How to spend a day in the Shockoe neighborhood

Aerial shot over Shockoe Bottom in the snow.

Shockoe Bottom looking stylish in the snow. | Photo via @airva_drone

Our neighborhood series has us shuffling to Shockoe Slip. Despite its relatively small geographic size, the area can count many of Richmond’s oldest historic locales + star restaurants on its cobblestoned streets.

Shockoe Slip is named for Richmond’s Shockoe Creek, derived from the Powhatan word “Shacquohocan.” That word directly referenced the large, flat rocks that lined the former creek bed.
Shockoe is known as a place of constant change, with the area being renovated or rebuilt at least four times since the 1700s — mainly due to fire, natural disaster, and war — but it remains a can’t-miss destination for visitors and Richmonders alike.

Let’s adventure to Shockoe in 2022…

Public parking lots

  • 1610 E. Franklin St.
  • 109 S. 15th St.
  • 110S S. 13th St.

Get some lunch

Sine Irish Pub & Restaurant, 1327 E. Cary St.

  • 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat.
  • Try this: Braised Brisket Mac & Cheese, topped with port wine gravy.

Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe, 1217 E. Cary St.

  • 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
  • Try this: Havarti and Mushroom grilled cheese sandwich with their daily soup special.

La Bodega Latin Kitchen & Cocktails, 104 N. 18th St.

  • Various hours
  • Try this: Papusa & Eggs with bacon and home fries.
A shot across the river at Shiplock Park in Richmond

The great lock was built ~1850, which gave Great Shiplock Park its name. | Photo via @verdantrichmond

Take a walk

Great Shiplock Park, 2803 Dock St.

  • Open sunrise to sunset
  • Part of the Virginia Capital Trail, the park was renovated in 2013 with interactive historical displays and features scenic routes for hiking and biking.

Learn something new

Poe Museum, 1914 E. Main St.

  • 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., closed Mon.
  • Dive deep into the life of horror author Edgar Allan Poe, his legacy as a writer + his connections to Richmond throughout his career.
  • Tickets are $9 for adults, free for Poe Museum Members

In case you missed it, we’ve covered Church Hill, Manchester + Jackson Ward in previous neighborhood spotlights. Use the question box below for our next River City recommendation.