7 Must-See Sites in Richmond, Virginia

Located within Richmond National Battlefield Park, this statue of Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad depicts the 16th president and his son resting during a trip to Richmond in 1865. On their trip, the father and son toured the burned and Union-occupied former capital of the Confederacy. The park also features the Confederacy’s biggest hospital camp and chief ironworks. © Wirestock | Dreamstime.com

Richmond is home to Richmond Raceway, currently hosting one NASCAR Cup Series race weekend and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Also known as the Action Track, this course has some exciting races coming up this August. Each lap is 0.75 miles long and involves four turns. © Walter Arce | Dreamstime.com

Richmond sits on a portion of the James River, with many city parks lining the banks. These parks feature bike trails, hiking and nature trails, and various scenic overlooks. There’s also two major islands in the river: Belle Isle and Brown’s Island, which feature parks, a former Powhatan fishing village, Civil War prison camp and colonial-era horse race track. © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com

See more than 150 murals in the city, many created by international mural artists. Districts with must-see murals include Old Town Manchester, Canal Walk, Jackson Ward and Shockoe Bottom. © Jon Bilous | Dreamstime.com

Currently undergoing restorations and preservations to reopen in 2026, Maymont Mansion is a can’t-miss. This Victorian estate and park is home to a house museum, arboretum, Italian and Japanese garden, carriage collection, native wildlife exhibits, nature center, and petting zoo. © Glenn Nagel | Dreamstime.com

Hollywood Cemetery is a historic site and contains the burial sites of two U.S. presidents: James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy. The 135-acre cemetery contains burials of many government officials, pointing to Richmond’s role as capital of the Confederacy in the 19th century. © Glenn Nagel | Dreamstime.com

The biggest ironworks in the Confederacy was right in Richmond. Tredegar Iron Works supplied about half the artillery used by the Confederate States Army and, even after the Civil War, continued production into the mid-20th century. The National Historic Landmark District also includes American Civil War Museum. © Wirestock | Dreamstime.com