CNN just crowned Richmond as the No. 1 best town to visit in the U.S. this year.
CNN travel editors explored the country, searching for cities full of things to do, loads of personality, and not typically swarming with tourists. Richmond topped the list for several standout reasons:
- Museums: Richmond is home to a variety of top-tier museums.
- Neighborhoods: Special shoutouts to Jackson Ward and Shockoe Slip.
- Arts and Culture: The city’s vibrant arts scene, including street art and artists like Hamilton Glass, is impressive.
- Restaurants and Breweries: Culinary gems like Lillie Pearl and The Mantu, alongside breweries like Väsen and The Veil, make Richmond a foodie’s paradise.
- Festivals: The city’s festival lineups, like the Carytown Watermelon Festival, are major draws.
- Historical Memorialization: Richmond’s commitment to remembering its role in slavery and its history as the former capital of the Confederacy is significant.
How it works: CNN focused on cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to about 225,000 residents. Richmond, with roughly 226,000 residents, just made the cut. They also considered communities dedicated to improvement, a strong sense of identity, and the “wow” factor.
What they’re saying: “Now’s a great time for visitors to see for themselves how Virginia’s capital city has evolved,” CNN wrote.
Richmond outshone other cities with populations between 50,000 and 225,000 to claim the top spot. The top 10 cities are:
- Richmond, Virginia
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Tacoma, Washington
- Portland, Maine
- San Luis Obispo, California
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Macon, Georgia
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Duluth, Minnesota
Read the full write up HERE
