There aren’t many cities, none in fact, where you can kayak and raft class III and IV rapids in an urban setting. Richmond is the only place in the country where you can run the rapids, pull out and walk to a downtown brewery, bar or restaurant.
A bench view of bridges spanning James River in Richmond, Virginia
James River Richmond VA
A view of the mountains and valley from a bench at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Bench View from Shenandoah National Park
A team effort to navigate the rapids on James River, Richmond, Virginia
Navigating the Rapids
As the sun sets over James River in Richmond, Virginia, we end our series of images from this part of the country.
Golden Glow on the River
The golden rays of sunset cast a warm glow over Richmond, Virginia
A Warm Glow over Richmond
It almost appears that the bridge is painted golden when lighted by the setting sun in Richmond, Virginia
A Golden Bridge over James River
The golden glow of sunset paints this image of a bridge river the river in Richmond, Virginia
The Warmth of a Sunset
Homes on Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia depict architecture from another era
Homes with Tradition
The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia features remnants of old style bathrooms and telephones
Jefferson Hotel Bathroom
Jefferson Hotel Relics
Inside the Jefferson Hotel (Richmond, Virginia), there is a creative (i.e., assortment and range of architectural styles) approach. Every room is awash in light from stained glass windows and surfaces are cloaked in deep colors. The hotel’s two-tiered, 36-step grand staircase is said to have inspired the staircase sequence in the film Gone With The Wind.
Jefferson Hotel Opulence
Jefferson Hotel Luxury
The Jefferson Hotel is a luxury hotel in Richmond, Virginia, opened in 1895. In 1969, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Designed in the Spanish Baroque Style, patrons have included thirteen United States presidents, writers, and celebrities.
As a centerpiece for the upper lobby, there a life-size image of Thomas Jefferson from Carrara marble.
Jefferson Hotel Lobby
Jefferson Hotel Richmond
Bridges of various kinds are used to cross James River in Richmond, Virginia. Here is a combined, underside perspective of a concrete bridge and a steel one.
Under the Bridges
The stairs of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond offer architecturally pleasing stair designs
Symmetry of Stair Designs
Spectacular architecture of the Virginia Capitol dome in Richmond ….
An Impressive Dome
Ornate stairs in the Virginia State Capitol, Richmond add to the history and preservation of traditional architecture
Going Down the Stairs
The Virginia State Capitol, which Thomas Jefferson designed with Charles-Louis Clérisseau, was the first Roman Revival building in America and the first American public building in the form of a classic temple. The building was the site of significant events in American history while it was the Virginia State Capitol and in its role as the Capitol of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865.
With the golden rays of the setting sun lighting up the Capitol in Richmond, people mill around to enjoy the evening.
Milling Around at the Capitol
Virginia State Capitol
Spotted an elegant walkway over the water with art on its walls in the river district of Richmond, Virginia
A Walkway with Art
Traditional, colonial brick homes grace the streets of Richmond, Virginia and maintain historic links. Even plantation homes are elegant with brick exteriors.
Traditional Architecture
The Manor in a Plantation
Richmond, Virginia was one of the greatest coffee port cities north of the Indies. Due to coffee being light weight during the trek overseas, many ships would also carry ballast stones in order to make up for the shortage in weight. These same stones were re-purposed and used as the cobbles that make up some of Richmond’s streets today.
There is a certain charm to these cobbled streets …..
Cobbled Streets of Richmond
Shadows on Cobbled Streets
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is among America’s oldest major cities. Patrick Henry, a U.S. Founding Father, famously declared “Give me liberty or give me death” at its St. John’s Church in 1775, leading to the Revolutionary War.
The James is Virginia’s largest river, running roughly 350 miles from northern Botetourt County to the Chesapeake Bay. The James is also one of the longest rivers in the U.S. that lies within one state.
Richmond on the James
