Published: 12/19/23

The Best Things To Do in Richmond VA

If you’re like me and assume there aren’t many things to do in Richmond VA, prepare for a pleasant surprise. During our brief weekend visit to Virginia’s capital city, we crammed in as many museums, historic homes, and delicious food as possible. As busy as we were, we still left plenty of unchecked items on our Richmond “to do” list.

Whether you’re a history buff, foodie or just looking for a fun weekend getaway, it’s time to get to know Richmond VA.  I visited Richmond VA in November 2018 with a college friend to visit another friend who relocated to the Richmond area after college. We found great museums, good food, a lively craft beer and cocktail scene, and beautiful architecture.

If you can swing more than a weekend, Richmond’s proximity to other popular Virginia attractions such as vineyards, Colonial Williamsburg, and beaches, makes it a great starting point for exploring greater Virginia. On the flip side, it’s super easy to day trip to Richmond from Washington DC.

Read on for my full Richmond VA weekend travel guide. I’ll let you in on all the best things to do in Richmond, including where to stay, what to eat, the best tours, and more.

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Soaking up late autumn sunshine on Richmond’s Libby Hill.

Introduction to Richmond VA

Richmond dates back to colonial times. This hilly, riverside city has been Virginia’s capital since 1780 when the capital moved from nearby Williamsburg. With its rich (if not complicated) history, Richmond feels a bit like the unofficial gateway to the American South. Despite being only a two-hour drive from Washington DC, in many ways Richmond is a world apart from the nation’s capital.

Not unlike its fellow southern city, Savannah, Richmond seems more eager to talk about its role in the Revolutionary War than the American Civil War. However, as the capital of the American Confederacy, it’s hard for Richmond to deny its Civil War history. In fact, it wasn’t until the last couple years that Richmond removed controversial statues of Confederate leaders along its famous Monument Avenue.

But Richmond isn’t all about the past.

The city has transitioned into the 21st century with a burgeoning food scene, booming arts district, and a network of outdoor trails. You’ll find plenty of Southern charm in Richmond, which, if you’re a northerner like me, can be a little disconcerting!

How to get to Richmond, VA

Flying into Richmond 

If you’re flying into Richmond, the city of about 226,000 is served by Richmond International Airport. Since this small, user-friendly airport is the end of the line for most (all?) travelers, expect fairly stiff airfares. If you’re a budget conscious traveler, you’ll do better to fly into Washington DC and make the two-hour drive south to Richmond.

Or consider flying into Charlotte, NC and completing your journey by train! 

Train to Richmond

Another option for reaching Richmond that works especially well if you’re based in the Northeast is the train. Amtrak runs a couple routes through Richmond including the Northeast Regional and Carolinian/Piedmont. Whether you live in New York City or Charlotte, NC, you can hop on a direct train to Richmond, VA. 

Driving to and around Richmond

Once you’ve arrived in Richmond, you’ll probably notice that like many American cities, Richmond’s attractions are pretty far apart. We did okay using rideshares as needed, but if we hadn’t been visiting a friend willing to chauffeur us around the city, this visit would have proved tricky without a rental car.

Personally, I’d just plan to pick up a rental car at the Richmond International Airport if you’re flying in. Not only will this answer the question of how to make the 10-mile drive from the airport into downtown Richmond, it will also allow you to easily take some fun day trips like Colonial Williamsburg and visit further flung Richmond attractions like Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

Richmond makes an intersection between Interstates 95 and 64, so whether you’re coming from the east, west, north, or south, it’s super easy to find your way to Virginia’s capital city.

Drivetimes to Richmond, VA

Washington DC to Richmond: 2 hours
Norfolk, VA to Richmond: 1 hour 35 minutes
Raleigh, NC to Richmond: 2 hours 30 minutes
Charlotte, NC to Richmond: 4 hours 30 minutes

11 Fun Things To do in Richmond VA

Our time in Richmond was busy and brief. Both time constraints and the sheer amount of things to do in Richmond meant we didn’t see everything we hoped to. With the exception of our day trip to Colonial Williamsburg, we stayed right in the city for our entire visit.

