Shopping
DISCLAIMER: I am not a fashion person. If you need serious shopping and local fashion advice you will want to talk to local fashion experts Chic Stripes and All Awear. With those two you will be in the very best hands!
Carytown
My favorite spot to shop is Carytown. There is free parking on the street and there are two additional parking decks (also free) at each end. Start out near the Byrd Theater and work your way West up Cary Street. You will find anything from book, toy, game and record stores to specialty shops for outdoor adventures, ball gowns and all your paper and scripture needs. Carytown caters to every wallet. My go-to places were Ashby and Clementine (both consignment), and more recently Clover for baby and children's clothes.
Grab a coffee and blackberry biscuit (or almond croissant or macaroon or...) at Sugar & Twine. Great lunch spots are The Daily (might require a reservation), Can Can (French Brasserie), Galaxy Diner and Citizen Burger Bar - depends on what you are in the mood for.
Broad Street
If you find yourself on East Broad Street, check out Little Nomad for fantastic kids clothing (grab a coffee at Urban Hang Suite while you're in the neighborhood) and for any gentlemen in need of well fitted shirts and suits, swing by Ledbury!
Rosewood Clothing is a great little vintage store and only a stone's throw from Charm School serving up ice cream and sundaes with toasted marshmallow fluff.
Short Pump
Malls are not my thing and traffic out in the West End can be pretty gruesome. It's not my thing but if it's yours, check out Short Pump Town Center.
Carytown
My favorite spot to shop is Carytown. There is free parking on the street and there are two additional parking decks (also free) at each end. Start out near the Byrd Theater and work your way West up Cary Street. You will find anything from book, toy, game and record stores to specialty shops for outdoor adventures, ball gowns and all your paper and scripture needs. Carytown caters to every wallet. My go-to places were Ashby and Clementine (both consignment), and more recently Clover for baby and children's clothes.
Grab a coffee and blackberry biscuit (or almond croissant or macaroon or...) at Sugar & Twine. Great lunch spots are The Daily (might require a reservation), Can Can (French Brasserie), Galaxy Diner and Citizen Burger Bar - depends on what you are in the mood for.
Broad Street
If you find yourself on East Broad Street, check out Little Nomad for fantastic kids clothing (grab a coffee at Urban Hang Suite while you're in the neighborhood) and for any gentlemen in need of well fitted shirts and suits, swing by Ledbury!
Rosewood Clothing is a great little vintage store and only a stone's throw from Charm School serving up ice cream and sundaes with toasted marshmallow fluff.
Short Pump
Malls are not my thing and traffic out in the West End can be pretty gruesome. It's not my thing but if it's yours, check out Short Pump Town Center.
Arts & Entertainment
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is incredible! Free admission, open 365 days/year and a stunning building! In the past, the VMFA hosted Kehinde Wiley (painted the Obama portrait), Rodin (while the Paris museum was being renovated) and the Chinese Terracotta Army. And you will find a quiet little restaurant as well as a beautiful outdoor garden to sit and relax.
The Institute for Contemporary Art opened after I left Richmond but from what I hear it is worth visiting.
RVA has a lot of festivals going on in the summer. Folk Festival, River Rock, Richmond International Film Festival, etc. Browns Island has live music every Friday in June and The National is a great concert venue!
The Institute for Contemporary Art opened after I left Richmond but from what I hear it is worth visiting.
RVA has a lot of festivals going on in the summer. Folk Festival, River Rock, Richmond International Film Festival, etc. Browns Island has live music every Friday in June and The National is a great concert venue!
Street Art
If you find yourself walking or biking around Richmond, put your phone away and look up. The city has street art everywhere! Murals are a big deal and you will spot them throughout Broad Street, Main Street and hidden corners around the Fan. My favorite mural artists include HerrSuite, Ed Trask and Nils Westergard (pictured above).
