I was a bit nervous going into this adventure as their waiver includes absolution for basically all…read moreliability, including negligence, and I'm one of those weirdos who actually reads those things. It made me question if they are properly insured as motor vehicles. (Hence the 3 star rating) But I went anyway (trusting in my own coverage if there were to be an incident), and it was fun. The heated seats in the tuktuk were working more in some seats than others, but it was warm enough for me that it didn't matter to me to get a non-heated seat. We did see quite a few houses, and we did get a lot of interesting looks from passersby. I wouldn't want to do this on a particularly cold or rainy day though - I could see it being miserable in those conditions. The route seemed pretty random, as we only crossed paths with the other tuktuk in our party a few times, like the driver was taking us to his faves. The worst part of our trip was that Ownby Fr was all torn up for construction, so it was a rough ride, but hopefully that will improve soon.

Tacky lights tour. We had 9 people, so two tuktuks (max is 6 people per tuktuk). The "tour" was…read morefine, not a lot of input from our driver. Heated seats, BYOB which is always great, Christmas music playing. Not as many lights as last year, not RVA TukTuk's fault, of course. Please note, they add an 18% gratuity to two or more tuktuks. This was probably in the fine print but it wasn't obvious. We tipped a bit in cash and came home to an email that we would be automatically charged for an 18% tip ($100+). The drivers did not mention this.

Who knew that Richmond had so much culture? This city has a lot of mural in its downtown area and…read morethey are all so good. You can literally jump from one mural to the next. I wish I could do a page for each and everyone, but that would be a full time job. You will find concentrations of them in an area by the canal and near the downtown restaurants. I wish I could pick a favorite or two, but they are also so good. I recommend spending a half day to a day on a public art tour. The downtown area is rich with art and I believe that you will throughly enjoy it.

Murals EVERYWHERE! We had one right across from our AirBnB building. I love public art, even if…read moreit's not my taste- I am always happy to see as much of it out there hopefully sparking interest, conversations and inspiring others to create. Murals throughout cities are some of my favorite ways to explore a city, they tell so much about locals, what they love, who they are, where they come from and what direction they want to go. Artist: James Bullough, 620 N Lombardy St- the mural of the floating lady is captivating. Artist: Lelo, 1711 East Main St (has lots around town)- great unique style that has you seeing more than one thing in the vibrant colors! Here's one site that gave me artist info on the ones I saw: https://richmondmuralproject.squarespace.com/murals-1

Wow, how my view of art has changed since my 2012 review!…read more For the last 10 or so years, I spend most of my time in the Modern/Contemporary areas of the museum. I definitely "get it" now! During yesterday's visit, I specifically went for the GIANTS exhibit showing the personal collection of Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys. A variety of amazing work both 2D and 3D, thoughtfully curated to showcase hip hop and black culture--and very generous of them to have it all on loan. The Basquiat was a must-see, though not one of the more impressive ones. The decommissioned prison uniforms was thought-provoking. The Kehinde Wiley paintings of Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys were everything. Gordon Parks and Jamel Shabazz photography. The Kwame Brathwaite photography were among my very favorites. Just wow. The color. The respect. The beauty. I would definitely go back to take it all in again.

Absolutely one of the most impressive art museums I've been to in the United States and, even more…read moreimpressive, is that it's free! If they have a special exhibit there is a ticket fee. On this visit, the special exhibition was Giants featuring works from the Deans (Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz') collection. Fee was $12. It was a very large exhibit and was quite popular too. I really enjoyed the wide variety of modalities featured on display. The museum is currently undergoing a huge renovation but there is still a significant amount of art to see. The collections on display are diverse in both range and medium-ancient civilizations to contemporary and painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, Fabrege, decorative arts. I was really impressed with the extensive collections of American and European Art with paintings from many well-recognized artists: Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Edgar Degas, Boudin, Winslow Homer, Salvador Dali and several more. The Asian art collection is also significant and ranges from sculptures to drawings to ceramics with a significant amount of Buddhist art. Unique to this museum is the large collection of decorative arts: silvers, furniture, Fabrege, glass,etc. There was also a small area near the interactive family lounge area highlighting art completed by children participating in one of the many programs they offer throughout the year. The museum shop is worth visiting and is nicely curated. There's also a cafe on the first floor and a restaurant on the third. Parking is available in the parking deck adjacent to the building for $6. Another interesting thing to note: the museum is open 365 days a year!

