Richmond is the former capital of the Confederacy. Although the nation is now united, there is still plenty of ways to experience a little of pre-civil war life with memorials and monuments detailing Richmond's history, and plenty of southern hospitality oozing out of jazz clubs. In contrast, the event for 2010 is RavenCon, a fantasy and sci-fi convention guaranteed to bring out the inner geek in any visitor.

Museums

The main Richmond attractions focus on the past. The Museum and White House of the Confederacy (1201 East Clay St) is a richly preserved series of exhibits that detail the Confederate history of Richmond. Guided tours are relaxed and ooze southern charm – the Museum has been restored to it's former glory as the stately home of Jefferson Davis (the Confederate president), and the tour feels like a genteel welcome to a social gathering of yesteryear. Relics like Robert E. Lee's Appomattox sword should have a hokey feel to them but are actually pretty interesting, as is the collection of personal letters from key Confederate figures and their families.

Despite the laid-back geniality of modern Richmond, there are dark spots in the history of the city: As well as being an epicenter of turmoil during the Civil War, Richmond was also the home of the famous horror writer Edgar Allen Poe. The Edgar Allen Poe Museum (1914-16 East Main St) is the world's largest collection of Poe's personal effects, original manuscripts, and other memorabilia. His life and work are lavishly detailed in the guided tour (highly recommended for literary buffs), along with his little-known clownish side. Even horror writers have a sense of humor, it seems.

Places to See

Also in the slightly macabre genre of Richmond attraction is the Hollywood Cemetery. This is actually one of the prettiest and most relaxing spots in the city – take a picnic lunch and lounge on the banks of the James river. A self-guided tour of the cemetery (starting with the visitors center) will cost around a dollar, and as well as the graves of past presidents and other famous folk, the cemetery is full of meandering paths, miniature monuments and other surprises.

Off the beaten path in Richmond is, surprisingly, a zoo. The Metro Richmond Zoo is a small and intimate affair, with enough hands-on experience of the animals that is has the charm of a petting zoo with the more elaborate structure of a standard zoo. Despite its name, it can be difficult to find: Head to Chesterfield county and look for a small road next to school – there is a small sign pointing to the zoo but it can be easy to miss.

Off the Beaten Path

Closer to the heart of Richmond is the neighborhood of Shockoe Bottom. Although this is the oldest suburb in the city, it isn't overly popular with tourists. Why this is remains a mystery, as it has the pure charm and quirkiness of a slightly alternative neighborhood. Here is where visitors can shop for antiques and memorabilia, as well as indulge in some of the jazz, blues and mixed drinks that characterize the area. Food here (along with everything else) tends to be cheaper than anywhere else in Richmond and Shockoe Bottom is the perfect spot for the budget traveler, as well as those who like to get away from the madding crowd.

RavenCon

In the spirit of the eerie and macabre, the most interesting event happening in Richmond, VA in 2010 is RavenCon. This expo and convention of all things fantasy and sci-fi is a geek-fest of the highest order, and unashamedly so. Highlighting everything from Edgar Allen Poe to the obligatory How-To seminars for aspiring writers and artists in the sci-fi and fantasy genres, RavenCon runs over the weekend of April 9th - 11th and sells out pretty fast.

Hotels

Accommodation in Richmond is varied: Chain hotels offer standard rooms for around $100 per night, while inns and guesthouses offer the more intimate accommodation options (often family-run and including home-cooked breakfast) for $70 per night. There are also the hyper-budget hotels that dot the highways where a visitor can book a basic but clean room for around $35 per night.

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder on the left to find cheap hotels in Richmond, Virginia.

(Photo:©iStockphoto.com/bookwyrmm)