Guidebook for Richmond
Parks & Nature
Maymont’s 100 acres feature numerous attractions. But for many, Maymont’s magnificent gardens and landscapes—still very much as the Dooleys left them—can not be rivaled. Visitors to Maymont’s grounds represent a broad audience, ranging from romantic couples and tourists to picnicking families and seekers of solitude. The grounds and gardens are like nothing else in the City of Richmond—expansive, unique, well-maintained and ever-changing. No public garden today could dream of duplicating Maymont’s magic, to say nothing of its costly architecture, grand trees or diversity of plants.
Check out: Maymont Mansion, Wildlife Exhibit, Children’s Farm, Italian and Japanese Gardens and Arboretum.
Entrance is Free, but Mansion and some exhibits have suggested donation.
Closed on Mondays
259 moradores locais recomendam
Maymont
1700 Hampton StMaymont’s 100 acres feature numerous attractions. But for many, Maymont’s magnificent gardens and landscapes—still very much as the Dooleys left them—can not be rivaled. Visitors to Maymont’s grounds represent a broad audience, ranging from romantic couples and tourists to picnicking families and seekers of solitude. The grounds and gardens are like nothing else in the City of Richmond—expansive, unique, well-maintained and ever-changing. No public garden today could dream of duplicating Maymont’s magic, to say nothing of its costly architecture, grand trees or diversity of plants.
Check out: Maymont Mansion, Wildlife Exhibit, Children’s Farm, Italian and Japanese Gardens and Arboretum.
Entrance is Free, but Mansion and some exhibits have suggested donation.
Closed on Mondays
If you have been driving, on a plane or a bus or a train for a couple ours to get here, you might want to stretch your legs and enjoy a nice walk/jog on the Byrd Park Area.
This 287-acre park in Richmond's Near West End is one of the city's most popular. Spread along both sides of The Boulevard and Blanton Avenue starting at the Columbus Statue you will find Fountain Lake, a self-lighted tennis complex for anytime play, and two softball fields. Sunbathing and pedal boat rides at Fountain Lake are popular in the summer, and a full-service concession building at the lakes offers snacks, lunch, restrooms and free Wi-Fi during the summer season.
Further south to the east of Blanton Avenue are Swan Lake, Sheilds Lake, the Round House, which can be used for small meetings, and the Vitacourse, an exercise trail popular year-round. At Swan Lake, as the name implies, you can see plenty of waterfowl, but please don't feed the geese as this encourages unhealthy overpopulation. Urban fishing at any of the lakes is allowed with a state fishing license, and there are two large picnic shelters with outdoor grills on the east side of Sheilds Lake, the southernmost of the park's three lakes. This section of the park, from Fountain Lake to Shields Lake is also filled with sidewalks that crisscross the park and make enjoyable walking, and several open area are frequently used for Frisbee and other games.
If you keep walking by Westover Rd. you will hit Maymont.
82 moradores locais recomendam
Byrd Park
600 Lakeview AveIf you have been driving, on a plane or a bus or a train for a couple ours to get here, you might want to stretch your legs and enjoy a nice walk/jog on the Byrd Park Area.
This 287-acre park in Richmond's Near West End is one of the city's most popular. Spread along both sides of The Boulevard and Blanton Avenue starting at the Columbus Statue you will find Fountain Lake, a self-lighted tennis complex for anytime play, and two softball fields. Sunbathing and pedal boat rides at Fountain Lake are popular in the summer, and a full-service concession building at the lakes offers snacks, lunch, restrooms and free Wi-Fi during the summer season.
Further south to the east of Blanton Avenue are Swan Lake, Sheilds Lake, the Round House, which can be used for small meetings, and the Vitacourse, an exercise trail popular year-round. At Swan Lake, as the name implies, you can see plenty of waterfowl, but please don't feed the geese as this encourages unhealthy overpopulation. Urban fishing at any of the lakes is allowed with a state fishing license, and there are two large picnic shelters with outdoor grills on the east side of Sheilds Lake, the southernmost of the park's three lakes. This section of the park, from Fountain Lake to Shields Lake is also filled with sidewalks that crisscross the park and make enjoyable walking, and several open area are frequently used for Frisbee and other games.
If you keep walking by Westover Rd. you will hit Maymont.
" Belle Isle is one of the most well-known public natural areas in Central Virginia. If you live in Richmond and you’ve never heard of it, you need to get out more! Spending a lazy afternoon on the rocks watching the river go by with your friends — perfection.
At 54 acres, Belle Isle is the second-largest island in the James River within Richmond city limits and one of the most historic sites in the city. Native Americans fished in the river there long before the English arrived. Captain John Smith was among the first Europeans to visit in 1607, and William Byrd I acquired the island in 1676.
