RICHMOND, VIRGINIA IS SO UNDERRATED! 🏛️ 🍳 🪦 (and the food scene is insanely good)

Richmond, Virginia used to be a sleepy southern city. Today, it's teeming with locally-owned restaurants, bars, and an eclectic arts scene. I discovered an Egyptian building, an abandoned hydroelectric plant, and the burial site of two former U.S. presidents. Oh, and I did it all for less than $200.
Filmed in August 2021 with an iPhone 11 📱
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Featured Sites 🏙️
•Virginia State Capitol - virginiageneralassembly.gov/i...
•Main Street Station - mainstreetstationrichmond.com/
•Maymont - maymont.org/
•Hollywood Cemetery - www.hollywoodcemetery.org/
•Belle Isle - jamesriverpark.org/project/be...
•Hydroelectric Plant - www.atlasobscura.com/places/b...
•Virginia War Memorial - vawarmemorial.org/
•Egyptian Building - architecturerichmond.com/inve...
•The Markel Building - architecturerichmond.com/inve...
•Richmond Mural Project - richmondmuralproject.squaresp...
•City Hall Observation Deck - www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...
Featured Restaurants 🍽️ 🍺 🥪
•Garnett's - garnettscafe.com/
•Millie's Diner - www.milliesdiner.com/
•Lillie Pearl - lilliepearlrva.com/
•Perly's - www.orderperlysrichmond.com/
•Veil Brewing Co. - www.theveilbrewing.com/
Video Chapters 📖
00:00 Introduction
00:31 Virginia State Capitol Tour
01:44 Richmond Main Street Station
02:07 Maymont Mansion & Gardens
02:56 Hollywood Cemetery
03:47 Belle Isle
04:42 Virginia War Memorial
05:05 The Veil Brewing Company
05:28 Garnett's Cafe
06:04 Perly's, Millie's Diner
07:14 Miscellaneous Attractions
08:22 Outroduction
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👋🏼 About me...
Hey there! I'm Kevin Lewis, a TV news reporter at ABC7 in Washington, D.C.
I launched this travel journalism KZbin channel in 2021, with the goal of sharing stories that unite and uplift society. Lord knows there is way too much of the opposite these days.
My videos focus on national parks, state parks, small and mid-sized cities, and the interesting people I meet along the way! 🎥 🚐 I hope you'll subscribe to my channel to learn more about this world we all call home.

[@TheVagolfer]

I've lived in Richmond for 60+ years and I know it better than the backs of my hands. Like any large cities, there are good places and places to stay away from. If you learn where the isolated bad places are it is a wonderful place to live. Lots of great outdoor parks, traffic is rarely congested, housing is still reasonable and the food is amazing. Live in Northside, the Fan, Midlothian, Short Pump, West End, Goochland or Shockoe Bottom/Chruchill and it will be great. Stay away from inner Hull St., Jeff Davis Trnpk., the near east end and a few other small pockets of nefarious places.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks for sharing your personal insight, TheVagolfer.

[@hooforce]

Thanks for doing this super cool review of my hometown! Richmond is an awesome city with a lot of unique things to do. Great video!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks for the kind words, Eric! I couldn't agree more. Richmond is a very special place. Thanks for watching!

[@elainechatham5188]

I agree

[@eduardobaz6413]

I wonder how we coumd get their

[@madmaddiesmadhouse4062]

This was a lovely overview of Richmond. I'm always happy to hear about more niche restaurants since they're so dense there. One thing for future videos, though. In your audio mixing it would be nice if the voices were higher and the music was lower. Every time the music kicked in the video was twice as loud.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

You are exactly right. There are so many wonderful restaurants in Richmond. Thanks for bringing audio levels to my attention. I've since invested in a wireless microphone kit, which should have improved things. Please let me know if you continue to notice the issue in my more recent videos.

