# Three days in Richmond, VA - any "must-do"s? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426 "2010-12-08T16:19:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/1 "2010-12-08T16:19:28Z")
I am going to be in Richmond next week (Mon-Thurs) helping my brother move. I won’t have just a whole bunch of spare time, but I was wondering if there was anything I should try to take in - a particular site, or place to eat? I’m open to any suggestions, it could be a daytime thing or an evening thing. Thanks in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/2 "2010-12-08T16:26:35Z")
The [Edgar Allan Poe Museum](http://www.poemuseum.org/index.php). The [Capital Alehouse](http://www.capitalalehouse.com/), if you like beer. Unbelievable selection, and good food. The [Museum of the Confederacy](http://www.moc.org/site/PageServer) and, next door, the Confederate White House. The [Tredegar Iron Works](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tredegar_Iron_Works), where the American Civil War Center, a private museum is located. If you can hit only one museum, choose the Museum of the Confederacy. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/3 "2010-12-08T16:37:13Z")
You must get out as soon as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/4 "2010-12-08T17:21:31Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > The [Tredegar Iron Works](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tredegar_Iron_Works), where the American Civil War Center, a private museum is located. If you can hit only one museum, choose the Museum of the Confederacy. Meh. Our corp offices are located adjacent to Tredegar. It’s snoozeworthy. Walking across the pedestrian bridge to Belle Isle is relatively interesting – if you’re interested in a good walk or jog. I’d say, take a whirl around Monument Avenue, grab some BBQ somewhere… and then go visit Colonial Williamsburg for an afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/5 "2010-12-08T17:23:30Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > The [Capital Alehouse](http://www.capitalalehouse.com/), if you like beer. Unbelievable selection, and good food. Hmm, this sounds good. I quit drinking but my son would probably like to sample some ale. He has me for a DD too! 🙂 **Lightray** , I had someone else recommend a trip to Williamsburg. Is it very far/hard to find? We will have a rental car. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/6 "2010-12-08T17:54:08Z")
[Agecroft Hall.](http://www.agecrofthall.com) [Maymont](http://maymont.org) - mostly for the gardens. The Capitol Building is interesting - it was designed by Thomas Jefferson, contains the wonderful statue of Washington by Houdon and served as the legislative chambers of the Confederacy. I wouldn’t miss it. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/7 "2010-12-08T18:14:55Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > **Lightray** , I had someone else recommend a trip to Williamsburg. Is it very far/hard to find? We will have a rental car. It’s about 30 minutes outside Richmond, but it’s really easy to find. It’s a straight shot down 64 and there are CW signs plastered everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/8 "2010-12-08T18:21:48Z")
Maymont and the capital building are the two I would say first. If you like art then the Richmond museum (on Boulevard) is very good IMO. I would tour the Capital, then drive through the Fan via Monument Ave. over to Maymont. I love Richmond and could spend a week just driving around looking at the neighborhoods. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/9 "2010-12-08T18:24:42Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > It’s about 30 minutes outside Richmond, but it’s really easy to find. It’s a straight shot down 64 and there are CW signs plastered everywhere. You must drive a lot faster than me. Williamsburg is 50 miles from Richmond. Very easy to find though. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/10 "2010-12-08T18:56:50Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > You must drive a lot faster than me. Williamsburg is 50 miles from Richmond. Very easy to find though. I… was gonna say about a half-hour drive, too. I inherited granma’s lead foot, apparently. :o ---
**Author:** ![Leon497](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Leon497](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leon497)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/11 "2010-12-08T19:00:38Z")
Yes, most people in Richmond just talk about where they can go to get away from there. Be aware Colonial Williamsburg is not all real, most buildings built in the depression 1930’s but there is some real old churches and the museum does have real artifacts and clothes and such. The bad news, it costs as much to get in as a theme park. But good news too, you need no ticket as there is no fence, you can walk in the whole thing and enjoy all the decorations and take all the pictures you want. You have to show a ticket only to ENTER the buildings, and the bad news is once inside there is usually little to see, most was outside!! They did have lower price museum only tickets and that is probably best bet, walk around first, and then decide. But bring a camera, there are people in period dress and lots to see and do for free. But the full price admission is not worth it. One neat thing is it’s open 365 days a year, yes I went on Xmas and they have sleighs and horses and all sorts of period dress and lots to photo, and it was all free since I was not in a building. Be aware the row of restaurants on Richmond Road nearby are all closed then, that seems weird. There is a wonderful seafood buffet there called Captain George’s. For $29 all you can eat and has everything, crab legs, shrimp salads, desserts, it is wonderful, worth going for. In Richmond there is a decent BBQ place called Famous Dave’s too. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/12 "2010-12-08T19:30:44Z")
Famous Dave’s is famous, I guess…they’re a chain in 37 states. Eh. The best BBQ in that area (and probably in the state) is [Pierce’s.](http://www.pierces.com/) ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/13 "2010-12-08T20:52:42Z")
Thanks everyone. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/14 "2010-12-08T21:05:40Z")
The [Byrd Theater](http://byrdtheatre.com/) is fun. Not a must see. It’s better when they show really really old movies. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/15 "2010-12-09T15:50:07Z")
I have heard really good things about Buzz and Ned’s barbeque. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/16 "2010-12-09T16:05:58Z")
> [@Leon497](#): > > Be aware the row of restaurants on Richmond Road nearby are all closed then, that seems weird. There is a wonderful seafood buffet there called Captain George’s. For $29 all you can eat and has everything, crab legs, shrimp salads, desserts, it is wonderful, worth going for. In Richmond there is a decent BBQ place called Famous Dave’s too. I went to school in Williamsburg and a large amount of the restaurants are only open in the summer when tourist season begins. I second the recommendation to try Pierce’s BBQ but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. ---
**Author:** ![Leon497](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Leon497](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leon497)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/17 "2010-12-09T16:20:11Z")
You know I have been by Lightfoot many times to the Pottery Factory (now almost nothing since the owner died, but once a big deal) and I never saw Pierce’s BBQ nor heard of it. I will indeed check it out, but that is near Williamsburg. Also there is a Prime Outlets near there too. In Richmond Famous Dave’s is real good. There is so little ever to mention in Richmond, there is a state fair there and a NASCAR track, but only if you happen to be there a few certain days out of a year are any in use. ---
**Author:** ![geneb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e4f/32.png) [@geneb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geneb)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/18 "2010-12-09T16:41:15Z")
I’d suggest the [Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens](http://www.lewisginter.org/) . Especially this time of year since they have their lights up. ---
**Author:** ![rostfrei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7bcc69/32.png) [@rostfrei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rostfrei)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/19 "2010-12-09T17:31:12Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > I have heard really good things about Buzz and Ned’s barbeque. I consider myself somewhat of a BBQ fiend, and I found that Buzz and Ned’s was just slightly better than average. However, there is a lot of hullabaloo about it. I tried it once and was not impressed at all. I drive past their location frequently and have noticed that there are not nearly as many cars in the parking lot as thre used to be. Extra Billy’s BBQ (two locations in Richmond) is superior. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426/20 "2010-12-09T17:34:21Z")
Extra Billy’s was pretty good. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-days-in-richmond-va-any-must-do-s/563426.md?page=2)