"Richmond, VA" Top 5 Page for this destination Richmond by b1bob

Richmond Travel Guide: 840 reviews and 1,307 photos

Richmond skyline from the new city hall - Richmond
Richmond skyline from the new city hall

After writing up my excellent adventures around the world, I am finally writing up Richmond. This page encompasses not only the city of Richmond, but some surrounding areas including Highland Springs and Midlothian. Most areas of interest to tourists are in or near the city.

Through the 1970s downtown Richmond was a cohesive area that thrived. However, with the growth of shopping malls in the suburbs, downtown's two largest private employers, Miller & Rhoads and Thalhimer's went out of business in the early 1990s. Those closures in close succession left a gaping hole in dowtown's economic health and its psyche. Instead of being mired in past glory, downtown Richmond has struggled to reinvent itself. Its slow road to recovery began with the revitalisation of the canal. Following the lead of San Antonio, Texas, Richmond built a canal walk. Also, they have been revitalising Shockoe Bottom by opening trendy restaurants and filling once-vacant tobacco warehouses with loft flats. Richmond still has a long way to go, but we're making a slow but steady comeback.

NOTE: Virginia is unique in that there are quite a number of independent cities whose mailing addresses overlap into the surrounding counties. For the Richmond area, you certainly have Richmond addresses in the city proper, but also in the neighbouring counties of Henrico and Chesterfield.

YOU'RE VERY RICHMOND IF

You can direct all visitors and newcomers to the places of interest in the city, but have bever been to the places yourself.

You believe that living in Wyndham is a "lifestyle".

You know that Shockoe Slip isn't something you find at Victoria's Secret.

You go to Parker Field to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July.

You recognise Lou Dean's voice when you enter the Richmond International Airport.

The people you refer to as the "new neighbours" moved in 20 years ago.

If it costs as much to repair or replace it...you repair.

You live in the Fan and you can tell a South sider by the way they parallel park.

After 25 years you still have not visited Brandermill.

When you are introduced to someone they say, "And who is your mother?"

You drove all the way to Nags Head just to get an OBX sticker for your car.

Your new best friend is someone who just vacated a parking spot at Ukrop's.

You use the phrase "Grove and Libbie" as an adjective.

Your New Year's resolution is not to change a thing.

You think the gestation period for a good idea is 10 years.

You have to eat 6 or 7 Krispy Kreme donuts before you even begin to feel guilty.

You wonder where Short Pump went.

You think Philip Morris is the mayor.

You know what 'pony pasture' is and know it really has nothing to do with either a pasture or ponies

You know what Arthur Ashe has in common with Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson

The kids with the multi-coloured hair and piercings are probably from V.C.U.

You've been to the midnight movie. Probably in your pajamas.

You know how to pronounce Parham and Powhite correctly... and get mad when non-Richmonders don't.

You know that by 'snow' we usually mean slush or ice... and that the entire city shuts down for it

When you say 'The Braves' you don't mean Atlanta



You know that it's northSIDE and southSIDE... but east END and west END. And then there's just Lakeside...

It doesn't confuse you that the Nickel Bridge doesn't cost a nickel

You remember when Short Pump was farmland, and probably complain about big business ruining the landscape... but still go there on a weekly basis to shop and see movies. Except on Friday and Saturday nights because that's just suicide.

You've been to Bruster's and probably know at least 2 people who work there. Ditto for King's Dominion.

You know it can be 70° (20°C). one day and 40° (5°C). the next and not think that's strange... but somehow, it's always humid.

90% of your senior class went to Tech, J.M.U., or 'The University'

One word. Ukrop's: where 25% of your school has worked as a bag-boy at one point in their life. And you know that on Sundays you're gonna have to settle for Kroger... and you don't even TRY to buy alcohol there-- because they don't have any.

You know that y'all is an actual word.

You can go from high-end Cary street to Carytown to the ghetto in a matter of minutes.

You know the difference between Carytown, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, the Fan, Forest Hill, and downtown

You've been to Belle Isle or Brown's Island. And yes, you've gone to Friday Cheers

You know that Robin Inn isn't actually a hotel and The Tobacco Company isn't actually a warehouse, and don't get confused by that.

You learned about Jamestown and Williamsburg and Roanoke in your elementary school history classes. Every year. And went on field trips to each at least twice

You scoff at subway and know that REAL subs (note, not hoagies) come from Stuffy's or Bernie's

You know it's called U of R. Not Richmond. And yes, you've fed the ducks.

You don't get weirded out when the roads suddenly turn to cobblestone and then back to pavement.

You remember when Regency was the cool mall. And when you didn't have to fear for your life at Willow Lawn.

