Tourism

Women and wine seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly for a “Girls’ Night Out.” But who’s to say guys can’t enjoy a nice glass of vino too? Spotsylvania, Virginia, is home to a host of vineyards, each with their own twist. Whether you have the afternoon or a full weekend with the guys, these spots offer unique experiences that will have them reminiscing for months after. 

Wilderness Run Vineyards is Virginia’s Historical Farm Vineyard. Enjoy earthy vibes as you look out over rolling hills and scenic silos. Plenty of outdoor space awaits you to enjoy the day as you would if you lived the farm life–an old pontoon boat has even been converted into a stage for live entertainment! Living out their sole rule of “drink the wine you like,” a wide offering of wines is categorized into Country, Historic, and Estate collections. Try the Tool Shed Red Blend that gives a nod to the vineyard’s humble roots where tastings were first held, or the Field Blend, part of the Estate Collection. The Historic Collection salutes the area’s past and is the result of partnering with local historians and museums to capture the essence of local figures featured on the bottle. For example, did you know that Stonewall Jackson lost his arm during the Civil War on Wilderness Run Property? To keep the good times rolling, follow your wine with a visit to 1781 Brewery and the Old Towne Tobacconist Cigar Lounge, both located on Wilderness Run Vineyards property.

For the dudes who value time spent with their favorite folks, Eden Try is an ideal spot to gather on the weekends. Family-owned and full of fun offerings like live local music, food trucks, and even special “beer weekend” events, this beloved local winery knows how to bring effervescent energy to their pristine sip-and-stay-awhile grounds. Be sure to check out the ultra-refreshing winetails (after all, real men rock a stemmed glass!).

Situated close to Lake Anna, Lake Anna Winery is one of the region’s most popular spots for vino and scenic views. The boutique winery produces award-winning wines and the proud home of Virginia’s Renaissance Faire (talk about epic revelry and ample opportunities for great people-watching!). Weekends at Lake Anna Winery mean live performances from country music artists to jazz musicians and Cajun Zydeco bands to vibey California beach music with a wealth of genres in between! Be sure to try the winery’s 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup Silver Medal winners: Spotsylvania Claret, 2019 Barrel Select Chardonnay, 2019 Morgan Merlot, 2019 Petit Verdot, and 2020 Verdi. Who says you have to road trip to Napa to experience winning wines?

For the guy who considers himself the ultimate DIY-er, look no further than Bacchus Winery. While Bacchus Winery has a traditional tasting room to sample their wine made on the premises, it also hosts numerous winemaking classes as an Enology and Viticulture Instructional Facility. In fact, Bacchus is known as the most desired home-winemaking destination in the area! Grapes, fruit, honey, and other local ingredients using Virginia agriculture become crafted into artisan foods that can be tastefully paired with your wine sampling. These products are sold at the winery to take some home for later, too. To keep your creative juices flowing, pick up a winemaking kit on your way out. Winemaking kits are a fun – and thrifty – way to keep your newly-learned vintner skills fresh while costing as low as $3 per bottle! 

Mattaponi Winery is a small, family, and Native American-owned winery that has been in the heart of Spotsylvania County for over 20 years. Originally started as a Christmas tree farm, the winery continues to sell Christmas trees in November and December. After you choose just the right tree for your merriment, enjoy a warm glass of mulled-spice strawberry wine. While traditional white and red wines are available throughout the year (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot), Mattaponi Winery has been touted as the “conqueror of fruit wine.” Fruit wines are made from 100% real fermented fruit, never from concentrate or any artificial flavorings. Try authentically named wines like the Makadewamin (blackberry) or the Kizismin (peach) for a crisp and refreshing treat. To take this experience up a notch, check out Mattaponi Winery’s monthly pairing events – your palate is in for a treat when their specialty fruit wine is served with soups, BBQ, flavored popcorn, or donuts! 

If your crew wants to take the guesswork out of planning their stops, make a reservation for a wine tour with Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg. Leaving from the Spotsylvania Towne Centre and stopping at three wineries, tours include a boxed lunch while you kick back and listen to a lively discussion of local history between stops. The Spotsylvania Town Centre is nearby for dinner and drinks after the tour to “wine” down after a solid day of fun.

No matter if you and your guys are in the mood for a day outdoors, getting your hands dirty in the winemaking process, or exploring Native American fruit wines, there is a tale waiting to be told at these wineries in Spotsylvania. Let’s raise a glass to creating a next-level “Guys’ Day Out” (or a well-deserved weekend)! 

The temperature is rising, the days are getting longer, and the school days are ticking down – spring and summer are upon us! If this time of the year is your favorite time to get out and on the water, Spotsylvania, Virginia has you covered. Seemingly endless arrays of outdoor activities await you – the question is, do you have enough time to get all the activities you want to do checked off your list?

Virtually any outdoor hobby can be found at Lake Anna State Park or the Wilderness Presidential Resort. Whether it be hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or exploring more than 15 miles of trails, Lake Anna State Park has just the right activity to suit your mood and adventure level. If you would like to learn more about the local wildlife and habitats at the State Park, swing into the Lake Anna State Park Visitor Center, where park rangers are available to answer any questions. Educational programs are also hosted by park rangers and volunteers if you’re looking to dive deeper into a certain topic. For example, did you know Lake Anna State Park was the site of the Goodwin Gold Mine, discovered in 1829? You can keep history alive by trying your own hand at panning for gold during your visit! While Lake Anna State Park offers a multitude of activities, it also has a beach where you can take a refreshing swim and hit the pause button.

