Location: Richmond
Top Things to do in Richmond
Top Restaurants in Richmond
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The 9 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Richmond, Virginia (VA)
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. The Valentine - Richmond History Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Discover Richmond Stories with the Valentine! Richmond History Tours explore the rich and diverse history of the city, including Hollywood Cemetery, Downtown, unique neighborhoods and the riverfront. Discover Richmond Stories on foot, bike or bus with our expert guides. Daily and weekend tours available, private groups welcome.
2. The Richmond Tour Guys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 242 reviews
Three Signature Premiere paid tours and one free walking tour of Richmond VA centering on the history of the city from its founding to the present. 12 tours weekly, Thursdays through Sunday, from March to November. Private, Group and Custom Tours are offered year-round.
3. Virginia Holocaust Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 408 reviews
Founded to educate the community about the tragedies of the Holocaust, the Virginia Holocaust Museum strives to memorialize and document the atrocities of World War II. Through exhibits, programming, and outreach, the Museum uses the history of genocide to teach the dangers of prejudice and indifference.
Reviewed By sheamtravels - Richmond, United States
I visited with my family this past summer. It's something I think everyone should do once...I probably would not want to go back, it's really hard to take in. It's so well done and I really liked the beginning with the rise of the Nazi party, and how that happened in a western democracy. The forces that came together can happen again and it makes you think about how far we have come (and not come) and at least we can look at this and hope to never ever repeat anything about it. The museum takes you through the life of one family in particular and what they went through. It also highlights resistance and how people came together for good. If I go back with out of town guests, which I would do, I'd just stay on the main hall and look at the wonderful art of area students that is on display there, art that is about positive themes of healing and love. The museum is also free (they take donations) and there is a train car outside which makes it even more real. I like how it is smaller than the museum in DC. It is just as educational and powerful as the larger museum in DC. The people at the front desk are very friendly and welcoming and while it's a really difficult place to experience in a lot of ways, it's very worthwhile and well put together. Parking is pretty easily available too.
4. Maymont
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,022 reviews
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
5. Agecroft Hall & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Agecroft Hall & Gardens is an authentic 16th century English manor house. It was was taken apart, shipped across the Atlantic, and reassembled in Virginia in the 1920s. Today Agecroft Hall is open year round for guided tours, special events, educational programs, concerts, and is home of The Richmond Shakespeare Festival.
Reviewed By cordyroy - Naples, United States
It's an amazing tale of the purchase, sight unseen, of an English manor house facing demolition, shipping the best bits to Richmond, and using all that to "rebuild" Agecroft in a somewhat altered appearance. And it was done brilliantly. Lived in for 40 years and now a museum with period furnishings. It's a self guided tour but there is a guide on each floor to answer questions. Lovely gardens.
6. Hollywood Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,394 reviews
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.
7. The John Marshall House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
John Marshall is best known as the “Great Chief Justice” for his role in creating the modern Supreme Court. He served from 1801 until 1835 and his influential decisions, such as Marbury v. Madison, helped shape the principle of judicial review. With the largest collection of original Marshall family pieces, guided tours of his home offer an in-depth look at the formation of American government through the lens of the federal judiciary. Marshall built his home in Richmond’s historic Court End neighborhood in 1790 and lived there for forty-five years until his death. It is a Federal-style brick building that originally included several outbuildings, including his law office.
Reviewed By uebelher - Wrightstown, United States
I was so impressed with the quality of the tour guide at this house. I’m a lawyer so I generally know about John Marshall. But I was amazed at how much more I learned. Our guide Ethan was a wealth of knowledge and had a detailed answer for every question we had for him. It was a highlight of my Richmond trip.
8. Isley Brewering Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Gearhead1960 - Manassas, United States
Did our own brewery tour of Richmond with out of town friends and hit Isley as it has a great reputation. We were not disappointed. Enjoyed the Need for Greed which is the Black DIPA. What a fabulous brew....could of had a few more of these, but alas the next brewery was waiting....
9. Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 503 reviews
Illustrations of the famous poem "The Raven" and numerous other artifacts surrounding the life of this great American author, the father of the psychological horror story, are housed in a series of buildings, including Richmond's oldest.
Reviewed By Ginny206 - Atlanta, United States
I'm an English teacher, and I learned more about Poe in this museum than I ever have before. The place is fun but also informative. The highlight is the three semi-feral black cats who haunt the grounds.
