The Best Places to Explore in Richmond, VA
Richmond is steeped in historical importance and is one of the oldest cities in the US. It played an essential role in the American Civil War as the capital of the Confederate States of America. But it's not just Richmond's fascinating museums, historical sites, and art galleries that attract visitors. Sitting on the shores of the James River, there are many areas of natural beauty where you can enjoy biking, hiking, bird-watching, and kayaking. Richmond has become a hub for craft breweries, outstanding restaurants, festivals, and sporting events, which have turned it into an exciting destination offering something for everyone.
01 American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar
With Richmond playing such a major role in the Civil War, the city's history is explored at the American Civil War Museum. The museum is located on the old Tredegar Iron Works site, which played a vital part in iron and artillery production during the war. Today the American Civil War Museum offers visitors a unique and interactive exploration of the Civil War from the perspectives of Confederate, Union, and African American participants. This fascinating museum is a must for history buffs and Civil War enthusiasts alike.
02 Hollywood Cemetery
The large, sprawling Hollywood Cemetery was established in 1847. Overlooking James River and with rolling hills and winding paths, this tranquil part of Richmond is the resting place of a number of famous Virginian figures. Confederate States President Jefferson Davis is interred here, along with US Presidents James Monroe, John Tyler, and Ellen Glasgow, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Pay your respects at the pyramid-shaped memorial that looms over the graves of thousands of enlisted Confederate soldiers.
03 The Poe Museum
One of Richmond's most famous residents was the literary master Edgar Allan Poe. Known as 'America's Shakespeare,' Poe wrote countless poems, short stories, and novels, usually full of mystery and macabre. The Poe Museum celebrates the author's life and works with a huge collection of letters, manuscripts, first editions, and artifacts. It's claimed the memorabilia is the most comprehensive in the world. With oddities like a lock of Poe's hair and some of his socks, it may well be!
04 James River Park Pipeline Walkway
Downtown Richmond's best-kept secret has to be the James River Park Pipeline Walkway. A small metal catwalk runs atop a pipeline just above the water level. This scenic area is home to a number of different bird species. A small island across from the pipeline is host to a Great Blue Heron rookery. Dozens of herons nest here, and you often see them hunting for fish. The pipeline also overlooks some Class III rapids popular with kayakers and rafters. The James River Park Pipeline Walkway is a great place to escape the city and spend some time with nature.
05 Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Richmond has the most microbreweries per capita in the whole of the US. The most famous is the Hardywood Park Brewery. Before heading to the tasting room, take a tour to learn how the beer is made. Here you can sample some of their delicious offerings, including Gingerbread Stout, Capital Trail Pale Ale, and the Cream Ale served with salt and lime. Hardywood Park also hosts live music nights, festivals, and special events, so check out what's going on when you are in town.
06 Belle Isle
Part of the James River Park System is Belle Isle, accessed via a suspension footbridge. The area is surrounded by rocks made flat and smooth by the water. In the summer months, locals come to Belle Isle to stretch out and sunbathe on these rocks. There are some fantastic walking and mountain biking trails through wild woodlands full of wildlife and old ruins. Whether sunbathing, picnicking, nature-watching, or hiking, Belle Isle is a stunning place just a few minutes from the heart of Richmond.
07 Science Museum of Virginia
For a chance to learn more about the world around us in a fun and inspiring way, head to the Science Museum of Virginia. The focus is on interaction and hands-on experiences, which aim to make learning science exciting. Permanent exhibits are arranged into themed areas with topics such as space, health, electricity, and geology, and they host hundreds of special exhibitions and events throughout the year. The Science Museum of Virginia will spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.
08 Maymont Mansion & Nature Center
The sprawling Maymont was the extravagant home of James Henry and Sally May Dooley, who left the mansion and grounds to Richmond after their deaths. Take a tour of the 33-room Victorian mansion full of original furniture and artifacts. Wander through manicured grounds, including the Japanese, Italian, specialty gardens, and the beautiful arboretum. There's also a carriage collection and petting zoo to enjoy. Maymont is just a 15-minute walk from downtown Richmond and the perfect place to have a picnic and spend the afternoon exploring.
