We will be in Richmond in Aug. Would love restaurant/shopping recommendations. Also, any "must sees" Thanks.

Richmond, VA or Richmond, CA or Richmond, BC, etc?? Which Richmond are you referring to? It is a little difficult to make suggestions without knowing this important piece of information.

Cal:

I appreciate the fact that you are trying to get the posters to be more concise in their subject titles--it's a worthwhile effort. But come on...what minute fraction of the readers have even heard of Richmond, CA or Richmond, BC?

Richmond, BC is actually not all that small, but considering that this is a USA post...I agree that Leslie likely is talking about Richmond VA.

Leslie,
The most interesting shopping area is definitely Carytown - it covers several blocks of Cary St. and has plenty of antique, gift, and clothing shops, as well as small restaurants. There's also a gorgeous old movie palace, the Byrd. Shockoe Slip is another nice shopping area in the old warehouse district.
One of my favorite restaurants, the Tobacco Company, is in Shockoe Slip. The Frog and the Redneck is supposed to be excellent, but I haven't eaten there myself, although I have friends who highly recommend it. For great barbecue, try Bill's, which has several locations in the city.
There are several good history museums, including the Valentine Museum and the White House of the Confederacy, and I seem to recall that you can buy a combination ticket that covers something like five different museums. You should also check out the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. There are a number of historic homes in the area, but I especially like Maymont, which also has beautiful gardens.

The local Richmond VA newspaper is online at www.gateway-va.com, check it out, there are entertainment calendars in the weekender section every Thursday. The US Park Service has just opened a brand-new visitor center in the old Tredegar Ironworks that will be a great place to visit and get a flavor of the history. Go to City Hall on Broad St between 8th & 9th, the observation deck on the top floor is breathtaking. State Library right next door has historic exhibits. The Poe Museum down on Main & 20th Sts (I think) is small but a gem. The Richmond area Bicycling Assoc. is at www.raba.org, check out our web site for a ride calendar if you bring your bicycles. Feel free to email with any questions (take out the nospam).

I live in D.C. and recently acquired Richmond asa a territory and have been down a number of times. Drive up Monument Avenue. Historic and informative. Good education for the kids. I have been told that the Science Museum of Virginia is good for kids and the Museum of the Confederacy is also interesting.. Definitely check out the Richmond Times Dispatch W/E section earlier mentioned on this post.