'''Richmond''' is a city in Virginia, a state in the South Region of the United States of America. Richmond has a population of 200,000 and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 750,000 people.

Districts

Richmond has been called a city of neighborhoods, each one with a distinct look, flavor, and identity. All are recognized by Richmonders as unique neighborhoods, almost as though the city were a collection of several small towns.

  • Central The area includes The Fan, Carytown and the Museum District.
  • Downtown Includes Shockoe (split into Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip), Jackson Ward and Tobacco Row.
  • West End
  • Southside
  • Northside
  • Southwest
  • East End
  • Understand

    '''Richmond''' is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was settled in 1607 by an English settler named Capt. Christopher Newport and Capt. John Smith. The site was previously inhabited by the Powhatan Indians. It was named Richmond after the London suburb of Richmond-upon-Thames by its founder William Byrd II. The settlement did not become a city until 1742, and in the 135 years in between served as little more than a trading post for furs, hides, and tobacco. In 1782 Richmond became the state capital of Virginia.

    Richmond is one of the oldest American cities. The Shockoe Bottom entertainment area is where slave rebellion leader Gabriel had his head hung from a pike. During the Civil War, it served as the capital of the Confederacy. When the Northern Army invaded Richmond, the fleeing Confederate government set fires to the city's munitions stores and government records they were unable to take with them. The fire grew out of control when winds picked up,and most of the city burned. The soldiers from the Union helped to put out the fires upon their arrival. The day after the city fell, Abraham Lincoln made a visit to the city. Though much of its colonial past has disappeared, it is rich in Civil War history and lore. There are, among other things, a Civil War prison site on Belle Isle, the house Robert E. Lee lived in, the state Capitol (which Thomas Jefferson designed and said was inspired by the Maison Carree at Nimes, France) which served as the Confederate Capitol during the war, a museum of the Confederacy, the original Confederate White House, and Hollywood Cemetery in the heart of the city where more than 18,000 Confederate soldiers are laid to rest. Richmond has the most forged iron outside of New Orleans, and one of the first African American neighborhoods (Jackson Ward).

    Get in

    By car

    Richmond is located on I-95 about 2 hours south of Washington DC. I-64 runs east-west through the city which provides easy access to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Charlottesville. In addition, several other majar roadways such as the Powhite Parkway (Route 76), the Chippenham Parkway (Route 150), and Route 288 connect Richmond to other areas such as Chesterfeild and Midlothian.

    By train

    Two Amtrak train stations serve Richmond.

    '''Staples Mill station (RVR)''' is Richmond's primary station, located in an older section of suburban Henrico County, and is served by Northeast Corridor trains as well as several lines continuing south toward the Carolinas and Florida. Travelers heading downtown should plan on a $20-$25 taxi fare. kil;uio'''Main Street station (RVM)''' the historic station has recently been renovated and reopened, but is only served by the few Northeast Corridor trains terminating at Newport News, and the segment between Staples Mill and Main Street can be affected by delays as the train traverses CSX's ACCA rail yard, a major freight hub.

    By plane

    [http://www.flyrichmond.com Richmond International Airport] '''(RIC)''' is located in nearby Sandston, about a $20 taxi ride east of downtown, and is served by most major domestic carriers plus discounters JetBlue and Airtran. Chesterfield County Airport (ICAO '''KFCI''') to the south of the city and Hanover County Airport (ICAO '''KOFP''') to the north handle general aviation.

    By bus

    Greyhound Bus Lines has a large terminal located on Boulevard...about 4 miles west of Downtown Richmond and 1 mile north of the Museum District.

    The city is also served by Eastern Travel, a chinatown bus line that picks up and drops off passengers at its station near the intersection of Boulevard and Broad Street. It is half the price of Greyhound, and while it only runs one departure and one arrival a day (at 7 am and 10pm) is relatively reliable. This bus serves two destinations from Richmond: Washington, DC and New York City. Many more options of this type are easily reached in both of these cities.

