Richmond itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Richmond, Virginia, day by day: the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Hollywood Cemetery and the Civil War museum at Tredegar first, then the Science Museum, the Canal Walk, the Poe Museum, St. John's Church, the State Capitol and Belle Isle. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Richmond in 1 day
Day 1
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Large art museum with collections from ancient to contemporary art, including American art and European paintings; general admission is free.
Hollywood Cemetery
Large hillside Victorian cemetery above the James River, final resting place of two US presidents and Jefferson Davis.
American Civil War Museum at Tredegar
Museum in the historic Tredegar ironworks buildings on the James River that tells the story of the Civil War from Union, Confederate and African American perspectives.
Tredegar Iron Works
Historic ironworks on the James River that made cannon for the Confederacy, now a museum site and part of the Civil War museum.
Old City Hall
Gothic Revival city hall completed in 1894 on Broad Street, designed by Elijah E. Myers and known for its granite exterior and tall clock tower.
Richmond in 2 days
Day 1
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Large art museum with collections from ancient to contemporary art, including American art and European paintings; general admission is free.
Science Museum of Virginia
Hands-on science museum in the former Broad Street Station railway building, with exhibits on physics, space and the human body.
Hollywood Cemetery
Large hillside Victorian cemetery above the James River, final resting place of two US presidents and Jefferson Davis.
Tredegar Iron Works
Historic ironworks on the James River that made cannon for the Confederacy, now a museum site and part of the Civil War museum.
Canal Walk
Waterside walkway along the restored canals through downtown Richmond, with historic markers and, in season, boat rides.
Day 2
Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Museum in a historic stone house district devoted to Poe's life in Richmond, with manuscripts, portraits and a garden.
St. John's Episcopal Church
Colonial church of 1741 on Church Hill where Patrick Henry gave his 'liberty or death' speech in 1775; tours and reenactments are held.
Old City Hall
Gothic Revival city hall completed in 1894 on Broad Street, designed by Elijah E. Myers and known for its granite exterior and tall clock tower.
Virginia State Capitol
Thomas Jefferson's neoclassical design of the 1780s, home to the state legislature, with the Houdon statue of Washington inside.
American Civil War Museum at Tredegar
Museum in the historic Tredegar ironworks buildings on the James River that tells the story of the Civil War from Union, Confederate and African American perspectives.
Belle Isle
Island park in the James River reached by a footbridge, with rocky riverbanks, walking trails, a swimming area and the remains of a Civil War prison.
Watch: Richmond
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Richmond
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with mild weather and blossoms or leaf colour, while summer is hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms. Winter is cool and usually quiet. The Folk Festival, held in early October along the riverfront, and Historic Garden Week in April, are well known.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Richmond on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Richmond on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Richmond on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United States from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Richmond with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Richmond
- Most history stops sit within a short walk of Capitol Square and Shockoe Bottom, so group them by area to save walking and parking.
- St. John's Church is best seen on a tour, and tours are not offered every day; check the days before planning your visit.
- Hollywood Cemetery is large and hilly, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time for the walk between the main monuments.
- Summers are hot and humid; start outdoor visits such as Belle Isle early and keep museums for the afternoon.
- The Virginia State Capitol offers free tours, and photo ID may be required for the security check at the entrance.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- American Civil War Museum at Tredegar: American Civil War Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Belle Isle: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions
- Canal Walk: Ben Schumin, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Edgar Allan Poe Museum: Poe Museum, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Hollywood Cemetery: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Old City Hall: Smash the Iron Cage, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Science Museum of Virginia: David Bjorgen, CC BY-SA 2.5
- St. John's Episcopal Church: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Tredegar Iron Works: Morgan Riley, CC BY 3.0
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Virginia State Capitol: Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942, Public domain
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
