On Tuesday, October 4, the American Planning Association announced its list of 2011 Great Places.  The American Planning Association brings together thousands of people — practicing planners, citizens, elected officials — committed to making great communities happen through a professional institute for certified planners and through divisions and chapters as well as student memberships. And, the APA identified Maymont as one of America’s 10 Great Public Spaces in 2011.

What is a public space?

A public space, as defined by the APA, can be a gathering spot or part of a neighborhood, downtown, special district, waterfront or other area within the public realm that helps promote social interaction and a sense of community. Possible examples may include such spaces as plazas, town squares, parks, marketplaces, public commons and malls, public greens, piers, special areas within convention centers or grounds, sites within public buildings, lobbies, concourses, or public spaces within private buildings.

Maymont, of course, is Richmond’s own 100-acre estate near downtown, now a city park with free admission featuring gorgeous gardens, wildlife exhibits, and open spaces perfect to romp and play.

As with all categories of Great Places, it is important to identify what sets a space apart from others spaces so as to qualify it for a Great Spaces designation. Public Spaces must be at least 10 years old, Maymont easily fits the bill having been built just after the Civil War and left by its owners, the Dooleys, to the City.

To be selected as a Great Place in America, a public space must possess the following characteristics:

Promotes human contact and social activities.
Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.
Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
Promotes community involvement.
Reflects the local culture or history.
Relates well to bordering uses.
Is well maintained.
Has a unique or special character.

If you haven’t visited Maymont yet, you should add it to your list to assess its features yourself.  And, if you haven’t visited Richmond, Virginia yet – this is just another site to add to your itinerary.  Maymont joins Monument Avenue, which was designated a Great American Place in 2007. More Information about the program and the American Planning Association.

When planning a visit to Richmond, add Maymont to your list, as well as the State Capitol of Virginia (designed by Thomas Jefferson), the Tiffany windows in St. Paul’s, the gardens and conservatory of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, a stroll down Monument Avenue, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Historical Society, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy – and the list goes on! As you can tell, a day won’t do it; to fit it all in, plan a few days and stay in the middle of it all at Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast, home to the hearty gourmet breakfast and located in the historic Fan District.

March 17 is the last day to register for Maymont’s “Full Moon Hike.”

Maymont "By the Light of the Moon" March 18

The hike is scheduled for Friday March 18, 2011 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and will permit registered attendees to experience Maymont “by the light of the silvery moon!” One of Maymont’s horticulturists will point out selected trees and plants and share horticulture facts at designated stops along the hike. First walk along Dooley CReek to the Japanese Garden, then head up to the Italian Garden and its magical architectural details in the evening light. Then its off to the Stone Barn for refreshments.  The evening ends with a stroll past the Maymont Mansion and then back to the Nature Center.

Registration is required by Thursday March 17 and the program fee is $20 per person. Check the weather forecast to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and wear good walking shoes.  Once you’ve registered by calling 804-358-7166 extension 310, you’ll be given the meeting place – the Maymont Nature Center parking lot at 2201 Shields Lake Drive; free parking is available.

Maymont is 100 acres of history, habitats, and horticulture.  The mansion itself is built in the style of the Newport RI “cottages,” though on a much smaller scale.  It has a magnificent Tiffany Studios window, decorative details throughout, and a fabulous collection of household furnishings. Constructed on the grounds of a former dairy farm,  ”Maymont’s grounds are diverse, with high bluffs, massive rock outcroppings, streams and ravines. Its expansive lawns are interspersed by gazeboes, statuary, meandering walkways and various garden ornaments. Maymont’s spectacular Italian Garden, Japanese Garden and Arboretum all date to the Dooleys’ era and are highlights of any garden tour. Additionally, many smaller specialty gardens exist at Maymont. Visit Maymont’s grounds to fully understand why the grandeur of the Dooleys’ gift to Richmond grows with each passing year.”

And, this opportunity to hike the grounds by the light of the moon is bound to be a magical experience!

Maymont is less than a mile from Richmond’s historic Fan District, home of Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast!

Do you have a smartphone?  If you do, Maymont has started a smartphone scavenger hunt!

Visits to Maymont have a Technology Focus

Maymont is a city park, former home of Major James Dooley and his wife, Sallie.  The house itself is built in the style of the Newport RI “cottages” or mansions, though on a slightly smaller scale.  This scavenger hunt, called the Seven Wonders of Maymont, encourages visitors to explore the entire park.  You’ll have to check in at seven locations: The Nature Center, Children’s Farm, Birds of Prey, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Carriage House, and yes – even the Mansion itself.  If you visit with your friends, BUMP phones with them to get extra points.  Other additional points can be gained by fulfilling challenges like taking photos like doing yoga in the Japanese Garden, or uploading comments like making animal noises at the farm, or scanning QR codes strategically placed around the grounds and features.

