Follensbee Tour — Love Richmond Virginia - Moving To Richmond Virginia

A note from Holly

I loved hearing about your perfect Saturday: breakfast at home or at a local spot, fresh bread and meat from the people who make it, a good coffee, and a morning outside with the kids before nap time. That picture shaped every stop on this tour.

You told me you want a slower pace and more room to play, without giving up easy trips to the grocery store. Ashland, Mechanicsville, and Glen Allen each strike that balance a little differently, and the best way to feel the difference is to spend a morning in each one.

There's no pressure and nothing you need to decide on this trip. Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the lights, and let me know what you think once you're home.

Holly

How to use this guide

Think of this as a feel-for-the-area drive, not a house hunt. You'll explore broad areas rather than specific neighborhoods, so you can notice where the pace, the space, and the drive times feel right for your family. After your trip, send me your scorecard and we'll talk through what stood out.

Trip at a glance

Day one

Ashland

Downtown coffee and bakery, the butcher shop, a back-road drive. Evening: holiday lights along the tracks.

Day two

Mechanicsville

Local coffee, an errand loop, Pole Green Park, a farm stand. Evening: dinner at a local spot.

Day three

Glen Allen

Meadow Farm and the shopping corridor, then an early finish to enjoy your holiday weekend.

Where to stayBase yourselves near Ashland or along I-95 in northern Henrico. Glen Allen is about 10 minutes away and Mechanicsville about 20.

Holiday timingAshland's Light Up the Tracks runs November 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027. Thanksgiving weekend hours vary, so check hours the day before. For more ideas, see my guide to Richmond holiday events.

Day one

Ashland

The small-town main street you described, with the railroad running right through downtown and shops, restaurants, and a college within walking distance.

Coffee and fresh bread. Start at Bravo Bakeshop, a European-style bakery at 278 N Washington Hwy with espresso, pastries, quiche, and bread. Opens 7 AM Fridays and Saturdays.
Stroll downtown. Park near Railroad Avenue and walk the blocks around the tracks. The visitor center is in the old train station, and the restored Ashland Theatre is nearby.
Local butcher. Ashland Meat Company, 107 S Railroad Ave, carries regional meats, a deli, and Virginia-made products. Homemades by Suzanne, 102 N Railroad Ave, bakes breads and Southern comfort food.
Drive the back roads. Head out on the country roads west and north of town. Notice lot sizes, how quickly it turns rural, and how long it takes to reach a grocery store.
Back for nap time. Glen Allen's shopping corridor, with Publix and HomeGoods, is about 10 minutes away if you need anything.

EveningCome back after dusk for Light Up the Tracks, a free mile-long light display along the railroad. Grab dinner downtown and let the kids walk the lights.

Day two

Mechanicsville

Well-established everyday conveniences with farmland still close by. Today is about seeing how those two sides fit together.

Coffee. Rivers Edge Coffee Company, 7038 Mechanicsville Tpke, is a family-owned shop and roaster that serves breakfast. Lark Baking Co & Market on Brashier Blvd is a bakery alternative.
Errand loop. Drive Mechanicsville Turnpike and the Bell Creek Road area. This is where you'd do grocery runs, appointments, and errands, so picture your normal week here.
Park time. Let the kids loose at Pole Green Park, with playgrounds, sports fields, walking trails, and a dog park.
Farm stand. Pole Green Produce, 6547 Pole Green Road, is a family-owned market just down the road from the park. It's seasonal, so check that it's open before you go.
Drive toward the edges. Head east and north away from the commercial corridor to see where the lots open up, and time the drive back to the grocery store.

EveningFor a sit-down dinner near the park, Bell Cafe is at 8319 Bell Creek Rd.

Day three

Glen Allen

The convenience hub for both Ashland and Mechanicsville. Today shows you what's within a short drive of either one.

Farm park morning. Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road, is a historic farm park with open fields for the kids to run.
The shopping corridor. Drive the area near the new sports center, with Publix, HomeGoods, Barnes & Noble, and other major stores. This is your 10-minute trip from Ashland.
Wrap up early. Glen Allen is a short day, so you can head back for nap time and enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend.

EveningThe Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2400 Old Brick Road, has a holiday tree lighting listed for Saturday, November 28 at 4 PM. Confirm the date before you go.

Your scorecard

Rate each area while it's fresh

Score each one from 1 to 5 at the end of the day, then send it to me after your trip. We'll use it to narrow your search.

Area	Yard and breathing room	Pace	Drive to groceries (min)	Feels like our Saturday	Notes
Ashland
Mechanicsville
Glen Allen

SpaceYour current lot is about 7,200 square feet. Notice where yards start to look noticeably bigger.
HOA or notLook for entrance signs and how uniform the homes look. A light HOA and a strict one feel very different from the street.
Newer vs. older homesYou're open to both. Note streets with character homes you'd happily renovate.
Kids' activitiesWatch for ball fields, rec centers, and libraries along your routes.