Guidebook for Richmond
Food Scene
Restaurant & bar with great, versatile lunch and menu. Excellent locals vibe with a touch of romantic ambiance.
67 locals recommend
The Hill Cafe
2800 E Broad StRestaurant & bar with great, versatile lunch and menu. Excellent locals vibe with a touch of romantic ambiance.
$5 handheld "pot-pies" essentially. Savory or sweet - you gotta try these flaky treats.
94 locals recommend
Proper Pie Co.
2505 E Broad St$5 handheld "pot-pies" essentially. Savory or sweet - you gotta try these flaky treats.
Cute little family pizza place with a basic italian menu. Skip the wait and call ahead to pick up your order!
15 locals recommend
Mike and Maddy's
2824 E Broad StCute little family pizza place with a basic italian menu. Skip the wait and call ahead to pick up your order!
Seriously the most amazing brunch place in RVA. This place gets tons of attention because of it's 30 year track record of dishing up creative, large plates and killer drink specials. Great ambiance for a romantic dinner and a must see any other time of day.
80 locals recommend
Millie's Diner
2603 E Main StSeriously the most amazing brunch place in RVA. This place gets tons of attention because of it's 30 year track record of dishing up creative, large plates and killer drink specials. Great ambiance for a romantic dinner and a must see any other time of day.
Huge vaulted ceilings with local offerings like sandwiches, ice cream, coffee, tea, and craft beer/wine. Great for people watching or enjoying nice weather (they open the 15' window/doors to the street)
18 locals recommend
The Urban Farmhouse Market & Café (Shockoe Slip)
1217 E Cary StHuge vaulted ceilings with local offerings like sandwiches, ice cream, coffee, tea, and craft beer/wine. Great for people watching or enjoying nice weather (they open the 15' window/doors to the street)
Drinks & Nightlife
Great restaurant that features a separate, underground bar with colonial flair and killer drink specials.
54 locals recommend
Patrick Henry's Pub & Grille
2300 E Broad StGreat restaurant that features a separate, underground bar with colonial flair and killer drink specials.
Part bar/restaurant, part upscale late-night club! Minor dress code for this historic underground spot if you're dancing. Grab lunch or dinner for some of that jazzy Shockoe flair. Cobblestone roads will take you a block to other great bookstores, cafes, and sights.
32 locals recommend
Tobacco Co Club
1201 E Cary StPart bar/restaurant, part upscale late-night club! Minor dress code for this historic underground spot if you're dancing. Grab lunch or dinner for some of that jazzy Shockoe flair. Cobblestone roads will take you a block to other great bookstores, cafes, and sights.
THE ROOFTOP BAR to see in RVA. Recently opened, you'll get the highest vantage point out of all three rooftop spots in RVA. Features string-light ambiance, open-air posh, and a pricier drink menu. Usually opens around 5pm. Check their Facebook page for their weekly sunset rooftop yoga events (usually free!)
62 locals recommend
Quirk Hotel
201 W Broad StTHE ROOFTOP BAR to see in RVA. Recently opened, you'll get the highest vantage point out of all three rooftop spots in RVA. Features string-light ambiance, open-air posh, and a pricier drink menu. Usually opens around 5pm. Check their Facebook page for their weekly sunset rooftop yoga events (usually free!)
Parks & Nature
Don't miss the historic fountain and the river overlook! Most Instagram'd place in RVA (especially at sunset). Just walk right up and catch a view of downtown, or bust those buns on the 7 flights of stairs leading down toward Shockoe Bottom.
115 locals recommend
Libby Hill Park
2801 E Franklin StDon't miss the historic fountain and the river overlook! Most Instagram'd place in RVA (especially at sunset). Just walk right up and catch a view of downtown, or bust those buns on the 7 flights of stairs leading down toward Shockoe Bottom.
One of the larger Church Hill parks, this grassy area features lots of space to fly a kite, hang out with dogs, or simply walk around old-growth trees.
54 locals recommend
Chimborazo Park
3215 E Broad StOne of the larger Church Hill parks, this grassy area features lots of space to fly a kite, hang out with dogs, or simply walk around old-growth trees.
