College is sometimes too stressful to remain on campus. Â If you’re searching for an outlet off campus to relax and forget about stress for little to no cost, here are a few places to detox near VCU:
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1.    Belle Isle
This little get away is actually in the midst of downtown Richmond on Tredegar Street (you’ll need to cross a footbridge to get to the actual island).  Belle Isle is a really neat place to go as it has everything. There are several trails and places to walk, trees and rocks to climb, and a few beaches where you can sunbathe and swim (when the weather is warm). For the history majors, there are historical markers and remains from buildings used during the Civil War.
2.    Maymont Park
This is a fun outdoor place to go with a variety of wildlife exhibits to go through and even a farm area where you can pet some adorable goats. In addition to being an animal preserve, Maymont has an historical mansion, gardens, and an aquarium that you can go in. It is located in downtown Richmond at 2201 Shields Lake Drive.
3.    Hollywood Cemetery
A cemetery? Really? This is not your ordinary cemetery; it has the graves of several former U.S. Presidents, soldiers, writers, and philanthropists. Some unique statues in the cemetery include the Pyramid for the Confederate soldiers and a dog that watches over a little girl’s grave; the dog is so famous that people will put flowers, toys, and other gifts on it. Hollywood Cemetery is located in the Oregon Hill district of downtown Richmond (it can actually be seen across the James River at Bell Isle!) on 412 South Cherry Street.
4.    Bryan Park
This place is located off of I-95, approximately 15-minute drive from VCU. There are two easy ways to get there; either take I-95 North to the Hermitage Street exit or Boulevard which turns into Hermitage (4510 Hermitage Rd.). Bryan Park is a mini version of Belle Isle without beaches. It may not have beaches, but it does have a playground complete with swings, a slide, and monkey bars to bring out your inner child.
5.    Carytown
This stretch of Cary Street (3500-2900) is filled with unique shops and eateries. Some stores can be a bit more on the high-end side price wise, but it is fun to browse, especially in the crazy toy store World of Mirth. In the mood to see a movie but don’t want to spend $20+ to go to the theater?  However it may not be free, the Byrd Theatre located at the end of Carytown (2908 Cary) is cheap and well worth checking out. Tickets cost $2 and popcorn, candy, and drinks are all about $2-$3.
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The Byrd taken by Ashley Crist Photography