🧶🪴🛝🛶🏭🥫
When finding a time to visit my boyfriend for the summer, I figured the best time to come to Richmond was in the boiling heat of a Virginian July. To be fair, I was trading in one sweltering southern city for another, as I left my internship in Charleston, South Carolina for this fellow former Confederate town. Avigdor (my boyfriend) was interning in the city as a software engineer at Capital One, but had never been to Virginia before. I myself was born (but not raised) in Virginia and my mom had also lived in Richmond for a brief period in her twenties. Despite this, I have never been on a trip to Richmond so I was excited to explore all the rich culture this city had to offer.
To our surprise, however, we found the city quiet and unmoving. I had purposefully planned my trip over the Fourth of July holiday to make good use of the events and activities the city was sure to offer in celebration. Despite bursting with American history, Richmond was desolate. No locals or tourists swarmed the streets, clogging traffic, and shouting with noise. Instead it was still and silent, it made us wonder what everyone else knew that we didn’t to leave the city so calm.
What Richmond lacked in bustling community and city life, it definitely made up for in cuisine. I would describe Richmond as a foodie destination; southern roots fused with modern rustic flare make for delicious spots to enjoy. Our first stop was to the Secret Sandwich Society, a delicious sandwich restaurant which seemed to be a popular lunch spot, teeming with office workers. Each of their menu options is named after a different U.S. president or politician, fitting for the capital city. Oak & Apple serves excellent barbeque and would probably be one of my favorite barbeque places. Capitol City Waffles and Perly’s Yiddish Restaurant are other great spots which showcase the wide cultural variety of Richmond’s food scene. And lastly, Iron Clad Coffee is a cute café spot which roasts their own coffee beans and proudly boasts icons of Richmond culture.
My first night in town, we went to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. This was probably the highlight of my trip. In addition to an immersive collection of visual art in their galleries, the museum featured live music in their open air atrium. I absolutely adored this touch as it infused the museum with a lively energy. Couples swing danced on the lobby floor with light hors d’oeuvres being passed around as guests walked through the galleries. They also had an expansive collection of Fabergé eggs. Avigdor’s first language is Russian, so he was able to give me “behind the scenes” understanding and a deeper appreciation for these ornate creations.
While we didn’t get to visit the current White House in Washington, D.C., we can at least say we visited a White House on this trip. The White House of the Confederacy is open to tours in Richmond, since the city was once the capital city of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Fun Fact: even the wife of the Confederate president didn’t believe in their cause! The house itself wasn’t grand by any means, it looks like it could be just any old family home from the 1800s, but it was insightful to walk through the hallways of this infamous residence. The children’s bedroom in particular was thought-provoking and gave us a new perspective on this part of American history. We also toured the current State Capitol (or Capitol of the Commonwealth, technically), where it’s rumored the real Constitution of the United States is held.
So much of American history calls Richmond home, but we left the city for the country’s birthday on Independence Day. We decided to celebrate in the nearby colonial town of Williamsburg. Williamsburg has always been a bucket list destination for me. Growing up, I was really into American Girl dolls and their historical experiences through their stories. My family was living in Rhode Island at the time so I received Felicity Merriman, a young girl growing up during the American Revolution. In addition to hours spent with her in childhood play, Felicity also gave me an appreciation for the American Revolution. Not only would Williamsburg fulfill this interest of mine, but Felicity’s story actually takes place here in Williamsburg. Williamsburg is designed as a village frozen in time, with nearly 90 original buildings left untouched since the country’s origin. Workers dress in the traditional clothing of the period; men in waistcoats, knee length britches, and the iconic tricorn hats and women in petticoats and corsets. This must be exceptionally difficult in the summer! As excited as I was to finally be visiting Williamsburg, I must say we found it the same as Richmond; desolate and quiet. Perhaps it was just the heat of a Virginian July, but for this colonial landmark to be so empty on the Fourth of July, I was very surprised.
We finished our Fourth celebrations back in Richmond watching fireworks over the city skyline and a drone show over the capital. Our last full day in Richmond was spent relaxing in the James River. I think it’s great that such an urban landscape has access to nature this close. Once we got settled, it was very relaxing with the sound of the rushing water and the setting sun shining on our faces. But I was very scared, the current was incredibly strong and the rocks were slippery. I think I’ll stick with the city! After we felt fulfilled with our sense of natural peace and calm, we got out and made our way to Richmond’s first Friday festival. During the summer season, the first Friday of the month brings artist booths to Richmond’s Main Street. I had high hopes, I absolutely adore events which showcase the local community I am visiting, but unfortunately there weren’t many people taking advantage of this opportunity.
Richmond was not quite what I expected. While we did a lot of activities, the lack of public activity in the city was certainly odd. But I did enjoy the city’s aesthetic, with rustic brick, industrial steel, and trendy public art. Overall, this was a fantastic way to celebrate the Fourth of July and experience another southern city!
Leave a comment