Educational Excursions: 23 Historical & Cultural Spots to Visit Around Richmond
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As Virginia’s capital and the former capital of the confederacy, Richmond is dripping with historical and cultural landmarks.
Whether you’re simply checking off your RVA bucket list, looking to learn something new, searching for a unique date activity, or trying to find an activity to entertain the kiddos, our city has plenty of museums, gardens, and more to keep you busy.
by Alicia Valenski
*Under the current circumstances, please follow all city, state, and federal guidelines surrounding social distancing and use of face coverings. Use your best judgment to determine if an area is too populated to safely distance yourself from others.
**Before visiting, we recommend that you double check each establishment’s website and/or social media channels to confirm hours of operation as we move from phase to phase of Virginia’s gradual reopening plan.
Image Credit: @altriatheaterva
Altria Theater
You probably know that this theater is located across from Monroe Park, and maybe you know it is the largest venue of Richmond CenterStage's performing arts complex. But did you know it was originally built for Shriners of the Acca Temple Shrine? Or that it was formerly known as The Mosque and the Landmark Theater? Add it to your architectural tour of Richmond landmarks, for sure.
Location: 6 N Laurel St
Image Source: @acwmuseum
American Civil War Museum
The American Civil War museum maintains three sites overall, two of which are here in Richmond: The American Civil War Museum – Historic Tredegar and the White House of the Confederacy. The third is The American Civil War Museum–Appomattox, in Appomattox, VA.
Location: Historic Tredegar, 480 Tredegar St; White House of the Confederacy, 1201 E Clay St
Image Source: @thebyrdva
The Byrd Theatre
This beloved historical theatre was opened by William Byrd II in the heart of Carytown in 1928. Nearly 100 years later, this classic movie theater and community-focused nonprofit organization works to preserve the grand movie-going experience.
Location: 2908 W Cary St
Image Credit: @kathleenmduffy
City Hall Observation Deck
This observation deck can be found on the 18th floor of the Richmond, Virginia City Hall. You can enjoy a full 360-degree from up there, especially the gorgeous sight of Old City Hall (more on that further down in this list!).
Location: 900 E Broad St
Image Source: @historic_polegreen
“Ghost Church” (aka Historic Polegreen Church)
The original Polegreen Church that once stood in this spot was burned to the ground in 1864 during the Civil War. The foundation of the original church is now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the open-air "ghost church" structure you see here was built atop that foundation to commemorate the struggle for civil and religious freedom in Colonial Virginia
Location: 6411 Heatherwood Dr
Image Source: @hollywoodcem
Hollywood Cemetery
Aside from being an active cemetery (be respectful when visiting!), Hollywood Cemetery is a registered arboretum with over 2,000 trees on the ground. Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler are both buried here, along with Richmond legends like Lewis Ginter. Don’t miss the Richmond Vampire Mausoleum!
Location: 412 S Cherry St
Image Source: @thejeffersonhotel
The Jefferson Hotel
The Jefferson is one of only 27 hotels in America with both the Forbes Five-Star and the AAA Five-Diamond rating. 13 US presidents have stayed at The Jefferson and it was entered into the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1969.
Location: 101 W Franklin St
Image Source: @lewisginter
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
This 50-acre botanical garden in Richmond’s Lakeside neighborhood features a conservatory, library cafe and a tea house restaurant. It’s lauded as one of the top gardens in the US, too — it was voted America's #4 public gardens by USA Today and recognized by the Travel Channel as a best botanical garden!
Location: 1800 Lakeside Ave
Image Credit: @maggiewalkernps
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1975, the Maggie Lena Walker House explores the life and legacy of Maggie L. Walker, who devoted her life to defeating racism, sexism, and economic oppression — in addition to chartering a bank, a newspaper, and a store 17 years before American women had the right to vote. She fostered Black entrepreneurship when Jim Crow laws threatened African American progress.
Location: 600 N 2nd St
Image Credit: @maymont_rva
Maymont
Chances are you’ve at least been to one part of this 100-acre historic estate and park, whether you simply strolled through the gardens or visited the Maymont Mansion, arboretum, carriage collection, native wildlife exhibits, nature center, or Children's Farm. However you spend your time there, it’s sure to be a peaceful experience in nature!
Location: 1700 Hampton St
Image Source: @thenationalva
The National
Did you know that the National Theater has been a staple of Richmond since the 1920s? It was converted to a cinema-only theater in 1968, and eventually closed in the early 1980s. In 2003, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places — and finally, in 2008, it was restored and opened as a concert venue.
Location: 708 E Broad St
Image Source: @jennrightmeow
Old City Hall
Old City Hall, the gothic revival style building across the street from the new City Hall, was built in the late 1800s and served as City Hall until the 1970s. You can catch an incredible view of it from the City Hall Observation Deck mentioned above, but as you can see in this photo, the ground-level view is pretty grand, too.
