Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour in Richmond

Hollywood Cemetery is not just a place for quiet graves. It is a wide, story-filled piece of Richmond where a Segway helps you cover more ground without wearing out your feet. You’ll hear about two US presidents, Lewis Ginter, Ellen Glasgow, JEB Stuart, and other figures tied to the city and the country.

I like the small group, capped at six, because it should be easier to hear the guide and ask questions. I also like the mix of local and national history, presented while you move through the cemetery instead of standing in one spot for two hours. The main catch is simple: you must be at least 14, and riding a Segway may not appeal to everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• A Segway covers more ground: You can see more of Hollywood Cemetery than you likely would on foot during the same two-hour visit.
• Richmond history is the focus: Stories connect the cemetery’s residents to the city, the Civil War era, American politics, business, literature, and more.
• Andrew may be your guide: He is specifically praised for both Segway safety and his understanding of the cemetery and Richmond history.
• The group is small: A maximum of six people makes this a more personal tour than a large bus or walking group.
• Plan to arrive early: You should be at the meeting point 30 minutes before the 2:00 pm start.
• You return where you began: The tour starts and ends at Hollywood Cemetery, with no hotel pickup or drop-off.

Why Hollywood Cemetery works well by Segway

Hollywood Cemetery is a large place, and that matters when choosing how to see it. A walking visit lets you pause at individual graves, but it also limits how much ground you can cover in a short time. The Segway changes that balance.

You can move between notable burial sites without spending the whole outing on foot. The vehicle also gives you a higher viewing position than you have while walking, which can help you take in more of the cemetery as you ride.

This is not a race. The point is not simply to move quickly. Your guide uses the route to connect people, places, and events, giving the cemetery a wider meaning than a list of names on headstones.

The tour lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a substantial introduction without taking up an entire day in Richmond. You should still expect time for instruction and getting comfortable with the Segway, so the historical portion may not mean two straight hours of nonstop storytelling.

Meeting two US presidents and Richmond’s notable names

The most appealing part of the tour is the cast of people connected to Hollywood Cemetery. The route includes stories about two US presidents, along with Lewis Ginter, Ellen Glasgow, JEB Stuart, and many other notable figures.

That mix gives the tour several angles. Presidential graves connect the cemetery to national politics. JEB Stuart brings in military history and the Civil War era. Lewis Ginter points toward Richmond’s business and civic development, while Ellen Glasgow adds a literary thread.

You are not simply looking at famous names in isolation. The guide explains how these people relate to Richmond and, in some cases, to the wider story of the United States. That context is where a guided visit earns its keep.

Hollywood Cemetery is described as the second most visited cemetery in the country after Arlington. Even if you are not normally drawn to cemeteries, the number of major figures associated with this one gives it a clear place in Richmond’s story.

What the two-hour route is like

The only listed stop is Hollywood Cemetery itself, but that does not mean the visit lacks variety. The cemetery is the setting, classroom, and subject of the tour all at once.

You begin at 412 S Cherry St in Richmond at 2:00 pm. After arriving early, you will take part in the Segway portion of the outing and then move through the cemetery with your guide. The exact order of the graves and stories is not specified, so you should treat the route as a guided overview rather than a guaranteed checklist of every notable burial.

The Segway is useful here because it lets your guide build a broader route. You can reach more areas than you might on foot, and you will not need to save your energy for a long walk back to the entrance.

At the same time, a Segway does change the feel of a cemetery visit. You will be rolling from one place to another rather than lingering at every grave. If your main goal is quiet reflection or detailed time at a single family plot, a self-guided visit may suit you better.

For me, the value is in the combination: enough movement to make the large cemetery manageable, plus enough explanation to make the names meaningful.

Why the guide matters on this tour

A cemetery can be easy to misread when you visit alone. You may recognize a famous name, but miss the local connection, the reason the person matters, or the way one story leads into another.

The guide supplies that missing thread. You hear facts and stories that are easy to overlook when you are focused on a map or trying to identify graves by yourself. The strongest praise goes to Andrew, who is specifically noted for his knowledge of the cemetery, Richmond, and the connection between local events and US history.

