This history gem is a perfect NOVA getaway. We spent the weekend hiking, shopping, sampling the local hops and the flavors this city has to offer. Did you know that Richmond was not the original capital of VA? In 1779 during the American Revolution Richmond replaced Williamsburg as the new state capital. Another historic tid bit in 1781 the town was pillaged by the British by Benedict Arnold.
Our first stop was Belle Isle for a stroll on the island. I had my first Covid shot an hour before we started our walk. In retro thinking I should have separated those events by a day or 2. It is a Janell being Janell moment. This 54 acre park offers a bike park, loads of trails and my favorite spot the lake in the park. The isle is full of history. Confederate authorities used the park for noncommissioned officers and privates as a poisoner of war facility. This was It was designed to be a temporary holding facility while a more adequate space was built, however that did not happen. Stories of the prisoners conditions are rough as they did not have shelters and were sleeping in tents year round. The remains of the iron factory can be seen as well as the ruins of many other buildings.
Park at this location and walk over to the isle by the power plant vs the main parking area. There were plenty of spaces all throughout the day versus the Tredegar Street location. Entrance is free. I have dropped the pin below.
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We did approximately 10k steps walking from the parking lot and around the isle. We took a couple of the off shoots from the main trail and stopped by the lake to take some photos and spend a quiet moment together. When researching this park I came across another Belle Isle. The name sister park of Belle Isle in Detroit is larger than central park by 200 acres and both were designed by Frederick Olmstead.
Park is open from dusk to dawn.