Lake Anna Outfitters is the official outfitter of Lake Anna. Located at High Point Marina, Lake Anna Outfitters is your destination to rent (and receive instruction on) kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, pedal boats, and mountain bikes. Your chosen boats can even be delivered straight to your lake house rental. Lake Anna Outfitters is also the area’s #1 gift shop for souvenirs and apparel. Before you leave the lake, make sure to stop by to purchase some great mementos of your trip!

The Wilderness Presidential Resort also offers a host of outdoor activities for you to enjoy. From kayaks, jon boats, corcl boats, and two stocked lakes to a beach area and multiple swimming pools, the possibilities for water-centric fun are endless.

Spotsylvania will quickly become a favorite spot for any fisherman. Spotsylvania is home to 2 reservoirs, the Ni River Reservoir and Hunting Run Reservoir.  These reservoirs span over 400 acres and are stocked with an array of fish—large-mouth bass, blue gill, crappie, and more—that are perfect for any angler. Boat launches are available if you’re bringing your own boat, or a jon boat can be rented on-site for a minimal fee. Shore fishing is also available at both reservoirs. Hunting Run Reservoir has a fishing pier, while Ni River Reservoir has a picnic shelter. You may even catch the occasional trophy fish (and earn some serious bragging rights)!

Even if fishing is not particularly “your thing,” renting a pontoon boat at Shipwreck Boat Rentals for a day of fun in the sun is sure to take your getaway to the next level. Boats can be rented for a half or full day and can carry up to 11 people. Take the pontoon to visit one of many “islands” around the lake or find an area to picnic or hike. With Lake Anna being the second largest lake in the state (over 200 miles of shoreline!), you’ll never run out of places to explore. For lunch, boat over to the Cove at Lake Anna. No matter what you choose – a steamed seafood platter, a cold wrap, or a juicy burger – your dish is sure to taste exponentially better when enjoyed waterfront.

If you’re craving some more outdoor time this spring, it’s time to load up your crew to head to Lake Anna in Spotsylvania County. The sun, the water, the surge of vitamin D – can you smell the sunscreen yet? 

Believe it or not, spring break is right around the corner. If you have little ones, your home is probably filled with chatter of all the wants and wishes they have for that week. If you’re looking for a range of action-packed options, Spotsylvania, Virginia, should be on your radar for your family’s spring travels. From museums and state parks to airplanes and railways, there is something for everyone in your family, no matter what your kiddos are into!

Planes and Trains – Oh My!

For the child that loves airplanes, his or her face will light up while watching take-offs and landings at the Shannon Airport. The Shannon Airport is an active airport for small, personal aircrafts. You can also walk through the Shannon Air Museum – home to one of the most unique collections of aviation history in the country! Make your visit into a full afternoon with lunch at Robin’s Nest Café, a ‘50s-style eatery with sandwiches and shakes. As a special bonus, you can continue to watch the planes while you enjoy your meal!

There is something about a train that thrills children of all ages. If “Thomas the Train” has been in your home at any point, a stop at the Rappahannock Railroad Museum is a must-experience. The Rappahannock Railroad Museum is a free outdoor museum open on Saturday mornings that features two cabooses and a baggage car. Newly opened museum buildings contain a host of railroad memorabilia and an entire room filled with model trains. The main attraction, the “Little Yellow Train,” is an open-air, 45-minute ride that travels around one mile from the station while you learn about railway history.

For the History Buff 

For your resident history buff, the Spotsylvania County Museum will be a highlight. As the museum is located at the First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield, you’ll have the opportunity to wander trails while learning more about the Civil War. The Battlefield Country Store is just across the street, making it the perfect spot to grab a sandwich and ice cream for a picnic back at the Museum. When you’re ready to head inside to check out the museum, exhibits that capture 300 years of Spotsylvanian history await you. You can even play a “Find and Seek” game to earn prizes while you explore the museum!  

Explore the Great Outdoors

If your family spends most weekends outside, a visit to Lake Anna State Park will take your weekend ritual up a few notches. Located on one of Virginia’s most popular lakes, choose from hiking (more than 15 miles of trails!), fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or simply going to the beach for some R and R. The park rangers at the Lake Anna State Park Visitor Center are readily available to share about the local flora and fauna or host an educational program for your crew. You can even take a guided tour of the Goodwin Gold Mine and try your hand at panning for gold! Cabins and campsites can also be reserved at Lake Anna State Park.

Wilderness Presidential Resort, otherwise known as Northern Virginia’s Camping Headquarters, also offers lodging and plenty of kid-friendly fun. Cabins and camping RVs are available for rent along with tent and RV sites. A plethora of recreational activities, including archery, disc golf, escape room, gem mine, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis, knockerball, and much more are at your beck and call. Don’t worry, even if you do not choose to stay at the resort, you can still stop by to enjoy the amenities. How can you and your tribe say no to $2 mini golf?

Put Spotsy on Your Must-See List This Spring

From planes and trains to exploring the great outdoors, Spotsylvania will have your kids talking about their trip for weeks to come. While you may feel like it’s difficult to please all of your kids at once, Spotsylvania is up to the task!