Use the numbers next to some of the sites listed below to locate them on this map.

Few places in the country boast as rich a Civil War history as Richmond, Virginia. The designated capital of the Confederate States of America, Richmond quickly became the war’s strategic focal point in the east: Union forces hoped to end the war by capturing it; Confederate forces endeavored to protect it at all cost. And while much of Richmond burned at war’s end, a wealth of Civil War-related sites and activities still remain in and around the city.

Interested in visiting Richmond? To help plan your trip, we’ve enlisted a handful of locals—individuals who live in, work in, or are otherwise intimately familiar with the historic city—to offer their personal suggestions for what to see and do.

Linden Row Inn

Linden Row Inn

Best Sleep

Linden Row Inn (1)  offers a historic, central location at a reasonable price and even boasts a Civil War association (owned by the Pegram family before the war). Ruth Ann & John Coski

The Berkeley Hotel (11) is a lovely boutique hotel in Richmond’s Shockoe Slip district, within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops and historic sites. Richard Lewis

Linden Row Inn, a historic hotel comprising a series of row houses dating from the 1850s. It’s downtown, within easy walking distance of the Capitol and Museum of the Confederacy. David Pierce

Best Family Activity

Maymont Park (2), located a few miles west of downtown, is a free city park with a Victorian mansion (open for guided tours), extensive grounds with views of the James River, gardens, a zoo, children’s farm, a nature center, and family friendly special events. Located near the sites of the Confederacy’s Winder, Jackson, and Stuart hospitals. RA&JC

The Science Museum of Virginia (12), housed in one of Richmond’s grand old train stations, is outstanding for kids. It also has an IMAX theater with movies especially good for children. RL

The James River. Too many people miss this historic waterway. Try the canal walk—great views, plenty of history. Plus, it’s free! DP

Best Time to Be Here

Autumn, for the marvelous weather and fall colors (the best time of the year to stroll or bike down Monument Avenue). There are almost too many special events on fall weekends, highlighted by several large Oktoberfest celebrations and the mid-October Richmond Folk Festival on the waterfront surrounding Tredegar Iron Works. RA&JC

The Fall season in Richmond is exceptional. Temperatures are mild and in a city full of trees, the foliage is lovely. RL

Fall. I’m particularly fond of the Richmond Folk Festival, held on the city’s riverfront in October. DP

Can’t Miss

Since the Richmond National Battlefield Park Visitor Center has moved to the waterfront at Historic Tredegar, visitors are likely to miss the center’s former location: Chimborazo Hill (3) and neighboring Church Hill. The National Park Service maintains a Civil War medical museum at the Chimborazo site. Church Hill is Richmond’s oldest residential neighborhood, highlighted by Libby Hill, the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and the view of the James that inspired the city’s name. RA&JC

Pamplin Historical Park

Pamplin Park

Without question, Pamplin Historical Park is a must-see. It is about 30 miles south of Richmond, near Petersburg. It’s one of the best Civil War sites in America, containing an interpreted battlefield, three antebellum plantations, one of the best Civil War museums anywhere, guided tours and costumed living history programs. RL

Belle Isle (17). Located in the middle of one of the most spectacular parts of the James River falls, the island was home to a POW camp during the war. It’s also in easy striking distance of the Tredegar Iron Works. DP

Chris Heisey

Drewry’s Bluff

Best of the Battlefields

Separated from the many other sites in the Richmond National Battlefield Park, Drewry’s Bluff is a hidden gem. It was one of Richmond’s most formidable defensive points (“our Gibraltar,” Mary Chesnut called it), site of two Confederate victories, and important to the Confederate army, navy, and marine corps. The earthworks are impressive, the site is evocative, and the RNBP historians continue to research and interpret more of its many facets. RA&JC

I particularly like Malvern Hill. The interpreted walking trail gives you an excellent perspective from both the Union position and Confederate approach. With tree line restoration, the battlefield has an 1862 look to it. RL

Malvern Hill. Best preserved, beautiful setting, great stories and good walking trail. DP

Don Pierce

Hollywood Cemetery

Best-Kept Secret

As it was in the 1860s, the James River Waterfront (4) has again become the city’s heart. The mile-long stretch from Brown’s Island to Tredegar Iron Works to Belle Isle to Hollywood Cemetery is rich in Civil War history, sublime views, and opportunities for urban hiking and biking. RA&JC

The Museum and White House of the Confederacy (13) should be on everyone’s list of places to spend a few hours. The White House contains many pieces original to the house when Jefferson Davis and family resided there, and the museum is a treasure trove of legendary artifacts such as Lee’s Appomattox uniform coat and “Stonewall” Jackson’s sword. RL

The Museum of the Confederacy. Terrific collection of artifacts, and the Confederate White House tour can’t be beat. A must-see. DP

Best Battlefield Companion

The Civil War Traveler’s Guide to Civil War Richmond (2005) is currently sold out, but an e-book version will be available soon. Especially in conjunction with audio tours and podcasts available on CivilWarTraveler.com, the book is a portable and authoritative guide. RA&JC

