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Guide to Richmond, USA - Virginia
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RichmondRichmond
One of the first US colonies to become a state, Virginia has always been placed among the forefront of American history, and its capital, Richmond, plays an increasingly important part in telling the tale. Touching the James River, Richmond is no longer brimming with whitewashed homes and its streets no show the tracks of carriages, but there still exists the sense that not all has been forgotten of the past. Museums among its avenues hold innumerable items from centuries ago. Richmond, a major site of the Revolutionary War, has kept places of such significance as St John's Church, where Patrick Henry spoke his famous words, beautifully intact. Not especially holding to the most liberal of ideals, Virginia was one of several states requiring extensive convincing to be rid of slavery and prejudicial laws. Richmond was often the center of such controversies. Decades after such struggles, Richmond is today a shining example of American pride and joy, and offers its clean and collected self up to visitors from all reaches. Take it whole, with all its highlights and all its faults. If you're interested in visiting one of the premier sites for Americana in the west, Virginia's capital is certainly a splendid choice.
When to go:
If the Equator ran through the center of the US, Virginia would become divided almost perfectly in half. Such a location, at first glance, seems to allow the best balance of weather throughout the year, but in fact the effects seen throughout the southeastern coast of the country are more prevalent than those ambling down from the north. Snowfall does occur in Richmond, but the state will more often be washed out than blanketed when each quarter has had a go. This is good news for those who don't enjoy donning Uggs, but a rainstorm can be equally detrimental to vacation plans. Overall, summer provides the best chance for success, but you may have a tough time keeping an amiable relationship with the sun. Spring is a good alternative, but if you'd like the lowest chance of an interruption during your stay you'll do better with visit during autumn.
Getting there and around:
It is debatable whether Virginia's coastal destinations receive more flight traffic than the state's capital city, but Richmond International Airport nevertheless provides easy access to a great array of domestic, continental, and overseas flights. Furthermore, the airport is located nearly on the doorstep of the city, and 15 minutes is all you'll need to get to and fro. More often than not, visitors who come to Richmond stay in Richmond, but if you're one for breaking tradition, or whatever it may be that keeps the city limits so divisive, your best bet for complete enjoyment of the state is to rent a car. Fuel is all you'll need to keep an eye on, and the package deals are more cost-effective as the length of your stay increases.
Attractions: The Virginia State Capitol, likely the most visited site in the city for decades, is a dedication to numerous founding fathers of the United States. Most of the architecture seen here was created prior to 1900, with the Bell Tower as one of the last additions to the Capitol's surroundings. Begun as a site for Richmond's elite, Lewis Ginter, an entrepreneur who made it big for himself, left this piece of land to his niece, who in turn created a hospice here. Later, the city became the sole owner of these acres, and thence sprouted the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The Garden is not the typical attraction one goes to see in a place of such historical value, but if the lessons of the 18th and 19th centuries grow monotonous, or just aren't your cup of tea, you can get in tune with bouquets in the thousands, beautifully landscaped over 30 acres.
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