20 things to do in Richmond

Spending a day at Metro Richmond Zoo is one of the most fun things to do in Richmond, especially for families with kids. The zoo is home to 2,000 animals representing 190 species, from tiny turtles to massive rhinos. You can feed giraffes, see one of the largest primate collections in the US, and feel the intensity of a tiger's stare with nothing but a 3-inch glass in between.

When you get tired of walking, take the Safari Sky Lift over the park to enjoy a bird's eye view of the animals, or try the zoo's treetop course with 15 zip lines to experience nature like never before.

Specialization
Animals & Entertainment

Perfect for
Families, animal lovers

As one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the country, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a real treasure for art lovers. It houses almost 50,000 artworks from almost every major world culture, so you can travel around the world by taking a walk through the exhibition halls.

The museum invites you to explore African and South Asian art, admire Art Nouveau and Art Deco collections, marvel at Fabergé eggs and 18th-century English silver, and learn more about Modern and Contemporary American art. Best of all, it is free to visit and open 365 days a year.

Specialization
Art & Design

Perfect for
Art lovers

Spanning over 50 acres of spectacular scenery, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Richmond, offering something for all ages and interests. The Cochrane Rose Garden, providing a romantic setting with the splendor and fragrance of over 1,500 rose bushes, is great for couples. The Children's Garden, with plenty of outdoor activities for little ones, is amazing for a family outing.

You can also explore the iconic Conservatory, housing exotic and unusual plants from around the world, and enjoy the Cherry Tree Walk along the lake admiring spring cherry blossoms.

Specialization:
Nature

Perfect for
Nature lovers, families, couples

Richmond is known as the hometown of one of the most famous American authors in all the history, Edgar Allan Poe. If you are a fan of his gothic tales, the Poe Museum is an absolute must-visit. If not, it is still a great destination because the museum is housed in the oldest residential building still standing in Richmond.

It features all kinds of exhibits from Poe's life, including original manuscripts, letters, furniture from Poe's childhood home, and even the writer's socks. There is also a peaceful courtyard with a shrine to Poe that has been visited by celebrities like Howard Lovecraft.

Specialization
History & Literature

Perfect for
Book lovers, history buffs

Visiting the 100-acre Maymont Estate is always among the top things to do in Richmond, and you can easily spend the whole day exploring the park and all its attractions. You can explore the 33-room mansion and a vast carriage collection to immerse yourself in the life of very wealthy Virginians in the late 19th and early 20th century.

There are also beautiful Japanese gardens, miles of walking trails, picturesque spots for picnicking near the river, wildlife habitats, and even a farm, where children and animal lovers can experience hands-on animal encounters and get an insight into farm life.

Specialization
Nature & Architecture

Perfect for
Families, couples, nature lovers

The American Civil War Museum is the ideal place for history buffs who want to step back to a vital part of the country's history. It occupies three different locations and features over 120,000 artifacts helping visitors discover the in-depth story of the Civil War.

One of the museum's buildings is situated on the site of the Tredegar Iron Works, where more than half of the cannons used by the Confederate army were cast. You can also take a tour of the White House of the Confederacy, which was the home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and make a trip to the museum branch in Appomattox.

Specialization
History

Perfect for
History buffs

Whether you are religious or not, a visit to St. John's Church is one of the most exciting things to do in Richmond. As the city's oldest church, it is absolutely steeped in history. It is best known as the site where Patrick Henry, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, gave his legendary 'Liberty, or Death' speech in 1775.

You can also explore the church's historic graveyard, the city's first public cemetery. It is the final resting place of some of Richmond's famous residents, including Founding Father George Wythe and Edgar Poe's mother, actress Elizabeth Arnold Poe.

Specialization
History & Architecture

Perfect for
History buffs

The Virginia Museum of History and Culture, founded in 1831, is home to the largest collection of Virginian artifacts covering the whole history of the state from many points of view. The main exhibit, 'The Story of Virginia,' will lead you through hundreds and even thousands of years from the time when Native American tribes inhabited the area to the present day.

You will learn about the earliest travelers to the region and the invasion of the colonists, delve into the history of weapons, look at old maps, and explore Virginia's terrain through paintings.

Specialization
History & Culture

Perfect for
History buffs

Cemeteries may not seem like fun places to explore, but Hollywood Cemetery, opened in 1847, is worth a visit because of its extremely great historical significance. It is the place where many famous Americans were laid to rest. You can find graves of military leaders, as well as the fifth and tenth US Presidents.

The cemetery features a 27-meter-high pyramid memorial to the Confederate dead and plenty of interesting details, such as an iron dog that guards the tomb of a little girl. Moreover, its peaceful hilly landscape provides amazing views of the James River and the city of Richmond.

Specialization
History & Heritage

Perfect for
History buffs

A visit to the Science Museum of Virginia is the ideal answer to the question of what to do in Richmond with kids. As one of the best science museums in the country, it boasts a wealth of interactive and hands-on exhibits and makes learning come alive. You can feel hurricane-force winds, challenge a quick-thinking robot, compose a catchy beat with animatronic instruments, and have many other unique experiences.

The museum also houses a technological theater with the largest film screen in Virginia. You can sit back and explore the cosmos, plunge into the ocean, or travel deep into the Amazon rainforest.

