#8 Beauty Products, Richmond Travel Guide, Tips for Baking the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Plus my all-time favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes.
Hello,
The latest edition of the newsletter includes a list of some of my favorite beauty products, chocolate chip cookie recipes, and a travel guide for Richmond, Virginia.
Please feel free to comment if you have any questions, responses, brilliant ideas, or you feel like sharing a favorite recipe, restaurant, or anything else. You can also email me: askmarla@marlayoung.com.
You can access the archives here, including the travel guides.
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TO DO LIST
READ
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: In this epic novel full of old Hollywood glamour, a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love.
Attacking Anxiety: From Panicked and Depressed to Alive and Free by Shawn Johnson: Shawn Johnson, lead pastor of Red Rocks Church, gives a searingly honest portrait of anxiety and depression and shows readers how to fight back and live free.
Listen to an interview with Shawn on the Happy Hour Podcast Ep. 469 here.
It’s Your Friends Who Break Your Heart by Jennifer Senior (The Atlantic): An essay about friendship and the older we get, the more we need our friends and the harder it is to keep them.
WATCH
I Want You Back (Amazon Prime): Horrified to learn that the loves of their lives have already moved on, Peter and Emma hatch a hilarious plan to win back their exes with unexpected results.
The Tinder Swindler (Netflix): Posing as a wealthy, jet-setting diamond mogul, Israeli-born Simon Leviev pretended to be the son of a billionaire diamond dealer who wooed women online then conned them out of millions of dollars. Now some victims plan for payback.
Inventing Anna (Netflix): It’s based on a New York magazine writer’s investigative story about Anna Delvey, an infamous scammer who tricked New York City’s elite out of hundreds of million of dollars. Great fashion. (Language/content ear muffs at times.)
BAKE
Mother Grains by Roxana Jullapat: Roxana is the head baker and owner of Friends and Family in Los Angeles. Her cookbook is a guide to using eight different grains and flours and includes over 100 recipes.
I’ve attached a file for eight variations of Mother Grains CCC including a gluten-free version.
LISTEN
Coastal Grandmother Playlist (Spotify): This playlist feels like living inside a Nancy Meyer’s movie donning a thick cardigan and gazing at your copper pots hanging on the kitchen wall.
Adam Grant: Are You a Giver or a Taker? (TED Talk): In every workplace, there are three basic kinds of people: givers, takers, and matchers. Organizational psychologist Adam Grant breaks down these personalities and offers simple strategies to promote a culture of generosity and keep self-serving employees from taking more than their share.
“How to Deal With Takers at Work” by Adam Grant: Learn how to best deal with someone at work whose only interest seems to be taking from others so they can make themselves look better.
“I’ll Never Not Love You” (Spotify): Michael Buble’s new single is out now and the new album Higher is out March 25th!
DOWNLOAD
Fraidycat (App and Browser Extension): Fraidycat is a fantastic new app and browser extension. It bundles together all of your favorite websites, blogs, and social media follows into one easy-to-read page, much like a super-powered RSS reader. You just drop a link to a favorite website, label it appropriately, and it pops up on Fraidycat under the tab you want it under and refreshes only as often as you like.
HOT LIST
St. Petersburg, Florida
Paradeco Coffee is an art deco craft coffee shop located near the pier.
111 2nd Avenue NE Suite 101
Book + Bottle is a bookstore with wine and a wine bar with books.
seventeen 6th street north
New York, NY
Noglue is a 100% gluten-free restaurant and bakery.
1266 Madison Avenue
New Orleans, LA
Turkey and the Wolf is the best sandwich shop in NOLA. Run, don’t walk and order the famed fried bologna sandwich. Want the recipe? Pre-order the cookbook here.
Miami, FL
Bar Meli is a charming wine bar with Mediterranean tapas, outdoor seating & live music on select evenings. The menu features a good selection of natural wines along with a tapas menu. Open for dinner Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday). *GF
6927 Biscayne Blvd, Miami.
Reader Recommendations:
1748 Bakehouse: They use top notch ingredients and have a number of vegan items too. If you’re ever in Jacksonville, FL you need to go!
