Essential Tours to Take in Downtown Richmond

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Basket & Bike offers three types of downtown Richmond tours:

• Downtown Sunset Bike Tour: This Richmond bike tour takes you along downtown streets and the Virginia Capital Trail.
• Discover Downtown Bike Tour: Features a leisure tour of downtown RVA.
• Richmond Art & Secret Garden Tour: In partnership with Quirk Hotel, this tour provides a co-branded custom route that showcases some of RVA’s artsy must-sees. This tour includes the history of art in the region, like murals in Jackson Ward, street art by international artists, the grounds of the Institute for Contemporary Art, Quirk Gallery and hidden pocket parks.

Every tour ends with a voucher for a free coffee, tea, wine or beer at Urban Farmhouse and Cafe.

Elegba Folklore Society’s interactive experience along the Trail of Enslaved Africans gives attendees the chance to ponder the impact of enslavement on the enslaved as shared in their own words and from their own point of view. Tour participants will walk in the footsteps of their ancestors from their arrival point at river’s edge into Shockoe Bottom, the area of Richmond that housed the holding pens, jails, blocks and burial ground. The interpreters will interweave the narratives of enslaved Africans with the historical record, characterizations of the day and music.

Richmond has its share of ghostly and ghastly tales, and Haunts of Richmond can't wait to share them with you on one of their downtown-focused ghost tours: Shadows of Shockoe, Haunted Capitol Hill, or Phantoms of Franklin.

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Shadows of Shockoe is a fascinating nighttime exploration of Shockoe Bottom, the oldest and most haunted neighborhood in Richmond. Haunted Capitol Hill finds what elected officials and security guards walk the hallowed halls of Virginia's seat of power. Phantoms of Franklin discovers the eerie beauty of Richmond's turn of the century Franklin Street.

Riverfront Canal Cruises in downtown Richmond feature historically-narrated tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal designed by George Washington. Hear about centuries of Richmond’s history, from Powhatan’s Chiefdom to the first commercially successful electric streetcar in the world, while traveling in authentic, flat-bottomed boats. See the unique railroad Triple Crossing, tobacco warehouses that have been converted into trendy lofts, the Virginia Capital Trail, the Low Line gardens and James River wildlife.

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Tours depart from the canal’s Turning Basin at 139 Virginia Street. Canal Cruise historic tours run annually from April-November. All boats are handicap accessible and covered.

We all stand on the shoulders of many notable Jackson Wardians and while the list of giants who helped future generations to see further is vast, The JXN Project hopes that the set of honorary designees for "Unveiling The Vanguard" is a representative sample of the shoulders whose stories are often overlooked and under-told. While only a few could be chosen to receive honorary street designations, the project endeavors to curate an installation to pay homage to the many others who were called to leave a mark on Jackson Ward.

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Community members are invited to engage in a self-guided tour of the honorary street signs either via personal vehicle, bicycle or on foot. You'll find directional "JXN Ward" stamps installed on the sidewalks to guide tourists along the route, which starts at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia located at 122 W Leigh Street and ends at Maggie Walker Plaza located at N Adams and W Broad Street.

Richmond’s revitalized Arts District, spanning parts of Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward, will capture your imagination with a mix of historically-significant architecture, renowned restaurants and inspiring art galleries.

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Discover Richmond Food Tours means exploring the Arts District as an insider. You will sample delicious food and snacks from 6 different restaurants like: Wong Gonzalez, Lift Coffee Shop, Mama J's, Chez Foushee, Lillie Pearl, Bar Solita, and more. You’ll meet chefs and business owners and discover their passion for their craft. You’ll hear the stories that make this one of Richmond’s most defining and vibrant neighborhoods. But most of all, Richmond Food Tours will make sure you're full and have had fun by the end of it!

Walk in the footsteps of 400 years of history with the Richmond Tour Guys while being captivated by the colorful stories of Richmond’s past and what it’s become. The Richmond Tour Guys offer walking tours of Richmond that are the perfect way to discover why Frommers said “While you weren’t looking, Richmond got cool.” Their downtown tours are acclaimed by locals and visitors who discover fun stories and ways to experience the city like they never have before; exploring and seeing Richmond through new eyes.

Riverside Outfitters offers first-class outdoor adventures! Whether you’re after a thrill ride in Class III to IV whitewater or interested in a more relaxing whitewater rafting experience, the James River has what you’re looking for! Riverside Outfitters offers rafting trips on smaller rapids for ages 5+, and trips on the bigger rapids for ages 10+. They’ve got rides through the big rapids that last about 1 hour for folks with only a little free time, and adventures that last 3-4 hours with lunch out on an island for folks with more time to unplug.

• Whitewater rafting on the James
• Group rafting tours

Located downtown at 325 S. 14th St. Richmond, VA 23219. Google Maps. Find a "Reserved for Riverside" parking spot in their customer parking lot and check in at the front desk.

The RVA First Fridays Art Walk happens on the first Friday of every month in multiple locations along and around Broad Street and commemorate's each month's newest exhibitions, collections and showcases into a night of special programming and celebration of RVA's arts and culture. Explore the Arts District and all of its shops, galleries and restaurants through this self-guided walk. RVA First Friday's activities extend from Gallery5 and Art180 in Jackson Ward all the way to the ICA at VCU.

Whether you were raised in Richmond, visiting or just passing through, you can travel by trolley through a rich narrative of 400 years of history in one of the most fascinating and oldest cities in America. See the sights and learn about Richmond’s landmarks, riverfront, architecture and history.

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RVA On Wheels offers tours aboard their classic, air-conditioned trolley with cushioned seats, intricate seat frameworks and social bus seating. Their comfortable trolley will take you to many of the most historic and popular landmarks in the city, with both a driver and guide who combine the rich history of Richmond with great stories, humor and wit.

RVA Paddlesports offers a variety of whitewater rafting excursions on the Upper and Lower James River in Richmond, VA. Their most popular tour covers the Class III & IV rapids of the Lower James. The Upper James is perfect for families with young children or clients wanting just a relaxing float. Those wanting a longer outing can tackle the entire Falls of the James, covering the full 7.5 miles of the river. Their highly trained staff works diligently to provide unforgettable experiences to all.

RVATukTuk offers a variety of tours and rides throughout the city of Richmond on their fleet of electric-powered, three-wheeled open-air vehicles.

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RVATukTuk tour options include:

• City Tours: You will discover the River city by way of the Virginia State Capitol, St. John’s Church, site of the famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech and Hollywood Cemetery, the final resting place of many famous people including Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler.
• City Lights Tours: See what Richmond is all about at night! This 1.5 hour private tour hits all the highlights of Richmond including great city and river views. They'll take you through Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and other Richmond hot spots under the lights.
• Civil War, Slavery & Emancipation: Experience history on a tour through the most historic parts of Richmond. Your expert guide will give you insight into the events of the Civil War and the fall and burning of the city.
• Scavenger Hunts: The Family Fun Quest is a family-friendly, private scavenger hunt that's appropriate for all ages. Explore the city on a quest that will put a smile on everyone’s face. Designed for families or groups with children 12 and younger.

Segways are a perfect—and fun—way to tour Richmond and are super easy to use! Cover more ground than walking, but still get up close to all the amazing things Richmond has to offer - history, street art, and more!

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Segway of Richmond tour options include:

• Views of Richmond Segway Tour: From Libby Hill to the Potterfield Bridge, guides will show you some gorgeous spots, talk about other fun things to do and point out great restaurants along the way!
• Richmond Landmark Tour: Cruise to sites like Brown’s Island featuring rich Civil War history and beautiful views of the mighty James River, the Virginia State Capitol, and more!
• Jackson Ward Tour: Trace the centuries long fight for racial equality in Virginia, from resistance and revolt against slavery to landmark US Supreme Court cases against segregation.
• Women in Richmond Tour: Richmond's history abounds with amazing women who defied the repression of their times through incredible skill and indelible determination, including Elizabeth Van Lew, Maggie Lena Walker, and more.
• Street Art Tour: Richmond has quickly grown into one of the premier destinations for street art anywhere in the US, rivaling cities like Philadelphia for murals per capita. Explore Richmond’s street art on a Segway, seeing the best murals the city has to offer.
• Shockoe Bottom Tour: Take a tour around Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, Shockoe Bottom! See the most important landmarks and sights in Shockoe, including Richmond’s Triple Crossing, the Henry “Box” Brown monument, and the oldest house in Richmond.

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The Valentine's newest tour offering is Monument Avenue: Origins and Reverberations, a walking and augmented reality tour from ARtGlass that will lead you through the infamous sites that sparked a national discussion.

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Their other tour options include:

• Figures of Freedom Downtown Walking Tour: This tour invites attendees to tour Shockoe Bottom, one of Richmond’s oldest historic districts, while exploring the struggles for freedom that helped shape America.
• Murals of Jackson Ward Walking Tour: Explore the diversity of one of city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Visit murals, revitalized buildings and historic homes and learn the neighborhood’s rich history. As the Valentine traces its evolution from immigrant working-class neighborhood, to the “Harlem of the South” and a modern community today, you'll explore how art is telling the story of Jackson Ward.
• Origin Stories: Court End Walking Tour: On this downtown walking tour, you’ll visit the Valentine museum’s Court End neighborhood, uncovering surprising examples of architecture and Richmond history along the way. Join the most experienced guides in Richmond to discover architectural gems and stories of the city’s early beginnings as the Capitol of Virginia.

Gary L. Flowers provides walking tours of Historic Jackson Ward featuring 20 stops in the downtown neighborhood of his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Tours include historic, educational, economic, religious and social institutions that inspired the name "Black Wall Street" and "The Harlem of the South."

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Two tiers of tours are offered:

• Basic: 20-stop, 75 minute tour.
• Enhanced: 20-stop, 120 minute tour with historic videos provided by the Black History Museum and Cultural Center and the Maggie Walker National Historic Site.

Go on four walks to discover RVA's hidden street murals with storytelling fun. On each of the four fun walks around Richmond, you'll see over 25 murals and hear the captivating stories behind them. Ah, but is your host a reliable narrator? Sometimes, yes. Other times, no. Listen closely! Because everyone has to guess before the truth is revealed. By walk's end, you'll know who's a true believer – and who can be won over by a tall tale well told. Which are you? Join a tour and find out.

Written by Hunter Bonniwell