About Richmond VA
Richmond is the capital of Virginia, and currently serves as the principal city in the Richmond Metropolitan region. It was incorporated in the late 18th century, 1742 to be more specific, and has being an independent city ever since 1871. Richmond is situated along the James River. Some of its most prominent suburbs are Midlothian, Chesterfield, Varina, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville and Sandston. Before the colonial area, the site of this city used to be a major village for the Powhatan Confederacy.
During the famous American Revolutionary War, a number of important events took place here. This includes Patrick Henry (one of the founding fathers of the country) ‘give me liberty or give me death’ speech. The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson was as well incepted in Richmond. After the termination of the war, this city emerged as a key industrial hub in the United States. This occurred thanks to the construction of the James River & Kanawha Canal, which made Richmond rank among the biggest manufacturing cities. At this particular epoch, numerous manufacturing plants thrived here including iron works and flour mills. During the Civil War, Richmond became the permanent capital of the Confederate States of America, and the Confederate White House was also established here.
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Top attractions
Richmond is a city of very historic import, and was actively involved in the American Civil War. To this end, it boasts of a wide variety of museums along with historic markers and battle sites that commemorate the war. Some of the most notable of these are the Richmond National Battlefield Park and the Civil War Center. The last of which is now established in a building, which was previously owned by Tredegar iron Works that made most of the ordnance utilized by the Confederates.
Richmond is as well home to the Museum of the Confederacy and the Davis Mansion. The latter of which served as the White House of the Confederacy. In terms of cultural attractions, this city has numerous performing arts venues such as Altran Theater, the Leslie Cheek Theater, the National Theater Byrd Theater, Dogwood Dell to name just but a few. As for professional companies, Richmond is home to the Virginia Repertory Theatre, the Richmond Ballet, the Richmond Symphony, the Richmond Triangle Players and even the Virginia Opera. Over the recent years, this Virginia capital has emerged as a fledging tourist destination in the United States.
Metro Richmond Zoo
Richmond’s Metro Richmond Zoo is a popular attraction that is now home to more than 2,000 animals from 190 species, which have been sourced from all across the globe. A good number of these animals are listed as endangered species. This includes Borneo orangutans and rhinos. The Metro Richmond Zoo is also home to tigers, cheetahs and giraffes. Visitors can access up close encounters with select animals such as feeding giraffes. Another top attraction here is the Safari Train, which allows visitors to tour the African Savannah.
White House & the Museum of the Confederacy
The White House of the Confederacy was the official home of President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War. The building now offers guided tour where visitors get an opportunity to learn more about its historical and cultural significance. Situated adjacent to the Davis Mansion is the Museum of the Confederacy. This building is composed of 3 floors that showcase intriguing exhibits from the Civil War. It also narrates the fascinating stories of the key figures who resided in Richmond at that era, and even those who saw action in the war.
Science Museum of Virginia
The Science Museum of Virginia boasts of a wide variety of interactive science exhibits. The permanent exhibits are categorized in themed sections like space, health, geology and electricity. Besides these permanent exhibits, the Science Museum of Virginia showcases a number of rotating exhibits in its galleries all through the year. It even comes complete with the Dome Theater, which features a 76 foot screen that is the biggest of its kind in the whole of Virginia.
Hollywood Cemetery
Founded in 1847, Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place for a good number of famous persons. Some of the most prominent are Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler. This Richmond cemetery is as well the burial ground for numerous Confederate soldiers who perished in the Civil War. It now offers guided tours in which visitors can get more information on its history.
Short Pump Town Center
Short Pump Town Center is one of the trendiest shopping and dining destinations in the City of Richmond. It comprises of more than 140 shops, stores, restaurants and even popular entertainment venues. The last includes an assortment of bars and breweries, many of which host live music shows. Short Pump Town Center also boasts of a comedy club. There are several walkways that connect different areas of the Town Center and are excellent trails for leisurely strolls.
RVA Trolley
Richmond has the distinction of being the very first city in the world to introduce an electric street car system, which happened in 1888. There is a single trolley that is still operational, and can comfortably accommodate up to 26 persons. This trolley is arrayed in period specific iron framed seats and cushions.
Riverfront Canal Walk
This Richmond Walk is highly renowned for letting visitors traverse through a whooping 400 years of the city’s rich and eventful history. Along the banks of this waterway are to be found many statues, sculptures, medallions together with fascinating exhibits, which showcase Richmond’s cultural and political heritage. The Riverfront Canal Walk traverses across a couple of historic landmarks such as the Civil War Center and the Box Brown Plaza.
Chickahominy Bluff
Chickahominy Bluff is a historically important site as it is the exact place 20,000 Confederate infantrymen arrived at and eventually crossed the Chickahominy River. The ultimate result of this occurrence was the 7 days battle of the Civil War between the Confederates and the Union soldiers. Nowadays, visitors to Chickahominy Bluff get to discover more about the battle via an audio exhibit along with a viewing platform. While at Chickahominy Bluff, visitors can explore the ruins of Confederate earthworks that were constructed to safeguard Richmond during the war.
Virginia State Capitol
The Virginia State Capitol was built in the late 18th century, 1785 to be more particular, and was designed by one of America’s founding fathers; Thomas Jefferson. This impressive building is located at the summit of Shockoe Hill, and is sprawled over a 6 hectare parcel of land. The structure itself is worthy of inspection since it is believed to have been designed with inspiration from an ancient Roman temple located in the City of Nice, France.
Virginia Museum of Fine Art
This is yet another top attraction in the City of Richmond, and is situated at a close proximity to the downtown area. The Virginia Museum of Fine Art is widely acclaimed for the impressive collection of works of art it showcases. Most of which are regarded as been at par with the collections found in museums of arts situated in much bigger cities in the country. This includes the exquisite ‘Farberge Eggs.’ This museum also houses artwork by famous artists such as Degs, Renoir and even Cezane. The Virginia Museum of Fine Art also boasts of a sizeable collection of works of art from Africa, Tibet as well as India. It is home as well to the fabled McGlothilin collection of American artwork. It is important to note that admission to this Richmond museum is completely free of charge.