10 reasons Richmond locals love their city

There's plenty to like about Richmond, but here are a few of the things we locals really love.

1. Our food

• Richmond's restaurant scene is wide-ranging, unreal and has rightfully garnered national attention for being a "culinary powerhouse."
• Essence said we have some of the best food in the South, Bon Appétit called us "America's next great restaurant-obsessed town," and CNN applauded our high concentration of Black-owned restaurants.

2. Monuments

• Richmond was once known for having the most Confederate statues in the nation. Those are gone, and now the most prominent monuments in town pay homage to local Black heroes — tennis legend Arthur Ashe and Maggie Walker, the first woman to charter a U.S. bank.
• Also notable: "Rumors of War" artist Kehinde Wiley's first public art piece, created in response to Richmond's Confederate statues.

3. Historic neighborhoods

• The homes in the Fan District (the nation's largest intact Victorian neighborhood) and Church Hill (the city's oldest neighborhood) make daily walks feel like you're in a Hallmark movie.

4. The James River

• The river flowing through Richmond offers ample swimming holes, boating spots, rocks to lie upon, and running and hiking trails.
• Fun fact: Richmond is the only U.S. city with Class IV whitewater rapids in the middle of downtown.

5. Tattoo culture

• The city has been named one of the most tattooed cities in the nation, a stat locals love — although the science behind the study is questionable.
• One local ZIP code, though, has the state's highest concentration of tattoo shops.

6. Endless sunrise/sunset viewing spots

• Our favorites: Nickel Bridge, T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, Jefferson Park, Libby Hill, the Manchester Floodwall, the Virginia War Memorial, and driving in from South Richmond over the Belvidere Bridge.
• Honorable mention: the VMFA lawn.

7. Beer

• With more than 40 breweries in the area, Richmond has been called the brewery capital of Virginia and a top beer tourism destination.

• Plus, the first canned beer in history was sold here.

8. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

• Richmond's must-visit fine arts museum is open 365 days a year, and it's completely free.
• It has the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, plus an incredible jazz night.

9. Dead presidents

• Two U.S. presidents — James Monroe and John Tyler — are buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery, a 19th century garden cemetery overlooking the James River.
• Also buried there: Dave Brockie (aka Oderus Urungus), the former frontman and founding member of costumed heavy metal band GWAR.

10. History is alive and well — and no, not just from that one war.

• Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech at St. John's Church in Church Hill. The church still stands, hosting reenactments and tours.
• Thomas Jefferson designed the state capitol.
• Edgar Allan Poe grew up in Richmond, and a museum about his life and work is housed in one of the city's oldest buildings.