Located near where the Rappahannock River crosses the Atlantic Seaboard fall line, Fredericksburg was a prominent port in Virginia during the colonial era. Now, Fredericksburg is a booming suburban area where many people choose to raise their kids.  Fredericksburg is home to Central Park (as of 2004, the second-largest mall on the East Coast). Downtown Fredericksburg has blocks and blocks of quaint stores to visit and stroll though.  Lots of eateries and many places are dog friendly if you choose to bring your four legged companion with you. The Spotsylvania Towne Centre is located in Spotsylvania County, adjacent to the city. Major employers include the University of Mary Washington (named for the mother of George Washington, who lived here), Mary Washington Healthcare, and GEICO. Many Fredericksburg area residents commute to work by car, bus, and rail to Washington, D.C., and Richmond, as well as Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington counties. Fredericksburg can be defined by one word: Authentic. Several Art galleries, historical sites and battlefields to chef-owned eclectic restaurants and craft breweries, Fredericksburg is a unique and unforgettable place. Sign up for a tour of the haunted houses in Fredericksburg right past the Fredericksburg National Confederate Cemetery where six confederate generals are buried and 3300 southern soldiers lie. Fredericksburg has lots of parks and walking trails where families can get outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  At Christmas time you can find horse and buggy rides downtown and enjoy the Annual Fredericksburg Christmas Parade where local businesses, teams and performers march through downtown spreading the Christmas Spirit.