William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond, called it “the broad rock island.” Sold by the Byrd family around 1776, the island soon became one of Richmond’s first industrial centers, with a nail factory there by 1814 and later a full-scale ironworks that operated until 1972. Granite was quarried there in the 19th and 20th centuries.
During the Civil War one of the most notorious prisoner-of-war camps in the South was located on Belle Isle. The remains of a Confederate gun emplacement still are visible on the western end of the hill. From 1904 to 1967, the Virginia Electric Power Company operated a power plant on the island’s south bank. In 1995, Belle Isle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a nationally significant historic site."
The main access to Belle Isle is by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar St. on the north shore (zip code 23219). Alternate access is by wooden bridge near 22nd St. or by rock-hopping from the south shore. Parking tends to be crowded at Tredegar St. on weekends -- only about 50 spaces.
276 moradores locais recomendam
Belle Isle
1 Belle Isle" Belle Isle is one of the most well-known public natural areas in Central Virginia. If you live in Richmond and you’ve never heard of it, you need to get out more! Spending a lazy afternoon on the rocks watching the river go by with your friends — perfection.
At 54 acres, Belle Isle is the second-largest island in the James River within Richmond city limits and one of the most historic sites in the city. Native Americans fished in the river there long before the English arrived. Captain John Smith was among the first Europeans to visit in 1607, and William Byrd I acquired the island in 1676.
William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond, called it “the broad rock island.” Sold by the Byrd family around 1776, the island soon became one of Richmond’s first industrial centers, with a nail factory there by 1814 and later a full-scale ironworks that operated until 1972. Granite was quarried there in the 19th and 20th centuries.
During the Civil War one of the most notorious prisoner-of-war camps in the South was located on Belle Isle. The remains of a Confederate gun emplacement still are visible on the western end of the hill. From 1904 to 1967, the Virginia Electric Power Company operated a power plant on the island’s south bank. In 1995, Belle Isle was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a nationally significant historic site."
The main access to Belle Isle is by pedestrian footbridge from Tredegar St. on the north shore (zip code 23219). Alternate access is by wooden bridge near 22nd St. or by rock-hopping from the south shore. Parking tends to be crowded at Tredegar St. on weekends -- only about 50 spaces.
Arts & Culture
Hours and Admission
General admission is always free.
Open daily 10 am – 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursdays + Fridays.
Try the VMFA Garden and bar they have some hapy hour specials.
494 moradores locais recomendam
Museu de Belas Artes da Virgínia
200 N Arthur Ashe BlvdHours and Admission
General admission is always free.
Open daily 10 am – 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursdays + Fridays.
Try the VMFA Garden and bar they have some hapy hour specials.
Galleries and museum shop open daily: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Entrance is Free – except to some exhibits.
81 moradores locais recomendam
Museu da História e Cultura da Virginia
428 N Arthur Ashe BlvdGalleries and museum shop open daily: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Entrance is Free – except to some exhibits.
“For the exploration of the American Civil War and its legacies
from multiple perspectives: Union and Confederate,
enslaved and free African Americans, soldiers and civilians.
Open Daily 9am - 5pm
Admission fee $8+
41 moradores locais recomendam
Tredegar Iron Works
470 Tredegar St“For the exploration of the American Civil War and its legacies
from multiple perspectives: Union and Confederate,
enslaved and free African Americans, soldiers and civilians.
Open Daily 9am - 5pm
Admission fee $8+
Food Scene
Just the best coffee in town and it's just a 5 minute walk!
From Rosewood ave walk up to Addison st. until you get to Grayland ave. On Grayland you’ll see a pedestrian bridge. Take it and on the other side of Addison st. you’ll see Lamplighter to your left.
77 moradores locais recomendam
Lamplighter Coffee Roasters Addison St. Cafe
116 S Addison StJust the best coffee in town and it's just a 5 minute walk!
From Rosewood ave walk up to Addison st. until you get to Grayland ave. On Grayland you’ll see a pedestrian bridge. Take it and on the other side of Addison st. you’ll see Lamplighter to your left.
Olio
2001 1/2 W Main StGreat for lunch and lots of vegetarian options
Website: facebook.com/OnionRVA
Hours: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Check for two: $24.54 including tip
Entrée prices: $8.50 to $10
Taste: The Naked Onion is an unassuming Fan sandwich shop that’s won special acclaim for its bahn mi, a Vietnamese-style sandwich.
