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Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
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Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
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My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
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All the United States Virginia Richmond

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Richmond

22 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Richmond, Virginia

Updated May 2, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Richmond

Edgar Allan Poe Museum

Richmond, Virginia

Edgar Allan Poe Museum

This museum devoted to the gothic author holds such interesting ephemera as his socks and walking stick.
The Grand Kugel

Richmond, Virginia

The Grand Kugel

This 29-ton granite ball spins around at the slightest touch thanks to a scientific phenomenon.
Abandoned Hydroelectric Plant from Early 1900’s

Richmond, Virginia

Ruins of Belle Isle

A small Richmond island dotted with the remnants of hundreds of years of history.

Richmond, Virginia

Hollywood Cemetery

The final resting place of two (or three) presidents, one vampire, and 18,000 Confederate soldiers.

Richmond, Virginia

Evergreen Cemetery

This labyrinthine resting place of Black American leaders has been reclaimed by nature.

Richmond, Virginia

Byrd Theatre

This beautiful vintage movie palace has seen little change in form or function since the 1920s.
The Markel Building

Richmond, Virginia

The Markel Building

Inspired by a foil-wrapped potato, (seriously) the Markel Building has been deemed one of the 10 ugliest buildings in the world.
Egyptian Building west facade

Richmond, Virginia

Egyptian Building

A convincing little bit of ancient Egypt smack dab in Richmond, Virginia.
See All 22 Things To Do in Richmond
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Richmond, Virginia

A
History 4
Architecture 4
Edgar Allan Poe 2
Museums 2
Us Civil War 2
Sculptures 2
Architectural Oddities 2
Theaters 2
Civil War 2
Graves 2
Cemeteries 2
Homes 2

Richmond Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. shullbrendand
    3
  2. Alicia Bones
    1
  3. Mom0ja
    1
  4. MarkL
    1
  5. jericelder
    1
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Add an unusual place to Richmond.

Places Edited

  1. blimpcaptain
    13
  2. breaingram
    6
  3. Mom0ja
    5
  4. ski queen
    5
  5. PushingUpDaisies
    5
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Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. sehutchinson
    21
  2. apbreuhan
    20
  3. Kev Obie
    20
  4. Traveling Maven
    19
  5. Scriv
    19
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Visit a place in Richmond.

Recent Richmond Activity

  • marshallnesbitt24

    wants to go to The Grand Kugel

    about 23 hours ago
  • marshallnesbitt24

    wants to go to Hollywood Cemetery

    about 23 hours ago
  • marshallnesbitt24

    wants to go to The Grave of Oderus Urungus

    about 23 hours ago
  • marshallnesbitt24

    wants to go to James River Park Pipeline Walkway

    about 23 hours ago
  • lindsayhayley

    wants to go to The Grave of Oderus Urungus

    about 20 hours ago

Stories About Richmond

The label for Meat Juice (bottom right) often attracts visitors’ attention at the Apothecary Museum.

In the 1800s, Valentine’s Meant a Bottle of Meat Juice

An act of love in the form of a medicinal tonic.
by Stephanie Castellano
February 10, 2022
Pustulus Maximus and Balsac the Jaws of Death of GWAR performing in October 2019 in San Francisco.

The Artist Collective That Brings Heavy Metal Fever Dreams to Life

For nearly 40 years, a rotating cast of artists has made costumes and props for GWAR—the band behind one of the world’s wildest stage shows.
by Eric J. Wallace
October 1, 2021

Spilled: 200 Gallons of Cream in Virginia

Accidents happen.
by Erik Shilling
May 9, 2017
Poe’s house in Philadelphia, where he composed “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Gold Bug.”

10 Places That Rejected Poe in Life But Celebrate Him in Death

Edgar Allan Poe gets the recognition he deserves in the afterlife.
by Molly McBride Jacobson
February 9, 2017

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