However, we were able to see a lot of Richmond’s best during our quick visit. I’ve rounded up all of our activities into a fun list of the best things to do in Richmond VA including restaurants, activities, drinks, botanical gardens, and so much more. You’ll find everything here for an epic Richmond weekend getaway. 

1) Eat southern food at Mama J’s Kitchen

Shhhh! When it comes to regional cuisine, I’m more of a lobster roll or chili on spaghetti kind of girl, but if you’re looking for excellent soul food in Richmond, plan on swinging by Mama J’s Kitchen.

When we told our friend we’d like to sample southern cuisine during our time in Richmond, he knew right where to take us. Mama J’s Kitchen in the historic Jackson Ward, dishes up true Southern comfort food like fried chicken, ribs, pork chops, mac and cheese, and collard greens.

With its warm welcoming interior, Mama J’s Kitchen is more than just a place to eat. Food, community, and history intersect here. It’s a delicious spot to experience Richmond.

2) Visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens isn’t just one of the best things to do in Richmond. It’s also one of the best botanical gardens in America. (I’d argue that if you want to see the best of the best, you should head to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI.)

Located just north of Richmond, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens covers over 50 acres and includes Victorian gardens, an 11,000 square foot conservatory, and more than a dozen themed gardens such as Asian Valley and the Children’s Garden. With two cafes, a massive playground, and a network of walking paths, plan to stay awhile. I especially enjoyed walking around Lake Syndor. 

3) Brunch at the Jefferson

The Jefferson Hotel rotunda all set up for their Sunday champagne brunch.

A table in the Jefferson Hotel’s elegant rotunda for the Sunday champagne brunch buffet is highly coveted. So highly coveted that we didn’t get one. (Sad trombone.)

While our Richmond plans weren’t finalized until a month out from our actual travel dates, the Jefferson accepts brunch reservations up to three months in advance. By the time I got around to calling, they were fully booked and the receptionist basically laughed when I asked about a waitlist.

A typical brunch menu here includes made-to-order omelets, Eggs Benedict, French toast, ham, seafood, and more. While we enjoyed brunch at the nearby Tarrant’s Café instead, since we were staying at the Jefferson, we did see the rotunda all set up in its stunning glory for the weekly event. If you’re able to plan your Richmond adventures better than we did, definitely check it out.

4) Enjoy Libby Hill Views

View of the James River as seen from Libby Hill Park, located on top of one of the seven hills of Richmond. 

Like Rome, Richmond is said to be built on seven hills. One of these hills, Libby, is a popular spot to take in panoramic views of the James River and the city’s skyline. Although you won’t need much time in the small Libby Hill park, don’t skip it on your Richmond itinerary. I especially enjoyed walking on the nearby cobblestone streets lined with historic homes.

5) Watch a reenactment at St. John’s Church

Truth be told, I had no intentions of going to a reenactment at Richmond’s St. John’s Church. I simply wanted to visit because it’s the church where American patriot Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the church hosts reenactments of the Second Virginia Convention where Henry gave his speech. Because we were visiting over Veteran’s Day weekend, we were able to catch one of these performances where professional actors in period costumes recreate the speech that helped inspire the American Revolution.

While I wouldn’t call this an absolute Richmond must-do, if you’ve visited other popular American Revolutionary War spots like Boston’s Freedom Trail or Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, a reenactment at Richmond’s St. John Church dovetails in nicely with those historic experiences.

6) Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

We swung by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) to see their special exhibit Congo Masks: Masterpieces from Central Africa. While we only had time for the special exhibit, the museum’s permanent collection of more than 33,00 works of art is also well worth a perusal. The collection includes European art, Modern and Contemporary art, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, and one of the most significant collections of Fabergé outside of Russia.

7) Go to Maymont House and Gardens

The gardens at Maymont Mansion lit up their annual autumn Garden Glow event is sight to see in Richmond VA.

Another special event we hit up in Richmond was the Garden Glow light exhibit at Maymont House and Gardens. This annual show featuring luminaries, light projections, art exhibitions, and fire pits is held every autumn on the Victorian mansion’s 100-acre grounds. If your visit falls outside of Garden Glow exhibit, Maymont hosts many other special events throughout the year.

