Richmond, Virginia

[Pastor]

Let’s see, Boston, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Chicago and a few others as well… SJ has been a treasure trove of information regarding what to do and where to go. As such, I’m hoping to find some more gems here.

My wife and I are looking to be traveling down there for some nice rest and relaxation. Any and all suggestions on what to do, where to go and what to eat where is very welcome. What kind of suggestions do you guys and gals have for us?

I thank you all in advance for whatever I receive.

Cheers!

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh? Did the Red Bulls, USMNT or Rangers schedule a match there?

;D

 

[Bullrog]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

My thoughts on Raleigh in one word:

meh

I've been pretty much everywhere in the South, and Raleigh was so bland I wanted to leave even before I got there.

 

[Pastor]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh? Did the Red Bulls, USMNT or Rangers schedule a match there?

;D

There is a Rangers game that weekend and a local supporters club to watch it as well! However, you are pretty much on track with the primary reasons for why I would visit anywhere... ;D

 

[93Devil]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Pastor, do you have the link to the Chicago thread?

 

[PeteyPirate]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

I assume you must have a family member or some other such anchor in Raleigh, because as a vacation destination it is lacking. Don't get me wrong, I would live there; I just wouldn't visit. It's not terribly far from either the mountains or the beach if you have access to a car. If you're talking about places within close proximity, I'm not sure what to tell you. You can visit Duke's campus, which is semi-interesting in the way that faux-Gothic architecture can be. I know you are a commie liberal, so you might enjoy spending an afternoon at the farmer's market in Carrboro.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM.

 

[Huggy]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

I was in Raleigh for the NHL Draft and all that stands out for me was drinking at the Hibernian and eating at Sullivan's.

 

[Pastor]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Pastor, do you have the link to the Chicago thread?

Here you go! The suggestions there were pretty damn good.

I assume you must have a family member or some other such anchor in Raleigh, because as a vacation destination it is lacking. Don't get me wrong, I would live there; I just wouldn't visit. It's not terribly far from either the mountains or the beach if you have access to a car. If you're talking about places within close proximity, I'm not sure what to tell you. You can visit Duke's campus, which is semi-interesting in the way that faux-Gothic architecture can be. I know you are a commie liberal, so you might enjoy spending an afternoon at the farmer's market in Carrboro.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM.

No family there. We just like to go away whenever the chances present themselves. It isn't extensively far (though it is about as far south as I'm willing to drive) and it is a decently large city.

Other than this, I would name the option of going to someplace in Virginia, like Richmond. The quick responses about "nothing to do" have me a little concerned.

 

[Bullrog]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Pastor, do you have the link to the Chicago thread?

Here you go! The suggestions there were pretty damn good.

I assume you must have a family member or some other such anchor in Raleigh, because as a vacation destination it is lacking. Don't get me wrong, I would live there; I just wouldn't visit. It's not terribly far from either the mountains or the beach if you have access to a car. If you're talking about places within close proximity, I'm not sure what to tell you. You can visit Duke's campus, which is semi-interesting in the way that faux-Gothic architecture can be. I know you are a commie liberal, so you might enjoy spending an afternoon at the farmer's market in Carrboro.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM.

No family there. We just like to go away whenever the chances present themselves. It isn't extensively far (though it is about as far south as I'm willing to drive) and it is a decently large city.

Other than this, I would name the option of going to someplace in Virginia, like Richmond. The quick responses about "nothing to do" have me a little concerned.

I'd do Richmond way before Raleigh, but just because I love seeing Civil War parks and Richmond has Bev's, which makes the best ice cream ever (espresso oreo).

 

[Claws for Concern]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Sunday offers Game 6 of the Devils-Hurricanes NHL playoff series.

 

[Jake_Taylor]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

I'd say got to Richmond. Like others have said, the Raleigh area is a great place to live, but not really a vacation spot. Richmond has a lot of cool historical spots to visit and it's a pretty short drive over to Charlottesville if you want to visit Monticello or check out that town for a while.

 

[Pastor]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Sunday offers Game 6 of the Devils-Hurricanes NHL playoff series.

I'm a Devils fan, which would make a trip this Sunday seem nice, but I'm not looking for that early.

 

[93Devil]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

I'd say got to Richmond. Like others have said, the Raleigh area is a great place to live, but not really a vacation spot. Richmond has a lot of cool historical spots to visit and it's a pretty short drive over to Charlottesville if you want to visit Monticello or check out that town for a while.

C'ville being a quick ride down 64 is nice.

Richmond is also the only major city with river rapids running through it if you like the water stuff and kayaking.

You have a medicore amusement park (Kings Dominion) about 20 minutes up the road, so if you have kids you could do water, amusement park, historical in a nice three-day spell.

Richmond also has some very, very good mom and pop places to eat ranging from Italian to Cuban.

 

[93Devil]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

If this is a weekend thing from the Northeast, I strongly suggest taking the train into Richmond and renting a car.

Either that or become familiar with Route 301.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Sunday offers Game 6 of the Devils-Hurricanes NHL playoff series.

I'm a Devils fan, which would make a trip this Sunday seem nice, but I'm not looking for that early.

Being a Devils fan, too, I'd jump at the chance to do this if I wasn't living on the west coast!

 

[Pastor]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Being as the trip is far enough into the future and the reviews have been less than kind, I'll adjust the title and see what kind of information I get...

So, Richmond, Virginia it is! What does this city have?

 

[93Devil]

Re: Raleigh, North Carolina

Paging Moddy...

 

[93Devil]

Kids or no kids?

 

[User 1019]

Jet down to (colonial) Williamsburg and Yorktown. See the battlefield (way cool, IMO), then drive into town and check out the riverfront. Not a ton, there, but a few little shops and a little bar with pretty good food.

Williamsburg is pretty cool for history buffs, too. A little touristy, yes, but everyone needs to see it once, I guess. Plenty of shopping and food, there.

It's a relatively quick trip down 64.

 

[micropolitan guy]

I'd also defer to Moddy, as it's been many years since I spent real time in Richmond, but ... if you're into history:

* Museum of the Confederacy
* Hollywood Cemetary
* The state capitol building is beautiful
* The Crater in Petersburg; the self-guided tour at Cold Harbor battlefield
* Not sure on specific places to eat, but downtown in the Slip there are tons of restaurants, etc. I'd recommend the Strawberry Street Cafe, on Strawberry Street in the Fan.
* Maymont Park is a great place for a picnic.
* Cruise Monument Avenue and check out the statues (second-place trophies). They are impressive.
* It's not that far to Monticello. Montpelier, the home of James Madison, is nearby and also worth a look.
* Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown battlefield.
* Spotsylvania isn't all that far away. Parts of that battlefield are very well preserved, and parts of the Fredricksburg battlefield are also well-preserved.
* There's also one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country in Richmond. And it ain't VCU. ;D