From historic homes, museums and grand boulevards to historic churches, cemeteries, neighborhoods and plantations nearby, Richmond has so much to see!
Make sure to see the historic Church Hill Neighborhood. From great restaurants including the Roosevelt, Proper Pie Company, The Dog & Pig Show, Sub Rosa Wood Fired Bakery there are also the Hill Cafe from 1989 and Captain Buzzy’s Beanery.
The highlight of the neighborhood, St. John’s Episcopal Church, is a must see as this was the spot where Patrick Henry made his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775. Tours are available. 2401 E. Broad.
The Museum District and Carytown are next to each other and are must see neighborhoods to explore. Here you will find ethnic restaurants, small shops, coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream stores. Chop Suey Books has a large collection of books about photography, architecture and art at 2913 W. Cary, Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream is great at 2911 W. Cary St., the historic Byrd Theatre is great for movies while Can Can Brasserie is known for good food.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: I was very impressed with this art museum’s Early 20th Century European Art, The McGlothlin Collection of American Art and European Art. The American collection includes works by Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, George Bellows, Edward Hopper and James McNeill Whistler. The European collections have works by Matisse, Renoir, Monet, Manet and Van Gogh. There are lovely pieces of Art Deco and Art Nouveau furniture and home furnishings including spectacular Tiffany stained glass lamps. The museum also has has major holdings of South Asian, Himalayan, and African art. There are two restaurants, the Best Cafe for casual dining and the Amuse Restaurant for fine dining. Make sure to check the website for exhibitions and special events including, tours, lectures and films. 200 N. Boulevard.
Opened since I was in Richmond is the Institute for Contemporary Art on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The building is very impressive. 601 W. Broad St.
Monument Avenue: This is a lovely boulevard, just west of downtown Richmond, with historic homes and a number of monuments honoring the likes of Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee.
Other places that I want to visit on my next trip include the Virginia Historical Society , the Hollywood Cemetery, the American Civil War Museum, the Virginia Capitol, The Museum of Edgar Allen Poe and the Maggie Walker National Historic Site.
On Rt 5 from Richmond to Williamsburg, there are five plantations to explore including Shirley Plantation from 1613, Berkeley Plantation and the Sherwood Forest Plantation which was the home of John Tyler, the 10th President of the US from 1841 to 1845. The buildings date from 1680 to 1850. The house is the longest frame house in the US. Self-guided tours of the grounds are available daily from 9am to 5pm. The house is available for tours by calling 804-829-5377.