Shockoe Slip
Shockoe Slip
4
Monday
5:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
5:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
5:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
5:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
5:30 AM - 8:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
55 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
25
Average
9
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Steve C
Annapolis, MD642 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
In the shadow of the financial district sits the infamous Shockoe Bottom. It is at the bottom of a long steep hill near the Kinawha Canal. It used to be the rough part of town, filled with sailors, slaves, and the town's rabble. Today it is the hip and trendy part of town where anything goes. Young entrepreneurs are changing the face of this historic part of the city that has been long forgotten.
If you like to explore an unfamiliar town on your feet, here is a good walk that will take about half your day. I suggest that you start your walk right after lunch.
We started our trek on the Canal Walk along the river on a sunny day with temperatures in the low 60's, past gleaming bank skyscrapers and the historic flood wall that protected the downtown core from the James River.
After about a mile, we left the waterfront and headed past the somewhat inexplicable Holocaust Museum and back into Shockoe Bottom, and then up to Church Hill to the white-framed St. John’s Church, where the rabble-rousing rebel Patrick Henry delivered his infamous “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech against King George and the British. The views of the city from the east end of Church Hill reminded me of Glasgow and Richmond lay before us like a shiny carnival ride.
We bushwacked down a hill back into Shockoe Bottom, past the Edgar Allan Poe House (Richmond’s oldest house) and had a tasty lunch at LuLu’s, right next to the historic 17th Street Farmers Market which was bustling with activity as the African-American vendors hawked their produce to the sounds of soul music oldies.
We started a long walk along East Main, up the big hill back into city center, stopping at the red, brick and sandstone Gothic Main Street train station and the Reconciliation Statue which was erected in recognition of the city’s dark connection to slavery. At the top of the hill stood the magnificent, gleaming white Georgian state capital building and Governor’s mansion. On the back side of the Capital there was a peaceful lawn much like the national capital in Washington, where statues to the African-American struggle for freedom and the Founding Fathers lined the grassy, tree-lined park and the gothic Old City Hall towered above us like a Scottish castle.
We continued north, past St. Paul’s Church, the Library of Virginia, the glass and steel new City Hall, Monumental Church, and the VCU School of Medicine. We had covered over four miles at this point and we needed to give our feet a break, so we grabbed an empty table next to the fountain behind the Valentine Richmond House. Inna took off her shoes and we basked in the warmth of the sun.
The café patio closed at 2 and we continued our urban walk past the Georgian-styled John Marshall House, Abady Festival Park, the Arabesque Carpenter Theater, Richmond Coliseum, and the Richmond Region Visitor Center where we had mapped out our visit the previous day.
It was beer-thirty, so we stopped at the Marriot for a cold brew on the outdoor patio, across from the Richmond Center Stage on East Broad Street. There was a nice electric fire place and we people watched while we drank our IPA’s and remarked how nice everyone seemed and how clean and attractive Richmond was – unlike Pennsylvania’s Harrisburg which we had visited a few months before. The residents have a real sense of happiness and pride and the city is a treat to explore.
For more travel tips, please check out my very popular travel blog.
If you like to explore an unfamiliar town on your feet, here is a good walk that will take about half your day. I suggest that you start your walk right after lunch.
We started our trek on the Canal Walk along the river on a sunny day with temperatures in the low 60's, past gleaming bank skyscrapers and the historic flood wall that protected the downtown core from the James River.
After about a mile, we left the waterfront and headed past the somewhat inexplicable Holocaust Museum and back into Shockoe Bottom, and then up to Church Hill to the white-framed St. John’s Church, where the rabble-rousing rebel Patrick Henry delivered his infamous “Give me liberty, or give me death” speech against King George and the British. The views of the city from the east end of Church Hill reminded me of Glasgow and Richmond lay before us like a shiny carnival ride.
We bushwacked down a hill back into Shockoe Bottom, past the Edgar Allan Poe House (Richmond’s oldest house) and had a tasty lunch at LuLu’s, right next to the historic 17th Street Farmers Market which was bustling with activity as the African-American vendors hawked their produce to the sounds of soul music oldies.
We started a long walk along East Main, up the big hill back into city center, stopping at the red, brick and sandstone Gothic Main Street train station and the Reconciliation Statue which was erected in recognition of the city’s dark connection to slavery. At the top of the hill stood the magnificent, gleaming white Georgian state capital building and Governor’s mansion. On the back side of the Capital there was a peaceful lawn much like the national capital in Washington, where statues to the African-American struggle for freedom and the Founding Fathers lined the grassy, tree-lined park and the gothic Old City Hall towered above us like a Scottish castle.