Location: 1001 E Broad St
Image Credit: @poemuseum
The Poe Museum
While Edgar Allan Poe never actually lived in this home, it was a historically appropriate place to move items from the Southern Literary Messenger building (where Poe began his writing career) when it was slated to be torn down by the city, circa 1905. Though Poe went on to write in major cities, his hometown was Richmond, and so it made sense to erect the first monument in his honor here.
Location: 1914 E Main St
Image Credit: @nationalparkservice
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Don’t let the name fool you — the Richmond National Battlefield Park isn’t an individual spot, but 13 different Civil War sites around Richmond, overseen by the U.S. National Park Service.
Location: Find the addresses of all 13 sites here
Image Credit: @mashabatravels
Richmond Slave Trail
This self-guided trail goes from the James River at the Manchester Docks at Ancarrow’s Boat Landing into downtown and Shockoe Bottom to Lumpkin’s Slave Jail. It illuminates the history of slavery in Richmond, with 17 different markers along the path that chronicle the trade of enslaved Africans to Virginia until 1775, up to their shipment away from Virginia to other points in the Americas until emancipation in 1865.
Location: Start at Ancarrow’s Boat Landing at 1200 Brander St; end at First African Baptist Church at 2700 Hanes Ave
Image Credit: @rvaonwheels
Richmond Trolley (RVA On Wheels)
Straight from their website: “Whether you were raised in Richmond or are visiting or just passing through, you will travel through a rich narrative of 400 years of history in one of the most fascinating and oldest cities in America. See the sights and learn about Richmond’s landmarks, riverfront, architecture and history.”
There are two different trolleys — one is a red Chance trolley, similar to what trolleys looked like in the early 1920s, and seats 24 with standing room for another 10. The other is a green Chance trolley, which is slightly smaller, seating 20 with standing room for 10, but has a bridal perch on the back.
Location: 1301 E Cary St or 405 N 3rd St
Image Credit: @rvatuktuk
RVA TukTuk
This local company’s Civil War, Slavery & Emancipation Tour is an excellent option for an educational excursion! From their website: “Experience history on an hour and a half long tour through the most historic parts of Richmond. Your expert guide will give you insight into the events of the Civil War and the fall and burning of the city. And you’ll see it all up close on an electric powered Tuk Tuk, where you’ll be able to experience the sights and sounds of Richmond all around you.”
Image Credit: @joelovesroadtrips
St. John's Church
If you ever wondered why the neighborhood is called “Church Hill,” here’s your answer! The oldest church in Richmond, St. John’s Church was built in 1741 by Colonel Richard Randolph, the son of William Randolph. It’s known as the location where Patrick Henry gave his memorable speech at the second Virginia convention, closing with his famous quotation, “Give me liberty or give me death!”
Location: 2401 E Broad St
Image Credit: @thevalentinerva
The Valentine
One of the oldest museums in Richmond, the Valentine is located in the heart of downtown and has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond’s history for more than a century. Here’s a handy guide on what to expect when visiting the Valentine.
Location: 1015 E Clay St
Image Credit: @vaholocaust
Virginia Holocaust Museum
This public museum depicts the Holocaust through the personal stories of its victims, educating about the Holocaust and memorializing and documenting the atrocities therein.
Location: 2000 E Cary St
Image Credit: @vmfamuseum
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
This state-operated art museum opened in 1936, featuring both permanent collections as well as special exhibitions that rotate regularly. Beyond the art museum itself, you can also visit the VMFA’s E. Claiborne & Lora Robins Sculpture Garden, Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library, the VMFA Shop, Best Café, Amuse Restaurant, the Art Education Center, and the conservation center.
Location: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd
Image Credit: @virginiahistory
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is owned and operated by the Virginia Historical Society — a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1831. In 2018, after nearly a year of research, community conversations, and strategic planning, the Virginia Historical Society announced a new vision and a new name for its headquarters facility—The Virginia Museum of History & Culture. This allowed for expanded public programming, new exhibitions, and greater activity across the Commonwealth, as the historical society works to tell a more inclusive story to a more inclusive audience.
Location: 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd
Image Credit: @probablymaybe
Virginia State Capitol
Did you know that the state capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson in 1785? It was modeled the Capitol after the Maison Carée, an ancient Roman temple in Nîmes, France. The Virginia General Assembly occupied the Capitol in 1788 and members of the Virginia executive and judicial branches moved into the building in 1789. It is a National Historic Landmark, has been nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage List, is on the Virginia Landmarks Register and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location: 1000 Bank St
Image Credit: @rva.photography
Virginia War Memorial
Virginia’s premier monument, museum, and educational center dedicated to Virginians who served to defend the United States from World War II through today, the Virginia War Memorial’s mission is to honor veterans, preserve history, educate youth, and inspire patriotism in all.
Location: 621 S Belvidere St
Thank you to Discover Richmond Tours for powering this city guide!