Route5VA

The James River

The James River flows from the mountains of Appalachia to the Chesapeake Bay. Throughout its history, it has been a constant source of recreation, commerce, and travel. Once considered irreparably polluted, today it hosts kayakers, canoers, swimmers, and fishermen. It remains a vital part of Virginia’s identity.

Trails

There are a host of opportunities along the Route 5 Corridor for enjoying scenery and history on foot, by horseback, or while pedaling a bicycle.

Virginia Capital Trail

This dedicated, paved pedestrian and bicycle trail connects the Commonwealth’s past and present capitals of Jamestown and Richmond.

Bike Repair/Rental

Spring a leak, drop a chain, or need a ride?

Chapel Island

This Richmond site, rich in history, has been used as an early church, a fishery, and an ice warehouse.

Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area

This is the only management area in the coastal plain that consists mainly of woodlands and is managed primarily for upland wildlife species rather than wetland species.

Deep Bottom

This park features picnic facilities, two boat ramps, and a canoe launch for the James River and Four Mile Creek.

East Coast Greenway

This Greenway enters Virginia along the Mount Vernon Trail and continues south, travelling 299 miles through Virginia. The Historic Coastal Route follows the Virginia Capital Trail.

Green Springs Interpretive Trail

This 3.5-mile loop travels through a landscape of beaver ponds, wetlands, and forests.

James River Park System

The James River Park System includes acres of shorelines and islands, with rapids, meadows, forests, and wildlife habitats in the capital of Virginia.

John Smith Trail

This Chesapeake treasure is America’s first water-based National Historic Trail.

The Kickstand

This is your go-to resource for bike rentals and service on the Virginia Capital Trail.

The Low Line

Capital Trees’ most recent efforts have been focused on creating a linear park along a critically important but neglected stretch of the Kanawha Canal and Virginia Capital Trail. Now dubbed the “Low Line”, with a nod to New York City’s High Line, the site connects a recently enhanced Great Shiplock Park (GSP) with Richmond’s much-loved Canal Walk.

Osborne Landing

This boat launch and fishing pier offers playgrounds, shelters, trails, and unique access to the James River.

Powhatan Creek Trail

This dog-friendly trail offers views, biking, jogging, and a 696-foot timber bridge.

RVA Paddle Sports

Based in Richmond, this outfitter offers whitewater rafting and kayak instruction for paddlers of all levels.

Food/Drink/Farms

Farming, and the economic impact of landowners, have long been a part of the Route 5 Corridor. The historic route from Richmond to Williamsburg was originally known as ‘New Market Road,’ and opportunities to visit the farms, sample the wares, and tuck in to the culinary delights still abound.

Restaurant Maps

Use this handy guide to find the best food and drink along the Route 5 Corridor.

Blue Heron Restaurant

Located within the River’s Rest resort on the banks of the Chickahominy, this family-style establishment specializes in local seafood and sizzling steaks.

The Boathouse

As one of their three locations, The Boathouse Rockett’s Landing has fantastic James River views, and a delicious menu of authentic, locally-sourced cuisine.

Conch Republic

A Key West inspired waterfront restaurant, this site on the James offers fantastic seafood, desserts, and an extensive drink list.

Cul’s Courthouse Grille

Originally an 18972 general store, this Charles City spot became a Southern cuisine eatery in 2009.

Gallmeyer Farms

This farm in Richmond offers hayrides, a straw bale maze, and seasonal pick-your-own festivals celebrating the harvest of pumpkins, strawberries, and vegetables.

The Lily Pad Café

Located in Varina, The Lily Pad Café offers al fresco dining with an expansive patio.

Millie’s

A Richmond landmark, since 1989 Millie’s has offered a changing menu of entrees, sandwiches, and a can’t-miss brunch to Church Hill diners.

Poe’s Pub

Located blocks from Richmond’s Edgar Allen Poe museum, this city institution is an authentic Irish pub with Southern hospitality. A great variety of food, drinks, and live entertainment.

Ronnie’s BBQ

This family-owned Southern BBQ specialist prepares genuine smoked meats and freshly-made sides.

17th Street Farmers’ Market

One of the oldest farmers’ markets in the U.S., this market features local produce, products, and is the host for many Richmond events.

Station 2

Located in Shockoe Bottom, and offering delicious salads and burgers, Station 2 is in a historic Richmond firehouse.

Stone Brewing

Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, Stone Brewing has come a long way since opening up in San Diego, California in 1996. Richmond is their East Coast brewery.