You know which streets are one-way. Which, once you're downtown, all of them ARE.

You know where the secret parking lots are in Carytown

You can't go anywhere without seeing at least one person that you know or the person you're with knows

You've been to the Watermelon Festival and/or the Greek Festival and/or Arts in the Park. Probably every year.

You know the stupid stereotypes of all the private high schools...and can probably guess who went to what high school by just looking at them, even though there are like 20 different schools in the area...

You've watched the fireworks at Dogwood Dell... or at least had a picnic there

You can drive an hour from Chester to Hanover and still consider yourself in Richmond

You know that you can arrive at RIC airport only 30 minutes early and still make the plane... and you actually EXPECT it to look totally different every time you go

You know someone who has worked, does work, or will work at Phillip Morris

You know that ironically, the 'Open Door Christian School' was always the first to close on 'snow' days

You were (or knew someone who was) an Indian Princess or an Indian Guide. And know that doesn't actually mean they're Indian...

You know what the rivah is... and know that it's probably more correct to say the bay

You've been to the quarry

You know the goodness that is Carytown Burgers and Fries

You know that RICHMOND IS the STATE'S capitol, the first English settlement, the hills, the mountains, and the beach are all about an hour away... but probably rarely take advantage of that... and still complain that there's nothing to do

You remember the ibook stampede of '05

2 words. BOTTOMS UP. and you know that doesn't mean getting drunk

At some point in your life, you've gone paddle-boating at Byrd Park

You've driven around the city on the tacky lights tour. And probably rented a limo and dressed up for it... and you don't think that's odd

You've been to Casa Grande... and yes, you've had the casa vs chap vs cap argument. You've also been to Mexico... and you know that doesn't mean the country

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Many historic sites within a small area.
  • Cons:Typical urban problems such as crime (in some areas) and traffic.
  • In a nutshell:Richmond looks more to the future than most outsiders would believe.
  • Intro Updated Mar 22, 2011
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Reviews (243)

Don't Look Back - Richmond Look FORWARD to eating here Restaurants (84)

Don't Look Back is a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood restaurant in Carytown. It has just the right, comforting... more travel advice

Plaza Azteca - Richmond rare good Mexican food in Richmond Restaurants (84)

On the way to a political event that served only dessert, my friend and I decided to eat at Plaza Azteca next door to... more travel advice

Mi Guerrero Grill - Richmond A great place to shop, not so much to... Restaurants (84)

On seeing the first photo, you might be thinking you've seen this place before. I did write it up as a shopping tip when... more travel advice

West End Antiques Mall - Richmond West End Antique Mall Shopping (34)

Many antique malls are all over the lot when it comes to things offered, but this one is more furniture and decor... more travel advice

Comments (170)

  • Reply
    J4r0's Profile Photo
    Dec 12, 2010 at 10:19 AM

    The Richmond page is great. Lots of useful information!

  • Reply
    kemisteryoso's Profile Photo
    Oct 21, 2010 at 4:54 PM

    You really love to it. You got 74 Restaurant tips. :)

  • Reply
    Oct 18, 2010 at 9:38 AM

    The best cookie ever made was "Tea Rings" by ffv. I wish somebody would make them again. They were oval and had a hole in the middle.

  • Reply
    MissyWQ's Profile Photo
    Jul 13, 2010 at 6:30 PM

    I grew up in Richmond age 4 to 10 and loved Monument Blvd. one block from where I lived. The Byrd Theatre was the best with the Theatre organ and grand chandelier.

  • Reply
    ODL's Profile Photo
    Dec 5, 2009 at 8:41 AM

    I do miss FFV cookies and that great smell.

  • Reply
    deecat's Profile Photo
    Oct 22, 2009 at 8:34 PM

    Another great Restaurant Tip.Loved esp& all the ones pertaining to architecture. You "slay" me, Nat. A masterpiece. What I liked the most is how you managed to give us the "flavor" of this wonderful city, warts & all.

  • Reply
    Jul 26, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    Please try Q's Barbeque on Midlothian Turnpike between the Walmart and Sam's club just pass Chesterfield towne center mall on your right.

  • Reply
    Florida999's Profile Photo
    Jun 19, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    Thanks for stopping by my ND page and the tip! We go to Virginia all the time and I really need to make a VT page one of these days....I will look for the diner next time we drive through Richmond

  • Reply
    ATXtraveler's Profile Photo
    May 15, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    The Fillo sounds good right now.

  • Reply
    Dec 12, 2008 at 7:06 PM

    This place is brutal!! i will never go back. It was that bad

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