Nestled inthe 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
Photo By Robert Windel
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
Photo By Kate Thompson
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
Our luxe travel guide to historic and charming Richmond
“Virginia is for lovers”… of history, art, the outdoors, and a burgeoning food and bev scene (National Geographic named Richmond one of the top 10 places in the world to travel for food in 2016!). Take a trip to the state’s heart—ahem, capital city—for an experience that weaves contemporary appeal with old-fashioned charm.
Only a 2.5-hour drive from Raleigh (or hop on that new direct flight from RDU!), the River City boasts a host of thriving neighborhoods each with their own allure. From its up-and-coming Scott’s Addition District to the fashionable Shockoe Slip to the indie-chic Carytown, Richmond combines rich history, a sizzling dining scene and soothing outdoor ops for travelers of all types. Here, our resto, recreation and respite recs for your next visit to Virginia’s Cap City.
Edgar Allen Poe Museum
DO
Shopping
Love to shop till ya drop? From goodies for the boho babes in Carytown (bangles/beads, vintage/recycled fashion, bookstores, tea, record shops and more!) to wandering the stores in Downtown Richmond for everything from antiques to designer styles and fun finds from Virginia-based brands, this “retail city” has all your must-purchase picks on heavy rotation. carytownrva.com
Hiking/Nature
Outdoor enthusiasts, rejoice! There’s opps aplenty to enjoy nature in River City. Take a stroll or lay out a picnic in popular parks such as Brambly or Maymont—and channel your inner Bridgerton aesthetic with a promenade through the property’s 1800s mansion (!). Then, get your feet wet by grabbing a paddle and kayaking/paddleboarding along the canal. Or stay dry with boundless hiking ops, including the riverside trail and 52-mile-long Virginia Capital Trail.bramblypark.com;maymont.org;virginiacapitaltrail.org
Museums
A city packed with history, Richmond offers a slew of museums curated to all interests. Roam the halls filled with portraits, landscapes and sculptures inside the Institute for Contemporary Art; venture into The Poe Museum to ponder upon “many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore” from Richmond native (and one of America’s most famous and haunting writers) Edgar Allan Poe; or visit the Black History Museum & Cultural Center for inspirational—and often untold—stories of African Americans throughout history. blackhistorymuseum.org; icavcu.org; poemuseum.org
EAT
Cobra Burger
If you like big buns and you cannot lie, head to the “best restaurant to piss off your pawpaw at because we say frick and listen to music too loud.” Um, sold. This rambunctious and rebellious burger joint offers an array of burgs with sassy names to chuckle at while you chow down. Say cheese… burger! cobraburger.com
Lillie Pearl
This laid-back yet elevated eatery serves up Southern comfort foods like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and cobbler in a classy, modern atmosphere—think brick walls, high ceilings, a wood bar and gorge light fixtures. Find chef Michael Lindsey at the helm in the kitchen creating delish eats that combine American cuisine and global influences with a nod to his grandmothers Lillie Pearl and Hattie—aka nostalgic eating at its finest.lilliepearlrva.com
Fire & Hops Pizza Co.
You’re gonna wanna pizza this. Fill up on ’za, pasta, sandwiches, tacos or sliders at this fiery sup spot; then wash it all down with a brew from the resto’s rotating selection of craft beers. If the weather’s warm, pop a squat on the patio to enjoy your meal alfresco under moody Edison lights.fireandhopsrva.com
DRINK
Cirrus Vodka
Belly up to this award-winning distillery’s tasting room for samples of craft cocktails (feat. Cirrus Vodka, natch), live music and hangs on the patio. The brand’s “delightfully sippable” spirit is triple-distilled and made with high-quality russet potatoes (setting them apart from about 90% of other vodkas created from rye, wheat and corn)—and makes a great base for its build-your-own bloody bar on Sundays. Cheers! cirrusvodka.com
Virago Spirits
That’s the spirit! With a fine-tuned production process and creative cocktails on rotation in the taproom, this distillery offers spectacular spirits—with an opp to go behind the scenes and take a deeper dive into the spirit creation process via tours/personalized tasting experiences. Sounds pretty neat! viragospirits.com
Ironclad Coffee Roasters
Got beans? This coffee roasting concept makes an “ironclad” promise to make customer care its utmost priority—along with serving sensational craft coffee of course. Settle into its plant-filled modern-meets-historical digs in Downtown with a cuppa to while the day away… and be sure to sample a slice of cake from the bakery!ironcladcoffee.com
STAY
The Berkeley Hotel
Sleep like royalty at this European-style stay nestled in the center of the Historic District along the James River, complete with a castlelike architectural design and charming details. Beyond luxurious accommodations, the boutique hotel is steps away from delish restos and outdoor vistas along historic cobblestone streets that’ll make you feel like you’re literally stepping back in time.berkeleyhotel.com
Museum District Bed & Breakfast
If a quaint bed-and-breakfast experience is more your speed, look no further than this stately brick home offering a cozy respite not far from all the action downtown. Start the day with your hot beverage of choice paired with baked bread; jams and honey; fresh berries; and all the egg, cheese and bacon entrees your heart desires before hitting the town. museumdistrictbb.com
Quirk Hotel
“A thoroughly creative stay,” this Broad Street boutique hotel boasts artistic elements and whimsical delights—from fab fare to artistic touches in every space. Housed in what was previously the J.B. Mosby & Co. Dry Goods Store circa 1916, the gorge building is sure to inspire at each turn, even if it’s just motivation to grab a drink at the Q Rooftop Bar (!). quirkhotels.com
