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Enjoy an outdoor October adventure in Spotsylvania County
Peak foliage is here, but it won’t last long! Wrap up in your favorite sweater and explore these can't-miss Spotsylvania destinations before the season ends:
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HISTORIC TRAILS
Step back in time beneath beautiful fall foliage at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, including the battlefields of Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania Court House and the Wilderness. Explore even more history at First Day of Chancellorsville battlefield, Slaughter Pen Farm and the Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic District.
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LAKESIDE ADVENTURES
Immerse yourself in nature amid Spotsylvania County's gorgeous waterfront views! Hike, bike or ride horseback through more than 15 miles of scenic trails at Lake Anna State Park, or unwind with a lakeside cabin stay at the park or Wilderness Presidential Resort.
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PUMPKINS & MAZES
Harvest season is in full swing! Enjoy corn mazes, pumpkin picking, zip lines, a petting zoo and dozens of attractions at Belvedere Plantation (select dates through Nov. 7). Visit Miller Farms Market this month for Saturday fall festivals, hayrides, pumpkins, a corn maze, seasonal produce and more!
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SPOOKY SEASON
Dare to visit the Haunted Hill, try to conquer Miller Farms' Night-time Corn Mazes, or celebrate Halloween at Shannon Airport’s Harvest Festival Fly-In on Oct. 31. Spotsylvania Towne Centre is going all out for the season, with a Spirit Halloween store, a text promotion with spooky-good prizes, a store pumpkin decorating contest, a vendor market, a Mall-O-Ween Trick or Treat, fall festivals, and more!
Check out our events calendar for even more fall fun!
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Kickshaws Bakery Named One of the Nation's Best
Spotsylvania County’s own Kickshaws Bakery has officially been named one of USA Today’s 10Best Gluten-Free Bakeries in the United States.
Nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted into the top 10 by readers nationwide, Kickshaws earned praise for crafting breads, pastries and cakes that are just as indulgent as traditional baked goods. Everything produced in their kitchen is 100% gluten-free, vegan, and completely free of the top nine major allergens — making it a safe, delicious haven for every traveler.
“For 12 years, we’ve worked to make a place where everyone can walk in and find something delicious they can enjoy. Seeing this community show up for us the way you did means more than we can say,” Kickshaws stated in a social media post following the announcement. “To everyone who voted, shared our posts, cheered us on, or told a friend about Kickshaws: thank you. This one belongs to all of us!”
Kickshaws, which relocated from Fredericksburg's Central Park to Spotsylvania Crossing about one year ago and recently expanded into Richmond, serves a daily rotation of fresh breads, breakfast items and sweet treats. Visiting the county and want to send a taste of Virginia to friends back home? Kickshaws now ships its treats nationwide!
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Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wilderness Presidential Resort
Crafty Connections will bring a fall festival featuring shopping, fall finds, family fun, and Halloween spirit to the front field at Wilderness Presidential Resort this weekend. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
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Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
10-11 a.m.
Lake Anna State Park
Become a Trail Hero during a ranger-led hike around Old Pond Trail at Lake Anna State Park. Participants will learn how to responsibly share trails with wildlife and other hikers while respecting the land. All ages are welcome; no registration is required. Find out more here.
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Friday, Oct. 30, 2026
7-11 p.m.
The Groove Music Hall
"Don't Stop Believin'!" Frontiers, a Journey tribute band, will "Faithfully" take the stage at the Groove Music Hall at Dominion Raceway. Get ready to hear Journey's greatest hits from the 1970s and '80s with "Open Arms." Tickets start at $37. Go here for details or tickets.
| | Information is subject to change. Please confirm details before making your plans. | | |
Community History Day
Spotsylvania County Museum Specialist Roland Diaz (right) and Museum Technician Corey Feindt had a fantastic time at Community History Day, an annual celebration of local history, culture and civic engagement hosted by Germanna Community College on Oct. 7.
