Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Richmond?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Richmond?

Many visitors spend one to two days in Richmond during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, the nightlife, and the quaint shops.

Richmond is the capital city of the state of Virginia. It's one of the country's oldest major cities and it is filled with history and culture. The are historical buildings, museums, and many parks that are fun to explore. It also has a growing food scene and fun nightlife.

Do you have one or two days to visit Richmond? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Richmond?

With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when exploring the main attractions. After all, With a variety of sights and attractions, Richmond is a fairly popular choice for tourists. To fully embrace Richmond, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to two days to browse the museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, enjoy an evening out, and browse the shops. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Richmond

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Richmond, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Richmond Landmark Segway Tour ($55)

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • The Carytown Food Tour in Richmond ($80)
  • Arts District Food Tour in Richmond ($85)
  • Church Hill Food Tour in Richmond, VA ($80)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Richmond?

Two days or a full weekend in Richmond is often considered the right amount of time to spend here, as many tourists take around one to two days for their trip in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the museums and landmarks, the restaurant scene, the nightlife, and the quaint shops. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.

Richmond, Virginia Richmond, Virginia

How to spend 2 days in Richmond

With a weekend (two to three days) in Richmond, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous spot in Richmond is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl ($34)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Richmond, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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