Carytown is a trendy historic neighborhood that stretches from Richmond's Museum District down Cary Street. Locals come for the art, food, and shopping in a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes all kinds of creative people. As a center of fashion, dining, and community, Carytown is a must-visit during any trip to Richmond.
Parking and Public Transportation in Carytown
While the Richmond bus system does not offer any stops directly on Cary Street, the Virginia Commonwealth University campus is nearby and public transportation is offered there. The best way to reach Carytown is to drive there, though. Free parking is amply available on the many cross streets, including city owned lots and those privately owned by the local businesses. Street parking is also available on both sides of Cary Street, which may have restrictions during certain times of day.
Best and Worst Times to Visit Carytown
Mondays are generally a bit slow in Carytown and some of the businesses open late or do not open at all. It's advisable to check with the individual businesses you'd like most to visit and verify their hours before your trip. Carytown is not a late-night destination, either. The best time to visit is around dinnertime on a Thursday or Friday evening when most of the businesses are open and you can catch a show at the Byrd Theater, or at lunchtime in the middle of the week when many of the restaurants and shops have special deals to attract customers.
Dining in Carytown
For a great dining experience, Can Can Brasserie is phenomenally elegant. They serve Brunch on weekends and offer elegant menus ranging from charming breakfast cafe items to fresh gourmet dinner offerings and an extensive cocktail menu to match. Another local favorite with flamboyant character is the Galaxy Diner, serving up comfort food with a Carytown twist. Try a shake while you're there. It's a standby for many students at nearby VCU.
Shopping in Carytown
Chop Suey Books is an outstanding independent bookshop with a resident cat, Won Ton, to help you browse. Their titles are unusual and hard to find elsewhere, and their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and supremely on trend. Bygones is another must-visit, a surprising vintage clothing store located directly next door to the historic Byrd Theater. The window displays at Bygones are always works of art, and the tremendous selection of clothing and accessories will blow your mind.
Other Must-Sees in Carytown
Carytown is full of installations by local artists. Keep your eyes open as you stroll down Cary Street for beautiful, surreal, and shocking murals on the sides of buildings, and watch for the occasional sculpture or installation along the sidewalk. It's common to spot talented street musicians, especially on weekends, and many of the stores work closely with local artists to promote and sell their work, so art displays show up from time to time as well.
Other Places to Visit Near Carytown
The Museum District, another of Richmond's historic neighborhoods, borders Carytown on the North side. Some of the most notable museums are the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which is itself a national landmark, the Children's Museum of Richmond, and the Virginia Holocaust Museum, to name a few. Hollywood Cemetery is another national landmark within a few miles of Carytown, and it's only a short 6 minute drive to reach Maymont, a historic mansion with some of the best gardens in Richmond.
Insider Tip for Carytown Visitors
Wear comfortable shoes. Carytown isn't a particularly big neighborhood, but many of the stores are two-stories, meaning you could end up climbing a lot of old stairs in the historic buildings. Regular visitors to Carytown are stylish and trendy, but the overall feeling is very bohemian and relaxed. High heels are probably the least practical footwear for exploring most parts of Richmond, but they are especially inconvenient in Carytown.
Author's bio: Kitty Lusby is an author and self proclaimed adventurer from the Richmond, Virginia area. She believes that travel is a necessity and does it as often as possible.