This is the start of the Virginia Capital Trail - a 60+ mile greenway just for bikers and hikers that stretches all the way to Williamsburg. Recently completed in 2016, you'll love this paved road that traverses gorgeous farmland, forests, and small bridges out east. No bike? Check out this spot for a view of the Canal. Walk, jog, or bike up "Canal walk" west for a refreshing jaunt under iconic iron railroad trussels, passing through shockoe bottom, and landing you near Brown's Island. See Canal Walk tours if you'd like the boat tour! Too cute
16 locals recommend
Great Shiplock Park
2803 Dock StThis is the start of the Virginia Capital Trail - a 60+ mile greenway just for bikers and hikers that stretches all the way to Williamsburg. Recently completed in 2016, you'll love this paved road that traverses gorgeous farmland, forests, and small bridges out east. No bike? Check out this spot for a view of the Canal. Walk, jog, or bike up "Canal walk" west for a refreshing jaunt under iconic iron railroad trussels, passing through shockoe bottom, and landing you near Brown's Island. See Canal Walk tours if you'd like the boat tour! Too cute
STUNNING forested island with river access for leisurely swimming/hiking. Check on here for Belle Isle Parking and make your way toward the suspension bridge from the parking lot. It's for pedestrians only and will take you OVER the river to the actual island. Bring your camera!!!
276 locals recommend
Belle Isle
1 Belle IsleSTUNNING forested island with river access for leisurely swimming/hiking. Check on here for Belle Isle Parking and make your way toward the suspension bridge from the parking lot. It's for pedestrians only and will take you OVER the river to the actual island. Bring your camera!!!
Byrd Park
600 Lakeview AveLarge walkable lake with looping trails and picnic vibes.
Arts & Culture
Drive down Monument Ave between Thompson St all the way down to Harrison St to see some important statues perched at multiple roundabouts along the way. Monument ave is also known for its gigantic, historic homes that will make you say oh dang!
39 locals recommend
Museum District
2811 Grove AveDrive down Monument Ave between Thompson St all the way down to Harrison St to see some important statues perched at multiple roundabouts along the way. Monument ave is also known for its gigantic, historic homes that will make you say oh dang!
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N Arthur Ashe BlvdGreat live music, comedy, burlesque, and fire shows in a renovated firehouse complete with pole! Great stop for First Friday's Art walk.
23 locals recommend
Gallery5
200 W Marshall StGreat live music, comedy, burlesque, and fire shows in a renovated firehouse complete with pole! Great stop for First Friday's Art walk.
Shopping
Walk Cary street between Thompson and Boulevard for a non-stop shopping spree featuring local artisans, eclectic dining, live music, and interesting curio shops.
307 locals recommend
Carytown
Walk Cary street between Thompson and Boulevard for a non-stop shopping spree featuring local artisans, eclectic dining, live music, and interesting curio shops.
Essentials
This little market is a bit limited in its selection, but everything is very cheap. Would not recommend walking there at night as people tend to hang around it then. Otherwise, totally fine. They have wine also!
Clay Street Market
501 N 30th StThis little market is a bit limited in its selection, but everything is very cheap. Would not recommend walking there at night as people tend to hang around it then. Otherwise, totally fine. They have wine also!
Large, reasonably priced chain with a Redbox, starbucks, gas station (next door), and a subway.
49 locals recommend
Farm Fresh
2320 E Main StLarge, reasonably priced chain with a Redbox, starbucks, gas station (next door), and a subway.
Entertainment & Activities
This historic theater is an incredible gem. For $2 you can catch one of two movies (usually updated weekly) and enjoy the dramatic red and gold velvet, opera house stylings of its interior. Google it beforehand to see what I'm saying - not to be missed.
156 locals recommend
Byrd Theater
2908 W Cary StThis historic theater is an incredible gem. For $2 you can catch one of two movies (usually updated weekly) and enjoy the dramatic red and gold velvet, opera house stylings of its interior. Google it beforehand to see what I'm saying - not to be missed.