Elise Steele.jpg

Elise Steele

Newsletter Editor

Elise moved to Richmond on a whim after graduating from college in 2021, and she’s loved the city ever since. When she’s not crafting the next RICtoday newsletter, she’s probably spending time outside, shopping local thrift stores, reading (as a proud library book borrower), or making a trip to Lamplighter for a Thai Coffee + Slayer Bagel.

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a pond on a sunny day
Travel and Outdoors
Know Your City: Dorey Park
Go for a run, a bike ride, a fish, a trip to the playground, and a picnic — all in the same Henrico park
August 19, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
postcard, front and back with handwritten note
Culture
Richmond’s restaurant postcard revival
Immortalize your meal or write a spur-of-the-moment love note — restaurant postcards are trending, and Richmonders love getting nostalgic.
August 18, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
FTW_cathedral_ceilings
Real Estate
Three unique properties for sale in and around Fort Worth, TX
See what’s on the market, from a Tudor-style mansion to a house with a tiki-style cabana.
August 14, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Richmond Raceway during a NASCAR race; sky depicts a sunset with orange hues.
Sports
How to have fun at NASCAR (without knowing anything about racing)
NASCAR isn’t just for racing fans, and we’ve cracked the code on how you and your friends can turn the racetrack into your favorite summer venture.
August 12, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A wooden postboard with decorative garland, a red vase of flowers, a green sign titled "Phone of the Wind," and a white wall-attached telephone.
Culture
Anonymous neighbor builds ‘wind phone’ for Fonticello Food Forest
Fonticello Forest unveils a new installation, which invites people to connect with lost loved ones and process grief.
August 7, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
An up-close shot of a beer with "The Answer" written on it (that's the name of the brewery). The amber liquid is in a clear pint glass on a wooden bar surface, with more glassware visible in the background blurry behind the bar.
Play
Weekly trivia nights in Richmond
Assemble the dream team and test your trivia wits at these bars, breweries, and restaurants.
August 6, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A hand reaching for a glass of matcha; Drink is in clear glass cup with ice, green tea matcha, and two Pandan leaves
City
Find the best matcha in Richmond
We rounded up six locally approved matcha picks so you can get your green fix.
August 4, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A row of motorcycles in a hall of The Branch Museum of Design
Culture
Motorcycles at the museum: The Branch revs up for change
We visited The Branch Museum of Design to preview its new exhibits and talk to Executive Director Kristen Cavallo about her vision for change.
July 31, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Three people wearing Renaissance Faire costumers pose like they are in battle; Taken in the grass in front of Agecroft Hall and Gardens.
Events
Richmond Renaissance Faire returns Aug. 2
Sharpen thy swords for Warriors in Bloom, a one-day festival spotlighting the unapologetic vigor of “viragos.”
July 24, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Black and white photograph of William McCoy, age 12, jumping Double Dutch rope in the street; two girls hold each end of two jump ropes; other kids stand by and watch; adults and children hang out outside apartment buildings in background.
Culture
July in the archives: Richmond, VA
Step into the Julys of Richmond’s past with archival photos from 1975 to 1989.
July 22, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A scenic view over Shenandoah National Park
Travel and Outdoors
Plan a road trip to Shenandoah National Park
Take a scenic drive, frolic through a meadow, and chase waterfalls at Shenandoah National Park; Plus, stay energized with food and cozy campsites.
July 21, 2025
 · 
Staff
A look over the fountain of Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Culture
The best places to read in Richmond
From flowery gardens to libraries and wine bars, try one of these River City spots the next time you dive into a book.
July 17, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A red bagel with dough shaped to look like a tomato sprout at the top.
Food
Duke’s Hot Tomato Summer returns to Richmond
It’s the Duke’s Mayo collab of the summer, featuring hundreds of restaurants across seven cities competing for the Golden Tomato Award.
July 15, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Rendering of concete building facade with verticle spaces for windows and several multi-story-size windows; paths with garden space leading to a common area in front of the building
City
Sink your teeth into VCU’s future School of Dentistry
Bite down on the details of VCU’s $5.2 million School of Dentistry, slated for construction in 2027.
