Virginia · United States
Richmond travel guide
Richmond is a city in Virginia, United States, home to about 227,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- RIC11 km · Richmond International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Richmond
Richmond (, RITCH-mənd) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city since 1871.
Richmond is one of the oldest American cities. The site had been inhabited by the Powhatan Indians, before it was settled in 1607 by Capt. Christopher Newport and Capt. John Smith, both English. It was named after the London suburb of Richmond-upon-Thames, by William Byrd II. The settlement, little more than a trading post for furs, hides, and tobacco, did not become a city until 1742, and became the state capital of Virginia in 1782. Despite the city's position in the confederacy, Richmond is not a typical Southern town.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Richmond
See
Highlights include the Richmond Railroad Museum in Southside, Richmond National Battlefield Park and the Tredegar Iron Works on Tredegar Street downtown, and the Science Museum of Virginia in the Museum District. Monroe Park named after James Monroe the 5th president of the United States (1817–1825).
Do
The section of the James River running through Richmond offers many opportunities for a day out. Due to Richmond's location at the fall line, the James River has many rapids right downtown which are great for white water rafting. The rapids are class III but may become class IV in the right weather conditions. The ones closest to downtown can be quite dangerous without an experienced guide. However, there are many smaller rapids just slightly upstream which can safely be run in a raft or innertube. One can travel at a lazy pace, stopping to repeat rapids or swim through quickly.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Richmond to stay in
Richmond has been called a city of neighborhoods, each one with a distinct look, flavor, and identity. All are recognized by Richmonders as unique neighborhoods, almost as though the city were a collection of several small towns.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Richmond
Richmond has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; July is the wettest, with about 131 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Richmond: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Richmond International Airport (RIC), about 11 km from the city centre in a straight line; Newport News Williamsburg International Airport (PHF, 95 km) and Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO, 111 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Richmond is on I-95 less than 2 hours south of Washington DC. I-64 runs east-west through the city which provides easy access to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Charlottesville. In addition, several other major roadways such as the Powhite Parkway (Route 76), the Chippenham Parkway (Route 150), and Route 288 connect Richmond to other areas such as Chesterfield and Midlothian. Two Amtrak train stations serve Richmond.
Getting around
The easiest way to get around Richmond is by car. Roadside parking spaces are relatively easy to find but be in the look-out for no parking areas - particularly the "Fan District." The city is laid out on a grid system and is easy to navigate, however, many streets in the oldest parts of the city are very narrow and one-way. The Greater Richmond Transit Company, or GRTC, operates a bus service across the city and partially into neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. Their phone number is: +1 804 358-4782. The bus system has been free to all users since March 19, 2020.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
RIC · Richmond International Airport
PHF · Newport News Williamsburg International Airport
CHO · Charlottesville Albemarle Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Richmond
Eat
Many of Richmond's fine restaurants may be found in the historic district downtown called Shockoe Bottom, in the Downtown area.
Stay safe
Richmond has a fairly high crime rate, but the vast majority of serious crime occurs in and around the city's public housing projects, located mostly in the northeast, eastern and southside sections of the city. Muggings and purse snatchings, however, occur throughout the city, so be careful when walking or standing around at night. Popular night-spots around downtown, such as The Fan District, the areas around Virginia Commonwealth University and Shockoe Bottom can become dodgy at night, so it is best to avoid walking alone or on side streets.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Richmond: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Richmond?
Richmond has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 32 °C; July is the wettest, with about 131 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Richmond?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Richmond International Airport (RIC), about 11 km from the city centre in a straight line; Newport News Williamsburg International Airport (PHF, 95 km) and Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO, 111 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Richmond?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Richmond
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.