By Hillary Easom
Richmond, Virginia, is familiar with “EX-hood.” The ex-capital of the Confederacy, this city is not only rich in history but also in little hideaways that can help you forget as much of your own history as you’d like.
If you’re still in EXile, there are plenty of quiet places to sneak away and have a secret cry. Maymont (www.maymont.org), a former Victorian country estate, has 100 acres of gardens, streams, and ravines. Wander through the park—whose grounds are open free to the public—and breathe in the fresh air. You might also want to take a drive up to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (www.lewisginter.org) and while away the hours among its 40 acres. While there, have a spot of tea at the Lewis Ginter Tea Room (804-262-9887; open Mon.-Fri. 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, closed January and February).
A cup of tea can always help soothe the spirit. An old-fashioned, treat-yourself-to-high-class spot to sip is the downtown Jefferson Hotel (www.jeffersonhotel.com; 101 W. Franklin St., 804-788-8000; high tea Th.-Sun. 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM). The 35-foot-wide Tiffany stained glass skylight illuminates your high tea experience. Further out, amidst the posh shops at the Stony Point Mall, lies the Pearl Tea House (804-272-1200; open Mon.-Sat. 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sun. 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM), Richmond’s only place for bubble tea.
Combine teatime with a soothing pamper session at Soak!, which has two locations in the city (Carytown, 3031 W. Cary Street, 804-353-0553; open Mon.-Sat. 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sun. 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W. Broad Street, 804-360-7900; open Mon.-Sat. 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sun. 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM). This boutique offers specialty soaps, scrubs, candles, and other yummy spa products to take home for use in the privacy of your own tub.
When you’re ready to EXpress yourself, limber up at a yoga class. Carytown’s Yoga Source (www.yogarichmond.com) has ongoing classes for beginners through teacher trainees, and they offer many different yoga styles. The Integral Yoga Center of Richmond (www.integralyogarichmond.org) offers classes at various locations, while Balance: Yoga & Pilates (www.balance-yoga-pilates.com; 4908 Monument Avenue, Suite 206, 804-340-1203) is the first studio in Virginia certified to teach Yogalates™.
Need something more cathartic? Aikido of Richmond (http://aikidoofrichmond.com; 2753 Hungary Springs Rd., 804-217-9222) offers a free introductory class for those considering studying the martial arts. In addition to aikido, they offer courses in judo and karate.
