Any recs on what to do or see for one day in Richmond?

We have a few things planned (Legend Brewing and Hops). We've been to Richbrau. For those that have responded to previous posts of mine, my wife and I love beer.

Is there any type of food that is considered a local dish/specialty?

Best area to stay overnight?

I'm a big fan of the Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom.

Lots of shopping, dining, and attractions in the area.

The Jefferson is a swank hotel and I like the Omni also.

I would stay at The Jefferson Hotel on Franklin if at all possible. Some restaurants are more "Richmond" than others and the one place I'd recommend is Millie's Diner (milliesdiner.com) for brunch, lunch or dinner. If you like Vietnamese food, Mekong on Broad in the near West End has very good food and arguably the best beer list in town.

I'd recommend going to Carytown for shopping and CanCan Brasserie is a funky French place with a nice selection of beer and some very good food (including an incredible cheeseburger and fries).

Also, for some good southern food, I recommend Comfort on Broad Street. The fried catfish is incredible (as are the collard greens and fried okra) and they have something for everyone and save room for the banana pudding creme brulee for dessert.

The Museum of the Confederacy/White House of the Confederacy

State Capitol building

Historical Society State Museum

Ditto the rec for Comfort, definitely echoing the banana pudding creme brulee!

Also agree that Carytown is fun for shopping although I was so sad to hear that one of my favorite shops, Lane Sanson, closed. Will be missed. Still love Mongrel though.

Sorry for the brief hijack, jedivader, that was shopping not beer.

I'd stay down in Shockoe Slip--I've only stayed at the Omni there--good location. The Jefferson is very famous; they occasionally run specials so I'd check that out. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth stopping by and taking a look around. If you're on a tighter budget, the Holiday Inn Express on Cary might also be an option; haven't stayed there though so I don't know.

Brew: Definitely pop into Capital Alehouse on Main street. Tons of different brews: http://www.capitalalehouse.com/

Food: I'd second recommendations for both Millie's and Comfort. I'd also recommend a little restaurant up in Church Hill (about a 3 minute drive from the bottom). Hill Cafe--the shrimp and grits or the crabcake sandwich are good bets. http://www.thehillcafe.com/. Cafe Gutenberg (in Shockoe Bottom) is also a good bet for a coffee/wine/snack break--they have a good brunch too. I've never had beer there but I just checked out their web site and they do have beer. http://www.cafegutenberg.com/menus.php#

Activity: I'd suggest following a trip to the newish American Civil War Center with a walk across the James River--there's a pedestrian bridge across to the Bell Isle, which was once a Civil War prison. You can have a picnic on the Belle Isle side.

http://www.tredegar.org/
http://www.discoverrichmond.com/dis/...lle_isle/1455/

obxgirl, my husband was SO upset when Lane Sanson closed.

I bought two great dresses at Phoenix in Carytown yesterday. And then had some great green curry at Thai Diner Too for lunch.

Katie, Cafe Gutenberg has had some changes lately and rumor control states it isn't as good as it used to be.

Capital Ale House is good for beer but not for food. They also have music on occasion.

There is a great reasonable priced hotel near the top of the Shockoe Slip across from the governors mansion that I cannot think of the name of. Much better priced than The Jefferson or Omni.

Yep, been to the Capital Alehouse.

We are more of a Choice Hotel couple.

The Hollywood Cemetary is an interesting and fascinating place in Richmond to visit.
http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org

I also like Agecroft hall.

http://www.agecrofthall.com/

Any reviews on the Econo Lodge on 1600 Robin Hood Rd. or that area?

Nope. Wouldn't stay there. Quite frankly, I'd sleep in my car first. It's dumpy, the area is urban industrial, and in spitting distance of two interstates. Zoom into the street satellite image at google maps and get an eyeful. The building and parking lot across the street are surrounded by chain link fence and barbed wire.

Well, did not get as much time in Richmond as we would have liked. It took us five hours to get there from D.C. because of an accident. Only had enough time to make out brewpub/brewery visits (Legend, Hops and Extra Billy's). I did not like Extra Billy's beer at all. We stayed at the Comfort Inn & Conference Center on W. Broad Street. Convenient location and nice hotel/room. We did drive down Monument Avenue on our way out of town.