Founded in 1847, Hollywood is one of the oldest cemeteries in Richmond. Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General J.E.B. Stuart, Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, novelists James Branch Cabel and Ellen Glasgow, and 18,000 Confederate soldiers, 11,000 of the unknown, are a few examples of the historical figures buried here. Hollywood has the city's best view of the James River. When the cemetery was first established, neighbors declared that the rushing of the falls would, literally, wake the dead. Guided tours are available on the last Sunday of each month through October.
North Anna Battlefield Park is the 172-acre site of the May 1864 Battle of North Anna, which has now transformed into a place with walking trails, a picnic place, and historic interpretive signs that point out trenches and rifle pits from the past. Bring your family and friends to soak in some sunshine and indulge in American history. Some trails, such as the Blue Trail, may include steep hills and require strenuous activity.
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.
Designed by Thomas Jefferson with architect Charles-Louis Clérisseau, this Classic Revival building was modeled after a Roman temple, the Maison Carrée in Nimes. It was completed in 1788 and is the second oldest capitol in continuous use in the country. The focal point of the building is the central rotunda featuring a life-size statue of George Washington, said to be the only one for which he actually posed. A smaller dome displays busts of the eight American presidents from Virginia. The old Hall of the House of Delegates, where the legislature met until 1906, is now a museum. Free tours, lasting about 30 minutes, are offered here. Visitors can stroll around the Capitol grounds and see the nearby Executive Mansion.
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.
Carytown is a treasure trove of specialty stores and restaurants. Stroll down the sidewalks and explore antique stores, salons, vintage clothing stores, coffee places, bookshops and more. On and off-street parking is plentiful. The eateries represent many different kinds of food, from Mexican at Nacho Mamma's to French-Asian at Indochine or Indian at Farouk's. The shops include Premiere Costumes, The Compleat Gourmet and Leo Burke Furniture. These and other stores have sidewalk sales in the spring and fall and open houses on December Sundays. In August, the street comes to life with the Watermelon Festival.
This 54-acre (21-hectare) island of the James River has undergone several avatars in its time. What once started as a home to a granite quarry, served the nation during the American Civil War by housing a prisoner-of-war camp. Today, the Belle Isle has shed that avatar as well to become a city park. A great destination for people fond of the great outdoors, Belle Isle gives visitors an opportunity for walking, biking, swimming, rock jumping, sunbathing, bird watching, kayaking and even boulder top picnicking. A natural habitat for wildlife, don’t be alarmed if you come across a raccoon or duck while you’re here. Belle Isle is accessible through pedestrian and bicycle traffic via McArthur Bridge.
Founded in 1847, Hollywood is one of the oldest cemeteries in Richmond. Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General J.E.B. Stuart, Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, novelists James Branch Cabel and Ellen Glasgow, and 18,000 Confederate soldiers, 11,000 of the unknown, are a few examples of the historical figures buried here. Hollywood has the city's best view of the James River. When the cemetery was first established, neighbors declared that the rushing of the falls would, literally, wake the dead. Guided tours are available on the last Sunday of each month through October.
Petersburg National Battlefield Park in Virginia was the site of a ten-month siege during the Civil War because of its strategic location to nearby Richmond. One of the most notable events at the battlefield was the Battle of the Crater, where Union soldiers dug tunnels to detonate explosives under Confederate lines, leaving a large crater that can still be seen today. The park also honors the contributions of the United States Colored Troops, who served in the Union army during the Civil War. Visitors can explore the park through guided or self-guided trails to learn more about this significant event in American history.
A protective barrier and part of the city's largest flood-protection system, built to shield the city from flooding up to a height of 32 feet in case of the James River swelling and overflowing, the Richmond Floodwall has been made using 3.2 miles of concrete, steel, earth and rock. The wall is also a popular spot for runners, hikers, bird watchers and kayakers. The area is also a trendy fishing spot, especially during Spring season. Built after the extensive damage caused in Richmond between 1969 to 1987 due to excessive and repeated flooding, the wall also offers scenic views of the river.
North Anna Battlefield Park is the 172-acre site of the May 1864 Battle of North Anna, which has now transformed into a place with walking trails, a picnic place, and historic interpretive signs that point out trenches and rifle pits from the past. Bring your family and friends to soak in some sunshine and indulge in American history. Some trails, such as the Blue Trail, may include steep hills and require strenuous activity.
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 (1468.68 hectares) 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.