My mom and I came here to try glass blowing for the first time, and it was a fun experience. The…read moreworker was kind and explained everything clearly. We were able to help create our own pieces and choose the colors we wanted. I made a cup and my mom made an oil bottle. Overall, it was a great experience, but it's also easy to make mistakes, so it's important not to rush. The imperfections are small, but there are air bubbles in both of our pieces. While we were making the oil bottle, the instructor accidentally tapped it against the door of the furnace area, which left small white marks on the bottle. It's not a huge issue, but it could have been avoided.

I had a fun time at this glassblowing studio! I'd never tried anything like it before... think…read morepottery class, but way more fire involved. When we arrived, we were greeted and asked to complete our waiver forms. You get to choose what you'd like to make from a handful of options: a heart-shaped paperweight, an oil bottle, a tall drinking glass, and a few others. I can't wait to use my oil bottle! Before you dive in, the instructor walks you through everything: how to dip your poker into the molten glass, how to layer in colors (you pick your own palette, and how to help mold and shape your piece before it gets capped off. The studio is on the smaller side and is perfect for a date night, a girls' trip activity, or a unique outing with a small group of friends. We parked on the street since the back lot was full so just plan for that if you're heading over. Shoutout to the women behind this business... you can tell they genuinely love what they do and want every guest to leave with something they're proud of. I can't wait to pick up my bottle in a few days.

I love Discover Richmond Food Tours and would recommend this to anyone! Whether you're local or…read morejust visiting RVA, it truly is fun for anyone. I had the pleasure of being gifted a tour certificate from my co-workers who all know how much of a foodie I am. I finally found a good time to go when the weather was pretty mellow, and it was just perfect to walk around for the tour. I opted for the Churchill food tour, and shockingly had not tried many of the places on the tour, so was in for a treat. I wasn't expecting the history tour along with it, but that was nice to hear about Richmond's history while walking and site seeing. The tour guides are great and excited to be there and giving the tours, which also makes for a great experience. There were about five stops on the tour within two hours and it was a nice balance of walking, eating and taking breaks to learn. Some tours and stops even include alcohol, so that was a nice surprise. I've already bought another gift certificate to check out a different food tour. Highly recommend this experience to all, especially my foodies and history buffs!

Did the 11am- 1:30pm Church Hill food tour with my husband for my birthday. We moved to Richmond…read moreabout 5 years ago, but still have a lot of neighborhoods to discover! Our tour guide, Erin shared so much history not only about the restaurants we visited but also about the Church Hill neighborhood and RVA! We visited Svb Rosa, Kahlo's Taqueria, Pizza bones, Proper Pie and Second Bottle. Each location was prepared for our groups visit with individual items for each member in our group! Even made accommodations for dietary restrictions! Here's what we got at each stop: Sub Rosa- chocolate croissant Kahlo's- Barbacoa Beef Tacos Pizza Bones- Cheese Pizza Proper Pie- Pork and Peach BBQ hand pie Second Bottle- one red and white wine tasting Would highly recommend for folks who moved to the area, folks with friends and town or just a fun a daytime activity with partner or friends.

