Essential Tours to Take in Downtown Richmond

The Best Ways to See Downtown Richmond

Take in the sights and hear the stories of the area's history by foot, bike, trolley, tuk tuk, canal boat, kayak and more when you join any of these tours in Richmond, VA!

Discover Downtown Richmond through:

Bike Tours | History Tours | Food Tours | Art & Culture Tours | River Activities | Outdoor Tours | Ghost Tours

Richmond Bike Tours

Basket & Bike

Basket & Bike offers three types of downtown Richmond tours:

• Downtown Sunset Bike Tour: This bike tour in Richmond VA 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 wine, beer, coffee, or cocoa from Quirk Hotel's Lobby Bar or Q Rooftop Bar.

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Richmond History Tours

Riverfront Canal Cruises

Riverfront Canal Cruises in downtown Richmond's Shockoe Slip neighborhood tours the James River and Kanawha Canal. Discover Richmond's rich history and vibrant present aboard authentic flat-bottomed boats, passing landmarks like the Triple Crossing, historic tobacco warehouses, the Virginia Capital Trail, the Low Line Green gardens, and James River wildlife. 

• Historically Narrated Hourly Tours: 40-minute historically narrated tours depart on the hour

• Private Charters: Available as one- to two plus-hour private, customizable boat tours that are a favorite for family reunions, celebrating birthdays, engagements, corporate retreats, business groups, churches, clubs and so many more group outings.

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

Elegba Folklore Society

Elegba Folklore Society’s interactive tours offer powerful journeys through Richmond’s Black history, blending firsthand narratives, historical context, and cultural expression. From walking the Trail of Enslaved Africans to exploring the legacies of community leaders like Maggie L. Walker, participants are immersed in stories that illuminate the past and inspire deeper understanding today.

Richmond Tour Guys

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 in Richmond VA 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. 

RVA Historic Trolley Tours

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.

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.

The Valentine Richmond Tours

The Valentine Museum offers a diverse collection of historic tours that cover various Richmond neighborhoods, time periods, cultures, architecture, and landscapes.

Some of their tour options include:

• Freedom on Capital Trail Walking Tour: Step into the past in Shockoe Bottom, one of Richmond’s oldest historic districts, to learn about the struggles for freedom that shaped our nation.

• Murals of Jackson Ward Walking Tour: Explore the diversity of one of city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. 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.

• Richmond and the Republic: Court End Neighborhood Walking Tour: Explore Richmond’s Federal-era history on this walking tour of the Valentine Museum’s Court End Neighborhood. In the years following the American Revolution, Court End became an affluent area where power players gathered in close proximity to the newly- established Virginia State Capitol.

This year they are offering special tours for VA250 such as "Roots of Revolution" tour in Shockoe Bottom and "Richmond and the Republic" tour in Court End.

Walking the Ward with Gary Flowers

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."

Two tiers of Richmond 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.

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Richmond Food Tours

Discover Richmond Food Tours

Discover Richmond Food Tours means exploring the Arts District, which spans parts of Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward, as an insider. You will sample delicious food and snacks from up to 6 different restaurants such as: Mama J's, Buttermilk and Honey, Lillie Pearl, Buna Kurs, Gather & Hem, Scott's Shawarma, 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! 

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Art and Culture Tours

RVA First Fridays Art Walk

The RVA First Fridays Art Walk happens on the first Friday of every month in multiple locations along and around Broad Street and commemorates 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. 

Would I Lie to You? Mural Walks

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. 

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River Activities in Richmond

Waterfront RVA

Explore the best parts of Richmond on a rented SUP board (stand- up paddleboard) or a kayak! Waterfront RVA will teach you basic skills as you enjoy time on the water. They offer $25 for 1 hour SUP board or kayak rental; $20/ hr for 2 or more hours of rental. Open every day from 12pm- 6pm.

Located at 415 Tredegar Street, 23219.

Riverside Outfitters

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 or flatwater kayaking, 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 9+. 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. Their flatwater kayaking tours are perfect for naturalists who want a front row lesson about the river's diverse ecosystem.  The tour is paced for time to observe the wildlife and even take a swim!

• Whitewater rafting on the James
• Group rafting tours
• Flatwater Kayak Tour

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Outdoor Tours in Richmond

RVATukTuk

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

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.

Segway of Richmond

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! Segway of Richmond tour options include:

• Segway Ghost Tour: Explore Richmond’s haunted past with stories of paranormal encounters, the enduring legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, eerie local legends, and mysterious creatures said to haunt the city.

• Views of Richmond Segway Tour: Ride through some of Richmond’s most scenic locations, from Libby Hill Park to T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, while guides share local attractions, dining recommendations, and hidden gems.

• Richmond Landmark Tour: Visit iconic Richmond destinations such as Brown's Island, the Virginia State Capitol, and scenic overlooks of the James River while learning about the city’s Civil War history.

• Jackson Ward Tour: Discover the powerful history of Virginia’s struggle for racial justice, from acts of resistance during slavery to pivotal Supreme Court battles that challenged segregation.

• Women in Richmond Tour: Learn about the remarkable women who shaped Richmond’s history, including Elizabeth Van Lew and Maggie Lena Walker.

• 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. Experience Richmond’s thriving mural scene on a Segway tour showcasing some of the city’s most impressive street art and creative public works.

• Shockoe Bottom Tour: Explore Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, Shockoe Bottom, and visit notable sites including the Triple Crossing, the Henry Box Brown Monument, and the city’s oldest surviving home.

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Richmond Ghost Tours

Haunts of Richmond

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 Richmond ghost tours: Shadows of Shockoe, Haunted Capitol Hill, or Phantoms of Franklin.

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. 

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Is your favorite Downtown Richmond Tour missing from our list?

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