I don't have enough good things to say about this place!!…read more I flew from Texas as a bridesmaids in one of my good friends weddings. I have never seen a venue like this in my life. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! First off it's HUGE, and second off, they used every inch of it to make it a unique stunning wedding venue. I was so blown away the first time I saw it I swear to you I about cried. The staff. THE. STAFF. YALL. OH MY WORD!!! Like nothing I have ever witnessed in my life. When we left hair and make up to start that way, the bride (and us) were so stressed I literally thought I was going to vomit. But the minute we walked in we hear more "how can I help you" 's than you could ever imagine. WE DIDN'T EVEN DO A REHEARSAL, but the staff was so calm and amazing at telling us what to do, we didn't need one. The staff worked around the clock at this wedding. I have NEVER been so impressed by employees in my life! All around just an incredible venue!!! It made me want to move to Virginia!!

Watched a good friend get married at this venue and it was absolutely amazing. The staff was super…read moreattentive and the facilities were top notch! There were a LOT of people there but thus venue is so large it never felt claustrophobic. It was a great experience and a beautiful wedding!!

Everything thing! Food, the place and most of all the service. So professional and friendly!read more

I recently visited Dover Hall for the first time for a company party and I was blown away both by…read morethe opulence of the interior and the professionalism of the staff. For a 32,000+ square foot mansion (that was originally built as a single family private home) the space is immaculately and meticulously clean and maintained to the highest standard. I did not see a single speck of dust, no cobwebs on the soaring ceilings, or stain on any upholstery. The mansion also did not feel austere or cavernous despite its size; on the contrary, it is absolutely bursting with some of the most beautiful, unique, and at times strange but wonderful decor. For example, the game room has both billiards as well as an extensive and exotic big game taxidermy collection, whereas the adjacent two-story library boasts a hand carved fireplace and a spiral wrought iron staircase. I spent most of my evening exploring every room and trying to take in as much as possible. The multitude of staff who serviced our event were both warm in their interactions as well as discreet when necessary. The in-house catering was also very good. We had a tortellini station, a raw bar, breads and spreads, as well as passed hors d'oeuvres and a dessert station, and I enjoyed everything I tried. My only regret is that Dover Hall doesn't seem to do open house hours or guided tours, because I would love to be able to return and see more of this remarkable building.

"Walk a mile in their shoes......"…read more I decided to peer through the eyes of history and visit the Tuckahoe Plantation. I felt all the feels driving up the loooong drive to the plantation. I wondered how many slaves dreamed about what was on the "other side" of that long field. Many visitors pack in to see where Thomas Jefferson spent his childhood BUT I drove to see how the ancestors spent theirs (as this plantation tells the enslaved stories, as well). As I walked the curving path to see the schoolhouse, kitchen, enslaved quarters....I felt something (not the haunting that is said to be present) - i wondered about long sweltering summers in the field. I didn't need to peer inside the main house. I thought the archivists did a good job assembling historical facts about Thomas Jefferson and the enslaved. I didn't take the guided tour but I enjoyed what was open to see (people reside there - in both the main house and cabins - so not much to see).

Lovely spot to take a walk in their immaculate garden! This plantation, once the home of Thomas…read moreJefferson, is located off River Road, down a long, dirt driveway. You will pass a farm with chickens and gorgeous fields as you make you way to the stately Georgian styled home at the end of the road. There's a parking lot with an honor system box, $5 donation for the self- guided walking tour of the grounds. A map Is provided, and there are QR codes throughout this beautiful acreage. Should you want a guided tour of the main house and outbuildings, there are charges ranging from $5-$20, discounts for children, seniors and military. Call for reservations to be sure they are not hosting a private event. We were only interested in being outdoors! The plantation is open from 9-5 daily. This place is the perfect location for some fresh air therapy! We were enthralled by the various garden areas, the statuary, the arched groves, the arbors, the colonial design, and most of all, the spring flowers and trees in full bloom! We meandered through the rows of tulips, daffodils, poppies, hyacinths, snowdrops, candytuft, bluebells, and other colorful flowers, shrubs, bushes and plants. This not so secret garden was full of birds, with bird houses placed strategically at various spots. Flowering vines and trees were trained to make gorgeous arches. The maintenance of this amazing, historic estate is obviously painstakingly meticulous. We were completely enthralled with its beauty and understated grandeur. They allow photo shoots for exorbitant fees and by appointment only. You might want to try Maymont, etc. instead.

If you're into history and/or call Virginia home, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture is worth…read morea visit. Open every day from 10am-5pm, tickets are between $8 and $12 with children five and under free. Located next to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture is inside a historic building erected to commemorate the Confederacy. Now it's a museum honoring all Virginians, regardless of background. Here's why you should visit: 1) Entrance: There's a large parking lot near the main entrance. Walk inside and you'll see a well-designed cafe that serves local coffee and food, a bookstore with books and products from Virginia, restrooms, and the ticket area. Staff are helpful and the entire space is kept clean. 2) Exhibits: Start with the 15-minute film about the history of Virginia starting 16,000 years ago to today. It's worth the time. Then explore the exhibit halls where you can find art, artifacts like letters George Washington wrote, and more. One exhibit walks through history of Virginia from 16,000 to present day. Another honors all five regions of Virginia. Another talks about the original murals in the building and another showcases art of Virginia. Little rooms are filled with more exhibits displaying some of the 9,000,000 objects in their collection. There's even an area for kids to play in a little market, try on colonial clothes, and more. Interactive exhibits are part of every room. 3) Experience: It's not an overwhelming museum, but you can easily spend a few hours seeing most items and reading most displays. I learned a lot!