I went here on a Saturday morning. It is free to visit. Took a paid 90-minute historic walking tour…read more(Highlights of Hollywood Cemetery Walking Tour) by The Valentine. Tour started at the entrance and we went to notable spots. We were only 7 in the tour. Our tour guide Doug who has been doing it for 14 seasons was very knowledgeable. He shared interesting facts, architectural/art styles, history of people and places/Richmond. We saw the iron dog, graves of the 2 US presidents (John Monroe's Tomb and John Tyler's Monument), Lewis Ginter Mausoleum, Palmer Chapel Mausoleum (and the overlooks on its sides), among others. It was a nice tour. I learned a lot. If you plan to go there on your own, there's a map from the website that you can download and use where there are markers for the notable spots. Google Maps does not have these spots in it. The restroom can be found on the left shortly after entering the cemetery. Lewis Ginter Mausoleum shows Victorian era architecture. When you peek through the door, you would see the nice Tiffany glass artwork behind. With its history, nice views overlooking the James River, the peaceful and quiet environment, this is a place worth checking out.

This cemetery is beautiful and big. Lots of unique headstones. It's sprawling with lots of hills so…read morewear your walking shoes.

I love coming to the Quirk Gallery. Pink is my favorite color, so that already gives me a great…read moredopamine fix. Beyond that, they have extremely unique and charming gifts here. It isn't cheap, but a lot of it is artisan-made. The Gallery is located inside the hotel, it's a mix of a gift shop and a gallery. The Gallery itself is down some stairs in the gift shop section and also near some windows on the same level as the gift shop. They always have rotating artists. In the past, the downstairs part only had art up, but it now looks like they're putting up some things to sell as well. It's free to visit, so if you don't want to buy anything that's ok. The people who work here are always super welcoming and kind. I highly recommend stopping by.

This Gallery has unique rotating exhibits, but I really love it for the gallery shop. Co-owner…read moreKatie Ukrop maintains a great collection of jewelry, textiles, sculpture, home decor, paper goods and "tchotchkes" from the Richmond area and across the United States. This was one of the first stores in the area to carry reproduction Miriam Haskell jewelry. The owners also produce a few of their own items including pop-art-ish plates with silhouettes on them and tote bags featuring prints of old Richmond postcards. I've also seen funky cameras, felt handbags, earrings made from recycled tin and a selection of note cards and stationery that always makes it hard to leave without something. Most recently I'm in love with the little reusable cloth sandwich and snack bags featuring bold patterns; the glass water bottles and wine glasses that are made to resemble their plastic counterparts; and the wooden "Not Plastic Cutlery" that comes in packaged in a cloth napkin. The fun selection makes this a great place for buying gifts or just treating yourself. If you're there to shop, make sure you check out the front of the store and the room in back behind the main gallery display. There's lots of good stuff waiting for you.

Reserved 6 tix on Groupon for the historical tour. Had to change to 4. Groupon assigned the blame…read moreof not being able to get a refund on the vendor. I called RVA on Wheels. They could not have been more accommodating. Hendley Davis was diligent in making sure the right tickets were cancelled and most welcoming to our tour on Saturday. Confidence restored in a small business and a new loyal customer was born.

If you're visiting Richmond or even if you're a local, RVA on Wheels is hands-down one of the best…read moreways to experience the city's charm, history, and hidden gems! From the moment we stepped onto the vintage-style trolley,  we were swept away by the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the infectious energy of our guide Daniel Ellis Daniel provided us with the perfect balance of fun and informative -- packed with fascinating stories about Richmond's rich history, from Civil War landmarks to modern revitalization projects. He is incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor, weaving in personal anecdotes, quirky facts, and local tips that you just wouldn't get anywhere else. What truly made the experience special was how interactive and engaging it felt. The trolley itself was spotless and super comfortable, with great views from every seat. We even got some time to hop off and explore a couple of key spots, which made it feel more like an immersive adventure than a typical tour. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just looking to see the city from a new perspective, RVA on Wheels delivers an unforgettable experience. It's the kind of tour that leaves you saying, "I never knew that! A must-do for all RVA explorers -- can't recommend it enough!

I have had excellent experience with every Covington agent that I dealt with. Never had a problem…read moreon a trip that they ticketed. Highly recommended.

