20+ Instagram-Worthy Spots to Visit in Downtown Richmond

This article was initially published on September 16, 2024, but was updated on September 15, 2026

Picture Perfect in RVA

Find the best places to take pictures in Richmond, VA! 

Whether you’re visiting Richmond for the first time or enjoying a weekend adventure in the River City you call home, downtown is full of photo ops perfect for creating memories and capturing beautiful moments. From the James to the State Capitol, we’ve compiled a list of amazing places to photograph and be photographed in Downtown Richmond. Whether it's engagement photos, your family's holiday card, or a cute candid for social media, Downtown Richmond is the best backdrop.

Find places to take photos in Downtown Richmond:

Nature Photos | City and Landmark Photos | Artsy Photos | Rooftop Photos

Best Places for Nature Photos in Downtown Richmond

Between the James River, Kanawha Canal, James River Park System, Virginia Capital Trail, and the river islands, Downtown Richmond has no shortage of spots to take photos out in nature. Try timing photoshoots a couple of hours before sunset for amazing golden hour light!

Belle Isle

300 Tredegar Street

Located along the James River in downtown Richmond, Belle Isle is a great place for people who love the outdoors, giving them the chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat. From wooded areas to mountain biking trails, interpreted historical sites, a granite wall for rock climbing, and wheelchair-accessible fishing at the quarry pond, guests have a variety of options to choose from.

Brown's Island

500 Tredegar Street

Brown’s Island is one of the most popular public park spaces in the city of Richmond. Located on the Richmond riverfront along the James River, the island features access to the Canal Walk, Manchester, and more!

Low Line Green

100 Pear Street

The Low Line is a welcoming green space connecting Great Shiplock Park and the beginning of the Virginia Capital Trail to the Canal Walk, that features an urban oasis along the James River for cyclists and pedestrians.

Floodwall Walk

14th Street

From atop the Floodwall on the southern side, you can see unique views of the James River, the city skyline, and historic sites. Completed in 1995 to protect areas of downtown and Manchester from devastating flooding, the south bank section comprises Floodwall Park, a popular spot for hikers, runners, fishermen, bird watchers, and kayakers.

T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge

Brown's Island

The T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge provides unequaled river vistas. The panoramic views of the downtown skyline, paired with sounds that fail to convey the bridge's extraordinarily close relationship to the roaring river, make for an experience we highly recommend.

Riverfront Canal Walk

Brown's Island or Turning Basin

Richmond’s Canal Walk features art, restaurants, and four centuries of our state capital’s history depicted through fascinating medallions, statues, and exhibits. Enjoy a walk, bike ride, or a Riverfront Canal Cruise through the historic Canal Walk in downtown RVA and discover Richmond's history along the way. Don't forget to check out the Canal Walk murals along the way!

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Best Places for City and Landmark Photos in Downtown Richmond

Downtown Richmond is steeped in historical architecture and landmarks, all perfect for photo backdrops or subjects!  Don't know your way around? Take a guided tour to get great snaps or learn where to circle back afterward for a full photoshoot. 

Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza

W. Broad & N. Adams Street

The Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza is a plaza designated by the City of Richmond to honor the life and legacy of Richmond native, Maggie L. Walker. 10 benches surround the statue, each describing events and achievements in Mrs. Walker's illustrious life. From being the first woman, and African American woman, to charter a bank, to leading the Independent Order of St. Luke, each bench represents a different aspect of this multi-faceted leader. Today, the plaza is a short walk from the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Historic Jackson Ward, and it serves as a welcoming community meeting place for all who wish to visit.

Main Street Station

1500 E. Main Street

Opened in 1901, Main Street Station remains an iconic historic landmark in Richmond. From the Clock Tower to The Shed, Main Street Station features gorgeous views and architecture inside and out.

Shockoe Slip

S. 12th and Cary Streets

The picturesque neighborhood of Shockoe Slip features cobblestone streets, specialty shops, the Riverfront Canal Walk, and attractions like The First Freedom Center, Riverfront Canal Cruises, and the Pipeline Walk. Shockoe Slip takes the best elements of Downtown Richmond - the James River, the history of the city, creativity, and culture - and brings them all together. Shockoe Slip is a must-see part of Downtown Richmond for locals and visitors to see the best Richmond has to offer.

Capitol Square

1000 Bank Street

The Capitol of Virginia was designed in 1785 by Thomas Jefferson. It is the first American State Capitol designed after the Revolutionary War and the first public building in the New World constructed in the form of a classical Roman temple. Today, the Capitol offers a beautiful public space featuring original statues and artwork, a fountain, flowers, and more.

Virginia War Memorial

621 S. Belvidere Street

The Virginia War Memorial is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s premier monument, museum, and educational center dedicated to Virginians who served to defend the United States from World War II through today. The memorial offers beautiful views of the downtown riverfront and Richmond sunsets.

The Valentine Wickham House Garden

1015 E. Clay Street

Located in the heart of historic Downtown Richmond in the Court End neighborhood, the Valentine lets residents and tourists discover the diverse stories that tell the broader history of our city. Within the Valentine, you'll find a secluded garden that offers a green getaway from downtown's bustling city center.

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Best Places for Artsy Photos in Downtown Richmond

With 150+ murals and street art throughout downtown RVA and Richmond, plus tons of art galleries, the city is a canvas for creative photos!

ICA at VCU

601 W. Broad Street

The Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU showcases an ever-changing slate of exhibitions, performances, films, and special programs that translate our world into every medium. The ICA features a shop, a community media center, a cafe, and more. The ICA is open Tuesday-Sunday, from 10 AM-5 PM.

Myselfies

12 W. Broad Street

Myselfies RVA is a distinctive Arts District selfie gallery with a vision to offer a unique way to appreciate various art forms by making exhibits fully interactive where both introverts and extroverts can express themselves!

RVA Street Art and Murals

You can find 150+ murals and street art throughout Downtown RVA and Richmond, a city that thinks of its streets as a canvas for creativity. From Mending Walls to the RVA Street Art Festival and the Canal Walk Murals, you're sure to find your favorite piece to photograph!

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Best Places for Rooftop Photos in Downtown Richmond

You won't find a better skyline or this many rooftop restaurants anywhere else in RVA. Enjoy a drink and the best views of Richmond at any of downtown Richmond's rooftop bars and restaurants:

• Bolo's Eatery

• Byrd House at Graduate Richmond

• Havana '59

• Juan's Rooftop & Cantina

• No. 303 Club

• Q Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel

• Solaire Rooftop 

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