9 Unique Things To Do In Richmond, VA

9 Unique Things To Do In Richmond, VA

Richmond is a city of culture, nature, food, and more! There are infinite things to do in RVA, from dining at James Beard-nominated restaurants to white water rafting down the mighty James River, from visiting world-class museums to attending incredible ethnic festivals. So how do you decide what to do? We put together a list of some of the more unique activities in Richmond – let us know if you agree!

Attend An UnHappy Hour At The Poe Museum

Richmond loves a good happy hour, but what about an … unhappy hour? You read that right – check out The Poe Museum for monthly UnHappy Hours, which promises “a miserable time from six to nine!” You’ll un-enjoy exhibits, live music, a cash bar, light refreshments, and Poe-themed un-fun for the whole family! Admission runs $12/pp, but museum members pay $10/pp, and children ages 6 and under are free.

Take A Guided Hike Across A Raging River

The mighty James River flows right through downtown RVA, and Discover Richmond Tours offers guided hikes to take advantage of this great natural resource! Discover the best features of the James River Park System as we visit old train bridge ruins, Class IV rapids, Civil-War era infrastructure, and unique features found only in Richmond, all while feeling lost in nature right in the heart of downtown!

Visit A House Built In England

Take a tour of Agecroft Hall, which once resided in Lancashire, England in the 16th century. In the mid 1920s, the building deteriorated due to coal mining in its vicinity, so Richmond businessman T.C. Williams Jr. bought the structure, dismantled it, and shipped it across the Atlantic to Richmond, where it has stood since the late 1920s. And if you’re here during the summer, you have to check out The Richmond Shakespeare Festival!

Enjoy Friday Happy Hour At A World-Class Museum

How many world-class art museums offer a stellar Friday happy hour deal? We honestly don’t know the answer to that, but we’re pretty certain the VMFA After 5 Fridays bests them all. Grab your friends and a glass of wine from Best Café (open until 8:30) and take in the gorgeous gardens, live music, dance, and special art exhibits!

Discover Richmond On A Scavenger Hunt

Discover Richmond Tours’ Scavenger Hunts are half self-guided tour and half interactive game. We’ll lead you right to Richmond’s most interesting sights and stories, and at each one you’ll be prompted with a trivia question you’ll answer by looking around you. Choose between Capitol Square/Downtown, Church Hill, or the Museum District! Also on offer is a self-guided mural tour, providing a map of 60+ murals and stories of the artists’ inspiration and processes!

Pay Your Respects To Two U.S. Presidents

Did you know Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler are both buried in Hollywood Cemetery, which spans hundreds of acres in Richmond? Monroe, the fifth president of the U.S., was laid to rest in 1858, 27 years after his death in New York City. His tomb is known locally as “The Birdcage.” Tyler, the 10th president, was buried there in 1862, and he is the only president whose death was not officially recognized in D.C. because of his allegiance to Confederacy.

Attend A Performance Of The Mighty Wurlitzer (Then Catch A Movie)

Among one of Richmond’s most unique experiences has to be a visit to The Byrd Theatre. The Byrd was built in 1928 and today is a State and National Historic landmark. Two amazing features include an 18-foot, 2.5-ton Czechoslovakian crystal chandelier over the main auditorium that contains more than 5,000 crystals, and The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, which is played by house organist Bob Gulledge every Saturday evening before the 7:15 p.m. movie!

Rent A Bus To Do It All!

Or really, just to do whatever you want. Discover Richmond Tours has a 14-passenger, climate-controlled bus that can take you wherever you want to go, whether it’s to eat, drink, explore, hike… you name it, we’ll take you there! An added bonus: our bus has Bluetooth capabilities so you can listen to whatever tunes you’ve got to fit the mood.

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