An hour and a half away from the D.C. space (relying on visitors), Richmond, Virginia, makes for an excellent weekend getaway with loads to see alongside the way in which. Richmond, capitol of Virginia, has a thriving craft beer scene, loads of historic monuments and museums, and nice parks alongside the James River. Fredericksburg lies about midway between D.C. and Richmond. And, as we found, has numerous historical past to discover, a lot inside strolling distance.
A Weekend in Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia
My husband and I run at the very least one marathon a 12 months and normally prefer to make a visit out of it. We registered for the Richmond Marathon, which had the enchantment of feeling concurrently like a neighborhood and a vacation spot marathon from house in Arlington, Virginia.
Friday evening we stayed downtown on the Homewood Suites by Hilton Richmond-Downtown, only a half mile from the marathon begin line. The subsequent morning we loved nice working climate, ample cheering all through the race, and a well-designed course—a singular 26.2-mile tour of Richmond on foot. However one of the best was but to return.
After having fun with the post-race festivities, we conveniently walked one other half mile again to our resort for a bathe (couldn’t suggest this resort sufficient for its comfort for the marathon begin and end). Saturday afternoon we took benefit of Richmond’s free public transportation to go to two incredible breweries. (Professional tip: should you occur to be there for race day, concentrate on bus rerouting. Neither Google Maps nor the dwell updates on the bus stops mirrored these reroutes.) Sunday morning we gingerly walked round downtown to work out a number of the lactic acid earlier than the drive again house.
Saturday Afternoon in Richmond
Triple Crossing Beer
We met with a big group of associates who’d run the marathon and their households at Triple Crossing Brewery’s Fulton location. The ambiance on their out of doors patio was vigorous, with different racers searching for to refuel with beer and pizza as nicely. Our desk ordered a number of pizzas, together with the scrumptious home sausage, in addition to hen wings, a Bavarian pretzel (which the youngsters liked), and Brussel Sprouts (which the youngsters have been ambivalent about). As for beer, I’d suggest the home double IPA, Daybreak Refrain.
Storm drain artwork close to James River in Richmond
Stone Brewery
From Triple Crossing Beer we walked a mile to Stone Brewing’s Faucet Room. The earlier summer season we’d moved to Virginia from San Diego, the place we liked visiting the Escondido and Liberty Station places. So, we have been thrilled on the likelihood to drink at Stone’s solely faucet room outdoors of San Diego. We had the Imperial Stout (which my husband liked a lot he ordered a number of six packs on-line after we acquired house) and a habanero pineapple margarita, which got here with a big spherical of dried pineapple —good for a perpetually hungry post-marathoner. We mustered the energy to climb the steps up (however took the elevator down) to seating overlooking the taproom. From the taproom we walked 0.7 miles to catch the #14 bus again to the resort.
Sunday Morning in Richmond
A morning stroll downtown
When you’re like us and out and about too early to go to these museums, you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in a quiet stroll and find out about Richmond’s historical past.
From the Homewood Suites by Hilton Richmond-Downtown we walked to:
White Home of the Confederacy
- White Home of the Confederacy: The previous official residence of Accomplice President Jefferson Davis from 1861 to 1865, it’s now a museum of Accomplice memorabilia. There’s descriptive signage out entrance of right here as nicely. Grownup tickets are $15, youngsters $8.
- Virginia State Capitol Constructing
- In Capitol Sq. you’ll be able to see: Previous Metropolis Corridor, the Government Mansion, the Virginia Civil Rights Monument, the Virginia Washington Monument, and extra. (See that cool header picture on this submit for the Richmond Capitol Sq. with a view of Virginia Washington Monument.)
- The Capitol constructing is open to the general public, so you’ll be able to go to and even take a free guided tour.
- Riverfront Canal Stroll: This 1.25 mile stroll takes you alongside the James River and the Kanawha and Haxall Canals. Although quiet on a crisp Sunday morning, a useful biker could cease and encourage you to proceed to the James River, unprompted.
- Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge: Make your strategy to Brown’s Island, the place you’ll see crews dismantling the marathon afterparty tents and benefit from the James River by making your manner throughout the “T. Pott Bridge.”
You’ll be able to recreate our stroll right here. About 3.4 miles at an informal tempo (making stops to learn indicators, take photos, and admire the surroundings) took us 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Canal view towards Brown’s Island, Richmond
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sunday Afternoon in Fredericksburg
On our strategy to Richmond, I seen the freeway signal for the James Monroe Museum and Library and instructed we test it out on our manner again to Arlington on Sunday. Most journeys require fairly a little bit of superior planning, so after we took an opportunity and visited Fredericksburg, primarily based solely on a roadside signal, it was a pleasing reminder of the rewards that come from somewhat spontaneity whereas touring.