During the event, Corey portrayed a Continental Virginia line soldier while Roland represented a Civil War sergeant from the 8th New York Heavy Artillery. The pair loved sharing information about Spotsylvania County Museum and county history with students, faculty and fellow community partners. Events like this are a great reminder of our rich local history, culture and civic spirit!
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A jumbo history: Elephant excitement
Elephants have fascinated local residents for centuries, long before Kalahari Resorts & Conventions brought its Africa-themed destination and huge elephant statues to Spotsylvania County!
The advertisement pictured above was published in an 1818 edition of the Virginia Herald. It's the earliest known illustration of an elephant in a local newspaper. However, Spotsylvania residents were familiar with these massive mammals decades prior.
The earliest recorded mention of the creatures in a Spotsylvania newspaper was printed in 1790. About six years later, the first elephant to ever set foot in North America docked in Massachusetts and eventually appeared in Fredericksburg in 1798.
To further explore the region's past, drop by the Spotsylvania County Museum any day of the week between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. And don't forget to follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram for more fascinating stories about the county's people, places and history.
| | | What's new in Spotsylvania County | | |
KALAHARI COUNTDOWN: Next month, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions will open its doors in Spotsylvania County, providing year-round waterpark fun, dining, indoor adventure and entertainment, all under one roof! Featuring Virginia's largest indoor waterpark, over 900 guest rooms, expansive convention spaces, delicious restaurants and authentic African art, this premier resort opens Nov. 12. But you don't have to wait to plan your stay! Reservations and waterpark day passes are available now, plus you can enjoy an Opening Celebration Offer featuring a $50 dining credit when you book a stay between Nov. 15 and March 31. Click here to find out more about this promotion and see other special offers!
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SPOTSY SIPS: October is Virginia Wine Month, and there is no better place to raise a glass than right here in Spotsylvania! We're excited to highlight Lake Anna Winery, featured on the 2026 Gold Medal Trail. The winery is bustling all month, with s'mores charcuterie boards, Thursday movie nights, live music every Friday and Saturday, and Sunday art activities. For spooky season fun, mark your calendar for the winery's trunk-or-treat event Oct. 25 from 2-5 p.m. and an adult Halloween costume contest on Oct. 31 from 7-11 p.m. Want to discover more award-winning Virginia wineries? Download Virginia Wine's free Gold Medal Trail mobile passport to explore sites and earn points toward prizes. Keep exploring: Discover Spotsylvania’s craft beverage scene here!
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SHOPPING THROWBACK: Were you a Toys "R" Us kid? Here’s some exciting news: Go! Retail Group is bringing a seasonal Toys "R" Us shop to Spotsylvania Towne Centre for the holidays! Look for it near Costco, across from the Shoe Dept. Encore. The opening is part of a nationwide comeback for the iconic company, which filed for bankruptcy and shuttered its original standalone stores nearly a decade ago.
| | TASTE OF EUROPE: Moldova European Food Market (3500 Plank Road) holds tasting events on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 4 p.m. Tastings typically include four to six food items, two wines and cold drinks. No purchase is required and the events are free to attend. For updates and more information, follow the market on Facebook. | | COMING SOON: Construction is underway on a Panda Express restaurant at 9971 Patriot Highway in Cosner's Corner, situated between Bank of America and Arby’s. The new spot will join more than 2,600 locations worldwide, bringing the chain's popular Chinese-American favorites to Spotsylvania. Explore the county's eateries here. | | HOLIDAY PREVIEW: From Christmas with Elvis at the Groove Music Hall to Spotsylvania Towne Centre’s Concert in Lights, a spectacular holiday season is right around the corner in Spotsylvania! Head to our tourism calendar to start making your festive plans now, or visit our lodging page to explore retreats for a memorable winter getaway. | | Information is subject to change. Please confirm details before making your plans. | | Experience Autumn at Lake Anna State Park | |
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