Specialization
Science & Technology

Perfect for
Families, science geeks

If you want to escape from the city's hustle and bustle, look for fun outdoor activities, or simply need some fresh air after museum hopping, get to the Belle Isle Historical Park. Situated in the middle of the James River in downtown Richmond, this small 54-acre island offers plenty of cool things to do.

Bell Isle features some of the city's best hiking trails, a granite wall for rock climbing, a mountain bike route, and more. If you are not in the mood for active leisure, you can take a siesta on the comfortable rocks and enjoy the views of the Richmond skyline.

Specialization
Recreation

Perfect for
Hikers, nature lovers

The moving and impressive Holocaust museum, founded by one of Richmond's Holocaust survivors, is the best place in Virginia to delve into the history of the European Jewry destruction and get inspired to fight prejudice and indifference.

The museum tells about the Holocaust through personal stories of those who survived and began a new life in the Richmond area and features testimonies of victims of the other genocides. You can also see a full recreation of Room 600 at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, used during the International Military Tribunals, and experience the gravity of the trails.

Specialization
History

Perfect for
History buffs

The city's iconic Canal Walk, stretching 1.25 miles along the banks of James River, Haxall Canal, and Kanawha Canal, is perfect for taking a pleasant stroll and learning about Richmond's history at the same time. The paved trail travels through downtown Richmond and about 400 years of the city's history.

As you walk, you will pass a variety of statues and historical markers, the American Civil War Center, and Brown's Island, the city's green oasis. Instead of taking a stroll, you can get out on the water and explore the Canal Walk with a Riverfront Canal Cruise.

Specialization
Sightseeing

Perfect for
Everyone

The 18th-century Virginia State Capitol building, situated atop the hill, is one of the best things to see in Richmond. Not only is it a wonder of neoclassical architecture, but it is also home to North America's oldest elected legislative body, the Virginia General Assembly.

One of the people behind the building's monumental design is Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, and it is only one of many exciting facts about the Virginia State Capitol. Equip yourself with your private in-app audio tour to learn more about this iconic building and the city's great past and explore other must-see landmarks.

Specialization
History & Architecture

Perfect for
History buffs, architecture enthusiasts

The Agecroft Hall is undoubtedly one of the most unusual attractions in Richmond. This eye-catching Tudor-style manor house was built in England in the late 15th century and moved across the ocean to Virginia in the 1920s. As you step into the mansion, you will travel back in time and immerse yourself in English history.

You can admire great architecture, furnishings, and artworks, as well as beautiful English-style ornamental gardens surrounding the building. In summer, you can also enjoy watching re-enactments of Shakespearean plays right on the mansion's front lawn.

Specialization
History & Architecture

Perfect for
History buffs, architecture enthusiasts, Shakespeare fans

Maggie Lena Walker was renowned as a civil rights activist, newspaper editor, progressive entrepreneur, and the first African American woman to charter and preside over a bank. Today, you can tour the home where Maggie L. Walker lived, see a statue of her on the Walker Memorial Plaza, and soak up the atmosphere of the city's historically black Jackson Ward neighborhood.

Get there to explore the two-story Victorian Gothic brick row house, filled with furnishing dating to the 1920s and 1930s and the original belongings of one of the most famous American businesswomen of her time.

Specialization
History & Heritage

Perfect for
History buffs

The Richmond area boasts a thriving brewery scene with numerous sorts of beer and ale to try. It is home to over 30 craft breweries, but if you have to choose one, check out Hardywoor Park Craft Brewery, which is considered one of the best in the country.

Situated in a 12,000-foot warehouse, this brewery offers much more than just drinking beer. It features a stylish outdoor beer garden, houses a kitchen turning out handcrafted eats, and provides an eclectic mix of live music and community events that are free to the public. You can also have a guided tour of the brewery to delve into the beer-making process.

Specialization
Drinks & Entertainment

Perfect for
Groups of friends, couples

The Valentine Museum is a treasure for all history buffs and curious tourists who want to dive deeper into the rich and diverse past of the city they visit. Situated in the heart of the historic downtown, the museum portrays 400 years of Richmond's life through costumes, toys, weapons, musical instruments, industrial artifacts, furniture, paintings, drawings, and the work of 19th-century American sculptor Edward Virginius Valentine.

The museum is worth visiting anytime, but if you go there in the evening, after sunset, you can enjoy exploring the museum's collection of fun neon signs.

Specialization
Local History

Perfect for
History buffs

Short Pump Town Center is a great place to visit whether you are a shopaholic or just looking for fun stuff to do. This shopping and entertainment complex is unlike any other in Virginia. To begin with, it is an open-air mall where you can enjoy strolling along beautifully landscaped walkways, surrounded by tranquil water features, lit with hanging lanterns in the evenings, and packed with outdoor fireplaces during the winter months.

The mall boasts over 140 various shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, so it is easy to spend the whole day exploring unique boutiques and having fun.

Specialization
Shopping & Entertainment

Perfect for
Shopaholics, fashion addicts, families

If you are tired of walking or do not have much time to explore all the city's landmarks, one of the best ways to discover Richmond's wonders is by going on a trolley tour. The capital of Virginia was among the world's first cities to include trolleys in its public transportation system in the 19th century. Today, Richmond still shows pride in its trolley history, and you can enjoy a ride sitting in one of the beautiful old-fashioned 1920s-style trolleys.

You can choose from various tours depending on your desirable things to see, be it historical sites, breweries, or the best examples of street art.

Specialization
Sightseeing

Perfect for
Everyone