8 Best Things to do in Richmond, Virginia

Planning a trip to Richmond and wondering what to do? We’ve got you!

As Virginia’s capital, Richmond has a LOT of history to get stuck into. But there’s plenty more to do here besides historic buildings and museums! The city has some really fun neighborhoods to explore, a great food scene, tons of street art, and the James River running right through the middle of it all. You can even go hiking without leaving the city!

There’s plenty to choose from, so knowing where to start can be tricky. That’s where we come in! We’ve narrowed it down to eight of the best things to do in Richmond for your first visit. Let’s get into it!

Richmond at a Glance

Richmond is pretty easy to explore, but we wish we’d known a few things before visiting. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time!

Important tip: Don’t underestimate the hills! Richmond sits on seven hills, so even short walks can feel surprisingly steep. Bring comfortable shoes!

Explore beyond downtown: Some of Richmond’s best spots are tucked away in neighborhoods like Carytown, the Fan District, and Shockoe Bottom. Make sure you leave time to explore these areas, especially if you love good food and local shops!

Consider renting a car: Richmond is a great stop on a Virginia road trip, with I-64 and I-95 running through the city. It’s also fairly spread out, so having a car makes exploring easier. If you’re flying in, Richmond International Airport is only about 20–30 minutes from downtown!

Beat the summer heat: Richmond gets hot and humid during the summer, so we recommend exploring outdoor spots like Maymont and the James River trails in the morning. Save the museums and indoor attractions for the afternoon when it’s hottest!

How We Would Spend 3 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 end 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.

Things to do in Richmond

1. Taste 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 takes you around Richmond’s oldest neighborhood with plenty of snacks along the way.

Over three hours, you’ll visit about five or six restaurants, cafés, and bakeries in Church Hill. The exact lineup changes, which keeps things interesting, and the menu can cover anything from Ethiopian food and tacos to pizza and pastries. Oh, and there’s plenty of coffee and wine along the way – yay!

Of course, Church Hill is worth exploring even without the food. This is one of Richmond’s most historic neighborhoods, and your guide will fill you in on the area as you walk between stops. We love that because you’re getting an introduction to the city, but you’re doing it over tacos and ice cream rather than standing around listening to a long history lecture.

For us, this is a great one to do early in your Richmond trip because you’ll get your bearings and probably find a few places you want to return to later. Just keep in mind it runs only on Saturdays and Sundays. If that doesn’t work with your dates, though, don’t panic! The same company runs two other Richmond food tours, which we’ve included below.

Sample Richmond’s artsy side in the Arts District

If Church Hill feels a little too history-heavy, this Arts District food tour has a more creative, downtown feel. You’ll explore parts of Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward, with galleries and street art between stops, and tastings may include coal-fired pizza, Korean street food, and Southern soul food. It runs on Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s also a handy alternative if the Church Hill dates don’t work for you.

Snack your way through colorful Carytown

Then there’s the Carytown food tour, which we’d pick if you want to explore something colorful and quirky! Carytown is nicknamed the “Mile of Style” thanks to its independent shops and restaurants, and the tour can include everything from Afghan food and pizza to grilled cheese and ice cream. It also involves less walking than the other two food tours, so this is a good choice if you fancy a more leisurely afternoon.

2. See Richmond’s highlights from an open-air tuk tuk

Okay, we’re already sold on this one just because you get to zip around Richmond in an open-air electric tuk-tuk! This 1.5-hour sightseeing tour is such a fun way to get your bearings without spending half the day walking from place to place.

You’ll cover a LOT in 90 minutes. The tour includes short stops at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Hollywood Cemetery, and the Virginia State Capitol, plus a drive past Monument Avenue, St. John’s Church, Shockoe Slip, and Carytown. We especially like the stop at Hollywood Cemetery because not everyone thinks to visit, but it’s full of Richmond history and has beautiful grounds, too.

And because the tuk-tuk is open-air, you can see what’s going on around you rather than peering through a bus window. It moves slowly enough that you can 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. The guides can also adjust things a little depending on what you’re interested in. You’ll see loads and probably leave with a much better idea of where you want to spend more time later! And don’t just take our word for it, check out the hundreds of five-star reviews here!

3. Uncover the haunted side of Richmond

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

The tour starts at 8 pm and lasts about an hour, making it perfect for an after-dinner activity. As you walk, your guide will share tales of reported hauntings and 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 this isn’t just someone telling made-up ghost stories for an hour. It also mixes in a lot of Richmond history, so you get a nice combo of spooky tales and real stories from the city’s past. You’ll cover a fair bit of ground on foot, though, so definitely wear comfortable shoes.

At just an hour long, this is a fun addition to a day of sightseeing without taking over your whole evening. Plus, wandering around historic Richmond at night while someone tells you ghost stories just feels right! Plus, the tour only has space for up to 15 people, which helps keep things intimate and atmospheric.

4. Wander the gardens and grounds at Maymont

If you need a break from Richmond’s museums and historic sites, Maymont is the place to go. This huge 100-acre estate sits above the James River, and you can explore the grounds for free!

There’s a LOT to see here, but the Japanese Garden is probably what we’re most excited about. It has little bridges, waterfalls, ponds, and tons of greenery, and it feels completely different from downtown Richmond. It’s also very photogenic, so if you’re anything like us, you’ll probably end up stopping for photos every five minutes!

