Richmond, Virginia, is full of surprises. The state capital dates back more than 400 years, but it only takes a few minutes to realize that RVA is anything but stuck in the past. Colorful murals cover building facades all over town, chef-driven restaurants have turned Richmond into a legitimate food destination, old warehouses have been reborn as breweries, and the James River runs directly through the middle of it all.
For cannabis travelers, Virginia currently occupies an unusual middle ground. You won’t find recreational dispensaries—the rec market is slated to open on July 1, 2027—but adults can legally possess cannabis, medical cannabis is available through licensed dispensaries, and hemp-derived products are sold bars and stores around the city.
Once you’ve partaken, Richmond is your playground. You can spend the morning wandering through a world-class art museum, the afternoon hiking along the river, the evening seeing a live show, or all of the above. The trick is understanding how to make the most of this unique city. Keep reading for our firsthand guide to cannabis travel in RVA.
In this article:
🏛️ A city of neighborhoods
🏛️ Cannabis in Virginia
🏛️ Carytown: the Mile of Style
🏛️ Downtown: in the heart of it all
🏛️ Museum District: art, culture, and historic charm
🏛️ Scott’s Addition: local RVA vibes
🏛️ Getting to and around Richmond
A City of Neighborhoods
Richmond’s vibrant personality isn’t confined to one compact district. The greater Richmond area spans 60 square miles, and each enclave offers its own compelling reasons to visit. Further down, we’ll dive deeper into four of them, but first, here’s an overview to give you the lay of the land.
Downtown, you’ll find major historical attractions, theaters, hotels, all sorts of restaurants, and the State Capitol, making it a great place to use as a home base. (Read more about Downtown below.) To the east, Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip are among Richmond’s oldest areas, with cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, restaurants, and museums.
Once known as the Harlem of the South, Jackson Ward is home to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, as well as restaurants, galleries, and several notable sites that tell important stories of Richmond’s past.
Carytown—aka the Mile of Style—is a car ride away from Downtown, but once you’re there, it’s a walkable stretch lined with locally owned boutiques, cute coffee shops, high-energy restaurants, and specialty stores. (Read more about Carytown below.) A few blocks north, the Museum District is anchored by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Virginia Museum of History & Culture. It’s quieter and more residential than Carytown, with tree-lined streets, grand homes, and neighborhood eateries. (Read more about the Museum District below.)
The Fan stretches east from the Museum District toward Virginia Commonwealth University. Its historic row houses are now restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and small businesses. And over in Scott’s Addition, warehouses and industrial buildings have been converted into modern apartments and must-visit breweries, restaurants, and entertainment venues. (Read more about Scott’s Addition below.)
What Cannabis Travelers Should Know About Virginia
As of press time, you won’t find a licensed recreational dispensary anywhere in Virginia. The state operates a medical cannabis program, but recreational cannabis sales remain illegal until the regulated retail market launches on July 1, 2027. For now, here’s what you need to know:
- Adults 21+ may possess up to two ounces of cannabis for personal use and may privately share it with another 21+ adult.
- Public consumption is illegal, including on streets, in parks, and at restaurants.
- Driving under the influence is illegal.
- Hemp products produced or sold in Virginia generally cannot contain more than two milligrams of total THC per package.
- Medical dispensaries do not accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards.
For the most reliable and up-to-date laws and information, check the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s website before your trip.
Can Travelers Get Medical Cannabis in Virginia?
The medical cannabis program is available to Virginia residents only. You must have a valid government-issued ID and a condition that a qualified practitioner determines may benefit from cannabis.
Virginia does not use a limited list of qualifying conditions; instead, an eligible practitioner determines whether the patient’s condition or disease may benefit from cannabis. Physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and qualifying advanced practice registered nurses can issue certifications.
The process is pretty straightforward.
- Establish that you are a permanent or temporary Virginia resident.
- Schedule an appointment with an eligible Virginia practitioner.
- If the practitioner approves, you’ll be issued an electronic written certification through the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s portal.
- Take your certification and government-issued ID to a licensed medical dispensary, and enjoy!