    Get around

    The easiest way to get around Richmond is by car. Roadside parking spaces are relatively easy to find but be in the look-out for no parking areas - particularly the "Fan District." The city is laid out on a grid system and is easy to navigate, however, many streets in the oldest parts of the city are very narrow and one-way.

    The Greater Richmond Transit Company, or GRTC [http://www.ridegrtc.com www.ridegrtc.com], operates a bus service across the city and partially into neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. The average fare is $1.25 for local routes and $1.75 for the express routes, exact change only.

    See

  • '''Belle Isle'''. In the middle of the James River, this island includes a mountain-biking trail. Fans of the movies Cold Mountain, Hannibal, and The Jackal may recognize the area. It offers great views of the falls and the river, but be wary of copperheads, which abound on the island. Also many teenagers enjoy swimming and laying out on the rocks. There are even rope swings set up on the bridges nearby. It is a great hangout for teenagers and young adults.
  • '''The Historic Downtown'''. The cobblestoned Bottom area is rich in history, and well-worth the trip, if only to see one of the many Edgar Allan Poe houses in the Northeast. Though much of the area was washed out during Hurricane Isabel and Tropical Storm Gaston, the rebuilding continues.
  • '''Maymont Park'''. A wealthy landowner donated his estate to the city, and Richmond turned it into one of the most beautiful urban parks in the nation. Fountains, Italianate gardens, and a Japanese tea garden are a pleasure to walk through. The nature center here is all-encompassing and free, and its exhibits on Virginia Wildlife include two otters who are glad to show off for visitors. Gray foxes, red-tailed hawks, and other exhibits are located outside. Kids like the farm area, where sheep, lambs, chickens, and other sundry animals are exhibited.
  • '''Monument Avenue''' This grand avenue stretches from downtown Richmond at Lombardy St out into Henrico's West End at Horsepen Dr. Along the avenue in the city are statues to Confederate heroes J.E.B. Start at Lomabardy St., Robert E. Lee at Allen St., Jefferson Davis at Davis Ave.,and Stonewall Jackson at the Boulevard. Matthew Fountaine Muarry, who served in the Confederate Navy, but who is memorialized for his contributions to oceanic navigation and his invention of the torpedo is located at Belmont St. Tennis star and humanitarian Arther Ashe is located at Roseneath St.
  • '''Byrd Park'''. There's some fishing lakes, seasonal paddle boats, a fitness trail and the Dogwood Dell ampitheater, home to the Summer Festival of Arts. The park abuts Maymount at the end of the Boulevard.
  • '''Virginia Fine Arts Museum''', 200 North Boulevard, tel: 804-340-1400, [http://www.vmfa.state.va.us].
  • '''Science Museum of Virginia''', 2500 West Broad Street, 804-864-1400, [http://www.smv.org/].
  • '''The Children's Museum of Richmond''', 2626 W Broad Street, 804-474-7000, [http://www.c-mor.org].
  • '''The American Civil War Center''' and '''Richmond National Battlefield Headquarters at Tredegar''', 490 Tredegar Street, 804-788-6480, [http://www.tredegar.org/]. Daily 9AM-5PM. The site of a Civil War era iron foundery which supplied ordinance to the Confederate Army. The site has long been the NPS headquarters and Museum of the Richmond/Petersburg Battlefield area and just recently ground was broken on the American Civil War Center, which aims to be the definitive museum on interpretation of the conflaguration from all perspectives. Also on the grounds are a statue of Abraham Lincoln and his son Todd.
  • '''Museum of the Confederacy''', 1201 E. Clay Street ''at 12th Street'', 804-649-1861, [http://www.moc.org]. The Museum is looking to expand into a statewide system of museums,while maintaining its headquarters in Richmond. The museum contains the largest collections of Confederate records, artifacts and other treasures from the period. The Museum also maintains and gives tours of the White House of the Confederacy.
  • '''The White House of the Confederacy''', E.Clay and 12th Street, 804-649-1861, http://www.moc.org. The White House of the Confederacy has been restored reflect its use as the executive mansion of Confederate President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War. Open to the public with regularly scheduled guided tours that are arranged and given by the Museum of the Confederacy.
  • '''Black History Museum''', 00 Clay Street, 804-780-9093,[http://www.blackhistorymuseum.org/].
  • '''Edgar Allan Poe Museum''', 11 North 18th Street, [http://www.poemuseum.org/].
  • '''The Landmark Theatre (formerly The Mosque)''', 6 North Laurel St {''at Main St.''), 804-646-4213. Regularly features off-Broadway plays in addition to hosting comedians from around the nation.
  • '''State Capitol''', Bank St. The structure was designed by Thomas Jefferson and is is the current home of the Virginia General Assembly. From 1861-1865 it also served as the home of the Confederate States Congress.
  • '''Egyptian Building''', East Broad Street. This was the first building and home of the Medical College of Virginia, which now surrounds the structure.
  • '''Lucky Strike Factory''', "Tobacco Row" in Shockoe Bottom. The Lucky Strike Factory has recently been renovated into stylish loft apartments and condos. A good view of the painted smoke stack can be seen from nearby Libby Hill park, where the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument is located.
  • '''Hollywood Cemetery''', 412 S. Cherry Street. Located between the neighborhoods of Oregon Hill and Randolph on a bluff overlooking the James, Presidents Tyler and Monroe have their final resting places here. So does the locally renowned Jefferson Davis, and it's worth the trip through winding roads to see reverent Southerns laying flags on his grave. Also in the cemetery are Confederate Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart and local authors James Branch Cabell and Ellen Glasgow. The lines of small headstones marking the mass graves of Confederate dead is sobering.
  • Do

