Photo by Kate Barton
Proper Pie in Richmond
Get to Proper Pie early before the line starts forming.
Looking for a fun day trip not too far from Alexandria? You can head down I-95 South after morning rush hour in time to check out Proper Pie when they open at noon. Treat yourself to one of their savory pies for lunch, and maybe get a few sweet slices to go.
We got a seat at their counter and watched the endless stream of customers who came for whole pies, slices, cups of soup or just a cup of coffee. The chicken and mushroom pie was piping hot, perfectly seasoned and exactly what was needed during a recent trip after a two-hour drive and 20-degree weather.
After filling up on pie and cocoa, our group headed to Halcyon Vintage Clothing. Off the beaten path, but only blocks from the hustle and bustle of Cary Street, this shop is the perfect spot to find something unique at a decent price point. For anyone looking for unique, vintage finds, Richmond is the place to be.
After getting our workout in walking up and down Cary Street, we stopped at Sugar & Twine for a quick pick-me-up. A quaint coffee shop decorated in botanical prints and stocked full of delicious cookies and pastries, this was a perfect spot to warm up and take a break before heading to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Recommended to us by the shopkeeper at Halcyon Vintage Clothing, we were not disappointed. The museum is impressive and within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
Before heading home, we stopped at My Noodle and Bar for an early dinner and were promptly seated in the “treehouse,” a tucked-away reclaimed wood-style cubby complete with a quaint chandelier to add to the ambience. Once you arrive, snap a photo and tag them on Facebook or Instagram for 5 percent off your bill.
Photo by Kate Barton
My Noodle and Bar in Richmond
We were seated in the "treehouse" at My Noodle and Bar in Richmond; it came with its own chandelier.
I wouldn’t recommend my Love Boat Soup (a forgettable take on beef noodle soup). Instead, go for the Pad Thai or Drunken Noodles with one of their Asian beers. Although the food was sub-par, the cozy atmosphere was a great end to a fun (but brutally cold!) day.
Driving home, we marveled at the Christmas lights down Monument Avenue to conclude a fantastic day in Virginia’s capital.