[@jadybailey4143]

Thank you for sharing the sites and restaurants you visited in the description. Very helpful. Awesome video 👏🏾

[@debbielewis447]

I love the historical background and culinary reviews. You did a incredible job

[@rvaadventures2244]

Excellent job with this video 👍

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks! I thouroughly enjoyed my time in Richmond. It's a perfect-sized city with so much to offer.

[@smartshoppingwithsheila8797]

Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous field trip to Richmond, Virginia.

[@traviskerns299]

As an NC resident I enjoyed visiting Richmond .

[@djcoolcliff]

Hey you gotta check out the music scene too!!! Great video and thanks for shinning a spotlight on RVA!!!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Absolutely! I truly think RVA is amazing.

[@samgorohovsky7972]

Great job! Thanks for helpful information.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

That's what I'm here for! Enjoy your time in Richmond.

[@itsukishikatani2955]

Carytown is a great part of Richmond. I also recommend the art museum which is free 365 and the Edgar Allen Poe museum. There’s two lovely cats who live there. (Poe loved cats)

[@meganrudolph944]

Love this video! My fiancée and I are visiting in August and we found this super helpful, entertaining, and well done!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

That's the best compliment I could get, Megan. I hope the video gave you and your fiancée some ideas for your upcoming trip. August may be hot/humid in RVA, but I much prefer summer weather over winter.

[@hermionegardener3796]

good coverage

[@Micro_Learning]

Going to Richmond soon. This was helpful. Thanks!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Really happy to hear that! I hope you have a wonderful trip. RVA is a special city.

[@KB-tf8vp]

Subscribed! Such a well-made video.

[@1Devonpen]

Thanks Kevin nice overview! We are planning our trip to VA with a stop in Richmond.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

You bet, Rose! Were you able to visit Richmond during your trip to VA?

[@pattidean4109]

Great review! Thanks

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks, Patti! My #1 goal is to share amazing places across the U.S.

[@Sidetracked_in_Macau]

Nicely filmed and narrated!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave this compliment.

[@djuanaferrell5045]

Awesome video of my hometown‼Thanks.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

So glad you enjoyed the video, D'Juana! Richmond is a very special city.

[@Cenobyte40k]

There are over 900 resturants in RVA. Over half of them are local places instead of fastfood or chains. There are literally enough restaurants to eat at one everyday for well over a year.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I had that realization while visiting! So much *local* culinary diversity.

[@sarah.hodophile505.]

Thanks. Very informative.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

You bet, Sara! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you picked up a few good ideas.

[@aliciacole7366]

Adding Richmond to my travel list!! This was super informative, thanks for putting it together

[@terryslaughter2096]

Aww nice to see my hometown!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks for watching, Terry.

[@savannahcat1805]

I live in Richmond! Church Hill! I LOVE living in Richmond! So much variety! Been to all of these places :)

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

So much variety is a great way to put it. I know I didn't include Church Hill in the video, but I did drive through it. Wonderful neighborhood.

[@scampslikeusva1958]

Very nice video. I live near Richmond, but I haven't spent enough time there. I'll have to get out there and check it out more. I've subscribed to your videos to follow along with this series, I like it!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks for subscribing! I just published a video on Savannah, Georgia. That's another neat small-to-midsize city.

[@scampslikeusva1958]

Love Savannah! I'm gonna go check out your new vid now, thanks!

[@countryrah]

Richmond is one of the most diverse cities with no racism if you ever been to southern parts of the state Richmond will make you see all people as human and forget that it was even capital of the whole south gotta have the most mixed couples in the world that's the main thing i love about my city now they just need a marta metro rail to give it the big city vibe it really is

[@yasminsamuel758]

Richmond is very diverse. Most of the people that I've met are hard working entrepreneurs. There are lots of large companies here. The food is great. It's like anywhere else in America, some places are nicer than others. There is always something happening especially in the warmer months. I love that you're only a few hours away from the mountains (Charlottesville), beach ( Virginia Beach) and Washington DC and North Carolina. Lots of wineries, breweries, and hiking trails. I am not from Richmond but I love it here. There are places in America that are worst than the places that we would consider "bad" here. When we travel we must keep an open mind to really enjoy the beauty of where we are. Thank you Kevin for painting Richmond in a positive light.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Everything you wrote resonates with me. Richmond is a fantastic place to visit, and I imagine, a fantastic place to live too.

