Car Rental Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Richmond’s city skyscraper landscape is interspersed by layers of history. This offbeat blend of old and new creates the perfect location to explore by car, since even the vibrant centre is leafy and rolls along at a gentle pace.

As you exit Richmond Airport, use Interstate 64 (I-64) to curve west towards the city centre. You’ll pass through the Biotech and MCV District on North Street, where Broad Street and the James River envelope many blocks of top Downtown attractions.

In the west, Broad Street leads past Virginia Commonwealth University and into the Museum District, where you’ll find treasures like Movieland at Boulevard Square and the Science Museum of Virginia.

Nearby Carytown is an atmospheric retail district with more than 200 unique stores. There are casinos and rustic American eateries dotted along Cary Street.

There are many parking lots grouped around the Downtown and Capitol Districts, not far from top attractions like the Edgar Allan Poe Museum.

I-95 provides a useful route out of the city and across the river, where lush public parks line the shores. Continue north on I-95 to reach Washington and the District of Columbia in just two hours.

Interstate 295 and highway 288 combine to create an orbital pathway between all the key Richmond suburbs. Interstate 64 winds south towards Virginia Beach and the vibrant wildlife refuges surrounding Back Bay.

There are several toll roads in eastern Virginia, including Pocahontas Parkway (Route 895) and the RMTA Expressway. Tolls can be paid in cash at select times, or by using the EZ Pass system. Speak to the Richmond Airport car rental team for more information.

It is illegal to smoke in a car carrying children under 8 years old in Virginia, and the maximum legal speed limit is 70mph (112km/h), and is reduced significantly in urban and residential areas.

Once a traditional Southern town, Richmond has experienced an influx of creativity in recent years. The one-time capital of the US Confederacy is now a thriving metropolis with an adventurous soul.

Whether you love history or want to explore the thick forests and shimmering coasts of Virginia, Richmond Airport is your gateway to those treasures.

Explore the Museum District

A short 10-minute drive from Downtown, the Museum District is Richmond’s bright and breezy tourism hub. Here you’ll find street art, markets, monuments and, of course, many great museums.

The Virginia Museum of History and Culture is a fantastic place to visit, brimming with exhibitions that house artifacts dating back to the 18th century. Here you can place the street art in context, as the displays look at the relationship between street murals and the Commonwealth. From the founding fathers to the Great War, hear every chapter in the story of the Old Dominion state.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in another favourite, with diverse displays from every continent – plus journeys through 20^th-century African-American art and photography. There are family-friendly exhibits, alongside vibrant shows and lectures most days of the week.

If you’re looking for something a little more niche, try the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design or stroll along the river to find the Edgar Allan Poe Museum.

Walk through history

Richmond has a rich cultural lineage dating back centuries. Once you’ve soaked up knowledge from the Museum district, experience history yourself by strolling around the city and discovering the important buildings and landmarks that make up this city’s heritage.

Hollywood Cemetery is an intriguing, if eerie, look at the city’s past. The outdoor exhibitions are spread across hundreds of acres and you can see tombs and monuments dedicated to several US presidents – including the only Confederate president, Jefferson Davis. One of the most famous monuments is the cast-iron Newfoundland dog, standing guard over the graves.

Mix heritage and adventure in Virginia’s forests

Virginia’s enchanting forests are a little further afield but well within reach by car. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is a vast wilderness filled with great spots for fishing, hiking and photographing waterfalls.

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest was the Founding Fathers’ private retreat, and today it is a historic house museum on the outskirts of the great Virginian forests.

Maymont is another treasure tucked along the James River shores. This picturesque Victorian estate features a mansion straight out of a storybook, beautiful nature-filled gardens and a calendar brimming with exciting events. You can experience the holiday season in regal Victorian style or treat the entire family to a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Escape to the coast

Virginia Beach is the best-known resort on the nearby coastline, famous for its golden beaches and supreme surfing waters. There are many other top attractions, from the five-kilometre boardwalk to the thrilling adventure park located at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Centre.

Even if you only have a day, it’s a pleasure to spend an afternoon relaxing in the salty air before swinging by the famous Norfolk Botanical Garden on your drive back to Richmond.

Start planning an itinerary that packs in as many of the magnificent attractions as possible when you rent a car from Richmond International Airport.