Signal concerning the enslaved folks of Mary Washington Home.
Mary Washington Home
We began our Sunday afternoon in Fredericksburg on the Mary Washington Home (we had an hour earlier than the James Monroe Library and Museum opened). Upon coming into we have been greeted by Colleen, a former nurse turned beginner historian. Her colleague Heather, wearing interval apparel, led us to the home’s again porch. As soon as seated she enthusiastically and meticulously inundated us with dates, deaths, and names of people that had formed the lifetime of Mary Ball Washington, mom of George Washington. (However don’t fear, the tour guides interject enjoyable information concerning the historical past for kids and there’s a basket of toys to maintain them occupied whereas mother and father hearken to the overview.)
Mary Washington Home Attic
Again inside, we stepped right into a room added after Mary lived there, when the home had served as a boys’ college. There was a teapot recognized to have been utilized by Mary and a few furnishings on load from Washington’s Mount Vernon. Earlier than visiting the rooms upstairs and strolling the grounds on our personal, we crossed the corridor to the unique a part of the home Mary had lived in for the final 17 yeas of her life. Our information Heather talked concerning the format and confirmed renderings of the inside throughout Mary Washington’s time.
Kitchen situated subsequent to the Mary Washington Home.
Excursions are given on a rolling foundation, so there was no e-book forward (although tickets could be bought on-line). If a information is in the course of a tour while you arrive, you’ll be inspired to begin trying round the home till they’re out there to provide the overview. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for teenagers.
Earlier than heading out, Colleen (who we’d bought our tickets from earlier) instructed we stroll to the Mary Washington Monument, solely 0.4 miles stroll away.
Be aware: For anybody who has or is planning to learn Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow, Mary’s portrayal as a egocentric, distant, uncaring mom could not have been merited. After we requested for Heather’s opinion (feeling unusual about celebrating a girl who appears to have given Washington such a tough time) she was fast to level out that there was a time frame when historians wished to color George Washington as a self-made man and so disparaged his mom to make that appear extra sensible. So, when Chernow, based on Heather, requoted historians and writers earlier than him, reasonably than the unique paperwork (or didn’t use full quotes that really revealed variety phrases to his mom) Mary Washington unjustly comes throughout as an disagreeable and unsupportive determine in Washington’s life.
Mary Washington Home
Mary Washington Monument
The precise website of Mary Washington’s grave is unknown however believed to be close to Meditation Rock, so known as as a result of she typically got here to wish there. (You’ll be able to see her Bible, which she seemingly would have introduced alongside, again on the Mary Washington Home.) The Mary Washington Monument was devoted on Could 10, 1894—greater than 100 years after her loss of life in 1789.
Instantly subsequent to the monument one can find the small Gordon Household Cemetery, the place graves for twelve of its members of the family lie inside brick partitions. From 1819-1859 the Gordons lived at Kenmore, the brick mansion George Washington’s sister and husband constructed.
Stroll round behind the cemetery to seek out Meditation Rock and the Eskridge Oak, each marked by descriptive plaques.
James Monroe Library and Museum
From the monument we walked to the James Monroe Library and Museum, the positioning that led us to Fredericksburg. After buying our tickets, we have been as soon as once more given an summary of the topic of the museum, this time James Monroe, after which left to discover the reveals on our personal. There’s a lot to see and browse, so make the most of the Younger Patriot’s the place the youngsters can fill out worksheets, placed on hats from the interval, and take a look at a quilting exercise. There are additionally QR codes all through the museum so you’ll be able to be taught extra about gadgets on show.
You’ll learn the way James Monroe held practically each public workplace out there on the time, see the desk believed to be the place he signed the Monroe Doctrine, and uncover his connections to Fredericksburg. Elizabeth Monroe’s marriage ceremony gown was on show after we visited, apparently a uncommon show given how fragile it’s.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $2 for kids.
As soon as once more you’ll be able to retrace our steps right here.
In regards to the writer: Chelsey Stone is a contract journey and well being & health author who’s written for Nationwide Geographic, Runner’s World, and Bicycling. She lives within the DC space and loves to make use of books and working as a method to discover the town and anyplace she travels to. You could find her at chelseygrassfield.com or on Instagram @chelseygrassfield.
Associated
