Poor Richmond's Alamanac Great things to do, places to eat for less than $10 a head

"He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly need not be rich." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"



When Charles Dickens visited Richmond, he was dismayed by the way the abject poverty of many starkly contrasted the wealth of others. It seemed to him, amongh other things, that the brilliant Capitol Building, designed by Thomas Jefferson himself and visible for miles away, misrepresented the place as one of great oppulence and ease. The contrast, of course, still remains although the poor are, prehaps, better provided for than in Dickens time. And visiting the Capitol Building is free.



Other free hi-lights include: Monument Ave, the only boulevard to be granted landmark status in the U.S., the Canal Walk, (featuring canals designed by George Washington), Hollywood Cemetery (where several Presidents and other notables are buried), Maymont gardens, petting zoo and nature center, Meadow Farm historic park, (and fantastic playground), and the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, (donations suggestetd but no official charge), which features the largest collection of Fabregee Eggs outside of the former Soviet Union.

Quick Tips:

If you're not driving into town and a weekend getaway is what you have in mind, you might actually save by staying at the five star Jefferson Hotel, (discover it's equally five-star restaurant in, "Dining Down on the James"). Weekend packages are available from .00 and, when you stay there, transportation around town and around the state is free for guests. This includes Virginia Beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg and Paramount's Kings Dominion.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way around is by car. Taxis must be called, not hailed, although, if you're downtown, you can grab one at hotels.



Buses run on the 1/2 hour and schedules only give times for a few of the stops, making them somewhat confusing for visitors but not impossible.

Shockoe Bottom
Chesterfield

"Beware of little expenses. A small leak can sink a great ship." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

Most menu selections here are decent, typical diner fare but the breakfast is a step above. Fluffy fruit topped pancakes, thick biscuits and gravy and hickory smoked bacon are just a few examples.

The retro-decor includes 1/2 a Cadillac, antique advertisements, and a jukebox at every table.

Downtown, Carytown

"Eat to live, not live to eat." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

Ital-yum! Coppolas offers creatively compiled Itallian sandwiches and melt in your mouth desserts. It's sidewalk tables in Carytown offer a perfect place to people watch. There is also a small Itallian market here. The cheese with peppers and cannoli are ridiculously good.

Carytown

"Drink water and leave the hangover in the punchbowl"- Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

I call it 'Gattica' because the decor is futuristic. You press a large button to enter through glass doors and find yourself inside a neon/metallic 50's meets the milenium environment.

Galaxy has good food and a great martini bar. Fried pickles, fried bologna, chicken fried steak, and plenty of things that aren't fried too grace the menu. The pregnant or brave, (perhaps drunkenly brave might be a more apt term), might try the "Knock me up Scotty" a basket with deviled eggs, fried pickles and ice cream. The milkshakes and vanilla or cherry cokes are a delightful treat when shopping at the stores that surround it.

Sidewalk seating is available and in Carytown that can be an event itself.

Carytown

"Spare and have is better than spend and crave." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

This blast from the movie palace past has many, many unique features. In addition to second run movies, it hosts film festivals, midnight movies, (there is usually a very long line for these but that's part of the charm), and an occasional band.

The Italian marble, crystal chandeliers that adorn the place change colors and the ceilings are hand-painted. On Saturdays, a Wurlitzer organ rises from the center of the stage and pre-movie music is performed for the crowd.

All movies are $2, prices for film festivals vary.

Downtown

"The rich do not possess wealth. It possesses them." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

Richmond has a great art scene, in part because of Virginia Commonwealth University, one of the best art schools in the country. On the first Friday of each month, from 7-10 p.m, a hub of galleries host a grand party that spills into the streets. Art fans and socialites hop from show to show, serenaded by musicians both indoors and out. Galleries feature national and international artists of rare talent. Admission is free. Wine & beer $3.

Museum District

"All things are cheap to those who save, expensive to those who waste." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

The park around Dogwood Dell features a 240-foot Georgian bell tower with tennis courts nearby. Not only is it a fantastic place to take dogs, (there's a dog park too), children or a crossword puzzle but it features great, free entertainment in summer months. It hosts an art festival every year, has great 4th of July fireworks, and also features live entertainment most evenings. Plays range from dramas like "Our Town" to musicals like "Anything Goes". Performances also include the Richmond Ballet.

Museum District

"Buy what you have no need of and you'll soon sell what you need."--Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

A bargain after 4pm, when admission drops to $4 each ($7 at other times), the Children's Museum is fun. Kids can play in a pretend restaurant, shop in a pretend store, explore interactive holograms, climb on interactive sculptures, and do a wide variety of other activities. The museum features a huge art room and offers occasional art workshops. Plays are also put on here (admission for these is about $8, but you do not have to also pay museum admission). It's best for children 7 and under.

Downtown

"Wish not so much to live long as to live well." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

Just a short walk from Shockoe Bottom, Capitol Square is a local favorite spot for relaxing and picnic lunches. Gurgling fountains surrounded by roses, (one of them featuring a miniature diving board for squirrels), dot the lawn. Sculptures of local notables are placed throughout. Atop the hill is the Capitol Building, (see Museums and Sites), designed by Thomas Jefferson.

Shockoe Slip

"Many have been ruined by buying good bargains." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

Step off the cobblestones of Shockoe Slip and into a boat for a tranquil tour of the James River Canal. The historic Canal Walk, (see Museums and Sites), at 12th and Main Streets offers guided boat tours for less than $5 per person. If you're not in the mood for boating, grab a box lunch from nearby Moveable Feast, (ridiculously good), and take it down to the Canal park for a picnic.

Boats can also be rented for private touring.
($20 1/2 hr, $35 hr)

Downtown, Innsbrook

"There have been as great souls unknown to fame as any of the most famous." - Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

Richmond's music scene is not bad. GWAR is from here, a former member of Twisted Sister lives here and hosts a local radio show, Pat Benetar and Amie Mann are from here, so are Cracker and Carbon Leaf; further back, Sinatra used to hang out at still popular Byram's lobster house and Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday both lived here briefly. Richmond has several free concerts in the warmer months:

More than 50 groups fill downtown stages at the Big Gig in July, (jazz, classical, rock and folk).

TGIF: Local and regional pop artists play at Friday Cheers, jamming every Friday along the James on Browns Island May-Sept.

If you're feeling more mellow, stop by Fridays at Sunset at 8th & Canal. Jazz artists jam here on Fridays May-Aug.


Innsbrook After Hours, held at Innsbrook office park in the west end, is a party you'll be glad you attended. Bands play Wed from 5-8:30 pm May-Sept

Events like the Carytown Watermelon Festival, the Richmond Marathon and the First Friday Artwalk also feature local musicians. You'll find street musicians here too, at all times.

Shockoe Bottom

"He that never eats too much will never be lazy."
- Ben Franklin, "Poor Richard's Almanac"

From March to December the 200 year old Farmers Market at 17th and Main Streets in Shockoe Slip comes back to life. Vendors sell cheese, produce, (like prized Hanover tomatoes and Silver Queen corn), flowers and crafts daily. On Saturdays and Sundays antiques and street musicians are added to the delicious mix. Festivals, like the popular Brunswick Stew Festival, are also held here. There is a children's market as well, where local children sell vegetables they have grown themselves.