Guidebook for Richmond
Parks & Nature
Walk down the Pipeline to the coolest urban swimming holes you'll find.
Take a couple beers (cans) and wear your bathing suit! The river used to be really dirty in the 90s but this area is now a vibrant habitat for a lot of birds, including Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles, and Osprey!
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pipeline Overlook
Walk down the Pipeline to the coolest urban swimming holes you'll find.
Take a couple beers (cans) and wear your bathing suit! The river used to be really dirty in the 90s but this area is now a vibrant habitat for a lot of birds, including Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagles, and Osprey!
Great view of the city. If it's during business hours, you can go across the street to Richmond Hill and see their gardens. I usually stretch in this park after morning runs.
2101 E Grace St
2101 East Grace StreetGreat view of the city. If it's during business hours, you can go across the street to Richmond Hill and see their gardens. I usually stretch in this park after morning runs.
This is where I do most morning's workouts. The park overlooks the city from a slight northern angle, letting you see the skyline backed by the James River to the south. People in the park are wonderfully diverse, from young couples walking their dogs to longtime locales relaxing on the benches to families playing on the jungle gym.
There's a line of workout equipment along lower terrace of the park. Its Danish in origin, the latest in European public exercise equipment, I suppose. ;) The equipment is designed to change resistance based on weight, so people of many strength and body types can get a good workout.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jefferson Park
East Marshall StreetThis is where I do most morning's workouts. The park overlooks the city from a slight northern angle, letting you see the skyline backed by the James River to the south. People in the park are wonderfully diverse, from young couples walking their dogs to longtime locales relaxing on the benches to families playing on the jungle gym.
There's a line of workout equipment along lower terrace of the park. Its Danish in origin, the latest in European public exercise equipment, I suppose. ;) The equipment is designed to change resistance based on weight, so people of many strength and body types can get a good workout.
My favorite run is down 21st street to the canal walk, out to Brown Isle, then onto and around Belle Isle, about 10k. Most popular of Richmond's river islands, Belle Isle is surrounded by rapids that range from little lagoons that feel like jacuzzis to (I believe) the highest class of rapids located within city limits. The island is criss-crossed by paths that lead up and around the wooded heights at it's center.
276 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Belle Isle
1 Belle IsleMy favorite run is down 21st street to the canal walk, out to Brown Isle, then onto and around Belle Isle, about 10k. Most popular of Richmond's river islands, Belle Isle is surrounded by rapids that range from little lagoons that feel like jacuzzis to (I believe) the highest class of rapids located within city limits. The island is criss-crossed by paths that lead up and around the wooded heights at it's center.
If you follow 21st street south to the river, you'll hit the Canal Walk. This is a very pretty path along the old canal system. Turn west and you can follow this past many restaurants, past the Pipeline, Brown Isle, and out to Belle Isle. Turn west, Turn east, and you could bike along the path all the way out to Colonial Williamsburg.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Canal Walk
Canal WalkIf you follow 21st street south to the river, you'll hit the Canal Walk. This is a very pretty path along the old canal system. Turn west and you can follow this past many restaurants, past the Pipeline, Brown Isle, and out to Belle Isle. Turn west, Turn east, and you could bike along the path all the way out to Colonial Williamsburg.
Tennis court, basketball court, and petanque. The playground where I spent most of my days. ;)
Chimborazo Playground
East Grace StreetTennis court, basketball court, and petanque. The playground where I spent most of my days. ;)
Beautiful gardens. On Thursdays, they have a wine and jazz event (look it up to confirm before you head out).
171 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Garden Botanical Garden ye-Lewis Ginter
1800 Lakeside AveBeautiful gardens. On Thursdays, they have a wine and jazz event (look it up to confirm before you head out).
Food Scene
Wifi and great pastries/pies. Go here before 11am for a fabulous egg and cheese on a freshly-made and crunchy biscuit (my favorite breakfast in the area).
74 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
WPA Bakery
3414 Semmes AveWifi and great pastries/pies. Go here before 11am for a fabulous egg and cheese on a freshly-made and crunchy biscuit (my favorite breakfast in the area).
While I was renovating this apartment, I ate here probably 5 times a week. The Texas Trainwreck is the bomb.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alamo BBQ
2202 Jefferson AveWhile I was renovating this apartment, I ate here probably 5 times a week. The Texas Trainwreck is the bomb.
