Infographic -RVA City GuidePDF
With the ARHE Conference just under 4 weeks away, we will be dedicating the next five Fridays to highlighting some of the amazing experiences and events taking place. To begin with, let’s look at the city of Richmond, VA and the myriad of activities, tastes, and sights that are available to you during your time at the conference.
Richmond is a thriving, young, artistic city with incredible venues for live music, free and low cost art galleries, a globally recognized food scene, historical landmarks, and stunning excursions into nature. Our friends at Virginia Commonwealth University have graciously provided us with their tips and recommendations for can’t-miss experiences in Richmond.
Richmond has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the top 5 food cities in the world. The dining scene in Richmond blends high-quality gourmet food with a very casual atmosphere and affordability. There are many great vegetarian and vegan restaurants, and many restaurants owned and operated by people of color. Our VCU friends recommend Lillie Pearl, Soul Taco, Mama J’s, L’Opposum, and Postbellum. All of these restaurants are a short distance from the Conference.
One of the most popular free activities in Richmond is a trip to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest art museums in North America. Entrance to the museum is always free, and the museum stays open 365 days a year. Exhibits are constantly rotating, but the collection spans across time and geographical distance, with a little something for any type of art lover.
More recently opened is the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art, which places a more specific focus on groundbreaking, experimental, contemporary art. Admission to the ICA is free as well. Both art museums are a short trip from the Conference.
To those looking for a trip into nature, Richmond offers jaw-dropping greenspaces without even having to leave the city. Flowing through the heart of Richmond is the James River, one of the four main rivers which run through Virginia. The James River is a very popular place for summer swimming, with many different types of entrance points and “beaches,” so be sure to pack a bathing suit! Some of the more popular places for swimming include Belle Isle, a small island which sits in the middle of the river and which can be accessed by bridge. Belle Isle also boasts a collection of trails for hiking, walking, or biking. Texas Beach is another popular choice for local swimmers, and features an abundance of “mini-beaches,” or stretches of sand small enough for private groups to enjoy a day at the beach secluded by trees. Belle Isle and Texas Beach are best reached by car or public transportation from the Conference.
And finally, no mention of Richmond is complete without Maymont. Maymont is a gigantic greenspace with walking trails, wildlife exhibits, and serene gardens. It’s a wonderful place to spend a morning or afternoon, and especially great for a group picnic. As with the other places on this list, entrance at Maymont is free to the public.
For more information, you can explore the graphic at the top of this post provided by our friends at VCU, and as always, I am available at [email protected] to answer any questions as well. See you at the conference!
