RVA Guidebook
Bakeries and Coffee
Love pastries, biscuits, and coffee? So do we! Here are our tried and true recommendations!
This place has the BEST pastries ever. They are all handmade, wood-fired, and the croissants are so buttery and flakey. Everything on their menu is great and getting their chocolate-raspberry croissant is like winning the lottery.
Due to COVID they are pick-up/online orders only . Order online, pop over to Churchill pick up your order by texting them on arrival. Then explore the historic neighborhood on foot.
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Sub Rosa Bakery
620 N 25th StThis place has the BEST pastries ever. They are all handmade, wood-fired, and the croissants are so buttery and flakey. Everything on their menu is great and getting their chocolate-raspberry croissant is like winning the lottery.
Due to COVID they are pick-up/online orders only . Order online, pop over to Churchill pick up your order by texting them on arrival. Then explore the historic neighborhood on foot.
Early Bird Biscuit Co.
119 N Robinson StThe Smoky Mug
15 E Brookland Park BlvdWPA Bakery
3414 Semmes AveThe Lab by Alchemy Coffee
814 W Broad StPerk! Coffee & Lunchbox
2620 Buford RdSugar & Twine
2928 W Cary StFuel Pump
Neighborhoods
This is the neighborhood to go to for bar hopping. You can find a treasure trove of activities to do in between bar hopping like arcades, bowling allies, and pool.
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Scott's Addition Historic District
This is the neighborhood to go to for bar hopping. You can find a treasure trove of activities to do in between bar hopping like arcades, bowling allies, and pool.
Head off to the VMFA, Science Museum, kids museum for some intellectual stimulation or wander through the historic neighborhoods for coffee, food, or shops.
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Museum District
2811 Grove AveHead off to the VMFA, Science Museum, kids museum for some intellectual stimulation or wander through the historic neighborhoods for coffee, food, or shops.
Scuffletown Park
418 Strawberry StSightseeing
Walk directly above the James and explore the beaches and rocks on the edges of the river. Bustling in spring and summer.
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Pipeline Overlook
Walk directly above the James and explore the beaches and rocks on the edges of the river. Bustling in spring and summer.
This is a great place to access the James river for hiking, swimming, sunbathing, or picnics. Pups also love it here.
It’s close to Byrd park which is also a great place to go for spring and summer recreation.
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Byrd Park Pump House
1708 Pump House DrThis is a great place to access the James river for hiking, swimming, sunbathing, or picnics. Pups also love it here.
It’s close to Byrd park which is also a great place to go for spring and summer recreation.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
200 N Arthur Ashe BlvdInstitute for Contemporary Art
601 W Broad StYoung People Faves
This is an LGBTQ+ friendly bar in carytown famous for good vibes and karaoke.
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Babe's of Carytown
3166 W Cary StThis is an LGBTQ+ friendly bar in carytown famous for good vibes and karaoke.
Pony Pasture is uptown of the south side of the river. It's a great place to pop out of the river on kayak or tube. Lots of tubing and kayaking companies launch out of pony pasture throughout the summer.
Pony Pasture Trails
Pony Pasture TrailsPony Pasture is uptown of the south side of the river. It's a great place to pop out of the river on kayak or tube. Lots of tubing and kayaking companies launch out of pony pasture throughout the summer.
I remember when I came to RVA for tattoos + thrifting. This is one of my favorite places if you have an itch for a tattoo. I can recommend more if this isn't what you're looking for.
Black Rabbit Tattoo
17 N Belmont AveI remember when I came to RVA for tattoos + thrifting. This is one of my favorite places if you have an itch for a tattoo. I can recommend more if this isn't what you're looking for.
For fur babies and kiddos
This garden is a romantic little spot for a stroll or picnic OR a great place for the kids to run around and visit the animal farm to feed the goats, see the otters, and smile. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed at Maymont.
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Maymont
1700 Hampton StThis garden is a romantic little spot for a stroll or picnic OR a great place for the kids to run around and visit the animal farm to feed the goats, see the otters, and smile. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed at Maymont.
Disc Golf, Dog Park, running trails and field this place is a wonderful outdoor space for anyone in the family. June-October there is also a farmer's market.
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Dorey Park and Recreation Center
2999 Darbytown RdDisc Golf, Dog Park, running trails and field this place is a wonderful outdoor space for anyone in the family. June-October there is also a farmer's market.
Science Museum
2320 W Broad StCharm School Study Hall
4930 Forest Hill AveIphaki yaseForest Hill
4021 Forest Hill AveBars and Breweries
Fuzzy Cactus
221 W Brookland Park BlvdHardywood Park Craft Brewery
820 Sanctuary Trail DrLove the selection here! There’s also tacos you can order and puppy friendly outdoor seating.
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The Veil Brewing
4910 Forest Hill AvenueLove the selection here! There’s also tacos you can order and puppy friendly outdoor seating.
Need something to celebrate but don’t wanna go far? Find weird, local, and fresh picks of beer and alcohol and local THC here. You can also get local eggs + produce.
Northside Gourmet Market
2208 North AvenueNeed something to celebrate but don’t wanna go far? Find weird, local, and fresh picks of beer and alcohol and local THC here. You can also get local eggs + produce.
Don't Look Back - Triple
3306 W Broad StShopping
Cute shop for gift things. Nothing in the shop is local except the store itself.
On Saturday this place hosts the BIG RVA MARKET. A farmer's market that spans the park with local fare. If you're in town it's a great way to see the farmers who surround our city for local food, snacks, flowers, and gifts.
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Bryan Park
4308 Hermitage RdOn Saturday this place hosts the BIG RVA MARKET. A farmer's market that spans the park with local fare. If you're in town it's a great way to see the farmers who surround our city for local food, snacks, flowers, and gifts.
Mongrel
2924 W Cary StLots of thrifters swear by this place, although I have had better luck at the goodwill people seem to find jewels here.
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Diversity Thrift
1407 Sherwood AveLots of thrifters swear by this place, although I have had better luck at the goodwill people seem to find jewels here.
Chop Suey Books
2913 W Cary StFor the Love of Chocolate
3136 W Cary St