The Naked Onion
2118 W Cary StGreat for lunch and lots of vegetarian options
Website: facebook.com/OnionRVA
Hours: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Check for two: $24.54 including tip
Entrée prices: $8.50 to $10
Taste: The Naked Onion is an unassuming Fan sandwich shop that’s won special acclaim for its bahn mi, a Vietnamese-style sandwich.
Great inexpensive but delicious breakfast and brunch options.
9 moradores locais recomendam
Weezie's Kitchen
3123 W Cary StGreat inexpensive but delicious breakfast and brunch options.
$$$
Check some articles:
Richmond Times Dispatch
http://www.richmond.com/food-drink/article_d7724601-4c9a-5968-a869-a99e6d9b10ff.html
Style Weekly
http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/food-review-heritage/Content?oid=1789714
41 moradores locais recomendam
Heritage Restaurant
1627 W Main St$$$
Check some articles:
Richmond Times Dispatch
http://www.richmond.com/food-drink/article_d7724601-4c9a-5968-a869-a99e6d9b10ff.html
Style Weekly
http://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/food-review-heritage/Content?oid=1789714
$$-$
Open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30-9:00, Friday and Saturday from 5:30-10:00. Bar stays open a bit later.
An upscale New American menu is offered in contemporary green-accented decor with banquette seating.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Acacia mid-town
$$-$
Open for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30-9:00, Friday and Saturday from 5:30-10:00. Bar stays open a bit later.
An upscale New American menu is offered in contemporary green-accented decor with banquette seating.
$$$
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am – 10pm
Fri: 11:30am – 11pm
Sat: 3pm – 11pm
Sun: 3pm – 10pm
Happy Hour: Sun-Thurs: 4pm - 6pm
Recently named a 2014 Best New Restaurant by Esquire Magazine
36 moradores locais recomendam
Rappahannock Restaurant
320 E Grace St$$$
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am – 10pm
Fri: 11:30am – 11pm
Sat: 3pm – 11pm
Sun: 3pm – 10pm
Happy Hour: Sun-Thurs: 4pm - 6pm
Recently named a 2014 Best New Restaurant by Esquire Magazine
Don't Look Back - Triple
3306 W Broad St$
Best tacos in Richmond!
Cary St. Cafe
2631 W Cary StRestaurant hippie/dive bar
Sticky Rice
2232 W Main St$$
Japanese maki, sticky balls & veggie dishes
Locally owned natural foods market - Try their café with great meals
72 moradores locais recomendam
Ellwood Thompson's
4 N Thompson StLocally owned natural foods market - Try their café with great meals
The Cask Café & Market puts beer front and center, with food on the side ... “The Cask has great beers, and the staff knows them well..."
Thurs-Sat
11 a.m. – Midnight
Sun. – Weds.
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
14 moradores locais recomendam
The Cask Cafe
206 S Robinson StThe Cask Café & Market puts beer front and center, with food on the side ... “The Cask has great beers, and the staff knows them well..."
Thurs-Sat
11 a.m. – Midnight
Sun. – Weds.
11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Drinks & Nightlife
Speakeasy bar in Shockoe Bottom. Check their twitter and facebook account.
18 moradores locais recomendam
Grandstaff & Stein
2113 E Main StSpeakeasy bar in Shockoe Bottom. Check their twitter and facebook account.
Baja Bean Co.
1520 W Main StKaraoke and pool
Greenleaf's Pool Room
100 N 6th St$$
$$
Popular restaurant and bar in Richmond, Virginia serving sandwiches, subs, pizza, pasta and a great Saturday and Sunday brunch.
23 moradores locais recomendam
The Sidewalk Cafe
2101 W Main St$$
Popular restaurant and bar in Richmond, Virginia serving sandwiches, subs, pizza, pasta and a great Saturday and Sunday brunch.
Essentials
Kroger
1601 Willow Lawn DrEntertainment & Activities
Movies $1.99 p/person
"The Byrd Theatre is a cinema in the Carytown neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. It was named after William Byrd II, the founder of the city. The theater opened on December 24, 1928 to much excitement and is affectionately referred to as "Richmond’s Movie Palace". It was the first cinema in Virginia to be outfitted when built with a sound system (although other existing theaters had already been retrofitted for sound)"
156 moradores locais recomendam
Byrd Theater
2908 W Cary StMovies $1.99 p/person
"The Byrd Theatre is a cinema in the Carytown neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. It was named after William Byrd II, the founder of the city. The theater opened on December 24, 1928 to much excitement and is affectionately referred to as "Richmond’s Movie Palace". It was the first cinema in Virginia to be outfitted when built with a sound system (although other existing theaters had already been retrofitted for sound)"