Things To Do
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Take a stroll through this labyrinth of artwork. At this time, there will be a traveling exhibition of impressionist works. The traveling exhibits do occasionally require a ticket but the main exhibit is free for all to enjoy.
Maymont
Free to enter and great for kids! Whether you take a walk through the gardens, or feed the goats at the farm, Maymont is a go-to on a day with good weather.
Science Museum of Virginia
The museum is located in a converted train station and the main exhibit has a lot of interactive exhibits. There are always traveling exhibits (at this time, an exhibit about first responders will be available with ticket cost) and IMAX shows (at extra cost). Parking is free at the deck and is shared with the Children’s Museum next door! Adult tickets: $24 Youth tickets (6-12): $21 Youth tickets (3-5): $16
The Poe Museum
Explore the morally questionable poet, Edgar Allen Poe. The museum is located in the oldest house in the city. See the gardens, read a poem, and pet a cat - just don’t drink the wine. Tickets cost up to $12 for adults and can be purchased at the link below!
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The botanical garden is another Richmond staple. On top of the multiple acres of gardens, they also just opened a year-long butterfly exhibit. It costs about $25 per adult - tickets can be purchased at the link below!
Pyre
For those who don’t know, Julien Robert is a dear friend and founding Sleave member. You’ll recognize him by the end of the weekend because he’ll be standing with us on Sunday, soaking in the love. Outside of his duties as drummer and groomsman, he co-owns a sauna and cold plunge business with Wes McLaughlin. Treat yourself to a session with them to relax after your travels into town or detox after the wedding. Sessions need to be booked ahead of time so please look at their schedule on their website to plan!
Haunts of Richmond
We’ve never done this tour but it is spooky season and this city is notoriously filled with ghosts. If ghosts aren’t your thing, there are also a ton of walking or canal boat tours that focus on the history of the area.
Site of the Richmond Gun Hole
Take a walking tour of the Fan, the best neighborhood in Richmond, and take in all we have to offer. Grab a coffee at Lamplighter, Idle Hands, or Sugar and Twine, or do some shopping in Carytown (technically that’s separate from the Fan but it’s literally all right there). Along your walk, you may notice a part of the sidewalk looks newer than the rest - could it be the infamous gun hole? Be sure to leave an offering just in case. Genuinely, just walking through this area on a nice fall day is something we would highly recommend. Monument Ave is lovely this time of year.
Siné Irish Pub
Every so often, Claire gets a text from a friend, acquaintance, or coworker with a picture of them and an, often disgruntled, bartender. Rarely is there context offered but it’s (almost always) the same fella - the infamous Drew Johnson. He will hopefully be off this whole weekend so, if you see him there, he may be there against his will and we would appreciate you initiating a rescue mission.
GWARbar
All metalheads know the storied Richmond band, GWAR. Stop by their bar, aptly named GWARbar, for a drink or just to take a look at the decor. You won’t need directions - just look for the heads in the window.
My Noodle & Bar
We are known to be here on Friday nights. If you’re looking for a cool Thai restaurant, this is your spot. We would definitely recommend calling ahead for a reservation, but we don’t often have an issue getting a table. Tried and true favorites between the two of us are the Thai Sun Dried Beef, Moo Sam Chan Tod, Pad Thai with Tofu, and Brussels Sprouts.
Crackhead Kroger
Do you like grocery stores with fully stocked shelves? Do you enjoy walking calmly through aisles uninterrupted by hoards of other patrons? Do you enjoy paying standard prices for all items at your store? Then this is not the place for you!
Breweries
Richmond’s brewery boom started before Claire got here. Charlie, on the other hand can remember when Scott’s Addition was just cheap warehouses and Hardywood was opening its doors - and he had to walk uphill both ways to get there. Now you can find a decent beer on almost every block. Below are a few suggestions for different parts of town - in no way is this an exhaustive list! Legend Brewing Co. - 321 W 7th St The Veil - 4910 Forest Hill Ave - or - 1509 Belleville St Mainline Brewery - 1603 Ownby Ln Triple Crossing -113 S Foushee St - or - 5203 Hatcher St Starr Hill - 3406 W Leigh St Buskey Cider- 2910 W Leigh St Blue Bee Cider - 4811 Bethlehem Rd Black Heath Meadery- 1313 Altamont Ave
Belle Isle
There's no way to make these directions sound not insane but if you take a walk across a bridge located directly under an overpass, you will find a few hiking trails right in the middle of the city. You'll understand when you get there.
Hollywood Cemetery
It sounds morbid but this is by far Claire's favorite place to walk Bowie in the city, mostly because it's quiet and filled with ghost dogs for him to play with. If you need convincing, two US presidents are buried here as well as an inconceivable number of Civil War soldiers and generals. It takes your breath away - figuratively but also literally because of the ghosts and the many, many hills.
