Richmond is the capital city of Virginia and was once known as being the capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Although it once had a dark past, present-day Richmond holds a ton of historical sites and awesome things to do. Spending two days in Richmond makes for the perfect weekend escape, especially if you live on the east coast. I found Richmond to be a very affordable city to visit.
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Disclaimer: Special thanks to the Richmond Tourism Board for hosting me at several attractions on my trip to Richmond! As always, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
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History of Richmond
Richmond is a city full of American History. The town came to be in 1727 when a planter named William Byrd commissioned the city. It officially became a town in 1742. In 1775, Patrick Henry gave his infamous “Give me Liberty or give me death” speech in Richmond to convince people to join the first Continental Congress.
1780 brought about the move of the capital of Virginia from Williamsburg to Richmond. This was a more central location in the state as well as helped isolate the city from attacks. After the Revolution, Richmond became a thriving industrial center, one of the largest in the South.
In 1861, when the South seceded from the United States, Richmond became the capital of the Confederacy. It became a major railroad and industrial hub for the South. The Civil War brought a few battles to the Richmond area until Richmond was finally surrendered to the Union. The post-war period saw Richmond continue to grow as a thriving city and become the city it is today.
Best Time to Visit Richmond
Richmond can get very hot in the summertime and very cold in the wintertime. The best time to spend two days in Richmond is from March-June as the cold begins to go away and it has not gotten too hot yet.
How to Get to Richmond
Richmond is home to Richmond International Airport, which offers direct flights from many places along the east coast of the United States.
To get from the airport to the city center, the easiest option is to drive or take a taxi. This will cost you $20-$30 and take about 15 minutes. You can also opt to catch the 7a bus. The bus costs $2 and will take about 40 minutes.
We opted to rent a car as we spent two days in Richmond as part of a Virginia road trip.
Transportation Around Richmond
The main area of Richmond is pretty walkable. If you opt to stay in the city center, you can walk to many of the main sites. For a few of the sites, you will want to take a bus to get to them. If Richmond is just a stop on your trip, opt to rent a car as it is easier to get around with a car. However, keep in mind that finding parking in some areas is difficult.
Where to Stay in Richmond
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Richmond hotels here!
If you do not plan on renting a car, make sure to stay in the Richmond city center area. We opted to spend one night at the Holiday Inn Express Richmond Downtown. This was a great location and the rooms were quite large. If you have a car and do not mind staying a little outside of the city center, the Virginia Crossings Hotel is also a good option. Both of these hotels ran about $125/night during our stay.
What to See During Two Days in Richmond
There are so many things to keep you busy during two days in Richmond.
Day 1: Historical Sites
For your first of two days in Richmond, you will visit many of the historical sites across Richmond. The majority of them are in the city center.
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Cost: Free
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 9am-4:30pm
Start your morning of two days in Richmond with a visit to Richmond National Battlefield Park. In total, this park commemorates 13 different sites across Richmond from the Civil War. First, visit the Tredegar Iron Works which now serves as a visitor’s center and museum. Nearby, you can walk across the river on a memorial bridge that commemorates the first three days of the Civil War.
Virginia War Memorial
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 12pm-4pm
Next, stop at the Virginia War Memorial which commemorates the soldiers that have served in the United States.
White House of the Confederacy
Cost: $14
Hours: Thus-Sun: 10am-4pm
Next up, visit the White House of the Confederacy. In the 1800s, this mansion was once home to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. It served as the White House of the Confederacy from 1861-1865. Present-day, it is a Civil War Museum. You can also take a 45-minute tour of the complex. Book your tickets ahead of time to ensure a spot.
Virginia State Capitol Building
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: 1pm-5pm
The Virginia State Capitol Building was designed by Thomas Jefferson in 1785. In 1788, the Virginia General Assembly began to meet there. This Capitol was the first capital in the post-Revolution era. Free one-hour tours are available each day, just check the website for times.
