By boat or by foot the Richmond Canal Walk is a beautiful and educational experience. Take a guided tour or learn about the site on your own. Trek through wooden steps, cobbled streets, and dirt trails - you certainly won't be bored with all of the pathways this walk offers. Brass disks embedded in the sidewalk, maps, photos and artifacts note historical events and people associated with the canals and locks.

The canal that was built to favor the passengers who traveled through the water ways was the James River and Kanawha Canal. Although frequently destroyed by the floods, the canal stood still in its appearance and continues to serve the passengers. This canal is spread over 138 acres (56 hectares) and is a great visiting place for the tourists. If you are still debating whether or not to visit, keep in mind that it is listed on the register of National Historic Places in the year 1971. The public pathway is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In the 1880s, Lewis Ginter, a wealthy businessman, opened a resort on this land just northwest of Richmond. An avid gardener, he planted and cared for much of the foliage that still thrives in the park today. Upon his death, the property passed to his niece who opened a hospice for children in Ginter's home. She also cultivated the gardens and imported several rare plants. The land is now operated by the city as a botanical garden. Explore the Victorian garden, nature trails and the home, and perhaps stop at the Tea House for lunch.

Richmond commands much importance till today, for it served as the capital of the Confederate States of America, and an integral site during the course of the Civil War. Spanning 3,629.2 acres (14.68 square kilometers) along Virginia's coastal expanse, this historic park bears a string of nationally-significant sites including the Chimborazo Hospital, Fort Harrison, Drewry's Bluff, Tradegar Iron Works, Cold Harbor and a smattering of fortified and military remnants. The park is further accentuated by verdant, open meadows, where a melange of mammals rove along expansive, old-growth forests. It is as if the glory of the valiant Virginian soldiers yet lingers across this site, a stirring chapter which, in more than ways one, determined the fate of the country.

Spanning an impressive 7950 acres (3217.25-hectares), Pocahontas State Park is a breathtaking forested expanse. The park is named after the legendary Native American figure and offers thrilling outdoor pursuits within its dramatic landscapes. More than 58 miles of trails entice hikers and mountain bikers of all abilities, while fishing opportunities abound in the abundant waters of the park's two lakes. Swift Creek Lake, the larger of the two, is also available seasonally for kayaking, paddling and canoeing. Other points of interest within the park include the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum and the Aqua Center, a fun family destination, with pools, water-slides and a wet deck.