What fun is there to be had in Richmond?

[redware]

Fate has thrown me a curve ball and it appears that I'll be spending a great deal of time in the Richmond metro area. What is there to do for fun? Excluding the plethora of museums and historic sites, I'm not really familiar with the local area at all. Do any locals know of interesting places that I ought to check out?

[Rec4LMS]

Well, since this is a Glock board, I will start with the shooting. Blackcreek Range is currently accepting memberships. Located in eastern Hanover County (not too far from the airport), memberships start at $75 weekday and $100 weekday & weekend. Also, there are matches every Saturday. (IDPA, Three Gun, SASS, and I'm not too sure about the other match off the top of my head.) Also, there is the D&P Range off of Midlothian and Turner/behind Southern Gun World.

For restauraunts, I frequent Capital Ale. Two locations: one downtown and one at Innsbrook. They have the largest beer selection in Richmond. Mondays are "dollar burger night." Huge burgers, pretty good deal. They have a "Steal The Glass" on Tuesday nights. (There is a special beer on tap and if you buy the beer, you keep the special glass.) 4 glass (max) limit.

I also like to go to Rare Olde Times Pub, located in the Canterbury Shopping Center at Patterson & Pump. On Thursdays, Isce Baha plays at 9pm. Great Irish-American Pub Music!

Shockoe Bottom is the "main" club area, or at least an area where the largest number of clubs are in walking distance to one another. This is located around Main Street at approximately 14th street. Just up the hill on Cary Street is called Shockoe Slip. More restauraunts, more upscale clubs.

Carytown is located on Cary Street between Boluevard and Ellwood. Plenty of restauraunts and some clubs in the area. (Don't try to pick up women at Babe's. Ha ha!) The Byrd is a "second run" theater, but it is awesome! It was built in the 20's and they keep the classic look. Most of the "midnight movies" run like a Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I will offer to take you shooting sometime at Blackcreek, just drop me a line. Guests have to pay $3, I think. (I have a busy schedule, so if I can't get out there, I might be able to get someone else to take you.)

Welcome to Richmond!

[JaredAG]

yea, lots of good restaurants, esp in the city (less franchise crap). bell isle, browns island, maymont etc are all good park areas. lots of cool river spots. The western short pump area is really growing, to the point that there's a starbucks and verizon store every 1/2 mile. very lame. plus traffic around there sucks horribly. walking around window shopping-carytown and then the libbie/grove area is nice. lots of cool stuff to do in the city.

[Rec4LMS]

While I am thinking of it: If you pick up the Richmond Times Dispatch on Thursdays, they have a "Weekend" section in it. It lists a large number of the events and music that is in the area for the weekend and the following week.

[tipsovr]

Check out Penny Lane Pub (7th and Marshal?). Authenic English pub in downtown Richmond. The owner and his son are great folks and make everyone welcome. Nothing like a real pint!!!

[Gregw/aGlock]

Check out Penny Lane Pub (7th and Marshal?). Authenic English pub in downtown Richmond. The owner and his son are great folks and make everyone welcome. Nothing like a real pint!!!

And they play Beatles music to boot! Also, don't overlook The Tobacco Company in Shockoe Slip district -- great food (albeit a tad $$$)!!

[jamesriver]

I haven't lived there since 2000, but in the near-Western suburbs is the University of Richmond, which is one of the more beautiful campuses in the country. Worth an afternoon trip one day to walk around, maybe during a student recess so it's quieter. There's a (man-made) lake in the middle of campus. They have an arts complex with some cool events, too.

Strawberry Street Cafe is a cool place to go for Brunch. It's in The Fan -- a pretty district filled with old homes that lies east of Carytown. Just be sure you're carrying if you go there after dark! lol

They had a really bad storm a few years ago that destroyed a good number of restaurants and clubs and such downtown. If Bottoms Up pizza has re-opened by now, be sure to check it out.

[Rec4LMS]

I haven't lived there since 2000, but in the near-Western suburbs is the University of Richmond, which is one of the more beautiful campuses in the country. Worth an afternoon trip one day to walk around, maybe during a student recess so it's quieter. There's a (man-made) lake in the middle of campus. They have an arts complex with some cool events, too.

Strawberry Street Cafe is a cool place to go for Brunch. It's in The Fan -- a pretty district filled with old homes that lies east of Carytown. Just be sure you're carrying if you go there after dark! lol

They had a really bad storm a few years ago that destroyed a good number of restaurants and clubs and such downtown. If Bottoms Up pizza has re-opened by now, be sure to check it out.


That would have been tropical storm Gastone. Richmond has "recovered" from the storm and everything has opened back up.

[dbrowne1]

Make sure you get a cheeseburger at Can Can (restaurant in Carytown) as well. It is far and away my favorite restaurant in Richmond (and I am a tough critic who has been to most of them), and the burgers there are better than most steaks you'll pay 3x as much for.