Understand

Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was settled in 1607 by an English settler named Christopher Newport. The site previously inhabited by the Powhatan Indians. It was named Richmond after the London suburb of Richmond-upon-Thames by its founder William Byrd II. The settlement did not become a city until 1742, and in the 135 years in between served as little more than a trading post for furs, hides, and tobacco. In 1782 Richmond became the state capital of Virginia.

Richmond is one of the oldest American cities, and boasts history that even other cities on the east coast cannot claim. The Shockoe Bottom entertainment area is where slave rebellion leader Gabriel had his head hung from a pike. During the Civil War, it served as the capital of the Confederacy, and when the Northern Army invaded Richmond, most of the city burned when the fleeing Confederate government set fires to the cities munitions stores and government records they were unable to take with them which grew out of control when winds picked up. The solders from the Union helped to put out the fires upon their arrival and the day after the city fell Abraham Lincoln made a visit to the city. Though much of its colonial past has disappeared, it is rich in Civil War history and lore. There is, among other things, a Civil War prison site on Belle Isle, the house Robert E. Lee lived in, the state Capitol (Which Thomas Jefferson designed and said was inspired by the Maison Carrée at Nimes, France) which served as the Confederate Capitol during the war, a museum of the Confederacy, the original Confederate White House, and Hollywood Cemetery in the heart of the city where more than 18,000 Confederate soldiers are laid to rest. Richmond has the most forged iron outside of New Orleans, and one of the first African American neighborhoods (Jackson Ward).

Get in

By car

Richmond is located on I-95 about 2 hours south of Washington DC. I-64 runs east-west through the city which provides easy access to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Charlottesville. In addition, several other majar roadways such as the Powhite Parkway (Route 76), the Chippenham Parkway (Route 150), and Route 288 connect Richmond to other areas such as Chesterfeild and Midlothian.

By train

Two Amtrak train stations serve Richmond.

Staples Mill station (RVR) is Richmond's primary station, located in an older section of suburban Henrico County, and is served by Northeast Corridor trains as well as several lines continuing south toward the Carolinas and Florida. Travelers heading downtown should plan on a $20-$25 taxi fare.

Main Street station (RVM) the historic station has recently been renovated and reopened, but is only served by the few Northeast Corridor trains terminating at Newport News, and the segment between Staples Mill and Main Street can be affected by delays as the train traverses CSX's ACCA rail yard, a major freight hub.

By plane

Richmond International Airport (RIC) is located in nearby Sandston, about a $20 taxi ride east of downtown, and is served by most major domestic carriers plus discounters JetBlue and Airtran. Chesterfield County Airport (ICAO KFCI) to the south of the city and Hanover County Airport (ICAO KOFP) to the north handle general aviation.

By bus

Grayhouse Bus Lines has a large terminal located on Boulevard...about 4 miles west of Downtown Richmond and 1 mile north of the Museum District.

Get around

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 www.ridegrtc.com, operates a bus service across the city and partially into neighboring Henrico and Chesterfield Counties. The average fare is $1.25 for local routes and $1.75 for the express routes, exact change only.

See

• Belle Isle. In the middle of the James River, this island includes a mountain-biking trail. Fans of the movies Cold Mountain, Hannibal, and The Jackal may recognize the area. It offers great views of the falls and the river, but be wary of copperheads, which abound on the island. Also many teenagers enjoy swimming and laying out on the rocks. There are even rope swings set up on the bridges nearby. It is a great hangout for teenagers and young adults.
• The Historic Downtown. The cobblestoned Bottom area is rich in history, and well-worth the trip, if only to see one of the many Edgar Allan Poe houses in the Northeast. Though much of the area was washed out during Hurricanes Isabel and Gaston, the rebuilding continues.
• Maymont Park. A wealthy landowner donated his estate to the city, and Richmond turned it into one of the most beautiful urban parks in the nation. Fountains, Italianate gardens, and a Japanese tea garden are a pleasure to walk through. The nature center here is all-encompassing and free, and its exhibits on Virginia Wildlife include two otters who are glad to show off for visitors. Gray foxes, red-tailed hawks, and other exhibits are located outside. Kids like the farm area, where sheep, lambs, chickens, and other sundry animals are exhibited.
• Monument Avenue This grand avenue stretches from downtown Richmond at Lombardy St out into Henrico's West End at Horsepen Dr. Along the avenue in the city are statues to Confederate heroes J.E.B. Start at Lomabardy St., Robert E. Lee at Allen St., Jefferson Davis at Davis Ave.,and Stonewall Jackson at the Boulevard. Matthew Fountaine Muarry, who served in the Confederate Navy, but who is memorialized for his contributions to oceanic navigation and his invention of the torpedo is located at Belmont St. Tennis star and humanitarian Arther Ashe is located at Roseneath St.
• Byrd Park. There's some fishing lakes, seasonal paddle boats, a fitness trail and the Dogwood Dell ampitheater, home to the Summer Festival of Arts. The park abuts Maymount at the end of the Boulevard.
• Virginia Fine Arts Museum, 200 North Boulevard, tel: 804-340-1400.
• Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, 804-864-1400.
• The Children's Museum of Richmond, 2626 W Broad Street, 804-474-7000.
• The American Civil War Center and Richmond National Battlefield Headquarters at Tredegar, 490 Tredegar Street, 804-788-6480. Daily 9AM-5PM. The site of a civil war era iron foundery which supplied ordinance to the Cnfederate Army. The site has long been the NPS headquartes and Museum of the Richmond/Petersburg Battlefield area and just recently ground was broken on teh American Civil War Center, which aims to be the definitve museum on interpretation of the conflaguration from all perspectives. Also on the frounds are a statue of Abraham Lincoln and his son Todd.
• Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E. Clay Street at 12th Street, 804-649-1861. The Museum is looking to relocate due to dwindling attendence which has been largely attributed to the unchecked growth of the neighboring MCV which surronds the museum on all sides. The museum contains one of the largest collections of Confederate records, artifacts and other treasures from the period. The Museum also maintains and gives tours of the White House of the Confederacy.
• The White House of the Confederacy, E.Clay and 12th Street. Open to the public with regularly scheduled guided tours that are arranged and given by the Museum of the Confederacy.
• Black History Museum, 00 Clay Street, 804-780-9093.
• Edgar Allen Poe Museum, 11 North 18th Street.
• The Landmark Theatre (formerly The Mosque), 6 North Laurel St {at Main St.), 804-646-4213. Regularly features off-broadway plays in addition to hosting comedians from around the nation.
• State Capitol, Bank St. The structure was designed by Thomas Jefferson and is is the current home of the Virginia General Assembly. From 1861-1865 it also served as the home of the Confederate States Congress.
• Egyptian Building, East Broad Street. This was the first building and home of the Medical College of Virginia, which now surrounds the structure.
• Lucky Strike Factory, "Tobacco Row" in Shockoe Bottom. The Lucky Strike Factory has recently been renovated into stylish loft apartments and condos. A good view of the painted smoke stack can be seen from nearby Libby Hill park, where the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors monument is located.
• Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S. Cherry Street. Located between the neighborhoods of Oregan Hill and Randolph on a bluff overlooking the James, Presidents Taylor, Tyler, and Monroe have their final resting places here. So does the locally renowned Jefferson Davis, and it's worth the trip through winding roads to see reverent Southerns laying flags on his grave. Also in the cemetery are Confederate Generals George Pickett and J.E.B. Stuart and local authors James Branch Cabell and Ellen Glasgow. The lines of small headstones marking the mass graves of Confederate dead is sobering.

