So we finally did it—we packed up, hit the road from DC, and headed south to Richmond for a little weekend adventure. Fair warning: we might have gotten a bit too excited about the itinerary. But honestly? Totally worth it.
Stop #1: A Walk Through Civil War History at the American Civil War Museum
Before we got to the twinkling lights (which, more on that later), we wanted to dive into some actual history. The American Civil War Museum in Richmond is no joke—and by that, I mean it’s a seriously impressive institution that manages to tell a complex, multifaceted story of the Civil War in a way that feels really thoughtful and honest.
A Little History: The museum’s origins are actually pretty interesting. Way back in 1896, the Museum of the Confederacy opened in the White House of the Confederacy—a restored antebellum mansion that served as the executive home of Jefferson Davis during the war. For over a century, it was kind of a traditional Confederate-focused museum. But in 2013, something significant happened: the Museum of the Confederacy merged with the American Civil War Center at Tredegar, creating the American Civil War Museum we visited today. This merger was intentional—a way to shift toward a more comprehensive, less Lost Cause–oriented narrative.​
The flagship location we visited sits on the grounds of Historic Tredegar, an 1837 iron works that was absolutely essential to the Confederate war effort. Tredegar wasn’t just any factory—it was the factory. It produced more than half of the cannons used by the Confederate army, churning out artillery that literally shaped the course of the war. The cannons fired at Fort Sumter? Tredegar. The armor plating for the CSS Virginia (aka the Merrimack)? Also Tredegar. Walking around the grounds and seeing those industrial ruins encased in the modern museum structure was genuinely moving—you could feel the weight of that history.
What We Actually Saw: Inside, the museum spans roughly 30,000 square feet with two floors of exhibits, and honestly, we could’ve spent more time there. The exhibits follow a chronological journey through the war—starting with recreations like the Henry House from Manassas being destroyed by artillery, and taking you through to Reconstruction and beyond. With around 16,000 artifacts in their collection and about 550 on display, there’s a lot to absorb.​
What struck us most was how the museum frames different perspectives—soldiers, civilians, enslaved people, families torn apart. It’s not a one-dimensional telling; it’s a “People’s Contest,” as one of their key exhibits is called, acknowledging that the Civil War was about struggles for nation and freedom across multiple groups of people. The interactive displays and multimedia presentations really help you understand not just what happened, but why it mattered and who was affected.​
Also, side note: parking is free, which in 2026 is honestly a gift in any city. đźš—
Stop #2: A Magical Evening at GardenFest of Lights 🎄✨
Okay, so after all that heavy historical pondering, we needed something magical. Enter: Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. And wow, can we just say—this event lives up to the hype.
Background: Lewis Ginter has been hosting holiday lights for over 28 years, but GardenFest as we know it officially kicked off in 1995. Dominion Energy hopped on as a sponsor in 1998, and here we are 26 years later with what USA Today readers voted as the #1 Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the entire country (seriously, they won in both 2023 and 2024). We’re visiting during their current iteration, which runs through January 4th, and let me tell you—that title is well-deserved.
This Year’s Magic: “The Elements” This season’s theme is all about “The Elements,” exploring displays inspired by fire, earth, air, water, and—our favorite touch—a fifth element: love. And yeah, it sounds a little cheesy written out, but experiencing it in person? It hits different when you’re walking through millions of lights twinkling in the gardens.​
The Highlights: Here’s what you absolutely cannot miss:
🌳 Millions of Lights & Themed Habitats The garden has over 27 miles of light strands wrapped around trees and lining the paths. Each garden section represents one of the elements, so you’re not just seeing lights—you’re experiencing different worlds as you walk through. The creativity in how they’ve designed each area is next-level.​
🚂 Model Trains in the Kelly Education Center This is a crowd favorite, and rightfully so. Running nightly from 4-9:45 PM, the volunteers have created intricate scenes that tie into the current theme.
✨ The Light Tunnel & Fairy Village There’s a tunnel of lights in the Central Garden that is basically made for those Instagram photo-ops (we’re not judging; we took several). The Fairy Village, tucked in the Lora M. Robins Library, is pure whimsy—miniature houses made with seeds, petals, and other natural materials that the volunteers create. It’s surprisingly intricate.​
🎄 The Live Tree There’s a massive live Fraser Fir standing over 20 feet tall decorated in front of the Conservatory. We’re talking heavily decorated with natural materials. It’s the kind of tree that makes you remember why you loved Christmas as a kid.​
🔥 S’mores & a Warming Fire Because what’s the holiday season without melted chocolate and marshmallows? The Cochrane Rose Garden has a fire pit where you can roast s’mores. (Fair warning: the lines can get long, but it’s worth the wait.)
🎹 Live Performances If you’re visiting on certain evenings, there are performances by local groups—everything from the Concert Ballet of Virginia’s Nutcracker to jazz duos in the Tea House. We caught a little jazz, and it was perfect background ambiance.​
🍽️ Food & Drinks Beyond the s’mores, there’s the GardenFest Cafe, the Jingle Bar and Grill in the Tea House, and Espresso-A-Go-Go. They’ve also got special dinners (Santa Brunches and Dinners if you’re into that), plus seasonal hot chocolate that’s actually excellent.​
Pro Tips from Our Visit:
- Go online to buy tickets in advance—it’s required, and prices vary based on when you go
- The garden is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day
- If you’re looking for something adults-only, they offer special nights reserved for 18+ (our kind of vibe)
- The Klaus Family Tree House is 13 feet up and offers an amazing view of the lights reflected in the lake if you’re feeling adventurous
- Wear comfortable shoes. We’re talking miles of walking through gardens, not a quick stroll
The Verdict 🎯
This DC-to-Richmond trip hit the sweet spot between meaningful history and pure holiday joy. The Civil War Museum grounded us in the complexity and humanity of one of America’s most defining moments, while GardenFest reminded us why the holidays feel magical—that whole “love as an element” thing actually does land when you’re surrounded by millions of twinkling lights and the smell of woodsmoke from s’mores fires.
If you’re on the East Coast and looking for a weekend getaway, seriously consider Richmond. It’s got layers—history, culture, amazing food (we didn’t even get into all the restaurants), and seasonal attractions that actually deserve their accolades. Plus, it’s only a couple hours from DC, so no major time commitment needed.
Already planning our next visit. 🚗✨