Who doesn’t love a good road trip? When RVing on the east coast, passing north and south through Virginia isn’t unheard of. While The Old Dominion Sate may not be the first on your bucket list, there are some pretty interesting stops when passing through. The area in and around Richmond holds some of those destinations. Here are five off the wall places to visit around Richmond, Virginia.
5 Off the Wall Places to Visit in and Around Richmond, VA
The Hollywood Cemetery
The Hollywood Cemetery is located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. Open from 8 AM to 6 PM every day; you can stroll through the cemetery, visit its outdoor museum, and learn about the resting place of two US Presidents, Confederate generals, and more. This is the second most visited cemetery in the country, behind Arlington, and has a history that will leave the biggest buffs in awe.
The American Civil War Museum
Virginia and the South has a storied history and The American Civil War Museum documents the good, the bad, and the ugly of our country’s past. The White House of the Confederacy sits on the museum’s grounds, giving visitors a chance to walk through the past and see it from multiple perspectives. Robert Mills, the creator behind the Washington Monument, helped design the southern White House.
The Poe Museum
The Poe Museum brings you up close and person with the life and times of Edgar Allan Poe. James Howard Whitty founded this museum over a century ago. He collected Poe books, manuscripts, and more, then surrounded himself with others who loved the style and writing of Poe. What began as the Poe Memorial Association in 1906 morphed into a museum visited by people from all around the globe who fell in love with Poe’s writing.
Altria Theater
The Altria Theater is one of Virginia’s gems. This small, intimate theater hosts everything from concerts to Broadway productions. In 2013, the Altria Theater underwent major renovations to improve and preserve the original building and construction materials that make the theater historical. Whether you’re in town for a local show or something bigger, you’ll appreciate the acoustics, history, and lore behind the Altria no matter what you see while there.
Maymont
Originally owned by James and Sallie Dooley, Maymont is one of the most beautiful homes in Virginia and the surrounding areas. With over 100-acres of land, Japanese gardens, and a petting zoo, there’s something for everyone here. 33 rooms, 12,000 square feet, an arboretum await visitors! Open 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday; you can tour the grounds on your own.
If you’re traveling in or around Richmond, Virginia, consider taking a day tour through some of the above stops. You won’t regret it.