Destination attractions things to do in richmond

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Visitors to Virginia's capital city will not have to worry about a shortage of things to see and do. From its rich historical significance and museums to modern art and entertainment, the city rolls out the welcome mat to anyone wishing to spend some time within its boundaries.

The first stop Civil War buffs will likely want to make is found at 12th and Clay Streets in the Court End neighborhood. This is where the Museum and White House of the Confederacy is found. The museum holds a very extensive collection of artifacts, but it is also where the President of Confederate States, Jefferson Davis, made his home and headquarters during the Civil War years.

Another museum found in Richmond is the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. This museum offers some of Poe's belongings, illustrations of his works, and memorabilia. Poe spent many of his years in Richmond and this museum presents one of the most extensive collections of Poe items in existence. The location is East Main Street, Richmond, between 19th and 20th Streets.

A few other Richmond museums among the many found here are the Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives, 1109 West Franklin Street, that features displays of the history of Jewish life. The Children's Museum of Richmond is found at 2626 Broad street. The Chimborazo Medical Museum stands on the site of the Chimborazo Hospital of the Civil War days. It is found at 3215 East Broad Street. The Old Dominion Railway Museum is located at 102 Hull Street and highlights Virginia's railroad heritage.

The Science Museum of Virginia offers a planetarium and shows throughout the year and is found at 2500 West Broad Street. For exploring the history of Richmond, try the Valentine Museum at 1015 East Clay Street. The Richmond International Airport at 5701 Huntsman Road, houses the Virginia Aviation Museum. If a visitor still has not had his or her fill of museum culture, try the Virginia Holocaust Museum at 2000 East Cary Street and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts at 2800 Grove Avenue.

If a few hours of relaxation sounds inviting, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden at 1800 Lakeside Avenue is the place to pay a visit. Light fare (sandwiches, salad bar, soup, etc.) is served here at the Garden Cafe. The Robins Tea House is also located in the Gardens for the hungry patron. You will see more than thirty acres of gardens from Healing Garden to Sunken Garden, Asian Garden, a water garden, Children's Garden and many more themed gardens such as this. There is also a conservatory on the grounds.

If history is an interest, be sure to see the Richmond National Battlefield Parks. Union armies tried more than once to take control of the capital of the confederacy, Richmond, during the Civil War. This memorial is found at 3215 East Broad Street, and nearly 800 acres of historic ground is situated and preserved here.

There are many activities to do along the James River in downtown Richmond. Sightseeing is offered via an old paddlewheel steamer, on a raft, or on a canal boat. If you do not wish to actually sail on the river by one of these means, Canal Walk along the river is a mile and a quarter in length and runs from 5th to 17 Street.

Just as there are many museums found in Richmond, those who enjoy cultural activities such as all forms of music, dance, and theater will be thrilled at the seemingly countless number of theaters, art centers, galleries, playhouses, etc. found in Richmond.

To name a few of these cultural sites, the Carpenter Center for Performing Arts at Sixth and Grace Streets is where the national touring companies perform while in town. Concert Ballet of Virginia in nearby Ashland offers some tremendous shows of classic and contemporary dance. The Hand Workshop Art Center is a center for the visual arts and is found at 1812 West Main Street. The Landmark Theater at 6 North Laurel Street has seen many of the very best theatrical performances and musical concerts. The acoustics are spectacular here.

For a performance that may include Latin American and Caribbean dances as well as flamenco, visit the Latin Ballet of Virginia. If you are interested in a little intrigue, be sure to plan one of your dinners at the Mystery Dinner Playhouse at 9826 Midlothian Turnpike. (This is found in the Governors Inn Best Western.) You will help to solve a murder mystery. The actors that are in the show serve your meal and provide clues to the mystery.

For those interested in ballet, try the Richmond Ballet at 407 Canal Street. The Richmond Symphony is still another option, offering more than fifty concerts each season. For this or any of these types of events, be sure to check ahead to be certain if anything will be on stage at the time of your visit.

Other activities to keep a visitor busy in Richmond include stopping by one of the plantations, seeing one of the monuments to Civil War generals or participants, or stopping at the Metro Richmond Zoo located at 8300 Beaver Bridge Road. The well known King's Dominion theme park is found just twenty miles north of Richmond and covers 400 acres. King's Dominion is home to more roller coasters at one place than is found anywhere else on the east coast.