Whether you are stopping in Richmond for a few days or a few weeks, the state capital of Virginia is sure to make a lasting impression on you. From dining on the James River through to learning about American history at Richmond's museums, you won't be short of ways to occupy your time, no matter your interests.
Resting Your Head in Richmond
There is no shortage of places to rest your head in Richmond, no matter what your budget or accommodation preferences. The Super 8 Richmond and the Roof Red Inn offer incredible deals for budget travelers, while the independent One Bed and Breakfast and The William Catlin House offer a home-away-from-home kind of stay. Downtown and the Museum district are the two most popular neighborhoods for Richmond accommodations.
Getting to Richmond and Getting Around
Richmond is just as well-connected as you would expect a state capital to be. If you are going to be arriving from far out-of-town, there are plenty of flights to get you to Richmond. Airtran and JetBlue, for example, service the Richmond International Airport. Richmond also has an Amtrak Station, and a Greyhound bus station which is just 1 mile north of the Museum district. To get around the city, public buses cost a mere $1.50 a ride.
Exploring American History in Richmond
Dating right back to 1607, Richmond is a city that has a great deal of history, and you can tell how proud the city's people are of this illustrious history from the number of incredible historical museums that are dotted around Richmond. If you are a true American history buff, the Museum of the Confederacy needs to be at the top of your must-visit list. Open since 1896, this museum's mission is to educate the masses about the history of the Confederate States of America and it does so with a collection of 130,000 impressive artifacts.
A City Full of Riverside Adventures
Richmond might be a city, but the James River that runs right through the Downtown area also provides many opportunities for adventures in the great outdoors. This water is clean and safe enough to swim in, and if you are traveling with kids in the summer months, it is a great idea to take them to a shallow part of the river and jump from rock to rock. At the adjoining James River Park it is possible to go mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, or the park can simply provide a peaceful place to enjoy a family picnic.
A Diverse Restaurant Scene
A day of activity by the James River will certainly make you hungry, so it's lucky for you that Richmond has an incredibly diverse dining culture. If you see a line outside Mama J's traditional southern restaurant, be sure to join that line because the peach cobbler is worth the wait. Another superb choice for a family lunch is the Deep Run Roadhouse, whose barbecue meals are talked about all over the city. You can look up local reviews for the restaurants as well to get a good idea of where to go and what to expect.
Whether it's gastronomy, history, or an outdoors adventure you are after (perhaps all three!), Richmond is a city that can provide all of this, making it an ideal short getaway destination.
Author Bio: David is an experienced traveller and travel writer, taking on the world one country at a time on his niche travel blog, ThatGayBackpacker.com. He hails from London, England, but is currently spending his days writing on his rooftop in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Hi, Thanks for providing all this information here. I have a question about HK/Macau visit. I am travelling from India to Philippines via HongKong (Indian Passport). I have a layover between flights of about 22 hours. I land in HK in morning about 9am. My question is can I take the ferry from HKIA and visit macau in the day time and come back in the night? Do I need to show a hotel booking in Macau for this ( even when I am coming back from there on same evening, back to HKIA directly ). Will have about 3000 HKD with me but no credit card. Appreciate any reply. Thank you.
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