The SCVNGR app also lets you create challenges to share.  So you have to download the SCVNGR app and a bar code scanning app to fully participate.  To begin using SCVNGR, a smartphone application that combines the social media aspects of FourSquare with a scavenger hunt, a barcode is input into your phone at the visitor’s center at the mansion.  So, check in and add an element of technology to your visit to Richmond’s  Gilded Age.

Maymont is just down Meadow Street from the historic Fan District, that turn-of-the-century (19th to 20th, that is) neighborhood with residential uses, shopping, galleries, and neighborhood eateries.  The Fan is also home to Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast, home of the hearty gourmet breakfast.  It’s definitely “a better way to stay” that lets you experience local life in Richmond’s foremost neighborhood. And, we’re not the B&B of yesteryear, we have free Wi-Fi and all the amenities today’s travelers have come to expect!

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide is Here!

Hot off the press, the Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide has locals dishing about their favorite Richmond spots and instant access to bonus materials with smart phone tags throughout.

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

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitor Guide

History. It All Starts Here.

Your Guide to Richmond Travel and Tourism

Discover history, adventure and an easily accessible location in the Historic Richmond Region. Here, more than 400 years of American history live on through magnificent architecture, monument-lined cobblestone streets, and world-class museums – for an experience that’s anything but textbook.

But the area makes history in other ways, too. Brave the gorgeous yet intense James River, which distinguishes the Richmond Region as the only urban setting with Class IV rapids. It’s just one form of outdoor recreation for thrill seekers. Event planners will love the Greater Richmond Convention Center, a prime destination for meetings and groups. See how the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is expanding its world-class offerings. And with more than 900 restaurants, diverse shopping and enticing events, the Region is ideal for weekend getaways and vacations.

Got cabin fever from this hard winter? In central Virginia, spring can’t be very far away, when the Maymont Flower and Garden Show is right around the corner.

Maymont Flower & Garden Show is at Richmond's Convention Center February 10 through 13 - Don't miss it!

You’ll get two shows for one admission: The Mac Events Home Show – Richmond and the Maymont Flower & Garden Show.  More bang for your buck!

The Greater Richmond Convention Center is the site February 10 through 13 for the Maymont Flower and Garden Show.  The theme this year is “Gardens on Broadway” and will offer the latest in horticulture, seminars, gardens and garden accessories.  Best of all, the marketplace will be filled the latest trends in gardening goods including books, gifts, antiques, gadgets, native and exotic plants, artwork and everything imaginable from vendors gathered from across the country.

The Maymont Flower & Garden Show attracts thousands of flower and garden lovers each year.  So, mark your calendar today!

Inspiring seminars given by local and nationally recognized speakers covering a wide range of topics, including creative garden design, plant selection, organic gardening and everything else in between are on the seminar schedule.  For example, Mark Viette, celebrity gardener who joined his parents in the family business (the Andre Viette Farm and Nursery) will tape his weekly gardening segment for “Down Home Virginia” airing on 34 cable stations in Virginia and available nationwide at the show.  Dr. George Longest, renowned authority on George Gillette and his famous Virginia gardens is also on the schedule.  Arthur Chadwick, columnist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, who presented Martha Stewart with a Cattleya orchid named for her on her TV show, will discuss Cattleya orchids in one seminar.  Whatever your gardening focus, there’s bound to be a topic  and speaker of interest.  Schedule and Speakers.

Stroll through the garden displays, all centered on the theme “Gardens on Broadway,” featuring sounds of water, an artful mix of planting materials, serene settings, native plants, vibrant color, elements of fantasy,  and the use of herbs to create your own ideal garden. “42nd Street” by Rock Creek Innovations will bring New York’s 42nd Street, creatively landscaped, to the show to welcome visitors to Broadway!  Inspiration is all around you!

Show hours are Thursday, February 10th 1 – 9 PM; Friday and Saturday February 11th and 12th 11 AM to 9 PM; and Sunday February 13th 11 AM to 5 PM. Get your Tickets Now!

Free parking and shuttle service is available from the Diamond Parking Lot.  Alternatively, there is paid parking available at the Convention Center parking facility at 3rd and Marshall or any of the other facilities with over 4,600 spaces nearby.

The co-located Mac Events Home Show – Richmond features ideas for your home including remodeling solutions, the latest in interior design trends, furnishings, basic home maintenance to major renovations, and access to home professionals who can make your dream come true. Terry Haas, featured real estate agent from the TV show “Designed to Sell” will host a seminar offering insight into the ways attendees can transform their homes into stand-out properties in a very tight market by staging their home and making low-cost improvements.

Don’t forget both of these events are included in the price of one admission ticket! It’s a great way to discover the hidden potential in your garden and your home!

Need a place to stay? We hope you’ll select Richmond’s best bed and breakfast inn as a home base for your weekend in-town.

