Paste Magazine : Greetings From Richmond

Paste Magazine just visited Richmond and went to all the right places– including Mongrel! Check it out:

If streets could talk, Richmond, Virginia, would have a lot to say about America’s history. The Powhatan tribe settled here in the 1500s, planting tobacco crops that would one day fuel an industry so prosperous, it would pull the city through the Great Depression. It was in Richmond’s St. John’s Church that Patrick Henry declared, “Give me liberty — or give me death!” in 1775, a speech that helped put the Revolutionary War in motion. Eight-six years later, when the United States split, the Confederacy established Richmond as its capital. Two trailblazing authors, Edgar Allan Poe and Tom Wolfe, lived here and went on to create new genres of literature (horror stories and New Journalism). Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the legendary tap dancer turned human rights activist, was discovered busking in front of Richmond’s Globe Theater.

Let’s not forget that the National Bureau of Economic Research found Richmond is the happiest U.S. city.

Shall we go on?

Richmond’s dedication to preserving its rich past has made it a must for history buffs, while its eye on the future has earned it nods from MarketWatch (a top city for business growth) and Forbes (an up and coming city for entrepreneurs). A trip to Richmond just might have you itching to move; but, assuming you only have 36 or so hours, here’s how to make the most of your visit.

Day One

Morning

On your drive from the airport or train station, skip the direct route along Interstate 195. Instead, take a detour via Monument Avenue (pictured above), the city’s most celebrated street. It’s lined with stately churches, mansions, and apartment buildings—many designed by John Russell Pope, the architect responsible for the Jefferson Memorial, the National Archives and the National Museum of Art…