From its beginnings as a trading post for early settlers to the thriving economic center it is today, Richmond has grown into a city with a rich history, diverse culture and gracious hospitality. Tree-lined streets and quaint bricked walkways invite locals and visitors to explore this easily manageable city. Stroll along the river that brought Captain John Smith to this area, walk in the footsteps of patriots like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson and see the Capitol building which once flew the flag of the Confederate States of America.

Downtown
A charming blend of old and new, Richmond’s city center is made up of commercial, residential and government buildings. Capitol Square, the seat of Virginia State government, is a good place to begin a visit to the city. On the grounds are the Virginia State Capitol, the second oldest in the country, the Executive Mansion, home of the governor and the historic Bell Tower which houses the Visitor Center. Nearby are the Museum and White House of the Confederacy and St. Paul’s Church, reminders of the period during the Civil War when Richmond was the capital of the Confederate States. The The Valentine Museum depicts the city’s history through artifacts, paintings and the Federal-style Wickham House, which dates back to 1812. Richmond recently experienced a downtown renaissance when old tobacco warehouses along the James River were converted into residential and commercial space. A large medical research facility and several office buildings contribute to the economic success of the city and especially the downtown area.

Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom
Originally part of Richmond’s commercial district, this newly renovated part of town is the hot spot for trendy restaurants and lively entertainment. Its location along the river, cobblestone streets lit with gaslamps and old warehouses converted into shops make it a great place for an evening stroll. The quaint Berkeley Hotel, Awful Arthur’s-a Richmond favorite for steamed oysters and crabs-and the historic Tobacco Company restaurant are highlights of a visit to Shockoe.

Jackson Ward
This historic section of town is nicknamed “the Harlem of the South” because of the many legendary African-American performers who got their start here-among them Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Lena Horne and Nat King Cole. Established by freed blacks in the late 1800s, this became the largest and most successful African-American business district in the South by the early 20th century. Notable citizens include Maggie Walker, founder of the oldest African-American bank in the nation, Giles Jackson, a former slave who became the first black lawyer to address the Supreme Court of Virginia and William Washington Browne, an entrepreneur who established many of the businesses in this neighborhood. The Black History Museum houses permanent exhibits about Jackson Ward and Virginia’s black history and culture. The ornate cast iron on many of the buildings is some of the finest to be found anywhere.

The Fan
Richmond’s first suburb is so named because the streets fan out from Monroe Park creating wide lots and avenues, which are lined with stately homes. Several types of architecture are represented here including Queen Anne, Tudor, Spanish and what is believed to be the largest collection of Victorian buildings in the country. Monument Avenue is a showcase of these gracious homes as well as a tribute to Confederate heroes with statues of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis among others. The Avenue also features a statue of tennis great and Richmond native, Arthur Ashe. Today the neighborhood is more urban than suburban and has a diverse population and quaint restaurants and pubs.

Carytown
Along the west end of Cary Street is Richmond’s version of New York’s Greenwich Village or Washington DC’s Georgetown. Boutiques, cafes and ethnic restaurants line the streets where some of the city’s best people-watching can be done. Everything from used bookstores and antique shops to specialty food stores and art galleries have been established in this former residential neighborhood making it a perfect place for a Saturday afternoon stroll. For those who need a break from all the shopping, coffeehouses are in abundance – more per square mile than anywhere east of Seattle. For something more substantial, restaurants range from casual eateries like Carytown Burgers and Fries to fine dining at Acacia.

Richmond’s location in the center of Virginia provides easy access to other areas of interest as well. Washington DC is only 90 minutes to the north and a drive to the east leads to the resort town of Virginia Beach and Colonial Williamsburg. Charlottesville and the Shenandoah National Park are due west and historic Petersburg is just south of Richmond.