Nomad Bakehouse produces gorgeous pastries and breads which you can pre-order for pick up on Saturdays in Orlando, FL
RECIPES
The ultimate keto nachos are gluten-free and grain free.
How to bake the best chocolate chip cookies.
This espresso chocolate chip cake is a fabulous layer cake.
This chocolate banana bread recipe is from Jessica Seinfeld’s new cookbook, “Vegan at Times.”
This cheesy asparagus casserole is easy to prepare.
Try this cauliflower soup for lunch this week.
Here's a roundup of some of my favorite beauty products.
Click the the link at the end of the post to easily access all of the links.
1. Varis Boar Brush: The Varis Boar Brush works great on my fine hair because it does not pull out my hair when I blow dry it. The brush is ideal for all hair types due to the mixture of natural boar and nylon bristles. This brush helps smooth flyaways and speeds up drying time. For additional shine and moisture, hydroionic crystals are infused into the bristles and barrel. I use a medium brush.
2. Kusshi Makeup Bag Organizers: These bags are an excellent investment. They have a zip-out interior liner that is machine washable. This is great for removing makeup stains. They are designed to work with organizers that snap in for extra protection of your products. With zippers on three sides, the makeup bags open wide so you can see all of your makeup and skincare. There are even mesh pockets for easy access to your sponges and eyelash curler, along with a zipper pocket for anything you want to keep secure. The organizers are antimicrobial, mold resistant, stain resistant and water repellant.
I use the Kusshi Brush Organizer with my Kusshi Makeup Bag.
3. Milbon Blowout Primer Repair: My hairstylist, Anh Co Tran uses this line of products. I like to make a cocktail with Milbon Restorative Blowout Primer and Milbon Luminous Softening Oil. This combination works great before a blowdry by softening the hair and optimizing heat protection.
I use the primer for fine hair. Available in two formulas: Fine for fine to medium hair and Coarse for coarse hair.
4. Westman Atelier Blend Brush: Gucci Westman is the makeup artist behind some Hollywood A-listers like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Gwyneth Paltrow. She launched her line of clean cosmetics in 2018. I was not planning to purchase any of Gucci's brushes until I tried them out. They are expensive but work so well. Each brush is handmade in Kumano, Japan.
The blender brush is my favorite and works great with cream, liquid, and powder products, and it picks up, deposits, and blends to perfection. I use it with Osmosis Finish Press Base or Sorme Believable Finish Powder Foundation.
The brushes are easy to clean and do not shed. They are a great investment piece that will last a long time with proper care.
5. Kinesiology Face Tape: I use this tape with Danna Omari's Face Aesthetic Taping 101 online course.
Facial taping is particularly helpful for people who are beginning to show the first signs of aging. The tapes resemble the structure of the skin and, because of that, when they're stuck onto the skin they create a lifting effect by gently lifting the epidermis upwards, which creates space under the skin. The space that has been created gives an opportunity for circulation to flow better. The uplifted area creates the space where blood and lymph will flow much more effectively, and as a result, the treated area will regenerate much quicker. The combination of unique techniques of manual face correction and face self-modeling with the help of the tapes treat fine lines, wrinkles, and sculpting the face. Tapes are an extension of manual therapy and allow results to last longer by strengthening the muscles and retraining them and improving the function of the skin.
Follow Danna on Instagram for more instructional videos. Read more about Face Taping here.
6. Living Libations Seabuckthorn All Over Lotion: I am very particular about what body lotion I use on my skin due to the chemicals and parabens in most lotions. Living Libations products are free from artificial colors, preservatives, fragrances, and petrochemicals. I apply this lotion to alleviate dry skin. It is expensive, but a little product goes a long way.
Read more about the chemicals your skin does not need here.
I also use the Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn Serum for facial massage and Living Libations Ozonated Healthy Gum Gel.
7. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick: My favorite Westman Atelier beauty product is the blush stick. I use Petal. I apply it with my fingers, but you could use a brush or sponge to blend it out further. The line is free of silicones, uses no parabens, no PEGs, no talc, no phthalates, and no synthetic fragrances. Their formulations meet the European Union's rigorous standards for clean beauty.