Triple Crossing Brewing

Triple Crossing Brewing Company is a 7bbl, 3,000 sq ft tasting room featuring a rotating selection of carefully crafted beers.

Upper Shirley Vineyards

Perched above the James River just 20 minutes from Richmond, this estate boasts history and scenic beauty with bottomland produce, fresh-caught seafood, and world-class wines.

The Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe

With several locations throughout Richmond, the coffee shop & eatery offers local, organic, and sustainable dining options.

Victory Farms

Less than 5 miles from Richmond, this family farm and event site provides Certified Naturally Grown vegetables, greens, herbs, and more.

American History

The most famous names in American history left their footprints here. Walk in the shadow of John Smith, John Rolfe, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and more.

Belle Aire Plantation

One of America’s oldest frame dwellings (circa 1670), Belle Air is a unique and important architectural monument. Massive pine timbers still serve as sturdy structure and interior decorative trim. The mansion includes “the finest Jacobean staircase in America” and is furnished with antiques.

Benjamin Harris Grist Mill

Located on the grounds of Edgewood Plantation. Rowland’s Mill was built during the 18th century by Benjamin Harrison V of Berkeley Plantation. It was visited during the Civil War by General J.E.B. Stuart and during the American Revolutionary War by British troops led by Benedict Arnold.

Berkeley Plantation

The 1726 Georgian mansion is the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Virginia. The estate is also the birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth U.S. president and ancestral home of his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, the twenty-third president.

Civil War Trust

Although primarily focused on the Civil War, this non-profit is also dedicated to preserving the hallowed battlefields of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.

Edgewood Plantation

Circa 1849, this National and State Landmark has served as a church, post office, restaurant, and signal post for the Confederate Army. Now a bed & breakfast, it is available for events and tours.

Fort Harrison

This National Park preserves the strongest point of defense for Confederate forces along the James River.

Fort Pocahontas

Fort Pocahontas is situated on the north bank of the James River, which served as a highway for Native Americans, colonists and Americans. The landing saw action during the Revolutionary War when 1,000 British troops, led by Benedict Arnold, disembarked here en route to Richmond intending to capture the Virginia legislature. At the time of the Civil War, the bluff was fortified as part of Grant’s Overland Campaign, a grand strategy designed to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond in 1864 and bring about an end to the war.

Freedom Park

Dating to the 1650’s, this public park is the site of an 18th century cemetery, Revolutionary War battlefield, and one of America’s first Free Black Settlements.

James River Plantations

Treasures from three centuries can be seen at these five plantations, homes to Benjamin Harrison, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Robert E. Lee, and Edmund Ruffin, who fired the first shot of the Civil War.

Malvern Hill Battlefield

Using the James River as a buffer and stage for naval warships, this Civil War battlefield was the site of a stinging defeat for the Confederate Army of Robert E. Lee.

New Market Heights Battlefield

It was here that Major General Benjamin Butler’s Army crossed the James River to attack the defenses of Richmond, the Confederate capital.

North Bend Plantation

Built in 1801 by John Minge in historic Charles City County for his wife Sarah Harrison, the sister of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States. The current owner, George F. Copland, is a descendant of William Henry and Sarah Harrison.

Richmond National Battlefield Park

Operated by the National Park Service, this historical site documents battlefields, the Confederacy’s largest hospital, and the site of a key naval battle

Richmond Slave Trail

Richmond Slave Trail is a walking trail that chronicles the history of the trade of enslaved Africans from Africa to Virginia until 1775, and away from Virginia, especially Richmond, to other locations in the Americas until 1865. It begins at Manchester Docks, a major port in the massive downriver Slave Trade that made Richmond the largest source of enslaved Africans on the east coast of America from 1830 to 1860. The trail then follows a route through the slave markets of Richmond, to First African Baptist Church, a center of African-American life in pre-Civil War Richmond.

Sherwood Forest Plantation

Sherwood Forest Plantation was the home of the 10th U.S. President John Tyler from 1842 until his death in 1862. Sherwood Forest Plantation has been the continuous residence of the Tyler family since the President purchased it in 1842.

Shirley Plantation

Encompassing over 700 riverfront acres, Shirley Plantation is America’s oldest farm and family-owned business and is lived in and actively managed by direct descendants of the original builders.

Westover Plantation

Westover, one of the grandest and most beautiful of the colonial plantations, was built in the mid-eighteenth century by the Byrd family. Long considered a premier example of Georgian architecture in America, the house’s special charm lies in its elegant yet extremely simple form and perfect proportions.

