About the Venue
Built in 1994, Virginia Motorsports Park, is a state-of-the-art multi-million dollar drag racing facility located in Central Virginia just 30 minutes south of Richmond in Dinwiddie County.
Virginia Motorsports Park is the largest facility of it’s kind on the East Coast and hosted the first ever National Drag Racing Event in the State of Virginia. It is a multi-purpose facility encompassing over 500 acres including a 50 acre lake. 23,000 seats line the quarter mile drag strip and there is track side motorhome/RV parking for up to 130 motorhomes/RV on the north side of drag strip. Over a half million people visit the park each year.
Venue Pictures
City Guide
Downtown Richmond
Overlooking the James River, Richmond is a mix of historic landmarks and contemporary office buildings. Downtown Richmond is full of history, from the Virginia State Capitol to the historic homes in the Court End District.
While downtown, don’t forget to see these attractions: Museum of the Confederacy, “White House of the Confederacy”, and Valentine Museum. More information below.
The city of Richmond is broken out into areas and neighborhoods. Adjacent to downtown is the Fan District, named so because the street lined with trees that "fan out". From here, you will notice Monument Avenue and its mansions and monuments of members of the Confederacy; including Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis. And, oddly enough, amoung these monuments, you will also find the relatively new statue of another famous Richmond native, Arthur Ashe.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, to the south of Monument Avenue has an impressive collection of Impressionist and post-impressionist painting displayed alongside various American painters (more info below).
Just beyond the Fan District, Carytown is another up-and-coming area. Its abundance of trendy shops alongside restaurants on Cary Street adds a distinctive flavor to the city.
The Church Hill area is one of Richmond's oldest districts with its decorative eighteenth-century houses, most with cast-iron porches looking out over the James River. At the top of the hill in the middle of the neighborhood is St John's Church, one of the oldest and most famous buildings standing in Virginia. In addition, not too far away from Church Hill, visit the Edgar Allan Poe Musuem, which is housed in Richmond’s oldest building (more info below).
Getting to Richmond
Richmond International Airport (www.flyrichmond.com) has evolved into one of the most modern and well-equipped airports in the eastern United States. Located seven miles southeast of Richmond, and within an hour drive of historic Williamsburg and a two hour drive from Washington, D.C. RIA has a small visitor center (Mon-Fri 9:30-4:30pm; 804-236-2360) in the arrivals terminal. RIA is also serviced by most major airlines; AirTran, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines as well as all major car rental agencies.
Driving to Richmond
Richmond is centrally located in Central Virginia and within driving distance of several major cities:
Charlotte, NC, 300 miles
Denver, CO, 1,668 miles
Pittsburgh, PA, 345 miles
Philadelpia, PA, 250 miles
Raleigh, NC, 160 miles
Washington, DC, 100 miles
What to Do
Canal Walk
Adjacent to north bank of James River from Tredegar Iron Works at Fifth Street to 17th Street, with pedestrian entrances to the walk at Tredegar Iron Works, Seventh, 12th, 14th, 17th and Virginia Streets (accessible to people with handicaps). Markers note people and events associated with the area's history. Restoration of the Haxall and Kanawha Canals and construction of the Canal Walk provide opportunities for waterfront strolling, canal boat rides and venues for outdoor concerts and special events. For more information, call 804-648-6549.
Executive Mansion
America's oldest, continuously occupied governor's residence, this National Historic Landmark displays silver, china, carpets and furnishings donated by the citizens of Virginia. Both the bodies of Stonewall Jackson and Arthur Ashe, Jr. lay in state at the mansion. For more information, call 804-371-2642.
Farmers' Market (www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com)
Located at 17th and Main Streets, this marketplace is said to be one of the oldest such places in the country. Shockoe Creek once ran adjacent to the site used by Indians to trade in produce. Colonial use dates to the 1740s when the area was designated for fairs. In 1779, the site officially became a market and has continued as such ever since. Markets are held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. For more information, call 804-780-8597.
The Jefferson Hotel
Located at 100 W. Franklin Street, the Jefferson is Richmond's only five star hotel. Originally built in 1895, this grand Richmond hotel was damaged severely by fire in 1901 and reopened only months later. Edward Valentine's statue of Thomas Jefferson stands in the upper lobby over a pool that once was the home of live alligators. A staircase offers a first-class view of the opulent lower lobby. For more information, call 804-788-8000.
St. John's Episcopal Church (www.historicstjohnschurch.org)
St John's Church at 2401 E Broad St (Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm, last tour 3.30pm; $3), which dates back to 1741, is best known as the place where, during a 1775 debate on whether the Virginia colony should raise a militia against the British, Patrick Henry made the impassioned plea: "Give me Liberty or Give me Death." His speech is re-enacted by an actor every Sunday between Memorial and Labor days at 2pm, after the religious services. 804-648-5015.
Black History Museum & Cultural Center (www.blackhistorymuseum.org)
The museum (00 Clay Street, Tues-Sat 10-5pm, Sun 1-5pm; $4) is a neoclassical style structure built in 1832 and purchased by Maggie L. Walker in 1922. Artifacts, videos, historical documents, and photographs are used to highlight the achievements of African-Americans in Virginia through. For more information, call 804-780-9093.
Virginia State Capitol
The Virginia State Capitol (daily 9am-5pm; Jan-March closed Sun; last tour 4.15pm; free), which has been in use since 1788 as the seat of the state (and, during the Civil War, Confederate) government, is the focal point of the city, visible from all over Richmond and offering a sweeping view from its columned portico. Inside is the only marble statue of George Washington modeled from life, and busts of Jefferson and the seven other Virginia-born US presidents line the walls. Likenesses of famous Virginians, including a solemn bronze Robert E. Lee, fill the adjacent Old House Chamber, where Aaron Burr was tried and acquitted of treason in 1807.