While the mansion is currently in the midst of major renovation project, when it reopens in 2025 you’ll once again be able to experience the splendor of the Dooley family’s Victorian mansion where they lived from 1893 to 1925. In the meantime, you can still tour the landscaped grounds which feature a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, wildlife path, and nature center.

8) Check out the Edgar Allen Poe Museum

I can’t believe we didn’t hit up the Edgar Allan Poe Museum during our time in Richmond! However time constraints mixed with travel delays and the fact that the museum is closed on Mondays meant we had to skip it. Next time, I’ll definitely check out this museum devoted to the life, works, and legacy of America’s most famous Gothic writer.

Although he was born in Boston, Poe grew up in Richmond. Contrary to popular belief, the museum isn’t located in Poe’s childhood home. Instead, the Old Stone House is the oldest residential house remaining in Richmond and just happened to be chosen as the location for a Poe Memorial Garden by a group of Poe enthusiasts in the early 20th century.

The Enchanted Garden, designed based on Poe’s own poetic descriptions, remains a highlight for museum visitors to this day.

9) Day trip to Colonial Williamsburg

The number one thing I wanted to do in the Richmond area actually sits about 45 minutes outside of downtown Richmond. I’d been wanting to visit Colonial Williamsburg since I was a little girl and I was thrilled to finally visit. While it’s best to arrive right when the park opens, we learned you can get a lot out of your visit to Colonial Williamsburg even if you don’t arrive until late afternoon.

This living history museum is a history buff’s dream. Between the recreated colonial streets and costumed actors, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Pop inside the various shops to learn about life in the American colonies, tour the Governor’s Palace, and grab some treats (specifically ginger cakes) from the Raleigh Tavern Bakery. Highlights of our visit were dining in Chowning’s Tavern and going on a ghost tour.

In addition to the living history offerings, Colonial Williamsburg is also home to two celebrated art museums: the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.

10) Check out the brewery scene

Richmond isn’t just about history. The city’s also home to a vibrant craft brewery scene. Since my travel companion was pregnant, we didn’t spend much time at Richmond’s noteworthy breweries. However, if we had gone on a brewery crawl, we wouldn’t have had to walk very far in between our brews – Richmond hosts more than 30 breweries!

Some favorite Richmond breweries to check out include the Veil Brewing Co., known for their IPAs and trendy tasting room. During the holiday season, don’t miss sipping a Gingerbread Stout at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Of course, don’t overlook Legend Brewing Co, the oldest microbrewery in the city.

11) Tour the new and improved Monument Avenue

Richmond’s Monument Avenue has long been infamous for its very large and very controversial Confederate monuments. When we drove down the avenue in 2018, a statue of Robert E. Lee on horseback still towered over the traffic circle. Happily, we can now visit Monument Avenue without this reminder of slavery in America and the bloodiest conflict in American history.

Since my visit to Richmond, several of the Confederate monuments have been removed. Robert E. Lee was removed in 2021, but the pedestal he sat upon still stands. Now local artists showcase their graffiti artwork on it.

However, several statues still remain along the avenue including Arthur Ashe, an African-American tennis legend and Richmond native. You’ll also see the J.E.B. Stuart monument, now renamed Emancipation and Freedom Monument. In addition to the monuments, it’s worth cruising down the avenue to take in the street’s beautiful Victorian homes.

 Other Richmond attractions to check out during your visit

While the above list of Richmond attractions should keep you busy for a weekend and then some, here are so many other great things to do in Richmond VA. Honestly, I’ve just scratched the surface of things to do in Richmond, so don’t consider this a definitive list. Other popular Richmond attractions to consider adding to your Virginia itinerary include:

• Virginia State Capitol
• American Civil War Museum
• Canal Walk
• Virginia Holocaust Museum
• James River Park

Tips for Visiting Richmond, VA

• Plan your visit around the city’s festivals and events for an even more immersive experience. We attended several special events during our visit and they really made the trip so much more memorable!

• While we just had time to squeeze in a quick visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond is home to many world-class museums that you’ll want to hit up during your time in the city.

