Richmond destinations

As Lufteknic has grown, our customer base continues to grow outside the boundaries of the Richmond metro area. Due to our location we also have many customers passing through. Richmond is one of America’s oldest cities. It has some amazing sites, historical attractions, restaurants, and a lot of things to see. We have put together some of our favorites places in the area for those who come to visit Richmond, or find themselves passing through.

Motorsports

Just south of Richmond is VMP (Virginia Motorsports Park), holding a variety of events from ATV, Mud Bog, Motocross, Friday night street wars, and also a stop for the Top Fuel NHRA Drag Racing Championship. http://www.virginiamotorsportspk.com/

A stop for the IRL and NASCAR is right here in Richmond at RIR (Richmond International Raceway). http://www.rir.com/

Not far from Richmond is a favorite track for club racers, VIR (Virginia International Raceway), which hosts professional road racing events steeped in history. http://www.virclub.com/

http://www.virhistory.com/

In between Richmond and the Virginia Beach area is a club-level racetrack in development, called Dragon’s Ridge. Follow the developments on their website. http://www.dragonsridge.com/

Outside the Washington, DC metro area is Summit Point, West Virginia. Summit Point Raceway is a road racing course for sports cars, motorcycles and karts. http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/

A favorite for our staff is the indoor go-kart track not far from the shop. G-Force karts. This track is great fun for the whole family. (http://www.gforcekarts.com/index.htm )

Historical Points of Interest

Richmond has a vast array of outdoor parks, a thriving financial center, distinctive historic neighborhoods in full bloom, and enough history to make a Civil War re-enactor feel at home. Richmond was founded in 1607 by British explorers journeying up the James River from the first settlement in Jamestown, 90 miles to the east. The city's recent revival has taken full advantage of its heritage, and some of the swankiest apartments on the market are the former tobacco warehouses that are now river view condos over the James. ( http://www.richmond.com )

Up from the James, near the Thomas Jefferson-designed state Capitol, The Museum and White House of the Confederacy (http://www.moc.org/ ), on East Clay Street, houses the world's largest collection of military, political and domestic artifacts and art about the Civil War.

Just around the corner is a hidden gem of Richmond history, the Valentine Museum.(http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com/). One of Richmond’s most interesting buildings now known as the Landmark Theater (http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/8264/) is home to the Virginia Opera, concert events, and other live entertainment.

Richmond has truly embraced the outdoors, in the riverside walkways, hiking paths, and rock-climbing facilities, not to mention the kayaking/whitewater fun with class 4 and 5 rapids right in the city. Find more information http://www.jamesriverpark.org/

Richmond boasts some extensive museums. The Richmond’s Children Museum (http://www.c-mor.org/), has plenty of interactive displays and attractions for the whole family. Next door to the Children’s Museum is the Science Museum (http://www.smv.org/) with an IMAX theater, located in the glorious Broad Street Train Station. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (http://www.vmfa.museum/) ranks among the finest in the country. It has an eclectic collection, from Faberge eggs to modern art. An interesting small museum also not far from the shop is the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. (http://www.poemuseum.org/)

The city's swankiest accommodations are at the Jefferson Hotel (http://www.jeffersonhotel.com/), a magnificent Five Star property with a grand entrance hall, a sumptuous rotunda, and 264 rooms. Local millionaire, Lewis Ginter, intent on making it as grand as he could and naming it after his hero, built the hotel in 1892. Today Richmond also honors Lewis Ginter with the naming of the Botanical Gardens http://www.lewisginter.org/

Hotels

Jefferson Hotel
Linden Row
The Berkeley Hotel
Omni Richmond Hotel
Commonwealth Park Suites Hotel
Embassy Suites Richmond
Courtyard Marriott

Richmond Area Shopping Malls

Short Pump Town Center http://www.shortpumpmall.com/ - Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Crate & Barrel, Barnes & Noble, JCrew, Apple, H&M
Chesterfield Town Center http://www.chesterfieldcenter.com/ - JCPenney, Old Navy, GAP, Sears
Stony Point Fashion Park http://www.shopstonypoint.com/ - Saks, Dillards, Banana Republic, GAP, Louis Vuitton,
Regency Square Mall http://www.shopregencysqmall.com/ - Macys, Sears, JCPenney, Sephora

Richmond Metro Restaurant Favorites

Cheap eats (less than $10):

Chipotle Mexican Grille
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=chipotle+richmond&fb=1&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=image

Kripsy Kreme Doughnuts
4910 W Broad St. Get Directions (804) 355-9111 www.krispykreme.com Perfect for the late night snack. If you haven’t been there, you need to go.

