How to Spend THREE DAYS in Richmond, Virginia: The Best 3-Day Itinerary

Heading to Richmond for a few days? We’ve got the perfect three-day itinerary for you!

Three days in Richmond is the perfect amount of time to dive into the city’s history, eat a LOT of good food, and explore the beautiful James River. We’ve put together the ideal itinerary, complete with everything you need to know about timing and getting around, so you can spend less time planning and more time enjoying the city!

There’s a lot to pack into three days, but trust us, it’s worth it! So bring your comfortable shoes and a big appetite, because we’re sharing exactly how we’d spend three days in Richmond, Virginia.

Itinerary Overview

This itinerary works best from Friday to Sunday, mainly because a couple of the tours only run on weekends. If your dates fall differently, don’t worry! We’ve included alternatives so you can still follow along and make the most of your three days in Richmond.

🛺 Day 1: Tuk-Tuk Tour, History & Ghosts
Get your bearings on a private tuk-tuk tour, explore downtown Richmond’s history, then finish the day with a ghost tour through Shockoe Bottom.

🌊 Day 2: James River, Food & Poe Museum
Spend the morning along the James River, then eat your way around Church Hill on a weekend food tour and check out the Poe Museum.

🌸 Day 3: Maymont, Carytown & Art
Explore the gardens and mansion at Maymont, have lunch in Carytown, then spend the afternoon at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Day 1

Breakfast – Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe

Start your first day in Richmond with breakfast at Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe, a cute independent spot in Richmond’s Arts District. We love finding spots like this when we travel! 

They serve locally roasted coffee and all the usual breakfast favorites, but the spicy sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich with jalapeño mayo definitely stands out! They also have bagels, pastries, avocado toast, and smoothies if you want something lighter.

Lift opens at 7 am, and there’s extra seating out on the rear patio when the weather is nice. Aim to leave around 9:30 am for the morning tour meeting point. It’s only about a 10- to 15-minute walk away, or just five minutes by rideshare.

Morning – See Richmond’s top sights from an open-air tuk-tuk 

What’s the most fun way to get to know Richmond? In an open-air tuk-tuk, of course! This morning, join this 1.5-hour sightseeing tour at 10 am and get acquainted with the city in style.

You’ll cover a LOT in 90 minutes. The tour usually makes short stops at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Hollywood Cemetery, and the Virginia State Capitol, plus cruises through several parts of Richmond along the way. We especially like the stop at Hollywood Cemetery because it’s not somewhere everyone thinks to visit, but it’s full of Richmond history and has some beautiful grounds too.

And because the tuk-tuk is open-air, you can actually see what’s going on around you instead of peering through a bus window. It moves slowly enough to take everything in, while your guide fills you in on the city as you go. Much better than trying to sightsee while also figuring out where on earth you’re supposed to turn next!

Another big plus is that it is a private tour, so it’ll be just your group in the tuk-tuk. Your guide may also be able to tweak the route slightly depending on what you’re interested in.

We think this activity is perfect for your first morning because it’ll help you get your bearings before you explore Richmond in more detail over the next three days. And with so many five-star reviews, we’re clearly not the only ones who love it! Just keep an eye on the forecast, as the open sides don’t offer much protection from rain or cold weather.

Lunch – Perly’s 

For lunch, we headed to Perly’s, a popular Jewish deli in downtown Richmond. The menu is packed with proper deli classics, and we’re not kidding when we say we wanted to order half of it!

The Reuben is a definite standout, with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on toasted rye, but the menu has plenty of other options. Whatever you order, definitely get some potato latkes for the table. They come with apricot applesauce and chive sour cream, which, as we found out, is an amazing combo.

Perly’s gets busy around lunchtime, so head here straight after your tour. Aim to wrap up between 1 and 1:30 pm, but don’t stress too much as this afternoon is quite flexible! 

