Perhaps once a well-kept secret, Richmond, VA is now getting a lot of buzz from home-buyers and tourists around the country. The city of Richmond is more than just the capitol of Virginia – there are hundreds of years of history that are still very much alive in the architecture of downtown buildings or the cobblestone streets down Monument Avenue. An undeniably historic city, Richmond is way more than meets the eye.
In the last year alone, Richmond has received countless accolades for all it has to offer its residents, such as being one of the country’s Top 10 Hottest Housing Markets and part of the Top 100 Best Places to Live.
Whether you’re a new family looking for great schools, a young professional looking to jumpstart a career, or just looking for a fun place to live – Richmond, VA has everything you may want and tons of things to do year-round.
If you happen to find yourself in Richmond visiting or house hunting – make sure to check these places out!
1. The James River – James River is a big staple of this city. On any given warm day, locals can be found fishing, swimming, or just hanging out taking in the scenery.
2. The Capitol Building – Since 1788, this Thomas Jefferson-designed building has been the inspiration for countless others across the country. Guided and self-tours are offered every day and no matter how times you visit this place – you are always bound to learn something new!
3. The Main Street Train Station – Built in 1901, this historic landmark went under renovation and reopened in 2003. Since then, it has become a huge destination for weddings and receptions as well as an ideal filming location.
4. Monument Avenue – As its name suggests, this street is lined with beautiful statues paying homage to Virginia’s Civil War history and is not aplace to miss!
5. The Festivals – Richmond is the host to nearly 50 festivals annually, which is representative of the city’s diversity. There’s hardly a weekend in Richmond when you can’t find something fun to do outdoors!
6. The Botanical Gardens – Maymont Park and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens attract countless visitors every year and offer a petting zoo, nature trails, historic mansions and countless colorful arrays of flora all on its 100-acres of land.
7. The Neighborhoods – While in Richmond, you have to check out the neighborhoods! Entrenched with history, Richmond’s neighborhoods offer everything from architecture that’s turn of the century to modern green homes. These neighborhoods also boast tons of businesses, galleries, shops, and restaurants.
8. Hollywood Cemetery – Overlooking the previously mentioned James River, Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery is the resting place to countless former presidents and war generals. Opened in 1849, the graveyard gets its name from the holly trees that had originally covered the property.
9. The Landmark Theatre – One of the best known and striking buildings in Richmond, it was built in 1926 and now hosts a number of big-name musical and theatrical performances every year.
10. The Food – It’s impossible to single out any particular restaurant, but Richmond’s food scene is attracting national attention so their restaurants are definitely worth exploring!