Andrew is also praised for handling both Segway safety and operation. That matters because a guide needs to do more than recite history here. You need clear help with the vehicle, a sensible pace, and enough attention to the group while moving through the cemetery.

The maximum group size is six. This is one of the best practical details of the tour. A small group should make it easier to hear the guide, stay together, and ask for clarification when a name or historical connection catches your interest.

The tour is offered in English. If you want a guided introduction in another language, this is not the right choice.

The value of seeing more in less time

The price is not provided in the tour details, so I cannot judge the exact cost against other Richmond activities. I can still explain what you are paying for.

You are paying for a professionally guided tour, Segway use, and the ability to cover a large cemetery more efficiently than you would on foot. All taxes, fees, and handling charges are included, so the listed booking price should not be increased by those items.

The value is strongest if you have limited time in Richmond or want an active way to learn local history. Instead of spending two hours walking between scattered points and searching for background information, you receive a planned route and live interpretation.

The value is weaker if you already know Hollywood Cemetery well, prefer to move at your own pace, or do not want to ride a Segway. The tour is not designed as a private deep study of one person or one period. It is a compact overview with several historical threads.

Because the group is limited to six, the format should feel more focused than a large public tour. That small-group setting can justify a higher price than a basic self-guided visit, though you should compare the actual fare with your budget before booking.

Age, comfort, and timing

The minimum age is 14. That rules out younger children, even if they are enthusiastic about history or have used similar vehicles before.

You should arrive 30 minutes before the 2:00 pm departure. Do not treat that as optional. The early arrival gives you time for check-in and Segway preparation, and arriving late could cut into the guided portion or create a problem with the group departure.

The dress code is casual. Choose ordinary clothes that let you stand and move comfortably for the length of the outing. The tour details do not specify helmet policy, terrain conditions, or special clothing, so you should ask the operator directly if you have a concern about those points.

Service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, which is useful if you are staying elsewhere in Richmond and do not want to arrange a hotel transfer. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you are responsible for getting to and from 412 S Cherry St.

Most people can participate, but the tour still involves operating a Segway. If you have concerns about balance, standing for the duration, or using the vehicle, contact RVA on Wheels before booking.

Small details that can save frustration

Bring water, especially if the weather is warm. One person specifically lost a water bottle during the outing and had difficulty finding a phone number to ask about it afterward. That gives you two useful tips: label your belongings and keep hold of anything you do not want to leave behind.

The tour ends back at the starting point. That makes planning easier because you do not need to arrange a second pickup at another part of Richmond.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. You must cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded, with cut-off times based on Richmond local time.

Confirmation is received when you book. Since the tour is capped at six people, do not assume that a late change will be easy to make.

Who should choose this Richmond tour

I would choose this tour if I wanted a quick, guided introduction to Hollywood Cemetery and did not want to spend two hours walking. It is especially useful for a first visit to Richmond, when the names and stories may not mean much without explanation.

History-minded visitors should find plenty to work with. The tour links cemetery residents to presidents, military figures, business leaders, writers, Richmond, and the broader United States. That variety keeps the visit from being tied to only one era.

It also suits visitors who prefer a small group. Six people is a manageable number, and the format gives you a better chance to hear the guide than you would in a large group.

I would hesitate if you dislike Segways, need a fully flexible route, or want to spend long periods at individual graves. This is an active overview, not a quiet self-guided walk. The vehicle saves time, but it also shapes the way you experience the cemetery.

Should you book the Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour?

Book it if you want to see more of Hollywood Cemetery in about two hours and prefer stories, structure, and movement over a slow solo visit. The strongest reasons are the small group, the wide range of Richmond figures, and the guide’s reported strength with both Segway operation and local history.

Andrew is specifically praised by name, but guide availability can vary by date. The tour is a good fit for anyone age 14 or older who is comfortable riding a Segway and can arrive 30 minutes early.

Skip it if your ideal cemetery visit means wandering alone, stopping wherever you like, or avoiding motorized sightseeing. For everyone else, this is a practical way to turn a large and important Richmond cemetery into a focused history lesson without spending the whole afternoon on foot.

FAQ

How long is the Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 2:00 pm.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the tour begins.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Hollywood Cemetery.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 14.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted or refunded.