Richmond VA Vacation: Events and Activities near William Miller House

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide is Here!

Be sure to turn to page 20 and find out why a trip to the Richmond Region is must in 2011.

Richmond Virginia Area Activities and Events

Make the Most of Your Richmond VA Vacation

William Miller House makes an excellent base to visit the sites of Richmond and surrounding area.

Within walking distance are many excellent restaurants and cafes, the eclectic shopping of Carytown, art galleries to suit every style, fascinating museums, Virginia Commonwealth University, Hollywood Cemetery, Monroe Park, Firehouse Theater, Richmond's Landmark Theater, Kanawha and Haxall Canal Walk, Maymont (Richmond's own Gilded Age mansion), and even the State Capitol designed in 1775 by Thomas Jefferson.

A short drive will allow you to enjoy the Botanical Gardens, Civil War Sites, River Front, James River Park System, Golf, 17th Street Farmer's Market, more museums, and birding. You can also travel to Stony Point Fashion Park, Short Pump Town Center, and a broad array of antique and collectible shops.

Cultural Events include the Richmond Symphony, First Friday Artwalk, Historic Garden Week in Virginia, Virginia Arts Festival, Richmond Ballet, and Virginia Opera. If you're seeking sporting events you'll find the Richmond International Raceway, Colonial Downs, Richmond Kickers and Richmond River Dogs.

Helpful Richmond VA Vacation Travel Links:

The Historic Fan District

The Historic Fan District is an 85-block Victorian residential neighborhood immediately west of Richmond's downtown commercial area, and is said to be the largest intact Victorian neighborhood in the United States. The Historic Fan District was named to the National register of Historic Places in 1986. The Fan District's development followed the tracks of a late 19th century electric trolley line. It takes its name from its tree-lined avenues and streets that "fan out" from downtown. Best described as architecturally diverse, the over 2,300 classic turn-of-the-century Fan town homes feature bay windows, turrets, high ceilings, parquet oak and pine floors, mahogany woodwork, stained and leaded glass, and varied porch and balcony designs. Most homes are brick or brick and brownstone. However, The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast, one of the earliest homes in the neighborhood, is clapboard.

Much of the unique character of the Fan is derived from the fact that it remains a self-contained community of homes and apartments, restaurants, outdoor cafes, shops, galleries, markets, and service establishments. Fan residents—and visitors, too—have all the necessities of life: food, drink, entertainment, schools, museums, shops of every type and parks within walking distance of their homes.

The Fan District is home to Monument Avenue, considered "one of the most beautiful streets in America," and the only avenue in the United States named a National Historic Landmark. The broad avenue, with a wide central median, is home to statues of the Southern leaders of the Civil War, including J.E.B Stuart, Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson and Matthew Fontaine Maury. A memorial honoring Arthur Ashe, the tennis great who was born in Richmond, was added to Monument Avenue several years ago.

Life in the district harkens back to an earlier, slower-paced era. Residents stroll and bike along city streets and neighbors know each other. The defining characteristic of the Fan is the spirit of its residents, who are committed to city living and to restoring and preserving their distinctive, historic neighborhood.

For more detailed history of the Fan District, see Richmond's Fan District by Drew St.J. Carneal, published by the Council of Historic Richmond Foundation in 1996.