<p>I got some great suggestions about Burlington, so now that I am going to Richmond I thought it would be a great place to come for ideas :)</p>
<p>I was wondering what would be good to do while I am there, and are there any areas that are not safe to stay in. I am looking at Richmond itself (preferably the downtown area) for hotels/motels, since I am not traveling by car, but money is an issue, so I can’t afford a really expensive hotel. If you have any ideas about either things to do or safe areas/hotels, I would really appreciate it!</p>
<p>Closer to University of Richmond = considered more safe area
Closer to parts of VCU = considered less safe area.</p>
<p>But as far as cities go, it’s not really that dangerous (I mean it isn’t Philly or NY or something) unless you’re being shady. During the day most areas shouldn’t be bad and the ones you probably don’t want to be in, it seems like by foot it would be harder to end up there. </p>
<p>Are you taking the train in? There’s more than one station in Richmond.</p>
<p>The bus station is not really that close to anything, except the baseball stadium and warehouses. What time are you arriving? I would definitely splurge for a taxi if no one is meeting you. Most hotels downtown are not cheap, you’d be better off going a bit west up Broad St from the bus station, west of Glenside Rd. to get more hotels, restaurants of all types, and a safer environment. Even the area by the Marriott downtown can be tricky past 9 or 10 p.m. What are you coming to Richmond for?</p>
<p>VCU is Virginia Commonwealth University, which is east of the train station (about halfway between it and true downtown). Carytown is a great place to walk around with lots of boutiques and quaint restaurants; Shockhoe Slip/Shockhoe Bottom has lots of old warehouses converted into lofts and restaurants/nightclubs with cobblestone streets. Monument Avenue is not to be missed during the day.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the replies! I am arriving at around 9:00. I definitely wanted to arrive earlier, but with the way the bus schedule works, I can’t. I do think that taking a taxi is a good idea, and I am going to do that.</p>
<p>I am just going to Richmond with a friend to visit the city for a couple of days. I’ve never been…</p>
<p>Of all the places to randomly visit, Richmond isn’t one of them. There really isn’t much to do, unless you’re into malls and chain restaurants, and the city just doesn’t seem very safe – and I say this having lived in philly.</p>