People say the journey is the destination. Yet they spend most road trips bickering and backseat driving. Next time you visit Richmond, do it right: Hit all the hotspots in our neighboring city and all the cool sights between here and there.

Sights
On the way, check out Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighy House, a great example of the architect’s style (9000 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, 703-780-4000).

Once you’re in range, tune into Richmond Indie Radio 97.3. Isn’t that what car rides are for?

First, walk down Monument Avenue, the only street in the U.S. that’s a National Historic Landmark, to check out the architecture and monuments.

See what it’s like to live in Richmond — or 15th-century England — on a tour of Agecroft Hall (4305 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, 804-353-4241). The Tudor house was moved piece by piece across the Atlantic in the ’20s.

Bites
Stop at Allman’s Bar-B-Que, a hole in the wall that’s been around since 1954, where Mom (literally — that’s her name) dishes up sandwiches, slaw, and fries (1299 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, 540-373-9881).

For dessert, head down the street to Carl’s (2200 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg). The retro-charming stand offers ice cream, frozen custard, and milkshakes. Get one for the road.

Once in Richmond, hit Sticky Rice (2232 West Main Street, Richmond, 804-358-7870), where the vibe, video screens, and sushi will make you feel like you’re in Asia. (And the dude in the polo will bring you back.)

Delights
Head to Poesis (3451 West Cary Street, Richmond, 804-344-4407) for one of their cheerfully bright patterned bags.

Then hit the Federated Warehouse (1657 West Broad Street, Richmond, 804-254-9121) for an oversize model ship. Or a mannequin. The totally weird store stocks furniture, accessories, and oddities that have been used in department store window displays.

Top off the trip with a chapeau from Ignatius Hats (804-733-9303). The utterly wonderful designers work out of their antebellum house. (Lincoln was there. And he knew hats.)

Then head home. (And fire up your Twenty Questions engines.)

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