Buy

• Carytown. If you like to shop, Carytown's a must. The prices are high, but the high-end clothing, art, and antiques are worth it. Check out the restaurants while you're there - some of the best eateries in Richmond, from the low-end Galaxy Diner to the Thai restaurants, make their homes in Carytown.

Eat

Many of Richmond's fine restaurants may be found in the historic district downtown called Shockoe Bottom.

Budget

• Galaxy Diner, 309 W. Cary St., 804-213-0510. Located in the heart of Carytown, it's a throwback to the 50's with a funky Richmond twist. The theme is "B SciFi", but the food is "A-", that is, not great, but pretty good for the price. Burgers, shakes, and fries of course, but also some good veggie offerings (my favorite is the Portabella Burger) and their unique fried pickle. A fun place for the family, and convenient to the eclectic Carytown shopping district.

• Vito's, 904 W. Grace Street near VCU, 804-353-5533. Vito's is the place to go if you want subs, pizza burgers, calzones/srombolis etc. The food is great and the prices are cheap.

• Sidewalk Cafe, 2101 West Main Street just east of the Boulevard, 804-358-0645. Serves the best food in Richmond at a very reasonable price. The menu has a great deal of variety and daily specials are inventive. Because of its reputation, Sidewalk stays packed and a short wait may be necessary. Don't feel railroaded into taking an uncomfortable table as the waitstaff will understand those who prefer a booth (trust me, you want a booth). For the ideal Richmond experience or simply for those who want to get their money's worth, Sidewalk is a must.

Mid-range

• Strawberry Street Cafe, 421 N. Strawberry St., Wonderful.
• Panda Veg 948 W. Grace St., located in "The Fan". A great place to get vegan Asian cuisine.
• Harrison St. Coffee Shop 402 N. Harrison St., located in "The Fan". A good place to get fair trade coffee, and vegan sandwiches.
• Captain Buzzy's Beanery, 2623 E. Broad St., in the "Church Hill" district, Quiche, Baked Goods, Sandwiches, Salad, and Coffee.

Splurge

• Peking Chinese Restaurant, 1302 B Cary St.

• The Tobacco Company, 1201 East Cary Street, 804-782-9555.

Drink

• Cary St. Cafe,"Bohemian cafe, with the tunes to match"... a cool hippy bar.
• Have A Nice Day Cafe, Nice atmosphere, but only for those 21 and older.

Sleep

Mid-range

• AmeriSuites Chester/Rivers Bend, 13148 Kingston Avenue, Tel: (804) 530-4600.
• AmeriSuites Richmond/Aboretum, 201 Arboretum Place, Tel:(804) 560-1566.
• AmeriSuites Richmond/Innsbrook, 4100 Cox Rd, Tel: (804) 747-9644.
• Doubletree Hotel Downtown Richmond, 301 West Franklin, Tel: (804) 644-9871. The Doubletree Richmond is located in the center of Richmond's business and financial district, alongside trendy restaurants and clubs.

Splurge

• The Omni Richmond Hotel, 100 South 12th Street, Tel (804)344-700, Toll free 1(800) THE OMNI.
• The Jefferson Hotel, 101 West Franklin Street, Tel(804)424-8104

Stay safe

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 north-east section of the city. The tourist areas are generally safe, and violent crime is very rare in these areas. As always, use common sense and avoid any areas that seem unsafe.