A neighborhood’s information to 18 distinctive issues to do in Richmond, Virginia

Based in 1737, Richmond holds a wealth of historical past with its cobblestone streets, wrought-iron structure, and restored tobacco warehouses. It might shock you that Richmond can also be a hotbed of the humanities, theatrical performances, world-class festivals, and thrilling out of doors leisure.

Add a thriving culinary and beer scene to that listing, and you have got the proper place for a weekend getaway, a household trip, or perhaps a solo journey. Whereas fashionable know-how and vehicles have changed the horse-drawn carriages of yore, Richmond has sufficient historical past to mix in with the fashionable period.

The tobacco warehouses at the moment are house to museums, stylish eating places, and upscale residences. And the cobblestone streets? Some are nonetheless right here. We prefer to maintain issues attention-grabbing.

DC is situated close to the mountains of Charlottesville, the museums of Washington, D.C., and the seashores of Virginia Seashore. Richmond can also be among the finest locations to dwell in Virginia. Let’s discover out the most effective issues to do in Richmond, whether or not you reside right here or not.

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A neighborhood’s information to 18 distinctive issues to do in Richmond, Virginia

1. Virginia Capital Path

I am going to begin with my favourite a part of the Richmond panorama…the Virginia Capital Path. Stretching from the colonial capital of Williamsburg to the present-day capital of Richmond, this paved path is sort of 50 miles of surroundings and historical past. Websites alongside the way in which embrace Shirley Plantation, Edgewood Plantation, Rocketts Touchdown, Chickahominy Riverfront Park and Dorey Park and Recreation Middle.

It was accomplished in 2015 and runs alongside Route 5, and is standard with runners, cyclists, walkers and skate boarders. The jap finish is on the Jamestown settlement, and the western finish is on the flood gates close to Nice Shiplock Park. Nice Shiplock has parking, making the path straightforward to entry.

2. Virginia Museum of Wonderful Arts

Title: 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220

Opened in 1936, the Virginia Museum of Wonderful Arts (VMFA) is among the finest free issues to do in Richmond (though particular exhibitions have an admission charge). The museum homes modern artwork, portraits, pictures, sculptures, historic Egyptian artifacts, textile artwork, Fabergé eggs, beautiful equestrian drawings from the Napoleonic period, and extra.

Particular exhibitions have included Edward Hopper, Van Gogh, Dale Chihuly, The Terracotta Military, and Guitar in Artwork. The Virginia Museum of Historical past and Tradition is situated subsequent to the VMFA. It is up there as one among my favourite Richmond museums.

Colourful reveals showcase historic Virginians, crafts, George Washington’s private diary, and historic musical devices. There may be even an autographed baseball from the Richmond Virginia baseball group that performed from 1954 to 1964.

See associated: Enjoyable and finest issues to do in Norfolk, Virginia

3. The historic Church of St. John

Title: 2401 E. Broad Road, Richmond, VA 23223

St. John’s Church overlooks the Church Hill neighborhood and serves as a reminder of town’s locations within the historical past books. The unique construction, town’s first church, was in-built 1741, however has been modified over time.

Its declare to fame is that it’s the web site of Patrick Henry’s well-known “Give me Liberty or Give Me Dying” speech to the delegates of the Second Virginia Conference. Re-enactments of the Second Virginia Conference of 1775 happen all year long.

Hear conventional variations of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Patrick Henry debate navy preparedness and arming the Virginia militia in the identical location as the true males did! It is a step again in time.

In case you desire, you can too take strolling excursions led by interpreters or take a hike by yourself. Tour the cemetery, the place you may discover headstones for Elizabeth A. Poe (actress and mom of Edgar) and George Wyeth, founding father and professor.

4. Study the historical past of the Civil Struggle

Quick ahead to the nineteenth century. In case you’re on the town for a take a look at the realm’s Civil Struggle previous, the primary place you may need to head is the American Civil Struggle Museum in Historic Tredegar. Tredegar Iron Works was the biggest iron producer in the course of the Civil Struggle. It additionally produced steam trains and railway spikes.

