Fan District
Fan District
4.5
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Italianate, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival architectural styles predominate along this 85-block-long Victorian historic district.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
79 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
27
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Matt P
Gainesville, VA1,389 contributions
Feb 2020
My family and i spent an morning walking around this wonderful neighborhood. There are blocks of beautifully looking homes that my wife and daughter loved looking at. Some are huge and historic. It was nice walking around it and then driving through it as well.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CynthiafromOhio2011
Cleveland, OH346 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
This is a beautiful area of Richmond to wander through; the challenge however is to find a place to park. There are great houses, some neat shops (not as much as Carrytown) and a vibrant atmosphere. The downside is the lack of parking and the lack of a good map focused on the items not to be missed. The City of Richmond needs to do more to promote this.
Written October 17, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
urbanguy
Richmond, VA4,571 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
According to the Fan District Association (FDA), the Fan District is an area that extends from Belvidere Street (US 1/301) west to the Boulevard and north-south from the southern side of West Broad Street (US 33) to the southern side of West Main Street. This area is roughly 21 blocks "wide" (east to west) and 8-10 blocks "long" (north to south). Most of Virginia Commonwealth University's Monroe Park Campus is included in the Fan. In addition, there are numerous restaurants, coffee shops, shops, and houses of worship. And, most of Monument Avenue's monuments are included in the Fan. However, it is primarily a residential area. A large variety of architectural styles are represented in the Fan (detailed on the FDA website = www.fandistrict.org). Most buildings date from the 1890s-1930s.
Each spring, the Fan Woman's Club sponsors a "Fan Kitchen and Garden Tour." In 2014, nine homes were visited. Each December, the FDA sponsors a "Holiday House Tour" (11 homes in 2014).
The Fan is a great place to walk through. And, in its entirety, it cannot be done in a day. The restaurants tend to be neighborhood restaurants, i.e., not chain restaurants.
Each spring, the Fan Woman's Club sponsors a "Fan Kitchen and Garden Tour." In 2014, nine homes were visited. Each December, the FDA sponsors a "Holiday House Tour" (11 homes in 2014).
The Fan is a great place to walk through. And, in its entirety, it cannot be done in a day. The restaurants tend to be neighborhood restaurants, i.e., not chain restaurants.
Written November 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah S
Richmond, VA17 contributions
Feb 2021
It's drastically changed since I was in this neighborhood 10 years ago. Back then there were many artists, musicians, young professionals and college students. But they've been pushed out and now its full of older wealthy residents and there's not much to do but walk around and look at their 'remodeled' houses.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbertintheAtrium14
Washington DC, DC1 contribution
Apr 2014 • Family
So the summary here is: Just like Georgetown in Washington, DC, just as cool, just as fun, but much cheaper!
We spent some time here on the weekend because one of our friends (who also has younger kids) said it was a great day trip. They were right. We walked around the neighborhood and admired all the really nice old homes. We visit the parks, where there were a ton of kids playing (the weather was nice!). People kept asking us if we lived there...apparently a lot of young families have moved into The Fan, which is nice to see, because in DC younger families usually cannot afford this type of a neighborhood.
We had a really nice brunch at a Cuban restaurant and then walked to another restaurant for dinner. There is a fairly large University nearby (Virginia Commonwealth University...I think) and that help to give the neighborhood a good vibe. There are cool local coffee shops and restaurants all over the place.
We finished the day considering whether, at some point in the future, our family should move to Richmond. We liked it a lot especially this neighborhood.
Tip: Take a walk down "Monument avenue". Those are where the biggest/nicest homes are, though the entire neighborhood is really nice.
We spent some time here on the weekend because one of our friends (who also has younger kids) said it was a great day trip. They were right. We walked around the neighborhood and admired all the really nice old homes. We visit the parks, where there were a ton of kids playing (the weather was nice!). People kept asking us if we lived there...apparently a lot of young families have moved into The Fan, which is nice to see, because in DC younger families usually cannot afford this type of a neighborhood.
We had a really nice brunch at a Cuban restaurant and then walked to another restaurant for dinner. There is a fairly large University nearby (Virginia Commonwealth University...I think) and that help to give the neighborhood a good vibe. There are cool local coffee shops and restaurants all over the place.
We finished the day considering whether, at some point in the future, our family should move to Richmond. We liked it a lot especially this neighborhood.
Tip: Take a walk down "Monument avenue". Those are where the biggest/nicest homes are, though the entire neighborhood is really nice.
