The Greater Richmond Convention Center Area
Fifth and Broad streets
View: Ground zero for the race. Serves as start and finish line for most events. Plenty of indoor, air-conditioned space at the Markel VIP Pavilion, which requires tickets. Nearby FanFest area is free with more than 100 exhibitors, beer garden and an area for a daily awards ceremony.
Access: Pay parking lots nearby, but Broad Street is closed. One option is to park at City Stadium, The Diamond or the Anthem building at 2015 Staple Mills Road for $10 a day and shuttle in.
Food and Beverage: Yes
Beer: Yes
Jumbotron: Yes
Best Days: Sept. 19, Team Trial Training, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-2:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, Women’s Team Time Trial, 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m., Men’s Team Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 21, all day; Sept. 22, all day; Sept. 23, Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 24, Road Circuit Training, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 25, all day; Sept. 26, all day; Sept. 27, Men’s Elite Road Circuit, 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Monroe Park
Views: Spacious, leafy park offers views of many events coming and going.
Access: Shuttle buses or limited street parking.
Food and Beverage: Yes
Beer: No
Jumbotron: No
Best Days: Sept. 19, Team Trial Training, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-2:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, Women’s Team Time Trial, 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m., Men’s Team Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 21, all day; Sept. 22, all day; Sept. 23, Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 24, Road Circuit Training, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 25, all day; Sept. 26, all day; Sept. 27, Men’s Elite Road Circuit, 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Libby Hill Park
Views: Exciting spot with a threat of danger. Racers will pedal up and down narrow, winding, cobblestone paths. Commanding views of downtown, the James River and racers. Official FanSpot with beer and food.
Access: Local street parking.
Food and Beverage: Yes
Beer: Yes
Jumbotron: Yes
Best Days: Sept. 19, Team Trial Training, 9 a.m.-noon; Sept. 20, Women’s Team Time Trial, 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m., Men’s Team Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 21, Women’s Junior Time Trial, 10-11:10 a.m.; Sept. 24, Road Circuit Training, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 25, all day; Sept. 26, all day; Sept. 27, Men’s Elite Road Circuit, 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
East Main Street
Between North 23rd and North 25th streets
View: Spectacular views of downtown and racers.
Access: Limited street parking.
Food and Beverage: Several restaurants on street.
Beer: In restaurants.
Jumbotron: No
Best Days: Sept. 19, Team Trial Training, 9 a.m.-noon; Sept. 20, Women’s Team Time Trial, 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.; Sept. 21, Women’s Junior Time Trial, 10-11:10 a.m.; Sept. 24, Road Circuit Training, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 25, all day; Sept. 26, all day; Sept. 27, Men’s Elite Road Circuit, 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
East 23rd Street
Views: Features an extremely steep, cobbled climb that is dubbed the “Maxxis 23rd Street Wall” for the race.
Access: Limited street parking.
Food and beverage: Yes
Beer: Yes
Jumbotron: Yes
Best Days: Sept. 25, Women’s Junior Road Circuit, 10-11:50 a.m., Men’s Under 23 Road Circuit, 12:45-4:50 p.m.; Conquer the Cobbles Race, 7-9 p.m.; Sept. 26, Men’s Junior Road Circuit, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Women’s Elite Road Circuit, 1-4:25 p.m.; Sept. 27, Men’s Elite Road Circuit, 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Governor Street
Just west of Capitol grounds
View: Fair. Racers will work up steep hill for short distance.
Access: Street parking or shuttle parking with a walk.
Food and Beverage: Yes
Beer: No
Jumbotron: No
Best Days: Sept. 19, Team Trial Training, 9 a.m.-noon, 1-2:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, Women’s Team Time Trial, 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m., Men’s Team Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 21, all day; Sept. 22, all day; Sept. 23, Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.; Sept. 24, Road Circuit Training, 10 a.m. to noon; Sept. 25, all day; Sept. 26, all day; Sept. 27, Men’s Elite Road Circuit, 9 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
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Kings Dominion
Doswell
View: The payoff for the drive is that the theme park will be free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including access to the Dominator rollercoaster, Berzeker boat ride and Eiffel Tower. Starting spot for the longest race of event.
Access: Plenty of parking
Food and Beverage: Yes
Beer: No
Jumbotron: No
Best Day: Sept. 23, Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, 1-3:35 p.m.
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Views: Good with lots of lovely plants. The garden will be the start for races on Sept. 19 and 20.
Access: The garden’s parking lots will be closed on Sept. 19 and 20 but shuttle access is available for $10 with parking at the Anthem building at 2015 Staple Mills Road.
Food and Beverage: Yes
Beer: Nearby
Jumbotron: Yes
Best Days: Sept. 19, Team Trial Training, 9 a.m.-noon; Sept. 20, Women’s Team Time Trial, 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m., Men’s Team Time Trial, 1:30-3:35 p.m.
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected from the print version to reflect that Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will have food and a Jumbotron. Beer and wine also are available.
