The 10 Best Things to do in Richmond, Virginia (VA)

November 4, 2021 Veronika Gaddis

Discover an essential chapter of America's history in the cobblestone streets, river walks and monuments of Richmond. Originally a colonial settlement, Virginia's capital is now a thriving hub for culture, shopping and outdoor fun. Explore Civil War history at the Museum of the Confederacy, stroll along the canal downtown or test your nerve whitewater rafting on the James River. With lively neighborhoods and a vibrant restaurant scene, Richmond is perfect for a quick break or an extended getaway.
Restaurants in Richmond

1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

200 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220-4007 +1 804-340-1400 [email protected] http://vmfa.museum/
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,074 reviews

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

VMFA Arts is a top comprehensive US art museum with more than 5,000 years of art from around the world. VMFA is open 365 days a year and general admission is always free. The Wall Street Journal recently stated that VMFA is now a "two day museum."

Reviewed By W2125VMdeborahg

This is a great way to spend some free time. The building is amazing, entrance is free unless you want in a special exhibit and there’s loads to see for free. The surrounding gardens are very pretty with lots of water features. I highly recommend the Furniture and Tiffany collection as well as the Faberge collection, as well as the multiple other different types of art collections. Even the food in the cafe is reasonable and tasty. We did pay for the Napoleon Exhibit and it was definitely worth the price of admission $12 per person. Only negative was poor signage for parking, we never did find the on site parking, ended up parking on street a few blocks away both times we visited.

2. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228-4700 +1 804-262-9887 [email protected] http://www.lewisginter.org/
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,589 reviews

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

With something for all ages and interests, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a place to learn about plants, to marvel at nature, to relax in a beautiful setting, to take gardening classes, or to have a wedding or a business meeting. A wide variety of experiences are offered through its diverse gardens and facilities. No wonder Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is consistently one of the most-visited attractions in the Richmond, Va., area.

Reviewed By Wendybeth16 - Washington DC, United States

...and magic is in the garden during the holiday light festival. The garden is ablaze with lights during the holiday event. This is truly an event all ages can enjoy, For the children: a special garden, a lighted maze, hot chocolate, a fireplace for making s'mores, a train exhibit (look for the visiting alien space ship.) and pigs that fly. The youngsters were having a blast! The paths winding through the garden lead to lovely views whether lights reflected in the waterways or looking down on the decorations from elevated viewing spots (think a tree house of sorts for exploration) or lighted sculptures. Birds, balloons, space exploration, and, yes, even flying pigs bring the "magic in the air" theme to life. Don't forget to visit the library - home to the train exhibit, theme trees and on my visit, a holiday bell/carol program. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera. Good photo opportunities abound. There is a cafe (as well as the tea house restaurant) and hot drinks and snacks in the children:s garden - and an impressive gift shop. Trails are stroller and wheelchair friendly. Lights are on from 5 to 10 pm.There is a fee; ample parking. The garden was voted the #2 holiday light display of its kind in the nation and rightly so. A magnificent display. Highly recommended - this is a holiday event the whole family will enjoy and likely will want to make a yearly tradition. Don't miss it!

3. Carytown

3166 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221-3504 +1 804-422-8066 http://carytownrva.org
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,153 reviews

Carytown

Section of Richmond that is great for walking, shopping or touring museums and galleries.

Reviewed By 278kentm

great shopping,many small shops--great food, very good variety of types of restaurants--th Byrd theater is being restored and it is beautiful!! $4.00 admission!!! I frequently visit Carytown!!

4. White House of the Confederacy

1201 E Clay St, Richmond, VA 23219-1615 +1 804-649-1861 [email protected] http://www.acwm.org
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,239 reviews

White House of the Confederacy

To ensure the health and safety of both visitors and staff, masks are required & the majority of the tour will take place outside the House. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through the rooms on the first floor with a trained guide and take pictures. The walkthrough will conclude in the basement with a Q&A session. The White House of the Confederacy is located in downtown Richmond's historic Court End neighborhood, just a few blocks from Capitol Square. Guided tours of Jefferson Davis' executive mansion leave from the Museum lobby throughout the day and typically last around 45 minutes. The American Civil War Museum owns and maintains the White House of the Confederacy. You can visit their other Richmond location at Historic Tredegar. The Museum of the Confederacy is no longer open. It closed September 30, 2018 as we prepare to move the collection to its new home at the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar. The new museum building will open in the spring of 2019.

Reviewed By LisaAP6 - Charlottesville, United States

Highly recommend a visit here for any lover of American history. Our guide, Ana, was extremely knowledgeable about the Civil War era, as well as the Jefferson Davis family. She was also able to answer all of our questions. Felt as if we’d stepped back in time.