    - The James River The section of the James River running through Richmond offers many opportunities for a day out. Due to Richmond's location at the fall line, the James River has many rapids right downtown which are great for white water rafting. The rapids are class III but may become class IV in the right weather conditions. The ones closest to downtown can be quite dangerous without an experienced guide. However, there are many smaller rapids just slightly upstream which can safely be run in a raft or innertube. One can travel at a lazy pace, stopping to repeat rapids or swim through quickly. Note: In order to run the rapids in this way, one must have two cars, parking the first at the bottom exit point and the second at the entry point. There are parks on both sides of the James River above downtown, but the Pony Pasture section of the James River park is an excellent place to begin a few hours on the rapids. Just make sure to pull out when you see a sign on the right side of the river with an arrow directing you to do so; otherwise you will have great difficulty on the larger rapids. The river is quite clean and mostly surrounded by woods for this section. Make sure to try the rope swing under one of the railroad bridges. Many people simply swim around in between the smooth rocks at Pony Pasture without leaving that section. There are excellent trails through the woods on both sides and this section is used for the XTERRA Triathalon in June.

    - The Watermelon Festival

    Work

    Buy

  • '''Carytown'''. If you like to shop, Carytown's a must. The prices are high, but the high-end clothing, art, and antiques are worth it. Check out the restaurants while you're there - some of the best eateries in Richmond, from the low-end Galaxy Diner to the Thai restaurants, make their homes in Carytown.
  • Eat

    Many of Richmond's fine restaurants may be found in the historic district downtown called Shockoe Bottom.

