Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a vibrant city with 400 years of history and a wide range of attractions that offers a fun and affordable weekend getaway destination. The Richmond region has something for everyone, with many upscale shops, fabulous restaurants, world-renowned museums, elegant homes and gardens, and attractions for the whole family.
Arriving in Richmond
Richmond is right off I-95 and is about a two hour drive from the Washington DC area. Amtrak recently expanded its service to Richmond and offers an easy train ride from Union Station.
Below is a guide to help you plan a getaway to the historic region.
Top Richmond Attractions
The historic region has dozens of attractions to appeal to a wide range of interests. These are the highlights of some of the most popular places to visit.
Virginia State Capitol: Bank and 10th Streets, Richmond, Virginia. The Capitol Building houses the oldest legislative body in the US and the seat of government for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The building was recently restored and expanded. New visitor amenities include a gift shop, cafeteria, and exhibition gallery. Free one-hour guided tours are offered daily.
The American Civil War Center in historic Tredegar: 500 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia. The museum is the first of its kind to interpret the war through three interlocking perspectives: Union, Confederate, and African American. Located on 8 acres on the historic James River in downtown Richmond, the site contains five buildings illustrating the Iron Works era. The National Park Service operates the Richmond National Battlefield Park Visitor Center located in the restored building next door.
Maymont: 2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, Virginia. The 100 acre Victorian estate was donated to the City of Richmond by Major and Mrs. James H. Dooley. The Maymont Mansion, a restored 33-room house museum depicting the lavish Gilded Age lifestyle, is open for tours year-round. Maymont Children’s Farm and Children’s Farm Barn feature rare breeds of domesticated farm animals, while Maymont Wildlife Exhibits offers outdoor habitats for native Virginia wildlife, including black bear, bison, fox, bobcat, wildcat, raptors, white tails and sika deer.
The Nature & Visitor Center features James River exhibits, interactive galleries, 20-foot waterfalls, fish, turtles, owls, river otters, and more. Also on site there is an Italian and Japanese garden, a collection of carriages; an arboretum and a cafe.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: 1800 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, Virginia. The popular attraction has more than 50 acres and a dozen themed gardens including a Healing Garden, Sunken Garden, Asian Valley, Rose Garden, Wetland Garden, Victorian Garden, and Children’s Garden. There is also a conservatory with indoor displays, a garden shop, a garden cafe, an education and library complex, meeting and display space. The Robins Tea House Restaurant serves lunch daily and overlooks the lake and gardens.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: 200 N. Richmond Boulevard, Virginia. The museum features a permanent collection that includes more than 22,000 works of art, including the largest public Fabergé collection outside of Russia and one of the best collections of American art in the nation. The museum also houses acclaimed collections of British, British, silver, impressionist, post-impressionist, sports and contemporary art, and renowned art from South Asia, Himalayas and Africa. General admission is free, although some special exhibits require an admission fee.
In May 2010, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts completed a $ 150 million expansion.
Virginia Historical Society: 428 N. Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia. The Virginia Historical Society tells the story of Virginia history from prehistoric times to the present. The 13 exhibit galleries present Virginia’s largest display of artifacts on permanent view.
Hollywood Cemetery: 412 S. Cherry St. Richmond, Virginia. Established in 1847, the cemetery is the final resting place of two American presidents (James Monroe and John Tyler), other famous Virginians, and thousands of Confederate soldiers. Overlooking the James River, it is a lovely and lovely sight to walk around.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum: 1914-16 E. Main St. Richmond, Virginia. The museum has an extensive collection of manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia and personal belongings of Edgar Allan Poe. The Poe Museum offers a glimpse of the early 1800s in Richmond where Poe lived and worked. The garden is available to rent for weddings and special events. Closed on Mondays.
Agecroft Hall: 4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, Virginia. The manor house was built in Lancashire, England in the late 15th century and shipped across the Atlantic and later reassembled in a Richmond neighborhood known as Windsor Farms. The house and gardens are open for visits throughout the year.
Options for families
Richmond has a wide range of attractions for children, including interactive museums and historical sites, children’s theaters, sports arenas, outdoor educational facilities, and much more. Here are some suggestions for the best family destinations in the Richmond Region.
Kings Dominion: Doswell, Virginia. The amusement park is a family favorite and offers a full day of fun with more than 60 rides, seven roller coasters, live entertainment, and a 20-acre water park.
Richmond Children’s Museum: 2626 West Broad St. Richmond, Virginia. The museum offers hands-on exhibits for children 8 and under. Kids can pretend to be teachers, work in a garage, drive an ambulance, climb a tree, create art projects, and much more.
Metro Richmond Zoo: 8300 Beaver Bridge Road, Richmond, Virginia. The zoo features a variety of animals such as lions, tigers, wild boars, giraffes, and penguins.
Richmond Segway: 301 East Cary Street. Richmond, Virginia. Take a one-of-a-kind tour of the city and wander the streets of downtown Richmond.
Maymont: 2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, Virginia. The 100 acre Victorian estate has many fun activities for all ages. Children especially enjoy the exhibits at the Nature and Visitor Center, which include the 20-foot waterfall, fish, turtles, owls, river otters, and the Children’s Farm, which feature rare breeds of domesticated farm animals.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: 1800 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, Virginia. The popular attraction has more than 50 acres and a dozen themed gardens. The Children’s Garden offers special programs for children throughout the year. Kids especially like the unique tree house and sand and water play areas.
Virginia Science Museum: 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond Virginia. Children of all ages enjoy hundreds of unique hands-on exhibits related to aerospace, life science, electricity, chemistry, astronomy, sound, computers, and more. The Science Museum is also home to Virginia’s largest movie screen with IMAX movies and multimedia shows.
There is so much to see and do when visiting the Richmond area that you cannot experience it all in one trip. Here are some suggestions to help you plan your getaway.
- Allow enough time to visit each attraction.
- Take a stroll along the Canal Walk and enjoy views of the James River.
- Drive down Monument Avenue and take a look at the historical monuments.
- Enjoy a wide range of gourmet restaurants. The region has more than 900 restaurants serving a wide range of cuisine, from classic southern cuisine to international and pub-style dishes. Trendy neighborhoods that have a good selection of restaurants include Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and Carytown.
- Check the event calendar and attend one of the city’s seasonal festivals or events.
- Richmond has a variety of places to stay, from grand hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts.
For more information on getaway planning, visit the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
