlands and marsh regions, the island offers a diverse range of habitats for birds and other species.

A huge boulder at Government Island

Cowpie21, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At the .5-mile mark, you’ll find the old quarry, where a plaque shows how the quarry extracted stones there between the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

The National Register of Historic Places and even the Virginia Landmarks have named Government Island as “America’s Historic Stone Quarry.”

Don’t miss this exciting and educational tourist hotspot in Stafford, Virginia.

Check Out the Golf Course in Augustine Golf Club

Augustine Golf Club, carved from Stafford County’s sweeping, emerald green hills, offers picturesque scenery with magnificent pines and hardwoods.

The woods contrast wonderfully with the clean white bunkers and green fairways.

Golfers will enjoy a country club experience approximately 30 miles from the Washington Beltway from the baggage drop to the course itself.

Augustine Golf Club has received a prestigious “4.5 Star Rating” from Golf Digest, and it’s also part of Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Golf Courses You Can Play.”

Augustine takes pride in the high quality of its gorgeous golf, excellent amenities, and exceptional service.

This course may be the most stunning and natural golf course you’ll ever see.

Taste Afghan Kabobs at Kabob Corner of Stafford

You may find the most excellent and delectable Afghan Kabobs at Kabob Corner of Stafford.

You definitely should dine at Kabob Corner of Stafford if you enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine.

All kabobs come with seasoned basmati rice, fresh tandoori bread, a little salad, one buffet side dish, and chatnee sauce.

Bone-in chicken kabob, lamb kabob, shrimp kabob, fish kabob, and many more kabob delicacies are available!

If you’re visiting Staford, Virginia, don’t miss this unique restaurant.

Wander the Stafford Civil War Park

This 41-acre park commemorates the Army of the Potomac’s Winter Encampment from 1863.

Three clay artillery positions, many winter hut holes, a Colonial bridge abutment, and a corduroy road are preserved in the Stafford Civil War Park.

Many interpretative signs and maps assist the visitor by bringing the past to life.

Following the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, the Union Army’s 11th Corps, 1st, and 3rd Divisions encamped at this historic spot.

Pavilions, a nature trail, bunkers including cannon displays, a replica winter hut, a historic stone quarry, and restrooms are among the park’s amenities.

At Stafford Civil War Park, you may learn about history while relaxing and having fun.

Try Award-Winning Wines at Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard

Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard in Stafford is a great place if you’re searching for something exciting and unusual to do in Northern Virginia.

You’ll feel worlds away from Washington, DC’s bustling lifestyle despite being only an hour away.

Their European estate will transport you to Tuscany, and their award-winning wines and excellent food will elevate your experience.

Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery is an excellent site with a variety of wine tastings and flights and a full cafe.

It is also one of the top wineries in Northern Virginia.

They have more to offer than award-winning wines, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking scenery.

Enjoy Italian Cuisines at Vinny’s Italian Grill

Vinny’s Italian Grill is a family-owned and operated Italian restaurant specializing in New York-style pizzas and spaghetti, appetizers, soups, and sandwiches.

A visit to Vinny’s Italian Grill is like going back in time.

Their ambiance is warm, inviting, peaceful, pleasant, and enjoyable.

Vinny’s Italian Grill features a full-service bar with an enormous range of beautiful wines and the best list of martinis in the region.

They provide a suitable backdrop for a memorable dining experience, from the lovely Italian classics serenading you to the well-appointed Italian decor.

Vinny’s Italian Grill is the ideal spot for a get-together with family and friends, a business lunch, or a romantic evening for two.

Enjoy a Quality Meal in the Log Cabin Restaurant

In a wood-paneled setting with a fireplace, The Log Cabin Restaurant serves a choice of seafood and American dishes.

The Log Cabin’s chef, with 40 years of expertise cooking at their restaurant, looks forward to serving guests delectable delicacies.

Their dedicated and attentive team will make sure you have a wonderful day.

You can rent the Log Cabin for weddings, business luncheons, dinners, cocktail celebrations, and other private events.

The Log Cabin Restaurant will not compromise on the quality of their meals; thus, they obtain fresh products in season out of their garden and, if possible, from local farmers’ marketplaces.

Go Skating at the Cavalier Family Skating Centers USA, Inc.

The Cavalier Family Skating Center prides itself on being a family-owned, run, and oriented business.

For both children and adults, they provide the finest in roller skating and family entertainment.

