Travel Richmond, VA: Stately homes flanking Monument Avenue

This video was taken during our fall vacation in Virginia on October 4, 2007. We decided to visit the capital of Virgina, a city with a metro area population of about 1.2 million people. Our drive from Massanutten was about 2 hours, and our first stop in the city was the Convention and Visitors Centre. We got decked out with all sorts of maps and brochures and I quickly video-interviewed one of the representatives of the tourism department to get an idea of the city.

I figured the best place to start the exploration would be right downtown near City Hall. Most of Richmond's downtown is made up of modern skyscrapers that are interspersed with a few historical buildings. The main sight in the area is of course the Capitol Building which we visited through its newly constructed underground entrance and exhibit area. I also checked out the Main Street Station, a historical railway station that has recently undergone a stunning renovation. We walked through Shockoe Slip, a neighbourhood of former tobacco warehouses from the Victorian era that have now been turned into lofts, retail stores and restaurants. We also walked down to the canal area, close to the James River, an area that has recently been undergoing a rejuvenation.

We also briefly drove across the James River to catch a great view of the downtown Richmond skyline and then headed west into a picturesque residential neighbourhood called "The Fan", so-called because the streets are laid out in a fan-shaped pattern. Our last stop was Carytown, a commercial strip in the city's west end with a variety of unique stores.

I am actually a travel writer who loves to explore international destinations as well as my chosen home town of Toronto. On Youtube you will find hundreds of video clips from a wide variety of destinations. Feel free to check out some of my 700+ articles and interviews on http://www.travelandtransitions.com. Also, my travel e-books containing stories from my trips to destinations such as Sicily, Havana, Mexico City, New York City, Chicago, Florida, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Halifax and many others are available right now at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/e-books.htm.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Virginia
• Richmond
• Massanutten
• James
• River
• Carytown

[1Sweetsexyflava]

the only "problem" I have with Monument ave is Arthur Ashe on the end. Nothing against Arthur Ashe, but all the statues on this beautiful street are Confederate war heroes and the monument to CSA prez Jeff Davis...It's like Sesame Street...one of these things don't belong..Arthur is a great tennis athlete not a warrior! Could the city have found a better and more appropriate place? From what i heard, Arthur hated Richmond, his wife buried him here and went 2 live in NY!

[1Sweetsexyflava]

very expensive...

[1Sweetsexyflava]

alexmejia26...where are you from? Do you like history? If not, then this is not the place for you. If you have kids there's tons of things to do here. I live in Phoenix and this place tore down its history for golf courses, cookie cutter stucco homes, and strip malls. I welcome Richmond any day over Phoenix. The parks are beautiful as well. You should've picked up a Richmond Tour magazine and you would've appreciated the city more.

[murphymr]

I assume you went to the National. That's the worst place you could have gone if you were to see Richmond.

[alexmejia26]

I was there last weekend and that place sucked big time. Very ugly city.

[anonyMoses]

I used to live about two houses shy of where this clip begins, and have seen, and taped, this scene many times. Churchill apparently called Monument Avenue the most beautiful avenue in the world. But alas, he died.

[hilsenberg2010]

thats right long live the confederacy I'm trying to go there next year hope for the best

[benz981]

I live on Monument Ave. in one of the houses between 0:20-0:30, and I LOVE it! Such a gorgeous street, great neighborhood, and everything is close. I don't ever want to move!

[prosperitycraft]

Nice vid! Thanks for uploading the best parts of Monument Ave! I live in Richmond, and the old homes along Monument is one of the most beautiful areas of town, in my opinion!

[monumentfloyd]

Thanks for the video. I love Richmond!