Weekend Adventures Near Locust Grove, VA: 10 Things to Do August 22–23
If you’re wondering what there is to do around Locust Grove, VA this weekend, you actually have quite a few choices without spending half the day in the car.
The weekend of August 22–23 is a good example. From a local book sale right here in Locust Grove to farmers markets, Lake Anna events, historic walking tours in Culpeper and activities in Fredericksburg, there’s something for just about every kind of weekend.
And that’s one of the things I appreciate about this area. You can enjoy a quiet Saturday morning close to home or make a full day of exploring one of the surrounding communities.
Here are some of my picks for things to do this weekend within an hour of Locust Grove, VA.
Grab Breakfast and Shop Local at a Farmers Market
If you like getting out early on Saturday, the Culpeper Downtown Farmers Market runs from 7:30 a.m. until noon on August 22.
It’s a great opportunity to pick up local products and enjoy downtown Culpeper before the afternoon crowds arrive.
There’s also the Spotsylvania Farmers Market Saturday Market, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Either one can make a pretty good starting point for a larger day trip.
This is also something I recommend to people who are considering buying a home in the area. Don’t just visit a community during a weekday showing. Come back on a Saturday morning. See where people shop, where they get coffee and what the local pace feels like.
Those little details can tell you a lot about whether a community feels right.
Take a Walk Through Downtown Culpeper
Culpeper is one of those towns that’s easy to overlook if you’re focused strictly on major attractions.
That’s a mistake.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Downtown Culpeper History Walking Tour is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 75-minute tour covers the history of the community, including its early settlement, Native lands, the Revolutionary War and Civil War. The listed cost is $25.
If you’re already in town for the farmers market, this would be an easy way to turn a quick morning outing into a more interesting afternoon.
And if you’re thinking about moving to Culpeper or one of the rural communities between Culpeper and Orange County, spending time downtown is worthwhile. It gives you a feel for the community that you simply can’t get from a real estate listing.
Try Something a Little Different in Culpeper
Here’s one that caught my attention.
Sips & Scoops: Whiskey and Ice Cream Pairing is scheduled for Saturday from noon until 7 p.m. at Belmont Farm Distillery and Brewery in Culpeper.
The event pairs three whiskeys with three ice creams, with tickets listed at $25.
It’s definitely not your standard Saturday afternoon activity.
But if you’re looking for something different, it could be a fun way to spend part of the day after visiting downtown Culpeper.
Head Toward Lake Anna
Lake Anna is another easy option for people living in and around Locust Grove.
This Saturday, Lake Anna Crab Fest is scheduled at Lake Anna Winery from 3 to 7 p.m., according to the Spotsylvania County calendar.
If you’ve never spent much time around Lake Anna, an event like this is a good excuse to make the drive.
Of course, you don’t need a special event to visit Lake Anna. The lake, restaurants, outdoor activities and surrounding rural communities make it one of the area’s more popular weekend destinations.
For buyers considering Lake Anna real estate, I’d suggest doing exactly what I mentioned earlier: spend a normal weekend there.
Drive around. Eat somewhere. Look at the neighborhoods. Pay attention to how long it actually takes to get where you want to go.
The experience of living somewhere is much more than the house itself.
Spend Part of Saturday in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg gives you another completely different option.
Art in the Park is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hurkamp Park and is listed as free.
If you’re interested in local history and genealogy, the Central Rappahannock Regional Library is also hosting a free program called Basics of Using Genetics for Genealogy from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
And for dog lovers, the Old Dominion Humane Society has its weekly Saturday stroll with rescue dogs at 7:45 a.m.
Fredericksburg is particularly convenient because you can combine several activities without having to drive from one town to another.
Spend the morning at the park, grab lunch downtown, browse the shops and then decide whether you want to stick around for the evening.
A Back-to-School Event for Families
If you’re looking for something family-oriented, the 1st Annual Community Empowerment Fest and Back-to-School Drive is scheduled Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at John Lee Pratt Memorial Park in Fredericksburg.
The event includes food and drink vendors, a live DJ, free school supplies, children’s workshops and nonprofit resources.
With school getting ready to start back up, this could be a useful one for local families.
It’s also the kind of community event that gives you a chance to meet people and see another side of the Fredericksburg area.
Celebrate 20 Years With Dog Krazy
Here’s another Fredericksburg option for Saturday.
Dog Krazy’s 20th Anniversary celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 307 William Street.
The event includes 20% off the store, raffles, giveaways and other anniversary activities.
If you’ve got a dog, it’s an easy excuse to spend some time downtown and support a local business at the same time.
Make Saturday Night a Little More Interesting
If you don’t want your weekend to end when the sun goes down, Fredericksburg has options there too.
The Fred SPCA Fur Ball: A Fairy Tail Gala is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Fredericksburg Convention Center from 5 to 10 p.m.
There’s also a performance of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice scheduled for Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Fredericksburg, with another performance Sunday afternoon.
You don’t have to plan an elaborate night out. Dinner followed by a show or a walk around downtown can be enough to make the evening feel like something different.
Don’t Forget About Sunday
Sunday can be a little quieter, which is sometimes exactly what you want.
The Spotsylvania Farmers Market Sunday Market is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Culpeper also has its Downtown History Walking Tour from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For something a little more unique, a barrel tasting is scheduled at Revalation Vineyards from 1 to 3 p.m., with limited seating and tickets listed at $25.
Or you could skip the organized activities altogether.
Take a drive through Orange County. Spend some time around Lake of the Woods. Grab lunch. Go home early.
There’s nothing wrong with an unplanned Sunday.
What I Like About Living Around Locust Grove
One of the questions I hear from people looking at homes isn’t always, “How many bedrooms does it have?”
It’s often something more like, “What is there to do around here?”
That’s a fair question.
When you’re buying a home, you’re not just buying the house. You’re choosing where you’ll spend ordinary Tuesday nights, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons.
Locust Grove gives you access to a surprisingly wide range of communities and activities. You have Lake of the Woods and Lake Anna for outdoor recreation, Fredericksburg for shopping, restaurants, entertainment and history, Culpeper for its historic downtown and local events, and Orange County for a more rural pace.
Rhoadesville, Unionville and the surrounding areas offer even more of that country-living feel while keeping many everyday conveniences within a reasonable drive.
That’s one reason I think people should explore an area before deciding where they want to buy.
Don’t just tour the house. Tour the community.
Come on a Saturday. See how long it takes you to get coffee. Visit the grocery store. Find a park. Have lunch. Drive through the neighborhood after dark.
Those are the things that eventually become part of your life.
And if you’re already living here and thinking about selling, the same idea applies from the other direction. Knowing what makes your community attractive—and being able to explain that to prospective buyers—can be just as important as knowing the home’s square footage or recent comparable sales.
Event schedules can change, so I recommend confirming details with the organizer before heading out, especially for times, ticket prices and weather-related changes.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Locust Grove, Lake of the Woods, Orange County, Spotsylvania County, Rhoadesville, Unionville, Lake Anna, Culpeper or Fredericksburg, I’d be glad to talk through your options. Whether you need an idea of what your home could sell for, want to compare different communities, or aren’t sure whether now is the right time to make a move, I’m happy to have a conversation and help you make a decision that fits your situation.