[@kethsharakhlok1976]

Great touring video, thank you. I continue to like Richmond after my short visit in Spring of 2018. I almost moved there in early 2121 but pandemic altered my plan to present stagnating stand. Yet, your touring info. has revived my interest for another visit to this old city in a near future, 🙂🕊️ ! Other info. should be included are VMFA, Carytown, and annual water melon festival in August. 🍉

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Have you made it back to Richmond yet? Thanks for the recommendations too.

[@johnnyluck8102]

Never touched the fan or Carytown. Thanks for the video.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I filmed this video on a two-day weekend, so I wasn't able to hit all of the RVA sights. I agree, the Fan and Carytown are two fantastic neighborhoods though.

[@ohwowjavi]

Y’all he can’t cover everything jeez lol. Good video bro! From a Richmonder

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Thanks, man! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll have to plan on a Richmond 2.0 video to cover the other RVA highlights 😂

[@thomasbridges7323]

Wow its nice there

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

It really is, Thomas. So much to explore and the food scene is really something else.

[@paulettaphillips3659]

I want to come to the Chaffins plantation so bad. I would love to come and see Richmond VA.

[@elainechatham5188]

Yes indeed

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I'm glad we see eye to eye, Elaine :)

[@elainechatham5188]

@@KevinAcrossAmerica yes, was a Richmond, va area resident for over 35 yrs. The only things missing was not real close to beach, 2 hrs. And since I am now a florida resident, the warm weather in winter.

[@flolewis8974]

What an interesting city who knew! Seems like you had plenty of very tasty food

[@annequeen9926]

My hometown 😁❤️

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

A great place to call your hometown!

[@brucewhiteman4255]

U missed Carytown. Great stop of shops, galleries, and trendy restaurants. Municipal Parking garage only $1 all day.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I've actually been to Carytown before, and you're right, it is a very cool neighborhood. I didn't know the garage only charges $1 per day though. That's a good tip!

[@truebetold65]

I totally agree with you. Absolutely gorgeous city.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

A hidden gem. So close to DC too for major airports, concerts, etc...

[@hudson5112]

Richmond is indeed underrated! Elegant, beautiful and historic. Great colleges, museums, neighborhoods, restaurants, and architecture. And its setting--on seven hills (like Rome) overlooking the falls of the historic James River--WOW. Richmond is the best kept secret on the East coast!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I agree entirely. I don't understand why more people aren't talking about RVA.

[@gregs3173]

The last time I was in Richmond was in the summer of 1999. I was there to see a band at a small club. While we were standing outside waiting for the next band to start, a car with 4 people pulls up along side the crowd. I was close enough to see inside the car. 4 men wearing Halloween masks were inside. One man had a sawed-ff shotgun, one man had an assault rifle and the other had a handgun. I ran into the club and let security know so they could call the cops. Nothing ever happened and the cops showed up pretty quickly. But that was the last time I ever stepped foot in Richmond Virginia.

[@eduardomontanhamia1047]

Insane 🤭

[@leonation89]

That's Richmond for ya

[@lamegaming9835]

dude that was 23 years ago

[@joaniem3817]

I live just outside Richmond but worked there for over 30 years and have been all over the city. I have never had an issue. Not one.

[@danitzabermudez2028]

I liked it a lot, I am quite happy with the way you mix food, history, culture and landscapes, I am just intrigued with how much the budget would be if I’m living in DC?

[@TylerDeneuve]

I love Richmond!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I'm with you, Tyler. It's a really charming city.