09 Virginia State Capitol
Thomas Jefferson helped design the Virginia State Capitol, which sits atop a hill on six hectares of land. Wanting to move away from British colonial architecture after American independence, Jefferson took inspiration from a Roman temple in southern France. After its completion in 1788, the State Capitol influenced the design of countless government buildings across the US. After taking a tour of the Capitol building, check out the surrounding area of Capitol Square. Here you will find several monuments dedicated to prominent Virginians like Jefferson and Edgar Allen Poe and to the civil rights movement.
10 The Canal Walk
To really get a true understanding of Richmond's history, The Canal Walk is the best thing to do. This 1.25-mile walk skirting the banks of the waterway takes you through four centuries of the city. Sculptures, medallions, statues, and other exhibits tell the story of Richmond. The Canal Walk also takes in the American Civil War Museum, street art, and restaurants where you can take a break from history and watch the world go by.
11 See an array of art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
If you're interested in the art world, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a great place to immerse yourself in it. Among the largest museums in North America in terms of exhibition space, it also features an incredibly diverse collection, including African art, British sporting art, and Himalayan art. There's also an impressive amount of variety in terms of artistic medium, with exhibits devoted to painting, woodblock prints, and photography, among others. Art lovers of all types will find something to appreciate at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
12 Be dazzled at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
With its vast gardens of colorful plants, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a dazzling, delightful sight. It boasts 50 acres with over a dozen gardens, many of which are devoted to specific themes. But your experience there will include more than just plant life. The domed conservatory is an architectural wonder in its own right, and the garden frequently hosts art exhibits such as Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture, featuring the work of Kate Raudenbush and Sha Michele.
13 Witness vestiges of the American Civil War at Richmond National Battlefield Park
If you're a history buff, you'll love visiting the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Richmond was the capital of the Confederate states during the American Civil War, and many of the war's most decisive moments took place there. Hike through trails that will take you directly past battlefields, many of which still hold vestiges of those crucial conflicts. The park is a place to witness history, a site where important events determined the future shape of a nation.
14 See important historical monuments at Monument Avenue
A town rich in history, Richmond features several monuments of Confederate leaders at Monument Avenue. This park has obvious relevance for anyone wishing to explore the history of the American Civil War, and it has also been the site of more recent history in the form of protests and demonstrations.
15 Have a thought-provoking experience at The Virginia Holocaust Museum
Richmond's excellent museums are not limited to American history. It is also home to the Virginia Holocaust Museum, which documents the Holocaust through exhibits and archival collections. Through educational programming and community outreach, the museum teaches the public about the tragic history of the Holocaust, focusing on the dangers both of prejudice and of turning a blind eye to suffering. It is a sobering experience, one you will remember for a lifetime.
16 Learn about Virginia at The Valentine Museum
Mann S. Valentine II was an entrepreneur and philanthropist who garnered a considerable fortune with Valentine's Meat Juice, a health tonic created in the late nineteenth century. He was also passionate about the culture and history of Virginia, devoting his life to collecting and preserving various artifacts. When he died, he set aside a portion of his estate for the foundation of the Valentine Museum. Still in operation, the Valentine is the state's oldest museum. It explores the history of Richmond in complex, nuanced fashion, hosting bold exhibitions that will intrigue and challenge you.
17 Get a comprehensive at The Virginia Museum of History and Culture
For a deeper dive into history, check out the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Maintained by the Virginia Historical Society, the museum's signature exhibit, Our Commonwealth, offers a multi-sensory examination of the five major regions of Virginia, replete with stories and artifacts reflecting the state's importance to the foundation of early American life. Nowhere else can provide a more complete picture of Richmond's importance to United States history, and if you're looking to experience all the city has to offer, you won't want to miss out on a visit.
18 Grab a bite and a brew from the Richmond Food and Brewery Scene
There's no better way to fuel your journey through the historical, literary, and artistic depths of Richmond than to immerse yourself in its food and brewery scene. The Richmond Beer Trail will have you trekking through the gorgeous streets of Richmond en route to more than 40 unique breweries, brewpubs, and restaurants. On top of that, many of the breweries now feature restaurants where you can feast on savory dishes while quenching your thirst with some of the nation's best-crafted beers, wines, and liquor.
19 Take a splash at River City Adventures: Kayaking and Rafting
Along with the historical importance of Richmond, the surrounding area offers beautiful landscapes and a chance to feel at one with nature. A great way to do this than to go on an expedition, kayaking and rafting through its rivers and streams. River City Adventures offers you a chance to splash around while admiring the gorgeous forests lining the waters. It's a cool, refreshing, and invigorating way to cap off a trip to the area.
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