Beaver Creek (also known as Mechanicsville) is another very small Battlefield but, had a large part…read morein the Seven Days' Battle. Here the Park Service has preserved a section of the two-mile front that Confederates unsuccessfully attacked on June 26. The bold advance, combined with the arrival of "Stonewall" Jackson's command, convinced the Union commander George B. McClellan to order a withdrawal to high ground near Gaines' Mill.There is not a lot to see here except a few plaques and some cannon placements. It is still a very significant piece of the history of the Civil War.

The battle of Beaver Dam (aka Battle of Mechanicsville) was the 2nd of the Seven Days' Battles…read morecampaign which drove the Union Army away from Richmond, and the first battle commanded by General Lee. It was a small scale affair that technically was a Union victory. But it still scared the Union enough to withdraw to the relative safety of Boatswain Creek, resulting the battle at Gaines' Mill the next day. Today, there isn't much to see. There is a bridge across the creek - and I swear I saw a real life beaver run across the road. If you cross the bridge and follow the very short path, you'll be rewarded by several more history plaques. And that's all, folks. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/beaver-dam-creek.html

At Chickahominy Bluff on the morning of June 26, 1862 more than 20,000 Confederate soldiers…read moregathered to prepare their advance across the Chickahominy River. General Robert E. Lee, seated on his horse nearby, was watching and listening for the movement beyond the river that would signal the opening of his offensive east of Richmond known as the Seven Days Battles. This site also contains the several remains of Confederate earthworks built to defend the city of Richmond.

When I visited the Chickahominy Bluff Battlefield on Sept. 13, there really wasn't much left of…read morethis historic site. The "Chickahominy Bluff Battlefield" contains just a few mounds of earthworks and a short trail leading to an overlook and an NPS historical marker. There is NO visitor center located here. As I understand, Chickahominy Bluff was the site where Confederate General Robert E Lee, James Longstreet, and D H Hill awaited the arrival of "Stonewall" Jackson's division from the Shenandoah Valley, to launch the 7 Days offensive. The earthworks surrounding the bluff were constructed after the 7 Days battles and were used to defend the Confederate capital of Richmond from an enemy attack. Because of so little that happened here, it amazes me that the National Park Service wants to maintain this ground as part of Richmond National Battlefield Park. There WASN'T even a BATTLE THAT OCCURED HERE!!!!! Nonetheless, I give this site 4-stars since it's a great place for you to make a quick stop if you're interested in Civil War history or for you to have a picnic. If you're visiting a Civil War site around Richmond, the 'Chickahominy Bluff Battlefield' is a great place to stop when heading to the Gaine's Mill, Cold Harbor, or Malvern Hill Battlefields. *On Saturday December 27th, I got a chance to re-visit Chickahominy Bluff on my way to the Beaver Dam Creek and Malvern Hill battlefields. Chickahominy Bluff has NOT improved AT ALL since I first visited the site.*

I visited the eastern front of the Petersburg National Battlefield last month while traveling back…read morefrom a Toyota dealership in the area. The battlefield has several sites in the Petersburg Virginia area including a western front, union and confederate forces encampment sites, remains of makeshift forts, storage depots and landing sites. The battlefield as a whole encompasses many miles in a circular pattern and you can either do a guided or self guided tour. It is well marked and mapped. The site as a whole was the longest siege of the American Civil War. Union forces began the siege in 1864 and it lasted nine months with many battles that resulted in victories for both sides. Petersburg VA at the time was a major hub for Robert E Lee's army with extensive rail lines and supply depots. It was also pivotal in the defense of Richmond which was the Confederate capital during the war. The eastern front battlefield is well preserved and also serves as a park which is managed by the National Park Service. There are walking and hiking trails as well as bike lanes. There is parking at each of the eight sites on the eastern front. Each site is well maintained and marked and it is quite educational. You could spend a few hours here exploring. Just a note, bring bug spray with tick repellent. Several of the sites I had to swipe a tick off my legs. It was a bit wet and it was very humid so the bugs were out in force. Overall it was a great experience. On the next visit I'll check out the western front which is roughly eight miles away on the other side of town.

Often overlooked but a hidden gem national park…read more Our national parks and battlefields are some treasured areas. This park is often in the shadow of others, but had long and bloody trench warfare. The history and earthworks are simply incredible! Definitely read about it and look up closure times before coming. (8pm during the summer and sunset/sunrise throughout the year) 33-odd miles of trails, good to recreate and the tour road is perfect for cycling/running.

Great place to take a short walk with historical significance. Just a short hop off of 95 between…read moreRichmond and Petersburg if you need to take a stop for your pup or to stretch your legs. Beautiful Riverview.

