Visiting Virginia’s capital city for a long weekend will either have you planning a return trip while still there or wishing you had a few extra days to explore. This little city is full of history, art, trendy cafes, and great food. What more could you ask for on your mini getaway? We spent three full days in Richmond and had the best time celebrating Aleah’s birthday, and we’re sharing all the details of our trip are below.
Getting There: We drove from Washington, D.C., and we must say, having a car isn’t a bad idea, but we also took Uber and Lyft quite frequently (for the drinking activities of course) so either option is pretty safe.
Day 1: Discover Richmond’s Art, Drinking, & Dining Scenes
-When you first get into town, grab Breakfast at Whisk. This little bakery does big business in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood and for good reason, everything we tried was exceptional!
-Spend a few hours visiting the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (VMFA). This museum shows no discrimination towards any particular style of art. With both indoor and outdoor galleries, you can spend all day walking the galleries gazing at thought-provoking pieces.
-After browsing the masterpieces, wet your whistle at Blue Bee Cider. We were lucky enough to visit on a day when the cidery was hosting a puppy adoption event. Cider and man’s best friend – name a better combo; I’ll wait. Even with both indoor and outdoor seating, this place fills up on the weekends when the weather is nice, so be ready to snag a seat as soon as one opens up!
-Now that happy hour has rolled around, swing by Stone Brewing Tap Room and grab some beers. This awesome brewery is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth the trip. Situated under some railroad tracks and equipped with plentiful outdoor space, Stone Brewing hosts live music and food trucks and is overall the epitome of craft brewing.
-Make a dinner reservation for The Boathouse at Rockkets Landing. This eatery is perched on the James River and hosts views of sunset that are perfect to accompany any meal. Be sure to knock back an oyster shooter…. provided you like oysters.
Day 2: Exploring Richmond’s Neighborhoods & Parks
-Rise and shine and head to Lift Coffee Shop for some breakfast and a cup of Joe. This place has great food; We recommend the Funny Honey (brie, apple, and honey) panini or the SPICY sausage, egg & cheddar breakfast sandwich. This coffee/breakfast joint has become an Instagram favorite due to the fact that Colette Miller painted one of her “Global Angel Wings Project” artworks in the cafe’s courtyard.
-Explore part of James River Park by visiting Belle Isle. To get there, take a walk across the pedestrian suspension bridge situated directly under the Lee Bridge. Once on the island, you will find multiple trails winding through the woods along the river for your walking and biking pleasure.
-Watch the sun set over Richmond from Libby Hill Park. This park is one of three of the original parks in the Richmond park systems and it’s said that the view from here so closely resembles the view of Richmond on the River Thames in England that it gave the city its name.
-Now that the sun has retreated for the day, get yourself to Bar Solita for pizza and cocktails. This bustling restaurant offers a wide range of food from tapas to sandwiches to full entrees and is located in the heart of Richmond’s art district.
Day 3: More Murals & Lewis Ginter Botanic Garden
-Wake up and walk the art district for some awesome street art. Richmond’s buildings are covered in art, but this area is particularly dense with murals, and worth a morning stroll with your coffee (or ice cream) in hand. A complete map of over 100 of RVA’s murals can be found here.
-Afterwards, get ready to spend the day in botanic beauty. If you’re visiting in spring, summer, or even fall, walk the grounds of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This space is beautifully curated and well maintained, sure not to disappoint.
