Hands-On Workshops
Richmond 2007/2008

The Omni Hotel

Until 30 days before the start of each of the workshops, the Omni Richmond Hotel is holding a limited number of rooms for BrainTrain workshop participants at a special workshop rate. Rates are as follows:

September Workshops  =  $145/night
January Workshops      =  $159/night
February Workshops     =  $152/night

The Omni Richmond Hotel is an integral part of the James Center, a magnificent office, hotel, restaurant, and retail complex located in the heart of Richmond’s financial district. Shockoe Slip, Richmond’s historic restaurant and shopping district, is just outside the front door, where boutiques, restaurants, pubs, and galleries line cobblestone streets. The hotel is within walking distance of the State Capital, Governor’s Mansion, White House of the Confederacy, the Medical College of Virginia and the Canal Walk. It offers deluxe guestrooms with wireless internet service and a large indoor pool and outdoor deck area with access to the YMCA. For reservations, call (804) 344-7000 or toll free at 1-800-THE-OMNI and mention the BrainTrain workshops to get this special rate.
 

Full of U.S. History!

Richmond is the only city in the US that has been burned in wartime twice in its history, first during the Revolutionary War in 1781, and again, less than 100 years later, during the Civil War. Among Richmond’s historic places not-to-be-missed are: Richmond's Canal Walk, which meanders 1.25 miles through downtown Richmond along the banks of the first canal in the U.S.; Hollywood Cemetery, with its panoramic view of the James River, where you can visit the tombs of two U.S. presidents, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Edgar Allan Poe, and a pyramid memorial to over 50,000 Civil War soldiers; the White House of the Confederacy and other Civil War sites (for more information go to http://www.civilwartraveler.com/virginia/va-central/richmond.html); St. John’s Church in beautiful, historic Church Hill, where Patrick Henry gave his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech; Monument Avenue, featuring magnificent homes and monuments to Civil War leaders; the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, which boasts the world's finest collection of Edgar Allan Poe's manuscripts, letters, first editions, memorabilia and personal belongings; Maymont, once a 100-acre Victorian estate which continues today to reflect the splendor of the Gilded Age and also offers carriage rides and exhibits to view bison, black bear, otters and hundreds of other animals.

A great place to shop!

Richmond is a great place to shop and features more shopping centers per capita than any other U.S. city. Be sure to visit Carytown, which, though it's only one street long, boasts an eclectic variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and food stores. You can shop for antiques, CDs, clothing, pianos, oriental rugs, toys, and furniture.

Carytown is also the home of the Byrd Theatre, a dazzling movie palace built in the early 20th century that still operates as a movie and entertainment theater. On Saturday evenings, a Wurlitzer organ, which once accompanied silent movies, is played and the staff dresses in 1920s clothing. A stunning work of gilded architecture, the Byrd features atmosphere and big-screen flicks for under two dollars!