We were only able to spend about 8 hours in the city, but we were able to pack a lot into the short amount of time we had there. The city is full of great history, awesome food, and plenty of outdoor activities. Here is what we were able to do on our first trip to Richmond, can’t wait to get back there to check out some more of the city.

Richmond Canal Walk

The Richmond Canal Walk was one of our favorite things to do on our day in Richmond. The canal system in Richmond (and much of the United States) was completed in part because of the influence of George Washington. He was a huge proponent of canal transportation (the more you know). The Richmond Canal Walk is a little over a mile and winds along the James River, Kanawha Canal, and Haxall Canal. There is a trail that takes you farther down the James River and walking bridges over the James River that connect to some great natural areas for hiking.

Along the Canal Walk you can check out some amazing street art, incredible open areas to relax and people watch, and go on one of the most unique hikes you will ever experience – the Pipeline Trail. This trail is pretty much a catwalk over an old pipeline all underneath a railroad trestle. The Pipeline Trail runs over and alongside the James River.

You have to go climb down a short ladder to get to the trail. When we went the river was raging, made for quite the experience, plenty of white water swirling underneath us. There are railings for most of the trail, but towards the end you need to be careful – the railings disappear. You can jump the railings and stop at a small little island to look at the Blue Herons that live in the area. Definitely check out this and the other walking bridges over the water in Richmond.

Monument Avenue

Monument Avenue is one of the central roads in Richmond and is beautiful. We really enjoyed walking and driving down the avenue. The monuments are massive and are form traffic circles at the main intersections. Most of the monuments are Civil War leaders, but the city has tried to diversify them over the years. So, you have Arther Ashe right down the road from Jefferson Davis. It is an interesting dichotomy. I think what we liked more than the monuments were the houses. The houses were amazing. All of them are massive, have their own personality, and are stunning to look at. Most of them are over a 100 years old and have been renovated and kept up to date beautifully.

Carytown

Carytown is a pretty trendy, bohemian district located around West Cary Street. It is a really colorful, vibrant, active, area. There are so many great shops, bakeries, cafes, record shops, and restaurants along this stretch of road. It also is home to the Byrd Theater, one of the oldest theaters still in operation today. The whole neighborhood is beautiful and makes for a great place to walk around and enjoy Richmond.

We ate at Home Sweet Home. We went there because everything we read online said the food was great. They specialize in grilled cheeses – we both got the Upstate. It is a grilled cheese with bacon, apple, and syrup to dip it all in. It was fantastic. We also got an order of deep fried pickles. Those were bomb. One thing about this place, it really is a bar/pub first. Totally cool with that, but everything we read and checked out made it seem like it was a restaurant first. Not sure if that makes sense, we were just thinking it was something else. Food was awesome, service was great, atmosphere was different than we thought, but still fine.

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

Maggie L. Walker was one of the most influential people in Richmond in the early 1900’s. Walker was the first African-American woman to charter a bank and serve as its president. She was an incredible leader of the African-American community not only in Richmond but around the country. She was able to help so many people and her legacy still stands today.

The Walker Site is located in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. The site is on the corner of North 2nd and Leigh streets. The site consists of Walker’s home, a visitor’s center, and a couple of adjoining buildings. In order to get into the home, you will need to take the tour. Tours begin with a 20-minute video in the visitor’s center which is followed by a 35-minute walking tour of the house. As with any National Park Site, we recommend trying out any Ranger-led program.

The house is the highlight. Ranger Ben, our tour guide, was incredibly knowledgable about Walker’s life and family. The house is 140-years old and 90% of the furnishings in the house are original. It is a really interesting house with tons of character and history. It was pretty cool looking at the dining room table that W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, and other notable historical figures dined. Justin loved looking at the books in the library. Megan loved everything because she loves old houses.

This site is only open Tuesday – Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. During the winter months it closes at 4:30. As with a lot of these sites, it is totally free!

Sally Bell’s Kitchen

When we were doing research on where to eat Sally Bell’s Kitchen kept coming up. It is a Richmond institution. Sally Bell’s is known for their boxed lunch – a sandwich, side, deviled egg, cheese wafer, and a cupcake of your choice. This is southern lunch fare at its finest. Because of that, Megan loved it and I (Justin) thought it was pretty good.

Megan went with the chicken salad sandwich, potato salad, and lemon cupcake. She said all three were amazing and the potato salad was the best she has ever had. The restaurant itself is really fun. It is old but clean and has a great atmosphere. It is also an easy walk to a lot of other fun areas.