Where to Get Medical Cannabis in Richmond, VA
AYR Carytown (3100 W. Cary St.) is by far the easiest licensed dispensary to incorporate into a day of sightseeing. It’s located right along Carytown’s main shopping corridor.
AYR Manchester (2804 Decatur St.) isn’t located in Richmond proper, but the dispensary delivers to the city. Even better, pop over in person and spend some time getting to know Manchester. It’s right across the James River from Downtown and offers amazing views of the Richmond skyline.
Whether you’re staying near Richmond International Airport or heading towards the city after you land, AYR Laburnum (4320-D S. Laburnum Ave., Henrico) is a convenient spot for licensed medical cannabis.
Carytown: The Mile of Style
If you’re building a cannabis-friendly Richmond itinerary, Carytown is a great place to start. The neighborhood is compact and highly walkable, so you can browse shops, grab lunch or dinner, stop for coffee, and explore cannabis-adjacent businesses without getting back in the car.
Cannabis and Hemp in Carytown
For qualifying Virginia medical patients, Ayr Carytown is the neighborhood’s licensed medical cannabis stop. A few blocks away, Kanapa CBD is open to anyone 18 and older and focuses on hemp-derived cannabinoids and wellness products.
Then there’s Point 5, one of our favorite concepts for cannabis travelers who are increasingly swapping alcohol for other options. The non-alcoholic bottle shop stocks its shelves with zero-proof wine and spirits, as well as beverages infused with THC, hemp, and kava.
What to Do in Carytown
Spend your time in Carytown shopping along West Cary Street. Pop into whatever local business calls your name, from charming bookstores like Shelf Life Books and Aquarian Bookshop, to thrift shops like Clementine and Bygones Vintage Clothing, to gift stores like Beasties and Mongrel.
Where to Eat and Drink in Carytown
You’ll find food from all corners of the globe in Carytown. Can Can Brasserie brings a little bit of Paris to the area with French food, pastries, coffee, and a lively dining room. Greek on Cary is a solid pick for gyros and more, while Mantu specializes in Afghan cooking.
The neighborhood also boasts iconic bars like Babe’s of Carytown, which is Richmond’s oldest LGBTQ bar, and The Jasper for old-school classy vibes.
Downtown Richmond: In the Heart of It All
You won’t find any dispensaries downtown, but there’s plenty to see and do once you’ve consumed.
What to Do in Downtown Richmond
Start around the Virginia state Capitol, then make your way towards the river. Hop onto a Riverfront Canal Cruise to learn all about the city while spending time on the water, and stop at points of interest like the John Marshall House and the Poe Museum, which shine light on iconic local heroes.
Creative types should wander toward the Arts District, where galleries and murals fill the streets, people gather to pass the time at unique venues like Black Iris Social Club and Cigar Bar, and First Fridays art walks bring the neighborhood to life each month. Richmond has more than 100 murals scattered around the city, so simply meandering can become its own engaging art tour.
Where to Eat in Downtown Richmond
For breakfast or lunch, Perly’s is a modern Jewish deli serving everything from latkes and knishes to enormous deli sandwiches. If you’re looking for crispy, juicy, Southern-style chicken, Buttermilk and Honey Fried Chicken is a perfect pick. For dinner, Lillie Pearl draws on Chef Michael Lindsey’s North Carolina roots along with West African ingredients and global influences.
Where to Stay in Downtown Richmond
Staying downtown puts you close to the riverfront, restaurants, and several major attractions, while the rest of the city is just a short ride away.
The Jefferson Hotel
For Richmond grandeur at its finest, the Jefferson Hotel opened in 1895 and remains one of the city’s most recognizable places to stay. The dramatic rotunda and elaborate architecture make simply walking through the lobby a thrilling part of the Richmond sightseeing experience.
Quirk Hotel Richmond
If you want a hotel with major personality, the boutique Quirk Hotel Richmond occupies a historic building in Richmond’s Arts District and incorporates art throughout the property. There’s an on-site gallery, restaurant, and rooftop bar.
