Long celebrated for its centuries-old history, Richmond is now emerging as a hip destination. A flurry of new galleries and restaurants as well as a flourishing craft-beer scene reflect a hotbed of creativity in Virginia's soulful Southern city. Downtown's revitalized Broad Street corridor is the nexus of the city's evolution, and the place where the highly anticipated Quirk Hotel will debut this month. Richmond is also making a name for itself as a serious culinary destination, where artisans hone their craft and gourmands delight in farm-to-table restaurants. Here are ten things to do in this Southern capital of cool.

Quirk Hotel

Opening to coincide with the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, the famous international cycling race, the Quirk Hotel is the city's first design-driven boutique hotel. It serves as the anchor for the burgeoning arts district on Broad Street. Ted and Katie Ukrop—of the family behind the Ukrop's supermarket chain—have preserved an important piece of Richmond heritage by repurposing it as a hotel: The structure had been an historic department store, J.B. Mosby & Co, and dates back to 1916. A painstaking, no-holds-barred restoration has created a hotel that's as much a magnet for locals as it is for visitors. Even the old pine floors (removed for earthquake retrofitting) were recycled into custom-designed furnishings (like lobby bars, beds). There’s a rooftop terrace, a coffee bar showcasing locally roasted beans, and a restaurant helmed by chef David Dunlap, who has an impressive resume with stints at Alain Ducasse's Adour, the Jefferson Hotel in D.C., and the Inn at Little Washington.

Quirk Gallery

Katie Ukrop's highly Instagrammable gallery Quirk Gallery has been the home to an eclectic, well-curated mix of artwork and decorative items for over ten years. Now Quirk Gallery is moving into a new home on the ground floor of the hotel. The work of local artists like Susie Ganch is also showcased throughout the hotel.

Verdalina

Just steps from Quirk Hotel, this stylish boutique is a champion of "slow fashion." Opened in 2013, Verdalina offers high-quality clothing, accessories, and beauty products that are made in a sustainable way with fair trade and organic materials. The shop’s décor also reflects this mission, designed with antiques and repurposed wood doors.

Saison

Around the corner from the Quirk Hotel, this New American restaurant and gastropub in the historic Jackson Ward quarter has made headlines for seriously good Southern food with a Latin American twist. Saison offers an impressive beverage selection—from craft beer to inspired cocktails that could stand their ground in any cosmopolitan metropolis. (Try the Baby Alpaca, a pisco sour with a twist.) And did we mention the fried-chicken special on Sundays?

Ardent's dog-friendly garden is packed on weekends. Courtesy Ardent Taproom

Ardent Craft Ales

Located in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood, Ardent Craft Ales is a 15-barrel brewery and tap room with a number of tasty craft beers on tap. (The newest release? A sweet-potato-and-sage-flavored brew for the autumn season.) An added bonus: The beer garden is child- and dog-friendly, and you can bring your own picnic or even order food to be delivered while you savor your cold beverages.

Library of Virginia

Presiding over Broad Street across from the State Capitol, the Library of Virginia hosts a number of events and free exhibitions. (Remaking Virginia: Transformation through Emancipationruns through March 2016). Beyond the impressive collection of books and manuscripts, the library has free Wi-Fi as well as a fabulous boutique called the Virginia Shop. The mission-driven café provides training and jobs for persons with disabilities.

Rosewood Clothing Co.

Opened in December 2014, Rosewood features a fun mélange of new and vintage clothing along with home goods, beauty products, and jewelry. There’s a special emphasis on locally crafted items, as Rosewood works to support the city’s small-scale designers and artists.