The Richmond Playbook: Where to Eat, Stay & Explore

The Maymont: A 100 acre estate with a historic mansion, beautiful gardens, and wildlife habitats. The park has a farm area where kids can see cows, horses, and goats (and sometimes sneak in a peek or two). There are loads of events throughout the year. The magnolia tree row is the perfect spot for a shaded picnic. Entry is free, but a donation is suggested.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: A beautifully designed garden with themed landscapes, year-round events, classes, and a conservatory. The library hosts free story time on Saturdays in the summer. Visit during the tulip bloom!

Canal walk: Scenic pedestrian walk along the James River and Kanawha Canal with historic markers, colorful murals, and water views. The walk starts in Shockoe Bottom and can go all the way to Manchester if you cross over the pedestrian bridge. Try stopping at Casa del Barco for tacos and margaritas and admiring the murals.

Brown’s Island: A vibrant outdoor space hosting concerts, festivals, and community events with gorgeous views of the James River. It’s a favorite spot for relaxing by the river.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond: A hands-on interactive space where kids can learn through play, with exhibits ranging from pretend grocery stores to art studios to a full outdoor play area and splash pad.

The Richmond Symphony: The city’s premier orchestra, offering captivating performances from classical masterpieces to modern compositions. Family-friendly and outdoor concerts are often hosted by the symphony, as well as live movies such as Harry Potter or Jurassic Park with the live orchestra.

VMFA: A world-class museum with free admission, showcasing art from around the globe alongside special rotating exhibits. Art classes are available for everyone ages six months and up! The sculpture garden and three on-site dining options make it a fantastic full-day experience. A little-known fact is that VMFA is home to the largest collection of Faberge eggs outside of Russia.

Scents of Serenity Organic Spa: With a reputation as “organic luxury” and honored as the area’s top spa for over a decade, it consistently earns rave reviews for its calming atmosphere and high-quality service. Scents of Serenity has several locations in the Richmond area and offers everything from relaxing baths and infrared saunas to healing massages.

Union Hill: Richmond has multiple beautiful parks in each neighborhood, and sunset picnics here are a favorite. Stop at Union Hill for a sandwich and drinks, then post up at Libby Hill or Chimborazo Park to watch a beautiful sunset.

The Queen’s Library Tea Room: A charming reservation-only English-style tea room that blends Victorian elegance with Southern warmth. Thoughtfully curated teas are imported from Fortnum & Mason, served in mix-and-match china. It’s perfect for romantic dates, book club meetings, and celebrations of any type.

Lemaire: If you’re staying at the Jefferson Hotel (or even if you’re not), make sure you have dinner at Lemaire. Known for its elegant ambiance, Lemaire’s attention to detail, and artfully crafted, seasonal menu highlighting locally sourced ingredients, always hits the mark.

Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen: Midlothian Chef’s Kitchen is such a treat if you’re not quite within the city limits. The menu is fantastic, and changes seasonally, so there’s always something new and exciting to try. Every dish I’ve had here has been fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

Lunch. Supper!: A locals’ favorite smokehouse in Scott’s Addition. Lunch. Supper! also serves breakfast with generous portions from ingredients grown inside their own garden. Lunch. Supper! is near the Children’s Museum as well as several breweries, making it a great place to stop for any traveling group.

Coco + Hazel: If you have a sweet tooth that needs sating, make sure you head over to Coco + Hazel. Their milkshakes are deliciously creamy and are served with a unique dessert like brownies, cotton candy, or a whole slice of cake.

Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches: Nightingale doesn’t have a specific storefront you can go to. Instead, you can find them in breweries, restaurants, and grocery stores locally. All flavors are delicious, but my personal favorite is the Cookie Monster. If you see them on a dessert menu or out in the wild, be sure to pick one up and try it for yourself!