5. Virginia Capitol Building

9th & Grace Sts, Richmond, VA 23219 +1 804-698-1788 http://virginiacapitol.gov/index.php/capitol-visitors-guide/
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,060 reviews

Virginia Capitol Building

Inside the white, columned state capitol building, designed by Thomas Jefferson to resemble a first-century Roman temple in France, is the only sculpture of George Washington produced in his lifetime.

Reviewed By ReviewerHS - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This free tour was really interesting and you’re allowed to have a wander round afterwards too! The air con is quite vicious upstairs so be sure to take a jacket or something. Food in cafe very reasonable and my sandwich was great. More of a sit down lunch place for employees though.

6. Maymont

1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220-6899 +1 804-358-7166 [email protected] http://www.maymont.org
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,022 reviews

Maymont

Maymont is a 100-acre American estate, an extraordinary gift given to the community by James and Sallie Dooley who lived there from 1893 to 1925. Whether strolling in the gardens, touring the mansion, watching river otters at play, or petting a goat, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Reviewed By S9815TAcherylb

Maymont is a beautiful Gilded Age mansion that is very well kept up the architecture is absolutely beautiful along with all the paintings and the grounds it has a nice museum downstairs in the basement that tells some of the history of the mansion in the living quarters of the servants beautifully kept up would highly recommend this is a place where you could spend just a few hours or the entire day exploring the Hundred Acres

7. Monument Avenue

Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220
Excellent
58%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 951 reviews

Monument Avenue

Reviewed By fearlessfrog48 - Richmond, United States

What can I say about Monument Avenue. Blocks and blocks of stately homes. Every Medwedew blocks there is a Monument dedicated to a famous Civil War Generals and in one case a prominent CSN Navy Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury. There is also a recent addition dedicated to a famous Richmonder and tennis great, Arthur Ashe. Monument Avenue is to me a place of history that can never be duplicated. It reminds us of who we were at one time, and who we are now as a nation, and the sacrifices that were made by individuals to bring us together as one people and one nation. You can draw tor own conclusions but don’t pass up this amazing tree lined avenue.

8. Science Museum of Virginia

2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220-2057 +1 804-864-1400 [email protected] http://www.smv.org/
Excellent
56%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 438 reviews

Science Museum of Virginia

"We're not your dad's Science Museum!" says Science Museum of Virginia Director/CWO (that's Chief Wonder Officer) Richard Conti. "Our newly re-imagined Museum is a place that is relevant to your life and fun!"Our mission: Inspiring Virginians to enrich their lives through science.Our Story: Since its founding by the Virginia General Assembly in 1970, the Science Museum of Virginia has become the premier center for hands-on science education in Virginia. The Museum has permanent exhibitions on health, energy and natural science and includes hundreds of interactive exhibits, fascinating artifacts, live animals, a theater company and cutting edge technology. The 76-foot Dome Theater creates the ultimate "you are there" experience with the largest film screen in Virginia wrapped around you. The Museum also features visiting exhibitions, educational programming, overnight adventures, lectures, demonstrations and summer camps. The Museum receives guidance and generous support from community leaders and organizations. The Museum's Board of Trustees is appointed by the Governor and provides oversight and policy guidance. The Science Museum of Virginia Foundation raises funds to support the mission, operations and capital needs of the museum. The Museum is also the parent organization for the Danville Science Center. The Science Museum of Virginia is located in Richmond's Museum District, in historic Broad Street Station designed by renowned architect John Russell Pope, at 2500 West Broad Street.

Reviewed By 358alleng - Richmond, United States

Loacted in the old Union Station on Board Street this is one place to really keep the kids entertained. Alot of the exhibits are interactive where kids and adults can learn something new. Science Museum is easy to locate and there is plenty of parking. Either in front or next door at the Children's Museum. There is an admission fee but if you are a military retiree, dependent or active duty, this means free. If you have your kids this can be several hours of fun.

9. Hollywood Cemetery

412 S Cherry at Albemarle St, Richmond, VA +1 804-648-8501 http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,394 reviews

Hollywood Cemetery

Reviewed By GenotheViking - Everett, United States

This is one of the greatest cemeteries in America for history and monuments, Lots of Civil War Stories here and also two US presidents plus Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy, A great walking cemetery and tours are available. Bring your picnic too. Easy to find close to town.

10. St. John's Episcopal Church

2401 E Broad St Corner of E. Broad Street and 24th at top of Church Hill. Across from Patrick Henry Park., Richmond, VA 23223-7128 +1 804-648-5015 [email protected] http://www.historicstjohnschurch.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 400 reviews

St. John's Episcopal Church

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, St. John’s Church is open on Saturdays only, starting March 6, 2021. Check our social platforms for updates. Historic St. John's Church - where Patrick Henry gave his 'give me liberty or give me death' speech.

Reviewed By geoffreys1

I stopped here on a visit to the Richmond Area and took the guided tour. I learned so much about Patrick Henry and sooo much more about the events leading up to the American revolution. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. I highly recommend stopping here!

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