Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

The Richmond Visitors Center, 401 N. 3rd St. (between Clay and Marshall sts.), Richmond, VA 23219 (tel. 888/742-4666; www.richmond.com), provides information and operates a same-day discounted hotel reservation service. The center is in the Greater Richmond Convention Center and is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, to 6pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Park in the municipal garage at Marshall and 3rd streets.

In addition, the Richmond International Airport Visitors Center (tel. 804/236-3260) is open Monday through Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm.

The state operates a visitor information center in the Bell Tower (tel. 804/786-4485) on the State Capitol grounds, off 9th Street between Grace and Marshall streets. It's open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm. The small gift shop is a good place to stock up on "Virginia Is for Lovers" gear.

As soon as you see one, grab a copy of Richmond's free alternative newspaper, Style Weekly (www.styleweekly.com), available in boxes throughout town. It is a very good source of what's going on while you're here.

Getting There

By Plane -- Richmond International Airport, Airport Drive off I-64, I-295, and Williamsburg Road (U.S. 60) (tel. 804/226-3052; www.flyrichmond.com), known locally as Byrd Field, is about 15 minutes east of downtown. American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, TWA, United, and US Airways fly there. The major car-rental companies have desks at the airport, and taxis are available. Groome Transportation (tel. 800/552-7911 or 804/222-7222; www.groometransportation.com) offers 24-hour van service to Richmond, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg. Per-person fares range from $16 to downtown Richmond to $40 to Williamsburg. Public bus service is available during weekday morning and evening rush hours, but the savings are hardly worth the time and trouble.

By Car -- Richmond is at the junction of I-64, traveling east-west, and I-95, traveling north-south. I-295 bypasses both Richmond and Petersburg on their east sides. U.S. 60 (east-west) and U.S. 1 and U.S. 301 (north-south) cross here.

By Train & Bus -- Several daily Amtrak (tel. 800/872-7245; www.amtrak.com) trains pull into two stations here. The main terminal is at 7519 Staples Mill Rd. (U.S. 33), north of I-64. Much more convenient to downtown (there is no shuttle service from the Staples Mill Road station into tourist areas) is the Main Street Station at 1500 E. Main St. in Shockoe Bottom. Restored and reopened in 2003, this French Renaissance-style building served as the city's transportation hub from 1901 until 1959 and is itself worth a visit if you're in Shockoe Bottom.

The Greyhound/Trailways bus terminal is at 2910 N. Boulevard (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com).

City Layout

Richmond is located at the fall line of the James River. Instead of growing away from the river, the original city spread westward along the north shore. Thus, the main streets run east-west for several miles from the original settlement, in today's Shockoe Bottom. Although Richmond now has suburbs sprawling across the surrounding countryside, most of the hotels, restaurants, and historic sites of interest to visitors are in the old part of the city.

A series of bridges crosses the river, and there's also access to two islands, Brown's Island and Belle Isle, from the Richmond Riverfront Canal Walk, a promenade extending along the downtown riverfront beside the James River & Kanawha Canal.

Foushee Street divides street numbers east and west, while Main Street divides them north and south. Broad Street is the major east-west thoroughfare, and it's one of the few downtown streets with two-way traffic.

Getting Around

By Public Transportation -- The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC; tel. 804/358-GRTC; www.ridegrtc.com) operates the public bus system throughout the metropolitan area. Base bus fare is $1.25 (exact change only). Service on most bus routes begins at 5am and ends at midnight. GRTC also has express bus service between Richmond and Petersburg.

By Car -- Richmond is fairly easy to navigate by car, although all but a few streets are one-way. Left turns from a one-way street onto another one-way street may be made at red lights after a full stop.

By Taxi -- Call Yellow Cab Service Inc. (tel. 804/222-7300) or Veterans Cab Association (tel. 804/329-1414). Fares are approximately $1.50 per mile.

Safety in Richmond

As in any city, it's wise to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings, whatever the time of day. Ask at the visitor centers or at your hotel desk if a neighborhood you intend to visit is safe. Most neighborhoods described in this chapter are generally safe during the day, and Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, The Fan, and Carytown are safe during the evening when their restaurants are open. Nevertheless, avoid deserted streets after dark. All hotels have free shuttles in the downtown area, so take them when going out in the evening.