Option 1: Early afternoon – Tour Maggie L. Walker’s home

If you’re following this itinerary on a Friday or Saturday, head to the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site after lunch. Walker was the first Black woman in the United States to charter a bank and serve as its president, and she lived here with her family for more than 30 years.

We love historic houses for this reason because the person you’ve been reading about suddenly feels much more real. A ranger will take you through Walker’s preserved home, where you’ll see original furnishings and learn more about her family life, business career, and work as a civil rights leader.

The whole experience takes around an hour and, even better, it’s completely free. Aim to arrive at around 1:30 pm and ask for a spot on the 2 pm tour. Spaces are first come, first served and limited, so arriving a little early is definitely worth it!

Option 2: Early afternoon – Follow the Jackson Ward walking route

If you’re visiting outside of Friday or Saturday, swap the Maggie L. Walker house tour for the free Jackson Ward Walking Tour instead. The self-guided route includes 13 stops around the neighborhood where Maggie L. Walker lived and worked, and it’s a great way to learn more about Jackson Ward at your own pace. 

You’ll pass places like Walker’s former home, the St. Luke Building, the Hippodrome Theater, and several historic churches along the way. There’s also an accompanying podcast, which we definitely recommend downloading before you head out. It gives you a lot more context about the people and businesses that shaped the neighborhood.

You don’t need to do every stop, so give yourself about an hour and focus on the ones that interest you most. But do be sure to stop by Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza before moving on to the rest of the afternoon. The plaza is home to a beautiful bronze statue of Walker, celebrating her incredible legacy as the first Black woman in the US to charter a bank. It’s a great spot to snap a photo and appreciate just how much she accomplished!

Afternoon – Explore the Virginia State Capitol 

This morning’s tuk-tuk tour gives you a quick look at the Virginia State Capitol, but this afternoon you’ll have time to explore it in depth! Thomas Jefferson actually helped design the building, and it’s pretty striking even before you go inside. 

Once you’re in, look out for the George Washington statue, the restored legislative chambers, and the Old Hall of the House of Delegates. We also enjoyed wandering through Capitol Square afterward, where you’ll find the Bell Tower, Executive Mansion, and a bunch of monuments dotted around the grounds.

Best of all, visiting the Capitol is free! You can explore on your own, or take a free guided tour if you want a little more background.

You’ll need to go through security before entering, so allow a few extra minutes. Then at around 4:30 pm, head back to your hotel for a break before dinner.

Dinner – The Hard Shell

For dinner, head to The Hard Shell, a seafood restaurant just a few minutes from tonight’s ghost tour meeting point. We were very happy to see Chesapeake oysters and crab cakes on the menu, because if there’s ever a time to lean into seafood, it’s in Virginia! 

There are plenty of non-seafood options if that’s not your thing, but whatever you’re in the mood for, we would definitely book a table in advance. This place is popular, so if you don’t book, you might have to wait a while, which is no good with a ghost tour coming up. We suggest booking a table for 6 pm and aiming to wrap up around 7:30 pm – you might not have time for dessert, but you can always grab an ice cream after the tour! 

Evening – Hear the spooky and sinister stories of Shockoe Bottom

Richmond has been around for a LONG time, so it’s naturally collected a few ghost stories along the way! Tonight, join this evening ghost tour through Shockoe Bottom to hear some of the spookier stories from the city’s past.

The tour starts at 8 pm, lasts about an hour, and is only a 10-minute walk from The Hard Shell, so it’s perfect after dinner. Just be sure to arrive 15 minutes early to check in!

As you walk, your guide will share tales of reported hauntings alongside the neighborhood’s darker history, with stops at places like the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Libby Prison, Jefferson Park, and the old Church Hill Tunnel. And given that Poe is involved, you already know things are going to get a little creepy!

We also like that it mixes plenty of real Richmond history with the ghost stories. You’ll cover a fair bit of ground on foot, though, so comfortable shoes are definitely a good idea.

At just an hour long, it’s a fun way to finish your first day without taking over the whole evening. Plus, wandering historic Richmond at night while someone tells you ghost stories just feels right!

