Going away for college was definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made. Regardless, it made me realize why I love calling Richmond my home. Being born and raised here, I've grown up loving this city and that will never change. Richmond has so much to offer from our historic sites to our incredibly delicious and diverse restaurants. Being away from all my favorite places here has made me love them even more than before. Here's just a few of my top picks for the best the river city has to offer:

The Sites:

James River

From Belle Isle to Brown's Island, there's nothing better than spending a day out by the water.

Canal Walk

You can stroll along to canal or even take a historic boat tour. But always make sure to check out the amazing artwork along the way.

The VMFA

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, great exhibits if you're an art lover like myself!

Libby Hill Park

My favorite park to walk around during the warmer months, it has a great view of the city!

The Events:

Richmond Folk Festival

Live music, great food, and right on the water... what else could you want?

Richmond Watermelon Festival

A summer tradition for Richmonders in beautiful Carytown.

Dominion Riverrock

A summer favorite for Richmonders, It's a great weekend filled with great music that celebrates outdoor recreation!

French Film Festival

A personal favorite of mine, this is a weekend filled with amazing french cinema with guest appearances by many famous french actors and directors.

The Restaurants:

The Boathouse

Great seafood right on the James with a great view of the RVA skyline!

Shyndigz

The best desert place in all of Richmond, if you've never been you're really missing out.

The Daily Kitchen and Bar

Located in beautiful Carytown, amazing food and a great atmosphere!

Can Can Brasserie

A taste of authentic French cuisine in our own beloved city.