[@jaibhimadevi5805]

Former college students come back a decade later to relive their memories and order Chanello's ;)

[@kendrahawkins1037]

I’m from Richmond now living in Kentucky and I’ve yet to find anything better than Chanello’s!

[@shadiahthomas3779]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tesladriveway]

Shhh!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

The cat's out of the bag!

[@mimisworld732]

I’m from Richmond 🥰

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Lucky you :)

[@ximenar]

Wow you've been everywhere

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I wish! There's a very long list of places I've never been, but would love to see.

[@VitaKet]

Don't be telling people about Richmond! But just fyi we have one of the best music and art scenes around.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Haha. I visited Boise, Idaho, a few years ago and people there told me the same thing. Keep these hidden gems... well, hidden.

[@truebetold65]

And more.

[@CyberDocUSA]

You covered the main spots but I wished you saw the Pipeline Walk.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I just Google'd Pipeline Walk. I've been in that general area, but didn't know about that specific walk. Thanks for flagging it for me!

[@CyberDocUSA]

@@KevinAcrossAmerica you got it. I live here and there's a great Blue Heron sanctuary there and the hike is fun along the rapids!

[@averyshaw7638]

My dad owns the veil!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Very cool! That whole brewery district is something special and the Veil plays a big role in that.

[@chuckscott-cy7iq]

yeah, and I own the Brooklyn Bridge.

[@eduardobaz6413]

I live in Mexico City and we know that Virginia is for lovers.Love to visit.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I hear Mexico City is a great place to visit too. I'll have to message you for tips if I ever make it down there.

[@eduardobaz6413]

@@KevinAcrossAmerica If you go to Mexico City dont mis San Angel

[@renemedina8026]

👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋

[@Classy4514]

Wow I will be visiting Richmond seems to be a really cool city reminds me of Eastern New York seems to have a northern city vibe to it extremely diverse ,restaurants, walkable downtown, row houses like Philly DC Baltimore and New yor it's like the melting pot of the mid Atlantic love your video and I love RVA I will be subscribing to your videos 📹.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I produce these videos in large part for comments like this. Thanks, Stunna!

[@priestof1s]

Richmond used to be ok, city hall destroyed it and overtaxed the home owners with jobs.

[@beegee7573]

Thanks for the restaurant reviews. Found some new places to take my gf

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Happy to hear it! It always helps to have some spare date ideas up your sleeve 😂

[@randolphmoore1194]

Enjoyed this video. After years of losing population to the surrounding counties, the last five or so years have seen an influx of young people who are giving it a more urban vibe. It's great to see young people rejecting the suburban cul de sac life for more pedestrian friendly lifestyle.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Amen to that, Randolph! I live in the DC suburbs. I love how Richmond is much calmer and more affordable, but still so close to DC, Dulles, DCA, etc... if you need big-city ammenities.

[@chinaberg]

Yeah, the only thing that sucks is you need a car to do all that.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Richmond, like many US cities, is much easier to see by car. That being said, I found many neighborhoods (including downtown) to be very walkable.

[@wiliatar]

I have heard mixed reviews of Richmond, a lot good and a lot bad. Richmond seems like a beautiful city and this video definitely paints it in a good light. As far as racism go, how bad is it there? I hear it associated with the city a lot due to its conservative history, and idk how true it is because I’ve never been, but as a black women alone how comfortable would I be on a scale of 1 not to bad or 10 stay away from this city LMAOO. I know this is a reach and opinionated but I would like some input

[@Adrian-lz8kf]

Richmond is a very diverse place. The African American population makes up almost half the entire city. Lots of generational black folks been here a long time. I would highly encourage visiting historical African American neighborhoods like Jackson Ward and Carver. There’s festivals, museum’s, statues, and tons of murals around the neighborhood highlighting AF history. Richmond was once the Harlem of the South. You are in the 1/2 range on that scale you should be fine. Enjoy!!!