And if you didn’t get dessert earlier and still want something sweet, Sweet Spot Ice Cream is only a few minutes away and stays open until 11 pm (12 am on weekends). Late-night ice cream after a ghost tour? Sounds pretty perfect to me!

Day 2 

Breakfast – Capitol Waffle Shop

Today starts at Capitol Waffle Shop, and trust us, this place takes waffles very seriously! And we’re not just talking about maple syrup and berries, either. You can get them piled with everything from fried chicken and sausage gravy to crushed Oreos and rainbow sprinkles. You can also build your own if none of the combinations quite hit the spot, and gluten-free and dairy-free waffles are available too, so everyone’s catered for.

Just don’t go too overboard because you’ve got a food tour later today. Aim to leave around 9 am, then Brown’s Island is about a 15-minute walk away, or you can hop in a quick rideshare.

Morning – Explore Richmond’s riverfront at your own pace

After breakfast, head down to Brown’s Island for a wander along the James River. We really liked this part of Richmond because it packs river views, old industrial buildings, public art, and plenty of history into one place.

From Brown’s Island, head past Historic Tredegar and onto the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. The views from here are fantastic, especially looking back toward downtown Richmond and across the rapids below.

You can cross all the way over to the Manchester side and then turn around, or just walk as far as you feel like. No need to make this a huge hike, and the route is free, with no tickets or reservations to worry about. We recommend spending 1.5-2 hours exploring before heading off to meet the food tour.

Lunch/Early afternoon – Eat your way through historic Church Hill 

If there’s one thing that makes sightseeing better, it’s stopping for food every 20 minutes or so! And that’s basically the idea behind this Church Hill food tour, which kicks off at 11:30 am and takes you around Richmond’s oldest neighborhood with plenty of snacks along the way.

Over the next three hours, you’ll visit a handful of restaurants, cafés, and bakeries around Church Hill. The exact lineup changes from tour to tour, which keeps things interesting, but you can expect enough tastings to count as lunch for today.

Of course, Church Hill is worth exploring even without the food. This is one of Richmond’s most historic neighborhoods, and your guide will share the area’s history as you walk between stops. We love that you’re learning about the city while enjoying pizza and pastries, rather than standing around listening to a long history lecture! And judging by the five-star reviews, other foodies seem to agree.

The tour finishes at around 2:30 pm, which works perfectly with the rest of today’s itinerary. Just keep in mind it currently runs only on Saturdays and Sundays. And if your trip falls during the week, don’t panic! We’ve included an alternative way to explore Church Hill below.

Alternative for weekday visitors

If the food tour isn’t running during your visit, don’t worry because Church Hill is still well worth exploring on your own!

For lunch, you can either sit down at Liberty Public House or grab a savory hand pie from Proper Pie. We love the sound of Proper Pie in particular because, well, who doesn’t love a good pie? It’s a super casual stop, and we think it works perfectly if you’d rather eat on the go.

After lunch, make your way over to St. John’s Church, one of the most important historic landmarks in the neighborhood. From there, finish up at Libby Hill Park, where you’ll be treated to an amazing view over the James River and Richmond’s skyline. It’s a lovely place to hang out for a while before heading back to your hotel.

One thing to know is that Church Hill really lives up to its name! The streets can be pretty steep, so if your legs are done for the day, just grab a quick rideshare between stops.

Optional Afternoon – Poe Museum

If you’re not quite ready to call it a day after the food tour, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum is only a couple of minutes away by car. The famous writer spent part of his life in Richmond, and the museum has the world’s largest public collection of items connected to him.

The museum has manuscripts and personal belongings, but some of the more unusual pieces really caught our attention, including his childhood bed, pocket watch, and even a fragment of his original coffin. Creepy, but very on-brand for the king of the macabre!

Make sure you wander through the Enchanted Garden too. There’s a Poe shrine out here, plus two resident cats, Edgar and Tib, who apparently like to make an appearance from time to time. Naturally, that was enough to sell us.