    Budget

  • '''Sticky Rice''', 2232 W Main St., 804-358-7870. [http://www.ilovestickyrice.com] This Fan restaurant serves unusual sushi (including many vegan and vegetarian options) and a range of Asian-inspired dishes.
  • '''Galaxy Diner,''' 309 W. Cary St., 804-213-0510. Located in the heart of Carytown, it's a throwback to the 50's with a funky Richmond twist. The theme is "B SciFi", but the food is "A-", that is, not great, but pretty good for the price. Burgers, shakes, and fries of course, but also some good veggie offerings (my favorite is the Portabella Burger) and their unique fried pickle. A fun place for the family, and convenient to the eclectic Carytown shopping district.
  • '''Vito's''', 904 W. Grace Street ''near VCU'', 804-353-5533. Vito's is the place to go if you want subs, pizza burgers, calzones/srombolis etc. The food is great and the prices are cheap. Their full menu is online at www.vitosatvcu.com. Free Delivery!
  • '''Sidewalk Cafe,''' 2101 West Main Street ''just east of the Boulevard'', 804-358-0645. Serves the best food in Richmond at a very reasonable price. The menu has a great deal of variety and daily specials are inventive. Because of its reputation, Sidewalk stays packed and a short wait may be necessary. Don't feel railroaded into taking an uncomfortable table as the waitstaff will understand those who prefer a booth (trust me, you want a booth). For the ideal Richmond experience or simply for those who want to get their money's worth, Sidewalk is a must.
  • '''821 Cafe,''' 821 W. Cary St., 804-649-1042. 821caferva.com This little restaurant offers great food at bargin prices. Serving breakfast till 5pm, it offers wonderful meat, vegetarian, and vegan options including biscuits with pork or veggie gravy, tofu scramble and breakfast burritos. If not in the mood for breakfast they have sandwiches, subs, nachos and pasta. The restaurant is full of young professionals, college kids, professors, and neighborhood regulars. The tattooed waitstaff is friendly and always ready to poke fun at the customer. The restaurant fills up fast on the weekends, so get there early and make sure you order their famous $3 mimosas; Champagne in a pint glass with just a hint of orange juice.
  • Mid-range

  • '''Edo's Squid''', 411 N. Harrison St., 804-864-5488. Located on the second floor, above Stuffy's Subs, in the VCU area. Delicious Italian and seafood dishes. Moderate to expensive.
  • '''Strawberry Street Cafe''', 421 N. Strawberry St., [http://www.strawberrystreetcafe.com/]. Wonderful.
  • '''Panda Veg''' 948 W. Grace St., located in "The Fan". A great place to get vegan Asian cuisine.
  • '''Harrison St. Coffee Shop''' 402 N. Harrison St., located in "The Fan". A good place to get fair trade coffee, and vegan sandwiches.
  • '''Captain Buzzy's Beanery''', 2623 E. Broad St., ''in the "Church Hill" district'', [http://www.captainbuzzysbeanery.com/]. Quiche, Baked Goods, Sandwiches, Salad, and Coffee.
  • '''Peking Chinese Restaurant''', 1302 B Cary St., [http://www.pekingrestaurants.com/]. Fresh, delicious Chinese food in a pleasant atmosphere.
  • '''Penny Lane Pub, 421 E. Franklin St., [http://www.pennylanepub.com/]. Authentic British Pub. Come for "Football" and Rugby matches. Enjoy a pint.
  • '''Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant''', 6004 W. Broad St., [http://www.mekong-restaurant.com/]. Great Vietnamese food, and an excellent beer selection.
  • '''Capital Ale House''', 623 East Main St., [http://www.capitalalehouse.com]. Over 40 beers on tap and over 200 beers available bottled. On Tuesdays, Capital Ale House does a special promotion called "Steal the Beer Glass Night" where they feature a different beer each week, and you get to keep the glass it comes in.
  • '''Bistro Twenty-Seven''', 27 West Broad St., [http://www.bistrotwentyseven.com]. Fantastic Mediterranean cuisine prepared by local favorite, Chef Carlos Silva. Dinner entrees range from Italian-sausage-stuffed quail to black-truffle marsala filet mignon to breaded flounded with shaved almonds.
  • Splurge

  • '''The Tobacco Company''', 1201 East Cary Street, 804-782-9555, [http://www.thetobaccocompany.com/].
  • Drink