St. John’s Church

St. John’s Church is a beautiful and historic church built in 1741. The church is located at the top of the hill on East Broad St. The main reason this church is famous is because this is where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. They do reenactments of the speech at different times during the year.

This is still an active church, but they do have tours of the grounds and the inside of the main chapel. Tours are $6-$8 and last about 25-minutes. There is a nice little visitor’s shop on the grounds where you can get information and grab a souvenir. Also, make sure you pay attention to the graveyard on site, there are tons of super old grave markers, including one for George Wythe, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Richmond National Battlefield

The Richmond National Battlefield Park is a National Park Unit that has 13 separate sites and four visitor centers along an 80-mile route. To truly experience this park you will need the whole day. Probably the main area to visit along the route is the Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works. This is where you should start your tour. The Iron Works is where the southern states manufactured their weapons. There is a National Parks visitor center here as well.

At Tredegar, you can check out the Civil War museum. The museum is not part of the National Parks System. This Museum costs about $15 per adult. If you purchase your tickets online you can usually get them cheaper. Parking is there for $3 an hour, but free with admission to the museum.

Not in Richmond, but there are a ton of National Park Units about the Civil War outside of Richmond. On this trip we stopped at Petersburg just south of Richmond. Fredericksburg is to the north. Plenty of other options.

Have you ever been to Richmond? What are some places we need to check out on our next trip up there? If you want to check out some of the other cities we have visited, check out our posts on Going the Adventure Way in Baltimore, Greensboro, or New Orleans.

The post Walking Around Richmond first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

Booker T. Washington National Monument is located on the site of the plantation owned by James and Elizabeth Burroughs. Booker T. (sorry wrestling fans) is located just outside of Hardy, Virginia – about a 20 minute drive from Roanoke. It is the place where Washington was born and where he was when he heard the Emancipation Proclamation read, freeing him from slavery. This was such a powerful park to visit and one where we left changed. Here is what you can do in and around this impressive National Monument.

Learn About The Life Of Booker T. Washington

One of the reasons that this site left such an impression on us is because they did such a good job of transporting you to the life of a slave in pre-Civil War Virginia. There is no way that we could ever fully comprehend the pain, hurt, and fear that these men and women went through every day but we left with a little bit more understanding. Washington was nine years old when he was freed, about the same age of our son now, and it tore up our hearts to think of our kid in his shoes. In a strange way it brought us together as a family and allowed us to see how lucky we are to have each other.

There is a great fifteen minute video on the life of Washington in the welcome center/museum. It is a great place to start. After you watch that, check out the statue of young Washington at the age of nine when he was freed. Silas wanted to stand next to it and it really gave him some perspective. From there you can go through the interactive museum where you can learn what it was like to be a slave on the farm. After doing some of the labor that Washington was forced to do, our son had a new appreciation for everything that he went through. It really was a great learning experience.

Walk The Farm

This property is an actual working farm. It is a re-creation of an 1850’s tobacco farm. The farm has a small tobacco field, vegetable gardens, and a flower garden. You can learn about the farming techniques used during the time of Washington.

You can also check out some of the animals that were around the farm back in the 1800’s. There are some humongous pigs who were busy wallowing in the mud when we were there. They have a herd of sheep in a pasture, a couple of horses, and a bunch of chickens. The animal that rules them all is the turkey. That thing is loud and knows its place at the top. That thing cracked us up the way it was walking around. All of the animals are in fenced in areas, so don’t worry about being attacked by a turkey.

Take A Hike at Booker T. Washington National Monument

Booker T. has about two miles of trails. The first trail is a short quarter-mile loop that takes you through the historic area of the park. You can walk through the re-created farm area and buildings of the Burroughs Plantation. There are numerous buildings that you can check out that are open for you to explore. We had a good time checking out the blacksmith area and handling the 19th century tools. They do historical reenactments where people are in full costume working around the farm. Check the website for times and dates.

Make sure you grab a Junior Ranger Workbook if you are with kids for even more interactive fun (and who doesn’t love that Junior Ranger Badge). You can ring the bell that Washington ran out to ring when the Emancipation Proclamation was read, check out the kitchen, or the old tobacco barn.

The other trail is the 1.5 mile Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail. This trail takes you through the woods and through open fields. You can check out a super old cemetery while you are walking around. There are also guides that you can pick up in the visitor center so you won’t miss a thing.

