Richmond... Didn't some war happen there?
Written: Jun 09 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Richmond isn't completely dead. I make my own fun.
Cons: Richmond is close to being completely dead. I make my own fun.
The Bottom Line: Richmond is a town almost cloyingly steeped in history. If you can get past that (or if you like that), it's worth a visit.
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| bupkiss's Full Review: Richmond |
Richmond, Virginia is my hometown. I was born here, raised here, and sadly, I will probably die here. (Gee, that's not too morbid for a sunny Saturday morning.) Richmond's a fabulous place to loiter in, explore, and even burn down (the latter option for residents only). And I will not be waxing sentimental or seriously condemning the Civil War obsession this town has. It's here, it's queer, I'm used to it.
Don't get me wrong, I like living in Richmond: the beauty of the James River, the lovely parks and shopping areas, the bright autumn foliage, the rainbow cookies and censorship-loving, overpriced higher quality grocery stores. (What's that last one, you may ask? Why, it's a testament to Richmond's small city quirkiness! A local supermarket chain called Ukrop's is the reason we don't have certain radio personalities on the air here, as well as the reason we have some of the best damn fried chicken and potato wedges this side of the Blue Ridge Mountains [and all is forgiven]).
Ahem. . . .
My Favorite Haunts
Maymont Park
http://www.maymont.org/
Maymont Park is a, well, park. There's a petting zoo, a Japanese garden with freaky fat carp to stare at, lots of trees to nap under, lots of green grass to play Frisbee in. The park is about 100 acres of stuff to explore, and it's very, very hilly. I always am surprised I can walk the whole thing in the Richmond humidity. Best of all, it's free.
One bummer: No dogs allowed. They have enough bison poop to worry about.
Plan 9
http://www.plan9music.com/store.html
Plan 9 is the closest thing to an indie record store this town has. You can find almost any album here, and if they don't have it in stock, they will gladly order it for you. Plan 9 will buy CD's that are in good condition from poor college kids and derelict bums. I know; I've sold some stuff to them before. The store has reasonable prices and lots and lots of different music genres. Plan 9's basement also has some great prices on used movies and records.
One bummer: Some of the staff suffers from an "indier-than-thou" mentality. Just sneer back at them and tell 'em bupkiss sent you. They won't know who you're talking about, but it'll sound official.
Hollywood Cemetery
http://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/
Yes. I hang out in this cemetery sometimes. I am not a goth chick, don't worry. This is just a really cool cemetery with really cool dead people in it (Confederate president Jefferson Davis [or, as all of us anachronistic psychotics close to him say, good ol' Jeff], James Monroe, John Tyler, and a whole bunch of Confederate officers and soldiers), beautiful surroundings and architecture, etc. The groundskeepers are kind of scary though. One accosted me a few years ago when I was hanging out with my then-boyfriend and asked if he could take pictures of me sometime.
One bummer: Hollywood Cemetery supposedly has night security now because some jerks vandalized the place. I believe the hole in the fence on Cherry Street is still there though, for any daring nocturnal anarchists.
Carytown
http://www1.richmond.com/localguide/carytown.cfm
Carytown is all about the optimum yuppie shopping experience. Buy bread, overpriced clothing, mochas and lattes. Gawk at Virginia Commonwealth University's art school students and their colorful hairdos. Carytown is all about shopping, but I tend to never buy anything. Check out House of Mirth though. That store sells some great kitsch items.
One bummer: Overpriced. Yuppies. Overpriced.
The Pony Pasture
http://www.menko.com/james/pony.html
When I used to be a juvenile delinquent, my friend and I would go swimming in the James River at the Pony Pasture, a jug of Carlo Rossi in tow (the worst table wine in existence), and then try to swim back, clinging to the algae-covered rocks for dear drunken life. Ahh, stupid memories. But this is a neat place to hang out and cool off in during the summer. And as I mentioned, there are rocks in the James. Lots of rocks. And they're perfect places for sunbathing and killing time.
One bummer: The James can be deceptively calm looking, but the current is strong sometimes. Be careful, unlike me.
Third Street Diner
http://billofare.com/0002u01.htm
Far superior to the Fourth Street Diner, Third Street is a great place to chill out and drink coffee. It has a very real diner ambience. The service is usually surly or ditzy, but all is forgiven after a cup of joe. It's open 24 hours, too.
One bummer: It isn't close enough to my place.
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Visit www.richmond.com for more travel and local information.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Students
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
bupkiss
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Location: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 27 members
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