Quick response!! Contacted me immediately after on line request sent! Asked very good questions…read moreregarding our preferences!

A full service bike shop with beautiful bicycles and bike accessories plus trolley trips and tours…read morearound Richmond. Situated in the quaint old warehouse district of downtown Richmond. Three levels, you can shop for chic Bicycle accessories, bicycles themselves, or rent a bicycle to take a tour of the city. You can also book trolley car tours here with absolutely top-notch guides. The guide we had was a retired university professor and knew all kinds of tidbits of Richmond history. The tour guide even pointed out great eateries within walking distance of this shop. Located right downtown and pretty much right on the waterfront of the James River. Exquisite! Not to be missed!

My sister and I decided to treat our friend to the Upper SHirley tour for her birthday. Anne is…read morephenomenal! From the beginning of planning all the way to the end of the tour Anne provided nothing but exemplary service!! Anne is a very kind, caring and sweet individual who is passionate about what she does as shown in the details of the tour. In addition, to her many talents she surprised us with singing for us while visiting Westover Church! She has a beautiful voice!! Anne answered all our questions before hand expeditiously and was available by Facebook messenger, phone and email. Coordination and getting in contact was super easy. We had brought our own decorations with us to decorate our friend's bicycle for her birthday and Anne did an awesome job!! The birthday girl was ecstatic! Ahead of time you indicate your height so that your bike can be adjusted. If you prefer you can utilize your own bike. I find it more convenient to use her bikes and they were comfortable, had three gears and a nice basket to stores your things. Included in the price are some snacks which consist of a peach or apple and seasoned pecans or walnuts and a water bottle. I recommend bringing an additional water bottle or bring a camelbak if it's super hot. Anne was nice enough to start our tour earlier as a request to avoid the hotter parts of the day. We began our bike adventure from Upper Shirley vineyards with stops along the way to learn some history including VCU Rice Center, and passing many plantations. It's a lovely tour that allows you to bike throughout america's history despite it's harsh realities. Majority of the route is along part of the capital bike trail (which the capital trail is 52 miles). Although you won't be biking the entire route, the tour is 14miles. You do have stops along the way. It's do-able if you don't necessarily work out on a daily basis, but fair warning you may get tuckered out. There's some slight inclines nothing major but my out of shape self was beat, but I did it! :) At the end of the tour you return back to Upper Shirley Vineyards. Anne provides nice cold wet towels infused with lavender to cool off upon your return. You have the option to add lunch for an additional price. We chose this option and it's well worth it!! Anne has a good network within her community. The food at Upper Shirley was delicious it included an entree, a glass of wine, and two shared appetizers. I think the tour itself includes the wine tasting only and you can possibly exchange the tasting For a bottle of wine instead. This was a great way to celebrate! I highly suggest it for anyone who likes to bike, likes history and or enjoys wine! A unique way to celebrate birthdays, do a family outing, bachelorette parties, girls' day out etc and or date nights and to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and explore! PSA - (could stand for personal instead of public service announcement haha) Do NOT try to take a selfie on a bike while riding on a rocky or gravel path. Trust me. I got cocky, because I did it the first time on the ride and no issues and on the way back I took a second selfie and wiped out! The wipe out H-U-R-T, but Anne was super nice about it and was very compassionate and caring. She ran to my aid and cleaned me up and bandaged me. She even offered to get her car and take me back. But I said I was okay to bike back and I was. Even after we got back to the vineyards she attended to me. So you know you're in good hands if a mishap should happen, even if it is your own fault :/ Sorry Anne! Thanks for taking good care of me!!! Recommendations: Bring an extra bottle of water or Camelbak if it's a really hot day. Use sunscreen. Bring sun glasses Wear only sneakers or sandals that are secure that have a back strap to it. No flip flops Have a good time! It truly is a wonderful time! Be safe, don't act like a fool like I did ;)