Spend an afternoon in Carytown, a stretch of blocks on West Cary Street alive with cool cafés and offbeat retailers ranging from used-clothing boutiques to handcrafted goods. If you're up for a movie, you won't find many film houses more beguiling than the Byrd Theater, hailing back to 1928 and embellished with murals, fountains and chandeliers.
Relish one of the best art collections in the South at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, boasting works by Goya, Monet, Gauguin, van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse and other legends. You'll also savor a fantastic international collection of art and artifacts that includes a mind-boggling Fabergé collection.
Anyone with even the slightest interest in U.S. history should visit the Richmond National Battlefield Park, comprising a handful of Civil War battlefield sites on the city's eastern borders. A great starting point to your "field trip" is getting the lay of the land at the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works, on the Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk.
One attraction you'll be "raven" to your friends about is the Poe Museum on East Main Street, a complex of old buildings paying tribute to the longtime Richmond resident. A gigantic collection of Poe memorabilia and a model of the city during Poe's time here are but two of the many highlights.
Yes, you can see an old capitol building in any state capital, but the Virginia State Capitol at 9th and Grace is a standout, designed by Thomas Jefferson and showcasing a breathtaking rotunda and regal colonnades. Visitors who want to see the building's interior must take a short tour, so make sure you have at least 30 minutes handy before dropping by.
Enjoy a night of fine dining at one of the city's many refined restaurants. Lemaire, in the Jefferson Hotel on West Franklin Street, serves unforgettable French fare in a romantic atmosphere that usually includes live piano tunes; make sure you have reservations, as this is a big favorite of locals and visitors.
Transport yourself to 15th-century England by visiting Agecroft Hall, a marvelous mansion built in Lancashire in the Tudor era and, in the 20th century, transported to Richmond and rebuilt piece by piece. Located on Sulgrave Road, the terrific Tudor is surrounded by various formal gardens and offers 30- and 60-minute tours.
