Transit from Amtrak Staples Mill Road station or Greyhound bus terminal to downtown Richmond? (Franklin: transfer)

[CHIP72]

I'll be moving to the DC area in a few weeks, and one of the things I'd like to do within the first couple of months I'm there is take a day trip to Richmond to check out the city. I've been through the city a couple times (though not since December 2003) but I didn't really stop and walk around too much either time I was in Richmond. With my car getting older, gas prices getting higher, and my increasing desire to use public transit (and my own 2 legs/feet) to get around whenever possible, I'd like to use Amtrak or Greyhound to come to Richmond from DC if feasible. However, from looking at the Amtrak, Greyhound, and GRTC websites, it looks like the Staples Mill Road train station isn't close at all to downtown Richmond, the Greyhound station is also a few miles from downtown (though very close to The Diamond), and the Richmond public transit operator (GRTC) does not have bus routes between either station and downtown. Is this the case, and if so, how frequent is the taxi service at either station? I know Richmond has a downtown train station (Main Street Station), but it looks like only 2 trains/day stop there, and I'm not sure I'd want to spend or find enough to do downtown for 7-8 hours between the early arrival and late departure Amtrak trains to/from DC.

On a related note, what kind of attractions are worth checking out in downtown Richmond and can be easily reached by foot? Are there any interesting stores or neighborhoods in/within walking distance of downtown Richmond? Is there something like a Borders or a large public library where I could stop and rest for a bit (and obviously read some books) if I exhaust finding places of interest in downtown Richmond in less than 7-8 hours?

Any information for either or both questions would be appreciated.

[richmondpics]

There are two large public libraries downtown. First is the Main City Library at 2nd and Franklin Streets. The other is the Library of Virginia, definitely worth checking out. There are smaller bookstores downtown and nearby as well including Fountain Bookstore in Shockoe Slip and Chop Suey near VCU (they have a Carytown location as well). A place to relax, read, and perhaps grab a cup of coffee and food is Cafe Gutenberg in Shockoe Slip. The bus station on the Boulevard is pretty isolated and the area has a gritty industrial feel (though a major transformation of the N. Boulevard is soon coming).

A few places to check out. Carytown is an eclectic shopping district along Cary Street in the Museum District. Tons of local shops and restaurants. It's about 1-2 miles down the Boulevard from the bus station. There are also several museums/attractions on the Boulevard south of Broad Street. http://www.mobmus.org/
Some are free, some aren't; some are walking distance from one another, some aren't.

I can add more ideas later if you're curious.

[CNI]

For info on GRTC routes and fares try going to
GRTC ( ridegrtc.com)

Once there...
1) Select "Fares and Rates"
a) Local Routes: $1.25 (exact change required)
b) Transfers: $0.15
*** Sound like you need to consider a "GO CARD" (available in $5, $10, & $25 denominations; when I go to NYC or DC I just get the all day fare card & ride the subways unlimited)
2) Select "Trip Planner"
3) For starting landmark enter "Greyhound"
4) For "where you want to go" select "landmark" and enter, for ex, "library"
5) Scroll down and select "Virginia State Library"
6) Select "Find Trips"
7) Select "View Trip Details"
8) Printout trip itinerary

From Greyhound bus station to Va State Library is route 24 direction CRESTWOOD DOWNTOWN
Greyhound to Carytown involves a transfer but is possible via GRTC.
Might want to check out the VA Museum of Fine Art if near Carytown.

[CHIP72]

Thanks for the information. When I looked at the GRTC system map previously I didn't notice the Route 24 bus runs down the roadway that passes by the Greyhound station (because the Route 24 was shown in gray).

It looks like a trip via public transit from Washington DC to downtown Richmond is doable using either Amtrak or Greyhound/GRTC. The GRTC Route 24 even runs relatively often and operates on Saturdays and Sundays too.