First time here. I'm a bit of a history nerd so I knew of it's history and existence but never…read moremade it here. It's pretty easy to get to. The fort is around a 1/4 mile walk from the parking "lot". Plenty of shade and very pleasant. Trip is about a mile or so..The fort itself is in pretty good shape given her age and that it's made of earth. There is an observation deck overlooking the exact spot on the James from the 1862 battle with the Monitor and others. My suggestion would be to cut the tops of the trees down that face the James from the platform. I think it would give a better idea of the forts commanding geographical position on the river. Good for kids making their first Civil War battlefield trips. No where really to run to. Very recommended

This monument in Richmond's Meadow Park is dedicated to the First Regiment of Virginia Infantry…read more There are inscriptions on all four sides but the light wasn't great to capture more than one of them and the soldier on top. On one side, "Erected to the imperishable memory of the valiant fallen of the First Regiment of Virginia Infantry who through seven American wars endured hardships with patience, met defeat with constant courage, did not vaunt their victories and steadfastly kept the faith with God and their country." Of course, Monument Avenue has others but this one is not on Monument Avenue and it's interesting. [Review 11981 overall, 1764 of 2019.]

With views of the city, Richmond National Battlefield Park tells stories of the Civil War. There's…read morea visitor center with a free exhibit about medicine during the Civil War. Inside are restrooms. The park itself has trails, green space, a gazebo, and a miniature Statue of Liberty.

The Richmond National Battlefield Park is the umbrella name for a series of National Park Service…read morebattlefield parks and museums, including (but not limited to) Cold Harbor, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, & the Civil War Center at Tredegar Iron Works. All are free, and have their own separate Yelp pages. Don't get this confused with individual locations which are run by non-profits, like the American Civil War Museum (also at Tredegar), or the Confederate White House. Those are worth visits, but you have to pay to get in. https://www.nps.gov/rich/index.htm

General Ulysses S. Grant's Headquarters are well preserved. The bathrooms are clean. Masks are…read morerequired to enter the building.

My son likes history, so one day surprised him with a trip here. I was the one that was surprised…read morewith how little was left there. On the main property was a house of nice sized that was closed a barn where they appeared to allow special events and nearby a smaller place where Grant lived and his wife visited. It sat above the James Rivera and provided nice sight lines. The boardwalk/pier was well kept and again provided a nice wide view of the James River. If you want to have a picnic surrounded by great views, this is certainly a good choice. If you're looking for a glimpse of the past, there are many other places with much more to see than this location.

This marker points out the history of the Falls of Richmond - the river rapids that made Richmond…read morewhat it is. There is also a fountain here in the intersection. The marker reads, "The Falls of the James River are the central physical fact of Richmond, having directly influenced its history through their effect upon Trade, Energy, Community and Nourishment." "Trade - As the Falls of the James are a natural barrier between the sea and the interior, the area immediately surrounding the Falls has for centuries been a center for trade. Before European settlement, the Powhatan and Monacan Indians exploited the lands around the Falls as a trading center for the entire region. With the arrival of Europeans, trade between the settlers and Indians flourished and the warehousing and export of tobacco grew in importance. Later, Richmond became a major transportation hub as a result of the construction of the James River and Kanawha Canal, built to by-pass the Falls. Transportation, hydro-power and nearby coal deposits made Richmond a center for the manufacture and trade of flour, wheat, tobacco and iron. Even today, Richmond's commercial and financial core overlooks the whitewater rapids of the Falls." "Energy - Though a barrier to navigation, the Falls were a boon to industry. Richmonders harnessed the water flow of the Falls to drive flour mills, iron plants, and paper mills, all major components of the city's manufacturing growth. Later, hydro power from the Falls was utilized to generate electricity which fed the industrial and residential needs of the community. This included the powering of Richmond's trolley system, the first in the world to successfully operate by electricity." "Community - The Falls and its environs have always provided the most basic physical requirements for settlement and community: food, water, energy, and transport. With the growth of trade and industry along the Falls, Richmond became a more culturally diverse community as immigrants from all parts of Europe followed English settlers to the region. African-American slaves provided much of the labor and many of the skills and crafts essential to the early growth of Richmond, and upon achieving their freedom, became a major factor in the culture and growth of the city. Richmond's selection as Virginia's capital and later as capital of the Confederacy can be traced to the city's growth along the river. While the livelihood of Richmond depends less today on the James, our community's mutual bond still begins at the Falls." "Nourishment - The Falls provided a wealth of vegetation, fish, wildlife and fresh water to nourish both Native Americans and early European settlers. By the early 1800's, hydro power from the Falls drove pumps which provided the City with its first municipal drinking water system. Today, the Falls of the James continue to provide Richmonders with spiritual nourishment, whether through contemplation of the natural beauty of the Falls or through the unique recreational opportunities available along the James: white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and swimming." Check it out and you'll get a better understanding of Richmond. [Review 11802 overall, 1584 of 2019.]