I like sushi! I've spent a lot of time in Tokyo and this place can hold its own.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sumo San Restaurant
1725 E Main StI like sushi! I've spent a lot of time in Tokyo and this place can hold its own.
I've been on a 4th date here. The food was delicious and the vibe was hip.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Metzger Bar and Butchery
801 N 23rd StI've been on a 4th date here. The food was delicious and the vibe was hip.
I've had the RVA dog from here. It was quite good though I'd only eat from here after you've had Alamo for a week's worth of lunches.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Stroops Heroic Dogs
2709 E Marshall StI've had the RVA dog from here. It was quite good though I'd only eat from here after you've had Alamo for a week's worth of lunches.
I had a wonderful 3rd date here. At night, as you look back north towards the city, the lights gleam down on the river.
My family and celebrated my father's last birthday here as well. Before we sat down, we opened the sliding glass doors to feel the air. It was May and so nice that we went out on the balcony while our meals we're being made. The setting sun warmed our necks as we ate but it soon got chilly and we closed the doors before we had sorbet for dessert.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing
4708 E Old Main StI had a wonderful 3rd date here. At night, as you look back north towards the city, the lights gleam down on the river.
My family and celebrated my father's last birthday here as well. Before we sat down, we opened the sliding glass doors to feel the air. It was May and so nice that we went out on the balcony while our meals we're being made. The setting sun warmed our necks as we ate but it soon got chilly and we closed the doors before we had sorbet for dessert.
Drinks & Nightlife
Tons of bars and nightclubs down here! I love dancing to hip hop and the Fish Bowl offers a great night of that. They have a drink called a Fish Bowl - a bunch of liquour and energy drink in, guess what, a fish bowl. Alchohol and caffeine is hard on the heart (and the head the next day) but you'll feel great in that night!
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Shockoe Slip
Tons of bars and nightclubs down here! I love dancing to hip hop and the Fish Bowl offers a great night of that. They have a drink called a Fish Bowl - a bunch of liquour and energy drink in, guess what, a fish bowl. Alchohol and caffeine is hard on the heart (and the head the next day) but you'll feel great in that night!
Local watering hole. Great $4.75 burger special on Tuesdays.
54 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Patrick Henry's Pub & Grille
2300 E Broad StLocal watering hole. Great $4.75 burger special on Tuesdays.
A hip place to get a drink. Also can pick up some groceries and food. I recommend the creamery milk. They'll be an empty glass jug in the apartment that will get you $2 off the price of the milk if you take it there.
97 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Union Market
2306 Jefferson AveA hip place to get a drink. Also can pick up some groceries and food. I recommend the creamery milk. They'll be an empty glass jug in the apartment that will get you $2 off the price of the milk if you take it there.
I love karaoke! The guy that hosts on Wednesdays is a lot of fun. In "Kamikaze Karaoke," someone will buy you a shot if you sing a song of their choosing.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
On The Rox
119 N 18th StI love karaoke! The guy that hosts on Wednesdays is a lot of fun. In "Kamikaze Karaoke," someone will buy you a shot if you sing a song of their choosing.
I had fancy cocktails here with my sister. We had decided to flee the fancy Churchill Christmas Ball for lack of pretty girls to talk to. We found a few here. :)
101 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Roosevelt
623 N 25th StI had fancy cocktails here with my sister. We had decided to flee the fancy Churchill Christmas Ball for lack of pretty girls to talk to. We found a few here. :)
Sightseeing
This view of the James River is what got the city it's name. There's a little plaque there that will explain more. I spent my teenage years on this street.
Libby Terrace
Libby TerraceThis view of the James River is what got the city it's name. There's a little plaque there that will explain more. I spent my teenage years on this street.
This is the site of Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech!
74 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
St. John's Episcopal Church
2401 E Broad StThis is the site of Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech!
Entertainment & Activities
Great concert hall! I've seen tons of different bands here. Not a bad walk.
84 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The National
708 E Broad StGreat concert hall! I've seen tons of different bands here. Not a bad walk.
Getting Around
Beautiful restored train station. My favorite way to arrive in or leave Richmond!
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Main Street Station
1500 E Main StBeautiful restored train station. My favorite way to arrive in or leave Richmond!