Why You Should Visit Richmond VA?

June 4, 2020

By Successful House Buyer

Richmond is a full-fledged city with world-class attractions, some of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at, and enough variety to ensure you’re never bored. Since it’s pretty much dead center on the east coast, it’s easy to reach for a lot of visitors (if you’re not driving, check Amtrak, Megabus, and even Chinatown buses). The Richmond airport is about 15 minutes east of downtown and despite being small, there’s a fair amount of flights available.

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Like many cities, Richmond is a city of neighborhoods and the atmosphere between each changes quickly. Downtown Richmond, however, is unique: many of these neighborhoods are just a few square blocks, meaning that we have double or triple the amount of distinct identities in a small area. If you don’t like one part of town, you might just fall in love with somewhere a few minutes away.

Who Should Visit Richmond?

American History Lovers: You’ll find colonial sites, like St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Give Me Liberty or Give me Death” speech. Antebellum mansions line parts of the city and plantations are just outside town. Civil War history is everywhere, since Richmond was the Confederate capital and numerous battles were fought nearby.

Art Lovers: Cultural vibrancy shines in Richmond. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is world-class and street art is easy to find downtown. Downtown galleries and the new Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University prove the art scene is thriving.

Foodies: According to Saveur, Richmond is “the next great American food city”. It’s true: our restaurants have incredibly high standards and each one offers something unique. You’ll find everything from gourmet donuts to ultra-fresh seafood to great food trucks. Pack your appetite!

Outdoor Lovers: Richmond has the best urban whitewater rafting in the country, mountain biking in Powhite Park, and rock climbing on old quarry walls on Belle Isle.

When is the Best Time to Visit Richmond?

Anytime September through June is a fine time to visit Richmond (July and August are brutally muggy).

In my opinion, October is the absolute best time to visit Richmond. There’s crisp air and daytime temperatures that are pleasant for walking through neighborhoods.

My second favorite time of year is late March/early April. The cherry blossoms bloom (walk down Monument Avenue and other streets in the Fan neighborhood) and there are lots of other spring flowers. Pack a rain jacket though; the weather can be hit or miss but a lot of times you’ll get lucky.

Winters are cool without much snow. If you’re used to weather in the northeast, you’ll love it.

Top Things to Do in Richmond

Start with these tourist attractions to get a feel for the city.

Spend Time on the River: The James River is an iconic part of the city and there are a million ways to experience it. Buy a tube and go tubing from Pony Pasture to Reedy Creek or go wading and sunbathing on Belle Isle. If you want something more active, I highly recommend whitewater rafting, but kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing are also popular options.

St. John’s Church re-enacts Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech, which was originally delivered in 1775. The event makes Richmond’s long history come alive and help provide context for the city. Not in Richmond at the right time? Try a Church Hill walking tour instead.

Virginia State Capitol: Just about everyone walks by the capital building, but it’s worth making the effort to tour the inside, too (departing every hour). Thomas Jefferson was one of the designers.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Richmond actually has a garden trail because there are so many beautiful places to check out, but Lewis Ginter is the largest in town and one of the best public gardens nationwide. In addition to gardens, greenhouses, and butterflies, there’s also a popular kids play area so everyone in the family will have a good time.

Unique Things to Do in Richmond

Watch Sturgeon Breach: If you’ve never seen a sturgeon up close and personal, you’re missing out. These HUGE prehistoric fish swim up the James River every September to spawn and you can see them by foot on the riverbanks, by canoe, or on a boat tour. 100% worth doing.

Watch a battle reenactment: I was never a fan of battlefields growing up, but witnessing a re-enactment was a really cool way to understand history. There are numerous events (usually on weekends), both for the Revolutionary and Civil War.

NASCAR Racing Experience: Richmond hosts NASCAR races two weekends a year (it’s a short track so you can always see the action, which is better for watching in my opinion). For a sightDOING twist, you can ride shotgun with a professional driver on non-race days to see what it’s like OR pay up to be the driver!

Chimborazo Medical Museum: The former Chimborazo Hospital houses an awesome exhibit on Civil War medicine (and a bit on Richmond during the Civil War in general). It’s a topic you don’t hear about often and it’s a fascinating way to spend an hour or so.

How Long Should You Spend in Richmond?

It’s possible to visit Richmond on a day trip from Washington DC or as a stop on an otherwise longer roadtrip. However, unless you’re on the tightest of schedules, I think 3 days is perfect for the downtown metro. Make it 4 if you want to plan a day trip or two!

The Bottom Line

Richmond is a terrific place to visit and it’s easy-to-reach location means you really shouldn’t wait to plan a visit. Come soon, while city energy is still booming, and then come back again later (We know you’ll want to).

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