By Walking Tour -- On Thursday and Friday during summer you can stroll around the Historic District and learn about the area's history and architecture with the informative Hallowed Ground Tours (tel. 540/809-3918; www.hallowedgroundtours.com). Held in conjunction with the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, the 1-hour tours leave the visitor center at 10am and 1:30pm. They cost $12 for adults and $6 for children, which includes admission to the museum and cultural center. (The walking tours began in 2007, so I would call to make sure they are still operating when you're here.)
An evening option is to stroll around the historic haunts with Ghosts of Fredericksburg Tours, 623 Caroline St. (tel. 540/654-5414; www.ghostsoffredericksburg.com). The walks depart the company's offices (diagonally across Caroline St. from the visitor center) at 8pm Thursday to Monday in July, Friday through Sunday in August, and Friday and Saturday September through December. They cost $10 per person and reservations are required.
By Trolley or Horse-Drawn Carriage -- You can sit and explore the Historic District via motorized trolley or horse-drawn carriage, both of which leave from the visitor center. Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg (tel. 540/898-0737; www.fredericksburgtrolley.com) pass 35 historic sights. The 1 1/4-hour narrated tours usually leave at 10:30am, noon, 1:30, and 3:30pm from June through October. They depart at 10:30am and 1:30pm the rest of the year. Fares are $15 for adults, $5 for children 17 and younger.
An alternative is to clip-clop your way around with the Old Time Carriage Company (tel. 540/371-0094), whose 45-minute narrated rides cost $16 for adults, $10 for children younger than 10. They operate from April through December daily from 11am to 5pm. It's best to call for reservations.
River Cruises -- Operated by the same company that goes to Tangier Island from Reedville on the Northern Neck and from Onancock on the Eastern Shore, Rappahannock River Cruises (tel. 804/453-2628; www.tangiercruise.com) sends the stern-wheel City of Fredericksburg down the river from the city dock on Sophia Street from May through October. Most popular are the 2-hour lunch trips departing at noon Tuesday through Saturday. Fares are $26 for adults, $17 for children. The company also has dinner and Sunday brunch cruises. Call for reservations.