Virginia Executive Mansion
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Thus: 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm by appointment only
The Virginia Executive Mansion dates back to 1780. It has served as the home for Virginia’s governors since that time. Visitors can go on a free 30-minute tour of the mansion by appointment only and you must make reservations at least two weeks in advance.
St. John’s Church
Cost: Free to $10
Hours: Fri-Sat: 10am-4pm, Sun: 12pm-4pm and Varies by Tour
St. John’s Church is where Patrick Henry gave his infamous “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech to the Second Virginia Convention in 1775. Among the audience were founding fathers Jefferson and Washington. Present-day, it is free to visit the outside of the church and visitor’s center. You can also opt to see a reenactment of the speech, take a graveyard tour, or a church tour.
The Tobacco Company
Cost: $$$
Hours: Sun, Wed-Thus: 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 5pm-11pm
End your first of two days in Richmond with dinner at the Tobacco Club. This delicious steakhouse is set in an old-style building and has some of the best steaks in town. In the 1800s, this building was once a tobacco warehouse until it was renovated to become a restaurant in 1977. It is known for its antique decor and wonderful food.
Day 2: Art and Gardens
On your second of two days in Richmond, you will spend time exploring the art and gardens of the area.
Urban Farmhouse Market
Cost: $
Hours: 7am-8pm
Start your second of two days in Richmond with breakfast and coffee at the Urban Farmhouse Market. They have some great farm-fresh and vegan food options and delicious coffee. It is a great place to get fueled up for the day.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Cost: Free
Hours: Sat-Tues: 10am-5pm, Wed-Fri: 10am-9pm
This morning, spend some time exploring the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This fun and free museum has a mixture of exhibits. Do not miss the Tiffany Lamp exhibit and the Faberge Eggs. I also enjoyed the Egyptian section as well as the Virginia art section. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a must when spending two days in Richmond. Plan to spend an hour or two wandering through the museum.
Outside of the Museum of Fine Arts is also a sculpture garden that is worth checking out! The lawn is a great place to have a picnic or you can also head to the rooftop garden that offers a view of the area.
Robinson House
Cost: Free
Hours: 9am-5pm
Right next door to the Museum of Fine Arts is the Robinson House. In this historic home, there is an exhibit about the area and former inhabitants of the house as well as some Civil War History. Plan to spend around 20 minutes looking at the exhibits.
Maymont
Cost: Free
Hours: March 15-September: 10am-7pm, October-March: 10am-5pm
This afternoon during your two days in Richmond, head to Maymont. This 100-acre estate houses many things to keep you busy for an afternoon. The property was once owned by prominent lawyer James Dooley and created in the Gilded Age style.
Spend some time walking the grounds and gardens. Do not miss the Italian and the Japanese Gardens. You can also view the carriage collection, tour the mansion, or visit the farm and wildlife habitats. For $8 on Saturdays and Sundays, you can head to the Robins Nature Center.
Agecroft Hall and Gardens
Cost: $10
Hours: Thurs-Sun: 12pm-5pm
Another option to spend the afternoon is The Agecroft Hall and Gardens. The Agecroft Hall and Gardens include a Tudor-style house and gorgeous gardens. Your visit includes a guided tour of the house, a self-guided tour of the gardens, the Woodland Walk, and the Sunroom exhibit.
Tarrant’s Cafe
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thus: 11am-10pm, Fri: 11am-11pm, Sat: 10am-11pm, Sun: 10am-10pm
To end your two days in Richmond, have dinner at Tarrant’s Cafe. This restaurant has a fun mix of foods from pizza and pasta to burgers and appetizers. It is reasonably priced and quick service.
More Than Two Days in Richmond?
If you have more than two days in Richmond, make sure to check out these other sites.
Hollywood Cemetery
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-5pm
If you have time during your two days in Richmond, add on a visit to the Hollywood Cemetery. Here you can view the graves of presidents James Monroe and John Tyler.
