Richmond (Virginia)

For history enthusiasts, it doesn’t get much better than Richmond! Richmond has been pivotal in many of America’s most important historical events, from the first permanent English settlement in nearby Jamestown to the Civil War to important sites in the struggle for civil rights. It’s very family-friendly and is a great place to pack in a lot of historical sightseeing!

I’ve lived in the Richmond area for twenty years, and I recommend spending three days in Richmond to really see most of the important historical sites. Check out my recommended three day itinerary below! With its Central Virginia location, Richmond is also a good base for any historical visits to the Historic Triangle and the Charlottesville area. It would make a great base for my Virginia Road Trip itinerary if you don’t want to change hotels!

General Tips

Historical Sites

I have covered almost all of the Richmond-area historical sites and museums listed below. The link will take you to my review.

Kid-Friendly Attractions

Richmond is extremely family-friendly, with a playground, park, or fun place to visit around every corner.  

Richmond in Three Days

Seeing the historic sites around Richmond could take you weeks, but I’ve put together a family-friendly three-day itinerary of the historical highlights! If you want a specific Civil War-themed tour, check out my post here.

Day 1: A Revolutionary Virginia

Start off with breakfast at Early Bird Biscuit Company in The Fan. I love their buttery biscuits and kids will especially like their homemade pop tarts! Then head to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture for an engaging overview of Virginia’s 400+ year history. You’ll spend at least an hour in its galleries.

Before lunch, explore Richmond’s Historic St. John’s Church where Patrick Henry exclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death!” The church is open for tours daily but check to see if there is a reenactment during your stay. It’s a must-see! Eat lunch at the nearby Patrick Henry’s Pub or grab a savory hand pie at Proper Pie Co and eat it in Patrick Henry Park.

After everyone is fed, head to the Virginia State Capitol to see the Jefferson-designed masterpiece. Be sure to walk around the Capitol grounds to see the statues!

With younger kids, head to the Children’s Museum or Science Museum to get out the late afternoon wiggles. Older kids will love taking a canal cruise or biking along the Virginia Capital Trail. 

For dinner, have tacos and guacamole along the canal at Casa del Barco or grab the best pizza in Richmond at Bottom’s Up. Ask for a table with a view of the railroad tracks!

Day 2: Civil War Ghosts

Start out your day at Nate’s Bagels for breakfast and then head to the American Civil War Museum to start your tour of Richmond Civil War sites. As the capital of the Confederacy and with many battles fought at its doorstep, Richmond has a ton of Civil War history. These sites could take up a week of touring but you can see the highlights in a day (or two). The museum and the next-door Richmond Battlefield NPS visitor center is the place to start. Be sure to get your child a Junior Ranger booklet! Also make sure you download the Civil War Trails’ booklet of the Virginia Civil War sites as you’ll drive by too many to name here! To make the drive easier, download this app.

With older kids, drive to the White House of the Confederacy for a guided tour to learn about the lives of the Davises and the enslaved workers like Union spy Mary Bowser (buy a combo ticket at the museum). Or go to Chimborazo where there is a small museum about the medical hospital on the site during the war. The next-door park also has its own Statue of Liberty replica! Have lunch at Union Market or Alamo BBQ and then begin the Richmond National Battlefield Park driving tour. The tour will take you to Cold Harbor, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, and Fort Harrison battlefields (see my review for the best route). You can see just one site or see them all if your kids are history enthusiasts. The one I recommend as the must-see is Cold Harbor with its small visitor center. 

With younger kids, skip the White House/Chimborazo stop and head straight to the Richmond National Battlefield Park driving tour. For lunch, stop before Cold Harbor at Cracker Barrel or Chick-fil-a. Your kids will also love a stop at the nearby Three Lakes Park and Nature Center for some playground time.

End your day with a relaxing dinner on the river at The Lilly Pad or The Boathouse.

Day 3: From Civil Rights to World Wars

For your last day in Richmond, start off your day at Lift Coffee Shop and Cafe and then visit the nearby Black History Museum. It’s in a beautiful armory building in historic Jackson Ward. Just down the street from the museum is the Maggie L. Walker Historic Site which is a must-see! After these tours, eat a fantastic lunch of Southern favorites at Mama J’s.

With older kids (middle school and up), drive to the Virginia War Memorial. There is a poignant museum here with important artifacts like a piece of the Pentagon wall from the 9/11 terrorist attack. After paying your respects, head to the Virginia Holocaust Museum which is one of the most moving museums I’ve visited. Have dinner at Bottom’s Up or Station 2, one of our favorite burger places (in an old fire station!).

With younger kids, head to Maymont after lunch where they can visit the animals at the children’s zoo/aquarium, and you can tour a historic home. End the day shopping in Carytown and have a lovely child-friendly dinner at Can Can Brasserie or Galaxy Diner. 

If you have time to spend another few days in the River City, check out a plantation along the James River (Berkeley and Shirley are the best ones for kids) or check off some presidential history sites (including homes of presidents at Berkeley, Sherwood Forest, and Tuckahoe and the final resting place of two presidents at Hollywood Cemetery). 

Books to Read

All links are Amazon affiliate links. I’ve also compiled lists of my favorite books about Virginia at my Bookshop.org shop (affiliate links).

Guidebooks

Adult/Young Adult

Middle Grade

Picture Books

This page is continually updated.