The constructing now serves as a customer heart for the Richmond Nationwide Battlefield Park system, which incorporates 13 Civil Struggle battlefields and defensive fortification websites across the metropolis and outlying areas, together with the positioning of Chilly Harbor Battlefield, Gaines Mill Battlefield, Beaver Dam Creek, and Malvern Hill. Battlefield and Chimborazo Medical Museum.

Different associated websites embrace the Black Historical past Museum, the Virginia Cultural Middle, and the Richmond Slave Path. This 2.5-mile railway runs from Manchester’s historic docks to the public sale homes of Shockoe Backside, and is a good place for a morning or afternoon stroll.

For bonus factors, historical past buffs will need to go to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, which tells the story of the Holocaust by means of the private tales of the victims, and the Virginia Struggle Memorial, devoted to Virginians killed in World Struggle II, the Korean Struggle, and its aftermath. Vietnam Struggle.

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5. Hollywood Cemetery

Title: 412 South Cherry Road, Richmond, VA 23220

Designed in 1847 and named after holly timber, the 135-acre Hollywood Cemetery is a quiet space overlooking the James River. Take a leisurely stroll or drive by means of the valleys and hills.

This cemetery is the resting place of American troopers, Accomplice generals, metropolis founders, and presidents. Whereas strolling or driving, take note of native timber similar to black gum, tulip poplar, and the 140-foot-tall bald cypress.

The cemetery can also be a acknowledged arboretum. It is among the finest locations to see the cherry blossoms with out strolling all the way in which to Washington, D.C

One of the best views are in President’s Sq., close to the burial locations of US Presidents John Tyler and James Monroe. You will additionally discover the headstones of Accomplice President Jefferson Davis and oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury at Hollywood Cemetery.

Guide a Richmond Lore and Civil Struggle tour to discover the cemetery whereas listening to tales of struggle, illness, supposed hauntings, Richmond vampirism, and even Viking funerals!

6. Poe Museum

Title: 1914 E. Predominant Road, Richmond, VA 23223

One in every of my favourite issues to do in Richmond is the Poe Museum. Baltimore claims to be the positioning of Poe’s dying, and Boston is taken into account his birthplace, however Poe lived in Richmond for a lot of his life and took his first literary job within the metropolis.

He turned assistant editor of the Southern Literary Messenger in 1835, and later turned editor. It now not exists, however the constructing was initially situated close to the museum property.

The Poe Museum, housed within the metropolis’s oldest home, options reveals that discover his novels, poems, life, and affect on standard tradition and the historical past of horror. Artifacts embrace his strolling stick, a jacket, and a lock of his hair (it is really brown, not jet black like everybody The media portrays this.)

The home was in-built 1740 and have become often known as the Outdated Stone Home in 1922. Nonetheless, Poe by no means lived right here.

Stroll by means of the Enchanted Backyard’s courtyard adorned with a Poe-inspired fountain, shrine, and gardens. There may be additionally a brick wall topped with damaged glass (an homage to the brief story William Wilson). Belief me, this place is a haven for the literary traveler.

7. Agecroft Corridor and Gardens

Title: 4305 Sulgrave Street, Richmond, VA 23221

Initially in-built Lancashire, England within the fifteenth century, Agecroft Corridor & Gardens magically made its strategy to Richmond within the Twenties. The home was dismantled and shipped to Richmond by Thomas C. Williams, Jr., a rich businessman.

Situated within the Windsor Farms neighborhood, guests can take self-guided excursions of the Tudor mansion. Vintage furnishings, artwork, tapestries, household crests and Elizabethan gardens entice crowds year-round.

The property hosts seasonal occasions, guided excursions, historic reenactments and an annual Shakespeare Competition. Competition occasions are a good time to convey out blankets and picnic provides and luxuriate in screenings of titles similar to The Comedy of Errors, Hamlet, and Christopher Marlowe’s Physician Faustus.

8. Paddle, pedal, or triceps alongside the James River

Outside recreation sort out the James River and its parks, trails, and Class III and IV whitewater rapids, the one ones of their type in the USA that move by means of an city space. We’re all very pleased with this truth, and you will find we like to say it typically.