Not sure what I was expected, but I was sorely disappointed with this museum. The fee is $12 and I…read morefeel I spent about 12 minutes in there, so one dollar for every moment spent? Idk, I didn't feel that price tag was worth it. The history and culture wasn't presented in a way I thought captured my attention, nor made me want to retain said information or learn more. Save your $$$ and go to the VMFA which is right there, amazing, and free.

I never even knew this little hidden gem existed. Church Hill is full of some of the best views in…read morethe city, and this is no exception. At the Overlook at ChildSavers, you get stunning views of the city from the perfect vantage point. The site is perfectly flat and has gorgeous views for miles, well, most of the way. It's bright and sunny and beautiful, but then there is that eye sore of an ugly rusted tank obstructs view on the left :0. I found that a little distracting from the otherwise beautiful view. Overall, however, great spot with lots of space for a nice event, and a goooorgeous view of the sunset and the painted city sky. What a nice place for a special event.

Agecroft Hall is a beautiful historical property that is like visiting old England without leaving…read moreRichmond. It's wonderfully preserved and allows you to step into another age and time. The gardens are lovely and similar to the ones I've seen in England of the same time period. My favorite thing was the replica of Queen Elizabeth's dress in one of the bedrooms. The visit sparked conversations about life at that time and was a nice way to spend some time. All that is missing is a tea room.

I visited Agecroft Hall when I was in Richmond a week or two ago, and I had a wonderful experience…read more So what is Agecroft Hall? It's a Tudor manor house in Richmond. Why? The manor house was built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Lancashire, England. By the 20th century, it was in a state of disrepair, and a wealthy entrepreneur in Richmond bought the property and had it dismantled, crated, and shipped to Richmond. Then, the building materials in good condition were used to build a new home still in the Tudor style. Hence, their tagline: "Made in England. Remade in America." The house is absolutely stunning. It's just a wild thing to see - an authentic Tudor home in Virginia! The exterior and the grounds and gardens are beautiful, but it was the tour inside that really blew me away. They describe the tour as self-guided, but it's sort of a hybrid of a guided tour and a free wander. On each floor of the house, a member of the staff wait to tell you about that floor. After an explanation, they walk around with you, answering any additional questions you have, and peppering in interesting facts about each new room. It was informative, but it also felt personal. I learned a lot, and my jaw dropped a lot. The details in this home are really incredible. Richmond has a lot of attractions, but I highly recommend checking out Agecroft Hall. It's a stunner.

I love visiting museums but the Chihuly Piece what's one…read moreof the main draws for me. It's hard to believe that general admission is free because the museum rivals many larger art museums that I visited. The collection is incredibly diverse The galleries are spacious and well what organized and never felt overly crowded. I especially enjoyed the sculpture garden which is peaceful and beautiful and a perfect spot to take a break people were working studying just enjoying being here

We went down to see the Great Mughals exhibit. We met our friends for lunch at Acme which was…read moredelicious and the service was excellent. This is a very mobility friendly place with elevators and exhibits. We enjoyed the exhibits and they have a nice gift shop. They have a nice garden and a parking garage. $12 entrance fee but they offer discounts for seniors & military. We discussed returning again.

This is a very nice plaza area that is more than adequate for special events. There is a bike share…read morekiosk out front of the park. The park is accessible and is home to an awesome fountain. You will find a huge patch of green space that can be used to host an event, play a filed game like football or soccer, fly a kite or have a picnic, to name a few activities. The design of the plaza is very unique. It sits over the Downtown Expressway. it is only 3 acres and was constructed in 1980. The park trademark is it heptagonal fountain that feeds into a sunken pool composed of a complex arrangement of geometric concrete walls and terraces. I really do not see much utility for this plaza outside of an event, (maybe walking a dog). There is not any seating there to hang out on (at least when I was there, but that was after a large festival too), other than sitting on the green space. This is a nice spot though and is well maintained and I would love to attend an event here. If there were tables and chairs, or even benches here this place would be awesome. It would be a spot to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Kanawha Plaza is host to a random square of greenery in downtown Richmond. It's just up the road…read morefrom the river and surrounded by all the high rises in the city. I've become well-acquainted with it as a commuter over the past several months, but otherwise I'd likely never step foot in it. There are outdoor events hosted there in the summer, but I always missed them this past season because they started too late (after 5 p.m.). I feel like if they want to bring more downtown workers to the events, they need to begin an hour earlier. But, who knows -- they might be well attended. I've never seen them. The space itself is well-kept for the most part with a pretty fountain off to the side. They've also recently installed a fun little sign that lists Richmond's sister cities and their mileage away. I'd say if you have the time for a break in your day and want a dose of mild serenity, this is a great place to visit. However, be very-very careful crossing the streets to reach it! Walking at the crosswalk at 8th and Canal is like taking your life in your hands. Unfortunately, due to the never-ending Dominion construction at 7th, I've had to cross there recently due to road closures. Typically I'll have my phone up and video on, because turning cars simply do not stop and if they hit me, I'd like proof (if my phone survives I guess). Most of the time, they turn inches behind me, which is crazy dangerous. What if I lost my footing and fell backward? (It could happen. I'm clumsy.) Also if you're crossing on Byrd toward 9th, be sure to walk on the side closer to the Manchester Bridge. It's not at all safe coming from Byrd (speeding cars coming off the bridge don't stop at the yield and only look to the left to see if a car's coming, not if someone's in the crosswalk), but it's much safer coming from the plaza. If you walk on the side closer to the city, it's the same deal: the turning cars will not stop for you.