The inaugural Richmond Jazz Festival, titled Jazz at Maymont, on Saturday August 14 and Sunday August 15 was such a success that it exceeded expectations.  Thousands attended the two-day event on the grounds of Maymont, where jazz greats like Chaka Khan, Chuck Magione, and Boney James, performed on two stages – along with some regionally acclaimed jazz musicians. Food, snack, and beverage vendors were on hand to complete the day. Besides the fabulous jazz filling the afternoon and evening, the best news is that this festival is an inaugural one – meaning it will be back!  Saturday’s event under sunny skies was a tad more crowded; but Sunday’s cloudy skies and scattered showers may have held a few people back.  They should have braved the weather: the showers were sprinkles and they didn’t last long – and the music was great! Here’s a sample video from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Enjoy!

Jazz Festival planners thought of everything, amazing for a first time event in a first time venue. You could rent a tent for your family and friends, free shuttle service from multiple remote parking areas so no parking hassles, even wine tasting for the adventurous. All in all, it was a wonderful experience for Richmond – and Richmond’s visitors who came from as far away as New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.  Thanks to all who planned and executed this great event! We’ll see you again next time! We promise!

And, if you plan to come from out-of-town for the next Richmond Jazz Festival, consider our historic Fan District bed and breakfast as your accommodations.  You’ll be close to Maymont and you’ll get a taste of living in an historic neighborhood!

Maymont is the site for the City of Richmond’s Jazz Fest on August 14 and 15. More than 25 artists, including Chaka Khan, Chuck Mangione, and Pancho Sanchez, are scheduled to perform. Festival artists will perform on 2 stages, over 2 days – showcasing primarily jazz with various genres to liven up the mix performed by local, national and international bands and artists.

Don't miss the Jazz Festival at Maymont August 14 and 15

Festival goers will have the opportunity to participate in wine-tastings, enjoy great food and chef demonstrations, and tour the grounds and gardens of magnificent Maymont.  INFO.  Advance Tickets are $25 for a one-day pass or $40 for a two day pass. TICKETS.  Tickets will be sold at the gate  $30 for a one-day pass, and $50 for a two-day pass.

To enjoy the festival to the max — choose a guest room at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast for the weekend, enjoy all the amenities we offer at our historic Fan district inn – and partake the ultimate convenience. Maymont is situated amidst a residential neighborhood and therefore parking is limited near the park. For your convenience, Shuttle service will be provided. Free shuttle services will run every quarter of an hour to and from designated parking decks, including VCU’s West Cary Street Deck, at 1101 West Cary Street – just two blocks away from our downtown inn. On Saturday, August 14, shuttles will run from 11am-11pm. On Sunday, August 15, shuttles will run from 11am-10pm.  Check in Friday, park your car in our off-street parking and spend a music-filled weekend in the city.

Dogwood Dell, home to the Festival of Arts, is a 2.400 seat amphitheatre owned and operated by the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities. Since 1956, the Festival of Arts has been based at Dogwood Dell and is a summer long celebration of the arts featuring concerts, dance and theatre – an eclectic mix of old and new.  The festival brings some of the most innovative avant-garde performers along with those who personify the value and importance of traditional classic works. During June, July, and August, a variety of shows including classical music and dance, drama, comedy, musical theater, reggae, pop, swing, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz, and contemporary music will fill the ‘Dell.” Here’s the schedule beginning with season opener June 11th with the Upper East Side Big Band at 8 PM.  Take a seat or bring a blanket and enjoy each and every show all season long.

So if your travels bring you to Richmond and our premier bed and breakfast, make sure you see what’s on at the Dell – it’s only a mile from our Fan District inn.

Before you plan just a day trip to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to see their newest exhibition, Tiffany: Color and Light, consider that you can explore many other Tiffany works throughout the state of Virginia. The museum has created a statewide tour of Tiffany windows with detailed information on their website.  The driving tour includes 33 sites which the museum has organized into 4 regions: central Virginia including Charlottesville, Petersburg, and Richmond; Hampton Roads and Chesapeake (Portsmouth and Norfolk); Northern Virginia and Northern Neck, including Alexandria and Fredericksburg; and the Valley and Western Virginia, including Roanoke and Staunton.  The museum’s website even includes downloadable audio with detailed information on selected sites.

So here’s a recommendation, start your Tiffany excursion in Richmond with two or more days at our historic Fan District bed and breakfast to catch the genius of Tiffany at VMFA and the other Richmond sites like Maymont’s window “Peace Be Unto This House,” the windows and mosaic altarpiece at St Paul’s, “Mount Sinai” at Beth Ahaba, and the fifteen windows at Blandford Church in Petersburg. You can even catch the Glorious Glass exhibit at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens displaying contemporary works of Hans Godo Frabel. Then, move on to Norfolk, Charlottesville and Roanoke or Staunton to catch the rest. The Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia inspects and approves its member inns and you’re sure to find one or two in each of the 4 regions defined by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to indulge in gracious southern hospitality while you explore the works of Tiffany that surround Virginia residents every day.  Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity, reserve your room at Richmond’s gourmet bed and breakfast today!

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….