The Richmond Region is a historical and cultural treasure, a world-renowned culinary destination, a craft beer mecca and an outdoor paradise. In fact, CNN named Richmond its Best Town to Visit in 2024, and Southern Living has called it one of the South’s Best Cities for several years running. Other recent accolades include recognition among the best destinations for street art in the U.S., top urban kayaking spots, favorite food tours in the U.S. and Canada, and best U.S. cities for beer lovers.
Images and editorial supplied by Visit Richmond VA
As the only urban setting with Class III and IV whitewater rapids, Richmond offers James River rafting trips ranging from wild to mild. Explore the region’s rich history while riding your bike along the Virginia Capital Trail. Get your adrenaline rush with whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing trips—all against the backdrop of Richmond’s city skyline. If thrill rides are more your style, be sure to spend an exhilarating day at Kings Dominion—home to one of the best new thrill rides in the country, Rapterra, the world’s tallest and longest launched wing rollercoaster.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a world-class museum that houses a remarkable permanent collection of 50,000 works of art from almost every major world culture. The neighboring Virginia Museum of History & Culture connects visitors to America’s past through the unparalleled story of Virginia, linking past with present and inspiring future generations. The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University displays the art of our time, and more than 150 vibrant murals brighten building facades along city streets and throughout the region.
The Valentine museum tells the unique story of Richmond through the eyes of its citizens, and the spirit of literary giant Edgar Allan Poe lives on through the world’s largest collection of artifacts, memorabilia and the ever-popular Unhappy Hours at the Poe Museum. The American Civil War Museum explores the significance of the war to complexities we face today. The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia serves as a resource on the many facets of Black history through exhibitions, discussions and celebrations.
See St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death!” more than 250 years ago. Visit the newly expanded Conservatory at the scenic Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which USA Today named one of the “Best Public Gardens in the U.S.” Celebrate Maymont’s 100th anniversary as a public park as you explore the Gilded Age estate with glorious gardens, a nature center, a 33-room mansion that reopened in March, and an expanded wildlife trail.
The music scene in Richmond is hot, and the region hosts local and national musical acts year-round. Whether you enjoy intimate acoustic performances, laid back outdoor concerts or rockin’ shows in sold-out theaters, we’ve got something to fit your taste, including top artists at the new Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront.
Savor the flavors of more than 900 restaurants. Take a thirst-quenching trip along the Richmond Region Beer Trail (RichmondBeerTrail.com) or the Richmond Region Mimosa Trail (RichmondMimosaTrail.com). Shop ‘til you drop at unique boutiques and vintage gems, as well as multiple malls filled with top fashion and home décor retailers.
Learn more at VisitRichmondVA.com.
Ongoing
We the People
Through September 7
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Revolutionary Allies: Foreign Friends of American Independence
Through November 1
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Dissent! Liberty & Loyalty in Early Richmond
Through January 31, 2027
The Valentine
May
Survival of the Slowest
May 23-September 7
Science Museum of Virginia
Cosmic Baseball by the Tri-City Chili Peppers
Season Opener May 28
Shepherd Stadium, Colonial Heights
June
Alebrijes
June-September
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Richmond SailFest
June 12-14, Dock Street Park & Intermediate Terminal
IllumiNATION
June 25-28
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
July
Americana Exhibit
Opens July 2
The Branch Museum of Design
Hanover Tomato Festival
July 10-11, Pole Green Park
August
NASCAR Cup Series Racer
14-15, Richmond Raceway
September
Patrick Henry Governor Celebration
September 19, Scotchtown
Run Richmond 16.19
September 26, City of Richmond
October
Richmond Folk Festival
9-11, Brown’s Island
Garden Glow presented by Kroger
Mid-October through mid-November, Maymont
November
The Impressionist Revolution
November 2026-March 2027
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
November-January 2027
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
December
CarMax Tacky Light Run
12, Mid-lothian Mines Park
