With just over 1.3 million people in the metropolitan area, Virginia’s capital city has a number of attractions to lure residents. Aside from being the home of my sister, I love visiting Richmond! The grungy, artsy vibe is complimentary to that of nearby Washington.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The shining star of Richmond’s museum scene is the VMFA with 50,000 works of art spanning over 6,000 years. The free museum showcases artwork from around the world with additional galleries dedicated to special subjects, such as photography and Russian decorative arts. The museum is open 365 days a year and definitely worth a stop.
Belle Isle
Not many cities have downtown public parks on an island in the river which runs through town. It’s a mouthful of a superlative, but Belle Isle provides this unique experience. Multiple footbridges cross the James to the island, which has several trails snaking around the leafy oasis. My fondest memories come from running around the island on a warm summer night and stumbling on an uninterrupted vista over the Richmond skyline. While I wouldn’t swim in the river, the rocky shoreline provides the perfect opportunity to wade in the water.
Kings Dominion
The Six Flags (previously Cedar Fair) amusement park is about 20 miles north of the city. It’s home to 13 roller coasters, one of which is the eighth tallest in the world, and a number of other attractions. My favorite being the Shenandoah Lumber Company log ride. Attached to the park is the 20 acre Soak City waterpark, included with daily admission.
Virginia Holocaust Museum
While Richmond isn’t widely known for Holocaust history, this museum surely makes a name for itself. Located in an old warehouse in the city’s Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, it presents a moving, chronological retelling of the Holocaust. The museum features over 300 artifacts and testimonies from local survivors.
Richmond National Battlefield Park
The National Battlefield Park is comprised of over a dozen local historic sites from the Civil War. As Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy, it is rooted in the turmoil during the Civil War. The park’s main visitor center is at the Chimborazo Medical Museum, located in the city’s (aptly named) Chimborazo Park. Pop in to chat with a ranger and see which of the sites pique your interest!
American Civil War Museum
What better place to explore America’s great war than at the heart of the Confederacy? As horrible as the war’s driving forces were, it is crucial to learn from mistakes this country has already made. The museum includes the former White House of the Confederacy and a larger gallery in the former Tredegar Iron Works in town.
Carytown
Arguably the coolest neighborhood in the city (and also where my sister lives), Carytown is just west of the Virginia Commonwealth University. While walking around the area, be sure to pop into some of the boutique stores. Of them all, my favorite has to be Ashby. Grab a pastry and coffee from Sugar & Twine, a savory crepe from Les Crepes Carytown, and see a film in the opulent Byrd Theater.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture
I may be a bit biased as I grew up here, but this museum tops my personal Richmond bucket list. Being one of the first states in the union, Virginia has some pretty cool history. This museum shares the story of the state continuing into stories from today. Shared through anecdotes, history and artifacts, it’s a cool retelling of the Old Dominion. Another cool aspect of the museum is their Landscapes of Virginia gallery, a collection of landscape portraits from across the Old Dominion.
Rafting the James River
Another thing I really want to try is rafting down the James River through downtown Richmond. Richmond is the only city in the U.S. to have Class IV rapids in the middle of downtown! Outdoor Magazine actually named it as the “Best River Town” in 2012. There are a number of operators who do three-hour rafting trips on the James such as RVA Paddlesports and Riverside Outfitters.
Richmond Canal Cruises
If rafting isn’t quite your speed, the city has a serene boat tour down the canal. Similarly to how ships used it to bypass the treacherous rapids, the canal gives great skyline views at a pace much more maintainable for photos. Operated by Riverfront Canal Tours, the 40-minute boat trip costs $15.
Virginia State Capitol
As mentioned, aside from being a pretty cool city, Richmond also serves as the capital of Virginia! The Capitol Building was designed by Thomas Jefferson and constructed in 1788. The building is open for both self-led and guided tours daily. The grounds where the building sits are gorgeous, almost feeling like a manicured garden.
Hotel Greene Mini Golf
I should preface this by saying that I HATE mini golfing. Hotel Greene was the closest I’ve been changing that. Set inside a mock hotel, the indoor mini golf course has 13 holes themed to different parts of a hotel. You can supplement the golf with a drink from the “hotel bar” to accompany your golfing adventure. The golf course is made even better when considering the alleged paranormal residents.
Virginia Capitol Trail
I’m planning on writing a whole article on this biking trail, but it would feel wrong to omit it from this list. The 52-mile trail connects Richmond to Jamestown snaking along the James River. Paved the whole way, it’s a fantastic way to see a bit more of Virginia. Along the way, the trail boasts 45 attractions you can stop at.
Turquoise Skies 