Belle Isle: My Favorite Place to Visit in My Hometown of Richmond, Virginia by Sheri B Doyle

America is full of amazing sites and history. Our hometowns are great places to start exploring our country and learn our history. In Richmond, Va., one of my favorite places to go, and take visitors, is Belle Isle.

The 540-acre island was originally a Native American settlement. The first European to step foot on the island was Captain John Smith in 1607. Since then Belle Island has served as a Confederate prison camp, housing over 3,000 prisoners of war. In 1814 it was home to a large nail factory, and in the 1900s it housed a hydroelectric plant. Belle Island is one of the most historic sites in Richmond, a city full of history.

My family has spent so much time on Belle Island riding the bike path, climbing the granite climbing wall, watching the turtles sunning in the marshes, Geocaching, walking or jogging the path around the island. By far our favorite thing to do is sit on the massive flat rocks in the James River taking in the views of the Hollywood cemetery, the beautiful Richmond skyline or the brave people who kayak through the Hollywood rapids.

Photo: Large flat rocks surround Belle Island and make it a good spot for sunbathing and swimming.

Photos: Walking bridge on Belle Island in Richmond, Virginia.

Photo (main): VisitRichmondVa.com

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