Richmond in the Fall: 4 Things to do in the City on the James River
After two years of full-time travel, we’re nearly done with our first year living here in our home base of Richmond, Virginia. Since autumn is the very best season in our new city, we want to share with you our recipe for a full fall day. So grab your flannel and a jacket, and enjoy a beautiful day exploring the capital city by the James.
Get outside
In October the leaves go out in a blaze of glorious yellows, oranges, and reds, but only for a few weeks. Before winter shows up, we spend every moment we can outside. The best place to enjoy the crisp fall breeze is along the stunning James River in the shadow of downtown. Belle Isle is part of the James River Park System and a great place for a stroll, hop, and a skip over the water-worn boulders. Even on a warm fall day, the breeze can really pick up along the river, so it’s best to dress in layers. Matt brought along his St. John’s Bay flannel and waterproof jacket so he could keep up with our daughter.
The best part about this area? Downtown is a stone’s throw away and we’re already dressed for an afternoon on the town.
Dive into history
Richmond is a growing modern city yet full of American history, which is evident in every corner of the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. Take a stroll over the pedestrian bridge from Brown’s Island and learn about the days leading up to the fall of Richmond at the Civil War Museum. Next, visit Hollywood Cemetery where two presidents are buried high above the James alongside a variety of notable soldiers and other famous Virginians.
At this point, you might need to attend a happy hour.
Stop at a local Brewery
Hardywood Brewery at West Creek is one of our favorite fall spots!
Fortune called Richmond “the new craft Mecca of the American South”, and for good reason. Downtown is chock full of great beer options. The Veil, Vassen, and Ardent Craft Ales are local favorite taprooms in the revitalized, historical industrial district of Scott’s Addition. More notable names like Stone Brewery and Legend sit on the banks of the James, offering a beautiful view of downtown. Further outside of town allows the room for larger complexes like Hardywood’s West Creek beer barn, which is a great place for a family outing.
Matt enjoys the practical and versatile layers found in St. John’s Bay Outdoor line, perfect for a day in nature, at the brewery, and everywhere else in between.
A view of RVA from the deck of Legend Brewery.
Grab dinner
Richmond is a pretty laid back city, so a corded sweater, like this one from JCPenney, will do just fine for dinner and drinks. You can find worthy restaurants in every part of the city, like Shockoe Bottom, the Fan, or in Carytown, our new favorite district.
If you decide to come to RVA plan a visit when the leaves are changing. It’s the best time to explore Richmond inside and out.
Beautiful Richmond, Virginia at sunset.
This blog post is sponsored by JCPenney. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (Thank you JCPenney for sponsoring!)
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