July 10, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
Stone and grassy areas disperse in the middle of Pony Pasture's river scene.
History
Remembering Richmond’s hottest day on record
City’s hottest day on record was Aug. 6, 1918, when RVA hit 107°.
July 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A welcome mat in an oval shape; Five stripes -- blue, dark green, light green, pink, and red -- outline the mat; An assortment of cut, blooming flowers arranged in a rainbow-colored arch on the top half of the mat.
Culture
Get your garden on with these local plant shops
Test out your green thumb with Richmond’s plant shops and garden centers.
July 8, 2025
 · 
Robin Schwartzkopf
three heavily-adorned hot dogs and a coors banquet beer
Food
The best hot dogs you can only get in Richmond
We asked you where to find the best frank in the city.
July 3, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
A pool with people swimming and a surrounding patio with umbrella-covered tables and chairs.
City
Rent a private pool around Richmond
Take time for a refreshing getaway, whether you’re hosting a gathering or just enjoying some solo relaxation.
June 30, 2025
 · 
Travis Meier
Someone wearing yellow gloves, a yellow helmet, and long sleves reaches out with a tool in-hand, leaning over solar panels.
Home Services
How to save on your summer energy bills
Follow these tips to help save money and conserve energy on water, landscaping, electricity, and AC.
June 24, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A dark, abandoned store interior. Small pieces of debris are scattered around the floor, and a piece of flooring has been torn up.
Culture
Dead malls: You could shop... until they dropped
Once booming, now barren. Let’s take a peek at malls of Richmond’s past + hope for the future.
June 23, 2025
 · 
Brianna Williams
An aerial shot of the Richmond skyline
Events
Honor Juneteenth in RVA with these local events
From nature hikes to a community game night, check out these local Juneteenth events.
June 17, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The photo shows a hardwood staircase on left and a front entryway to the right with hardwood floors, a central table with a vase of flowers, a clear and gold candelier, and stained glass windows.
Real Estate
Three unique properties for sale in and around Richmond, VA
See what’s on the market, from million-dollar homes to our regional drive-in theater.
June 16, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_JamesRiver_CityView
Travel and Outdoors
Six less-than-obvious things to do on the James River this summer
Explore the the river while exploring a new hobby with one of our outdoor-oriented suggestions
June 12, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
RICtoday_TinyPorchConcerts_WoodlandHeights
Culture
Tiny Porch concerts return to Woodland Heights
This grassroots tradition kicks off its third season on Sunday, June 15.
June 10, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A rendering depicts concepts for the new Arthur Ashe bridge. Pedestrians walk and bike on a sidewalk along the right side of the rendering. The sidewalk is lined with stone flower troughs and arched with an art installation of grey columns. Cars travel on the road to the left of the sidewalk.
Development
Share your feedback on the Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge replacement project
Attend a community meeting regarding the $38 million bridge replacement project near Scott’s Addition and the Diamond District.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
The photo shows the facade of Old City Hall, a gothic-style building with angular roofs, points, and dozens of arches windows.
History
10 Richmond locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Travel through River City history at these nationally relevant spots.
June 6, 2025
 · 
Katie Potter
Owner Brian Baynes stands inside his bookstore, leading against a magazine stand.
Business
One room, 1,000 niches: Brian’s Books opens June 14
We spoke with Brian Baynes about his new bookstore opening in Church Hill — a one-stop shop for pre-loved, eclectic reads.
June 2, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_LammarMaries_Popcorn
Work
Made in Richmond: 50+ things created in the River City
From bloody mary mix to hand-painted furniture, check out these products made right here in Richmond.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
A sanwich with bacon, guacamole, tomato and lettuce is shown on the left. Two outstretched hands holding orange drinks with orange wedges are shown on the right.
Food
Dine Out for Pride in RVA
The week of June 1-8, over two dozen restaurants in Richmond will make donations to support local LGBTQ+ organizations.
May 28, 2025
 · 
Elise Steele
RICtoday_Bike_JamesRiver
Travel and Outdoors
The non-cyclist’s guide to getting around Richmond on a bike
Richmond is navigable by bike even for casual two-wheel warriors.
May 23, 2025
 · 
David Lefkowitz
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