Today is special — it marks our fifth anniversary of living in Richmond.
On this date in 2006, Sherry and I woke up on an air mattress in my Upper West Side apartment (she had already moved out of her SoHo studio and turned in the keys) to greet my dad, who had driven up in the minivan that would carry us and our few belongings to Richmond. Seven hours and one stop at Ikea later, we arrived at our new apartment — unemployed, unwed, and wildly excited about the life ahead.
But enough about our back story — let’s talk Richmond. We often get asked for recommendations about what to see, where to shop, and where to eat when visiting. To celebrate our fifth anniversary in the River City, we put together five “top five” lists of favorite spots and activities around RVA. Yes, there’s a five theme. Here’s what we cover:
- 5 Favorite Places to Chow Down
- 5 Favorite Tourist-y Things To Do
- 5 Favorite Ways to Enjoy a Gorgeous Day
- 5 Favorite Places to Score Home Deals
- 5 Favorite Swanky & Inspiring Home Stores
***5 FAVORITE PLACES TO CHOW DOWN***
We don’t consider ourselves hardcore food critics, but we do love celebrating with a good meal. These are a few Richmond restaurants we always recommend:
- Kuba Kuba: A cozy, colorful spot in The Fan known for reliable Cuban classics. Pronounce it “Coo-ba Coo-ba” to sound in the know.
- Bottom’s Up: A lively pizza place in Shockoe Bottom. It still carries reminders of past floods and serves casual, tasty pies in a friendly atmosphere.
- The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing: A riverfront restaurant with great food and unbeatable views of the James River and skyline — perfect for celebrations and sunset dinners.
- Crab Louie’s Tavern: Located outside the city center, this seafood spot occupies a historic house and is a reliable choice for classic seafood meals and fresh-baked breads.
- Sticky Rice: A playful, modern take on sushi with creative rolls and small plates. It’s fun, casual, and a good choice if you want something different.
***5 FAVORITE TOURIST-Y THINGS TO DO***
Richmond may not have global icons like the Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower, but it has a number of local landmarks worth visiting:
- Browse the VMFA: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts offers a stunning building and a strong permanent collection. Most of the museum is free, making it a great cultural stop.
- See a movie at The Byrd Theatre: This 1928 movie palace is a delightful, nostalgic place to catch a film. Classic architecture and affordable tickets make it a memorable experience.
- Stroll around Hollywood Cemetery: Beautiful landscaping, historic gravesites, and striking views make this cemetery an unexpectedly peaceful and scenic place to explore.
- Shop Carytown: A colorful corridor of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. It’s a great area to wander, window-shop, and find unique locally owned stores.
- Walk or run in The Fan: Tree-lined streets and historic row houses give The Fan a distinct charm. It’s perfect for a relaxed walk, a run, or stopping at a neighborhood cafe.
***5 FAVORITE WAYS TO ENJOY A GORGEOUS DAY***
Richmond really shines on a beautiful day. These are our favorite outdoor places to soak up sunshine and scenery:
- Pony Pasture: Part of the James River Park System, Pony Pasture has trails, rocks for sunning, and gentle river currents ideal for wading and relaxing on warm days.
- Maymont: A large park with gardens, paved paths, a petting farm, historic buildings, and a small nature center. It’s family-friendly and offers lots to explore.
- Belle Isle: An island in the James River with trails, rugged river views, and downtown skyline vistas. It’s a favorite spot for running, biking, and quiet escapes.
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Beautifully landscaped gardens that offer seasonal displays and design inspiration. It’s a peaceful, cultivated place to spend an afternoon outdoors.
- Stony Point Fashion Park or Short Pump Town Center: Open-air shopping centers that combine retail with pleasant outdoor walkways — perfect for a sunny day of browsing and people-watching.
***5 FAVORITE PLACES TO SCORE HOME DEALS***
Hunting for home finds is one of our favorite pastimes. These local spots regularly yield great deals:
- Diversity Thrift: A dependable thrift store where we’ve found furniture bases, side tables, and other unexpected treasures over the years.
- Love of Jesus Thrift: Another strong thrift option, especially for furniture and larger pieces that can be refreshed with a little elbow grease.
- Lakeside Avenue Thrift & Consignment: A stretch of shops that often has consignment gems and quirky home accessories worth digging for.
- The Decorating Outlet: A discount outlet for home accessories and lighting. It’s a good place to find discounted quality items for rooms and projects.
- U-fab: A regional fabric discount store with a wide selection of textiles and patterns that are generally more stylish than big-box options and easier on the wallet than designer stores.
***5 FAVORITE SWANKY & INSPIRING HOME STORES***
On the other end of the spectrum from thrift and discount shopping are the city’s most beautiful home stores. These destinations are great for inspiration and design eye candy:
- Williams & Sherrill: A hybrid shop with housewares and fabrics, packed with pattern and color inspiration that makes it easy to dream and plan future projects.
- Ruth & Ollie: A smaller Carytown boutique featuring contemporary furniture, art, and thoughtfully curated pieces that feel fresh and stylish.
- LaDifférence: A large showroom in Shockoe Bottom filled with modern furniture, lighting, and accessories — useful for serious design inspiration.
- Shades of Light: Known for beautiful lighting and well-styled fixtures, this store is a go-to when you want thoughtful illumination and decorative accents.
- Caravati’s: An architectural salvage warehouse full of reclaimed doors, hardware, and architectural elements. It’s a dream for restorations and unique DIY projects.
There you have it — five sets of top-five lists to celebrate our fifth anniversary in Richmond. We don’t claim to be local experts after five years, but these are places and experiences that made us fall for this city. If you live here or have visited, please share your favorites in these categories. We’d love to hear other recommendations and might even find new spots to visit on future trips.
Boathouse photo by Beth Furgurson, rest of the images photographed by us.
We also recently announced the winners of a giveaway — check our site to see if you won.