Visiting Virginia’s capital city for a long weekend will have you doing two things…planning a return trip while still there and wishing you had a few extra days to explore. The vibrant city of Richmond is full of history, art, trendy cafes, breweries, nightlife, and great food, so really, what more can you ask for? We just got back from spending 3 days in Virginia’s River City, and below, we’re sharing some of what we think made this trip the perfect last-minute fall getaway.
How Should I Get To & Around Richmond, Virginia?
If you’re coming in from Washington, DC (like we were), you have a few options. You can make the 2-hour drive down 95, hop on the Amtrak Northeast Regional train, or take a bus. We opted to drive from Washington, D.C., and we must say, having a car isn’t a bad idea, given the size of RVA. We also utilized Uber and Lyft quite a bit (for the brewery hopping, of course), and the city bus (click for the GRTC’s BRT Pulse Route) is free, so coming without a car is doable if you’re up for relying on ride share and public transit once in the city.
Where Should I Stay in Virginia’s Capital City?
We recently stayed in a beautiful one-bedroom loft named “The Anich” in RVA’s Shockoe Bottom neighborhood and had the best experience. The two-floor apartment is super spacious, brimming with natural light, and features a fully equipped kitchen, modern furnishings, and a king-size bed. It’s perfect for couples, but can sleep four if the pull-out couch is utilized. And it comes with free parking. You can check nightly rates and availability here.
We also had a great experience at the Hilton Richmond Downtown in the past. Located at the intersection of 5th and Broad, this hotel is a great home base if you’re looking to be in RVA’s city center. The property boasts a fitness center, indoor pool + hot tub, and a 24-hour business center as well as two restaurants, a cocktail lounge, and a coffee bar. Private parking is available for a fee, and pets are also welcome. We have also previously stayed at The Berkeley Hotel right in downtown, just steps from the Capitol. We loved the proximity to the plethora of bars, restaurants, and shops that call the area home.
How Should I Spend Three Days in RVA?
Richmond, Virginia is well known for both its access to urban nature and outdoor adventures as well as its eclectic art scene, so we focused this long weekend itinerary around the two, and of course, sprinkled in some breweries and foodie hot spots.
Day 1: Discover Richmond’s Art, Drinking, & Dining Scenes
-Spend a few hours visiting the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (VMFA). This museum shows no discrimination towards any particular style of art and is sure to scratch every art enthusiast’s particular itch. 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; we’ll wait. Even with 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!
When happy hour rolls around, swing by Stone Brewing Tap Room and grab some local craft beers before dinner. Situated under a stretch of Richmond’s many railroad tracks, this brewery is home to plentiful green space, and leashed dogs are welcome on their patio. Brewery Tours are currently offered at 3pm and 5pm Friday-Sunday and will cost you $15 for tour, samples & souvenir glass or $5 for a tour only. They also often host game nights, trivia, live music, and food trucks.
-Make a dinner reservation for The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing. This eatery is perched on the James River and boasts sunset views that are the perfect accompaniment to 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 not only great coffee but also phenomenal food; We recommend the Funny Honey (brie, apple, and honey) panini or the SPICY sausage, egg & cheddar breakfast sandwich. This coffee/breakfast joint has also cemented itself in the Instagram hall of fame because Colette Miller painted one of her “Global Angel Wings Project” artworks in the cafe’s courtyard.
-Once you’re properly fueled and caffeinated, set out to explore part of James River Park’s Belle Isle. To get there, take a walk across the pedestrian suspension bridge situated directly under the Lee Bridge. You will find multiple trails winding through the woods along the river for your walking and biking pleasure. You’ll also find yourself among the remnants of an old hydroelectric plant that was damaged by a flood in 1972 and never rebuilt. These urban ruins were one of our favorite parts of the park, and it was cool to learn more about them from the interpretive signs along the trails.
There are also opportunities for mountain biking and a large granite wall for rock climbing on the island. If you’re looking for more of a passive outdoor experience, you’ll find a stretch of large flat rocks along the river where you can sunbathe, pack a little picnic, and watch rafters brave the infamous Hollywood Rapids.
On the other hand, if you want to turn up the adventure, you can join a whitewater rafting trip and conquer some Class III and IV rapids yourself. We took a 7.5-mile guided rafting trip down the James River with RVA Paddlesports and had the best time. We spent about four hours on the water and rafted the entire Falls of the James River from Pony Pasture to 14th Street. On the first leg of the trip, we hit some Class I and II rapids on the Upper James before stopping about halfway through on a little island for hot chocolate and cookies. After lunch, we continued on to the more intense rapids on the Lower James. It was a bit too cold to get into the water when we were there, but swimming (and even some rope swinging!!!) can be included in the warmer months. Richmond offers the only urban Class IV rapids in the United States, so this experience is truly a unique one!
After exploring the James River from land or water, we recommend watching the sunset over Richmond from Libby Hill Park. This park is one of three original parks in the Richmond park system, and it’s said that the view from here so closely resembles that 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 bites and beverages. This bustling and beautifully designed restaurant offers a wide range of food from tapas to sandwiches to full entrees and is located in the heart of Jackson Ward within Richmond’s Art District.
And if you’re up for a little post-dinner brewery hopping, we recommend heading to Scott’s Addition. You can easily get between the two neighborhoods (and Libby Hill Park) on the free city bus that runs along Broad Street. Some of our favorites included Brainstorm Brewhouse, which resides in the back of Black Heath Meadery (meaning you can double dip at this one and sip on beer and mead), Strangeways Brewing (which has locations in Fredericksburg and Williamsburg as well), and Bingo Beer Company (where we had a blast playing skee-ball, air hockey, and hotshot)!
Day 3: More of Richmond’s Murals & Lewis Ginter Botanic Garden
– Grab Breakfast at Whisk. This little bakery does big business in Shockoe Bottom, and for good reason: everything we tried was exceptional! Just look at the size of that macaron! And if you’re staying at The Anich, it’s literally steps from your front door
-After breakfast, make your way over to RVA’s art district for some awesome street art. Many of Richmond’s buildings are covered in art, but this area is particularly dense with murals, and worth a morning stroll with your coffee in hand. A complete map of over 100 of RVA’s murals can be found here.
-Afterwards, get ready to spend the day soaking in the region’s botanical beauty. If you’re visiting in spring, summer, or even fall, walk the grounds of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This space is beautifully curated, well-maintained, and sure not to disappoint. It’s particularly beautiful when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and you can walk through pink flower tunnels and get lost beneath a sea of blush.
After a long weekend in Richmond, you’ll find that it’s the kind of city where amazing food (and beer), colorful neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and unique outdoor experiences all blend seamlessly in a way that makes a quick getaway feel like a pretty epic adventure. From slow mornings with coffee to spontaneous mural stops and riverside walks, Richmond reminded us that you don’t have to travel far or take a ton of PTO to feel like you really escaped.
If you’re planning a trip of your own, leave some space to just wander—you might be surprised by how many hidden gems you’ll stumble upon along the way, and if you’ve been before, please let us know what we need to add to our next RVA itinerary in the comments.
