Just Us Girls in Richmond Indiana
If you are looking for a great Midwest destination to enjoy with your girlfriends, plan a trip to Richmond, Indiana! I actually decided to take my mom on a two-day girls’ trip recently, and Richmond provided the perfect setting for some quality mother/daughter bonding.
With plenty of help from Nancy with Visit Richmond – Indiana, we crafted the perfect (and packed) 2-day itinerary for exploring this lovely east-central region of Indiana.
Visit Richmond – Indiana
Before you hit the sites in the greater Richmond area, I strongly suggest you check out the fabulous resources offered by Visit Richomond – Indiana. Their website will give you tons of ideas for exploring the area, and plenty of reasons to come back for return visits, as you can’t possibly see it all in one weekend. My mom and I can attest to that!
Nestled right along the border of Ohio, is the Old National Road Welcome Center, which houses Visit Richmond – Indiana. This is a great first stop on your Richmond getaway. This welcome center is so much more than the typical room full of touristy brochures. It is both charming and informative, and also offers some great spots for your first selfies in Richmond.
At the Welcome Center you can stock up on informative brochures on the area, shop unique gifts from local artisans, and immerse yourself in all there is to see, do, and eat in this not-to-be-missed Midwest destination.
The Welcome Center is also where you can pick up your passport for the Chocolate Trail (more on that later!) and goodie bags if you booked one of the incredible themed packages they offer. Mom and I thoroughly enjoyed our Just Us Girls package, which included another passport loaded with numerous discounts at local shops and eateries.
Even if it is after hours for the Welcome Center, visitors can pop in to the center’s entryway to gather useful handouts for their stay in Richmond.
No two trips to Richmond will look the same, considering all the fun options for dining, shopping, and sightseeing this Hoosier destination offers. But I’m excited to share with you how my mom and I spent our two days in Richmond, and I hope you will craft your very own Richmond getaway soon!
Where We Ate
While you can definitely find plenty of chain restaurants in the greater Richmond area, I love exploring local eateries when I travel, and Richmond has no shortage of those as well.
We enjoyed a casual lunch at Roscoe’s Coffee Bar & Tap Room, but this would also be a great spot for drinks. Roscoe’s has a fun, hipster vibe, and the food was just what we needed to get our Richmond getaway off to a great start.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Roscoe Melt (chicken, bacon, avocado, colby jack cheese, and ranch), and my mom was very satisfied with her Culture Club (wrap with turkey, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli) and latte. After hearing rave reviews about their smoothies from Nancy (it’s always a good idea to get feedback from locals!), I added a strawberry banana smoothie to my order. And I was not disappointed! Delish!
By dinner time we were ready to relax and dig into some good food and a few adult beverages. The Cordial Cork has an upscale yet laid-back environment and is a great choice for dinner or drinks or desserts. Mom and I stuck with the first two options.
With a recommendation from our server, we started with one of their most popular appetizers, Breakin Bread. As you can see it was quite a bit more bread than the two of us could manage, but that didn’t stop us from digging in and giving it our best. Even the leftovers were good the next day!
The bread was soft and perfectly seasoned, and we both loved trying the three different dipping sauces: smoked gouda, beer cheese, and olive oil with spices. They were all so good, it was hard to pick a favorite…but I’m going with the smoked gouda!
Never one to pass up a wine flight, I ordered the option with four different kinds of Moscato. The presentation was awesome and I absolutely loved 3 of the 4 varieties.
My mom opted for the margarita with orange creme liqueur, which she thoroughly enjoyed, though it was a bit strong for her. (I made a mental note to bring my girlfriends back to Richmond to visit The Cordial Cork as they would definitely enjoy the adult beverage scene. On the first Friday of every month, The Cordial Cork has live music, complete with black lights and drinks that glow!)
For our main course, we both opted for pasta. I sampled my mom’s lobster ravioli, and it was quite tasty.
But I was completely enamored with the shrimp carbonara! (You would think we would be stuffed by this point on our trip, but you would be wrong. Did I mention that details about the Chocolate Trail are still to come?!)
I’m sure Richmond has plenty of great breakfast spots as well (not to mention all the amazing bakeries), but since we had breakfast covered at our BnB we were all set for the start of day two.
Lunchtime brought us to Little Sheba’s in the heart of Richmond. It has everything you want in a casual lunch spot: a diverse menu, tasty food, friendly service, and a fun atmosphere.