We continued north, past St. Paul’s Church, the Library of Virginia, the glass and steel new City Hall, Monumental Church, and the VCU School of Medicine. We had covered over four miles at this point and we needed to give our feet a break, so we grabbed an empty table next to the fountain behind the Valentine Richmond House. Inna took off her shoes and we basked in the warmth of the sun.
The café patio closed at 2 and we continued our urban walk past the Georgian-styled John Marshall House, Abady Festival Park, the Arabesque Carpenter Theater, Richmond Coliseum, and the Richmond Region Visitor Center where we had mapped out our visit the previous day.
It was beer-thirty, so we stopped at the Marriot for a cold brew on the outdoor patio, across from the Richmond Center Stage on East Broad Street. There was a nice electric fire place and we people watched while we drank our IPA’s and remarked how nice everyone seemed and how clean and attractive Richmond was – unlike Pennsylvania’s Harrisburg which we had visited a few months before. The residents have a real sense of happiness and pride and the city is a treat to explore.
For more travel tips, please check out my very popular travel blog.
Written 4 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msc44
Bedminster, NJ13 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
Our first trip to Richmond for a wedding, didn't have much time but drove into this quaint area to have a look around. Really very charming, historical buildings, the train station, small farmer's market and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum on east Main Street are all worth a look. The restaurants on East Cary Street are plentiful, and the area has a nice hip vibe overall. The only surprise was that there were very few people about for an early Saturday afternoon. I come from the northeast (NY/NJ/PA) and any town with this much charm would be teeming up here. A hidden gem, perhaps. Also not sure if technically in Shockoe, but not too far, check out St. John's Church on East Broad Street, site of the Patrick Henry Speech, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death"... Loved it.
Written 30 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy A
Herndon, VA78 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
We stayed in the Residence Inn in Shock Slip and so many things were in walking distance including Tredegar Iron Works, Hollywood Cemetery, the VA capital building, the canal boat ride, and Belle Isle. We loved it! The cobble stone streets are amazing all on their own.
Written 19 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gatorgolfer
Knoxville, TN1,774 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
We had a couple of hours to spend in Richmond, and chose the Shockoe Slip area....what a waste of time. A couple of cobblestone streets, bars and mediocre (by reviews) restaurants, and a little canal with a little bit of landscaping on the sidewalk by the small canal. We were so disappointed...was this all there is? We walked around for about 20 minutes and went off in search of a nice restaurant. Not worth the time it took to drive here from the hotel. Didn't think much of Richmond overall....we were expecting Charleston or Savannah, and it was neither......
Written 24 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheilagail
88 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Shockoe Bottom is a very diverse area of our city. From pubs to sidewalk cafés, Main Street Station on over to the Holocaust Museum and then the night life, there's no reason to be bored!
Written 12 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane C
Gloucester, VA305 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
If nothing else, be sure to visit the old train station, called the Main Street Station (http://www.richmondgov.com/MainStreetStation/), while visiting Shockoe Bottom. It's a glorious building and has quite a history, as evidenced in the exhibits/photos on the 1st and 2nd floors. It felt like a step back in time. Also, be sure to check out the Farmer's Market, just a block or so from the station. While it wasn't up and running to full capacity on our visit, I'm told that it bustles in the Spring and Summer.
One worthwhile tip, trust me, check out Bottom's Up Pizza and order the Chesapeake, which has a sublime white sauce and is topped with crab and sauteed onions that is to die for! I've been eating this special pizza for over 20 years and have found no other to match it.
One worthwhile tip, trust me, check out Bottom's Up Pizza and order the Chesapeake, which has a sublime white sauce and is topped with crab and sauteed onions that is to die for! I've been eating this special pizza for over 20 years and have found no other to match it.
Written 7 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fozzie555
uk449 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
the train station was worh a visit as was the canal and view the flood defence gate and wall, see the hight of the water in this area when it floods !!!! no wonder the new flats built here have no houses until about the 6th floor, the intersection of road, canal and railroad is unique.
also see the plaque remembering most of this area was burnt down when the south left the capitol after the fall of petersburg
also see the plaque remembering most of this area was burnt down when the south left the capitol after the fall of petersburg
Written 27 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terry4610
60 contributions
There are several historic districts in Richmond, but Shockhoe Slip is my favorite. Restaurants, brick streets, canal walk, railroad station. Try to see it all.
Written 8 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman Lewis
Great Torrington, UK390 contributions
We visited the Slip on the basis of various reviews and were pretty disappointed. Don't get me wrong - this is a great place to eat with a wide variety of restaurants - cuisine and price. But it is not a shopping destination. There are a handful of stores which van engage your interest for an hour at most. Carytown - although not so upscale - has more to offer.
Written 23 October 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlestonnext
Richmond, VA109 contributions
Walked around this historic district and found it a bit boring. Little shopping, many restaurants.
Written 6 January 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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