Many interesting places to see in and around Richmond are of historical significance. The state and city capitol buildings are in the city centre.

Bell Tower
On the grounds of the State Capitol you’ll also find a bell tower which was constructed in 1825 to replace a wooden one that previously occupied the site. It was used by the Virginia Public Guard to ring in legislative sessions and also warn of fires, raids and other dangers. The Public Guard was a military predecessor to the Virginia Capitol Police of today. The bell still tolls each day, calling the General Assembly to session. A public visitor centre is located on the tower's ground floor.

Belle Isle
Belle Isle, on the James River, housed a prison during the Civil War and today can be reached by a unique pedestrian suspension bridge, which begins under the Lee Bridge on Tredegar Street. There is a one-mile trail that follows the perimeter of the 54-acre island and also includes a walk along the falls of the James and the Civil War earthworks. Phone: +1 804 780 5311

Bolling Haxall House
The Bolling Haxall House is a prime example of the Richmond architectural style of the late 1850s, built just prior to the Civil War. Originally constructed for the heir to a flour-milling fortune, this grand home is located on East Franklin Street and is open for tours by appointment. Phone: +1 804 643 2847

Capitol Square and the Virginia State Capitol
Capitol Square is the site of several monuments, including the life-sized statue of George Washington. Busts of other Virginia-born presidents are featured here as well. At the corner of 9th and Grace Streets, the Virginia Capitol stands as the first public building in the US designed in the neo-classical style by Thomas Jefferson. Virginia's General Assembly still meets here today.

Civil War Battlefields
Self-guided tours are an interesting and flexible way of visiting the Civil War battlefields at the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Maps are provided for visitors, highlighting the three campaigns that were fought in the Richmond area: the Seven Days Battle in 1862, the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor and the Battle of Fort Harrison in the same year. Other Civil War sites of note in Virginia include Appomattox, Fredericksburg and Manassas.

Egyptian Building
The Egyptian Building, located on East Marshall Street and designed by Philadelphia architect Thomas S Steward, was the first permanent home of the Hampden-Sidney College’s medical department, which later became the well-known Medical College of Virginia. It was completed in 1845 and has been in continuous use since. It originally housed medical lecture rooms, a room for dissection and an infirmary for medical and surgical cases. In 1969 the Egyptian Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places and it is considered the finest example of Egyptian Revival architecture in the US.

Executive Mansion
Richmond’s governor’s mansion is America's oldest, continuously occupied executive residence. This National Historic Landmark features displays of carpets, china, silver, furnishings and art donated by citizens of Virginia. Phone: +1 804 371 2642

Library of Virginia
Originally housed in a building that faced Capitol Square, the Library of Virginia moved to its new structure on East Broad street in 1997. Since its opening in 1823, the library has preserved the records of Virginia's culture and history. Its collection includes more than 80 million manuscripts and one million books, newspapers, periodicals, photographs, prints and maps all relating to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Phone: +1 804 629 3592

Old City Hall
The construction of the old city hall, located on East Broad Street was completed in 1894. This Victorian Gothic building has an interior as dramatic as its exterior. Now functioning as a private office building, it boasts an interior courtyard which is a three-story painted cast-iron masterpiece. A 400 per cent cost overrun was incurred during its construction more than 100 years ago and fortunately the building has been saved from demolition by the Richmond Foundation. Visitors are welcome on the first floor only, as the remainder of the building houses business offices.

Go back in time and visit the Confederacy
The museum here contains the largest collection of Confederate memorabilia assembled, including the sword General Robert E Lee wore when he surrendered at Appomattox at the end of the Civil War. The White House, located adjacent to the museum, was built in 1818. Its interior was re-created to represent the way it appeared during the time Jefferson Davis lived here.

Stroll around the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Take a stroll around the garden and delight in its many acres of lovely landscaping. The botanical garden was founded in 1984 as a non-profit educational organisation, focussing on horticultural displays and botanical research. Phone: +1 804 262 9887

Take a Boat Tour
On a boat tour, you can enjoy Richmond’s scenic canals. There are various operators providing interesting narrated cruises on boats reminiscent of 19th century canal freighters. Tours are normally 35 minutes in duration, but one hour private cruises can be arranged. It’s also possible to have dinner catered on a private charter. Phone: + 1 804 649 2800 for full details.

Take a trip to Outer Space
Visit the unknown regions at the Science Museum of Virginia. Located on Broad Street in Richmond, the museum contains a wide range of exhibits ranging from electronics to aeronautics. For your outer space adventure, it’s also home to the Ethyl Corporation’s Universe Planetarium and SpaceTheater.

Walk along Richmond’s Canals
Walk along canals on a 1 loop showcasing four centuries of Richmond’s history, following along the restored Haxall and James River and Kanawha Canals. Along the way, you’ll find a new 10,000 square foot outdoor Civil War Visitor Center featuring exhibits and monuments, history medallions and special events. Boat rentals, canal cruises, a new restaurant and retail shops along the canal walk and in historic area of Shockoe Slip are more amenities at this attraction. Phone: +1 888 RICHMOND; website: www.richmondriverfront.com