Top Things to Do in Richmond
20 must-see attractions and experiences
Richmond, Virginia sits at the dramatic fall line of the James River, where centuries of American history have left an indelible imprint on a city now surging with creative energy. As the capital of the Commonwealth and a former capital of the Confederacy, Richmond carries a complex historical legacy that its museums and cultural institutions address with increasing honesty and nuance. The city's excellent art museum, literary landmarks, and Civil War-era sites draw history buffs from around the globe, while its thriving arts district, craft brewery scene, and James River outdoor culture appeal to a new generation of visitors. The James River itself is Richmond's defining geographic feature, providing urban whitewater rapids, riverside trails, and waterfront parks that give the city a distinctly outdoorsy character unusual for an East Coast capital. From the hilltop views at Libby Hill—where William Byrd II supposedly named the city for its resemblance to Richmond upon Thames—to the canal system that powered early American commerce, water and topography shape the city's identity. Richmond rewards travelers who look beyond the familiar narratives to discover a city actively reckoning with its past while building a lively, inclusive future.
Don't Miss These
Our top picks for visitors to Richmond
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Museums & GalleriesOne of the largest complete art museums in the United States, the VMFA houses a collection spanning 5,000 years from ancient Egyptian to contemporary art, with particular strengths in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and one of the finest Fabergé egg collections outside Russia. The museum's modern wing, designed by Rick Mather Architects, provides impressive gallery spaces for its impressive Impressionist and post-Impressionist holdings. Remarkably, general admission is always free.
200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
Children's Museum of Richmond
Museums & GalleriesSpread across multiple floors of hands-on exhibits, this museum engages young visitors through imaginative play environments, art studios, and science-focused activities. The water play area and the cavern-themed climbing structures are particular favorites with children under 10. The museum excels at making learning feel like play, with exhibits designed to be touched, climbed, and explored.
2626 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
The Poe Museum
Museums & GalleriesHoused in Richmond's oldest surviving structure—the Old Stone House dating to the 1730s—this museum preserves the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, who grew up in Richmond and considered it his home. The collection includes first editions, personal belongings, and a lock of the author's hair, displayed across five buildings surrounding an enchanted garden. The museum brings Poe's dark genius and his Richmond connections vividly to life.
1914 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223, USA · View on Map
Libby Hill Park
Natural WondersPerched atop Church Hill with commanding views of the James River and the city skyline, this park offers what is arguably the most iconic vista in Richmond. Legend holds that William Byrd II chose to name the settlement 'Richmond' from this very hillside, seeing a resemblance to the view of the Thames from Richmond Hill in England. The park's terraced landscape, Civil War monuments, and panoramic viewpoint make it essential for first-time visitors.
2801 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23223, USA · View on Map
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Natural WondersSpread across 50 acres, Lewis Ginter ranks among the top botanical gardens in the United States, featuring a impressive conservatory, a children's garden, and themed plantings that offer beauty in every season. The Conservatory, a domed glass structure inspired by the great Victorian glasshouses, houses orchids, tropical plants, and seasonal displays. The rose garden and the Asian-themed garden are particular highlights during peak bloom.
1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico, VA 23228, USA · View on Map
Virginia State Capitol
Notable AttractionsDesigned by Thomas Jefferson and modeled after the Maison Carrée in Nîmes, France, the Virginia State Capitol is one of the most architecturally significant government buildings in America. The original 1788 structure houses the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, and a life-sized Houdon statue of George Washington—the only one created from life—stands in the rotunda. Free guided tours reveal layers of American political history.
1000 Bank St, Richmond, VA 23218, USA · View on Map
The Robins Nature Center at Maymont
Natural WondersSet within the magnificent 100-acre Maymont estate, this nature center has aquariums showing Chesapeake Bay ecosystems, live animal exhibits including river otters and bobcats, and hands-on nature displays. The surrounding Maymont grounds include a Japanese garden, an Italian garden, a Victorian mansion, and a carriage collection—all free to visit. The nature center adds an educational wildlife dimension to what is already one of Richmond's finest parks.
2201 Shields Lake Dr, Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
American Civil War Museum- Historic Tredegar
Museums & GalleriesLocated in the historic Tredegar Iron Works complex on the James River, this museum tells the story of the Civil War from three perspectives: Union, Confederate, and African American. The approach is refreshingly honest and multi-voiced, allowing visitors to grapple with the war's complexities rather than receiving a simplified narrative. The riverfront setting and the preserved industrial architecture add atmospheric depth to the experience.
480 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA 23219, USA · View on Map
Great Shiplock Park
Natural WondersThis small waterfront park at the eastern end of the Canal Walk marks the point where the James River and Kanawha Canal once connected river traffic with the tidal James. The restored lock chamber, interpretive panels, and river views tell the story of Richmond's role as a commercial hub, while the adjacent Virginia Capital Trail begins its 52-mile journey to Williamsburg. It's a launching point for both historical understanding and outdoor adventure.
2803 Dock St, Richmond, VA 23223, USA · View on Map
Texas Beach
Natural WondersDespite being 900 miles from Texas, this local favorite along the James River has a surprisingly wild stretch of rocky shoreline and calm swimming holes within the city limits. Accessed via a short trail through the James River Park System, Texas Beach attracts sunbathers, kayakers, and swimmers who appreciate its relaxed, somewhat bohemian atmosphere. The granite outcroppings and forest-lined shore create a natural swimming environment unlike any urban beach on the East Coast.
Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
Museums & Galleries
Richmond's museum scene is extraordinarily deep, anchored by the excellent VMFA and enriched by institutions addressing the full complexity of American history—from Colonial ambition through Civil War conflict to African American achievement.