Belle Isle, a part of the James River Park system, is among the hottest riverfront areas for climbing, biking, mountain climbing, fishing, kayaking, chook watching, and enjoyable on the rocks. Swimming shouldn’t be advisable because the water could also be tough. Severely, it is not advisable any Time of yr.

Subsequent, head to Brown Island and the T. Tyler Butterfield Memorial Bridge, a 1,600-foot pedestrian bridge that crosses the river and makes for lovely pictures of the river and Richmond skyline. Bonus factors when you seize a colourful kayak in your photograph.

Constructed over a former hydraulic dam, this spectacular bridge opened in 2016. The south aspect of the bridge, often known as Manchester, has a preferred mountain climbing space.

On the north aspect of Brown Island, do not miss the “Three Days in April 1865” show. It tells the story of how the previous Accomplice capital fell and was consumed by fires set by fleeing Richmonders to burn town somewhat than let it fall into Union palms. The bridge’s floorboards comprise inscriptions of quotes from generals, presidents, and lots of others.

Take a guided hike in James River Park to discover Belle Isle, Brown Island, Pipeline Promenade and extra. Different actions alongside the James River embrace narrated riverside cruises on the Kanawha Canal (surveyed by Sir George Washington himself).

See associated: Finest climbing trails in the USA

9. Maymont

Title: 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, VA 23220

Maymont is a favourite place in Richmond to take children. I imply, if there’s something extra enjoyable for little ones than feeding goats and sheep, I do not know what it’s.

Apart from the lovable and cuddly creatures of Kids’s Farm, the 100-acre park features a Gilded Age mansion (house to the Dooley household, who bequeathed the property to town of Richmond as a public park and museum in 1926), a historic mansion, a carriage assortment, Japanese and Italian gardens, a nature heart and life reveals Wild. Take a look at black bears, otters, lynxes and birds of prey.

Richmond backyard lovers are additionally keen on the 50-acre Louis Ginter Botanical Backyard, rose gardens, themed gardens, vacation gentle shows, ponds, and native vegetation. There are additionally youngsters’s parks and water play areas.

My private favourite is the Tropical Conservatory. There isn’t any higher place to take pleasure in orchids, a waterfall, stately palm timber, seasonal flower arrangements, and annual butterfly reveals.

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10. Enhance your Instagram presence with Richmond Morals

Richmond has a thriving arts scene thanks partially to the creative ambiance of Virginia Commonwealth College (VCU). You will discover colourful murals, a part of the Richmond Mural Undertaking, on partitions all through town. Some issues to place in your listing embrace Greetings from Richmond, Collectively We Rise, Nina Simone, and AWOL.

Guide a road bike tour to get a non-blurry image of Richmond’s many murals. It is actually onerous to take these pictures from the automotive. You may as well take a self-guided mural tour on a smartphone to take a look at greater than 60 colourful, distinctive and inventive murals inside the metropolis partitions.

The Hampton Inn & Suites – Richmond Downtown is a superb place to anchor a go to to Richmond, whether or not you are taking a look at murals, testing the road artwork, studying about Richmond’s historical past, or driving a motorcycle round city. It’s situated within the coronary heart of downtown and inside strolling distance of Brown’s Island and the Canal Stroll.

Go to the lodge’s Kabana Rooftop Bar for gorgeous views of town skyline and James River. Followers of the rooftop scene can also need to go to the Q Rooftop at Quirk Lodge or the rooftop bar on the Hofheimer Constructing.

See associated: One of the best murals in Minneapolis that that you must go to

11. Breweries, ciders, wineries and distilleries galore

With greater than 30 craft breweries (together with wineries, ciders, and distilleries), Richmond has turn out to be a serious beer metropolis lately. The town is ranked because the primary craft beer vacation spot on the earth by Vinepair. Hardywood’s award-winning Gingerbread Stout has been named the most effective beer in Virginia by Thrillist.

However sufficient in regards to the information. It is all the time finest to examine it your self. Numerous these breweries will be discovered within the historic and classy Scott’s Addition neighborhood, which additionally has eating places and bars serving American, Belgian, Irish, and German beers.

