Traveling to Richmond, Virginia, for the first time felt like stepping into a completely different rhythm of life. I flew in from Nevada with a friend, and as soon as we stepped off the plane, snow started falling. Meanwhile, the flight itself felt endless. You really don’t grasp how wide the United States is until you fly coast-to-coast. I’m used to international travel, yet heading to the East Coast for the first time still felt like a milestone.

First Impressions From the West Coast

Once we picked up our rental car from the small airport, we headed out, and right away, I noticed  how green everything looked. Even better, people drove calmly and at reasonable speeds. Honestly, it felt refreshing. I’m used to dodging aggressive drivers near California and Utah. After that, we stopped at Whole Foods for an easy dinner and groceries, then settled into our Airbnb in the Fan District, close to downtown Richmond, Virginia.

Walks, Food, and Local Favorites in Richmond, Virginia

The next morning, we woke up early and took a long walk through old town. The streets felt charming and relaxed, especially Strawberry Street, which quickly became a favorite. We grabbed pastries and coffee from Idle Hands Bread Company. While the scone leaned too sweet for me, the other pastries over the next few days were solid. During our stay, we also visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and every local recommendation proved right. From Roman artifacts to Egyptian pieces, the collection impressed me. For food, Beauvine Burger Concept stood out, thanks to duck fat fries and a goat cheese burger with tomato jam. So good. We also ended one night at Lucky AF Asian Fusion, a busy spot locals clearly love. All in all, Richmond, Virginia left a great impression, and I would absolutely go back—though I’m still searching for that truly great coffee shop.

If you are interested in reaching out about booking a wedding in Richmond or Virginia area, I would absolutely be honored, just head to my website to find out more and inquire. http://www.bethkellumphotography.com