East End, Virginia travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

East End is a district in Richmond, Virginia. This includes historic neighborhoods in Richmond such as Church Hill, Fairmount, and Union Hill, more modern developments such as Fulton, Powhatan Hill, Fulton Hill, and Montrose Heights, and public housing communities such as Fairfield Court, Creighton Court, Whitcomb Court, and Mosby Court.

2 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about East End

St. John's Episcopal Church

Church Hill is known as the site of Virginia's second revolutionary convention where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in St. John's Episcopal Church.

Church Hill Train Tunnel

Eric Schindler Gallery

The Eric Schindler Gallery has monthly shows of local and regional artists.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jun. (climate data from nearby Richmond)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
RIC Richmond International Airport, Richmond — 5 mi away (major hub). Directions
PHF Newport News Williamsburg International Airport, Newport News — 58 mi away. Directions

The local buses run into the East End, though you will probably drive into the district. The main entrance to the East End is into Church Hill by going east on Broad Street.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning St. John's Episcopal Church, Eric Schindler Gallery
Lunch Alamo BBQ
Afternoon Church Hill Train Tunnel
Dinner Millie's Diner
Evening Patrick Henry's Pub

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

The East End has few restaurants, but the area offers a number of unique opportunities.

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

By car

The local buses run into the East End, though you will probably drive into the district. The main entrance to the East End is into Church Hill by going east on Broad Street.

See

The East End contains a number of notable cemeteries, including the Confederate Cemetery of Oakwood, the historic African-American Evergreen Cemetery, Richmond National Cemetery, and the cemetery at St.John's Church. There are also some parks in the district, like Jefferson Park, Libby Hill Park, and Chimborazo Park, that offer unparalleled views of the city of Richmond and the James River. Chimborazo Park was the site of the largest American Civil War hospital.

See St. John's Episcopal Church

Church Hill is known as the site of Virginia's second revolutionary convention where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech in St. John's Episcopal Church.

📍 2401 E Broad St⚠ Last checked Jun 2015 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Church Hill Train Tunnel

On Friday, October 2, 1925, a 4,000-foot Chesapeake and Ohio railroad single track tunnel built during Reconstruction collapsed under Church Hill. The Church Hill Tunnel collapse occurred during refurbishment works, killing 4 and engulfing a work train. The tunnel was closed and filled-in after the collapse. The bricked-in entrance of the collapsed tunnel can still be seen at the south east end of the alley just north of Marshall Street, on 18th Street. The work train remains sealed inside the tunnel, along with the bodies of 2 workers that were never recovered.

⚠ Last checked Jun 2015 — confirm before you go

Maps

Do

Walk around and check out the historic district around St.John's Church containing jewels of 19th and 20th century architecture. The Valentine Richmond History Center offers walking tours of different parts of the city. At Christmas there is a holiday house tour sponsored by the Church Hill Association.
Go to one of the parks and see the city.
See a reenactment of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech.