RVA : 100 Ways

100 ways to see Richmond Virginia, through line and wash [email protected] #rva100ways Prints Available at aprilsage.etsy.com

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Way 60/100 - The Daily Kitchen & Bar

Focussing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and dietary accommodations, the Daily has garnered a faithful following in RVA both in heart of Carytown and at their sister restaurant in the west end. Seeing the signature bright green umbrellas and inviting patios attract the passerby, but the thoughtful, colorful dishes are what keep people coming back.

Once doors, kitchens and patios open once again, RVA will be right back at the Daily enjoying well-crafted cocktails, burgers, buddha bowls and brussels sprouts* once again.

*(but really, they’re great)

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Way 59/100 - Easter on Parade

(An ode to parades past)

A typical Richmond spring teems with buds, blooms, pollen… and people. Patios overflow, parks flood with picnickers, the city is alive with runners, festivals, garden tours, egg hunts and of course, the annual ‘Easter on Parade.’

This parade is not the usual organized line of performances and floats, but a ‘parading’ of well… you! Richmonders dressed in their finest pastels, with hats balancing baskets full of colored eggs and cellophane grass; children and pets in tow with their bows and stuffed bunnies; brunch parties on porches and lunch picnics on the grassy mall of Monument Ave.; lines snaking from food vendors and crowds pooling around street performers while the pastel wave presses on… the best people watching of the year.

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Way 58/100 - Blanchard’s Coffee Broad Street

A few months back, I approached the warm glow of the refurbished art deco building on Broad with curiosity and left with a delicious and meticulously crafted oat milk latte (I’m hooked!) and a mental note to draw it some day.

With a clean, minimalist vibe (and some lovely historic ‘grit’ incorporated here and there), the interior is inviting and the service friendly and professional. Food and drink are carefully curated and beautiful, yet remain unpretentious. Patrons seemed genuinely comfortable in the space and I equally so, waiting in the glow of the large sun-soaked window and watching my latte be born (overwrought? Maybe…but I really like lattes).

As the weather warms and groups begin to gather once again in our city, I know the warm glow that attracted me in cooler months will beckon me back for community, conversation and of course, an oat milk latte (iced).

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Way 57/100 -Belmont Pizza Walk up Belmont Ave. any night of the week (except Monday) and your nose will lead you quite happily to Belmont Pizza - the Museum District’s pizza darling. Service is always fast and friendly and the fresh hot pizza never dissapoints - a true asset to the neighborhood.

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Way 56/100 - Hanover Avenue Unofficially ordained the ‘Halloween street’ years ago, Hanover Avenue transforms from a quiet residential street to a haunted thoroughfare of lights, costumes and ambitious decorations for one night of the year. Throngs of ghosts, superheros, pirates and festooned pets parade down the avenue on Halloween night, collecting candy and reveling in the spooky, the strange and the fantastical.

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Way 55/100 - Secco Wine Bar Settled into its new home on Robinson, Secco Wine Bar has quickly been adopted by the fan district as a go-to place for interesting wines, delicious food, and people-watching on the patio. Stop in for the ‘Uncork & Unplug’’ happy hour any weekday for an opportunity to take a break from your screen (place your phone in a box while you’re there to get the discount!) and catch up with a friend. I’ll cheers to that!

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Way 54/100 - Libby Hill Park Nestled within the historic Church Hill neighborhood, Libby Hill Park boasts gorgeous sweeping views of Richmond city and The James. Atop the hill you can look down across city buildings to the Carillon in the distance, or gaze up the winding river to Rockett’s Landing. A walk or bike up the cobbled path is a must, but be sure to save time for a quiet moment at the crest of the hill to simply soak up your surroundings.

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Way 53/100 - Bygones Vintage and The Byrd Theatre It’s easy to find something that brings you joy at Bygones Vintage Clothing, one of the most thoughtfully curated stores in Richmond’s Carytown district. Carefully selected vintage and reproduction clothing fills the historic store interior, dotted tastefully with hats, jewelry, fans, sunglasses and vintage accessories of every kind. Take a few steps to the left in your new vintage threads and you’re ready to check out Richmond’s historic ‘movie palace’, the Byrd Theatre. Lavishly decorated with marble, velvet, and every embellishment imaginable, the theatre provides entertainment 365 days a year, offering films both old and new and (if you’re lucky) a live prelude by house organist Bob Gulledge on the Mighty Wurlitzer.