5 Guys Burgers & Fries http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=5+guys+richmond&aq=f&oq=

Gelati Celesti, Simply the best Ice Cream, in any city!!
(http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=gelati+celesti+richmond&fb=1&view=text&latlng=6410937449540598637 )

Moderate price ($10-25):

Kitchen 64, http://www.kitchen64.com/index.php a few minutes from the shop, and a favorite of ours, a variety of everything, and everything is excellent.

Comfort, http://www.comfortrestaurant.com As the name implies, easy-going foods like pastas, oysters, and a delicious broiled chicken. Funky atmosphere and hearty portions.

Melito’s, http://www.restaurant.com/microsite.asp?rid=321532&rpid=3406 American themed Richmond institution. Casual dining at it’s best.

3 Monkeys, http://www.3monkeysfan.com/ Some traditional Greek favorites mixed with sandwiches, and other great fare. Get the tiramisu.

Millie's Diner, http://www.milliesdiner.com/ A converted diner near the Church Hill neighborhood, Millie's delivers tasty and eclectic gourmet selections and has a good wine list. There's usually a line out the door.

Bottoms Up Pizza, http://www.bottomsuppizza.com/ For unusual pizzas, late night eats, and fine beer from the local Legend brewery, this is a good bet in Shockoe Bottom.

Mama Cucina, 4028-O Cox Road at Broad Street, Phone: (804) 346-3350 , Family style Italian at its best. A hidden Richmond jewel with homemade cheeses, sauces on site. Hard to beat at any price.

Banditos, http://www.banditosburritolounge.com/ Mexican fare with tattoed girls serving up the grub. Fresh grub with a bar-like atmosphere.

Thai Diner, http://www.thaidiner.org/ Some great Thai food at 2 locations in Richmond. Go There!

Buz & Neds, http://www.buzandneds.com/ BBQ joint that is one of our favorites. Great Ribs, Beef Brisket, sandwiches, etc. Featured on the Food network. Be prepared to wait in line to order.

Fancy Eats ($25-up)

Mamma Zu, http://www.mammazu.com/ In the Oregon Hill neighborhood, is an unlikely destination for gourmands. It is housed in a brick bunker but the food is authentic Italian with an emphasis on seafood. Excellent, prepare to wait to be seated, but well worth it.

Can-Can, http://www.cancanbrasserie.com/ Located in the center of Carytown, on Cary Street is this traditional French brasserie. Unique martinis, and excellent roast chicken.

Bookbinders, http://www.bookbindersrichmond.com/ Close to the central downtown area, top notch steaks, seafood, and famous crab-cakes. The best chowder in the city.

Area Points of Interest:

Other interesting sites around Richmond that can be discovered:

Colonial Williamsburg http://www.history.org/ The first capital of Virginia, and the most influential, most populated city of the 13 colonies.

Jamestown http://www.historyisfun.org/ Americas first settlement in 1607.

Kings Dominion http://www.kingsdominion.com/ Amusement park

Busch Gardens - Europe http://www.buschgardens.com/BGW/default.aspx Amusement park

Richmond Coliseum http://www.richmondcoliseum.net/ concerts, ice hockey, the circus

Richmond Farmers Market http://www.richmondgov.com/econdev/farmersmarket/default.htm

Plantations http://www.jamesriverplantations.org/ The historic plantations along the James River and Route 5

Richmond Fairgrounds http://www.statefairva.org/ The Virginia State Fair

National Battlefield Park http://www.nps.gov/rich/ National Park Services Civil War Park

Virginia Beach http://www.vabeach.com/ The boardwalk, and the ocean waves…

Blue Ridge parkway http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ A beautiful drive through the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains including the Skyline Drive, from Front Royal, Va to Asheville, NC when a car ride was relaxing. http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm

Richmond Marathon http://www.richmondmarathon.com/ a world class 26 mile marathon

Richmond Folk Festival http://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/ The National Folk festival has now morphed into this great once a year event.

Travel Help

Lufteknic is located just a few minutes from the airport, train stations, and the bus depot. Richmond has an ever expanding regional airport, one of the oldest in the US. Next to the airport entrance is also a first class aviation museum, including an SR-71 Blackbird, and an F-14 Tomcat on display.

Richmond International Airport http://www.flyrichmond.com/

VA Aviation Museum http://www.vam.smv.org/

Amtrak serves Richmond at two locations, along the North ­ South rail corridor. New England to Miami. http://www.amtrak.com/

The Greyhound terminal is a few minutes from the shop.

Greyhound-Trailways Bus Lines http://www.greyhound.com/ 2910 North Boulevard, Richmond - (804) 254-5938

Rental Cars

www.hertz.com
www.enterprise.com
www.avis.com