The moment you step off the train at Richmond’s Main Street Station (a beautifully restored Beaux Arts landmark), you’re in the heart of a city that feels historic, modern, and distinctly Southern. Richmond’s impressive architecture, cultural offerings, and buzzing food and drink scene give you plenty to learn and experience in Virginia’s capital. This story is part of our July Explore Virginia by Train issue. Check back as we share additional weekend trips in Virginia that are just a train ride away.
What to Do
Get an overview of the city, wheeling by top historic and cultural attractions and admiring the historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects, on an RVA on Wheels trolley tour. You’ll pass iconic spots like St. John’s Church — the site of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech — and the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, which honors the first Black woman to charter a bank in the U.S. It’ll help you decide which places you want to explore further once the tour ends, and if you’re traveling solo, it’s a good way to meet fellow tourists.
The tour begins and ends in the Shockoe Slip area of town, a charming neighborhood with cobblestone streets and independent shops and eateries. It’s a short walk to the Museum District, where the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) and Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) are conveniently connected by a walkway. VMFA is known for its Fabergé collection (the largest public collection outside of Russia), but the expansive museum — one of the largest art museums in the country — has thousands of other pieces worth checking out as well. The current exhibition Frida: Beyond the Myth, running through September, gives an unfiltered look at the life and work of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Now’s the time for American history buffs to visit VMHC. In time for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, two special exhibitions — Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation and Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619–1865 — explore the state’s role in the American Revolution and the lives of free Black Virginians during that period.
Literature lovers will want to visit The Poe Museum. Housed in a collection of early 19th-century buildings, it offers a tribute to author Edgar Allan Poe, who spent much of his youth in Richmond. For vintage shopping, go treasure hunting in Carytown, and make sure to stop by Bygones Vintage Clothing for attire and accessories from the Victorian era through the 1960s.
Where to Stay
For real-world comforts in an Instagrammable setting, check in at Quirk Hotel Richmond in the former J.B. Mosby department store. Bright décor, an onsite art gallery, and a stylish, seasonal rooftop bar add to the appeal. And it’s in the Arts District, so galleries and boutiques are close by. For more traditional Southern charm, The Jefferson Hotel has all the architectural grandeur and ornate interiors you could want. In operation since 1895, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s close to downtown museums and popular for its decadent Champagne Sunday Brunch with live music, endless mimosas, and elaborate food stations featuring prime rib, oysters, and petite crème brûlée.
Where to Dine
Step back in time at Millie’s Diner, a friendly Richmond institution with cozy and authentic retro vibes, for a brunch of “Devil’s Mess” (a massive open-faced omelet with curry-style spices), corned beef hash, or Devil’s shrimp and grits. Or go to Perly’s, a modern Jewish deli, for potato latkes topped with smoked salmon. The Roosevelt is a must for dinner. With a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere, attentive servers, Virginia wines, and new takes on Southern cuisine, you’ll leave determined to return. Highlights include the Snead’s Farm asparagus, fried catfish, and cheerwine cake, but anything you order will be fresh, inventive, and palate-pleasing. Not far is the award-winning Alewife, a popular spot for seafood and craft cocktails in the hip Church Hill neighborhood. Authentic Mexican food in a bright setting can be found at Lolita’s. And if you’re craving sunset river views, The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing has a romantic atmosphere. Richmond is known for its craft beer scene and has more than 30 craft breweries. The Veil Brewing Co. and Triple Crossing Beer are two of the best for hazy IPAs.
Feature image, Kevin Ruck/stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our July Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
