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Doubt their awesome mountainbike trail system right in the middle of town, up and down the James River and across Belle Island would sell it either, but that would be my #1 attraction.
Great food and drink there, but I really don't partake as much on a day-trip.
Richmond is a cool city. VERY cool. Unique blend of Northern Industrial and Southern Charm and Tradition. I don't know why I don't go there more than I do.
I just think it's strange that there is a cool nearby city (less than three hours away) that a good portion of Triangle residents rarely visit or know about, at least people that I've met over the years. I'll admit it's a little far for a day trip, but it's certainly a doable day trip if you leave early or don't mind driving back later in the day.
Part of me wonders if Richmond's old reputation still has an impact. Over 20 years ago or so, Richmond had a crime problem (similar to Durham, in a way) and probably wasn't viewed as a desirable place for a visit. However, the city has made a pretty decent comeback over the past few decades. There are some old industrial neighborhoods along the James River that have been revitalized, with lots of bars, restaurants, shops, etc.
But then again, I know some people aren't big on visiting cities. I have many friends around Raleigh that only leave the area if they're going to the beach or the mountains, and there's nothing wrong with that.
While I do believe in climate change....this bolded sentence is very silly.
The difference in climate between Richmond and Raleigh is minimal. If climate change ever comes to the point where people are literally escaping from too-warm weather and migrating north; I think said migrations would be significantly larger distances than that from central NC to central VA...and also we'd basically be in a post-society/apocalyptic world so I don't think museums or cultural attractions (or being a city at all) are going to be driving factors in where the refugees choose to migrate.
this made me laugh in that weird nervous way. For a second, I remembered Cormack McCarthy's novel "The Road" (if y'all have not read it, should at least watch the movie; a true gem for anyone interested in true environmental apocalypse). Yeah, people will be turning into cannibals by that point so no one will be comparing VFMA to NCMA.
this made me laugh in that weird nervous way. For a second, I remembered Cormack McCarthy's novel "The Road" (if y'all have not read it, should at least watch the movie; a true gem for anyone interested in true environmental apocalypse). Yeah, people will be turning into cannibals by that point so no one will be comparing VFMA to NCMA.
I haven't heard of "The Road" but yeah I was thinking more along the lines of a mix between Mad Max and Hunger Games type of atmosphere. Both origin stories of those societies stem from climate change so it lends credence to my theory!
Richmond and Raleigh would both be in District 12 FWIW
I haven't heard of "The Road" but yeah I was thinking more along the lines of a mix between Mad Max and Hunger Games type of atmosphere. Both origin stories of those societies stem from climate change so it lends credence to my theory!
Richmond and Raleigh would both be in District 12 FWIW
I have many friends around Raleigh that only leave the area if they're going to the beach or the mountains, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I think this is it right here.
There has to be a bigger draw than being a pretty cool mid-sized city. With Charleston it is all the history, plus the beach. With Asheville it is the cool vibe plus the mountains. I'm not sure that the James River is a big enough draw for folks like me that aren't into whitewater rafting. You still haven't given me many reasons to go there. So far I have:
• A very good art museum Not really a big draw, I have a membership to NCMA, but more because I want to support them than anything else. I go once or twice a year.
• The James River Nice, but I don't do whitewater rafting and can hike along the Haw or kayak there if I have a mind to rent a kayak.
• Historic Neighborhoods Again that is nice, but it's just nice. It's not a big wow.
• Good beer and restaurants I don't drink alcohol. I do eat, but there are good restaurants everywhere. Plenty right here.
So none of that is very compelling to me. Just like I'm sure Raleigh or Durham or Chapel Hill is not compelling to Richmonders. I'm also not that much of a city person, especially not a mid-sized city. I do like to occasionally go to DC or NYC or San Francisco or Los Angeles or London, but I'm more of a National Park, nature type person.
If you gave me the choice of a long weekend at the Outer Banks, Asheville, or Richmond, for sure the mountains or the beach would win every single time. Just nothing drawing me to Richmond like the mountains or the beach.
If it was a day trip to Topsail or Wrightsville or Richmond, probably still the beach is going to win.
If it was a day trip to Greensboro or Richmond I might pick Richmond just for the newness factor, but the longer drive would also play in. I do like Greensboro, but I've been there more.
If it was a day trip to Charlotte or Richmond all things being equal I might pick Richmond. I go to Charlotte all the time to see the in laws.
That looks so much like Raleigh, I'm not even kidding. Those videos could have been filmed in Raleigh. Just the river is different, bigger than the Neuse and right downtown vs the Neuse being a little further out in Raleigh (still in the city, just not downtown). Not a big oh wow factor.
Elvis, to answer your question, this is why. Too samey. Not enough wow.
One of these days I'll get up there to explore. I do think Richmond seems like a cool place to live, but there are so many places to visit and only so much time.
I agree about those videos. The amenities in both cities are pretty much the same. IMO the amenities are packaged better in Richmond (sites are clustered in walkable, beautiful urban neighborhoods). These video seem more geared towards getting people to live here and not just visit (filler shots of trees and flowers, basically the same landscape of a dozen Piedmont cities).
That looks so much like Raleigh, I'm not even kidding. Those videos could have been filmed in Raleigh. Just the river is different, bigger than the Neuse and right downtown vs the Neuse being a little further out in Raleigh (still in the city, just not downtown). Not a big oh wow factor.
Elvis, to answer your question, this is why. Too samey. Not enough wow.
One of these days I'll get up there to explore. I do think Richmond seems like a cool place to live, but there are so many places to visit and only so much time.
That's fair! Honestly, if you're not a city person (or mid-sized city person) or a big history buff, then Richmond might not be your cup of tea in the first place. For the most part, both metros look similar, especially suburban areas such as north Raleigh, Henrico, etc. The 'West End" neighborhood is basically the Richmond equivalent of ITB Raleigh, too.
However, if you decide to explore Richmond someday, then I would recommend checking out neighborhoods such as the Fan District, Jackson Ward, Shockoe Ship, Church Hill, etc. Take a drive down Monument Avenue, for example. These are the areas that have a different feel than what you'd typically find in North Carolina cities. They're closer to downtown Richmond and have an urban vibe, similar to D.C. or cities further north.
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this made me laugh in that weird nervous way. For a second, I remembered Cormack McCarthy's novel "The Road" (if y'all have not read it, should at least watch the movie; a true gem for anyone interested in true environmental apocalypse). Yeah, people will be turning into cannibals by that point so no one will be comparing VFMA to NCMA.
