WanderLOVE in the Richmond Region View All ItinerariesDelicious food. A lively river. Cold, craft beverages. Colorful artwork at every turn of the corner. Miles and miles of trails. These are just a few of the exciting, safe and interesting experiences for your Richmond region road trip. Within a day’s drive of half the U.S. population, the Richmond region is ready to safely welcome visitors and spread the RVA Love. DAY 1 Start your first morning in the Richmond region exploring the James River Park System. From high-action (rafting or kayaking through Class III and IV rapids, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing) to relaxation (enjoying the views from the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge or picnicking on a rock by Belle Isle), the mighty James is open for discovery. Guided tours, personalized lessons and other experiences are available through Riverside Outfitters and RVA Paddlesports. Continue the outdoor adventure at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, one of the nation’s top gardens. Lewis Ginter offers year-round beauty on a historic property with more than 50 acres of spectacular gardens, dining, and shopping. Enjoy more than a dozen themed gardens including a Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Asian Valley, and Cherry Tree Walk. Don’t miss your photo op at the LOVE work! End the day relaxing with a glass of wine by the lake at Jolene Family Winery. Their hand-crafted wines, ranging from reds, whites and rosés, are offered as tastings or by the glass and bottle. The winery has plenty of outdoor seating alongside Tom Brooks Lake. WHERE TO DINE: Grab a coffee and morning snack at Urban Hang Suite, downtown Richmond’s social café. Indulge in some glittery biscuits and gravy (yes, really!) at SB’s Lakeside Loveshack. End the day with a cocktail and comfort food from Southern Kitchen. DAY 2 Another beautiful day in the Richmond region calls for a ride on the Virginia Capital Trail – a 51.7-mile paved cycling and pedestrian path along scenic Route 5. Didn’t bring your bike? Not a problem! Rent a bike from RVA Bike Rental or for some more fast-paced fun, snag an electric bike from Pedego RVA. The Richmond region is filled with colorful and meaningful murals for as far as the eye can see. Mending Walls RVA is a new public art project, started by Richmond artist Hamilton Glass, which brings together artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that address social justice and promote healing through connection. A list of murals and their locations can be found on MendingWallsRVA.com and can be easily enjoyed by foot, bike, rollerblade, skateboard or car. Continue your arts exploration with a visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, open 365 days a year with a permanent collection that spans 5,000 years and containing more than 33,000 works of art. The VMFA’s sculpture garden is a popular spot to wander, relax, picnic or walk the dog – all while viewing artwork from Dale Chihuly and Paul DiPasquale. Don’t miss the sculpture garden’s latest addition, Rumors of War, a sculpture created by artist Kehinde Wiley, best known for his portrait of President Barack Obama. According to the museum, the inspiration for this work came when Wiley was visiting Richmond for the opening of his exhibition in June 2016 and encountered the city’s Confederate monuments. Rumors of War was first unveiled in Times Square and is now part of the VMFA’s permanent collection. WHERE TO DINE: Fuel up for the day with a cold-press juice and a breakfast sandwich from Ms. Bee’s Juice Bar. Grab some Southern-meets-Latin American tacos and hush puppy nachos from Soul Taco. Treat yourself to dinner and wine at Restaurant Adarra, the region’s Basque-inspired restaurant. DAY 3 Round out your #WanderLOVE road trip with a quick stopover in Ashland – fondly known as the ‘Center of the Universe.’ This small town has big personality, with train tracks running the length of Ashland’s main street, which is lined with boutiques, restaurants, a historic inn, a brewery and more! Ashland truly has something for everyone. Train lovers can shop at Tiny Tim’s Trains & Toys while watching the trains zoom by. Whether you’re a beer novice or a straight-up cicerone, beer fans will love Origin Beer Lab, a brewery built for research, development and teaching of all things beer. Cinephiles and live music aficionados can visit Ashland Theatre – now hosting two new outdoor events, Tunes on the Track and Ashland Theatre After Dark. WHERE TO DINE: Grab some locally-sourced fare and beverages at The Caboose Market and Café or nosh on a plate of barbeque with all the fixins at Jake’s Place. WHERE TO STAY IN THE RICHMOND REGION: For an artsy vibe, check out The Commonwealth or Quirk Hotel – both spots feature murals from local RVA artists. For a more historical experience, stay at the Linden Row Inn (whose garden Edgar Allan Poe played at as a child) and the Omni Richmond (located in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom and overlooking the James River). The five star, five diamond Jefferson Hotel is currently offering a Road Trip Package, which includes a three-course room service dinner for two, to-go continental breakfast and parking. Looking for an overnight stay in Ashland? Check into the Henry Clay Inn for prime train-viewing!