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Richmond Maps & Attractions Guide
Richmond maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Richmond
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Richmond
Attractions - Things to do
1. Capitol Square
legis.state.va.us/cap_tours/online_tours/virtual_tours.html |
What is it? Richmond's Capitol Square is a glorious oasis
of old trees and green lawns in the heart of the downtown area,
perched on a hilltop. The magnificent centrepiece is the
neo-classical State Capitol building, designed by Thomas Jefferson,
which has been in continuous use since 1788. In the Capitol's
Rotunda stands Virginia's most treasured artwork, the life-sized
statue of George Washington sculpted by Jean Antoine Houdon, for
whom Washington posed. Another highlight of the square is the
Governor's Mansion, home of Virginia governors since 1813. The
mansion, which has been restored, but boasts its original woodwork,
plaster cornices and ornamental ceilings, is open for tours on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (first floor only). Another
historic building in the square is the old Bell Tower, dating from
1824, which houses a visitor centre providing tourist information
about Virginia.
Hours of Operation: As of 1 March 2005, the building was closed to the
general public due to construction, expected to continue until
April 2007. Ordinarily the State Capitol is open daily for
half-hour tours 9am to 5pm
Phone:(804) 786 4344 |
2. The Museum and White House of the Confederacy
1201 East Clay Street
www.moc.org |
What is it? Civil War buffs flock to the Museum of the
Confederacy, which houses the most comprehensive collection of
Confederate artefacts, personal memorabilia and art to be found
anywhere in the United States. The exhibits include 550 battle
flags, 215 uniforms, including those of well-known officers, and
1,000 military buttons. Art works include E.B.D. Julio's heroic
painting, 'The Last Meeting of Lee and Jackson'. Beside the museum
is the White House of the Confederacy, the 1818 mansion in which
Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his family lived during
the Civil War. It is still furnished with original items. Visitors
have to join a tour to see the White House. These depart regularly
throughout the day.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 12pm to
5pm
Phone:(804) 649 1861 |
3. Richmond National Battlefield Park
www.nps.gov/rich |
What is it? Between 1861 and 1865, Union armies
repeatedly set out to capture Richmond, strategic capital of the
Confederacy, and end the Civil War. Three of those campaigns came
within a few miles of the city. The park commemorates 11 different
sites associated with those campaigns, including the battlefields
at Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, and Cold Harbor. Established in
1936, the park protects 763 acres of historic ground. There is a
Visitor Center in the Tredegar Irons Works on Richmond Riverfront
Canal Walk at the corner of Tredegar and 5th Streets. Here, a film
depicting the battles around the city is shown and information
about self-guided tours of the battlefields is
available.
Hours of Operation: Battlefields are open from sunrise to sunset. Visitor
centre open 9am to 5pm
Phone:(804) 226 1981, or (804) 771 2145 (Civil War Visitor
Center) |
4. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N. Boulevard
www.vmfa.state.va.us |
What is it? Richmond boasts an exceptional Fine Arts
Museum, which presents a panorama of world art from ancient to
modern, including the largest public Fabergé imperial Easter egg
collection outside of Russia, consisting of 150-odd jewel-encrusted
creations made for Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II. The Museum
also boasts a collection of English silver, one of the world's
leading collections of the art of India, Nepal and Tibet, and six
Gobelin Don Quixote tapestries.
Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm
Phone:(804) 340 1400 |
5. St John's Episcopal Church
2401 East Broad Street
www.historicstjohnschurch.org |
What is it? St John's Church has stood on Richmond Hill
above the James River since 1741, and is known for having been the
venue for the second Virginia Convention in 1775, attended by
George Washington and other historic personalities. The church is
also where legendary Pocahontas was baptised and married to John
Rolfe. The wooden building still boasts its original pulpit and
some exquisite stained-glass windows. Between May and September
living history performances are given every Sunday recreating the
historic Second Virginia Convention. Informative tours explore the
historic significance of the church building and
grounds.
Hours of Operation: Guided tours Monday to Saturday 10am to 3.30pm;
Sunday 1pm to 3.30pm. Sunday services at 8.30am, 9.30am and
11am
Phone:(804) 648 5015 (Tour operations) |
6. Virginia Science Museum
2500 West Broad Street
www.smv.org |
What is it? The hands-on Virginia Science Museum allows
visitors to touch, feel, observe and explore the impact of science
on their lives, covering everything from astronomy to computers,
and crystals to flight engineering. The museum is housed in a
soaring historic building, the former Broad Street Station designed
in 1919 by John Russell Pope. The fascinating and fun museum is
complemented by a 275-seat Ethyl Universe Planetarium/Space Theatre
that screens Omnimax films as well as providing multimedia
planetarium shows.
Hours of Operation: Exhibits: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm, Sunday
11.30am to 5pm. The IMAX and Planetarium have various screening
schedules
Phone:(804) 864 1400 or (800) 659 1727 |
Richmond Holidays guide
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Transport -The Greater Richmond Transit Company runs
the public bus system that serves the Richmond metropolitan area
with a basic fare that is only accepted in exact change.
More information at the |
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