  • '''Cary St. Cafe''' [http://www.carystreetcafe.com/],"Bohemian cafe, with the tunes to match"... a cool hippy bar.
  • '''Have A Nice Day Cafe''', Nice atmosphere, but only for those 21 and older.
  • '''Capital Ale House''', 623 East Main St., [http://www.capitalalehouse.com/]. Over 40 beers on tap, over 200 different beers bottled. Has a game room that is available to patrons 21 and over. Great atmosphere.
  • '''Three Monkeys Bar and Grill''' 2525 West Main Street, 804-204-2525.
  • '''Barcode''', 6 East Grace Street (near Foushee St.), 804-648-2040 Popular gay bar and restaurant. Karaoke on Sunday.
  • Easy Street. 401 W. Main Street. Great food and good times at this Fan District favorite
  • Sin e' Irish Pub. 327 E Cary St (Shockhoe Slip). 04.649.7767. ww.sineirishpub.com. Even our Irish regulars call this pub "authentic!" Located in a restored tobacco warehouse with architecture imported directly from the Emerald Isle. Delicious fish n' chips, shepard's pie. Live rock music on Fri & Sat.

    Sleep

  • Easy Street. 401 W. Main Street. Great food and good times.

    Budget

  • '''Suburban Extended Stay Hotel North West''', 7831 Shrader Road , Richmond, VA 23294 ''+1'' 804-273-6100, [http://www.suburbanhotels.com/hotel-richmond-virginia-VA483]. This extended stay hotel offers on-site guest laundry facilities and free wireless high-speed Internet.
  • Mid-range

  • '''AmeriSuites Chester/Rivers Bend''', 13148 Kingston Avenue, ''+1'' 804-530-4600, [http://www.amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=3958].
  • '''AmeriSuites Richmond/Aboretum''', 201 Arboretum Place, ''+1'' 804-560-1566, [http://www.amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=4057].
  • '''AmeriSuites Richmond/Innsbrook''', 4100 Cox Rd, ''+1'' 804-747-9644, [http://www.amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=4062].
  • '''Doubletree Hotel Downtown Richmond''', 301 West Franklin, ''+1'' 804-644-9871, [http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/RICFSDT-Doubletree-Hotel-Richmond-Downtown-Virginia/index.do ]. The Doubletree Richmond is located in the center of Richmond's business and financial district, alongside trendy restaurants and clubs.
  • '''Ramada Inn Richmond West''', 1500 Eastridge Road, ''+1'' 804-285-9061, [http://www.ramadamidatlantic.com/].
  • '''Ramada Richmond South East''', 4303 Commerce Road, ''+1'' 804-275-7891, [http://www.ramadamidatlantic.com/].
  • Splurge

  • '''The Grace Manor Inn''', 1853 W. Grace Street, ''+1'' 804-353-4334 (fax: ''+1'' 804-353-0012), [http://www.thegracemanorinn.com/]. A delightful Richmond bed and breakfast.
  • '''The Jefferson Hotel''', 101 West Franklin Street, ''+1'' 804-424-8104.
  • '''The Omni Richmond Hotel''', 100 South 12th Street, ''+1'' 804-344-700, Toll free 1(800) THE OMNI, [http://www.omnihotels.com/].
  • Resources

  • [http://www2.richmond.com/home/ Richmond.com]
  • [http://www.styleweekly.com/ Style Weekly] - "Greater Richmond's alternative newsweekly."
  • [http://www.brickweekly.com/ Brick Weekly] - "A comprehensive cornucopia of music, arts & entertainment for Richmond."
  • Stay safe

    Richmond has a fairly high crime rate, but the vast majority of serious crime occurs in and around the city's public housing projects, located mostly in the north-east section of the city. Muggings, however, occur throughout the city, so be careful when walking late at night. As always, use common sense and avoid any areas that seem unsafe.