Sabrina & Curt
Things To Do
Belle Isle
The James River is the heart of our city, and this is a great place to experience it. Fairly easy to access, and lots of walking paths. This is also a good place to get in the water if you want to go swimming! Make sure to check out the footbridge that crosses over the river. Ship Lock Park (located in the Shockoe Bottom area) is another great place to check out the river. It also connects to Richmond's Canal Walk. If you're looking to go swimming, this is not the place. There's plenty of other places to access the river but many of them are harder to get to or navigate once there. A few are Pump House Park (where we got our engagement photos taken), Texas Beach, Pipeline, and Reedy Creek. If you're looking to eat outside with amazing river views check out The Boathouse, or Conch Republic- both in Rockett's Landing.
Hollywood Cemetery
Rolling hills and winding paths overlooking the James River, it is the resting place of two United States Presidents, James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as the only Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis. Hungry afterward? Right around the corner is 821 Cafe (casual dinner like menu), Dinamo (Italian), and Mama'Zu (cash only, infamous grumpy service, but incredibly delicious Italian food). This will take you through the historic Oregon Hill neighborhood, butted up to the VCU campus. Most of these restaurants are in walking distance from The Graduate Hotel.
Church Hill
Libby Hill Park has one of the most beautiful views of the city, located in the Historic Church Hill neighborhood. Other parks in the area are Chimborazo, Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. While you're in the area stop in one of our many favorite restaurants- Alamo BBQ, The Hill Cafe, The Rosevelt, Metzger, Patrick Henry Pub, or Millie's Diner (where we go for Valentine's Day dinner). Sub Rosa bakery has nationally acclaimed delicious wood-fired pastries and delicious coffee. Union Market is a small local grocer with outdoor seating for casual lunch and dinner. There are a few cute small shops in the area as well- Dear Neighbor (modern gifts), Roaring Pines (modern general store with soda bar), and Gather Home and Garden (home goods and currated plants- not the Gather where I work).
Historic Jackson Ward
Everything in this neighborhood is a reasonably short walk from The Graduate Hotel. Your first stop while exploring should be Charm School ice cream. So many creative flavors like toast and jam, and cereal milk, and dairy-free options too. Treat yourself to a fancy cocktail on the Quirk Hotel rooftop and stop in their adorable gift shop and art gallery afterward. Some of my favorite shops in the area are Rosewood Vintage, Blue Bones Vintage and Records, Ledbury (fancy Men's clothing), and Mod & Soul. Some great places to eat are Saison and Saison Market, Idle Hands (for bread, pastries, and coffee), Lucy's (for brunch! make a reservation) Graffiato (chef Mike Isabella), Comfort (southern food), Lift Cafe (breakfast and lunch), and Tarrant's Cafe (old school menu with a beautiful bar). There is a collection of local art galleries up and down Broad Street. You are also about a mile from the beautiful Virginia State Capitol building.
Carytown
This is our neighborhood, and also happens to be a great place to walk around and stop in so many great Richmond local restaurants and businesses! Some of our favorite shops are For the Love of Chocolate, Clementine (women's consignment), Ashby (women's consignment) Need Supply Co., Walkabout Outfitters, Ant Hill Antiques, Bygones Vintage Clothing, World of Mirth (toys), Carytown Bicycles, Chop Suey Books, Mongrel (cards and gifts), Ladles and Linens, and Nine Roses Jewelry (where our rings were made!). A few of our favorite restaurants include Can Can Brasserie (fancy French food, but huge beautiful bar to stop in for a drink or pastry), Sugar & Twine Coffee, the pit & the peel, Greek on Cary, East Coast Provisions, The Daily (healthy + gluten-free options) Burger Bach, Citizen Burger, Ellwood Thompson's Local Market (health food grocery with a hot bar and cafe area), Mellow Mushroom (delicious pizza) and Belmont Food Shop (tiny upscale- where we are having our rehearsal dinner).
Addison St.
Lamplighter Coffee Roasters is a great place to grab coffee and some breakfast or lunch, with outdoor seating available. Be prepared to wait on a busy weekend. When you're done stop by the three adorable shops across the street- Addison Handmade and Vintage, Yesterday's Heroes, and Na Nin. Curt and I get most of our clothes here these days.
Scott's Addition
There's quite a few breweries, cideries, and distilleries all in the Scott's Addition neighborhood. Make a day out of it and hop around. Our favorite is The Veil Brewing Co. who specialize in extremely flavorful IPAs and sour fruit Goses. There's also Ardent Craft Ales, Three Notch'd Brewing, Vasen Brewing, Blue Bee Cider (in gorgeously renovated horse old stables. Skip Buskey Cider entirely..), and Reservoir Distillery, all within walking distance of each other. If you get hungry stop and Lunch and Supper (we always eat on the Supper side... even at brunch), Boulevard Burgers and Brews, En Su Boca (modern Mexican, tacos, outdoor seating), Peter Chang's Scott's Addition, Urban Farmhouse (casual healthy local lunch), The Dairy Bar (very classic casual sandwiches), and King of Pops for a delicious creatively flavored popsicles or Gelati Celesti.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
One of my favorite places in the whole city.
Other Restaurant Recommendations
We love to eat. Stratford Hills area- The Galley, Laura Lee's, WPA bakery, Crossroads Coffee Museum District- Stella's (upscale Greek), Stella's Market (grab and go), North End Juice Co (also an ice cream place next door), Akida (sushi) The Fan- Sooo many... Joe's Inn (get the pasta), Foo Dawg (ramen), Commercial Tap House (bar food), Kuba Kuba (Cuban), Bacchus (pasta), Garnett's Cafe (lunch), Bamboo Cafe (locals, tiny, dark), Mean Bird (take out fried chicken), Starlite (dinner), Hellen's, 8 1/2, Herritage, The Savory Grain, Edo's Squid (best pasta in the city, dark), Ipanema (vegetarian), Sabai (Thai, fun atmosphere), Shindigz (dessert only) All over the place- Pearly's (modern Jewish deli), Continental West Hampton (great lunch, huge portions), Mekong (HUGE beer selection, Vietnamese), Dot's Back Inn (dinner)
Richmond Folk Festival
This festival is going on all weekend, free to get in, and has something for everyone. Curt and I will be hanging out there Friday night at about 8:00, ready to meet up with everyone in town! Check out their website for a lineup of things you might want to see. There's plenty of food and drink vendors, as well as a market where you can buy locally made crafts.