Admission is currently $12 USD, and you can buy your tickets online here ahead of time. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and we recommend leaving around 4:30 pm to head back to your hotel for a break before dinner.

Dinner – Fall Line Kitchen & Bar 

For dinner, head to Fall Line Kitchen & Bar inside the Richmond Marriott. The restaurant takes its name from the geological fall line that creates the James River rapids, a nice little Richmond touch.

The menu leans into Southern comfort food, and the iron-skillet cornbread with whipped honey butter immediately caught our attention. Although, to be fair, the shrimp and grits and Southern fried chicken also sounded pretty good after a busy day of sightseeing.

And definitely save room for dessert. If you want to do it Richmond-style, order gooey butter cake. This indulgent dish comes from St. Louis, but Fall Line Kitchen is well known for making the best one outside Missouri! 

Fall Line is open for dinner every day, but we would recommend making a reservation online if you’re visiting on a weekend. 

Day 3

Breakfast – The Fancy Biscuit

Day 3 starts at The Fancy Biscuit, a colorful little spot in Richmond’s Fan District that lives up to its name!

The biscuits here are freshly baked and loaded with all sorts of Southern fillings, like fried chicken, pepper jelly, and goat cheese – yum! We opted for the Tasso ham and white cheddar grits, and if you love seafood, you can also start your day with the crab cake Benedict biscuits.

Unsurprisingly, this place is popular. Weekend mornings get especially busy, so aim to arrive at around 8:30 am. This gives you about an hour to enjoy breakfast before hopping in an Uber or Lyft to Maymont so you can be there when the grounds open at 10 am.

Morning – Explore the gardens and mansion at Maymont

This morning, head to Maymont, a huge 100-acre (40.5 hectares) estate overlooking the James River. After a couple of history-heavy days, this felt like a very welcome change of pace for us!

Start with the gardens. The Japanese Garden was probably our favorite, with little bridges, waterfalls, ponds, and tons of greenery. It feels completely different from the rest of Richmond, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably stop for photos every five minutes!

The Italian Garden is much more formal, with terraces, fountains, flower beds, and intricate stonework. We love that the two gardens feel so different; you get two totally different places to explore in one morning.

Around 11 am, head inside Maymont Mansion to explore the restored home. The rooms are filled with original furniture, artwork, and belongings from James and Sallie Dooley, who lived here in the late 1800s, so you get a much better sense of what life on the estate was actually like.

You can explore the gardens and wider estate for free, while mansion visits cost extra (check their website here to plan your visit!). Give yourself until around 12:45 pm, then head over to Carytown for lunch.

Lunch – Can Can Brasserie

For lunch, head to Can Can Brasserie in Carytown. This place really leans into the Parisian brasserie look, with high ceilings and a big zinc bar, so it feels like a fun change of scene after spending the morning at Maymont.

The menu is very French, with yummy options like the croque madame and steak frites. If you’re here for weekend brunch, there are plenty of breakfast-style dishes too. And whatever you do, save room for something from the bakery. It would be rude not to!

Reservations are a good idea, especially on Sundays. Aim to finish up around 2:15 pm, then the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is only a short rideshare away, or about a 15- to 20-minute walk

Afternoon – Discover treasures from around the world at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

After lunch, head over to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for your final afternoon in Richmond. General admission is completely free, and with more than 50,000 works spanning around 6,000 years, there is a LOT to see.

The museum covers pretty much every corner of the art world. You’ll find everything from French Impressionist paintings to African art and collections from South Asia and the Himalayas. One of the biggest highlights is the Fabergé collection, the largest public collection outside Russia. So if you’ve always wanted to see some of those famous eggs, now’s your chance!

This isn’t a museum you wander through for 20 minutes and call it a day. But because admission is free, there’s no pressure to see absolutely everything. Just pick the galleries that sound most interesting to you and give yourself a couple of hours to enjoy them, then head back to your hotel at around 5 pm to rest and freshen up before dinner.

