One Day in Richmond, VA: The BEST One-Day Itinerary
Richmond is a laid-back city, with plenty to see. There’s definitely a chance you can’t see it all in one day, but you sure can try. With just a short 1.45-hour drive south from Washington, D.C. you are sure to be in this beautiful city. With so much to see from nature to art, you are sure to have a full day of nothing but fun.
As always you will need to start your day by digging into some local grub….
9:00 AM: Dot’s Back Inn
This family-style diner is so delicious that it was featured on the Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. If you aren’t familiar with this series, it is a show where popular food enthusiast and chef Guy Fieri travels to cities all over the USA to find restaurants that he has heard are worth trying. When traveling to a new location, I always make it a point to check out the Food Network’s site to see if they have any recommendations. So far, they have not disappointed!
This restaurant met all of our needs. It was affordable (only cost us $15 USD), the service was excellent, and did I mention the chicken tenders were THE BEST?
10:30 AM: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
After filling up on delicious grub you are now officially ready to begin exploring the city. What better place to begin than a botanical garden? A stop at this location will please all of your senses, and there are things to do for all ages. You can enjoy everything from the beautiful plants in bloom to the live music, down to the treehouse, and all the way up to the butterfly garden where you will see an awesome array of colorful butterflies and moths.
When planning your trip, be sure to check out the events calendar to see what activities and programs are occurring while you are in town.
12:30 PM: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Just as the sun begins to get to the highest point, it's time to head inside and visit the VMFA. If you are like Lawrence and I, you’ve eaten a very large breakfast at Dot’s Back inn, so you’re still not quite hungry. Now if you haven’t, don’t worry, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has plenty of dining options to choose from.
As the name points out, this museum is full of…..you guessed it FINE ART 😂. I am not a museum enthusiast, but I really enjoyed seeing the different types of art in this museum. Categorized by region and art type, the VMFA is easy to navigate and will keep your mind occupied for quite some time.
2:30 PM: Virginia Pride Festival
If you happen to be in Richmond during the month of September, try to make your way to the VA Pride Festival. This FREE family-friendly festival features a ton of vendors, activities, live entertainment, and of course a whole lot of FOOD. This is the perfect opportunity to indulge in one of the various food trucks for anything from vegan eats to loaded fries. If you are interested in checking out the VA Pride Festival you should definitely look up the specific dates of the event here.
If VA Pride is not your thing, or you aren’t in town during this time, don’t worry! Richmond, VA has a lot of festivals, events, and parades that are worth checking out. Be sure to check here when you are ready to plan your trip!
5:00 PM: Capital Ale House
If you’re a fan of German food and ale, this is the spot for you. The Capital Ale House is full of upbeat live music, kind staff, and delicious food. Ordering the pretzels is a must at this establishment. Capital Ale House is a great place to end your day full and entertained.
Although Richmond may not be on everyone’s radar of places to see, it is definitely a destination worth traveling to. Whether you are a family of 5 or a solo traveler, there is something for you in Richmond. From nature to food, Richmond is full of pure joy and entertainment. There are plenty of other activities to do in Richmond that are not covered in this guide but feel free to check out Richmond’s very own site to get more ideas of things you can see and do while visiting.