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Way 52/100 - Joe’s Inn Ahh, Joe’s Inn. A true staple of Richmond and rightly so. Its Shields Avenue location opened its doors in 1952, and has offered up comfort food and all day breakfast ever since. Whether you snag a cozy booth in the restaurant side or stake out a stool at the bar, you can enjoy the Big Breakfast, Spaghetti A La Joe or a slice of Oreo mudslide pie, all with a side of friendly service that just feels like home.

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Way 51/100 - T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge The newly constructed Potterfield Memorial Bridge has quickly become one of my go-to RVA destinations - a place where you can pause to take in the skyline and watch the ducks and kayakers paddle past you down the river. With ample space for a steady stream of walkers, runners and bikers, the bridge sits low enough over the water of the James to make you feel like you’re really experiencing the river...without getting wet!

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Way 50/100 - Idle Hands Bread Company and Scoop ice cream A bakery and an ice cream shop snuggled side by side on Richmond’s beloved Strawberry Street in The Fan - could there be anything more perfect? Pop into Idle Hands for coffee and a mouth-watering array of sourdough pastry, or pick up a loaf of ‘Epps,’ their French blonde sourdough, for dinner. Head next door to Scoop (they’re open late!) and treat yourself to a scoop or two of their ever-changing selection of homemade ice cream such as ‘croissants and jam’ and ‘sea salt chocolate malt’. Can’t decide? You can order a flight!

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Way 49/100 - RVA Light

Sun pours in through the Broad St. windows of one of downtown Richmond’s newest assets, RVA Light - a place for community, for connection and for coffee.

Open 5 days a week, RVA Light serves coffee sourced from organizations that directly benefit the coffee farmers and their communities. Grab a hot cup and a pastry and make yourself at home in their welcoming space for a while, or check out their prominent events calendar as you head out. Finance courses, recovery support meetings, bible studies and knitting days are just a few of its many offerings, making RVA Light a truly bright new part of the Richmond community.

Stop on by!

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Way 48/100 Garnett’s, anchoring the corner of Park and Meadow is alluring - it simply draws you in. Whether it’s the fanned shape of the building itself, the cheery paint, or the multicolored chairs lined up by the wall that bring you in initially, it’s the warmth, quality and reliability that keep you coming back. The interior, textured by tin ceilings, warm woods and an array of art and decor on the walls feels cozy and intimate, not unlike a hug, or a trip to grandma’s (the coolest and most interesting of grandmas). Settle into a table or sit up at the bar - a great option if you want to get a closer look at the mouthwatering cakes and pies. No seats left? Order to-go and take your picnic to the park in one of their sturdy wicker baskets. If you’re in the mood for snack plates, salads or a sandwich of any kind, you’ll surely find what you’re looking for here - cold, hot, multi-ingredients or simple - soup, chips or pickles on the side… at Garnett’s, it’s hard to make a wrong choice.

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Way 47/100

The Acca Temple Shrine, The Mosque, The Landmark, The Altria Theater - all chapters in this very recognizable RVA edifice. Over the years it’s seen countless crowds, hosted numerous events, showcased a huge number of productions and had careful and loving restorations.  From its rich history and active present to its sheer size and impressive architectural detail, this RVA landmark is one for keeps.

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Way 46/100

Tucked in a residential area of the Museum District, North End Juice Co. swings open its doors to welcome walk-up business every day, offering fresh-pressed juices, creative smoothies, smoothie bowls, homemade empanadas, salads, etc. Chances are, if you’re walking up Cleveland and see some pedestrians with a purpose, they’re heading to the juice bar, and if you see groups wandering slowly, sipping vibrantly colorful concoctions out of to-go cups, they’ve just been. Arrive after 4:30 p.m.? Don’t fret - its sister store ‘North End Ice Cream’ is steps away and open 4-10 p.m. You can’t lose!

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Way 45/100 STAAND UP FOR RIIICH-MOND! Raucous cheers, flags, drums and the occasional puff of celebratory red smoke burst from the small but mighty unofficial Richmond Kickers fan group, the Red Army. Grab a craft beer or a burger from the vendors above and settle in for one of Richmond’s most enjoyable ways to spend a summer evening - cheering on a soccer team with true Richmond pride and heart. Go Kickers!

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Way 44/100 The lawn at the VMFA is a welcoming haven within the city even on the worst of days, but on the best of days, it’s dotted with couples, friends, families and dogs enjoying the outdoor space and ambiance. You’ll find yoga on the top of the hill in the chilly mornings and jazz wafting from the cafe on Thursday evenings, often paired with a local winery or brewery release, encouraging patrons to sit, relax and just… be.