Richmond travel guide

About Richmond

Richmond is the capital city of the U.S. state of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city since 1871. It is the fourth-most populous city in Virginia, with a population of 226,610 at the 2020 census. The Richmond metropolitan area, with over 1.37 million residents, is the third-most populous metropolitan area in Virginia and 44th-largest in the United States. Richmond is located at the James River's fall line.

Places to visit in Richmond

1. 

   Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

   Museum · 2 mi from centre

   A broad and free-to-enter collection ranging from ancient art to modern works, notably including Faberge eggs, set within a sculpture garden. Its galleries and gardens are open most days, making it an easy stop in the Museum District.

2. 

   Virginia State Capitol

   Landmark

   Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the classical capitol houses the famous Houdon statue of George Washington and offers free guided tours on its landscaped square. It still houses the legislature.

3. 

   Maymont

   Park · 2 mi from centre

   A Gilded Age estate with a mansion museum, Japanese and Italian gardens, and a wildlife habitat with native animals such as bears and bison. The grounds are free to enter.

4. 

   Hollywood Cemetery

   Historic

   A hilly garden cemetery above the James River where two presidents and many Confederate figures are buried, with winding paths and fine river views. Guided walking tours are offered.

5. 

   American Civil War Museum

   Museum

   At the historic Tredegar ironworks site, exhibits present the Civil War from Union, Confederate and African American perspectives using artifacts and personal stories. It sits right beside the James River.

6. 

   Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

   Park · 6 mi from centre

   A large botanical garden with a domed conservatory, rose and children's gardens, and seasonal displays including a well-known holiday light show. It is a pleasant half-day outing in any season, with blooms changing throughout the year.

7. 

   St. John's Church

   Historic

   The church where Patrick Henry delivered his Give me liberty, or give me death speech, with tours and occasional reenactments in Church Hill. Its churchyard holds early graves.

8. 

   Belle Isle

   Nature

   An island in the James River reached by a suspended footbridge, with trails, rocks for sunbathing and views of whitewater rapids right beside downtown. Watch footing on the rocks.

Top experiences in Richmond

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.

Gastronomy & nightlife

Secred food Tour Richmond

• 3 hours
• Free cancellation

From $96 per adult

Where to stay in Richmond

Popular hotels in Richmond, out of 237 properties you can book.

Linden Row Inn, WorldHotels Distinctive

• Downtown

From $137 per night

Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Innsbrook

• Downtown

From $105 per night

Sheraton Reston Hotel

• Downtown

From $212 per night

Hyatt House Richmond / Short Pump

• Suburbs

From $136 per night

Omni Richmond Hotel

• Downtown

From $297 per night

Hilton Richmond Downtown

• Downtown

From $578 per night

Best Western Premier Richmond City Gateway

• Suburbs

From $124 per night

Hampton Inn by Hilton Chester South

• Suburbs

From $116 per night

Hampton Inn Richmond-Southwest-Hull Street

• Suburbs

From $169 per night

Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump

• Suburbs

From $205 per night

Best Western Plus Governor's Inn

• Suburbs

From $112 per night

Commonwealth Park Suites

• Downtown

From $205 per night

Best time to visit Richmond

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Richmond is April and October, when average daytime highs are around 69–72°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Richmond weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 63° 45° 0%
• Thu 22 Oct 69° 48° 0%
• Fri 23 Oct 65° 50° 0%
• Sat 24 Oct 66° 47° 0%
• Sun 25 Oct 67° 48° 0%
• Mon 26 Oct 71° 49° 0%

Know before you go

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Language

English

Calling code

+1

Driving

On the right

Time zone

America/New_YorkUTC−4

Capital

Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

• Wed 11 NovVeterans Day
• Thu 26 NovThanksgiving Day
• Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
• Fri 1 JanNew Year's Day
• Mon 18 JanMartin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mon 15 FebPresidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Richmond

These are the airports closest to central Richmond. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• RIC Richmond International Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre

Getting around Richmond

The easiest way to get around Richmond is by car. Roadside parking spaces are relatively easy to find but be in the look-out for no parking areas - particularly the "Fan District." The city is laid out on a grid system and is easy to navigate, however, many streets in the oldest parts of the city are very narrow and one-way.

By bus

The Greater Richmond Transit Company, or GRTC, operates a bus service across the city and partially into neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. Their phone number is: +1 804 358-4782. The bus system has been free to all users since March 19, 2020. Current grant funding will allow for free rides through July 2026. The system is best utilized if you are already downtown, and need to go throughout the city itself.

Richmond travel FAQ