Museum of the Confederacy (www.moc.org)
Just two blocks north of the capitol, the Museum of the Confederacy, 1201 E Clay St (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; $6), gives an even-handed history of the Civil War. Personal effects of Confederate leaders include J. E. B. Stuart's plumed hat, the tools used to amputate Stonewall Jackson's arms at Chancellorsville (he died), and Robert E. Lee's revolver and the pen he used to sign the surrender.
Next door, the so-called White House of the Confederacy (same hours; $7), a Neoclassical mansion where Jefferson Davis lived as Confederate president, has recently been restored to its 1860s appearance. $10 combination ticket allows access to both the house and museum.
Valentine Museum
The 1812 Wickham House now forms part of the excellent Valentine Museum at 1015 E Clay St (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; $5). This Neoclassical monolith houses a small local history museum, focusing on the experience of working-class and black Americans, as well as an extensive array of furniture and pre-Civil War clothing such as whalebone corsets and other Gone with the Wind-era apparel.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (www.vmfa.state.va.us)
South of Monument Avenue, at 2800 Grove Ave, stands the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Tues-Sun 11am-5pm, Thurs until 8pm; $4 donation). An extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings is displayed alongside American paintings ranging from George Catlin's romantic images of Plains Indians to the Pop Art creations of Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg in the vast West Wing.
Other galleries contain such diverse items as Frank Lloyd Wright furniture, Lalique jewelry, and Hindu and Buddhist sculpture from the Himalayas; but perhaps the most popular part of the museum is a world-class array of over three hundred Carl Fabergé works, including four of his trademark jewel-encrusted Easter eggs crafted in the 1890s for the Russian tsars.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum (www.poemuseum.org)
Richmond's oldest building, an appropriately gloomy two hundred-and-fifty-year-old stone house at 1914 E Main St, serves as the Edgar Allan Poe Museum (Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Mon & Sun noon-5pm; $6). Poe spent much of his life in Richmond and considered it his hometown; he wrote the Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym while working on the Richmond-based magazine Southern Literary Messenger. The museum displays Poe memorabilia plus a model of Richmond as it was in his day.
Shopping
Carytown (www.carytown.org)
You'll be surprised at the variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants and food stores in this nine-block shopping area that extends from the Boulevard to the RMA beltline just west of the Fan District. Shop hours vary. Most of the stores are open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Some stay open later depending on the season, and a few stores are also open on Sunday.
Chesterfield Towne Center (www.chesterfieldcenter.com)
This mall is decorated with palm trees and skylights throughout. This southside mall has the ambiance of a tropical paradise, especially on a sunny day. Stores are open 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 804-794-4660.
The Shops of Libbie and Grove "On the Avenues"
Located at Libbie and Grove Avenues, this charming shopping area in the West End might remind you of an exclusive boutique area in a small resort town. About 45 specialty shops and restaurants line both sides of the street in one- and two-story buildings and Victorian-style homes with awnings, friendly porches and sidewalk cafes. Free parking is available along the streets or in parking lots behind the shops -- use the entrance from Libbie Avenue or behind the Grove Avenue Grill on Maple Avenue. Store hours range between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Regency Square Mall (www.shopregencysqmall.com)
Located at Parham and Quioccasin Roads, this mall is anchored by Hecht's, JCPenney and Sears. Newly renovated with an enhanced foodcourt and children's area, Regency Square lives up to its reputation for being one of the best places to shop in Richmond. Mall hours are 10:00 a.m. until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and 12 to 6 PM on Sunday. For more information, call 804-740-7467.
River Road Shopping Center
Located at 6200 River Road and Huguenot Road, where West Cary Street meets River Road and north of the Huguenot Bridge. If you're looking for designer fashions for women - this shopping center is just the place for you. Shop hours vary, but most are open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Some shops stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
River Road II
Located across Huguenot Road from the River Road Shopping Center, this upscale shopping area features women's retailers Chico's, Pendleton, Acorn, Talbots Kids and Talbots Women.
Southpark Mall (www.southparkmall.com)
Located at 230 Southpark Circle off I-95, this beautiful shopping mall south of Richmond in Colonial Heights is anchored by Hecht's, Dillard's, JCPenney and Sears. The mall offers over 100 shops. The Southpark complex includes two large strip-shopping centers: Southpark Crossing and Southpark Square, plus ParkSouth, an office/service specialty center, and other outparcels that include JCPenney, Pier 1 Imports, music stores, restaurants, a travel agency and banks. 804-526-3900.
Stony Point Fashion Park (www.shopstonypoint.com)
Located at 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Stony Point Fashion Park's eclectic merchandise mix and intimate, park-like setting will be like nothing else in the area today. With anchors Saks, Galyan's and Dillard's and up to 90 specialty stores and full-service restaurants -- many new to the Richmond area -- Stony Point Fashion Park will deliver food, fashion, fun and convenience to sophisticated Richmond residents and visitors. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Department store and restaurant hours may vary. For more information, call (804) 560-SHOP.
Sycamore Square Shopping Village
Located at Sycamore Square and Crowder Drives, this quaint shopping village in Chesterfield County off of Midlothian Turnpike will remind you of Williamsburg with its Colonial-style buildings and high-pitched cedar-shake roofs. There are numerous shops, specialty boutiques, art galleries, professional offices and a Ukrop's, all arranged in clusters to resemble a small town. Shops are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Some are open earlier or later, and they are all closed on Sunday. For more information, call 804-320-7600.