• Take advantage of Richmond’s free attractions, like visiting the Virginia State Capitol or exploring the Canal Walk.

• Be sure to try some southern comfort food while in Richmond, such as fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and collard greens.

• Wear comfortable shoes to explore the city’s many outdoor trails and parks. You’ll spend lot of time on your feet in the many museums as well!

Best Richmond VA Tours

You can enhance your experience in Richmond by taking some tours to learn about the city’s history and culture. Here are three top tours in Richmond, VA to consider:

Richmond Landmark Segway Tour

The Richmond Landmark Segway tour offers a unique and fun way to explore the city’s landmarks. Glide your way around Richmond’s historic downtown district and down Monument Avenue.

With a guide to clue you in on the significance of each site, you’ll see Richmond landmarks like Canal Walk, St. Old City Hall, and St. Paul’s Church. Tours are typically two hours long, so this tour is great way to kick off your time in Richmond.

Prefer seeing the city by bike? There are also several great Richmond bike tours.

Richmond Brewery Tour

With so many breweries to choose from, it can be hard to know if you’re hitting up the best of the best when it comes to microbrews in Richmond. Take the decisions out of your Richmond Brewery experience and let a knowledgeable guide show you around to three of Richmond’s top breweries on a Richmond Brewery Tour. The tour lasts about 3 hours and drinks are included, natch.

Church Hill Food Tour

What better way to get to know a city than by eating your way through it? Richmond’s Church Hill Food Tour takes you through the city’s most historic neighborhood.

During the tour, you’ll learn about Richmond’s founding and history while sampling an array of international treats from 5 different restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. After this three-hour tour, you’ll feel like you’ve eaten a full meal and you’ll know a lot more about Richmond.

Other Richmond tours to consider

Where To Stay in Richmond, VA

The Palm Court inside the historic Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond.

The Jefferson Hotel

I loved our stay at the Jefferson Hotel. Not only is this historic hotel a Richmond icon, it’s also conveniently located near the city’s top attractions. The hotel shuttle will happily ferry you around downtown to popular sites like the Poe Museum or St. John’s Church.

Admittedly, Thomas Jefferson is not the Jefferson I most associate with Richmond. (Sorry, Minnesotan is pretty proud of the role her state played in saving the Union at Gettysburg.) However, the hotel swears it’s named for the former United States president and features a statue of him in their grand lobby.

Even if you’re not staying at the Jefferson, consider visiting by booking a table for their famous Sunday Champagne Brunch.

Quirk Hotel

Quirk Hotel is a boutique hotel located in Richmond’s bustling Arts District. It’s known for its chic, contemporary design and art-centric atmosphere. There’s an art gallery on the premises and unique artwork in every room. The hotel also offers a rooftop bar with panoramic city views.

Linden Row Inn

Another hotel I seriously considered staying at for our time in Richmond was Linden Row Inn. Located in Richmond’s historic downtown in a row of 19th century townhouses, Linden Row Inn offers a blend of history and modern comfort. In fact, as a child Edgar Allan Poe lived on the property and played in its gardens long before it became Richmond’s most popular boutique hotel.

Wrap-up: The Best Things To Do in Richmond, VA

With the exception of maybe Boston, it’s hard to find an American city as steeped in history as Richmond VA. But considering its deep and complex history, you might be surprised by how modern Richmond feels. In addition to southern charm, this Virginia city also oozes craft beer, a lively art scene, historic landmarks, and great views and walks.

Its proximity to Washington DC doesn’t prevent Richmond from feeling very southern. If you’re a northerner, prepare for a little culture shock! Once you adjust to the speed of life in Richmond, you’re sure to find something right up your alley, especially if you’re a history buff, art enthusiast, foodie, or nature lover. I definitely recommend spending at least a full weekend in Richmond so you can take full advantage of its world-class museums, excellent dining, and historic sites.

Otherwise, Richmond makes a great waypoint during a longer trip to the United State’s Mid-Atlantic region. You could easily incorporate a stop in Richmond in a trip to Washington DC or the Coastal Carolinas. However much time you decide to spend in the Virginia capital, I hope all the Richmond things to do in this post inspire you to have a fascinating and rewarding time in the historic city.