Must-see historical attractions RVA

Submitted by Critical_Drawing_435 t3_yv2u68 in rva

Hi, friends! Im relatively new to the area and I have friends coming to visit this weekend. We are all a bit broke so we wanna do mostly free or super cheap activities. I know the majority of those free activities will probably be historical sites and museums which is perfect because we love that stuff. The issue is they will only be here for 1.5 days, so we won’t be able to see that many things. What would y’all say are the absolute must-see historical (free or cheap) places? I’ve heard Maymont, the Poe museum, and Hollywood cemetery are great options. I’m also open to other suggestions that are cheap but not necessarily historical sites. Thank you!

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Diet_Coke t1_iwc5naq wrote

VMFA is free except for the special exhibition, and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture next door just got a major renovation too.

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geronimoanonymo t1_iwc8xtf wrote

And the Virginia Museum of History and Culture has started free First Fridays every month from 5-8. Free admission, 2 dollars off drinks, with food trucks and family activities.

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geronimoanonymo t1_iwc92fx wrote

Oh nvm, my reading comprehension has left me. I see they are here this weekend. However, you should check out the first Friday sometime!

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rva-fantom t1_iwc5729 wrote

St John’s Church. To stand in the place that the Give me Liberty speech was given is truly surreal. The speech that practically convinced Virginia to sign on for war which basically was the pivotal state that got everyone else on board and made the Revolution a reality… that’s a pretty cool thing.

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Stitchmond t1_iwcsj8g wrote

Check out the cemetery there too, there's a gravestone marking the final resting place of a cat!

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OddWelcome2502 t1_iwcf83f wrote

I would do VMFA, Maymont, and Hollywood.

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iinaytanii t1_iwchqs8 wrote

The Maggie Walker House is a often overlooked museum that’s amazing. It’s a really good tour of the house, what life was like then, insight into who she was and why she was important, and the historic significance of Jackson Ward.

Follow it up with a drive out to Evergreen Cemetery to see her grave and check out the very pretty yet overgrown old section of the cemetery

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atctia t1_iwdhkg2 wrote

I was gonna add Maggie Walker house.

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GMUcovidta t1_iwc5adc wrote

The Capital and Old City Hall, St. John's Church, Agecroft Hall, John Marshall House, Tredegar Iron Works, Maymont

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dalhectar t1_iwc6vlv wrote

State Capital

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borkus t1_iwcim2b wrote

The State Capital and the Executive Mansion are both worth a visit. Executive Mansion is Friday only.
https://www.executivemansion.virginia.gov/

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rcb4d t1_iwd2jzm wrote

Be sure to ask your executive mansion tour guide about the history of slaves working there, and watch how awkward it gets.

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The_DanceCommander t1_iwcz2z2 wrote

Yes OP definitely go inside the capital! The whole building feels like a museum and you can walk all through it unrestricted except going on the floors. Really neat stuff to see in there, and then walk around the grounds.

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richsam76 t1_iwcsugk wrote

Shirley Plantation

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Pardon_my_baconess t1_iwd9bvj wrote

T-Pott Bridge.

Belle Isle.

Slave Trail.

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shhimhuntingrabbits t1_iwgg4dn wrote

Great recs, Belle Isle and the view from the T-Pot are especially scenic, and it's cool to do a little historic hike in the middle of the city.

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devenjames t1_iweyn09 wrote

The railroad museum isn’t free but if you are into model trains they have a pretty neat room-sized display.

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MagnokTheMighty t1_iwd0im9 wrote

Holocaust Museum is pretty cool and worth checking out.

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SCGower t1_iwechqi wrote

Important during these times, too!

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WeepyBarometer t1_iwdnw7m wrote

Byrd Park Pump House - tours on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00.

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jkwaite t1_iwf3cmf wrote

The Poe Museum! Then go up to Libbie Hill for sunset

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