As part of our Green Lodging program, Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast is excited to offer our guests a taxi service that is fueled by bio-diesel. Being Green doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice comfort and luxury, BioTaxi operates a Mercedes E-class sedan. We’re happy to offer our environmentally conscious guests this transportation alternative to local restaurants and sights with competitive taxi rates and a driver who is knowledgeable  about the local scene, accepts credit and debit cards, and is on call 7 days a week.  A win-win all around!

Bio Taxi was founded by  Joey and Jeff Anderson, two Virginia Commonwealth University students with a better idea. Bio Taxi is a professional taxi service whose vehicles use biodiesel, produced from grease from local restaurants. It is nontoxic, burns cleaner than standard mineral based fuel and is made from sustainable American products. More facts on biodiesel. You can even schedule a ride on their website.

So make your reservation at our Historic Fan District bed and breakfast, schedule a special dinner at a local restaurant, and schedule Bio Taxi to get you there and back in style. You’ll conserve resources, be eco-friendly, and travel in luxury.

The hydrangeas in the east garden of our Fan District bed and breakfast are in full bloom

East Garden's Showy Hydrangea Blooms June 2010

celebrating the arrival of June and heralding the fact that summer is right around the corner. The gardens are in their glory, the spring flowers disappearing but making room for the bright blooms of summer – both its annuals and perennials.   The day lilies are in bloom, so is the lavender.  Our impatiens and other annuals have settled in nicely and are filling any spare void in the beds. We even have a water lily bloom in the pond, check out the goldfish swimming near by.

Goldfish checks out the latest addition to the pond - a vibrant water lily

Summer is a great time to visit Richmond, there is so much to do and see!  And, after a day of sightseeing or rafting down the James River, unwind in the beauty of our garden with a glass of wine as you make your dinner plans.  Our exclusive boutique inn has limited availability so act quickly to reserve your guest room in the middle of it all: convenient to dining, shopping, museums, antiquing, art galleries – all that Richmond’s historic urban neighborhood offers to residents and visitors alike!

What Richmond event features a bug chef cook-off, molecular gastronomy, to-die-for dish awards, kids cooking demos, cooking for your dog, and a whodunnit art exhibition? Of course, the answer is Broad Appetit, the unique taste of Richmond’s best, is scheduled for Sunday, June 6, 2010.

Food and Fun on Broad Street June 6 2010

A local food festival, Broad Appetit promotes the amazing food, art, and music that call Richmond home, and is hosted by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, benefitting the Central Virginia Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.  The event closes the 100-200 and 300 blocks of West Broad Street, where 50+ of Richmond’s local restaurants offer  tastes of their signature dishes for just $3 a sample (admission, however, is free!)

Last year, guests at our urban inn, took in the First Friday Art Walk and finished off their weekend with Broad Appetit!  Broad Appetit is only three years young; it began in 2008 with a crowd of 7,500 folks.  The 2009 crowd swelled to 18,000 food lovers.  Expectations for 2010 are that the crowd may exceed 25,000.  There is no better way to sample signature dishes from Richmond’s restaurants – all in one place – and some of the region’s best fresh produce, cheese, herbs, breads and confections.

Get more details here and even a schedule!

The ninth season of Richmond’s First Fridays Art Walk is well under way.  In fact, there are only 3 First Fridays left in the ninth season; in September 2010 the tenth season launches. This monthly event showcases over 30 diverse small businesses, working studios, and cultural organizations that call Richmond’s downtown home.  Featuring diverse art galleries, unique boutiques, incredible dining, a spot of culture, and independent studios – First Fridays beckon art lovers to experience downtown’s nightlife.   Participating galleries often launch new exhibitions in conjunction with First Friday events and offer extended hours on First Friday to facilitate browsing. Downtown restaurants and cafes in the arts corridor often offer specials or discounts to First Friday walkers.  First Friday Art Walk participants may even find a museum or two open and welcoming visitors. Nearby shops open their doors for that special take-home gift from soaps and lotions, vintage musical instruments, to streetwear fashion. There’s a new downloadable and easy to read map for finding all the fun!

