Richmond is the capital of Virginia. Richmond has a population of 227,000 (2020) and the adjacent counties of Henrico and Chesterfield combine to create a local population of more than 1.3 million people.
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Richmond has been called a city of neighborhoods, each one with a distinct look, flavor, and identity. All are recognized by Richmonders as unique neighborhoods, almost as though the city were a collection of several small towns.
Richmond is one of the oldest American cities. The site had been inhabited by the Powhatan Indians, before it was settled in 1607 by Capt. Christopher Newport and Capt. John Smith, both English. It was named after the London suburb of Richmond-upon-Thames, by William Byrd II. The settlement, little more than a trading post for furs, hides, and tobacco, did not become a city until 1742, and became the state capital of Virginia in 1782. Despite the city's position in the confederacy, Richmond is not a typical Southern town. Richmond was and still is an industrialized urban center with strong economic ties to the North and West as well as the South.
The easiest way to get around Richmond is by car. Roadside parking spaces are relatively easy to find but be in the look-out for no parking areas - particularly the "Fan District." The city is laid out on a grid system and is easy to navigate, however, many streets in the oldest parts of the city are very narrow and one-way. The Greater Richmond Transit Company, or GRTC, operates a bus service across the city and partially into neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. Their phone number is: +1 804 358-4782. The bus system has been free to all users since March 19, 2020. Current grant funding will allow for free rides through July 2026.
Highlights include the Richmond Railroad Museum in Southside, Richmond National Battlefield Park and the Tredegar Iron Works on Tredegar Street downtown, and the Science Museum of Virginia in the Museum District. Monroe Park named after James Monroe the 5th president of the United States (1817–1825).
The section of the James River running through Richmond offers many opportunities for a day out. Due to Richmond's location at the fall line, the James River has many rapids right downtown which are great for white water rafting. The rapids are class III but may become class IV in the right weather conditions. The ones closest to downtown can be quite dangerous without an experienced guide. However, there are many smaller rapids just slightly upstream which can safely be run in a raft or innertube. One can travel at a lazy pace, stopping to repeat rapids or swim through quickly.
Many of Richmond's fine restaurants may be found in the historic district downtown called Shockoe Bottom, in the Downtown area.
Richmond has a fairly high crime rate, but the vast majority of serious crime occurs in and around the city's public housing projects, located mostly in the northeast, eastern and southside sections of the city. Muggings and purse snatchings, however, occur throughout the city, so be careful when walking or standing around at night. Popular night-spots around downtown, such as The Fan District, the areas around Virginia Commonwealth University and Shockoe Bottom can become dodgy at night, so it is best to avoid walking alone or on side streets.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Richmond typically sees ~17°C daytime highs and 5 rainy days.
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