Birthdays, private gatherings, and fundraisers are available at the Cavalier Family Skating Centers USA, Inc.

You may grab pizzas, corndogs, chicken nuggets, sodas, and time.

Visit this entertaining tourist spot and have a good time with your friends and family.

Stay in the Hampton Inn Stafford Quantico & Conference Center

Have you had a full day filled with both outside and inside activities?

The Hampton Inn Stafford/Quantico & Conference Center is 15 minutes from the Quantico Marine Corps Base and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

An indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and gaming area with foosball and a pool table are among the hotel amenities.

You can also enjoy complimentary breakfast, evening receptions from Monday through Wednesday, and WiFi.

If you are wary of outdoor activities, stay at the Hampton Inn Stafford Quantico & Conference Center for peaceful indoor activities.

Dine at Zibibbo 73 Trattoria Italiana & Bar

The Zibibbo grape, commonly known as Alexandra Muscat, is known as an “ancient vine.”

Some wine specialists believe it’s one of the world’s oldest genetically unaltered vines.

Italy has the ideal climate and soil for growing grapes, making the country a vital wine producer.

In Stafford, Virginia, Zibibbo 73 Trattoria Italiana & Bar offers old-world food in a contemporary atmosphere.

This Italian restaurant offers a diverse breakfast, lunch, supper, beer, and wine menu to suit everyone’s tastes.

Zibibbo 73 Trattoria Italiana & Bar regularly sources the highest quality ingredients to prepare their food.

Enjoy meals made with fresh herbs and veggies and organically grown meats and seafood topped off with friendly, professional service.

Spend a Relaxing Afternoon at the Widewater State Park

Widewater State Park is a recreation area in Stafford County, Virginia.

The park celebrates the area’s natural, historical, and recreational treasures.

A visitor center, picnic tables, playgrounds, bathrooms, canoe-kayak launches, and hiking paths are all available in the park.

There are also rustic paddle-in campsites for those who prefer to canoe or kayak towards the Potomac River’s boat launch points.

The 0.8-mile Long Pond Trail (loop) and the 1.7-mile Holly Marsh Trail are two Virginia hiking trails within Widewater State Park.

Stop at the visitor center for souvenirs, cold refreshments, and toilets.

Appreciate the Wilderness at the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve

Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is just a stunning location that is remarkable from various perspectives.

It is a vast wilderness area between Potomac Creek and Accokeek Creek on the southern edge of Stafford County, Virginia.

This tourist location is undoubtedly one of Virginia’s most significant land conservation accomplishments, completed in 2008 with the first acquisition of 1,762 acres.

Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve is home to tidal and non-tidal wetlands, miles of watercourses, wetland buffers, and wildlife.

Visitors to Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve can enter in two ways.

A renovated mile-long entry road connects the Raven Road Access point to an 18-car parking lot and miles of hiking paths into Crow’s Nest’s wooded core.

Admire the wilderness at this reserve because there is so much to see and cherish about nature and its beauties.

Enjoy the Outdoors at Aquia Landing

A beach at Aquia Landing

Realest Nature / Shutterstock.com

Aquia Landing offers plenty of outdoor activities and natural space you can enjoy with the family.

The 32-acre area lies along a peninsula extending on Aquia Creek; you’ll find the entrance on Brooke Road.

The park is also a popular fishing and swimming spot so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a place to spend a relaxing day.

Some areas of the park have large marshes and wooded areas that are home to many migrant and breeding birds.

Go birdwatching and spot a variety of waterfowl and songbirds like the Canada Goose, Canvasback, Pied-billed Grebe, Buffleheads, and much more.

You’ll surely meet some wildlife around the area, and plenty of damselflies along the Coastal Phase of the park trail.

After all the activities, you can have a lunch picnic under the trees.

Aquia Landing also offers other amenities like parking and restrooms for park visitors.

Shop for Unique Items and Goods at Long Family Markets

If you’re looking for unique and quality products that are truly Stafford-made, you’ll find those at Long Family Markets.

The seasonal market has been running since 2015, offering homemade items and homegrown produce.

You’ll find over 60 local sellers and vendors at Staffordboro Boulevard on any given Sunday.

Take your pick of fresh meats, dairy, seafood, honey, cheese, and baked goodies; likewise, you can also browse through artisan goods like soaps, candles, home decor, and a whole lot more.

