Have you been dying to get off campus and explore the city, but feel restricted because you don’t have your own car on campus ? A new program called uRVA is coming to campus to help connect UR students with different neighborhoods in the city of Richmond ! From the first Thursday after spring break until the end of the semester, UR students can use Uber promo codes to receive 50% off if you are traveling to the following areas : Carytown, Short Pump, Scott’s Addition, Shockoe Bottom, The Fan and Libbie Avenue Shops. Not sure what to do with your 50% code ? Here are five places that you should visit :
-
Short Pump Mall
If you haven’t been to Short Pump yet, this should be one of the first stops on your list. With over 140 stores and restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Short Pump. It is an outdoor mall, which is perfect for the beautiful spring weather we will see after we get back from spring break. Some of my favorite places in Short Pump are the Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s to eat, and Sephora, Urban Outfitters and H&M to shop !
2. Maymont
Maymont is a 100-acre park in The Fan, and is absolutely gorgeous! Inside of the park, you can visit the nature center, which houses aquatic animals native to the region, or the farm, where you can see horses, cows or pigs. If animals aren’t really your thing, you can tour the Maymont Mansion or explore one of the gardens. Maymont is the perfect activity for a spring afternoon where you’re dying to get off campus and spend some time outdoors !
3. The Byrd Theatre
The Byrd is located in Carytown, and is a vintage movie theatre that shows second-run movies. One of my favorite things about going to the Byrd is that a movie ticket is only $4.00, much more affordable than other theatres ! The box office opens 30 minutes before the movie is scheduled to start and there are no previews, so be sure to get there early !
4. The Valentine Museum
The Valentine is a museum in Shockoe Bottom that houses five permanent exhibitions, as well as changing exhibitions every few months. The exhibition that will be on display for the rest of our spring semester in called It’s All Relative : Richmond Families (1616-2016). The Valentine also offers a student discount if you bring ID !
5. Carytown Cupcakes
Carytown Cupcakes is one of my favorite dessert places in Richmond ! Some of my favorite cupcakes from there are the Red Velvet, Chocolate Caramel Pretzel and the Salted Caramel cupcake. They also offer gluten free and vegan options !