2025 Ultimate RVA Bucket List
Richmond is bursting with epic eats, stunning spots, and must-try experiences. Whether you’re a local or just stopping by, RVA’s got something to wow you. How many of our ultimate RVA Bucket List items can you check off in 2025?
- Visit the new baby hippo at the Metro Richmond Zoo
- Watch a movie at the Goochland Drive-In
- Join Richmond’s tattoo scene with a tattoo of your own
- Go berry picking at Ashland Berry Farm
- Go to Friday Cheers
- Make French toast with Cinnamon Swirl Bread from Montana Gold Bread
- Take a train from Main Street Station
- Ride the elevator at The Tobacco Company Restaurant
- Whisper the password at Grandstaff & Stein speakeasy
- Attend one of Richmond’s big festivals like the Richmond Folk Festival or River Rock
- Watch a movie at The Byrd on a Saturday night (when the organist plays before the show)
- Have a picnic at Maymont
- Try Homemades by Suzanne if you don’t want to make your own
- Rent a pedal boat at Byrd Park
- Take along a coffee from Rostov’s
- Take a Canal Boat Cruise
- Visit Maggie Walker’s house in Jackson Ward
- Grab a bite of soul food at Mama J’s
- Have cocktails on the Quirk rooftop
- Attend First Fridays in the Arts District
- Cap it off with oysters at Birdies
- Catch a sunset at Libby Hill
- Grab a Proper Pie to take with you
- Take a Segway tour of the Richmond murals
- Get the baked spaghetti at Joe’s Inn in the Fan
- Take a brewery tour
- Go to a Richmond Flying Squirrels Game
- Go to a Richmond Kickers Game
- Enjoy a concert on Brown’s Island
- Learn about Richmond’s history at The Valentine
- Go to an After 5 Fridays event at VMFA
- Make your own ice cream pint at Sweet Wynns
- Get a pizza at 8 ½
- Go white water rafting or kayaking on the James River
- Have afternoon tea at The Jefferson
- Have a beer at Hardywood
- Hike Belle Isle and swim amongst the rocks
- Visit the butterflies at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
- Walk the Potterfield Bridge and down the floodwall trail
- End with a beer from one of Richmond’s oldest names in beer, Legend’s Brewing Co. or Richbrau Brewing (depending on which side of the river you land on)
- Pick up dessert at Shyndigz Market
- Snag a reservation at L’Opossum
- Celebrate Edgar Alan Poe’s birthday or UnHappy Hour at The Poe Museum
- See a Richmond Ballet performance
- Bowl at River City Roll
- Visit President’s Circle at Hollywood Cemetery
- Take a TukTuk tour
- Pick up a boxed lunch from Sally Bell’s Kitchen
- Visit an authentic Tudor mansion in Richmond at Agecroft Hall and Gardens
- Watch a local production at Virginia Repertory Theatre
- Take a ghost tour
- Tour the Virginia Capitol
- Finish with a meal at Lillie Pearl
- Celebrate Halloween on Hanover Ave. or catch the annual parade in Oregon Hill
- Go shopping in Carytown
- Watch the Richmond Symphony perform
- Get an ice cream at Gelati Celesti
- Tour the Byrd Park Pump House *check Facebook for periodic guided tours
- Find the Church Hill Tunnel
- Snap a picture of the skyline at the 22nd and Grace St. overlook, or better yet, attend an event there *put in Richmond Hill for GPS
- Head to Grisette for wine and cheese
- Spend a day at Pony Pasture
- Bike the Capital Trail
- Watch the Liberty or Death reenactment at St. John’s Church
- Hike the North Bank Trail
- See a show at Dogwood Dell
- Take a gourmet Greek dinner from Stella’s Grocery
- Start the day with breakfast pizza from Ukrop’s Market Hall
- Shop small businesses at the RVA Big Market on Saturday mornings
- Camp on Sharp’s Island in the middle of the James River
- Cheer on the Rams at a VCU basketball game
- See a concert at The National
- Attend an event at The Science Museum of Virginia
- Go to drag brunch at Godfrey’s
- Take a Tacky Lights tour at Christmas; bonus if it’s on a trolley
Rent a winter yurt at Brambly Park