[@wiliatar]

@@Adrian-lz8kf thank you for the insight Adrian!

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Hi Kintara- I found Richmond to be a blend of the north and south, almost like a meeting point. I would visit the city with an open mind. If you do end up going, I'd love to hear your takeaways. Happy travels :) Kevin-

[@rockstarboxer]

RVA miss understood, we got the best foods and beer/wine in the mid-Atlantic area, and our Boxing scene and MMA guys are over looked in local media

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I wasn't aware of the boxing/MMA scene, but I can certainly attest to the top-notch food, beer, and wine.

[@xmanskeart]

Sorry but you cannot beat the design of the Wisconsin capital. Even have marble from around the world.

[@jaybeauvais4311]

Live here, very woke culture, Governor wore black face to a college party and denies it. High state and county taxes,

[@LucasdeBlock]

It’s really not that bad even compared to deeply “conservative” states. Moved here from Florida and it’s really not that bad. I find that Richmonders tend to be hypercritical of the city.

[@russasmus5774]

should not have taken down the statues.

[@kurtpatterson1296]

Well,you are certainly entitled to your opinion. However,to most the people who live in RVA, those Confederate statues were an intolerable part of Richmond's past.

[@nataliep.9047]

@@kurtpatterson1296 ; Most people, huh? Probably not most people over the age of forty who have lived there all of their lives. If you're talking about the VCU, ANTIFA, BLM, and NOVA transplants, you're right, but that poses the question as to why they live in a city where they don't like the culture, customs, and history.

[@kurtpatterson1296]

@@nataliep.9047 Black population of Richmond 46%,White population 45%.Take in to account how each of those populations broke down in the last Presidential election, and I would think my assumption is fairly well warranted.I believe that these same numbers would apply nationally to how all Americans feel about Confederate statues and what they represent. The majority of White Americans are not in favor of them being in public places anymore...

[@nataliep.9047]

@@kurtpatterson1296; Depending on which poll you believe, it's either a marginal majority or 50/50 nationwide, but as I alluded to previously, the so-called "progressive" left and black activist crowd (I left that part out because I don't like to be censored) has taken over RVA and have pretty much ruined it, and all removing the monuments has accomplished is them being able to flip the finger to those the left dislikes because they disagree with their socio-political views. The millions of dollars that the inept race-hustling Stoney's Cronies have thrown away on woke bullshit like that could have been spent on fixing the schools and cleaning up the city rather than turning the screws on the police force and going soft on crime.

[@kurtpatterson1296]

@@nataliep.9047 Meanwhile the Republican party is starting to split because of Trump and Maga pro Putin politics.When Obama was in office ,very few Black lives protests and no Confederate statutes came down.Blame the irritated liberal left's rise to power on Trump.When the political pendulum swings too far in one direction,it swings back with a vengeance.

[@iainproctor2557]

You didn’t go to a single good place

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

Sorry to hear you were disappointed with the video. If you have time, please share your recommendations for my next trip to RVA.

[@b.m.t.h.3961]

Maymont is a good place!

[@ItsCostanza]

Where in Richmond can you avoid being around woke culture?

[@lamegaming9835]

in hillbillyville wv get your trumpism out of our state

[@eawatahatanguatama383]

come on the Southside or deep in the Eastend

[@eawatahatanguatama383]

@@lamegaming9835 you sound dumb Va been republican for the longest. We love Trump punk

[@madmaddiesmadhouse4062]

In your safe space, snowflake.

[@johndavenport8843]

I did not enjoy this as you failed the mention anything of its Confederate history which is one of the important parts of the city.

[@KevinAcrossAmerica]

I'm sorry you weren't happy with the video, John. I make a concerted effort to avoid politics/controvery as much as possible. There is enough divisiveness in society and I don't want to further contribute to it.

[@madmaddiesmadhouse4062]

Less than four years of treachery isn't and shouldn't be the defining trait of a city.