With domed glass conservatories and Gothic stone towers, the Richmond Region is home to architectural gems that tell stories far beyond their bricks and beams. These one-of-a-kind structures—ranging from colonial churches and historic landmarks to soaring observation towers and botanical wonders—reflect the area’s rich blend of history, design, and innovation. While some serve as active community hubs and others stand as preserved icons of the past, each of these wow-worthy local landmarks are worth discovering during your next visit.
Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA
Originally a bustling train station from 1919 to 1975, this building’s transformation into a science museum brings a unique blend of history and innovation, with vintage trains still on display behind the building as a nod to its past. The museum is housed in a grand 223,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts building designed by John Russell Pope, famed for the Jefferson Memorial, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a must-visit destination where Richmond’s transportation legacy meets hands-on scientific discovery.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Conservatory
1800 Lakeside Avenue, Henrico, VA
Crowned by a 63-foot-tall glass dome, the Conservatory at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden dates back to 2003 and is nicknamed the "Jewel of the Garden." The 11,000-square-foot conservatory houses a lush array of semi-tropical plants, palms, cacti, succulents, and seasonal displays that dazzle throughout the year. Though the Conservatory is currently closed for a major expansion to accommodate even more botanical beauty by 2026, you can still admire the exterior architecture, and the rest of the garden is open year-round, ready to be explored.
Kings Dominion Eiffel Tower
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA
A soaring icon of Kings Dominion in Hanover County, the Eiffel Tower replica has been one of the park’s signature attractions since opening day. Standing at 331 feet tall, this one-third scale model of the Paris landmark offers breathtaking panoramic views—on a clear day, you can ride to the top and see up to 18 miles across the region. It's more than a photo op; it’s an unforgettable way to take in the scope of the park and Virginia’s countryside from above.
Randolph-Macon College Brock Commons
304 Henry Street, Ashland, VA
Located in the heart of Ashland, Brock Commons at Randolph-Macon College is a 26,000-square-foot architectural centerpiece that blends classic design with campus vibrancy. Opened in 2013 next to the historic Frank E. Brown Fountain Plaza, it features elegant arched windows, stately columns, a balcony, and a welcoming portico. Thoughtfully crafted to complement RMC’s traditional campus architecture, it serves as the energetic hub of student life and houses the campus store. Whether you're touring the college or exploring Ashland’s charm, this building offers a perfect mix of style and spirit.
St. Peter's Church
8400 St. Peters Lane, New Kent, VA
Tucked away in New Kent County, St. Peter’s Church is a true architectural and historical treasure. Built by 1703, it’s the oldest parish church in the Diocese of Virginia and the third oldest in the state. This rare Jacobean structure witnessed the wedding of George and Martha Washington in 1759 and is believed to be where Letitia Christian, future First Lady to John Tyler, was baptized. Restored after Civil War damage and again in the 1960s, it remains a must-visit for lovers of history and architecture alike.
Virginia State Capitol Building
1000 Bank Street, Richmond, VA
A cornerstone of Richmond’s skyline and American history, the Virginia State Capitol was designed in 1785 by Thomas Jefferson and French architect Charles Louis Clerisseau. As the first state capitol built after the Revolutionary War, it’s been home to the oldest legislative body in the country since 1788 and is dubbed a "Temple to Democracy." The Capitol grounds are rich with monuments—including the Virginia Women’s Monument—and the interior showcases a vast collection of historic paintings and sculptures. With tours offered throughout the week, it's a rewarding stop for anyone interested in architecture, civics, or the story of Virginia.
Main Street Station
1500 East Main Street, Richmond, VA
With its soaring clock tower and Second Renaissance Revival architecture, Main Street Station in downtown Richmond has been a transportation landmark since its completion in 1901. Despite setbacks from hurricanes and fires, and a pause in train service from 1975 to 2003, the station underwent a remarkable $95 million transformation to become both a modern transit hub and vibrant community gathering space. It was even featured in the set of five USPS Railroad Stations Forever stamps released in 2023 which highlighted stations across the country that are historical and architectural gems.
Historic Pole Green Church
6411 Heatherwood Drive, Mechanicsville, VA
Walk through history at Historic Pole Green Church in Hanover at this open-air site and park where Patrick Henry once worshipped. You can view the striking 3D outline of the original church structure while listening to an audio tour that brings its history to life. From its colonial ties to its destruction in the Civil War, this site offers a unique glimpse into Virginia’s past.
The Egyptian Building
1223 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA
A rare and striking example of Egyptian Revival architecture, the Egyptian Building was completed in 1844 and remains one of the oldest structures of its kind in the United States. Originally home to the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, it became the foundation of what is now the VCU School of Medicine. Though the school expanded classes to the nearby Sanger Hall, Molecular Medical Research Building, and the Kontos Medical Sciences Building, this historic building still hosts classes today, continuing its legacy of learning.
Old City Hall
1001 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA
An architectural standout in downtown Richmond, Old City Hall is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece completed in 1894, featuring three stories of painted cast-iron and granite. Now a National Historic Landmark, the building narrowly escaped demolition thanks to the efforts of the Historic Richmond Foundation. Its ornate façade and rich civic history contrast with the sleek Children’s Hospital Tower across the street, making it one of the city’s most visually compelling historic landmarks.
Chesterfield Courthouse
10201 Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield, VA
Step into Chesterfield’s storied past at the Chesterfield County Courthouse, a Virginia Historic Landmark and National Register of Historic Places site that has served as the county seat since 1749. The centerpiece is the stately 1917 Courthouse, built of American bond brick in the Colonial Revival style, featuring a Roman Doric portico and the original 1749 courthouse bell. Once home to the Circuit Court until the late 1960s, this historic site continues to reflect the deep legal and civic roots of the county.
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