About
Richmond is the capital of Virginia, in the United States. It stands on the James River in the Commonwealth's central region, and it is a city where a visit can easily be shaped around history and the arts.
Richmond served as the Confederate capital during the Civil War, and that chapter remains part of how the city is understood and visited today. Visitors who are interested in the period will find it a place where the story of the war is woven into the streets, and it rewards an unhurried look at its past.
What a visit offers
- History: The city's role during the Civil War gives many of its sights a historic weight.
- Arts: Richmond is known for its arts scene, which gives a visit a lively, creative side alongside the historical one.
- The capital: As Virginia's seat of state government, the city has a civic character that suits visitors interested in how the state is run.
Planning your trip
Richmond works well as a destination in its own right. Allow time to move between its historic areas and its arts venues, and treat the city as a place to explore at a steady pace rather than to tick off in a rush. Check current details with local sources before you go, since opening times and schedules can change.
