In an effort to help contain and slow the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus, the Fredericksburg Visitor Center will close to the public immediately in its physical location at 706 Caroline St. in Downtown Fredericksburg.
Trip planning and other resources continue to be available at VisitFred.com .
The Visitor Center closure is part of a broader City of Fredericksburg policy decision on measures to help slow the spread of the virus. That included closing City offices to the public, declaring a state of local emergency and more.
The Visitor Center will reopen April 1 if conditions support it, mirroring the policy and timeline recently announced for Virginia Welcome Centers.
“It’s increasingly clear that the best defense against the spread of the coronavirus is to take aggressive measures to separate from each other until the crisis has passed,” said Bill Freehling, Fredericksburg’s director of economic development and tourism. “We look forward to reopening as soon as possible to continue to tell people about this fantastic city in which to live, work and play.”
During this pause in in-person operations, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism will actively promote stories of local businesses that are responsibly continuing to serve our community. From restaurants offering new delivery options, to retailers with online offerings, to museums and cultural attractions putting new energy into digital storytelling, we want to celebrate the innovation and optimism that is alive in our great community during this time. To follow these stories and keep up with other developments, subscribe to our weekly Fred Focus newsletter.
Fredericksburg has been a central thread in this nation’s story from the beginning. We were the backdrop of the foundational years of our first president, we were the scene of urban warfare during pivotal moments of the Civil War and we have a unique story to tell about how crossing a river brought freedom to at least 10,000 formerly enslaved people. Compared to these momentous moments in our history, we hope this will one day be nothing more than a brief time when people came together to do the right thing.
While the Visitor Center and many local indoor attractions are now closed, there remain plenty of wonderful things to do in Fredericksburg while some of our day-to-day activities hit pause. Go for a hike on one of our beautiful trails, spend quality time with your family, visit a Fredericksburg park and look for ways to help those who need it most. We are confident that “this too shall pass,” and life as we know it will resume soon.
In the meantime, stay safe and well, and try to support our local businesses in responsible ways.
