First Friday kicks off the weekend on September 4. Downtown galleries, shops, and restaurants stay open late, with art and live music up and down Caroline Street and around Market Square.

Fredericksburg Farmers Market runs Saturday morning at Hurkamp Park (900 Prince Edward St). Get there early for the best of the late-summer produce and flowers.

Catch the last of FredNats season. The regular season wraps in early September, so check frednats.com for the final home dates and grab a seat at Virginia Credit Union Stadium before the ballpark goes quiet for the year.

Spend the day downtown. Hunt for the otter sculptures, hop the trolley if it is running, walk the Canal Path and riverfront, or work your way down the Fredericksburg Beer Trail.

Try something new. Pick a spot from our new food scene guide. Water & Barley for bagels, Stockyards for a steak and a little line dancing, or Zadran's Kitchen for a special dinner out.

Stafford Farmers Market at the Garrisonville Road commuter lot is an easy weekend stop for local produce and goods. Check their page for holiday hours.

Spread out at a park. Embrey Mill Park and John Lee Pratt Memorial Park are made for a picnic and playground afternoon. Keep an eye out for a Stafford Parks Picture Show outdoor movie.

Get outside and into the history. Walk the boardwalk at Government Island, hit the Potomac at Widewater State Park or Aquia Landing, or drive the Stafford Civil War Park loop. More ideas at Tour Stafford Virginia.

Raise a glass. Barley Naked Brewing Co. and Full Distance Brewing are local favorites, and Potomac Point Winery does tastings and movie nights in a Tuscan-style setting.

Spotsylvania Farmers Market has you covered all weekend. The Saturday market runs at the Route 3 and Gordon Road commuter lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the new Sunday market is at Spotsylvania High School from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Wednesday Courthouse market wraps its season the Wednesday after Labor Day.

Get on the water. Lake Anna State Park is the spot for one last swim, paddle, or lazy afternoon by the lake.

Walk the battlefields. Chancellorsville and Spotsylvania Courthouse in the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park are beautiful this time of year and easy to explore on foot or by bike.

Sip local. Try a farmhouse ale at 1781 Brewing Co., stop by Log Home Brewing, or settle in at a nearby winery.

Treat yourself. From our food guide, Crab O'Clock brings the all-you-can-eat seafood boil and Sweet Meira handles dessert.

Bowling Green Farmers' Market runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street, right in the heart of town.

Stroll historic Bowling Green. Browse local shops like Artism by Joey and Sundry, and grab a coffee at Mix House.

Go big just down the road. Kings Dominion and Meadow Event Park are a quick drive down I-95 at Doswell for anyone chasing roller coasters and one more summer thrill.

Dig into the history. Visit the Historic Port Royal museum on Saturday, or follow the Civil War and Washington-Rochambeau trails that run through the county.

Two ways to shop Saturday. The King George Farmers Market runs from 8 a.m. to noon at King George Middle School (8246 Dahlgren Rd), and the KGPR Flea Market is set for Saturday, September 5, from 7 a.m. to noon for a morning of treasure hunting.

See the eagles at Caledon State Park. This stretch of the Potomac is one of the best places on the East Coast to spot bald eagles, with hiking trails and guided wagon rides to boot.

Bike or walk the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail for a flat, scenic way to spend the morning.

Raise a glass at a local spot like Highmark Brewery and settle into the small-town pace.

Saturday is market day in all five communities. Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Bowling Green, and King George all hold weekend markets, and they are your best bet for corn, tomatoes, peaches, and anything you want fresh on the table.

The Fredericksburg Food Co-op is a great stop for local meats, cheeses, and last-minute sides.

Going bigger? Wegmans and the Central Park grocers will have the buns, ice, and charcoal covered, though expect a crowd on Saturday.

Get one more paddle, float, or swim in on the Rappahannock, at Lake Anna, or along the Potomac.

Pack a picnic and let everyone burn off energy at a local park before fall sports and homework take over.

Fall is right around the corner. Pumpkin patches and fall festivals are already gearing up, so watch for our Fall Festivals Guide coming soon.

Monday, September 7 is a federal holiday. Government offices, banks, libraries, and the post office will be closed, and there is no mail delivery.

Trash and recycling pickup may run a day behind. Check with your city or county, whether that is Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, or King George.

Most shops and restaurants stay open, but holiday hours can shift, so call ahead if you are counting on a specific spot.