The Ultimate Richmond Getaway Guide

Nestled in the heart of The Lovers State, Richmond feels like Raleigh’s quirky, well-mannered cousin. Southern ideals meet an edgy, vibrant arts scene, and history hides around every corner—the city even predates the U.S. itself. Eclectic, layered and creatively charged, it’s the kind of place where a day just naturally fills itself—from music festivals and cider tastings to old-world architecture and sinister museums. 

Just around 2 1/2 hours from Raleigh, the Virginia capital serves up all the perks of big-city living without losing its small-town soul—proof positive it’s rich with ops worthy of a weekend escape.

DO

Riverfront Canal Walk 
You obv can’t visit the River City without taking a river walk. Meander along the Haxall Canal and the James River & Kanawha Canal to trace four centuries (!) of Richmond’s trials and triumphs—from wars to reconstruction—via architecture, monuments and streets made for walking! virginia.org

The National
Life’s short—buy the tickets. Face the 804 music scene head-on at RVA’s historic theateresque venue boasting curious architecture and a lineup of bands big and small. Past headliners range Sting to Turnstile, with Pavement and Five Seconds of Summer fittingly slated for summer. thenationalva.com

The Poe Museum 
A dose of literature, history and thrills awaits at Richmond’s notorious hallowed hang, commemorating the questionable-yet-esteemed American author and poet whose horror stories have yet to lose their mystique more than 200 years later. poemuseum.org 

EAT

Edo’s Squid 
Don’t let the odd name deter you—climbing the carpeted steps to the brick-lined Italian haven is a Richmond rite of passage. Specials sprawl the walls, tables are packed tight, and the room buzzes with convo plates of lentils, fried squid (naturally) and carbonara. edossquidrva.com

Stanley’s
“The higher the hoagie, the closer to God.” So goes the MO of the handheld hot spot that’s had locals and visitors in a chokehold since its 2023 opening, delivering a melting pot of damn-good hoagies, craft(ish) cocktails, good people and good times. C’mon! stanleysrva.com

L’Opossum
Channeling Lula Fortune’s famous quote “wild at heart and weird on top,” this eclectic-yet-classy eatery serves up a Stanbury-ish vibe—but French. The constantly rotating menu pairs seriously delicious dishes with extremely unserious names (read: Vegan Orgy on Texas Beach crispy papadoms and The Swank Bank lobster mac and cheese)—all the better with a shared bottle. lopossum.com

DRINK

Ironclad Coffee Roasters
In the end, it’s all about what’s in the cup. While the rustic interior is undeniably Insta-worthy, this Shockoe Bottom staple is guided by a great cuppa—without any of the “fimble-famble.” Once you’ve secured a bev and a sweet treat, grab a seat on the antique shoeshine bench or seek out the sunny patio. ironcladcoffee.com

Buskey Cider Tasting Room
Born out of a Hampden-Sydney dorm room, Buskey now cans, bottles and pours crisp ciders galore in an airy, upbeat Scott’s Addition taproom and cidery. Made with 100% fresh-pressed Virginian apples—no added sugar, no dilution—an apple (cider) a day may just be exactly what the doctor ordered. buskeycider.com

Celladora
If dinner parties are in, then this chic wineshop and bar built to feel like your best friend’s dining room is the moment. Named a best new restaurant by Wine Enthusiast in 2023, the intimate space seats just four parties (reservations are recommended!) and flawlessly pairs natural and beginner-friendly vino with small snacks. Happy sipping, indeed. celladorawines.com

STAY

The Jefferson Hotel
Built in 1895, this “eternally relevant” castle-like stay has been playing hostess for over a century in the heart of downtown. Old-world elegance beckons you through the renowned marble-columned lobby, while plush feather beds, handcrafted bedding and luxe linens set the tone for serious shut-eye in the penthousesque rooms upstairs. Just don’t sleep on the hotel’s standout fine-dining options. jeffersonhotel.com

The Boulevard Inn
With a European-style buffet, all-day coffee, daily happy hour and claw-foot tubs, The Boulevard checks all the boxes. Housed in a Colonial revival-style townhouse, the Fan District B&B blends modern comforts with historic grace—think French doors, airy terraces and bright stained-glass windows—all just steps from the city’s soul. boulevardinn.com 

The Berkeley Hotel
Southern charm is the name of the game at this historic landmark turned boutique hotel. Take a load off in a luxe suite (opt for the terrace room for sweeping skyline views), or lace up to take full advantage of the Shockoe Slip’s famed cobblestone streets, industrial architecture and easy river access. Hey, when in RVA… berkeleyhotel.com