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.

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.

Built-in 1893, this beautiful home on the James River is a classic example of Victorian architecture and landscaping. Maymont Mansion is filled with period furniture including a magnificent swan bed. Trees and plants from all over the world were cultivated here by the owners. The English, Japanese and Italian gardens are romantic spots for strolling and picnicking. A carriage collection, children's farm, and small zoo are other favorite attractions.

Three Lakes Nature Center & Aquarium is the best place to be on a sunny afternoon in Richmond. It is tranquil and beautiful, bringing together land and water for the delight of all visitors. Aside from the wonderful sightseeing, there are a plethora of activities for kids to engage in, such as educational programs focusing on fireflies, butterflies and two in particular that are a big hit: the Insectigator - where kids are able to hunt for certain insects - and the Dirt Lab, where budding archaeologists dig up hidden treasures. As if all of that isn't cool enough, there is a 50,000-gallon freshwater aquarium on site, which houses various fish and amphibians. With so many live exhibitions, it is no wonder that Three Lakes Nature Center & Aquarium is a big hit with children and adults alike.

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.

One of the oldest homes in Virginia, this was a boyhood residence of Thomas Jefferson. Tuckahoe is the location of some of Richmond's eeriest hauntings. The most notorious is of a distressed young bride who rushes down a garden path called "The Ghost Walk" supposedly searching for her beloved. The surrounding gardens are a treat to the eyes, with lush green trees, hedges, lawns and colorful flowers making it a great photography zone. Guided tours of the house and its gardens are held daily, wherein visitors are taken through the history of the structure and its occupants.