The John Marshall House
Cost: $10
Hours: Wed: 11am-2pm, Thurs: 4-7pm, Fri: 11am-2pm, Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm
The John Marshall House is a National Historic Landmark in Richmond. It was home to supreme court justice John Marshall. He was known for the landmark decisions of McCullough vs. Maryland and Marbury vs. Madison. Visitors can opt to tour the inside of his home by appointment.
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Sat: 9am-4:30pm
Maddie Walker NHS commemorates the life and work of Maggie L. Walker. She was the first female to serve as president of a bank in the United States. This site was originally the home of Walker. Visitors can take a guided tour of the house to learn more about her. It is a great addition to two days in Richmond.
Mending Walls
Cost: Free
The Mending Walls are a series of murals across Richmond. You can visit their website for more information about each mural and where they are located. These are public art projects that promote social justice and racial equality.
The Poe Museum
Cost: $9
Hours: Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-5pm, Closed Mondays
The Poe Museum is dedicated to the life of writer and poet Edgar Allen Poe. Throughout the museum, you learn about his life and writings. It also holds the largest collection of his writings and manuscripts.
Take a Day Trip to Monticello
Cost: $31
Hours: Generally 9:30am-6pm, but can vary
About an hour from Richmond lies the former home of President Thomas Jefferson. If you have more than two days in Richmond, it is worth the trek to see this plantation home. Your ticket includes admission onto the property, a tour of the mansion, a visit to the gardens, and Jefferson’s grave. You can take however much time you want at each location. The bottom of the mansion also includes exhibits about the history of the plantation.
Take a Day Trip To Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
Cost: Free
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
An hour north of Richmond lies 4 important Civil War Battlefields, the most prominent being Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. You can easily spend an entire day exploring these battlefields, so it is a great addition to two days in Richmond. Each of the 4 battlefields has a scenic driving tour with multiple stops along the way that explain the history of the battles. This is a must for any history buff or anyone interested in Civil War History.
There is so much to see during two days in Richmond, you could easily add several more. If you have more time, head to Shenandoah National Park or to Washington DC. If interested in more historical sites, make sure to visit Mount Vernon and Philadelphia as well. Wine lovers should head to Leesburg, Virginia to try out some local wines.
18 thoughts on “Two Days in Richmond, Virginia: The Perfect Historical Weekend Getaway”
I always love finding those historical landmarks to tour and Richmond seems to have a bit! I’d also love to see the beatiful gardens at Maymont. What a perfect itinerary!
Maymont was so gorgeous!
I had never considered visiting Richmond before! It looks really nice to walk around, and I like that it has so many historic sites to visit as well.
Yes it’s a fun city to explore.
I have always wanted to visit Richmond to see all the historic sites. This is a great two day itinerary, I hope to get there some day.
Yes! It’s great for history lovers.
I’m actually traveling to Virginia this summer and I was looking for a 2-day itinerary for Richmond, so this is perfect for me. I’m going at the end of July/August…so I am anticipating the heat. 🙂
Perfect! Hope it’s not too unbearably hot!
We are from Virginia! I actually just ran the Richmond marathon 2 years ago (pre-covid) and wish I had spent more time there to see some of these sites. I looks like there is a lot of rich history there!
Oh that’s so cool! Richmond has so much history!
I think the Mending Walls sound like an adventure in themselves and would be reason enough to visit Richmond. Richmond is somewhat of a forgotten city for American history. Thanks for the reminder!
Yes! It was fun to find where some of them are.
oh man!! so much history and culture, I would be in HEAVEN!! The architecture alone would have me spellbound! I really appreciate that you have also given the practial info like the timings and any potential cost. This really helps when planning 🙂
Right!? that was totally me!
What a lovely place! I would really love to visit! It looks wonderful!
Richmond is awesome!
I am obsessed with Edgar Allen Poe so I’m 100% visiting Richmond now to visit that museum!
Yes! Me too! There is also one of his houses in Philadelphia too!