Richmond/Williamsburg Trip (houses, plantations, food)

[JEM91]

I am planning a weekend trip to Richmond/Williamsburg in February 2022.

It will be my wife and I and we've not been to this part of Virginia before.

What are some recommendations of things we must see while in the area.
It will most likely be an all day in Williamsburg on Saturday, and all day in Richmond on Sunday.

We like history and looking into Jamestown as well and we like unique attractions and things most tourists seem to not know about or visit. We know Williamsburg is full of history.

Any information helps,
Thanks in advance!

[eandslee]

In Richmond, I'd hit up the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar. Also, perhaps there might be something at St. John's Church where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. The Valentine Museum is good to learn of Richmond's history. Also, Richmond has a Holocaust Museum in Shockoe Bottom that I hear is decent. If the weather is nice, hit up Maymont Park and tour the Dooley mansion there. It's a great nature walk with barn animals (and some various other animals too). Hollywood Cemetery is a cool place to visit as well - some very notable people from our history are buried there. There are other places to go not related to history like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a stroll through Monument Avenue (used to have monuments there, but the houses are beautiful along that street). Lots of food and breweries around too.

[choff5]

If you are going both places and have the time, take Rt. 5 from Richmond to Williamsburg. You will be along the James River and several of the Plantations. Here’s a link, James River Plantations - Between Richmond and Williamsburg. We’ve been to Berkeley. Right beside Shirley is Upper Shirley which is a winery and a small bistro, good for lunch. Check each place, times, etc, esp in February as I have no idea between Covid and time of year what their hours are.