Things to Do in Richmond: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 8, 2026 / Public Storage
Richmond, Virginia, sits along the scenic James River and offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventure. Known for its rich Civil War heritage, vibrant arts scene, and revitalized neighborhoods, Richmond is a city that invites visitors to explore, learn, and enjoy an energetic yet approachable urban experience.
Plan your visit around Downtown, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Carytown, Scott’s Addition, the Fan District, and the James River to combine nearby attractions in one day.
Richmond Travel Essentials:
- Visit Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Virginia State Capitol, and Canal Walk in Downtown Richmond.
- Explore the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Institute for Contemporary Art, and local galleries.
- Walk, bike, paddle, or hike in the James River Park System and on Belle Isle.
- Visit Maymont for gardens, historic architecture, wildlife exhibits, and outdoor space.
- Try Southern food, barbecue, local coffee, farmers markets, and Scott’s Addition breweries.
- Explore Carytown, Scott’s Addition, the Fan District, Church Hill, and Jackson Ward.
- Use walking, biking, GRTC buses, rideshare, or a car based on your route.
Richmond Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Richmond?
The best things to do in Richmond include exploring Canal Walk, visiting the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, spending time on Belle Isle, touring Maymont, and trying local food and breweries. Visitors can also walk historic neighborhoods, paddle on approved James River routes, or shop in Carytown.
Plan each day by area. Combine Downtown, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and Canal Walk in one itinerary, then schedule museums, Carytown, Maymont, or James River recreation for another day.
What Can You Do in Downtown Richmond?
Downtown Richmond offers historic districts, government landmarks, restaurants, museums, public art, riverfront views, and entertainment. Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Virginia State Capitol, and Canal Walk are common places to start.
Downtown Richmond attractions include:
- Virginia State Capitol: Thomas Jefferson-designed architecture, history, and guided tours
- Canal Walk: Public art, murals, history markers, and waterfront paths
- Shockoe Slip: Cobblestone streets, restaurants, local shops, and historic warehouses
- Shockoe Bottom: Historic streets, dining, entertainment, and riverfront access
- The Valentine: Richmond history exhibits and historic architecture
- Richmond National Battlefield Park sites: Civil War history and local landmarks
Canal Walk presents four centuries of Richmond and Virginia history through medallions, statues, and exhibits.
What Museums and Cultural Attractions Are in Richmond?
Richmond museums include the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, The Valentine, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, and Science Museum of Virginia. The city also offers live theater, concerts, galleries, and public art.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Richmond?
Richmond outdoor activities include walking, biking, hiking, paddling, fishing, climbing, garden visits, and riverfront exploration. The James River Park System, Belle Isle, Maymont, and the Virginia Capital Trail provide common places to start.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Hiking and biking in the James River Park System
- Walking or biking on Belle Isle
- Paddling on approved James River routes
- Visiting Maymont gardens and outdoor areas
- Walking, running, or biking along Canal Walk
- Exploring the Virginia Capital Trail
- Visiting local parks and riverfront overlooks
Belle Isle offers hiking trails, river access, historic sites, and views of the Richmond skyline. Check water conditions, trail status, and weather before outdoor activities.
What Can You Do at Maymont?
Maymont is a historic Richmond estate with gardens, an arboretum, a Gilded Age mansion, a nature center, a farm, and the Virginia Wildlife Trail. It offers walking areas and family activities across its grounds.
Plan several hours for Maymont if you want to visit the gardens, mansion, nature center, and outdoor areas. Check current hours and program schedules before visiting.
What Food Is Richmond Known For?
Richmond is known for Southern food, barbecue, local breweries, neighborhood restaurants, coffee shops, farmers markets, and global cuisine. Scott’s Addition, Carytown, Church Hill, Jackson Ward, and the Fan District offer varied dining options.
Common Richmond food experiences include:
- Southern comfort food and barbecue
- Local breweries, cideries, and distilleries
- Farm-focused and seasonal menus
- Coffee shops, bakeries, and brunch spots
- Farmers market food and local produce
- International food in Downtown and neighborhood business districts
- Restaurants in Scott’s Addition, Carytown, and the Fan District
Plan meal stops around your daily route. Pair a Scott’s Addition brewery visit with nearby restaurants, or combine Carytown shopping with a café or neighborhood dinner.
Which Richmond Neighborhoods Should Visitors Explore?
Richmond neighborhoods offer different options for history, food, breweries, shopping, art, river access, and local events. Downtown, Shockoe Slip, Scott’s Addition, Carytown, the Fan District, Church Hill, and Jackson Ward are practical places to start.
Consider these areas:
- Downtown: Virginia State Capitol, Canal Walk, museums, restaurants, and riverfront access
- Shockoe Slip: Historic warehouses, cobblestone streets, restaurants, and nightlife
- Shockoe Bottom: Local dining, entertainment, historic sites, and riverfront access
- Scott’s Addition: Breweries, cideries, restaurants, game halls, and nightlife
- Carytown: Boutiques, vintage stores, cafés, restaurants, and local shopping
- Fan District: Historic homes, restaurants, local businesses, and walkable streets
- Church Hill: Historic architecture, parks, city views, and neighborhood dining
- Jackson Ward: Black history, museums, restaurants, and local culture
What Shopping and Entertainment Can You Find in Richmond?
Richmond offers local boutiques, vintage stores, markets, breweries, professional baseball, concerts, theater, and live music. Carytown and Scott’s Addition offer shopping and dining, while Downtown performance venues host events throughout the year.
How Should You Get Around Richmond?
Use walking, biking, GRTC buses, rideshare, or a car to get around Richmond. Downtown, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Carytown, Scott’s Addition, and parts of the Fan District are easier to explore on foot once you arrive.
A car or rideshare can help with Maymont, James River Park access points, Richmond Raceway, and destinations outside central Richmond. Check parking, trail access, event schedules, and weather before traveling.
Plan Your Richmond Visit or Move.
Explore Richmond by combining historic sites, art museums, river activities, neighborhood food, breweries, and local shopping into a clear daily route. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a Richmond home.
Start by the river. Find your Richmond.
Richmond Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Richmond?
Popular Richmond activities include walking Canal Walk, visiting the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, exploring Shockoe Slip, hiking on Belle Isle, visiting Maymont, and trying local restaurants and breweries.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Richmond?
Richmond offers hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, climbing, garden visits, and riverfront walks. James River Park System, Belle Isle, Maymont, Canal Walk, and the Virginia Capital Trail provide common outdoor options.
What Food Is Richmond Known For?
Richmond is known for Southern food, barbecue, breweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, and international restaurants. Scott’s Addition, Carytown, Church Hill, Jackson Ward, and the Fan District offer varied dining options.
What Neighborhoods Should First-Time Visitors Explore in Richmond?
First-time visitors can explore Downtown, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Scott’s Addition, Carytown, the Fan District, Church Hill, and Jackson Ward. These areas offer history, museums, food, art, shopping, breweries, and river access.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Richmond?
You can walk, bike, use GRTC buses, or use rideshare services for many central Richmond destinations. A car or rideshare is useful for Maymont, James River Park access points, and attractions outside central neighborhoods.