American FIrst Nations

Long before the arrival of John Smith, Virginia has been the home of Native American tribes. Indigenous people have been a part of Virginia’s history for 12,000 years.

Chickahominy Tribe

These first Virginians were the greeters of the first English setters in 1607, and is today the second largest of Virginia’s eight Indian Tribes.

Wolf Creek Cherokee Museum

This museum offers preservation of artifacts as well as artwork, research in genealogy, and educational classes.

Other Attractions

The Route 5 Corridor offers more than history and scenery. Observe wildlife, visit a winery, or browse a local flea market during your trip.

Bald Eagle Tours

The James River, and even the City of Richmond, is a habitat for our nation’s symbol.

Gillies Creek Park

Located at Stony Run Drive and Williamsburg Road in Richmond’s East End, this 40 acre park is home to the city’s only BMX race track, which serves as the home track for Richmond BMX, an affiliate of the National Bicycle League.

Hadad’s Lake

This family water park and picnic area offers swimming, row boating, mini-golf, and more.

Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery

This 444-acre facility is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect and restore our populations of migratory fish and other aquatic creatures.

Osborne Landing

This boat launch and fishing pier offers playgrounds, shelters, trails, and unique access to the James River.

Upper Shirley Vineyards

Perched above the James River just 20 minutes from Richmond, this estate boasts history and scenic beauty with bottomland produce, fresh-caught seafood, and world-class wines.

Route 5 Corridor Coalition

The Route 5 Corridor offers more than history and scenery. Observe wildlife, visit a winery, or browse a local flea market during your trip.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

The Alliance is restoring and promoting the conservation of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed rivers, streams, and forests through programs that span throughout all six Chesapeake Bay states and Washington, D.C.

The American Civil War Museum

The mission of The American Civil War Museum is to be the preeminent center for the exploration of the American Civil War and its legacies from multiple perspectives: Union and Confederate, enslaved and free African Americans, soldiers and civilians.

Church Hill Association

The Church Hill Association features resources for residents, businesses, visitors, and anyone who would like to participate in CHA of RVA, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of neighbors working together to keep their community safe and beautiful, and to preserve their heritage as they grow.

Fulton Hill Neighborhood Resource Center

The Neighborhood Resource Center is a grassroots nonprofit whose mission is to foster personal growth and community change in the Greater Fulton Community.

Historic Richmond

Historic Richmond’s mission is to shape the future of Richmond by preserving our distinctive historic character, sparking revitalization and championing our important architectural legacy.

James River Association

The mission of the James River Association is to be guardian of the James River. They provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources.

Partnership for Smarter Growth

The mission at Partnership for Smarter Growth is to educate and engage the communities in the Richmond region to work together to improve our quality of life by guiding where and how we grow.

Preservation Virginia

Preservation Virginia, a private non-profit organization and statewide historic preservation leader founded in 1889, is dedicated to perpetuating and revitalizing Virginia’s cultural, architectural and historic heritage thereby ensuring that historic places are integral parts of the lives of present and future generations.

Richmond Area Bicycling Association

The Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA) has been offering cyclists of all levels and abilities many ways to enjoy their favorite pastime since 1967.

Scenic Virginia

Founded in 1998, Scenic Virginia is the only conservation organization dedicated solely to the preservation, protection, and enhancement of the beauty of our Commonwealth, with a particular focus on the preservation of significant vistas and scenic lands.

Victory Farms

Victory Farms operates centrally-located, weekly Farmstands and a Rural Farmstand on their farm in Varina. They also sell to many area specialty grocers and restaurants (support local!).

Virginia Bicycling Federation

The Virginia Bicycling Federation is a statewide advocacy organization working to change public policy and community attitudes, to improve the safety, convenience, and acceptance of bicycling; and to promote bicycling for transportation, recreation, public health and economic development.

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation

The Virginia Capital Trail is a dedicated, paved pedestrian and bicycle trail that connects the Commonwealth’s past and present capitals of Jamestown and Richmond along the Scenic Route 5 corridor.

AND MORE…

In addition to these established non-profits, the Route 5 Corridor Coalition’s membership included neighborhood associations, civic groups, businesses, and private citizens, including the Varina Beautification Committee, Henrico Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, Residents of Osborne Turnpike, the Marion Hill Neighborhood Association, the Association for the Preservation of Henrico Antiquities, and more.