Located along the James River in downtown Richmond, Belle Isle is a great place for people with a love for the outdoors, granting them the opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat. Additionally, this small island is rich with history. Belle Isle has been the site of a number of industrial operations beginning with a nail factory in 1814 and a mill in the same decade. During the Civil War, the island was home to the Confederacy’s largest military prison, which housed captured Union prisoners in tents surrounded by a stockade. A beautiful, interesting site that we have enjoyed during our visits to Richmond.
Maymont was the 100-acre Victorian country estate of James Henry and Sallie May Dooley. In 1886, the Dooleys first viewed and purchased the rough pasture and field that would become Maymont. The Romanesque-style mansion was completed in 1893. The Dooleys spent the next three decades filling its sumptuous interiors with treasures from around the world and establishing Maymont’s magnificent gardens, landscapes and architectural complex. Today, the estate is a public park with wonderful features such as the Robbins Nature Center and various gardens perfect for a wonderful photo-op :)
Pathways will draw you to parts of the garden that delight you around every turn. Come explore secret spaces, learn about our plant collections, and enjoy our world-class botanical displays. With something for all ages and interests, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a place to learn about plants, to marvel at nature, relax in a beautiful setting, take gardening classes, or have a wedding or a business meeting.
You won’t find a more enlightening — and inspirational — environment than the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts! From gallery talks and tours to art classes, seminars, teacher programs, and family fun, the museum offers a variety of learning experiences for every age and every interest.
Located in downtown Richmond along the James River, the Historic Tredegar site is home to an award-winning 30,000 sq. ft. Museum surrounding the industrial ruins of Tredegar Ironworks. Founded in 1837, Tredegar Ironworks was one of the country’s largest industrials sites before the Civil War and the largest in the Confederacy, supplying about half of the artillery for the Confederate Army. If you want to explore more of Virginias extensive Civil War history, then this is a great stop for you!
In 1928, just as talking pictures were introduced, the Byrd Theatre opened as an architecturally sophisticated film-only venue in the city’s West End neighborhood. Unlike many opulent theatres that were built during the 1920s and 30s in the United States, the Byrd Theatre has survived the past 90 years largely unaltered in appearance or function, operating almost continuously since it's opening. Throughout the weekend, both new and classic movies are shown at the Byrd, talk about a fun date night!
Hotel Greene was built in 1905 in an Eastern European city. It was the dream of Emil Gorski, a local entrepreneur who wanted to bring a world class hotel to his town. He was infatuated with British hotel names (Carlton, Savoy, Bristol) and the combination of luxury and solidity they conferred. To that end Hotel Greene was born. Inspired by the original, this "Hotel" was built as a renovated to be an indoor mini golf course to offer a unique, one-of-a-kind experience in downtown Richmond.
Richmond, Virginia is a city that is overflowing with history. Carytown Burgers & Fries is no different! The building that now houses our quaint little “mother-ship” restaurant was built in 1841, making it one of the oldest buildings in Carytown! Long before the boutiques and Mom & Pop shops started sprouting up on the “Mile of Style”, what is now called Cary Street was once a toll road called Westham Plank Road. When you walk into our place to get the best burger in town, you’re walking into what was once the toll taker’s house, about 200 years ago!
Mo's Sweet Minis is a family owned bakery specializing in cupcakes and cookies baked fresh from scratch daily. Using high quality ingredients with a wide variety of flavors. Mo's Sweet Minis are baked in small batches with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, European butter, Vietnamese cinnamon, Madagascar bourbon vanilla, Belgian chocolate and love. Absolutely delicious!