Grab A Bite At The Farm Market

This is not on the National Monument property, but everyone needs to eat here. We asked the Park Rangers where the best place to grab a bite and in unison they both said The Homestead Creamery Farm Market. It was about a ten minute drive from Booker T. and we would have driven ten times that for this experience. They have incredible sandwiches and sides that are made with the freshest ingredients straight from the farm. They also have a little general store section where you can buy all sorts of goodies for the road.

The highlight of this place though is the ice cream. This is seriously some of the best ice cream we have ever had. Megan especially loved it because the mint chocolate chip didn’t have the fake green dye in it. It was all fresh and incredibly good. We were told that the line can get long here. We went after the lunch crowd and didn’t wait too long. All of the food is made fresh to order but it is well worth it. Definitely check this place out if you are in the area.

We did Booker T. Washington National Monument while on an epic Southwest Virginia Day trip. Our day trip travel guide is packed with ideas for a visit to this area and a full day plan!

What are some National Parks you have visited where you have walked away changed? What are some stories through the National Park Service you have learned that have inspired you?

The post Booker T. Washington National Monument first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

Where is Natural Bridge State Park?

Natural Bridge State Park is in Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, just off 81. The town it is located in is actually called – Natural Bridge! The land was once owned by Thomas Jefferson and is a National Historic landmark. There is all sorts of history and lore about George Washington visiting here (more on that below). We were driving in from NC and it was a great final stop for our epic Southwest Virginia Day Trip! One thing we loved about this visit is how accessible this beautiful historic and natural wonder is to our East Coast people. You might not have the time or money right now to visit some of the well known parks out west…but Natural Bridge is a great place to experience something similar (and right in your backyard!)

What Details Do I Need to Know Before Going?

There are a few details to know before you go! There is a fee per person to enter the State Park, $6 for ages 6-12 and $8 for 13 and up. The park is open from 8am – 9pm! The late open time really makes it a great final stop along our Southwest Virginia Day Trip plan. You have plenty of time to get there and do everything the park offers. Also, there is a nightly light show you can view at 9:30pm called The Drama of Creation. Check on dates and times as this show seems to come and go throughout the seasons! There are several places to stay nearby if you are planning on doing an overnight trip and also campground sites available. It is also a very quick drive to Lexington which is a great place to visit as well with tons of shops and places to eat!

What to do at Natural Bridge State Park

Upon arriving you are greeted by a huge welcome center with plenty of people onsite to help with any questions you might have! There is a cafe, huge store and little museum to check out. Make sure you pay the entrance fee in the visitors center as they will check your receipt down the trail! The trail to the Natural Bridge is a pleasant and beautiful downhill walk along Cedar Creek. We were surprised by how quickly we arrived at the Natural Bridge viewing area! Take time to sit, walk around and gaze at this breathtaking site.

After spending time at the Natural Bridge site the trail continues on to a living history Monacan Indian Village exhibit. This exhibit closes at 5pm daily. There is a lot to do here so make sure that you take the time to check it out. You can walk in and out of the different types of Native American shelters and gain an understanding of how people lived in the valley 300 years ago. You can learn about hide tanning, basket weaving, hunting, farming, tool-making and food prep. We absolutely loved speaking with the pottery makers here so make sure you take some time to actually talk with the friendly and knowledgable people on site.

Finally the trail will lead you to a small cavern to check out (which is amazingly cool on a hot day) and then to Lace Falls – a 30 food cascade. You aren’t able to get close to the falls, its more of a viewing area but still nice! The trail is not terribly difficult, but it does have a slight incline heading to the waterfall. It was a hot and humid day when we went which made it a little more tough. As with all hikes, bring some water!

A good point to note is that this trail is not a loop so you will have to walk there and back. There are stairs leading down to the Natural Bridge so on your back you will have to climb them! If you are out of gas, they offer a free shuttle to get you back to the gift shop!

Legend Has it…

One of the interesting aspects of Natural Bridge are the legends about George Washington that surround it. As history/legend goes George Washington came to this site when he was 18 years old and threw a rock from the bottom of the creek to the top of the bridge – 215 feet up. Most impressive if you ask me! I love a good George Washington legend. It was also known that George Washington was a surveyor and in 1927 a stone was uncovered that was carved with the initials G.W. and an official surveyors cross. Did George Washington scale these magnificent stone walls and carve his initials there for all of us to view today? Who knows? But it is sure fun to imagine! Make sure you take some time hunting down the iconic GW initials and imagining him throwing a rock over this impressive bridge!

