Jo + Krista
Jo + Krista
Things to Do
Penny Lane Pub
Terry, Rose, Terence, and Lisa — and in a few years, Kate, Evan, and Landon — invite you to join the family here in their corner of Liverpool. And it's easy to say "yes" when we know and love Lisa. In fact, she's been an important part of Jo's life for years. Penny Lane is a tribute to all things English, from the beers on tap (if that's your thing) to gorgeous stained glass windows to the memorabilia that fills every square inch of the pub. You don’t have to be a “Scouse” to feel at home here, but you’ll feel a little like one by the time you leave our reception.
Libby Hill Park
Come for the best sunset in town, stay and walk around for a bite at Proper Pie (careful, the hours are limited and you don't want to miss out on this sweet and savory goodness around the corner). This is quintessential Richmond right here. Oh! And as we're on the theme of UK in RVA for our wedding, the spot that gave Richmond its name is on the other side of the fountain. You'll note the placard that tells the whole story based on a similar spot in Richmond, England looking out over the Thames River.
Godfrey's
A quirky LGBTQ+ nightclub setting that's home to Richmond's world famous Sunday drag brunch bringing entertainers from across the region. Nightly Drag Shows with DJs & Dancing.
Doors open each evening with happy hour @ 8pm
Music with our Godfreys DJs @ 9pm
Showtime @ 11pm
Dancing and Music after the show.
$5 Door
21+ free till 10pm
Perly's
It's Yiddish for Delicious! Creative Jewish deli bites served in a funky, retro eatery decorated with old photos. Located basically next door to Linden Row, Perlys is a classic and a Richmond tradition since its establishment in 1961. We love it a latke. Get there early or be prepared to wait in line for a while–but totally worth it to get a table 'n schmear. Challah! Note: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Canal Walk Murals
One of our earliest dates was going to the Canal Walk downtown to enjoy the murals. Richmond has a vibrant street art scene, so it's a great way to take in some of the local flavor. Head over to the Canal Walk where Brown's Island is (a popular spot for live music during the summer months) and take a short walk to Belle Isle–our favorite loop to walk the dogs around the James River after crossing over the suspension bridge. You'll fall in love with this city just a little bit, I promise you.
The Poe Museum
Nothing says the beginning of our marriage like a little macabre, amirite? If you're around over the weekend before the wedding, let's make this a thing. Our ceremony venue is very Poe-tic: "Romance has always flourished at Linden Row. As an adolescent, Edgar Allan Poe first courted his lifelong love, Elmira Royster Shelton, on the property where Linden Row Inn now stands. Poe went on to describe this location as the "enchanted garden" in his famous poem To Helen." Let's see what else our raven-rearing friend was getting into. Closed on Mondays.
Riverbend Roastery
Good coffee + gay vibes + yes and yass. Note that Riverbend is in historic Church Hill near Libby Hill Park (sunset spot), Proper Pie and some great restaurants. If you're in the Museum District (our neighborhood), we will surely be hauling you around to a few other local spots for croissants and iced bevvies as well!
Gay RVA (And other cool stuff, too)
Welcome to the River City, friends and family! We are proudly still beating blue, with a vibrant and diverse community calling the many neighborhoods here "home".
We are in the Museum District, walkable to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts with the famous Kehinde Wiley "Rumors of War" political statue proudly standing out front. In the back, the Chihuly glass sculpture garden is one of the most well-known Richmond scenes in bright red, surrounded by art, moving water, locals having picnics and pups on their evening strolls.
We are less than a mile from Carytown, a hip and queer-friendly shopping strip home to vintage shopping galore, restaurants & bars, a lesbian bar with beach volleyball and amazing people-watching and the majestic Byrd Theater–a Richmond landmark. Don't leave Carytown without goodies from For the Love of Chocolate, a visit to the Shelf Life Book Store and a visit to the window at Sugar and Twine for a pastry and a coffee drink.
Less than a mile from our condo in the other direction is Scott's Addition. It's industrial and much newer and mostly full of breweries, which isn't really our thing but maybe it's yours. To be fair, there are some really good restaurants in there. And Richmond Triangle Players, the best local theater company. And Gelati Celesti Ice Cream. And one of a few locations of Stella's Grocery Stores. Stella's Restaurant and the grocery locations rule Richmond. Chef's Kiss.
Downtown is the district where the hotel is located and most of the recommendations for Linden Row Inn are. Dip into Jefferson Hotel if you have a chance. It's historic and architecturally very cool! On the fringe of Downtown is Church Hill, and I dropped a few recos from there as well.
A few other Richmond highlights worth mentioning are:
- Our famous Pygmy Hippo Poppy/ Hammie Mae is now accepting visitors at the Richmond Zoo. This is absolutely an absurd trek for this period of time, but if you're interested and here early enough before the wedding, talk to me.
- Maymont Park. If you love nature, animals in sanctuary and wild spaces, prepare to have your breath be taken away. Maymont will always be one of my most favorite places in Richmond. There's just a magic to it. Head over to the stepping stones in the Japanese Garden with the giant koi fish underfoot and you'll understand.
- Edo's Squid - it's one word and that one word is pasta.
- Shyndigz - dessert and sweets beyond your wildest imagination. As featured on the Food Network. Now with a giant to-go version across the street that's *literally* dangerous.
- Hollywood Cemetary - back to the macabre, but you just have to trust us on this.