So here’s a great plan for a weekend of art: pick a first Friday, book the weekend at Richmond Virginia’s premier downtown bed and breakfast.  At 4 Pm on Friday, check into your room, enjoy a glass of wine and a bit of cheese at 5Pm, head over to First Friday Art Walk or check out the galleries along Main Street, pick a neighborhood eatery for dinner, return to the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast and collapse into your pillowtop bedding dressed in fine, high-quality linens.  In the morning you’ll wake to fresh brewed coffee included in a hearty gourmet breakfast for two.  After breakfast, head over to the newly-expanded Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to explore their permanent and special collections. Remember: “Tiffany: Color and Light” opens on May 29 and extends into August. Afterwards, explore the shops of Carytown, visit another of Richmond’s world-class museums, or cruise through Richmond’s River District on a flat-bottomed canal boat.  Then, back to your inn to enjoy another complimentary wine-hour and make your dinner plans selecting a neighborhood dining experience. After dinner, take the FREE bus to Shockoe Slip and Bottom and check out the nightlife. Return trip is also free on the 2BNB bus, just flash the peace sign to flag the bus down.  Donations are greatly appreciated to keep the big green bus running!  Sunday morning you’ll be treated to another hearty gourmet breakfast for two, and after checking out of the inn, visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens’ Millions of Blooms with Glorious Glass in the Garden, glass sculptures by Hans Godo Frabel.

First Fridays provide the opportunity to begin an art-focused weekend in Richmond with a great experience; but any time is a great time for art lovers in Richmond! Studios, galleries, museums and special exhibitions are always on the schedule.

Groovin’ in the Garden, Richmond’s outdoor concert series at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, has an alternative location for its May concerts.

Crowds enjoying the outdoor concert series Groovin' in the Garden

The May events will take place at Maymont Park (though the May 20th concert has been cancelled) and the 2010 SCHEDULE is varied and exciting. Concerts happen rain or shine, so check the forecast and be prepared. Tickets are discounted if purchased in advance – more information here.  Enjoy live music in a beautiful garden setting: Maymont in May and  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens for the rest of the series, including Arlo Gutherie on June 24  and Zappa on June 17.  Food and beverages will be available; and coolers are not permitted.  Tickets for A Prairie Home Companion will go on sale May 22nd.

Richmond attractions, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and Maymont Park, are very close to the historic Fan District Bed and Breakfast known for its hearty gourmet breakfast. Make this downtown inn and one of these concerts part of your central Virginia getaway, your urban overnight stay, or your special occasion celebration.  You won’t be disappointed….

What do you do with all that orange rind all winter?  At our historic Fan District Bed and Breakfast, we carefully remove the zest, making sure that we do not take any of the bitter white pith, chop it up and store it in the freezer.  On a hot spring or summer day, we treat our guests to a chilled fruit first course that is so good, guests have been know to sneak the opportunity to lick their bowl.

Delightful morning first course is in high demand at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast

We’ve uploaded the recipe to our website and it’s downloadable for your use.  It even makes a wonderful dessert! Its ingredients consist of Greek Yogurt, orange juice, orange zest, and honey, chill well. Then just before serving top with fresh fruit, like strawberries and kiwi, and toasted almonds, or berries, or any other topping that suits your fancy.  Another great option is sprinkling granola over the yogurt mixture to add that great crunch.  Here at our inn, home of the “killer” breakfast, we use Zaydie’s Granola, each batch hand tossed, and naturally delicious, not too sweet.

Zaydie’s Granola is another locally produced product that furthers our commitment to give our guests the best in regional fare.  Zaydies Ladies, producers of Zaydie’s Granola, were featured in Richmond’s skirt! monthly magazine and offer their granola in two flavors: Almond Blueberry and Walnut Cranberry.

Our Richmond inn is happy to share recipes and kitchen secrets with our friends and guests. So make a reservation for a stay in one of our fab guest rooms now to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast with regional Richmond ingredients in the morning.

Brown’s Island is the site of June 12th’s World Beer Festival and tickets are on sale now.

Get your ticket for Richmond VA's World Beer Festival June 12 2010

The festival consists of two sessions and each requires a separate ticket. Each four-hour session includes a tasting glass for two-ounce pours and a festival program. There are two levels of admission/tickets: general admission tickets are $40 a session ($50 at the door – but only if there is available capacity); $75 VIP tickets are limited and available on-line.  VIP tickets include a World Beer Festival commemorative glass, complimentary food, and access to the VIP hospitality area where selected beers will only be available. Proceeds of this event benefit FETCH-A-CURE.  Richmond’s World Beer Festival features live music, great food, and beer from great breweries.  The two sessions are  noon to 4 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM.  Don’t miss out on this fun event – tickets are limited, so don’t wait!

If you need a bed and breakfast or inn close to downtown Richmond and Brown’s Island, to complete your weekend package check for availability now! A  weekend stay includes free off-street parking, a hearty gourmet breakfast for two each morning, and a complimentary wine and cheese hour each evening.