8. A313 Vitamin A Retinol Cream: A313 Vitamin A Retinol Cream ($18) is a potent vitamin A ointment that helps with acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. It is one of the most popular beauty products in France and is very affordable. It has been called the European version of tretinoin or Retin-A. This is the most potent over-the-counter treatment I've found on the market. For that reason, I recommend starting slowly to give your skin time to adjust.
For more information about this product, see this in-depth review here.
I also like Osmosis Skincare Calm Gentle Retinal Serum ($92). The Osmosis Skincare Vitamin A Retinal includes calming and nourishing ingredients. The Palmitoyl Tripeptide in the formula smooths out the appearance of wrinkles. Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) offers a high concentration of nourishing omega-7. Prunus serotina (Wild Cherry) Bark Extract is known for its potent anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, so your rash, psoriasis, or eczema is soothed and detoxified. Apply a couple of pumps of this formula to clean skin in the morning and evening using a gentle massaging motion.
9. Ialuset Hyaluronic Acid Cream: The Ialuset Crème is another popular beauty product made in France. It is a white, water-based serum that plumps and hydrates the skin. It is best used in the morning to enjoy the benefits throughout the day before applying makeup or sunscreen. It contains 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid. It is not paraben free, but it is considered one of the few pure hyaluronic acid products on the market. It is a very affordable product with proven results.
10. Style Edit Root Touch-up Powder: This is my favorite root touch-up. It works so much better than the spray bottle touch-up formulations and blends well to match my base color. Style Edit is a powder that binds to the hair follicles and instantly blends unwanted grey roots or helps cover the new growth between base color appointments. All you have to do is sweep a minimal amount of powder over the roots and work outward. You re-apply as necessary, and it washes out when you shampoo your hair.
They have red, light/medium/dark blonde, light/medium/dark brown, and black. These products do not use peroxide, parabens, ammonia, or permanent dyes.
11. Dr. Remedy Nail Care: I like this line of nail products because they do not contain the ten most harmful ingredients used in most nail polish formulations. Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel are board certified practicing Podiatric Surgeons based in New York who founded Dr.'s Remedy to address the needs of their patients. I use three products from this line.
Dr. Remedy Hydration Nail Moisture Treatment: This clear coat helps moisturize, strengthen, and protect my nails. Wear alone as a treatment or as a base coat under your favorite shade.
Dr.'s Remedy Therapeutic Caress Cuticle Oil: I use this formula to help with dry, cracked cuticles. It can be used to prevent fungal infections from developing on the toe nails.
Dr. Remedy Total Two-In-One Base And Top Coat Nail Polish: Dr.'s Remedy base and top coat polish combines the nail barrier of a base coat and the wear protection of a topcoat.
12. Gerda Spillman Bio-Fond Foundation: I have used this foundation for a long time. The Gerda Spillmann Bio-Fond Foundation is available in 21 shades.
Before applying the foundation, I spray a small amount of Osmosis Mineral Hydrating Mist and pat the mist all over my face. I use my fingers to apply the foundation and touch up with a beauty blender sponge. It takes a little practice to get the technique for the application down. I follow-up with Osmosis Finish Press Base or Sorme Believable Finish Powder Foundation for a flawless finish.
I also like Westman Atelier Foundation Sticks. The foundation is available in 21 shades for most skin tones, and I wear shade Atelier 1.
If you would like to sample the Gerda Spillman Bio-Fond Foundation, contact the customer service team here.
LINK LOVE
1. Who owns your DNA?
2. How to buy the most groceries for $50 according to Reddit.
3. How to hide your Instagram story from users.
4. How to get digital accounts ready in case of death.
5. What to say when a friend gets a divorce.
8. Why are so many young people unhappy? Part 1 and Part 2. A must-read for parents of teens and young adults.
9. A pocket guide to Copenhagen.
10. How a board game about birds became a surprise blockbuster.
11. How to politely decline an invitation.
12. Ten things to do when your child is being bullied.
13. Wordle, but for geography nerds.
14. This rent-versus-buy calculator tells you whether you’ll save more money by renting or buying.
15. What our obsession with “Inventing Anna” tells us about our obsession with the age of personal brands.
16. Etiquette tips for kids.
17. The best breakfast tacos in Austin.
18. Who is the pastry chef behind the Bob’s Red Mill recipes?
19. How to choose the best chocolate.
20. The best girl’s trip destinations.
21. The man who turned credit-card points into an empire.
22. How to travel with a group and not go crazy.
23. A new study suggests many people with subclinical hypothyroidism may be taking thyroid hormone unnecessarily, particularly older adults.
24. What happens if your Uber or Lyft driver takes a different route than promised?
Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've always loved baking, but it's chocolate chip cookies that truly have my heart. My mom taught me how to bake a classic Nestle Toll House CCC.
Below, I've shared 15 of my baking tips, favorite recipes, and baking tools for the best chocolate chip cookie:
Find your perfect recipe. I like a chewy, crispy, gooey-in-the-center cookie.
My CCC all use unsalted butter. Butter provides flavor and makes cookies crispy. Baking with butter calls for chilling the dough so the cookies do not spread too much on the pan as they bake. I use Plugrá, an unsalted European-style butter. The unsalted version allows me to control the salt content in a recipe by considering only the actual added salt. And regarding European-style butter, the dairy is cultured before churning (unlike in American-style butter), adding a certain depth of flavor. I use Myoko’s Vegan European Butter for a dairy-free CCC. It’s important to use cold butter for dairy-free CCC.
My favorite CCC has a mix of brown and white sugar. Brown sugar makes cookies chewy, and white sugar makes them crispy. I also use coconut sugar for some recipes.
I use Cup4Cup or Auntie's Gluten-Free Flour when making gluten-free CCC. If I am baking for friends or family, I use half of an unbleached flour like King Arthur and half of a lower protein pastry flour like White Lily. High-protein flours for shape, lower protein for tenderness. The King Arthur gives your cookies shape, and the White Lily tenderizes them.
I only use one egg. More than one egg, I think, makes cookies cake-like.
I weigh my ingredients for better results.
I use fine sea salt in the cookie itself and garnish the baked cookies with a bit of French flaked sea salt. I prefer Maldon.
I use both soda and baking powder. This creates a bigger bakery style of CCC.
I use Singing Dog Organic Vanilla Extract. Apart from the quality of chocolate, which lends your cookie's most prominent flavor profile, the flavor of vanilla complementarily supports and adds depth to it.
My dream CCC has lots of chips. I use 2 cups; 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips with at least 60 percent cacao content from Valrhona or Callebaut and 1 cup of Valrhona or Callebaut milk chocolate chips. If you want a traditional cookie, stick with semisweet chips, but if you want a more intense chocolate flavor, opt for the Valrhona, Ghirardelli, or Guittard 60 percent cacao chips. I use this brand of Keto Chocolate Chips for some recipes. These keto chips melt properly for baking and taste delicious.
I also make some variations of the traditional CCC. I like to add coarsely chopped pecans and walnuts, big enough so you can see them. They benefit from the oven's heat and toast as the cookie bakes. I also like some oats and will add ¼ cup old-fashioned oats but cut back on some of the flour to make up for it.
The traditional baking temperature for CCC is 350 degrees, but it depends on your oven and how it bakes. I recommend using an oven thermometer. It also depends on your baking sheets. The darker the pan, the darker the cookie. You need to bake a test pan first and adjust the temperature and time accordingly. Also, make sure your dough is cold when it goes into the oven for a uniform cookie shape.
I store the dough in the fridge overnight before baking the cookies. It lets the flour soak up the moisture and creates well-shaped cookies.
I like to use a two-inch cookie scooper to ensure they're all the same size. Scoop the chilled cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a Silpat Non-Stick Baking Sheet. Freeze the cookies on the baking sheet until solid, at least 6 hours or overnight. Once solid, you can put them into a large zipper bag and freeze. Press out as much air as possible, label the bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I often give two bags: one with about six cookies for now, and a second bag with up to a dozen frozen scoops for later, with baking instructions written on the bag, "Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes." It's a simple, thoughtful touch that goes a long way!
Here’s a list of my favorite baking tools:
Challenger Baker's Scale: It's a decent scale for the price.
Oven Thermometer: An oven thermometer can help you test for hot spots and allow you to find out the ideal position to place your food and baking sheets. It can also tell you if you will need to flip and move your food or rotate your pans mid-baking to ensure even cooking.
Ankarsrum Assistant: This mixer is on my wish list.
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer: The copper or rose gold will look stunning on a kitchen countertop.
Oxo scales: I'm also a fan of Oxo scales, which are a little pricier, but come with a lifetime guarantee (if one ever breaks, call Oxo, and they will send you a free replacement, no questions asked.)
Made-In Baking Sheet: These are my favorite baking sheets.
Cookie Spatula: I always prefer a stainless steel cookie spatula. A thin metal spatula is always best when removing fragile cookies from the baking sheet.
SILPAT Non-Stick Baking Mat: It prevents cookies from sticking. It is a must-have item for a baker.
Rosalie Stainless Steel Whip: This attachment is ideal for blending ingredients and beating eggs.
Double Oven Mitt: These oven mitts protect both your hands and arms. I never forget to use them either.
KitchenAid 11-Wire Whip: This mixer attachment for lighter, fluffier whipped cream, egg whites and cake batters.
Half sheet-sized parchment paper: Breadtopia; King Arthur: Do NOT use rolled parchment, it will drive you mad with curling. You can cut down these sheets into squares or strips to line your Dutch oven loaves.
Measuring Cups: This set is just too beautiful to keep stashed away in a drawer!
Mason Cash Mixing Bowl: This bowl is beautifully designed. Mrs. Patmore uses these bowls in her kitchen at Downton Abbey. The pattern on the outside helps cooks get a firm grip, and the bowls are just the right shape and depth for beating or kneading.
Mosser Glass Mixing Bowl Set: These beautiful bowls deserve to be displayed on opening shelving.
Gir Silicone Spatula: The best spatula for scraping bowls.
Hedley and Bennet Aprons: My favorite aprons designed by a chef. I have a polka-dot and denim design. These are the BEST aprons.
Cookie Box Wooden Carrier: This carrier will keep your precious cookies safe and intact.
The Baker’s Appendix by Jessica Reed: This handy reference guide makes converting recipes quick and easy. It features conversion charts, substitutions, common ingredient weights in cups and grams, and more of those little details we are always scrambling to look up on our iPhones, with floury, buttery fingers!
Here are a few of my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes to get you started:
David Leite's Chocolate Chip Cookie: It's the perfectly chewy cookie with a crispy exterior. It is important to chill the dough for 24 hours. This is one of the most popular CCC recipes.
Valrhona Chocolate Chip Cookies: A mix of dark and milk chocolate chips.
BraveTart Chocolate Chip Cookies: It’s an old fashion version calling for a mix of dark, milk or white chocolate morsels.
Sarah Keiffer's Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies: The original pan-bangers yield a perfectly soft interior and crispy edges.
Jacques Torres' Chocolate Chip Cookies: A foolproof, crowd-favorite classic.
Tara O'Brady's Great Chocolate Chip Cookies: A mix of dark and milk CCC.
Claire Saffitz's Chocolate Chip Cookies: A trusted classic with razor-precise technique.
Kate Davis' Brown Butter and Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies: There's no competition when it comes to the depth of flavor.
David Lebovitz Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies: These cookies are one of my favorite recipes using alternative flours.
Seelbach Hotel (Louisville, KY) Chocolate Chip Cookies: These cookies are provided to the hotel guests and are very popular.
Jeffrey Larson’s Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Jeffrey’s secret is clarified butter because it keeps cookies from spreading as they bake.
Heidi Swanson’s Mesquite Chocolate Chip Cookies: I love baking with Mesquite flour. It’s gluten-free, rich in certain nutrients, and low on the GI-index. It adds a wonderfully unique flavor to baked goods, imparting a fragrant, warming, soft-edged spiciness.
Essential Chocolate Chip Cookie Destinations:
Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie: Locations in NYC and D.C. I always recommend this bakery to friends visiting NYC or D.C.
Please and Thank You: Louisville, KY
Seelbach Hotel: Louisville, KY
Proof Bakery: Los Angeles, CA
Erewhon Market Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: Los Angeles multitple locations *GF
Breadblok Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: Los Angeles, CA *GF
Tartine Bakery: Los Angeles/San Francisco, CA
Jacques Torres: New York, NY
Travel Notes Richmond
The capital city of Virginia is not only a historical destination but a wonderful place to explore the outdoors, dine, and shop.
Richmond is famous for donuts, coffee shops, Southern cuisine, street art, outdoor trails, Christmas lights, magnificent architecture, and cool shopping.
Richmond locals will make you feel right at home. I love the Southern hospitality and the mouth-watering Southern cuisine.
My Richmond travel guide includes the top must-do things to plan your next visit.
EAT
Tarrant's Cafe is my favorite restaurant in Richmond. It is not just a meal but an experience. I recommend the Shrimp and Grits or She Crab Soup. *V *GF
Brenner Pass brings the flavors of the alps to the plate. You will likely need a reservation.
The Roosevelt is a highly acclaimed restaurant in Richmond. I really like the dessert menu featuring coca cola cake, peanut butter pie, foie gras pound cake, and nutella gelato.
Proper Pie Co. brings the New Zealand-style savory pie to RVA. The menu changes daily. *V
Stella's is the best Greek restaurant in RVA.
Julep's is a romantic Southern inspired upscale restaurant. Perfect for a date night.
Dots Back Inn serves diner classics in a vintage themed café and featured on “Diners, Drive Inns, and Dives.”
Impanima is the best Vegetarian restaurant in RVA. *V *GF
Buz and Ned's is the famous barbecue joint featured on “Throwdown” with Bobby Flay. Pick up some of the famous barbecue sauce for a souvenir or gift. *GF
Kuba Kuba is a Cuban-Spanish restaurant featured on the Food Network. The Picadillo Empanadas and Tres Leches Cake are popular menu times.
8 1/2 is a delicious take out Italian restaurant.
Daily Kitchen serves organic fare. *GF *V
Sally Bell's Kitchen is a Richmond institution. It is a lunch box menu and bakery. Inside each box you'll find a sandwich (pimento cheese is popular) on fresh bread; a cup of creamy potato salad topped with a pickle chip; a cheese biscuit; a deviled egg; and—the prize—an upside-down cupcake, frosting covering the sides and bottom. Perfect for a picnic at one of Richmond's outdoor parks.
Coppola's Deli is a popular lunch spot serving N.Y. style deli sandwiches.
Urban Farmhouse Market and Cafe is a coffee shop and farm to table restaurant. *V *GF
Lulu's is an eclectic restaurant in an old warehouse. The mac and cheese is a popular dish on the menu.
Millie's is a Richmond brunch staple. Arrive early to avoid long lines or try the lunch menu weekdays. *GF
Mama J's is a soul food diner. Chef Velma Johnson makes the most superb catfish nuggets, yams, and incredible, pork-free, vegetarian collard greens. *V
Edo's Squid is a fancy Italian hot spot. *GF
Burger Bach is a New Zealand inspired burger pub.
MARKETS
South of James Market is the best farmer's market in RVA on Saturday mornings.
Elwood Thompson's is an organic grocery store. The juice bar is popular. *GF *V
SWEETS
WP Bakery is a little gem serving pastries, pies, cookies, and other treats. Lots of vegan and gluten-free options. The only bakery offering gluten-free donuts in town. *GF *V
Pearl's Cupcake Shop is the best cupcake shop in RVA.
Sugar Shack Donuts is one of the best donut shops in the country.
Shydigz is an adorable dessert café. Great for after dinner desserts and a hot toddy.
Sub Rosa Bakery is an authentic French bakery. The chocolate croissants are popular.
Country Style Donuts is an old fashion donut shop open 24 hours. Locals from all over the state visit the shop.
Mrs. Yodar's Family Donuts is a family run donut food truck. The sourdough donut is the most popular.
DRINK
Black Hand Coffee is a no frills coffee shop serving a good cup of joe.
Sugar & Twine is a coffee shop and bakery in Cary Town.
Alchemy Coffee makes the best lattes and cappuccinos.
Rostov's Coffee and Tea is the oldest coffee and tea shop in town. They roast their own beans and offer a huge assortment of teas.
