Cassaundra & Stephen
Things To Do
Shockoe Slip
Shockoe Slip, once the only trading area in Richmond, is now the City's most fashionable shopping and dining district. This cobblestone area with restored warehouses dates back to the 1600s, when it headquartered the cotton and tobacco industries along the James River. Adjacent you'll find Shockoe Bottom, a riverside area offering historic tours of the canals via The Canal Walk or The Canal Cruises, The Edgar Allan Poe Museum, and the historic St. John's Church. The Tobacco Company Restaurant is practically a must visit for out of towners. This four-story building was originally a tobacco warehouse constructed in 1866. The columns and brickwork that you'll notice today are all original, and the signature brass chandelier once hung in the Federal Reserve Bank in Cincinnati. The Hard Shell Restaurant is renowned as one of the best seafood restaurants in town with an upscale-casual tavern setting. For authentic French food and fantastic wine, look no further than Bistro Bobette.
Scott's Addition Historic District
Once a bustling industrial area, Scott’s Addition is now the City's fastest growing neighborhood. Although known for its impressive collection of over 13 breweries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries, Scott’s Addition is also home to nationally-recognized restaurants, rooftop bars, a boutique bowling alley, cinema, shuffleboard bar, retail shops, and more. Our favorites include Väsen Brewing, The Veil Brewing Co., Blue Bee Cider, The Circuit (Arcade Bar) and Tang & Biscuit (with shuffleboard courts!) If the weather is favorable, settle in at Starr Hill Brewery, a beer hall and rooftop all in one atop Scott's Addition with sweeping views of the nearby neighborhoods. Gourmet burgers, craft beer and adult milkshakes are the stars at Boulevard Burger & Brew, a postmodern diner on the northeast edge of the neighborhood.
Carytown
The city's hippest shops and restaurants converge in a Museum District-adjacent area known as Carytown. Here you can also find The Byrd Theatre, affectionately referred to as "Richmond’s Movie Palace." The Byrd Theatre has been a staple since it opened in 1928 and was named after William Byrd II, the founder of the city. Some of our favorite Carytown eateries are Can Can Brasserie, Burger Bach, The Daily Kitchen & Bar and East Coast Provisions. Make sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with frozen yogurt from Sweet Frog - a cult classic!
The Fan District
The lively Fan District, often simply called "The Fan," is a fun place to wander and admire the many styles of architecture from the mid-late 19th century, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Colonial Revival. There are also various Tudor Revival mansions, including the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, which offers tours. The area is also home to The Museum District. Stephen's Dad is a resident of this area, so we luckily get to enjoy the area's many forms of entertainment, including 8 walkable parks, museums, restaurants and live music. Our "Fan favorites", if you'll indulge the pun, include visits to the VMFA, Joe's Inn and Sticky Rice for lunch, or Stella's and Edo's Squid for dinner.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, together with the adjacent Virginia Historical Society, anchors the "Museum District" of Richmond. The VMFA is a top comprehensive US art museum with more than 5,000 years of art from around the world. It also boasts a beautiful sculpture garden and Amuse Restaurant, often considered one of Richmond's best restaurants, onsite.
Maymont
Maymont used to be the sprawling home of wealthy Richmond residents James Henry and Sallie May Dooley (the estate name comes from combining Mrs. Dooley’s maiden name and the French word for hill). Upon their deaths, they left their home and its grounds to the city. Now, this 100-acre property is one of the top activities for Richmond travelers. The Japanese gardens are a particular highlight, but Maymont also boasts a carriage collection, a petting zoo and an arboretum, not to mention a truly spectacular and well-maintained 12,000 square foot, 33-room mansion. And it's all about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the downtown area.
Belle Isle
Belle Isle is a small island within the James River, and being owned by the city it serves as a city park. It is also one of the locations where we took our engagement photos! From here you can see Hollywood Cemetery, the old Tredegar Iron Works, and Richmond City's skyline. There are a number of bike trails surrounding Belle Isle and it is also accessible by foot. The James River also offers a myriad of activities, including kayaking, canoeing, tubing, rafting, camping and fishing.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The 50-acre garden attracts droves of Richmond visitors who come to marvel at its many blooms and domed conservatory – the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic. When you're not enjoying the greenery, you can enjoy light snacks and tea in the on-site cafe and tea house. There's also a garden shop on-site in case you're inspired to plant some flowers of your own.
Hotel Greene
Don’t get confused once you walk in and think you’re in a euro-style hotel… Check in at the front desk and get set up for mini golf! The 13 hole course has you wandering through a hotel to get to your room #208 through the club room, bathhouse, down the corridors, past the elevator and ending at ‘Hell’s Mouth.' You can also hang in the lobby bar area for bites and cocktails that you can carry along the course as you play.
River City Roll
A boutique bowling alley with 20 lanes, tabletop shuffleboard and skee-ball. Enjoy bites and drinks while you play, or on the huge covered patio while seeing some live music.