Melissa & Garrett
Things To Do
En Su Boca
If you do one thing while you're in RVA - make it En Su Boca!! This is our very favorite restaurant and our go to date night. It's cheap, delicious and the margaritas are fresh and strong!! Get the chicken wings appetizer (made with the best hot sauce - Valentina), you can't go wrong with any of their tacos but if you're feeling a burrito make sure to get it "queso covered" and for the bowl peeps - the Southern Fried Fish bowl is phenomenal.
Tazza Kitchen Short Pump
Tazza Kitchen is a casual eatery near Henrico's Short Pump Town Center that highlights wood-fired cooking, seasonal ingredients & craft cocktails. There are a few Tazza's throughout the city, this is the closest to the hotel - honestly you can't go wrong with this place, the pizzas are the delicious and they also have some great salad options if that's your jam.
Edo's Squid
Phenomenal family style Italian food shared in deceiving second floor restaurant. We went here to celebrate the closing on our house and have been back several times since because it's just THAT good - if you love pasta and/or seafood, run don't walk! Parking is a bit tricky and you might have to parallel or pay but we promise it'll be well worth it.
LUNCH.SUPPER!
Innovative American eats & weekend brunch in a rustic space with quirky & ornate fixtures. This spot is great any time of the day but it is particularly good for brunch - get the fried green tomatoes, you won't regret it!
Stella's
Stella's honors rustic & modern Greek cuisine, bringing the freshest ingredients & Mediterranean fare table side. This is a Richmond staple, it is absolutely delish if you can snag a table (they're hard to come by) but if you're up to be blown away, try and make a reservation ahead! They also have several grocery stores throughout the city where they carry many of their delicious staples! Make a reservation!
Carytown
Nestled in the heart of Richmond, Carytown is a unique shopping, dining, and entertainment district. With a focus on small, locally-owned businesses, Carytown is home to the historic Byrd Theater as well as several unique dining and boutique shopping destinations. Adjacent to the Museum District and Byrd Park, Carytown is a necessary stop for a day well spent in the city.
Belle Isle
Located along the James River in downtown Richmond, Belle Isle is a great place for a nature walk!
Scott's Addition Historic District - The Ultimate Walkable Brewery Crawl
The Scott’s Addition neighborhood (and surrounding area) in Richmond, VA, has silently transformed in the last decade to a booze destination in the city and it has been so fun for us to explore all the IPA's our heart desires right in our backyard! Home to 10 breweries, 2 cideries, 1 meadery, 1 winery, and 3 distilleries, this 8 x 8 block section has a lot to offer to those looking to partake in adult libations. Check out this link for a fun breakdown some of the best breweries all within walking distance if you're interested in exploring all that Scott's Addition has to offer - bonus if you stop for lunch or dinner at En Su Boca which is right nearby!
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
A top comprehensive US art museum with nearly 50,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of world history. They also have a great restaurant and surrounding area to walk around outdoors!
Hollywood Cemetery
While it might sound creepy to explore a cemetery, this one has a great view of the city and for our history buffs - this is the resting spots for many notable people, including 5 US Presidents.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a 50 acres, botanical garden in Henrico County, just outside of Richmond, Virginia. It features over a dozen themed gardens, a conservatory, library, and café. Fun fact: Lewis and Ginter has a beautiful display of Christmas lights around the holidays and it was where we went on our first official date to look at the light. While the lights are not in season for our wedding, it is worth visiting the gardens and very family friendly! Reserve tickets in advance!
Brown's Island
With the James River running through downtown Richmond, this island serves as a wonderful spot to observe a stretch of urban waterway. The park, a stone's throw from downtown, is connected to the popular Canal Walk. Festivals, concerts and art displays are common attractions - check out the link for any events while you're in town, but also a fun place to just walk around and see the city with lots of restaurants nearby!