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Richmond's 2nd Street Festival is held every October. Like many of the historical places and events that are associated with the city, this festival links the historical past to the prosperous present in the city's notable African American district where the event is held. Enjoy great soul food, live jazz and a festival that echoes back to the celebrations held back in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. It's an excellent party you won't want to miss.

Go for the classics when you spend an unforgettable evening with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. This incredible group of musicians work hard all year long through extensive rehearsals and various performances to ensure that they not only bring out the best in each other, but also deliver a truly remarkable performance for you to enjoy. Their program throughout the year spotlights different composers and are part of different series like the Masterworks, Symphony Pops and Metro Collections. Whichever performance you choose, you can be assured that the Richmond Symphony will perform the music that is, as their tagline suggests, made for you.

When you tour the Berkeley Plantation, you'll be among a couple of history's most significant connections. One is that the plantation house is said to be the site of the Thanksgiving celebration of 1619, although debate still exists over the exact location of the original event. The gorgeous Georgian manor is also the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Also, our ninth President, William Henry Harrison, was born here as well. Enjoy lush gardens and restored grounds as you stroll after the tour to enjoy the scenery that extends all the way to the James River.

The Metro Richmond Zoo lets your kids get up close to the animals. They'll marvel at the towering beauty of the giraffes as they get a chance to actually pet them. They'll giggle uncontrollably when they hear the orangutan whistle or watch the monkeys monkey around with each other. The kids will have plenty to see as the zoo features more than 400 animals in their natural habitat attraction. It'll be a day full of wild fun, so be sure to stop at the zoo's gift shop to pick up a neat souvenir to commemorate your family's very own safari.