A brewery tour is a good way to expertise the beer scene beneath the steerage of an area information. The tour takes you to Ardent Craft Ales, Vasen Brewing Firm, and Legend Brewing, Richmond’s oldest brewery.

You will be taught in regards to the brewing course of and Richmond’s numerous craft beer scene whereas sampling brews. This tour begins at Capital Ale Home.

If you wish to get out and discover Richmond by yourself, take a look at the Richmond Beer Path to plan your personal tour. Or maybe think about any of the next sights centered across the drink:

• Veil Brewing Firm
• Hardywood Park Craft Beer
• Triple Crossing Beer
• Remaining gravity fermentation
• Blue bee juice
• Virago spirits
• James River Vineyard

See associated: Finest Breweries in Charleston, South Carolina

12. Dominion Kings

Title: 16000 Recreation Park Street, Doswell, VA 2304

Kings Dominion, a part of Cedar Honest theme parks, shouldn’t be technically in Richmond, but it surely is among the hottest issues to do for locals and guests. It’s situated about half-hour from downtown Richmond within the Hanover County city of Doswell.

Whether or not it is the curler coasters, water slides, funnel truffles, Snoopy and the gang, or seasonal occasions like Christmas, 4th of July fireworks, and Halloween, that is the place to be if you wish to have a great time within the Richmond space.

Doswell can also be house to the Virginia State Honest, situated simply down the highway from Kings Dominion. The honest takes place in mid-October and options the standard enjoyable of halfway video games, horseback rides, agricultural gala’s, pig races, wooden carving demonstrations, and meals vans crammed with every little thing fried.

This annual occasion is among the finest family-friendly sights within the space. It’s held at Meadow Occasion Park, which occurs to be the birthplace of a really well-known horse named Secretariat. You’ll be able to take a look at the stables when you’re there.

13. Take a haunted historic tour

Even when it is not spooky season, you’ll be able to take a tour of the Richmond Pos & Pos. US Ghost Adventures takes teams on a strolling tour of the traditionally haunted Shockoe Backside space.

The tour takes you to among the metropolis’s oldest websites and sights, together with the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, St. John’s Church, Richbrow Brewery, Mason Corridor, and Patrick Henry’s Restaurant and Restaurant. Excursions meet at Rose Connolly’s pub.

In case you really feel a luxurious keep is so as, examine into the Jefferson Lodge. Relationship again to 1895, this beautiful retreat affords upscale facilities, vintage furnishings, a connoisseur restaurant, afternoon tea, Sunday brunch with champagne, a salon and an indoor pool. This can be a nice location to go to Richmond.

See associated: Essentially the most haunted locations in the USA

14. Help an area group

Richmond could not have a soccer group, but it surely does have a number of different sports activities for spectators to observe. Catch Virginia Commonwealth College basketball on the Segal Middle, College of Richmond basketball on the Robins Middle, or Virginia Union College basketball at Parco Stevens Corridor. The Richmond Kickers USL soccer group performs on the metropolis’s stadium.

One of many metropolis’s hottest sporting occasions is the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball sport at The Diamond. Sure, flying squirrels. The Minor League Baseball group, initially often known as the Richmond Braves, is an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

The rebranding occurred in 2010 with nice success. Native followers stroll by means of the Squirrely Gates to cheer on the group and their lovely squirrel mascot, Nutzy, and his pal Nutasha.

The roar of NASCAR will be discovered at Richmond Worldwide Raceway. Richmond Raceway races are normally held within the spring and fall and are normally attention-grabbing.

15. Purchasing and eating in Carytown

Nicknamed the Mile of Fashion, Carytown is the most effective place to search out classic clothes, quirky presents, distinctive toys, designer stationery, connoisseur kitchen gadgets, tea and spices, and the proper promenade gown. Can Can Brasserie is among the finest locations within the metropolis to have fun a birthday, anniversary or some other day you need.

Get pleasure from French, Indian, Mexican, Thai and Italian delicacies, or absorb a dinner theater present. There are additionally a couple of ice cream, sweet, fudge and chocolate retailers that you just will not need to miss. Guide a Carytown meals tour to search out some new favorites at native spots like East Coast Provisions or Carytown Cupcakes.