My mom opted for another wrap, and this time she chose the Chicken Ranch Rollup. She ordered a scoop of potato salad as her side, another great recommendation from a friendly waitress!
I decided to venture outside of my usual food comfort zone with Cate’s Raisin Cain. This delightful sandwich consists of hot ham and swiss on a grilled croissant topped with poppy seed dressing and raisins. It was so good!
Sometimes you think certain ingredients just won’t go well together, but with a skilled chef somehow they really do, and that was totally the case with this unique sandwich. I gobbled it up!
Even though we were both feeling pretty full at this point, when the waitress mentioned their Bourbon Bread Pudding we just couldn’t resist. With one serving of bread pudding and armed with two spoons, we dug in. And it was ooey, gooey, and oh so good!
Needless to say, we ate very well in Richmond!
Where We Indulged – The Chocolate Trail
While there are many excellent reasons to visit Richmond, Indiana, they had me at Chocolate Trail! Like mother, like daughter…my mom was also excited to check off as many locations on our Chocolate Passport as possible in just two days.
Of the 15 stops on the Richmond-Wayne County Chocolate Trail, we indulged at 6 locations. I call that a valiant effort…and a great reason to plan a return trip!
At Abbott’s Candies in nearby Hagerstown, not only did we get to sample a dark chocolate cream (it was to die for!), but we also got to peek inside their candy-making factory. Even though chocolate production was not taking place during our visit, I could envision Lucy and Ethel manning the long conveyer belt as decadent chocolates came shooting down the runway!
Easter was coming up soon and our tour guide shared the impressive amount of treats Abbott’s Candies produces for the chocolate-laden holiday, and of course, I picked up some treats for my family’s Easter baskets.
At LisaCakes (adjacent to Roscoe’s) we drooled over the display case full of baked goods in an assortment of decadent flavors. Our Chocolate Trail Passports netted us each one of their signature peanut butter brownies. As if that wasn’t enough to satisfy our sweet tooth, we were intrigued by their Happy Cakes and each bought one to go.
Happy Cakes are made from the pieces skimmed off their larger cakes in order to ensure a flat surface for decorating. I love that they make use of every delicious morsel they bake up, and can attest to the fact that these cakes (consisting of lumpy bits of cake, icing, and candy) will in fact put a big smile on your face. And we got 20% off with our Just Us Girls coupon booklet!
The Bakery on Richmond’s Main Street also boasts display cases with some amazing-looking creations, and it is known for scrumptious thumbprint cookies.
We each received a compost cookie after presenting our Chocolate Trail passports, and my mom enjoyed it so much that she bought a few more to take home. Of course, I had to know what was actually in a compost cookie and was intrigued to learn it has various kinds of chocolate and butterscotch chips as well as bits of pretzels and potato chips. Why have I never thought to put the crushed-up chips and pretzels at the bottom of the bag into my homemade cookie batter?! Brilliant! And yummy!
Just about all of my vacations include ice cream at some point, so I was thrilled that there was an ice cream stop on the Chocolate Trail. Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream was a definite treat. The chocolate ice cream sample we received with our passports was creamy and delicious, but we couldn’t stop there.
I also devoured a waffle cone with sea salt caramel ice cream, and my mom splurged with a ginormous sundae. She admits her eyes were bigger than her stomach, but it was too good not to finish. Ullery’s was clearly the place to be on a Friday night as there was a steady flow of customers and friendly banter, because who isn’t in a good mood when they are eating ice cream?!
Fortunately for my waistline, a few of the stops on the Chocolate Trail provide treats that are not actually edible. We each snagged a chocolate-scented candle at the Warm Glow Candle Company. (More on this treasure trove in the next section!)
We then managed one final stop on the Chocolate Trail when we headed out of town and passed through nearby Cambridge City. At Building 125, a charming antique and home decor shop, we were rewarded with a small bag of chocolate-covered cherries, which made for a perfect sweet treat on the ride home.
Where We Shopped
Before you start thinking that all we did was eat in Richmond (and gain 5 pounds each!), let me tell you how we burned those extra calories with one of my favorite activities…shopping!
In the same building with Roscoe’s and LisaCakes is an adorable boutique clothing store. Luxe Lizzie Boutique has tons of super cute and trendy women’s fashions, jewelry, accessories, home decor, and gifts, making it a must-visit shop on any girls’ getaway.
