Richmond’s walking tours pack serious historic punch and offer excellent value. The Arts District Food Tour stands out for its well-curated tastings and local insights, typically running 2-3 hours.
For spine-tingling history, the Shockoe Bottom Ghost Tour reveals the neighborhood’s darker past with stops at authentically spooky locations. Court End and Hollywood Cemetery tours deliver the best Civil War history, combining architecture and compelling stories of Richmond’s most prominent figures.
These tours cost $20-35 per person and operate year-round, though spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather. The guides are consistently knowledgeable, and groups stay manageably small.
Let’s look at our favorite Richmond walking tours worth your time and money.
Key Points
- The Richmond Arts District Walking Food Tour offers a 3-hour, 1.25-mile exploration of local eateries, cafes, shops, and historically-significant architecture in the Arts District.
- The Shockoe Bottom Ghost Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour, wheelchair-accessible tour that covers the city’s oldest and most haunted neighborhood, with a live guide sharing eerie tales.
- The Hollywood Cemetery Lore and Civil War Walking Tour is a 1.5-hour, guided tour that explores the resting place of Confederate leaders, including captivating tales of paranormal activity and historical facts.
- The Capitol Hill Ghost Walking Tour with a Guide is a 1.5-hour tour that focuses on Virginia’s capital’s dark history and architectural landmarks, with insights into the Richmond Theater fire and its paranormal connections.
- The Court End Walking Ghost Tour is a 1.5-hour, wheelchair-accessible tour that explores the historic Court End neighborhood and the haunting histories of its notorious past residents.
Richmond: Arts District Walking Food Tour
Embarking on the Richmond: Arts District Walking Food Tour, visitors can expect to enjoy the vibrant culinary and cultural scene of this historic city.
The 3-hour tour covers approximately 1.25 miles, allowing participants to sample 5-6 local eateries, cafes, and shops. Guests will explore the Arts District, including the Jackson and Monroe Wards, and discover a mix of historically-significant architecture, under-the-radar restaurants, and art galleries.
Along the way, they’ll meet chefs and owners, learning about their passion for their craft. At $90 per person, the tour offers a compelling blend of Southern and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as unique desserts, all while providing a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance.
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Richmond: Shockoe Bottom Ghost Walking Tour
For those seeking a chilling exploration of Richmond’s haunted past, the Shockoe Bottom Ghost Walking Tour offers a captivating experience. Priced at $30 per person and lasting 1.5 hours, this wheelchair-accessible tour takes participants through the city’s oldest and most haunted neighborhood, Shockoe Bottom.
Along the way, the live guide will share eerie tales of the Poe Museum, Civil War-era hospitals, and the oldest active Masonic Lodge in the western hemisphere. Guests can expect to experience the spooky atmosphere while walking historic streets filled with ghost stories.
The tour operates rain or shine, and comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. After the tour, visitors can explore the local bars and restaurants in the area.
Read our full review: Richmond: Shockoe Bottom Ghost Walking Tour Review
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Richmond: Hollywood Cemetery Lore and Civil War Walking Tour
The Hollywood Cemetery Lore and Civil War Walking Tour immerses visitors in Richmond’s storied past.
Lasting 1.5 hours, this guided tour explores the city’s rich history, from the American Civil War to chilling ghost stories.
Visitors will wander through the iconic Hollywood Cemetery, home to the graves of numerous Confederate leaders, including Jefferson Davis.
Along the way, the guide shares captivating tales of paranormal activity and lesser-known historical facts.
With a rating of 5 stars from reviews, this tour offers a unique opportunity to uncover Richmond’s hidden gems and gain a deeper appreciation for its enduring legacy.
Priced at $30 per person, it’s a must-do for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts alike.
Read our full review: Richmond: Hollywood Cemetery Lore and Civil War Walking Tour Review
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Richmond: Capitol Hill Ghost Walking Tour With a Guide
Visitors seeking a captivating journey through Richmond’s haunted past will find the Capitol Hill Ghost Walking Tour a spellbinding experience.
Priced at $716 per person, this 1.5-hour guided tour explores the dark history of Virginia’s capital, including haunting tales of past generations and the architectural marvels that have housed the state’s political power for over 240 years.
Highlights include the cobblestoned Shockoe Slip, the Monumental Church, and Capitol Square, where you will learn about the tragedy of the Richmond Theater fire and its paranormal connections.
With a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore Richmond’s rich history and supernatural lore.
Read our full review: Richmond: Capitol Hill Ghost Walking Tour With a Guide Review
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Richmond: Court End Walking Ghost Tour
Priced from £23.66 per person, the Richmond: Court End Walking Ghost Tour offers a captivating 1.5-hour exploration of the city’s haunted past.
Led by a knowledgeable guide, the wheelchair-accessible tour takes participants through the historic Court End neighborhood, revealing the eerie tales of notorious past residents.
Visitors will discover the haunting history behind iconic landmarks, including the John Marshall House, and gain insight into the contrast between the regal historic structures and modern veneers.
With an overall rating of 5/5 from customer reviews, this ghost tour promises an immersive and spine-tingling experience, perfect for those interested in Richmond’s grim and ghostly past.
Read our full review: Richmond: Court End Walking Ghost Tour Review
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Richmond: Monroe Park Campus Walking Ghost Tour
Though smaller in scale compared to the Court End tour, the Richmond: Monroe Park Campus Walking Ghost Tour offers an equally captivating exploration of the city’s haunted past.
This 1.5-hour guided walking tour takes visitors through the iconic Monroe Park Campus, where they’ll discover the gilded age architecture and learn about the area’s notorious former residents.
Along the way, the tour shares ghoulish tales, including those of the Ginter House and a former hospital.
While the tour is wheelchair accessible, it’s not recommended for those with heart problems or low fitness levels.
With no upfront payment required and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour provides a flexible and accessible option for exploring Richmond’s spooky history.
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Richmond: Phantoms of Franklin Walking Ghost Tour
Down Franklin Street, visitors can embark on a 1.5-hour Richmond: Phantoms of Franklin Walking Ghost Tour to uncover the city’s haunted history.
Priced at £23.66 per person, the wheelchair-accessible tour is led by a guide in Haunts of Richmond attire. Explorers will visit landmarks like the Jefferson Hotel, learning about famous authors and entrepreneurs who’ve left their mark.
While video recording isn’t allowed, guests can engage the guide and ask questions afterward. The tour runs rain or shine, so comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Those with mobility issues or heart problems should avoid this experience, which promises to reveal the dark side of Virginia’s capital after sunset.
Read our full review: Richmond: Phantoms of Franklin Walking Ghost Tour Review
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Break Down
Richmond offers a diverse range of walking tours that cater to various interests, from art and food to ghostly tales and Civil War history. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a thrill-seeker, there’s a walking tour in Richmond that’ll suit your needs. These tours provide an engaging and immersive way to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage and captivating stories.