Some of the local sellers you can catch include Amiees Sandwiches selling plant-based sandwiches, fried veggies, and more; or try assorted eclairs, pies, brownies, and gluten-free baked items by Jenn Eclairs.

Looking for tasty salsas? Tommy’s Wicked Garden Salsas, herbed cheeses, and guacamole are really good finds.

Other vendors you’ll find at Long Family Markets include Branches & Vines, Genesis Soaps, and Kay Clay Designs among others.

Find Locally-Made Products at Olde Virginia Gourmet & Gifts

You’ll find an array of Virginia-made and Virginia-themed items and goods at Olde Virginia Gourmet & Gifts.

You can easily spot the old-fashioned country store right on Garrisonville Road.

They have a wide range of gourmet products from local wines and beers to sauces, pickled goods, dips, soups, and nibbles like peanuts, jellies, confections, and much more.

You’ll also find an assortment of artworks and crafts made by local artisans and body essentials like organic soaps and lotions.​

If you’re also looking for gifts for friends and family to let them have a taste of Stafford, the shop specializes in stocked and custom-made gift baskets you can order and purchase and bring home.

Likewise, Olde Virginia Gourmet & Gifts also offers a Wine of the Month Club, where you can get two bottles of Virginia, or other wine selections occasionally, plus a gourmet item for a minimal monthly fee.

Camp Out at Aquia Pines Camp Resort

Get your camping gear ready and head out to Aquia Pines Camp Resort.

This camp resort is located on Jefferson Davis Highway and it’s the best site if you’re also exploring nearby Fredericksburg, Quantico, and Washington.

If you’re camping out in an RV, they have full hook-up areas, one located in the woods with a 30-amp electric, and a bigger and more open camp area with a 50/30 amp electric supply; other amenities also include water, sewer, and laundry room and pool areas.

Another option is to go primitive camping at their Basic Tent Site nestled along the woods or along the Improved Tent Site, where you can camp under tall pine trees.

If your family is planning to stay for several days, you might as well book their Luxury Cabin for excellent amenities to make your stay more comfortable.

You can also stay at the Rustic Cabin so you can go tent camping without literally having a tent.

Have a great camping experience at Aquia Pines Camp Resort.

Get Creative at Wine & Design

Wine & Design will get your creative juices out and let you have fun, too.

Their space is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to Sundays and is located along Garrisonville Road.

Plan your paint-and-sip party and create your masterpieces together while enjoying a glass of wine offered at the venue.

You can also bring snacks and can pick non-alcoholic beverages for your drinks.

They also have Art Buzz Kids events open for kids of any age; sign them up for painting and art classes and help spark your budding artist’s creative talent.

You can also join a D.I.Y. class and explore your painting prowess with different mediums from home decor to glassware.

Wine & Design also hosts other programs like team building events, Paint It Forward, and On Wheels activities.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Stop by Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is a focal point for a vibrant cultural community in Fredericksburg and central Virginia, an 11-minute drive from Stafford.

Over 100 mainstage musical and dramatic performances, including more than 120 musical adaptations of popular children’s books, have taken place on Riverside Center’s historic stage.

Their venue is a conventional proscenium stage with Virginia’s first dinner theatre fly loft enabling magnificent sets and smooth scene transitions.

Wedding receptions, joyous social gatherings, corporate meetings, high school proms, and other special events have all taken place in Riverside Center’s conference space.

Event planners of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts exercise meticulous attention to detail and personalized service.

They work one-on-one with each client to meet their unique interests and requirements, personally overseeing each project from start to finish.

Visit the Grove of Brite Blessings

Spring is the season for growth!

A new year implies fresh learning and a time to begin anew.

The Grove of Brite Blessings includes spiritual resources, workshops, counseling, and reading.

They’ve practiced metaphysics for a long time and are always eager to assist the public with their concerns.

The Grove is constantly changing and expanding, and they look forward to assisting you in your quest for enlightenment.

Visit this location at Fredericksburg, Virginia, only around 9.6 miles from Stafford.

Final Thoughts

When visiting a new location, tourists seek out history, gastronomy, leisure, and enjoyment.

Many significant events and travelers have occurred in Stafford throughout history.

Stafford, Virginia, contains educational venues, recreational parks, well-known eateries, and even fantastic places to explore nearby.

Make plans to visit Stafford, Virginia, and discover what this place offers!

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