Agecroft Hall & Gardens
Museums & GalleriesThis Tudor manor house was originally built in Lancashire, England in the 15th century, then disassembled, shipped across the Atlantic, and reassembled on the banks of the James River in the 1920s. The result is a remarkably authentic English country house set amid formal gardens that include an Elizabethan knot garden and a sunken garden. Guided tours reveal period furnishings and the extraordinary story of the house's transatlantic journey.
4305 Sulgrave Rd, Richmond, VA 23221, USA · View on Map
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Museums & GalleriesLocated in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood—once known as the 'Black Wall Street of America'—this museum chronicles the African American experience in Virginia from pre-colonial Africa through the present day. Rotating exhibitions explore themes of resilience, achievement, and cultural innovation, while the permanent collection includes artifacts, photographs, and oral histories that illuminate often-overlooked stories. The museum's location in Jackson Ward adds powerful geographic context.
122 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
Maggie L Walker National Historic Site
Museums & GalleriesThis National Park Service site preserves the home of Maggie Lena Walker, who in 1903 became the first African American woman to charter and serve as president of a bank in the United States. The restored two-story house and its furnishings tell the story of a remarkable woman who overcame enormous obstacles to become a leading businesswoman, civil rights activist, and community leader in Richmond's Jackson Ward. Ranger-led tours bring her inspiring story to life.
600 N 2nd St, Richmond, VA 23219, USA · View on Map
The Valentine
Museums & GalleriesRichmond's museum of city history occupies the 1812 Wickham House and an adjacent modern gallery, presenting rotating exhibitions on the city's culture, architecture, and social history. The museum takes an unflinching look at Richmond's full story, including the difficult chapters of slavery and segregation alongside stories of innovation and cultural achievement. The Wickham House itself, with its neoclassical architecture and period rooms, is a highlight.
1015 E Clay St, Richmond, VA 23219, USA · View on Map
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Museums & GalleriesOperated by the Virginia Historical Society, this complete museum covers the full sweep of Virginia history through artifacts, documents, and multimedia exhibits. The permanent gallery 'The Story of Virginia' traces 16,000 years from prehistoric peoples through the 21st century, with notable collections of Civil War-era materials, colonial objects, and the personal effects of Virginia's many presidents. Special exhibitions regularly bring fresh perspectives on familiar history.
428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Museums & GalleriesThis large National Park Service unit includes 13 sites across the Richmond region that witnessed some of the Civil War's most consequential battles. The Chimborazo visitor center—located at the site of the Confederacy's largest hospital—provides orientation, while individual battlefield sites offer walking trails, interpretive panels, and preserved earthworks. Together, the sites tell the story of the Union's multi-year campaign to capture the Confederate capital.
3215 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23223, USA · View on Map
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Sculpture Garden
Museums & GalleriesAdjacent to the main museum building, this outdoor sculpture garden displays works by artists including Dale Chihuly, Henry Moore, and other contemporary sculptors amid manicured plantings and reflecting pools. The garden provides a contemplative outdoor extension of the museum experience, with benches positioned for quiet appreciation of individual works. It's a popular lunch spot for museum visitors and neighborhood residents alike.
2900 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA 23221, USA · View on Map
Notable Attractions
From Thomas Jefferson's Capitol building to the kinetic wonder of the Grand Kugel, Richmond's landmarks span architectural history and scientific wonder with free admission at nearly every turn.
Canal Walk
Notable AttractionsThis 1.25-mile paved path follows the route of the historic James River and Kanawha Canal through downtown Richmond, passing historic warehouses, flood wall murals, and interpretive markers that trace the canal's role in American commerce. The walk connects the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar with Great Shiplock Park, offering both a pleasant stroll and a vivid history lesson. The flood wall murals depicting Richmond's 400-year story are engaging.
1512 Canal Walk, Richmond, VA 23219, USA · View on Map
Byrd Park Pump House
Notable AttractionsThis striking Romanesque Revival building, constructed in 1883 to pump water from the James River, is one of Richmond's finest pieces of industrial architecture. The restored pump house overlooks a reflecting lake and Byrd Park's tree-lined paths, hosting occasional concerts and community events. The building's ornate brick and stone facade shows an era when even utilitarian structures were designed with architectural ambition.
1708 Pump House Dr, Richmond, VA 23221, USA · View on Map
The Grand Kugel
Notable AttractionsLocated outside the Science Museum of Virginia, this 29-ton granite sphere floats effortlessly on a thin film of water, spinning slowly on its pedestal. One of the world's largest kugel balls, the sculpture demonstrates principles of fluid dynamics in a way that is both scientifically elegant and mesmerizing to watch. Visitors can push the massive sphere with one hand, feeling it rotate beneath their fingers despite its enormous weight.
2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA · View on Map
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
April through June and September through November offer the most pleasant weather. Spring brings blooming gardens at Lewis Ginter, while fall offers impressive foliage along the James River.
Booking Advice
Most of Richmond's top attractions—including the VMFA, Virginia State Capitol, and Maymont—are free and require no advance booking. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and the Children's Museum can get crowded on weekends; arrive early.
Save Money
Richmond is remarkably affordable for visitors—the VMFA, Maymont, Virginia State Capitol, Canal Walk, and all James River parks are completely free. You can easily fill two or three days without spending a dollar on admission.
Local Etiquette
Richmond takes its food and drink culture seriously—don't skip the local craft breweries along the 'beer trail' or the restaurant scene in Scott's Addition and Carytown. The city is proudly Southern but increasingly cosmopolitan.
Book Your Experiences
Guided tours, tickets, and activities in Richmond