Richmond | Marijuana Travel Guide

Source: Richmond Region Tourism

The posh neighborhood of a posh city, the West End, features many higher-end shops, museums, restaurants, and things to do. It includes the famous “Fan” neighborhood, so named because it spreads outwards in a fan shape, where the architecture is some of the most diverse and beautiful in the entire state. Sandwiched between Belvedere Street and Monroe Park, the fan features colorful houses in styles ranging from colonial revival to Italianate to Romantic revival.

Source: Wikimedia

Take a wild guess how the Museum District earned its name. You’re right – there are many museums, most of which are housed within Civil War-era buildings. Before the war (and Richmond’s nod as the Confederate capital), this district was just farmland, but it quickly became a center for industry and logistics. As a result, many historic buildings, including Robert E. Lee’s army chapel, still stand. Today, they have been renovated and expanded to be museums of art and history.

Source: reRVA

Sherwood Park might make you think it’s a sleepy suburb with extensive lawns. Take a stroll or a bike ride through the residential neighborhood, and you’ll find a lot more. This region of Richmond features many landmarks, such as the Union Presbyterian Seminary’s beautiful Tudor-style buildings and the Double-A Flying Squirrels minor league baseball team.

Source: Richmond Region Tourism

We don’t think much about Virginia as one of the most important states today, but during the first half of American history, it was one of the most important states in the colonies and the young republic. The Virginia Museum of History and Culture explains the evolution from simple tobacco and rice farms to colonial aristocracies to the forge of presidents like Washington and Jefferson. Featuring 500 different historical artifacts to tell the story of centuries of history, this museum is perfect for understanding our relation to the past.

Source: Richmond Dispatch Times

You don’t have to travel to the Rockies to experience the adrenaline rush of whitewater rafting. The James River next to Richmond features plenty of rapids to get your pulse racing with every wave. Whether you are a solo traveler or want to book a raft for an entire family group, whether you want the fastest waves or just a fun, leisurely trip, there are lots of options for rafting and kayaking, canoeing, and biking.

Source: Altria Theater

The nightlife scene in Richmond is more prosperous than you might expect, with local and national bands alike playing in historic venues. The Altria Theater is one of the most famous venues, featuring seating for 3500 and some of the best acoustics in the state. You might be struck by the visuals of the Altria, as it was originally the city’s first mosque before it was sold in the 1940s and renovated in the 1990s.

Source: Virginia

Boasting over 30,000 art pieces that range across 5000 years of history, including famous Russian Faberge eggs, the VA Museum of Fine Arts is the largest art museum in the state. It has no cost for entrance (although donations are suggested, and the gift shop is well-stocked with souvenirs). On top of the paintings and sculpture, the facility also hosts classes teaching everything from painting to yoga to wine happy hours after the work day is done.

Source: Richmond Region Tourism

If you have grown tired of looking at paint on canvas, the Chasen Galleries have something to tingle your senses. Their collections of delicate blown glass, created in intricate patterns and beautiful color schemes, are hypnotizing in their creativity. From small trinkets to full-size glass sculptures, the Chasen features art on a different level than the other galleries in Richmond.

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If the name isn’t striking enough to pull curious pedestrians off the streets, the products certainly are. A Secret Forest is the most famous confectionery in Richmond, selling cookies, candies, and chocolate to all those with a sweet tooth. Their cocktail lollipops are best-sellers, as are the seasonal treats celebrating holidays from Christmas to Halloween.

Source: Peter Chang Restaurant

You might think that a James Beard-nominated chef would steer away from opening yet another Chinese restaurant. Peter Chang’s restaurant, however, is proof that you can continually improve upon the classics. His signature dishes like crispy pork belly and duck in stone pot show the menu is full of traditional favorites and striking, brave new ones forays into Chinese cuisine. It is considered one of, if not the, best restaurants in the city, so reservations are encouraged.

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Richmond may seem like a world away from New York City, yet Perly’s Jewish Deli in Richmond shows that diverse tastes can be found in unexpected places. Perly’s features all the classics: Reubens on rye, knishes, and potato salad, along with original inventions like Jewish egg rolls and “Jewbano” sandwiches. Their lunch rush is no joke, so come early or prepare to wait for a table.

Source: L'Opossum

Choosing a name is one of the hardest things to do in the restaurant business, and while some owners go for clarity or a personal touch, others go for a name that you’ll remember along with the food. L’Opossum in Richmond is the latter, a James Beard-nominated French restaurant that is as much an experience as it is a meal. Escargot is on the menu, as is the “Vegan Orgy” vegetable plate, Arctic char, and a surf ‘n turf known simply as “The Swank Bank.” Clear your palette and expectations, so you walk through the door ready for something different.