The 12 Best Things To Do In Richmond's Carytown

The 12 Best Things To Do In Richmond’s Carytown

Carytown is Richmond’s quirky, ever-changing neighborhood. Intentionally avoiding historic designation so that creative storefronts could stand out, this mile-long stretch of Cary St. is colorful, loud, and fun. With plenty to do, it’s no wonder Carytown is one of the top destinations in Richmond. In fact, the Huffington Post named Carytown as the one thing you must do in Virginia. Here’s our list of a few of the awesome things Carytown has to offer.

Catch A Movie At The Byrd Theatre

The Byrd Theatre is often called Richmond’s movie palace, and with good reason. Showing movies since 1928, it’s the oldest continuously-operating theater in the city, and has all the glamour you would expect of a movie hall of the 1920’s. The Byrd offers a pretty good deal, too – movie tickets cost $4-8 depending on the movie.

Enjoy The Boutique Shops

Part of what makes Carytown so unique are the countless boutique shops lining the street – just about any type of store you can imagine! From designer thrift stores such as Clementine to music stores like Plan9 Records; from bike shops like Carytown Bikes and Agees to spas and fitness studios like Yoga Source; from culinary shops such as Ladles & Linens to quirky gift shops like Mongrel and Beasties. It all adds up to a neighborhood voted Best Shopping Neighborhood in Virginia by Southern Living Magazine!

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

You’ll need something sweet to finish off your meal at one of Carytown’s restaurants, and thankfully, you won’t have to go far. Minglewood Bake Shop is a 100% vegan bakery with one of the best brownies we’ve ever consumed, and Claudia’s Bake Shop is a New York-style bakery with pastries of all kind. And if the weather’s too warm (or even if it’s not) for either of those, Bev’s has you covered with homemade ice cream.

Visit Byrd Park

If you enjoy beautiful scenery and love outdoor activities, be sure to visit Byrd Park, a spacious 300-acre park just to Carytown’s southeast. With walking trails, pedal boats, baseball fields, and tennis courts, there are a variety of options to get you up and moving. If sweating a bit isn’t your thing, this gorgeous park also has an amphitheater for performances, and plenty of benches from which read a book and enjoy some nice weather.

Discover Agecroft Hall & The Virginia House

Just west of Carytown, fans of English and Tudor architecture will delight in exploring two mansions relocated to Richmond from across the Atlantic. Agecroft Hall is a 500+ year old English Manor built in Lancashire, England. It was deconstructed, shipped, and reassembled in Richmond in 1927. And the Virginia House, built in 1925, was a new construction that blends a variety of Tudor styles using materials from a 16th-century English Manor. Both of these architectural wonders are open to the public.

Try A Famous Restaurant

This may sound unrealistic or expensive, but it is actually quite the opposite! Carytown is full of restaurants known up and down the East Coast, and whether you’re looking to have a nice meal or a greasy burger, Carytown has the place you’re looking for. New York Deli has been around since 1929, and is the birthplace of the Sailor sandwich. Can Can Brasserie is Richmond’s best-known French restaurant with an interior you don’t want to miss. And The Mantu offers authentic Afghan cuisine from Chef Hamidullah Noori, who you may recognize from a 2021 episode of the Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay.”

Stroll Around Maymont

Adjacent to Byrd Park is Maymont, Richmond’s answer to Central Park. The park grounds contain beautiful gardens, wildlife, a petting zoo, and a Victorian-era mansion. Stroll around the creeks, lakes, and rolling hills for an escape from the city without having to leave the city. Admission is free!

Visit A Farmers Market

Having a lazy Sunday morning? Head down to Carytown for the weekly Carytown Farmers Market. From 11am-3pm each Sunday at the Kickers’ Stadium, you can enjoy local producers and vendors with such goods as Irish soda bread, fresh produce, stews, honeys, and more. Did we mention it’s currently Richmond’s only Sunday market?

See Works By Local Artists

There are lots of opportunities for art viewing in Carytown – murals! As you stroll Cary St., see if you can find the murals that contribute to Richmond’s thriving street art scene (voted best street art in the world in 2013). All you have to do is look for paintings on the side of buildings! And if you prefer to hear your art, you might find any number of street performers on busy weekend afternoons.

Get Your Drink On

Connoisseurs of beverages will find plenty to like about Carytown. Beer lovers should visit Garden Grove, perhaps Richmond’s smallest brewery, for an ever-changing lineup of small batch, true-to-form brews. Wine drinkers will enjoy talking shop with the owners and staff at Can Can. And if craft cocktails are more your speed, The Jasper is Richmond’s top cocktail bar – and among the best on the East Coast.

Catch A Soccer Match

The Richmond Kickers are Richmond’s professional soccer team. Playing in the United Soccer League and calling City Stadium home, the Kickers play about 15 home matches every year, so you’ve got plenty of opportunities to see them play. Check the schedule closely – they often bring in a team from the English Premier League to play in Richmond during the summer.

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