Written April 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EuroHoneyMoon2010
Nashville, TN118 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
The Fan is amazing. Different people all around (families, students, professors, entrepreneurs) and they all make a really great place to live, work, and have fun. And really high walk-ability to lots of cool and useful stuff.
The homes are old and “historical” but very elegant (early 1900’s) and the ones that are renovated are really awesome and expensive. The sidewalks are paved in brick and the area, despite having students, is clean and well kept up. Appears to be the kind of neighborhood where people take pride in their homes and in restoring them. (Although there are a few homes where the landlords clearly don’t care.) Worth a visit to simply walk around and see some of these amazing old homes.
Also worth a visit to walk around the shops and restaurants in the area—all “local”, from coffee shops and restaurants, to wine shops and cafes. There are some very nice parks in The Fan too, one that even has a wall around it so kids don’t run into the street. There is no shortage of things to do and it is really convenient to all of Richmond’s fun stuff, like the baseball stadium, hiking trails, art museum, science museum, etc. VCU is also at one end of the Fan, and they have some new buildings that are very nice.
Recommend a visit to the neighborhood and one of its restaurants.
The homes are old and “historical” but very elegant (early 1900’s) and the ones that are renovated are really awesome and expensive. The sidewalks are paved in brick and the area, despite having students, is clean and well kept up. Appears to be the kind of neighborhood where people take pride in their homes and in restoring them. (Although there are a few homes where the landlords clearly don’t care.) Worth a visit to simply walk around and see some of these amazing old homes.
Also worth a visit to walk around the shops and restaurants in the area—all “local”, from coffee shops and restaurants, to wine shops and cafes. There are some very nice parks in The Fan too, one that even has a wall around it so kids don’t run into the street. There is no shortage of things to do and it is really convenient to all of Richmond’s fun stuff, like the baseball stadium, hiking trails, art museum, science museum, etc. VCU is also at one end of the Fan, and they have some new buildings that are very nice.
Recommend a visit to the neighborhood and one of its restaurants.
Written August 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElTiburónTigre
~~~2,085 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
The Fan is the "Heart & Soul" of RVA. Blocks and blocks of Row Houses, in the form of a "fan" when you look at it on a map. This historic area has hidden restaurant and shopping gems mixed among the houses. Great place for a walk or bike ride!
Written June 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman S
Irvington, VA128 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
Disclosure: I lived here for 35 years and I never got tired of it. We drove by our old house on Hanover Ave last week, and It was a real nostalgia trip. This neighborhood compares favorably with almost any similar neighborhood (like Georgetown for example in DC). We walked every square foot of the place over the time we lived there and we never failed to see something we hadn't noticed before. The architecture (early 20th century row houses) is just fascinating. Get out and walk or drive very slowly. Stop at some of the bars and restaurants (Joe's Inn, Strawberry Street Café). This is a wonderful place. Visit.
Written February 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cordyroy
Mobile, AL2,384 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We took a drive through the Fan District on a recent evening. We admired the many beautiful houses. Some were decorated for Halloween. Worth doing.
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rduinc
Annapolis, MD2,245 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
This is an interesting area bordered by the Museum District and Monument Avenue with plenty of older, historical homes to look at. Well worth doing and when you finish walking, you can head to nearby Carytown for some lunch!
Written December 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
316TravelN
Kansas City, MO17 contributions
We will be in Richmond area for three days. We are planning to visit the Fan district on a weekday evening. What will be a good time for us to visit? Please share advise about parking?
Sarah S
Richmond, VA17 contributions
Parking is difficult, you will be ticketed if not careful so pay close attention to the signs.
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Claim your listingFan District - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fan District
- We recommend booking Fan District tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Fan District tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Fan District:
- (0.02 mi) The One Bed and Breakfast
- (0.02 mi) The Boulevard Inn
- (0.16 mi) Museum District Bed & Breakfast
- (0.20 mi) VMFA • Carytown • 2 Queen Bedrooms • Jetted Tub • Spacious Deck • Front Porch
- (0.35 mi) Spacious & Prime Location in The Fan
- Restaurants near Fan District:
- (0.13 mi) The Daily Kitchen & Bar
- (0.10 mi) MOM SIAM Authentic Thai
- (0.09 mi) Social 52
- (0.08 mi) Bamboo Cafe
- (0.10 mi) Momotaro
- Attractions near Fan District:
- (0.13 mi) Byrd Theater
- (0.26 mi) Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- (0.14 mi) Bygones Vintage Clothing
- (0.14 mi) New York Deli RVA
- (0.15 mi) Chop Suey Books
Fan District Information
Excellent Reviews | 48 |
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Very Good Reviews | 27 |
Fan District Photos | 22 |