“Give me liberty or give me death!” the famous words of Patrick Henry rang through St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1775.  Virginia has designated a “Road to Revolution” consisting of 10 sites that played a key role in shaping Patrick Henry and his ideals. Naturally, St. John’s Church is one of the ten, right here in Richmond.  During the summer months, his electric speech is re-enacted on Sunday afternoons to bring the man and his values to life as well as his critical role in the Revolutionary War and his position as Virginia’s first governor. Plan a trip through Virginia and visit each of the ten sites: Richmond’s St. John’s Church, Scotchtown (Patrick Henry’s home from 1771 to 1778), Hanover Tavern (where Henry studied for his law license), Hanover Courthouse (where he began his public career), Polegreen Church (where Patrick Henry worshiped and was inspired by its orator), Rural Plains (site of Henry’s wedding to Sarah in 1754), Pine Slash (honeymoon cottage, part of Henry’s wife’s dowry), Studley (his birthplace), Red Hill Plantation & Patrick Henry National Memorial (his last home and grave site), and finally Hampden-Sydney College (where Henry and James Madison served as original trustees of the college in 1775.)

The trail provides a path to educate and to inform about how our nation began, where our independence gathered steam, and, perhaps a glimpse into our nation’s future.  Markers along the trail entice visitors to learn more about Patrick Henry and his achievements, exploring the life and times of one of America’s most influential patriots, and linking historical sites that played a critical role in the birth of the American Revolution. Plan your trip with details available from Virginia Tourism.  The locations in Hanover County and in Richmond are easily reachable from Richmond’s bed and breakfast, centrally located in Richmond’s historic Fan District – a turn-of-the-century urban residential neighborhood peppered with dining and shopping options, museums and other attractions. Richmond’s historic Fan District is the place to be when visiting the heritage and culture of central Virginia.  Make a reservation at Richmond’s finest  inn now.

George Washington’s vision for a canal system in Virginia began in the 18th century to bypass the falls of the James river.  By 1840, the canal was completed from Richmond to Lynchburg and passengers, wheat, and tobacco filled the boats that cruised its waters. The railroad thundered onto the scene by the 1880′s and canal travel was obsolete.  By the turn of the century, the canals were abandoned and fell into disrepair.  Today Richmond’s canal has been restored and flat-bottomed boats steered by your captain offer unmatched views of the city of Richmond as well as the natural beauty of the James River.   During the 40-minute tour on a 35-passenger flat-bottom boat, your captain will entertain you with tales of the city’s waterways and dynamic history as well as its canal wildlife, centuries old brick warehouses, cobblestone streets, iron railroad trestles and soaring highways.  This is truly an unforgettable experience in an unforgettable city.

You’re invited to step onto a canal boat and step back in time during May Thursday through Saturday noon to 7 PM, and Sundays noon to 5 PM.  In the summer months of June 2 through August 29th, the boats run Wednesday through Saturday Noon to 7 PM and Sundays Noon to 5 PM. Days of operation will be reduced in September, October and November, so plan your trip now and take advantage of this fabulous opportunity!  Adults $5, Seniors (65 years old and up) $4, children $4 or Free if 4 years old or under.  More information about Richmond’s River District.

Add this Richmond tradition to your agenda for your trip to Richmond Virginia and choose Richmond’s premier downtown bed and breakfast as your lodging option.  Free off-street parking, hearty gourmet breakfasts, and complimentary evening wine and snacks are all part of the package. Guests from around the world have delighted in the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast’s version of southern hospitality.

The 26th season of Friday Night Cheers at Brown’s Island began Friday May 7 2010 and continues til Friday June 25th (except Friday 14th, when Brown’s Island is the site of Dominion RiverRock). Each concert begins at 6:30PM and the music continues til 9:30PM.

Find music and fun on Brown's Island Fridays from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM May 7 through June 25

This year Friday Cheers is instituting a $2 admission fee on those 13 years old or older.  Fee may be paid at all three entry points to Brown’s Island in downtown Richmond, Virginia overlooking the James River. Credit and debit cards will only be accepted at the pedestrian bridge at 7th Street and the vehicular bridge past 5th Street.  Venture Richmond, organizer of the event, is celebrating 26 years of music along the river. Thousands relax after the work week on Brown’s Island to meet friends and to hear some of the nation’s hottest touring acts and some of the region’s top bands. Check the schedule and the answers to your FAQ’s.

The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast in Richmond isn’t listed as a downtown place to stay on their website, but we’re less than a mile and a half from Brown’s Island at the most. As a confirmed weekend guest, you can take advantage of free parking at our downtown inn and walk to Brown’s Island or ride the free 2BNB (big green bus stops a block away) to the Bottom and Back to take advantage of this very Richmond series of events.