There’s also the Italian Garden, which is much more formal with neat flower beds and intricate stonework. We love that the two gardens feel so different because you basically get two completely different places to explore in the same visit.

And there’s more than just gardens. Maymont has huge lawns, mature trees, wildlife habitats, and views of the James River, so you can easily spend a couple of hours here just exploring. Paid historic and nature experiences are available too, but you don’t need to spend money to enjoy the estate.

One thing to know is that Maymont is BIG! There are also some steep sections, so this isn’t a place to squeeze in a spare 30 minutes. Wear good shoes and give yourself plenty of time! 

5. Take in the city’s stories from a vintage trolley

Okay, how cute is this? Instead of riding a regular sightseeing bus, this Richmond tour takes you around the city in an old-fashioned trolley while your guide talks you through roughly 400 years of local history.

And there is a LOT of history here! Over two hours, you’ll pass the James River and Virginia State Capitol, then through neighborhoods like Church Hill, the Museum District, and Jackson Ward. The latter was once known as the “Harlem of the South” and was home to Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman in the US to charter a bank and serve as its president.

There’s also a quick stop at Libby Hill Park, where you can hop off and stretch your legs while taking in the view over the river and Richmond skyline. It’s only a short stop, but after sitting on a trolley for a while, we’ll take any excuse to get out and have a look around!

What we like most about this tour is that it gives you the bigger picture of Richmond. You’re not diving super deeply into one museum or neighborhood. Instead, you’ll see a big chunk of the city and hear the stories behind the places you’re passing, which is really handy at the start of a trip.

Plus, the trolley is air-conditioned, so you get all of that sightseeing without trekking around Richmond in the summer heat. History and air conditioning? Yes, please! And with so many glowing five-star reviews, we’re clearly not the only ones who think this tour is a winner!

6. Spend a few hours at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

If you like art, you must add the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to your Richmond itinerary. General admission is completely free, and with more than 50,000 works spanning around 6,000 years, there sure is a ton 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. You could easily spend a few hours here, especially if you’re into art. But since admission is free, there’s no pressure to see absolutely everything to “get your money’s worth.” You can pick the galleries that interest you most.

We also think this is a great rainy-day backup or a way to escape Virginia’s heat—it can be a lot at times! The museum is open 365 days a year, too, so it’s easy to fit around the rest of your plans.

7. Hike Richmond’s wild side along the James River

We LOVE to hike, so this guided hike along the James River is right up our alley! It’s also a very different way to see Richmond because, rather than historic buildings and museums, you’ll be out on the trails exploring the wild side of the city.

The hike covers around 3 to 4 miles (4.8 to 6.4 kilometers) through the James River Park System. You’ll cross the river on a pedestrian bridge, explore Belle Isle, and follow trails past the Manchester Climbing Wall, the Pipeline Trail, wildlife, and old Civil War and industrial ruins. A lot is packed into a couple of hours!

And although this is called a hike, don’t picture anything too hardcore. The route is mostly flat and rated easy to moderate, with a mixture of paved and dirt trails, a few staircases, and one rockier section. So you’ll still get a decent walk in, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy it. Just keep in mind that this tour only runs on Saturdays and Sundays, so plan ahead!

For us, though, the best part is getting out beside the James River. We always love finding a good hike when we visit a new city, and this one lets you get some exercise while still learning about Richmond from a local guide. Plus, groups are capped at 12 people, so it stays nice and small. After a few days of eating, museums, and sightseeing, getting out on the trails sounds pretty perfect to us!

8. Explore Black history in Jackson Ward 

If you’re spending time in Jackson Ward, the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is absolutely worth a stop. Walker was the first Black woman in the United States to charter a bank and serve as its president, and she lived with her family here for more than 30 years. 

The visit starts at the visitor center with a short film before a ranger takes you through Walker’s preserved home. We really like historic houses for this reason because suddenly the person you’ve been reading about feels much more real. You’re seeing the rooms where Walker lived, worked, raised her family, and built a life while becoming one of Richmond’s most important business and civil rights leaders.

The whole experience takes around an hour and, even better, it’s completely free. Tours currently run Fridays and Saturdays at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm, and spaces are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s definitely worth arriving a little early rather than turning up two minutes before the tour you want!

And don’t just leave Jackson Ward straight afterward. This neighborhood was once a major center of Black business and culture in Richmond, so exploring the area adds even more context to Walker’s story. 

Related Read: Planning to spend a few days in the city? Check out our 3-day Richmond itinerary for the perfect mix of sightseeing, delicious food, and fun tours!

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!

Richmond has a little bit of everything, and that’s why we love it! Where else can you cruise around in a tuk-tuk, snack your way through historic neighborhoods, hike beside a river, and hear spooky ghost stories? Add beautiful gardens, incredible art, and fascinating history, and you’ve got one fun city to explore! We hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable Richmond adventure!

And if Richmond has you itching to explore more of the USA, we’ve got you covered! Check out our other USA travel guides for more amazing destinations, fun tours, and helpful travel tips, or browse a few of our related blogs below. Enjoy Richmond!

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