Moxy Richmond Downtown
Moxy Richmond Downtown is just steps from tons of attractions and restaurants. It’s a playful property where wall hooks replace closets, guests check in at the bar, and games and music help travelers connect.
The Museum District: Art, Culture, and Historic Charm
Historic homes and leafy residential blocks make the Museum District considerably calmer than Carytown, Downtown, or Scott’s Addition.
What to do in the Museum District
The centerpiece of this neighborhood is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, whose permanent collection spans thousands of years and includes major collections of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Fabergé, and contemporary art. General admission is free, and the museum is open 365 days a year.
Next door, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture dives into the complicated story of the Commonwealth. Together, the two museums can easily fill most of a day, but for more museum-hopping, the Branch Museum of Design, Science Museum of Virginia, and the Children’s Museum of Richmond are all within walking distance.
Where to Eat in the Museum District
Absorbing all of that culture works up an appetite! Chiocca’s is an old-school deli and neighborhood bar known for its monster grilled sandwiches. The Stables at Belmont and The Franklin Inn both serve casual American fare in relaxed settings.
The VMFA has three on-site eateries: chef-driven Floris, seasonally inspired Amuse, and Best Cafe & Espresso Bar overlooking the reflecting pond. Across Arthur Ashe Avenue from the VMFA, Idle Hands Bread Company is a crowd-pleaser for coffee, pastries, and baked goods.
Scott’s Addition: Local RVA Vibes
Spending time in Scott’s Addition feels less like sightseeing and more like hanging out in a new place. Once an industrial district filled with factories and warehouses, the neighborhood has evolved into one of Richmond’s busiest entertainment areas. Breweries, restaurants, cideries, distilleries, games, and nightlife now occupy many of those former industrial spaces.
Cannabis and Hemp in Scott’s Addition
Cannabis growers—or anyone simply interested in the culture surrounding home cultivation—should know about HomeGrown VA. The locally focused grow shop carries indoor and outdoor gardening and hydroponic supplies and is geared toward helping growers through the process from seed to harvest.
Plan to spend some time letting your inner child loose at Bingo Beer Co. The sprawling brewery combines beer, food, an arcade, and outdoor space, and the Cheat Code line of hemp-derived canned beverages are uplifting and delicious.
What to Do in Scott’s Addition
Scott’s Addition is home to the city’s minor league baseball team, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, so if you’re in town during the season, score a ticket and have a ball. There are also loads of venues with fun activities to pass the time, like hatchet-throwing at Shield N Sheath, bowling at River City Roll, and duckpin bowling at Scotty’s Taphouse.
Travelers in town with their four-legged friends will get a thrill from the scene at Ruff Canine Club, a uniquely adorable combination of a dog park and a restaurant/bar.
Where to Eat in Scott’s Addition
Exciting new food and beverage concepts open in Scott’s Addition all the time. With Texas-style smoked meats, ZZQ has helped put Richmond barbecue on the map, while Pinky’s and Kismet Modern Indian pull culinary inspiration from across the globe. Spots like Grit Coffee, Parlay at Graybo’s, and Brambly Park are perfect places to sit back, sip, and people-watch.
Getting to and Around Richmond
Flying to Richmond
Ten miles east of downtown, Richmond International Airport (RIC) is the city’s primary airport. With just one terminal and two concourses, it’s extremely easy to navigate your way around.
Airlines that service RIC include American, Breeze, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United.
Arriving by Train
Amtrak serves the Richmond area through two stations. Richmond Main Street Station puts travelers directly downtown, while Staples Mill Road Station is farther north of the city center and typically requires a taxi, rideshare, or car to reach the neighborhoods covered in this guide.
Getting Around Richmond
Richmond is walkable within individual neighborhoods, but between them, it’s best to drive, take a cab or ride-share, or use public transportation. Richmond’s rapid transit bus line, the GRTC Pulse, connects several major areas. Rideshares and taxis are easy and convenient, particularly if you’re arriving late or staying outside downtown.
What are your favorite places in Richmond, VA? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
