Yes, this is a travel blog… well and a love story. 😉 So, you are probably wondering why I am writing about the town where we live?! Mostly because it is that awesome. But also because this is where our story starts. Only 4 months into our relationship we made the “big” move from our home state, Missouri, to Richmond, VA. So Richmond is really the beginning of us, our adventures, and our travels together! We love so much about it, there’s no way to highlight all of it in one post.
So here’s our Top Seven of “Richmond Awesomeness” to show you where/what to explore if you have a day in RVA!
1. Flood Wall Walk and Canal Walk (Downtown Richmond)
Let’s start downtown. The city provides many trails with a full skyline view and several run along the raging James River! Yes, there’s raging rapids to kayak right in downtown, totally awesome! The picture below is from a fall afternoon stroll on the Flood Wall Walk just south of the city. Some other great walks are the Canal Walk and the walk over to Belle Isle across the suspension bridge (if you’re afraid of heights you might want to take a pass on this one)!
2. James River Trails (and kayaking the river itself, of course!)
If you want to hit a trail outside the city, check out the expansive James River Park trails and hit one of our favorites, Pony Pasture. As you can see, it’s a favorite of our pups too!
3. Church Hill (East End)
Traveling east from downtown, you can drive through the quaint neighborhood called Church Hill. A good destination in the area is Libby Hill Park. We recommend going at dusk and watching the sunset over the city.
But it’s gorgeous no matter what season or time of day.
4. State Capitol (also Downtown)!
As we head back west, you must stop and see the State Capitol and governmental buildings (there are lots here!). Being the law student, I of course had to check them all out!
5. Carytown and The “Fan”
As you continue west, make sure to drive through the Fan and Carytown, an area of shops and restaurants that cannot be beat. But also make a stop at the Maymont Mansions and explore the gardens. It is one of the very first places we explored in RVA and it is still a favorite!
6. University of Richmond (West End)
No matter what season, you can count on having something to do and to see. As you keep going west, stop at the University of Richmond and check out our jaw dropping campus. It has its own lake and ducks, what could be better?!
While near campus, you might even catch me and my study buddy!
7. THE FOOD (EVERYWHERE)
This isn’t a destination but it still gets its own heading! Richmond is known for some amazing food and you can find something great no matter where you are at. And while you’re in Richmond you absolutely MUST eat as much as you can at the amazing spots listed in this link! Side note- yes I gained like 10 lbs my first year living here! Thank goodness for all the trails!
To my fellow Richmond folk- what are some other must-see places you suggest we add to the list?!
Thanks for exploring RVA,
~Brooke Hartman
Follow us @HartmansTravel and join us as we #TravelinLove!