This historic capital city has Civil War landmarks, museums like the American Civil War Center, and James River parks. Local restaurants and bars line Cary Street and Shockoe Bottom.
Richmond, Virginia's capital city, stretches along the James River. Cast-iron details and red-brick buildings from the 1800s line the downtown streets. You'll find Fabergé eggs at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, walk past Patrick Henry's pulpit at St. John's Church, and can paddle through rapids at the James River Parks System. In Jackson Ward, once known as "Black Wall Street of America," you'll see Victorian-era buildings that housed the city's pioneering Black-owned banks and businesses.
Exploring the James River
The James River cuts through Richmond's center, where you can spend your days on hiking trails, in rapids, or fishing along the bank. The James River Parks System connects multiple entry points, viewing spots, and rock climbing areas near the water. In summer, you'll see locals on Belle Isle and Brown's Island sitting on rocks and cooling off in the shallow water, while experienced kayakers tackle the class III and IV rapids nearby.
Museums and Cultural Institutions
At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, you'll find art spanning thousands of years, including more Fabergé eggs than any public collection outside Russia. The Edgar Allan Poe Museum displays the writer's Richmond years through his manuscripts, letters, and personal items. The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar occupies the former iron works that supplied the Confederate Army, with exhibits telling the war's story from Union, Confederate, and African American viewpoints.
Historic Districts and Architecture
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Jackson Ward grew into a hub of African American business and culture. Victorian-era buildings with detailed ironwork and decorative cornices line the streets. In Church Hill, Richmond's oldest neighborhood, you can visit St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in 1775. Federal-style homes, brick sidewalks, and gas lanterns preserve the area's 18th and 19th-century character.
Food and Entertainment Scene
The Richmond Region Mimosa Trail connects brunch spots across the city. You can follow the trail to rooftop bars, restaurants, and unexpected stops like mini-golf venues serving creative versions of the classic drink. Throughout the year, you can watch performances by the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Opera Association, and Richmond Ballet at the Dominion Energy Center and the Altria Theater.
