Directions
The University of Mary Washington is located 50 miles south of Washington, DC, and 50 miles north of Richmond, Va. One may elect to fly into three airports: Reagan National, Dulles International, or Richmond International Airport. There is also an Amtrak station in Fredericksburg.
If you are driving directly to the University, take Interstate 95 to Exit 130 (Fredericksburg, Route 3 East). Follow the signs to historic Fredericksburg on Route 3 (approximately 2 miles from the Interstate Exit); Turn left at the light on College Avenue, and right at the next light onto campus. Staff will be available in Combs Hall (the first building on your right when entering campus) to assist you. Directions to the hotel will be available on the hotel website.
Local transportation will be available from the hotels to all conference events.
Directions to Belmont
Friday's sessions will be held at Belmont, the Gari Melchers Home and Studio. Busses will leave the Hilton Garden Inn at 8:00 a.m. and return conferees after the reception. Van transportation will be available during the day. The property is located at 224 Washington Street, Falmouth, VA. From I-95 take the Falmouth/Warrenton Exit (133, one exit North of the hotel exit) and follow U.S. 17 toward Falmouth. Go 1.25 miles to Washington Street and turn right into Belmont. From the University or downtown Fredericksburg, take Route 3 east (William Street) across the Chatham Bridge and turn onto River Road (State Route 607), the first left immediately after the bridge. Pass under the Falmouth/Route1 Bridge and turn left onto Washington St., up the hill and left into Belmont's entrance.
Hotel Information
The conference hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn, 1060 Hospitality Blvd., located near the Fredericksburg Expo Center (540 548-8822). A link for hotel registration has been added below. A block of rooms has been reserved at the conference rate of $88.00 per room. You may make reservations online by following the link http://fredericksburg.stayhgi.com, or by telephoning 1 (877) STAYHGI. In either case, provide the code UMWS for the discounted rate. Please contact the hotel directly for driving directions.
Other hotels in the Fredericksburg area that will provide a discounted rate (mention that you are guests of the University) for conferees are:
Best Western Fredericksburg
2205 William Street (540) 371-5050 ($69.00)
Quality Inn
2310 William Street ( 540) 371-0330 ($69.00)
Bed and Breakfasts in the historic district tend to be charming, but considerably more expensive:
Richard Johnston Inn
711 Caroline Street (540) 899-7606
Kenmore Inn
1220 Prince Ann Street (540) 371-0330
Restaurants in Fredericksburg
Here is a list of local restaurants:
Downtown/Historic District
La Petite Auberge
311 William St.
(540) 371 2727
$$$ All major credit cards
Separate non-smoking section (Smoking in the lounge)
La Petite Auberge is a Fredericksburg tradition. Owner/Chef Christian Renault, assisted by his son Raymond, offers a consistently excellent menu, ranging from fresh fish and seafood, to first rate steaks. A native of Nice, Chef Renault specializes in simple country French cooking. Reservations suggested.
Bistro Bethem
309 William St.
(540) 371-9999
No Smoking; all major credit cards
$$$
Bistro Bethem is a popular restaurant downtown, with an excellent wine selection and a solid bistro type menu. They often have live music on Friday evenings.
Brock’s Grill
503 Sophia St.
(540) 370-1820
Smoking in the bar; all major credit cards
$$
Brock’s is an old fashioned grill, with lots of seafood, burgers, and salads. It has a nice view of the Rappahannock River.
Claiborne’s
200 Lafayette Blvd
(540) 371 7080
Smoking in the bar; all major credit cards
$$$$
Claiborne’s is an expensive but elegant restaurant that specializes in Low country Southern cuisine and steaks.
J Brian’s Tap Room
200 Hanover St.
(540) 373-0738
Smoking in the bar; all major credit cards
$
J Brian’s is more like a bar and grill than a formal restaurant; it has a great sandwich and appetizer menu, and tons of beers. It’s a fun place to relax.
Sammy T’s
801 Caroline St.
(540 371-2008)
Separate non-smoking section; all major credit cards
$
Sammy T’s is a casual restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg that has a large selection of imported beers as well as vegetarian dishes.
Central Park/Near the Hotel
There are multiple restaurants near the hotel, but with the urban sprawl, one would still need a car to get to them. They are all chain restaurants.
The highlights are:
Bonefish
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Melting Pot
Five Guys Burgers
Applebee’s
Ruby Tuesday’s
Bridges Brick Oven Pizza
For More about Fredericksburg: