Richmond, VA

While in Richmond, Virginia, Laurita and Lauren visit the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, which is the oldest cultural institution in Virginia and serves as the state's history museum. The museum traces the state's rich and varied history, including troubling aspects of Virginia's past, such as slavery and the mythologized Lost Cause narrative about the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Lauren and Laurita pay a visit to the Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia, where they tour an enchanted garden inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's writings and see artifacts from the poet's life. But curator Christopher Semtner is quick to point out that this museum is not focused on things: "It's a museum about something you can't really display: the imagination." Could it also be haunted?

Lauren and Laurita explore the Quirk Hotel in Richmond, Virginia's Arts District. The building was originally one of Richmond's high-end department stores but Katie Ukrop and her husband converted it to a hotel and art gallery. Art from Richmond artists is featured throughout the property including incredible murals in many of the guest rooms. The colorful vibe is perfect for the neighborhood.

Just a quick and affordable train ride away, Richmond offers Laurita & Lauren an art- and culture-filled adventure. They tour the Poe Museum and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and take an art and history bike tour with BASKET & BIKE. Along the way, they stay at the Linden Row Inn and the Quirk Hotel and Art Gallery, and enjoy meals at Lillie Pearl and Wong Gonzalez.