Always RevolutionaryExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 305 / Always Revolutionary
It’s National Travel and Tourism Week, and there’s no better time to welcome Katherine O’Donnell, President & CEO of Richmond Region Tourism, as our guest editor. For more than 20 years, she has helped the region shine, turning tourism into a force for community impact. At her core, she’s a builder who believes tourism can make the Richmond Region stronger, more connected, and more vibrant.
A graduate of University of Richmond, Katherine came for school and stayed for the community. She started out creating maps and visitor guides and worked her way up to leading the organization, where she now sets the strategic vision, priorities, and long-term sustainability of Richmond Region Tourism while aligning its work with the region’s economic prosperity and quality-of-life goals. Along the way, she has championed initiatives that celebrate and support the region, including OutRVA, BLK RVA, and the launch of Virginia’s first Tourism Improvement District.
Outside of work, Katherine and her husband, Darby, are raising their two children, Norah and Henry, who are growing up immersed in the region’s tourism scene — from NASCAR and Kings Dominion to the Virginia Derby, Richmond Flying Squirrels games, and GalaxyCon Richmond.
On the weekends, when she’s not attending a local event or cheering on her kids at sports games, you’ll likely find Katherine walking her dog, Ginger, around the lake at the University of Richmond. She’s an avid reader, loves to travel, and appreciates a good spicy margarita.
We’re honored to have Katherine join us this week as she shares her tips for exploring and celebrating this place we all love to call home.
Take it away, Katherine…
India's Great Mughals: Art, Power, and Opulence
I can’t wait to check out India’s Great Mughals: Art, Power, and Opulence at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which opened last week. The exhibition brings together more than 200 stunning works — from jeweled objects to textiles and manuscripts — and offers a glimpse into the richness and global influence of the Mughal Empire. It’s exactly the kind of world-class experience that makes the Richmond Region so special.
One experience I always recommend is seeing a reenactment at St. John's Church. It’s a powerful way to step right into the moment of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech. It’s also part of the new Always Revolutionary digital trail, which highlights the people and places across the Richmond Region that helped shape our nation’s story. With events, exhibitions, and experiences happening through 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary, it’s a great way to explore the region’s history in a meaningful, immersive way.
Vitals: St. John's Church / Summer Sundays — May 24 through Sept. 6 / 2401 East Broad Street
Discover Richmond Tours
If you have friends or family in town, or are simply looking for an adventure in your own backyard, Discover Richmond Tours offers fun walking food tours, brewery tours, and scavenger hunts that reveal the neighborhoods, flavors, and stories of RVA. With tours focused on pizza, ice cream, offbeat history, and more, there’s something for everyone.
Vitals:
Tours take place throughout the week – pre-registration is required / Discover Richmond’s website includes a calendar with locations
More About Richmond Richmond Tourism.
At Richmond Region Tourism, we get to tell the story of this place we all love, inviting visitors who support the businesses and experiences that make our community so special. We represent seven localities across the Richmond Region, and we see every day how tourism strengthens our economy, supports small businesses, and builds pride in where we live. It truly is a force for good.
With National Travel and Tourism Week taking place May 3–9, it’s a great moment to recognize the impact of travel here at home. The Richmond Region continues to outperform state and national trends, and in 2025 alone, we welcomed 19.1 million visitors.
If you’re curious to learn more, our free I Am Tourism workshops offer a fun, behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together and why the Richmond Region is such a vibrant, can’t-miss destination. Our next session is May 20 at Richmond Raceway.
