Local Tourism Recommendations
Considered among the largest art museums in North America for square footage of exhibition space, the VMFA's comprehensive art collection includes African art, American art, British sporting art, Fabergé eggs, and Himalayan art. VMFA offers free admission, except for special exhibits.
The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University opened on April 21, 2018 and is a non-collecting institution that showcases an ever-changing slate of exhibitions, performances, films, and special programs. They once did a GWAR exhibit. Admission is free and open to all.
Maymont Mansion is a well-preserved document of Gilded Age design and the taste of well-educated, cosmopolitan millionaires. Within six months of Mrs. Dooley’s death in 1925, the mansion was opened to the public as a museum. There are also beautiful grounds you can stroll, even when it’s cold outside.
Friday night, January 27th you can go see one of Drag Race’s own—Nina West—perform in the regional tour of Hairspray at the Altria Theatre in downtown Richmond!
Not only is our Thursday night Private Movie Screening happening in this area, it is home to so much lovely local shopping. Small boutiques and gift shops, especially quirky stores like World of Mirth Toys & Gifts, Bygones Vintage, and Luxor Vintage!
Scott’s Addition (Brewery District)
There’s been a huge boom in the Brewery and Restaurant culture over at a new part of town called “Scott’s Addition.” It’s hard to find parking over there but totally worth a Google to visit spots like The Veil Brewing or ZZQ RVA Barbeque.
The Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson and first occupied in 1788 by Virginia's General Assembly, organized in 1619 as America's oldest elected representative legislature.
Lauren interned at the Legislature in 2002. Ask her about it.
The Quirk Hotel Lobby Bar offers delicious, rustic-American craft cooking, celebrating seasonal and hyperlocal ingredients while incorporating global flavor profiles. Refined but relaxed, it’s a buzzy local favorite for brunch and dinner.
Opened in 1895, The Jefferson Hotel was the dream of Lewis Ginter. The Hotel was designed by Carrere and Hastings, the same architectural firm that designed the Fifth Avenue Public Library and Frick Museum in New York. Go have a drink in their bar!
Hardywood West Creek is the ultimate brewery experience for craft beer lovers. Located just 10 minutes from downtown Short Pump and nestled on 24 bucolic acres overlooking Tuckahoe Creek, Hardywood’s destination brewery includes a public taproom with a built-in stage, a mezzanine-level, an outdoor patio and beer garden, and a food truck plaza.
Richmond Book Shop (We love this place!)
This place is wild and wonderful. Kyle and Lauren always wind up buying old magazine and prints in there on their trips to Richmond. They’ve recently closed up 1/2 the store but we recommend grabbing some 8x10’s of vintage movie stars and LIFE magazines from the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Sticky Rice RVA (Lauren’s favorite sushi.)
Lauren has one sticker on her car and it’s the logo of this sushi spot. We recommend ordering the Sticky Balls as an appetizer with an ice cold PBR.
If you’re staying at the Hyatt House, this whole complex is available to you to walk and shop in. Apple, Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel and even a comedy club called Funny Bone. Check out their full store and restaurant directory here.
Day Drinking? Yes. This little Brew Crew bus tour looks pretty great. It hits up all the relevant spots while not asking you to have to drive (win!). There’s a possibility that they’re also doing tacky light tours still in January (if holiday lights stay up that long?).
Lauren father, Mark, works at a competitor Botanical Garden which you also must visit if you’re ever in Pennsylvania. This Virginia garden is still pretty stunning and should have some winter lights up for your pleasure during January.