Orangepants

My friend Sue and I are off to Richmond, VA Thursday for a long weekend. Yeah - boozy girls weekend! We are staying downtown and no definite plans as yet.

Any suggestions? We are both interested in American History - Constitution and all that stuff, art galleries - heard the VMFA is one of the best around and Sue like dead bodies - the cemeteries! Maybe a Segway tour for a laugh - told her she'd have to do that before lunch/wine. Any must do's or restaurant ideas? Thanks.

MtbbikeVanlife

All the Segway tour are great - and they are a lot easier than you think to control (but definitely no alcohol before !). Even a cemetery one for you... Segway Tours - Segway of Richmond Check out the groupon for savings.... https://www.groupon.com/deals/segway-of-richmond-8

I'm told the VMFA is excellent also... Still haven't got round to visiting myself though.

Plenty of American History of course - go to the Tredegar Iron Works down by the river as a good starting point.

Riverside Outfitters for white water rafting or guided kayaking down the rapids that cut through the city center. (There might even be a Groupon saving available). Riverside Outfitters | Paddling, Climbing, Camps, Rentals and Recreation

Craft Breweries - can recommend these guys http://richmondbrewerytours.com/ No need for a designated driver !

James River Park System for hiking/biking within the city - The James River Park System, Richmond Virginia

Can you tell I like Richmond, VA !

Carl.

DebzinUS

If you fancy a touch of home...Penny Lane on E. Franklin, Richmond. Good food

Trailing_Hubby

+1 for Tredegar Iron Works. A good overview of the Civil War. We also drove out to the Cold Harbout Battlefield Centre. There isn't much to see, butsome of the trenches and groundwork are still visible and you get a real sense of where the fighting took place.

For food try Comfort, a great Southern bbq spot on W Broad Street. Have a drink in Saison round the corner beforehand.

Orangepants

Thanks for the suggestions - there is a Liberty Trail (10k) similar to Boston so we're going to follow the trail, this takes us through Tredgar and then we'll do a Segway round the cemeteries. Then out to Carytown and to the VFMA and the Monument mile.
Found some cool restaurants - first night at the Kabana rooftop. I like the look of the Tobacco Company and the Hardshell. A few nice looking french bistro type places. Saison is on my list too for drinks.

Thanks

yellowroom

I liked Lewis Ginter gardens and the Capitol building (they filmed Lincoln there, much excitement in Richmond at the time)

AlphaTangoMike

The botanic gardens - supposedly in the top 5 in the country (I have yet to go):
One of the top gardens in the US

Orangepants

Good idea - Botanical Gardens I love. Looks like it's only 20 mins from downtown - could get an Uber up there on Sunday morning.

BritInParis

My family and I had a enjoyable tour of the Capitol Building when we visited. The visitor's centre has been recently rebuilt to a very high standard.

ottotheboar

Hollywood cemetery is well worth a visit. The rafting is good the river is at a good level.
You go over the old dam and get a good view of Hollywood.
You are not too far from Jamestown and Williamsburg if you have the time.

Dewey

Carytown and Shockoe Slip have some interesting shops and restaurants. The Virginia State Capitol is nice. The John Marshall House is a quaint historic house tour. Ellwood Thompson's carries a decent selection of Virginia Wine including Gabriele Rausse whose Italian style red wines are delicious.

ottotheboar

If you are an Edgar Allen Poe fan there is the Poe museum