While this was my first overnight trip in Wayne County, I have passed through this area in the past and when I do I always stop off at the Warm Glow Candle Company Outlet. With a ginormous candle out front of the massive storefront right off of interstate 70, how could you not stop and see what this place is all about?!
Every time I venture in I am astounded and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of inventory they have for sale. Of course, their unique candles in every fragrance imaginable take center stage. I could spend a few hours wandering through the seemingly endless stalls of unique home decor and gift items. Not to mention the garden store and the coffee and candy shop adjacent to the main store. You can even dine in their cafe to ensure you have enough energy to continue your shopping spree.
They also have an extensive offering of Indiana wines as well as mix and match varieties of craft beers in wacky flavors. Peanut butter beer and an oreo stout were two fun options that ended up in my shopping cart. Those made great gifts for my beer-drinking friends!
On this trip to the Warm Glow Candle Outlet, my mom and I stumbled upon the clearance section and snatched up some amazing candles for a ridiculous bargain. We also snagged the 20% off deal, courtesy of the Just Us Girls coupon booklet, on the regularly priced items in our cart. Cha-ching!
In Fountain City, just north of I-70, we wandered the many aisles at the Fountain Acres Amish Store. I never knew there were so many spices! Not your typical grocery store, this market has all the baked goods and food items you could possibly be looking for, all with the high quality the Amish community is known for. It is definitely worth a stop!
The greater Richmond area is actually well known for its extensive antique shopping, so if that is your jam you definitely need to spend a weekend in Wayne County, Indiana. With everything on our agenda for this trip, we only popped into a few of the MANY antique stores in Richmond and the neighboring towns.
I especially enjoyed perusing all the items at Building 125 and The Marketplace in Cambridge City.
What We Experienced
The greater Richmond area is also packed with cultural experiences, and we only had time to take in a few, but they became highlights of our girls’ weekend and left a lasting impact.
Whether you are visiting Richmond with your girlfriends, a significant other, or your children, I highly recommend spending a few hours at the Levi and Catharine Coffin Historic Site.
We took the guided tour through the Coffin residence and joined another family as a well-versed tour guide regaled us with stories of how the Levi family sheltered slaves seeking freedom on their way to Canada.
While I’m sure I studied about the Underground Railroad in school many decades ago, this was a fabulous reminder of the history of slavery, how far we have come as a country, and the work we still need to do to ensure freedom and opportunity for all.
The Interpretive Center adjacent to the Levi home includes even more historical information and several interactive exhibits that are sure to leave an impression on visitors.
Throughout Wayne County, visitors can also seek out more than 80 colorful murals. Unfortunately, it was rather rainy during our Richmond getaway so I didn’t snap too many photos of these impressive murals, but I definitely envision a return trip to fully explore the Mural Trail.
At the end of our two-day whirlwind trip, we made time to visit the Richmond Art Museum, and I’m so glad we did. The museum is fairly small and manageable, which makes it perfect for those who are short on time as well as those who don’t claim to be full-fledged art enthusiasts.
RAM, as it is affectionately referred to, has a few rooms with permanent and well-renowned works of art and then several rooms and hallways with art that changes each season. That means there is always something new to explore at the RAM.
A knowledgeable museum docent gave us an overview of the current exhibits and the artists being featured, which really brought the works of art to life for us. I especially appreciated the Amos Lemon Burkhart exhibit and learning about this aspiring and gifted artist whose life was tragically cut way too short. In addition to showcasing Burkhart’s art, there were also several engaging activities allowing patrons to make their own connection to his art as well as the important issue of mental health.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the whimsical Artwork of Carole Wantz.
While I suspect both of these exhibits will be gone by the time you venture to Richmond, I have no doubt the RAM will be showcasing other unique and inspiring artists no matter when you visit.
If you have read this far, I’m sure you will concur…there is a lot to do in Richmond, Indiana!
Are you ready to plan your trip to Wayne County? Reach out to Visit Richmond – Indiana…and tell them Traveling Tanya sent you! And if you are looking for a great place to stay in the greater Richmond area, check out my blog post on the Seldom Scene Bed & Breakfast.
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to Nancy and Visit Richmond – Indiana for hosting our trip and to each of the businesses listed for all the Hoosier Hospitality! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!
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