I love me a good photo, opp. As a blogger that’s shocking, I know. And one of the questions I get asked most is what part of RVA I’m in when I post various photos around town! So I figured it was about time I shared all my secrets with y’all. I’m giving y’all all the deets: these are the very best Instagram Spots in Richmond! From my favorite murals to the prettiest natural backdrops and cityscapes, I’m sharing them all!
Best Instagram Spots in Richmond
I love a good mix of both fun murals and RVA city views! So, whether you’re a mural-a-holic or want to showcase the beauty of Richmond, I got ya covered! I’m also linking maps to make it as easy as possible to find all of my favorite RVA Instagram spots!
Libbie Hill Park
Libbie Hill Park really has the best of everything! There are views of both the James River and the cityscape! And it’s all in a park setting! Don’t miss the classic photo-from-behind shot looking out over the city from one of the benches facing downtown!
Another one of my favs is behind the monument on the sidewalk with the James River in the background!
Face the other direction for more city views!
Perhaps lesser-known spot, there is also a beautiful teal wall that makes a nice backdrop too! If you’re facing the monument (and the James River), turn to the left and walk along the sidewalk!
Greetings from Richmond Mural
Does it get anymore classic than a good postcard mural?! This one is located on the side of Charm School ice cream shop! To get the best shot, you’ll want to visit when Charm School isn’t open! Then you won’t have to fight cars blocking the mural, which is beside the parking lot!
Colette Miller Wings
These famous wings from Colette Miller’s Global Angel Wings Project are located right across the street from Charm School at Lift Coffee! Grab yourself a Lavender Latte (YUM!) and head to the patio in the back of the shop to see the wings! You might have to rearrange some patio furniture to get an unobstructed view– trust me, I’ve done it a few times. But I always put it back, y’all. ?
Honorable mention: If one set of wings isn’t enough, there are also both adult and child-sized wings at Tinker’s on Westwood Ave! They aren’t painted by Collette Miller, but they are still fun!
Quirk Hotel
Quirk is an Instagram-lover’s dream come true. The amount of blush pink in this gorgeous hotel will make you want to take photos everywhere. During the day, I recommend grabbing a cup of coffee from their coffee bar and snapping a few photos on one of their blush pink sofas!
If the weather is cooperating, you have to plan to grab a drink at the Q Rooftop bar! The views are beautiful! And of course they have some beautiful craft cocktails to sip on too!
Seriously, y’all. Every view from up there is gorgeous!
Maymont Park
If you have kids (or even if you don’t!) Maymont is such a fun, picturesque place to visit! There is a children’s animal farm up front where you can feed the goats! (Hello, fun family photo opp!)
Make sure you also walk down to the Japanese Gardens for the prettiest natural backdrops! There is a bridge with a waterfall, the gazebo overlooking a koi-filled pond, and tons of beautiful plants!
Belle Isle
If you want to get your outdoorsy-self on, Belle Isle not only has beautiful trails to walk but also has gorgeous views of the city! On warmer days (spring through summer!), you’ll find people relaxing on the rocks of the James River.
To take photos on the rocks, you’ll go straight down from the pedestrian bridge and veer slightly to the right towards the river. Follow the gravel path. Once you make it well into the pathway through the woods, you’ll eventually come across an area that is open and allows easy access to the rocks.
You also get the most beautiful views of the city from the pedestrian bridge!
Floral Wall (and murals galore!)
For a fun, girly backdrop, this floral wall in Short Pump is one of my favorites! And there are actually quite a few other mural wall options in the same exact shopping center! Find them all in the GreenGate Shopping Center. The floral one is on the side of Cyclebar!
Be sure to drive around to the backside of the buildings to see them all! There are also bees on bikes!
Colorful geometric patterns!
And even a classic white wall for all you minimalists out there!
Millennial Pink Wall
The pink wall of Broad Street Veterinary Hospital is a millennial’s dream. ?It’s the perfect shade of pink!
Right around the corner on Mactavish Ave between Broad St. and W Marshall St., there is also a teal wall I love! The gradient stripes make a beautiful backdrop!
Hot Pink Wall
If you didn’t get enough pink at Broad Street Vet, head to Andres Day Spa in the Tuckahoe Village Shopping Center for a bright pink wall! And then head for a treat at Coco + Hazel, another Instagram-able spot in the same shopping center!
Coco + Hazel
If Instagram-able food is more your speed, you have to hit up Coco + Hazel! They are known for their massive (and beautifully crafted!) milkshakes! You might want to bring a friend or two to help you finish it. Three of us together could barely finish the one we ordered! (And yes, that is an entire slice of peanut butter pie on top! ?)
Lamplighter Coffee (+ Pastel Walls!)
If you’re looking for an Instagram-friendly coffee spot closer to the fan, Lamplighter on Morris St. is my fav! But be sure to hit up the Morris St. location. (There are two others in RVA, but this one is the the most picturesque!) While the inside is perfect to snap a pic, you can also explore the area right around the corner for both my fav turquoise garage, and pastel buildings reminiscent of Charleston, SC’s famous Rainbow Row!
You can find the garage behind Lamplighter. It’s on N Brunswick Ave, walking towards W Main Street!
And if you walk down N Brunswick Ave all the way to W Main Street, you’ll find all the pastel buildings!
PHEW! That was a lot, but I think I hit ’em all: the best Instagram spots in Richmond! Do you have any I missed?! Leave them for me in the comments! I’m always ready to mix of my feed! ?
Read more Richmond, VA posts here!
Such a fun roundup, this makes me want to go to Richmond!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Oh huh… was not expecting to see my apartment building on here! It is a good view, though!
Thank you so much for this post! My friend’s daughter’s class is doing a geography project and are trying to get one photo from each state so I am helping out with Virginia. The postcard wall and the view of the city from the pedestrian bridge on Belle Isle both seem perfect to me! Do you have any tips on the best place to park to get to Belle Isle?
Hi Kate! I’m glad it was helpful! There is a parking lot right near the entrance to the pedestrian bridge! If you are headed down 5th street, pass the WestRock building on your left. You should come to a T-intersection with a stop sign. If you turn right, you should see the parking lot on the right hand side!
Planning a little trip to Richmond, and your post has been so helpful! It’s brilliant!
Thank you so much, looking forward to all the spots you’ve mentioned!