Know Before You Go
Situated on the fall line of the James River, the city of Richmond witnessed plenty of activity during the American Revolution before becoming the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1780
Later, the city played a prominent role in the Civil War as the second capital of the Confederacy. Those narratives are yours to discover, so let Richmond's wealth of historic attractions invite you to dive right in.
A City for All Seasons
Mild weather across four distinct seasons means you can enjoy yourselves in Richmond any time of year. The climate in the area is humid subtropical, a category defined by hot, humid summers—especially in the months of July and August—and cool, but easily bearable winters. The city receives an average of 14 inches of snow a year. Despite Richmond’s inland location, hurricanes that affect Virginia’s coast during the Atlantic storm season—June 1 to November 30—can pose a threat of flooding.
Capitol Attractions
From St. John's Episcopal Church, where revolutionary hero Patrick Henry cemented his place in American lore with the famous phrase "Give me liberty or give me death," to a pair of national battlefield parks that preserve important Civil War sites, early American history pervades Richmond. You'll find that especially true when you tour the Virginia State Capitol, the second oldest working capitol building in the country, designed by Thomas Jefferson. But, a visit to Richmond doesn't have to be all about the past. A heart-jolting ride on one of the many roller coasters at the immensely popular King's Dominion amusement park brings you very much into the present moment.
Getting Business Done
Law, government and financial services represent the backbone of Richmond's economy, and you'll see evidence of this during your jaunts in the downtown area, which is home to a variety of federal, state and municipal agencies, as well as major legal and banking firms. Bioscience is also a major industry in Richmond, where you'll find the Virginia BioTechnology Research Park, home to some 60 public and private life science companies. Some 450 advanced manufacturing companies that produce everything from chemicals and plastics to paper and tobacco products also operate in the area.
Richmond Transportation
The Richmond International Airport, just 15 minutes east of downtown Richmond, is served by six major airlines: American, Jet Blue, Southwest, Delta, United and US Airways. You also have a choice of two Amtrak stations, Main Street Station in downtown Richmond and Staples Mill Road Station a few miles north of town. While the former is a closer, more convenient option, more trains service the Staples Mill Road Station. If you would rather pack up the kids and do the steering yourself, Richmond is conveniently located at the junction of I-95, which runs north-south, and I-64, which runs east-west.
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The Virginia state capital has a rich character that you'll miss if you fly by on Interstate 95.