Lamplighter Coffee is known for their cold pressed drinks.
Lift Coffee is the cutest coffee shop.
Lemaire's is a fancy restaurant in the historic Jefferson Hotel. The Jefferson Julep is the signature beverage. You will feel like a Southern Belle in this hotel with the “Gone With the Wind” style staircase.
Maple & Pine has really good cocktails.
SEE
Virginia State Capitol is a great spot for photographs. Don't miss the statue of George Washington.
Maymont is a 100 acre Victorian estate and public park. You can spend an entire day here strolling the gardens and other activities. Children love the petting zoo. Great for photographers. Lovely spot for a picnic.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum is popular for literature enthusiasts. The museum features Poe's manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia, pictures, relics, and personal belongings.
Virginia War Memorial honors Virginia veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.
Virginia Holocaust Museum includes an exhibition about the family story of Holocaust survivor Jay M. Ipson.
St. John's Church is where Patrick Henry gave his closing speech at the Second Virginia Convention with the famous quotation "give me liberty or give me death."
Children's Museum of Richmond is great for the little ones.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts houses a permanent collection of American Impressionists.
Lewis Bitner Botantical Gardens is one of the top botanical gardens in the country. Don't miss the Garden Fest Holiday of Lights.
Hollywood Cemetery sounds creepy but provides the best view of the James River and city of Richmond.
DO
Carytown is a funky street nicknamed "Mile of Style" where you can dine and shop.
Modern Richmond Tour features architectural tours each month.
Richmond Canal Cruise on the James River is a 40 minute boat ride with a tour guide discussing Richmond history.
Byrd Theater is popular for $2 second run movies.
Brown's Island is a hot spot for Richmond festival and music events.
First Fridays RVA is a monthly art stroll.
Greenleaf's Pool Hall is a fancy pool hall open late.
The Camel is a live music venue serving food and drinks.
Richmond Food Tour includes a walking tour of Richmond neighborhoods that includes food sampling.
Richmond's Craft and Design Show is a great event for Christmas shopping held annually in November.
Maymont Mansion is a 100 acre estate, which has been transformed into a wonderland! On a tour you can wander around the grand, marble covered mansion and marvel at it’s opulence.
SHOP
Sweet Clementine is a designer women's consignment boutique.
Mongrel is a quirky card and gift shop.
Na Nin is a women’s vintage clothing boutique.
Izzie's is a home decor and furniture consignment shop.
Ledbury is a stylish men's shop selling well-fitted and high quality shirts.
Fab'rik is a women's boutique selling trendy clothing at affordable prices.
Need Supply is the best place to buy denim.
Ashby is a consignment shop for hip used clothing.
Glass Boat is a locally owned boutique similar to Anthropology.
Traveling Chic Boutique is a contemporary women's fashion boutique.
Shockoe Denim sells jeans made by hand in the store.
Diversity Thrift is the largest used clothing and home goods store in Richmond.
By Gones is one the best vintage boutiques in RVA.
Roan is a luxury women's boutique.
U Fab is the top fabric store in the state. Check out the bargain remnants.
Fountain Bookstore is an independent bookstore.
World of Mirth is a toy store for kids of all ages.
MOVE
James River Park features a rock climbing wall.
Riverside Outfitters offers white water rafting excursions.
Virginia Capitol Trail is a 13 mile trail for running, walking, and biking.
Liberty Trail is a 6.2 self guided trail featuring 15 National Historic Landmarks.
Belle Isle is a 54 acre park to walk, jog, or bike.
Pony Pasture is one of Richmond's most popular spots for sunbathing on the large granite boulders.
STAY
Jefferson Hotel is an elegant upscale hotel.
Quirk Hotel is an art deco hotel.
Berkeley Hotel is a classic hotel offering traditional accommodations.
North Bend Plantation is a charming bed and breakfast. You can also tour the home and grounds.
Linden Row Inn is a boutique hotel composed of seven adjoining nineteenth-century townhouses.
What are some of your favorite places to visit in Richmond?
*Recently updated New York, NY; Rochester, NY; Steamboat Springs, CO; Miami, FL.
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