The county seat of Stafford County, Virginia, Stafford is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Just 30 miles from Washington, DC, this neighborhood offers a business-friendly environment, with diverse recreational attractions and some amazing historical sites.

Stafford on a Map

Stafford is roughly bounded by Aquia Creek to the east, Stafford Civil War Park to the south, the Stafford Regional Airport and Colonial Forge high school to the west, and Route 631 to the north. Aquia Harbor and later Garrisonville border this city to the north, Arkendale and Widewater Beach sit beyond the Aquia Creek to the east, Brooke is to the south and Ramoth to the west. Areas like MCB Quantico, Fredericksburg, and Triangle are a short drive away. The city is also around 30 miles south of Washington DC and 60 miles north of Richmond.

Homes for Sale in Stafford

Waterfront homes are available in Stafford near Aquia Creek. The city mostly consists of single-family detached homes, but there are also a number of apartment buildings and townhomes. There’s also plenty of land for sale, for those looking to build their dream home. This is a wonderful choice as it provides property owners endless design and structure capabilities. Architectural styles already found in Stafford include Cape Cods, Colonials, ramblers and split-levels.

Shopping and Dining in Stafford

Most of the shopping and dining destinations within the area are situated along Route 1 or Courthouse Road and include fast-food destinations or family-owned spots like Sam’s Pizza & Subs and The Log Cabin Restaurant. For a larger selection of shopping and dining options, residents head toward the Stafford Marketplace.

Stafford Marketplace is home to popular stores including Lowe’s, Best Buy, Kohl’s and Target. When it’s time to grab a bite to eat, Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant is a popular choice. Situated across the street from the Marketplace, Pancho Villa serves a lengthy menu of classic Mexican dishes, and fabulous drink list all in a traditional setting. Formosa Restaurant is a great choice for traditional Chinese food. Other popular restaurants around Stafford Marketplace are Sake Restaurant and Kabob Corner.

History Comes Alive in Stafford

The Stafford War Civil War Park is the site of the 1863 winter encampments and fortifications of the Union Army’s 11 Corps following the 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg. The area is often referred to as Valley Forge by many soldiers and is situated on 41 acres of land. Park visitors can see and learn about the Civil War era through its battery and winter hut site remains, a corduroy road, a late 18th century and early 19th century sandstone quarry and remnants of the 1600s Potomac Church Road bed. The area also provides historic markers, picnic tables, and plenty of walking trails.

Traveling Around Stafford

The city is bisected by Route 1, and its nominal location is the route’s intersection with Courthouse Road. This road going toward the west will eventually lead you to Augustine Golf Club. Driving northbound on Route 1 will take residents into Aquia Harbor, Garrisonville and Woodbridge, while driving southbound is a direct shot to Fredericksburg. I-95 is the area’s most populated road and almost runs parallel to Route 1. If you drive north on I-95 you can hit major areas like Dale City, Springfield, Arlington, and finally Washington, DC. Those who are going southbound will eventually reach Richmond and can even go as far as Key West, Florida.

Making Your Home in Stafford

Approximately 30 miles south of metropolitan Washington, DC, Stafford is slowly becoming a growing city with historic charm. Its proximity to DC and Fredericksburg brings in many business and housing developers, while its location near MCB Quantico and the Potomac River are also qualities many homeowners appreciate.