Things to do in Richmond for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
Welcome to Richmond, Virginia's centuries-old capital city! This self-guided audio tour will walk you through its present telling about its glorious past. You will start the tour by checking out the primary manufacturer of military equipment during the Civil War, the Tredegar Iron Works. Next, head over to Brown's Island, enjoy the city's green oasis, and find out Richmond's fate in the Civil War, and why canals were so important to Virginia. Off the riverside, at the Shockoe Slip Historic District, you will reimagine the newly-built Richmond after the Confederate troops burned it down to deny to the Union Army. Passing by the First Freedom Center, you will learn how Virginia's legislation inspired the US Constitution. Further along the route, the magnificent Virginia State Capitol, situated atop the hill, will grab your attention and invite you to contemplate iconic Virginia's Washington Monument of America’s first president, who himself posed for the sculptor. Toward the end of the tour, as you approach Washington's elegant residence, you will get introduced to John Marshall, the longest-serving chief justice in Court history. Your last stop will be the Virginia Civil Rights Monument, a bronze and marble sculpture telling the story of racial segregation in Virginia's public schools. Take this tour to experience the city's dramatic yet meaningful connection with early America's history and its modern identity!
This self-guided audio walking tour explores Maymont and its neighboring landmarks in Richmond, perfect for first-time visitors who enjoy Gilded Age history, formal gardens, and scenic park landscapes. It is designed for travelers who want to move at their own pace while discovering one of the city’s most distinctive historic estates. The route begins at Maymont Mansion, the lavish former home of James and Sallie Dooley, set on a 40-hectare estate given to the city in 1925. From there, you continue past the Stone House at Silver Creek, the elegant Italian Gardens, and the Carriage House area, then on to Agecroft Hall, the Tudor manor brought from England and rebuilt here in the 1920s. Along the way, the walk also touches smaller estate features such as Dooley’s Garage and returns to key garden viewpoints. The tour then leads toward the river side of the grounds, passing the Z Dam Portage area, nearby dining at La Grotta Ristorante, and the peaceful Maymont Japanese Garden before ending at Maymont Farm. Along the way, the most memorable experiences include standing before mansion-era architecture, strolling through terraced gardens, seeing an English manor in Richmond, and finishing among the relaxed, family-friendly landscapes of the farm.
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About Richmond
The best tours to do in Richmond with kids are:
The must-see attractions in Richmond for a first visit are:
The best tours in Richmond are:
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Insider tips for visiting Richmond
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When I’m in Richmond with kids, I always head to Maymont. It’s one of my favorite things to do in Richmond because you get so much in one place: wide lawns for running around, the Japanese Garden’s little bridges and waterfalls, and the nature center where children can spot river otters and local wildlife. Locals know the farm area is a hit with younger kids, especially in cooler morning hours. If you’re sorting through attractions in Richmond or comparing tours in Richmond, this feels more relaxed and rewarding. For families wondering what to see in Richmond, Maymont gives you the city’s historic charm without feeling formal.
When I visit Richmond, I usually send people first to the Fan District for its grand old rowhouses, shady sidewalks, and easy stop at Carytown nearby for indie shops and local snacks. For a different side of Richmond, I love Church Hill: Libby Hill Park gives you that postcard view of the skyline, and the brick side streets feel deeply rooted in the city’s history. If you’re sorting through attractions in Richmond, these neighborhoods show more character than the big-ticket stops. Locals know Scott’s Addition is best for a later afternoon wander. For anyone deciding what to see in Richmond, these areas beat most standard tours in Richmond.
When I visit Richmond for a night out, I usually pick Scott’s Addition. It’s the part of Richmond where old warehouses have turned into breweries, cideries, rooftop bars, and late-night food spots, all close enough to hop between on foot. I like starting early with drinks on a patio, then moving toward the busier spots as the evening builds. Locals know weekends get lively fast, so going a bit before peak hours makes the night smoother. If you visit Richmond and want a real local scene, this is my pick. In any travel guide Richmond, it stands out among the best things to do in Richmond after dark.
I recommend visit Richmond in spring or fall, especially April to early May and late September through October. In Richmond, those months bring comfortable walking weather, blooming gardens at Maymont, and colorful riverfront trails without the heavy summer humidity. When I’m using a travel guide Richmond myself, I always look for shoulder-season weekends because patios are lively, but museums and historic streets still feel manageable. Summer in Richmond can be sticky by midday, and winter is quieter but less scenic for first-timers. If you want the best mix of things to do in Richmond and pleasant weather, spring and fall are the sweet spot.
When I’m showing someone Richmond for the first time, I usually mix riverfront time with history and food. The most popular things to do in Richmond include walking Belle Isle and the Canal Walk, then heading to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which locals actually use, not just visitors. In Richmond, people also love browsing Carytown and catching skyline views from Libby Hill Park around sunset. If you’re weighing attractions in Richmond, these spots give you the city’s real character. For anyone deciding what to see in Richmond, I’d skip rushed tours in Richmond and focus on neighborhoods, the James River, and Richmond’s laid-back museum scene.
When I want to show a quieter side of Richmond, I take people to Hollywood Cemetery for its winding hilltop paths, old trees, and one of the best river views in Richmond. I also love the Pump House ruins near the James, especially in late afternoon light when the stonework looks almost theatrical. These aren’t the flashiest attractions in Richmond, but they stay with people. Locals know Chimborazo Park is another good pick if you want space, history, and fewer crowds than the usual stops. If you’re deciding what to see in Richmond, I’d choose places like these over standard tours in Richmond because they reveal the city’s mood.
If I plan to visit Richmond around an event, I aim for the Richmond Folk Festival in October. It brings the riverfront to life with multiple stages, food vendors, and a crowd that feels local rather than overly polished. I also like the Easter on Parade stretch along Monument Avenue in spring, which shows off Richmond’s playful side with elaborate hats, porch parties, and people-watching. Locals know the Dominion Energy Riverrock festival is another standout if you enjoy the James River scene. In any travel guide Richmond, these are some of the best things to do in Richmond because they tap into what Richmond actually feels like.
When I visit Richmond, I usually mix walking with short drives or rideshares. Richmond is very neighborhood-based, so it’s easy to explore the Fan, Carytown, or Church Hill on foot once you arrive, but the best things to do in Richmond are spread out enough that walking everywhere gets tiring fast. I especially like driving if I’m planning river stops like Belle Isle and then heading to museums or dinner later. If you visit Richmond without a car, stay near downtown or the Fan and group your stops by area. In my travel guide Richmond, that’s the easiest way to see more of Richmond without wasting time.