Around Town

Besides visiting the park there are many other little stops around and along the way. We spent some time checking out the nearby downtown of Lexington, VA. There are more historical sites here and a lot of beautiful homes to see. There is also a zoo nearby which we heard was a lot of fun! Natural Bridge has a lot to offer! You could easily spend all day here and even make this a weekend trip! Or, do what we did and make a day trip out of it! Options are good.

This is one of those places that after considering our time here we would definitely come back one day! Its worth a trip to see it, especially if you are within a days driving distance! Have you ever been to Natural Bridge? What are some of your favorite and unexpected natural landmarks you have visited?

The post The Breathtaking Views at Natural Bridge Virginia first appeared on Go The Adventure Way.

Starting in NC – Mayo River State Park

Ok, what? You thought this was a post about southwest Virginia? It totally is and our first stop was right along the border of NC/VA. Mayo River State Park is part of the NC State Park system but is so close to Virginia you can actually hike right across the border! This was an excellent first stop for us coming from the Triangle area of NC. Its a quaint and beautiful park that kind of surprised us! There are nice trails and a pretty waterfall to explore. We have a whole guide for visiting Mayo River State Park so be sure to check that out! We would recommend Mayo River State Park for any and all ages!

Booker T. Washington National Historic Site

On our way to the original destination of Natural Bridge, VA we totally did a brown sign detour stop. This was one of those brake and exit moves. We are so glad we did! Booker T. Washington National Historic Site is one of the lesser visited National Parks – but don’t let that keep you away! It’s so well done. Immediately we were taken by the friendliness of the staff. They offered tons of history lessons and info about the site. It was a great stop for all three of us and prompted great conversations during and after. We spent about an hour exploring which was enough time to fully experience the park!

Homestead Creamery Farm Market

Not too far from the Booker T. Washington site is an amazing little farm/restaurant location called the Homestead Creamery Farm Market. This place is bomb. That is, if you like freshly made delicious food. This was recommended to us by the park ranger at Booker T. and she was totally right. One thing we try and do when traveling is to ask the locals where the best places to eat are..they won’t steer you wrong!

The Farm Market not only serves fresh local food in store but also loads of other freshly made local products to purchase; including fresh local flowers and amazing ice cream! The chicken salad croissant was amazing – I can’t say enough. And, if you like real sweet tea and fresh made lemonade…just stop here. In a lot of ways this was a highlight of our trip as we enjoyed the food and also the friendliness of the local community there.

Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge State Park is located in well, Natural Bridge, VA (about 14 miles south of Lexington). This was actually the inspiration for this day trip and our ultimate stop along the way. We could post pictures all day long and not be able to convey the beauty and grandeur of this park. It really is an awesome thing to see.

This park is a Virginia State Park but affiliated with the National Park Service. So, if you are a stamp collecting person- don’t forget to ask the front desk for the stamps! There is an admission fee – $6 for ages 6-12 and $8 for 13 and up. Also, the park closes at 9 pm so it makes a great stop for a day trip!

Upon arriving, there is a huge welcome center with a cafe, store, and little museum to check out. There is a walking path (and shuttle if you need one) down to the Natural Bridge. Its a really pretty and quick walk down – making it a straight uphill walk with plenty of stairs when you are done (just remember that!) After you see the bridge there is a trail that continues on and leads you to a Native American exhibit, a river, small cavern and finally, a waterfall. We spent several hours exploring this state park!

Spend some time in Historic Lexington Virginia

Our last little stop on our epic southwest Virginia day trip led us to Lexington. This is a really quick drive from Natural Bridge. Here we made a quick side stop to see Stonewall Jackson’s grave and memorial. We also checked out the quaint and beautiful downtown. The beautiful historic homes alone in this area could keep you for hours! There were plenty of little shops and places to eat. A great little stop if you like cute and historic downtowns!

This was one of those last minute trips that proved to be tons of fun. We had no expectations, which made it a great day of discovery and adventure. For me, that is what going the adventure way is all about. We enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation, learned an important part of our nations history, enjoyed community with new people and shared those memories together as a family. I hope this encourages you to take that spontaneous day trip together! And always go the adventure way!

Want more more ideas for visiting historical US locations? Check out our post on 5 Fun Things to do in Baltimore! Its full of history and National Park locations! Or spend a day in Edenton, NC – a beautiful historical town on North Carolina’s Inner Banks.

What are some last minute trips you have gone on? Have you ever made a detour on your way to the destination? What was your favorite?

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