Culpeper Visitor Center — Attraction in Culpeper

I want to preface this with the understanding that I am a local and I understand that this is in a small town. I was planning on traveling from Culpeper to Washington this past week by way of train. I had family drop me off at the station 30 minutes before the train arrived. After being there about 15 minutes or so, there was a couple that walked in and asked about an overnight parking ticket and the visitor center associate seemed confused by the question. The couple then proceeded to tell the associate more details about how the hotel sent them over and told them they could get it at the visitors center. The associate, still acting confused, told them that they couldn't get the ticket there and provided them with no other assistance and went back to talking with their friend. The couple left and the associate mumbled to their friend that they COULD have gotten the ticket there, but that they had to go to town hall first. My thought was immediately "Why wouldn't you just tell them that?" After a little while a girl comes in and asks about the luggage limitations for Amtrak since she has a train to catch in the morning. The associate barely glances at her and says "I can't help you, I'm not an Amtrak employee and you would have to look it up online, or call them." The girl just mumbles thanks and leaves while I'm thinking once again, "You have a computer right in front of you...why wouldn't you just look it up for the girl since she took the time to come in and ask?" Anyways, more people started wandering in and asking about the train that I was on. The associate said that "The train might come, or not. They might be sending buses for us, or not. The train is running three hours behind, but I don't know anymore because I don't work at Amtrak and you have to call them." More people asked her the same thing and her answer was always the same. I was a little peeved that she does work at the visitors center that is ALSO a train station and she is right in front a computer and there is a telephone, but couldn't provide any answers. I went ahead and called Amtrak to get some answers; They said that the train is running four to four and half hours behind schedule, but that it is coming to Culpeper as scheduled. After talking to the Amtrak, I updated the people around me and the associate so that they could relay the message to others. After telling the associate they look at me and said "Do you want me to tell the others the update?" I was once again taken aback because isn't that your job? To help visitors? I told the associate that they should, but then more people came in to get an update and the associate told them "I don't know if the train is coming. It could be another three hours, but I'm not sure" even after I told them THE TRAIN IS COMING. The time was coming close to five o'clock. The associate looks at all of us and tells us that they're sorry, but that they have to close the center. One of the girls sitting next to me was shocked that they would close the doors to Amtrak customers when it's cold out and we just wanted a place to sit. The associate tells us that there is a restaurant next door that might, or might not close at nine. The center should have someone there at least until the last train gets there to be a little more accommodating to Amtrak customers who want a place to sit and use the restroom. I was honestly just shocked at how the associate treated people coming into the center with such indifference. I would expect just a little more out of a hospitality focused and customer driven job such as a tourism and visitor centers associate. I just hope that they're a volunteer and not on...

When inquiring about parking for Amtrak, Gloria was extremely helpful and went above and beyond to insure we had a safe spot as some of the spaces were unavailable due to work on the lot. She met us there prior to the Visitor Center opening to help us park in the correct area. She also recommended a place to have coffee and breakfast before the train arrived and it was a great suggestion! Gloria is an exceptional employee, she also communicated with us when we were away and as we were on our way back to let us know our vehicle was fine! Wow, we are so grateful!...

Wonderful Mardi Gras celebration on a beautiful early spring day! Lots of walking up and down various streets. Friendly vendors, cute stores, interesting boutiques. Wonderful specialty stores---wine, oils, etc. Bakery goods were sublime! Enjoyed lunch on the patio with live music! Definitely going back...