For the Seven Days Battles, I like Stephen Sears’ To the Gates of Richmond: The Peninsula Campaign (Mariner Books, 2001). Gordon Rhea’s book Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, May 26-June 3, 1864 (LSU Press, 2002) is outstanding for the 1864 action leading up to and including that battle. RL

Richard Lee’s General Lee’s City (EPM Publications, 1987). It might be hard to find a copy, and some of its info is outdated, but the book still holds up well. DP

C. Benjamin Dacus

Beauregard’s Thai Room

Best Eats

Legend Brewing Company (5) is a microbrew with the world’s best brown ale. It is located in Old Manchester, directly across the James from downtown with a good view of the city skyline. Hill Café (6) on Church Hill, near the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Chimborazo medical museum, offers a good, well-rounded menu and a friendly, pub-like atmosphere. If you don’t mind spending some money, treat yourself to the champagne brunch at the 5-star Jefferson Hotel (7) downtown. Chez Foushee (8), close to Linden Row Inn, is a unique and stylish place with adventurous meals at reasonable prices. Café Rustica (9) is the classic “hole in the wall” that offers unique meals that you won’t get at home. And Beauregard’s Thai Room (10) (yes, really) is an excellent Thai restaurant with the best patio dining in the city. RA&JC

C. Benjamin Dacus

Perly’s

Kitchen 64 has great food. Be prepared to take a doggie bag home. If you still have room, they also own the ice cream shop next door. Perly’s Restaurant (14) is the best breakfast place in Richmond. Old-time feel to the place—though it has “only” been around for 30 years or so. Don’t miss the biscuits! Buz & Ned’s Real Barbeque (15) is packed at lunch with good reason. Great pulled pork barbecue sandwiches and ribs. City Dogs (16), located in Shockoe Slip, just down from The Berkeley Hotel, is a classic hot dog and hamburger joint with good food and service in a fun atmosphere. RL

Strawberry Street Café (18), just a block off Monument Ave., might be known for its salad bar, but they also make a terrific chicken pot pie. Perly’s Restaurant is great for breakfast; try the cinnamon raisin biscuit. Don’t miss the Red Door Special at The Red Door Restaurant (19)—a pile of spaghetti, meat and cheese, and the best roll in town. Edo’s Squid (20) offers great Italian food at decent prices. DP

Richmond Navigator

Lodging

• Linden Row Inn — 100 E. Franklin Street; 804-783-7000
• The Jefferson Hotel — 101 W. Franklin Street; 804-788-8000
• The Berkeley Hotel — 1200 E. Cary Street; 804-780-1300

Dining

• Strawberry Street Café — 421 N. Strawberry Street; 804-353-6860
• Perly’s Restaurant — 111 E. Grace Street; 804-649-2779
• The Red Door Restaurant — 314 E. Grace Street; 804-649-1588
• Edo’s Squid — 411 N. Harrison Street; 804-864-5488
• Legend Brewing Company — 321 W. 7th Street; 804-232-3446
• Hill Café — 2800 E. Broad Street; 804-648-0360
• Chez Foushee — 203 N. Foushee Street; 804-648-3225
• Café Rustica — 414 E. Main Street; 804-225-8811
• Beauregard’s Thai Room — 103 E. Cary Street; 804-644-2328
• Kitchen 64 — 3336 N. Boulevard; 804-358-0064
• Buz & Ned’s Real Barbeque — 1119 N. Boulevard; 804-355-6055
• City Dogs — 1316 East Cary Street; 804-343-3647

Places of Interest

• James River Canal Walk — 14th and Dock Streets; 804-788-6466
• Richmond Folk Festival — office: 200 South Third Street; 804-788-6466
• Belle Isle — Tredegar Street, under Lee Bridge; 804-788-6466
• Tredegar Iron Works — 500 Tredegar Street; 804-780-1865
• Malvern Hill — 8301 Wills Church Road; 804-226-1981
• The Museum of the Confederacy — 1201 E. Clay Street; 804-649-1861
• Maymont Park — 2201 Shields Lake Drive; 804-358-7166
• Richmond Oktoberfest — www.richmondoktoberfestinc.com
• Chimborazo Hospital — 470 Tredegar Street; 804-226-1981
• Brown’s Island — 7th and Tredegar streets; www.brownsisland.com
• Hollywood Cemetery — 412 S. Cherry Street; 804-648-8501
• Science Museum of Virginia — 2500 West Broad Street; 804-864-1400
• Pamplin Historical Park — 6125 Boydton Plank Road, Petersburg; 804-861-2408

Our Experts

(From left) Ruth Ann and John Coski, Don Pierce, and Richard Lewis.

Ruth Ann and John Coski have both worked at The Museum of the Confederacy—and called Richmond home—since 1988. Don Pierce, a longtime Richmond resident, is founder of Page One History Publications (whose titles include The Guide to Virginia’s Civil War and Civil War Traveler) and maintains the website CivilWarTraveler.com. Richard Lewis, public relations manager at the Virginia Tourism Corporation, is editor of Civil War Weakly, an unconventional Civil War blog.