17+ Instagram-Worthy Spots to Visit in Downtown Richmond

​

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 17+ 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.

​

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.

​

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!

​

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.

​

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.

​

The Low Line is a welcoming green space connecting 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.

​

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 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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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!

​

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."

​

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

​

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.

Myselfiesrva is a distinctive Arts District selfie gallery that has a vision to provide a unique approach to appreciating various art forms by making exhibits fully interactable, where both introverts and extroverts can express themselves!

​

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:

• Byrd House at Graduate Richmond
• Common House
• Havana '59
• Juan's Rooftop & Cantina
• Kabana Rooftop
• Q Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel

• Bar Solita
• The Boathouse
• Casa del Barco
• Grandstaff & Stein
• Havana '59
• Hotel Greene
• Ironclad Coffee Roasters
• Jefferson Hotel
• Lift Coffee Shop & Cafe
• Quirk Hotel
• The Someday Shop
• Soul Taco
• SWITCH RVA
• The Tobacco Company