16. Competition scene

Music, meals and out of doors sports activities all have a spot in Richmond’s competition scene. Dominion Vitality RiverRock is the East Coast’s premier out of doors sports activities and music competition. Watch excessive sports activities similar to mountain climbing, zip lining, and canoeing demonstrations, in addition to high-flying bike acrobatics.

Different RiverRock occasions embrace mountain biking, mud operating, and highway operating. Nonetheless, my favourite sportbike is the Subaru Final Air Canine. Nothing like watching cute puppies soar in a pool of water whereas leaping for a stick.

The town’s inaugural 2023 Iron Blossom Music Competition turned out to be a really profitable occasion. Whereas a sure Washington soccer group does not spend coaching camp in Richmond anymore, their former stadium is a superb venue for a music competition.

A wealth of expertise occurred over two days, culminating in highlights from Elle King, Lord Huron, Noah Kahane and Hozier. We count on the second yr’s occasion to be even greater. 14,000 Richmond residents cannot be fallacious.

Listed below are a few of my favourite festivals in Richmond:

• Shamrock The Block – March
• Richmond Greek Competition – June
• Extensive urge for food – June
• Richmond Jazz and Music Competition – August
• Carytown Watermelon Competition – August
• Richmond Folks Competition – October
• Philippine Competition – October

See associated: One of the best music festivals to attend this summer season

17. Day or evening on the theatre

From native bands, nationwide touring exhibits, comedy exhibits, and Broadway exhibits to traditional and field workplace blockbusters, Richmond affords a wide range of venues giant and small. The Nationwide, initially opened in 1923, is a good venue for musical performances, comedy exhibits and live shows.

Artists similar to Huge Head Todd and the Monsters, Violent Femmes, The FIXX, Pauly Shore, in addition to Richmond’s personal Carbon Leaf, GWAR, and Lamb of God have graced the stage right here. It is actually a legendary place.

The 1928 Byrd Theater, named after William Byrd II (town’s founder), is a well-liked low-priced choice for traditional movies, unbiased titles, and movie festivals. The theater is an Artwork Deco gem, with its gilded statues, velvet curtains and majestic crystal chandelier. Home organist Bob Gulledge performs the Mighty Wurlitzer organ earlier than exhibits on Saturday nights.

The Altria Theater, previously often known as the Landmark Theater, is among the finest locations in Richmond to catch a live performance, comedy present, or the most effective of Broadway proper right here in Richmond. Head to a present of Hamilton, Hadestown, The Guide of Mormon or Depraved. Or spend the evening laughing with Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Steve Martin and Martin Brief.

Whereas the fashionable Movieland location on Boulevard Sq. exhibits fashionable movies, the constructing was initially a locomotive meeting plant that operated within the Eighteen Eighties. Somewhat than extinguish the constructing’s historic issue, Richmond Architects saved the recollections alive with an ornamental kaleidoscope of authentic uncovered brick, practice artwork and antiques.

A bit of monitor discovered throughout excavation slides across the hallway. It opened as a part of the Bow Tie Cinemas household of cinemas in 2009.

Different high Richmond theaters you need to take a look at embrace:

18. Tri-railway web site

Title1401 Duke Road, Richmond, VA 23219

A go to to Richmond supplies the chance to discover town’s previous and current railway scene. Richmond is the positioning of one of many solely two spots in the USA the place three railroad tracks intersect at completely different grades in the identical place.

The opposite is in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, which was simply accomplished in 2004. Richmond has been round for over 100 years, so there you have got it, Kansas Metropolis.

The bottom degree of the tracks was constructed between 1886 and 1895. The center degree is eighteen toes excessive and was constructed between 1897 and 1900. The third degree is 36 toes excessive and was accomplished in 1901.

Triple Crossing is situated near Canal Stroll and lots of nice Richmond eating places, together with Casa Del Barco, Siné Irish Pub, Bottoms Up Pizza, and Arduous Shell. It is price a go to only for the meals choices.

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