Dinner – Lemaire 

For our final dinner in Richmond, we’re heading somewhere a little special. Lemaire is inside the historic Jefferson Hotel, and some of the dining rooms actually date back to the hotel’s original 1895 layout.

The menu changes with the seasons, but it focuses on Virginia ingredients and Southern flavors. The menu offers plenty of yummy options like Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and jumbo sea scallops, but if you’re not in the mood for fancy food, the Barnyard Burger is always a winner. Sure, it’s definitely an elevated take on a burger, but it’s still a burger!

Lemaire feels elegant without being overly formal, so dressing smart-casual is absolutely fine – no need to pack your gladrags! Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Evening – Toast your trip at the Jefferson Hotel

If you’re not quite ready for the trip to end, stick around at the Jefferson Hotel after dinner and have one last drink in Lemaire’s bar and lounge. Take time to look around the hotel while you’re here! The ornate lobby and grand staircase are pretty spectacular, but our favorite bit of Jefferson Hotel history is MUCH stranger.

Believe it or not, this hotel once kept live alligators in marble pools inside the Palm Court. Yes, actual alligators! They were apparently part of the hotel until 1948, which is definitely not something we expected to learn over our final drink in Richmond!

Related Read: Want even more ideas for your trip? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Richmond for more fun activities and must-see sights!

Where to Stay in Richmond

Now that you know what to do in Richmond, you just need somewhere to stay! For a first visit, we recommend staying Downtown or around Shockoe Slip because you’ll be close to lots of Richmond’s historic sights and best restaurants. Below, we’ve picked three central hotels for different budgets.

The Berkeley Richmond – $$$

If you want something with character, The Berkeley Richmond is a fantastic choice. It sits right in Shockoe Slip, so you’ll step outside onto cobblestone streets with plenty of restaurants and historic Richmond right on your doorstep. The Virginia State Capitol is about a 5-minute walk away, and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum is about a 12-minute walk away.

The decor is gorgeous too, with bronze details and some really pretty statement lighting throughout. It feels polished without being stuffy, and it’s even pet-friendly!

Rooms generally start around $200 USD per night, though upgraded rooms and suites cost more. Check availability and book your stay here!

The Commonwealth – $$

For something a little more affordable, The Commonwealth has one of the best locations in the city. It sits directly across from the Virginia State Capitol, so you really couldn’t be much more central!

Another big selling point is the space. Many rooms are suites with separate living areas, and some are around 500 square feet, with a sofa bed, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. That extra room is always nice when you’re staying somewhere for more than a night or two!

Rates can start around $130–$150 USD per night, but often climb above $200 USD depending on your dates. Check availability and book your stay at The Commonwealth here!

Holiday Inn Express – $

If you’d rather save your money for food tours and sightseeing (and we wouldn’t blame you!)  Holiday Inn Express Richmond Downtown is a wallet-friendly pick. It’s right in Downtown Richmond, so you can still stay central without paying boutique-hotel prices.

Breakfast is included each morning, and there’s also an on-site gym, which is handy if you haven’t already got enough steps in exploring Richmond! It’s not the fanciest hotel on this list, but if you mainly want a clean, comfortable place to sleep with a great downtown location, it ticks the boxes.

Rooms can start around $110–$140 USD per night, making this a great option for budget-conscious travelers. Find the best prices and book your stay here!

If these locations are sold out for your dates, check out more of Richmond’s top hotels here!

Thanks for reading!

And that’s a wrap on three days in Richmond! We loved how much variety this city has, from cruising around in a tuk-tuk and hearing spooky ghost stories to exploring the James River and wandering through Maymont’s beautiful gardens. Add in some incredible Southern food, historic neighborhoods, and even a hotel that once housed live alligators (yes, really!), and you’ve got one memorable getaway!

If you’re planning more adventures around the country, be sure to check out our other USA blogs for more itineraries, travel tips, and tours we’ve loved. Or keep the trip planning going with a few of our favorite guides below!

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