🇺🇸 Richmond, VA Has So Much to Offer!

Hey there — hope this finds you well! ✨ I wanted to share my experience from a sunny weekend in late July spent exploring Richmond. ☀️ My first stop was the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) — and it turned out to be my favorite part of the trip! 🖼️ The museum is beautifully curated with a diverse and high-quality collection. General admission is free 🆓, and the gift shop is full of gorgeous Art Nouveau and Mucha-themed souvenirs. There’s a lovely café on the first floor, and the surrounding lawns and sculptures make it a perfect place to relax. I ended up spending over 3 hours here! Next, I walked to the Science Museum nearby. It’s very interactive — great for families and friends 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🔬. (Skip the planetarium show though — not as impressive as the one in Shanghai Science Museum.) 🍜 Food highlight: Main St. Dragon — tried a Malaysian-style ramen. Unique and delicious! On day two, I strolled along Broad Street from west to east. The architecture slowly shifts from worn-out low-rises to well-maintained public buildings like the Library of Virginia, New City Hall, Children’s Hospital, and the gorgeous Old City Hall 🏛️. The Virginia State Capitol sits at the heart of the city 🧭— you can actually step inside and see where lawmakers work and debate. I also loved the Canal Walk — a riverside path filled with public art and historic markers 🚶‍♀️🌿. Highly recommend for walking enthusiasts! Nearby E Cary Street is lined with charming bookstores and cafes — definitely worth exploring 📚☕. Richmond carries the weight and grace of history as the former capital of the South. While it may not compete with major metros in growth, it won me over with its warmth ❤️: At VMFA, an elderly gentleman taking art classes at VCU gifted me a ticket to a special exhibition 🎫. The bus system is completely FREE 🚌💨 (I asked how to pay and the driver smiled: “It’s free, baby!”). The city is buzzing with student energy — VCU, U of R, VUU, UVA, VSU… posters are everywhere 🎓. VCU practically owns Richmond — even my Airbnb host and my flight neighbor were alumni! I’d love to return one day. Warmly, [Your Name] #RichmondVA #Virginia #TravelUSA #USATravel #ArtAndCulture #HiddenGems #SouthernCharm #VCU #FreeMuseum #Wanderlust