Richmond, VA � June 2002
� Residents and visitors to the Historic Richmond Region continue to call
it easy to love. Home to museums, breathtaking architecture and a vibrant
arts community, the Region entertains and enlightens. Historic buildings
and world-class museums nestle next to new structures designed to harmonize
with the past even as they define the future. Richmond � fun, affordable
and accessible � offers the benefits of a big city and the warmth of a
small town. There are trendy areas and endless pockets of discovery � all
in a historic setting that reminds us of who we are as Americans.
Located
on the James River fall line, Richmond was founded in 1607 by Captains
Christopher Newport and John Smith of Jamestown fame. Patrick Henry lit
the fires of revolution when he delivered his "�give me liberty or give
me death�" speech at St. John's Church in 1775. You can still visit St.
John's, and during the summer enjoy the reenactments of Henry's famous
speech. Richmond replaced Williamsburg as capital of the Commonwealth of
Virginia in 1780. The State Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson and
is one of the most visited sites in the city.
Visitors to the Richmond
Region find the traditions of history and culture alive today. Historic
homes and neighborhoods, Civil War and Revolutionary War sites and museums,
gardens and nature centers, science & art museums, sports teams and
the James River offer a myriad of activities throughout the Region. Combined
with excellent shopping and excellent dining, these attractions are enough
to create several fun-filled weekends.
The Richmond Region is
rich in historic homes and famous folk. Henricus Historical Park recreates
the New World�s second successful English settlement, the 1611 Citie of
Henricus. The John Marshall House, Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Maggie Walker
National Historic Site, Meadow Farm, Scotchtown and Sherwood Forest Plantation
all interpret the lives of distinguished people.
The Valentine Richmond
History Center presents �the story of Richmond,� as well as the nation.
One of the largest textile collections in the South is housed at the Richmond
History Center. At any time, you can see period clothing, bedding or other
household materials. The Virginia Historical Society and Museum covers
Virginia's history from Native America to the present day.
If Civil War is an interest,
be sure to visit the National Park Service's Civil War Visitor Center at
Tredegar Iron Works. The rangers can direct you to surrounding battlefields
as well as familiarize you with the impact the war had on Richmond. One
of Richmond's many Civil War attractions is the Museum of the Confederacy,
which houses the most comprehensive collection of Confederate artifacts
in the world. Adjacent to the museum is the White House of the Confederacy,
fully restored to its Victorian splendor. Chimborazo Medical Museum, run
by the National Park Service and located in historic Church Hill, focuses
on the medical aspect of the Civil War.
Once known as the Harlem
of the South, the Jackson Ward neighborhood is home to the Black History
Museum, the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site and a statue of Bill
�Bojangles� Robinson, a tap dancer famously popular in the 1930s. Every
fall the neighborhood is hopping at the annual Second Street Festival with
people, food, jazz, gospel music, a market and more. The hands of time
are turned back to the 1920s-40s when the street was the heart of the Region�s
African American community.
The first state-supported
art museum opened in Richmond in 1936 and today is one of the top art museums
in the nation. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts presents a panoramic look
at creative achievements, with the largest public collection of Faberge
Easter eggs outside Russia. The Science Museum of Virginia presents hands-on
exhibits on aerospace, electricity, biological timing and more � complete
with an IMAX Theater. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers activities
for children of all ages. Try on eagle's wings, wiggle through a digestive
tract, tinker in the Inventor's laboratory or create your own art.
Anytime of year is a good
time to visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, which contains acres of
gardens, winding paths and a wetland environment. Maymont, a 100-acre property
with gardens, a historic home, children's farm and Nature Center is a not-to-be-missed
spot for animal and nature lovers of all ages.
Richmond can also boast
a splendid natural resource in the James River � one of the only urban
settings for class III and class IV white water rapids as well as fishing
and canoeing. For a more tranquil experience try bird watching at Dutch
Gap Conservatory, or cycling on Belle Isle. You may choose to spend time
strolling along the historic Canal Walk conceived by George Washington.
It winds 1.25 miles along the James River and takes you through historical
moments in Richmond's history. The restored canal offers boat rides and
tours.
Sports fans have plenty
to choose from year round. From Richmond Renegades hockey in the winter
to Richmond Braves baseball in the summer, sports in Richmond run the gamut.
There�s also arena football, the Richmond Kickers professional soccer team
and perhaps the most popular � NASCAR. Richmond International Raceway is
the only track in the nation to hold both its NASCAR Winston Cup races
at night.
Richmond is also a great
place to have a meal. There are more than 400 restaurants to choose from
including a AAA, Five Diamond rated restaurant, Lemaire, located in the
Jefferson Hotel. Around the Region you can forgo the usual and experience
a variety of ethnic cuisines and world-wide influences. You could spend
a weekend just sampling food! The Region is very easy to love if you are
a beer fan. Several microbreweries serve excellent beer along with delicious
food. Legend Brewing Company affords a view of the river and the skyline,
Richbrau is a hot spot in Historic Shockoe Slip and Main Street Brewing
Company is an anchor in the popular Fan neighborhood. Visitors to the Region
in May can sample these beers and many more at the River City Beer and
Seafood Festival located on Brown�s Island.
Nightlife and performing
arts are vibrant throughout the Region. The Cultural Arts Center at Glen
Allen is home to the Latin Ballet of Virginia. The Richmond Symphony, Richmond
Ballet, TheatreVirginia and Virginia Opera make their home in Richmond,
continuously entrancing audiences. Theaters such as the Landmark Theater
and the Carpenter Center for Performing Arts, both gorgeous historic buildings,
draw high-profile concerts, off-Broadway shows, comedians and other outstanding
performances.
Around every corner of
the Historic Richmond Region there is a pocket of discovery like Hollywood
Cemetery � where two U.S. presidents are buried along with many Confederate
notables. Or Carytown, one of Richmond�s earliest shopping areas, now home
to a wide range of eclectic shops and eateries.
Whatever your interests
are, there is something for you to discover in the Historic Richmond Region.
For a complete listing of all the Region has to offer, call 1-888-RICHMOND
for a free Visitors Guide. And visit soon to see for yourself why Richmond
is easy to love.
When
You Go
Stop in the Richmond
Region Visitor Center at 405 North 3rd Street to learn about the variety
of places to visit. Just follow the Tourist Information signs from the
highway. There is plenty of parking in a deck right next door.
When you stop by the Visitor
Center, pick up a Richmond Pass. The Pass, launched in 2000, is a hit,
offering 100% fun with zero hassle. For $15, pass holders can choose five
attractions from nearly 20 museums, historic homes and gardens � and the
savings represent an approximate 40% discount. Details are available on
the Richmond Pass release at www.richmondva.org.
Contact:
Janene Charbeneau
Public Relations Manager
Richmond Metro Convention
& Visitors Bureau
401 North 3rd Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Member
Southeast
Tourism Society
www.southeasttourism.org
|
�Visit the Southeast�
www.escapetothesoutheast.com
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Placement Dates: 06/10/02
� 07/10/02
�Service of Hospitality
1ST and Subscribing Members�
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