5/12/22
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Picture Perfect in RVA
Find the most picture-worthy places to visit in downtown Richmond!
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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 narrowed the list down to the top 16 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 to use.
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1. Belle Isle
300 Tredegar Street
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Located along the James River in downtown Richmond, Belle Isle is a great place for people with a love for the outdoors, granting them the opportunity to view 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.
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2. Brown's Island
500 Tredegar Street
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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.
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3. ICA at VCU
601 W. Broad Street
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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 thru Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 5PM and Fridays from 10AM to 9PM.
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4. James River Park Pipeline Walkway
310 S. 14th Street
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The Pipeline Rapids walkway may be downtown Richmond’s best kept secret. A wonderful place to watch nature and escape the city for even just a few minutes, the Pipeline is also a favorite for those looking for a moderate level of thrill as it brings you face-to-face with the full rage of the river's rapids.
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5. The Low Line
The Richmond Floodwall at 17th Street to Great Shiplock Park
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The Low Line is a welcoming green space connecting the Great Shiplock Park and beginning of the Virginia Capital Trail to the Canal Walk that features an urban oasis along the James River for cyclists and pedestrians.
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6. Maggie Walker Plaza
W. Broad & N. Adams Street
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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. The statue is surrounded by 10 benches each describing events and achievements in Mrs. Walker's illustrious life. From opening 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 Jackson Ward and it serves as a welcoming community meeting place for all who wish to visit.
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7. Main Street Station
1500 E. Main Street
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Originally opened more than a century ago in 1901, Main Street Station remains an iconic and historic landmark in Richmond. From the Clock Tower to The Shed, Main Street Station features gorgeous views and architecture inside and out.
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8. Manchester Floodwall Walk
14th Street (parking at Mayo Bridge)
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Unique views of the James River, the city skyline and historic sites can be seen from atop the Floodwall on the southern side. Completed in 1995 to protect areas of downtown and Manchester from devastating flooding, the southbank section comprises Floodwall Park, a popular spot for hikers, runners, fishermen, bird watchers and kayakers.
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9. Riverfront Canal Walk
Brown's Island or Turning Basin
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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 thru 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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10. RVA Street Art and Murals
Various Locations
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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, here are "20 Places to Find Street Art in Downtown Richmond."
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11. Shockoe Slip
S. 12th and Cary Streets
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Cobblestone streets, specialty shops and the Riverfront Canal Walk make up the picturesque neighborhood of Shockoe Slip and is home to 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 all of the best that Richmond has to offer.
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12. T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
Brown's Island
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The T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge provides unequaled river vistas. The panoramic views of the downtown skyline paired with sounds that fail to give the impression of the extraordinarily close relationship of the bridge to the roaring river, are an experience we highly recommend.
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13. Capitol Square
1000 Bank Street
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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 to be 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.
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14. Virginia War Memorial
621 S. Belvidere Street
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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.
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15. The Valentine Wickham House Garden
1015 E. Clay Street
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Located in the heart of historic downtown Richmond in the Court End neighborhood, the Valentine is a place for residents and tourists to 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.
16. Downtown RVA Rooftops
Various Locations
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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: