EVERYBODY START YOUR ENGINES! Richmond International Raceway - (RIR) Welcome to the Richmond Raceway Complex! Richmond Raceway Complex is a sprawling, 1000- acre, multi-purpose facility that is home to Richmond International Raceway and one of the most versatile special events sites in the country. It has six permanent buildings with more than 300,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space. More than 1.2 million visitors attended consumer trade shows, special events, corporate meetings, concerts and outdoor festivals at Richmond Raceway Complex in 2008. To read and see more of RIR visit their site www.rir.com
Children's Museum of Richmond Fun for the whole family! Enjoy an innovative and educational experience at the Children's Museum of Richmond. Voted the 11 th best children's museum in America by CHILD Magazine, the Museum features interactive exhibits for children ages toddler to 12 years. Located at 2626 West Broad Street, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30am-5pm and Sundays Noon-5pm. For more information check out their website www.c-mor.org or call (804) 474-CMOR.
Chimborazo Medical Museum: This museum sits on the sight of the Civil War's famous Chimborazo Hospital where between 1861 and 1865, more than 75,000 Confederate Soldiers Received treatment. The hospital was the largest of five general hospitals constructed in Richmond during the war. The museum is located at 3215 East Broad Street and is open between 9am and 5pm.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts For the Art Lover in the family we recommend a visit to the galleries at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The VMFA includes art spanning from ancient to contemporary eras from all over the world. Exhibits include works from French Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Art Deco and Modern decorative arts, the Gans collection of English silver, European and American painting Masterpieces, one of the world's leading collections of the art of India, and Russian imperial Faberge Easter eggs, and much more! Call (804) 340-1400 or visit the museum website at www.vmfa.com
Maymont Park and Nature Center If you're looking for a relaxing and beautiful outdoor experience for the whole family, don't miss Maymont Nature center. The park features a Nature Center with a 20-foot waterfall and 13 huge aquariums, and don't miss the Children's Farm! From its historical buildings and magnificent gardens to its animal exhibits and rolling lawns, Maymont truly offers something for everyone. Once the 100-acre Victorian estate of the Dooleys, Maymont was bequeathed to the city of Richmond in 1925 as a public park and museum. Today it continues to reflect the splendor of the Gilded Age and is filled with wonders the Dooleys never imagined. A true family attraction, Maymont now offers tours of the Victorian mansion that even the kids will enjoy, exhibits to view bison, otters and hundreds of other animals, tram and carriage rides and much more.Visit www.maymont.org or phone (804) 358-7166 for more information.
Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives: Located at 1111 West Franklin Street, The Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives collects, preserves and interprets the history and culture of Richmond's Jewish Community. The artifacts span from the 18th to 21st centuries and contain changing exhibits about Richmond and Virginia Jewish experiences. The collections include first-hand documents, portraits, geneologies, photographs, immigration papers and much more. For more information visit the museum website at www.bethahabah.org/bama/index.htm or call (804) 353-2668.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum Virginia's only literary museum honors this great American Writer with the world's largest collection of Poe artifacts. The Museum was opened in 1922 in the Old Stone House, Richmond's oldest standing structure, only blocks away from the sites of Poe's first Richmond home and first place of employment. The Museum includes exhibits on Poe's life and death, the "enchanted" courtyard garden (a popular location in Richmond to hold outdoor wedding ceremonies), and the Poe Shrine. Enjoy a guided tour, or sit and sip lemonade while you read your favorite Poe short story in the garden. The Museum also has a unique gift shop with dozens of Poe related items. The Museum is located at 1914 East Main Street. Visit www.poemuseum.org for hours and admissions information.
Hollywood Cemetery Located at 412 S. Cherry Street, Hollywood Cemetery (named for its multitude of holly trees), Hollywood Cemetery opened in 1849. President Monroe is buried here along with the first battle casualty of the Civil War. More than 18,000 Confederate soldiers came to rest here beneath an amazing 90 foot mortarless pyramid. President John Tyler, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Gen. J.E.B. Stuart also buried here. You can buy a map in their visitor's center or explore on your own. www.hollywoodcemetery.org/
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia Significant facets of African-American life in Virginia from Jamestown in 1619 until today are on display here. Located in the heart of the Jackson Ward neighborhood at 00Clay Street, the museum has a collection of nearly 5,000 artifacts and documents, art, and photography. Experience the history and culture of Virginia's African-Americans. Phone: (804) 780-9093
Phone: (804) 780-9107 www.blackhistorymuseum.org/.
Virginia State Capitol Located at Bank and 10th Streets, the Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson and first occupied in 1788 by Virginia's General Assembly, America's oldest English-speaking legislature. During the Civil War, the Confederate Congress also met here. The east (House) and west (Senate) wings were added between 1904-1906. Free one-hour guided tours are offered daily, including some holidays. Visitors also may tour on their own. Impressive interior designs and colors from 1910 have been replicated in the Rotunda, House and Senate chambers. New visitor amenities include a gift shop (Mon-Sat), cafe (Mon-Fri) and exhibit gallery. The Capitol Square grounds have been re-landscaped. Reservations are needed for groups of 10 or more. For tour information and reservations call (804) 698-1788.
John Marshall House and Gardens: John Marshall, third Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, built this house in 1790 and made it his home for 45 years. The Federal-style house contains many of the Marshall family's original furnishings and the gardens contain plants popular in the 18th century. The John Marshall House is operated by APVA Preservation Virginia. For more information visit www.apva.org/marshall.
Canal Walk Richmond's Canal Walk meanders 1.25 miles through downtown Richmond along the banks of the Haxall Canal and the James River & Kanawha Canal. Open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, the Canal Walk (Brown's Island itself is open sunrise to sunset except in the case of a special event) may be accessed on 5th, 7th, Virginia, 14th, 15th, and 17th Streets. The Canal Walk presents four centuries of Richmond's history interpreted through monuments and exhibits along the Canal Walk and Brown's Island. Call (804) 788-6466, or visit the website for more information www.venturerichmond.com.
