tacky light tour trolley

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2024 tacky lights tour list, tacky lights near me:, tip: generate driving directions to your favorites, lights dispatched on the tacky lights tour, high country lights.

97 601 S Main St, Galax, VA 24333, USA 250,000 lights with 34 years of experience lit from November 23-January 1 6:00pm-10:00pm. Save to Favorites View

Irvine Christmas

8 11912 Gardengate Rd, Clover Hill, VA 23112 60,000 lights with 5 years of experience lit from November 25-January 1 5:00pm-11:00pm. Save to Favorites View

Christmas On Wendhurst

6 9716 Wendhurst Drive,Glen Allen,VA 23060 US 203,271 lights with 25 years of experience lit from November 23-December 31 5:30pm-10:00pm. Supporting Tunnel to Towers . Save to Favorites View

Stern Family Holiday Light Show

4 108 Sheffield Way, Newport News, VA 23602, United States 50,000 lights with 22 years of experience lit from December 1-December 25 5:30pm-9:30pm. Supporting Thrive Peninsula Foodbank . Save to Favorites View

The Jones Family Christmas Extravaganza

3 1-385 Colonial Dr, Surry, VA 23883, USA 20,000 lights with 38 years of experience lit from November 1-January 2 5:00pm-12:00am. Supporting Toys for Tots . Save to Favorites View

Christmas Fantasyland in Traveler's Run Subdivision

2 6444 Little Sorrel Drive,Mechanicsville,VA 23111 US 10,000 lights with 27 years of experience lit from November 25-December 31 5:00pm-9:00pm. Save to Favorites View

2 306 Gardenville Dr, Yorktown, VA 23693, USA 14,250 lights with 19 years of experience lit from December 1-January 6 5:00pm-11:00pm. Save to Favorites View

Shawn's Christmas lights

2 1109 Shore Road,Chesapeake,VA 23323 US 103,752 lights with 15 years of experience lit from November 25-December 27 5:30pm-9:30pm. Supporting Food Bank of Southeastern VA . Save to Favorites View

9625 Peppertree Drive

2 9625 Peppertree Drive,Richmond,VA 23238 US 72,000 lights with 41 years of experience lit from December 1-December 31 5:00pm-10:00pm. Save to Favorites View

What is the Tacky Lights Tour?

Every year Richmond, Virginia hosts the most spectacular Christmas light displays. Hundreds of homeowners decorate their homes with ridiculous amounts of Christmas lights. Cars, limos and buses filled with families, friends and coworkers plan tours throughout the city of Richmond and its suburbs like Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanvover. The Tacky Lights Tour has become an annual tradition for thousands of people.

Is the Tour of Lights Tacky?

No! These spectacular Christmas lights are not tacky at all! In Richmond, tacky is a term of endearment. Tacky represents the houses most overloaded with Christmas lights. Tacky comes in all colors, blinking sequences and holiday designs. Tacky is a Christmas label Richmonders respect and adore.

How to plan a Tacky Lights Tour?

Choose dates and times for your lights tour, gather new friends and family to tour the lights.

While some people might enjoy going out on their own, others prefer to have a group with them. If you fall into the latter category, then you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of ways to gather friends and family and join in on the fun. One option is to rent a van or limo and hit the town together. Or, if you're looking for something a little more laid-back, you can book a bus and tour the countryside. No matter what you decide to do, gathering friends and family together is sure to create lasting memories.

Map a Route to Lights in Richmond

One of the best parts of the holiday season is taking in all of the amazing light displays. If you're looking to plan a route that will take you to some of the best light displays in your area, here are a few tips to help you map it out. First, take a look at your local times dispatch newspaper or website. Many times they will have a list of the best light displays in your area. Once you've made a list of the ones you want to see, start mapping out your route. Keep in mind that some displays may be closed on certain days or times, so you'll want to plan accordingly. Finally, don't forget to factor in things like traffic and parking when you're planning your route. By taking these things into account, you can ensure that you'll have a magical night checking out all of the best light displays in your area.

Dress in Tacky Outfits for the Lights Tour

The holidays are a special time of year when families come together to celebrate. For many, this means dressing up in their best clothes and attending holiday parties. However, there is also a tradition of dressing up in tacky holiday outfits for the occasion. This practice is thought to have started in the Victorian era, when people would dress up in outlandish costumes for times such as Mardi Gras and Halloween. The tradition has continued in modern times, with people often wearing tacky sweaters or Santa hats to holiday parties. While some people find this practice to be in bad taste, others see it as a fun way to celebrate the holidays. Whichever side you fall on, there's no denying that dressing up in a tacky holiday outfit can be a fun way to celebrating the season.

Enjoy Christmas Treats Along the Tour

What's more festive than enjoying hot chocolate and cookies while dispatch times are running? The Newspaper has you covered with a list of the best places to enjoy these holiday treats. From classic cafes to trendy new eateries, there's something for everyone on this list. So whether you're looking for a quick pick-me-up or a leisurely snack break, be sure to check out one of these hot spots. And while you're there, why not pick up a copy of the latest edition of The Newspaper? After all, 'tis the season!

Take New Pictures to Capture the Memories!

In the age of social media, it's easy to snap a chat and share your memories with your friends. But what if you want to remember the details of a special event years from now? That's where taking lots of pictures comes in handy! By taking lots of pictures, you can capture all the small moments that make up a big event. And if you print out the pictures or put them in a photo album, you can enjoy looking back at them for years to come. So next time you're at a party or on vacation, make sure to take plenty of pictures to capture all the memories!

It's that time of year again when the streets are lit up with dazzling displays of holiday lights. If you're looking for a fun way to see all the best light shows in your area, why not try a Tacky Lights Tour? Gather your friends and family and map out a route that will take you to all the best spots. Dress up in your tackiest holiday outfits for the occasion and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and other festive snacks along the way. Take lots of pictures to capture the memories! If you need some inspiration, check out our tips for putting together a successful Tacky Light Tour. Happy holidays!

Richmond Virginia's Guide since 2005

Official tour logo tee, time to dispatch richmond, to the tacky lights tour, add a scavenger hunt, about tacky light tours, plan your tour.

Richmond Tacky Light Tours

Offered Nightly Through December

A Richmond Tacky Light Tour is an annual Holiday Tradition for Many

There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a chauffeured ride to see all Richmond’s tackiest displays on the famed Richmond Tacky Light Tour

About the tour

We do all the work. The entire route is already mapped out when you get in the vehicle and always includes all the biggest light displays in the west end of Richmond. You don’t have to worry about finding houses to see. Our tour focuses on houses in the Glen Allen and Tuckahoe areas of Richmond. The group can select their point of pickup and drop off then we do the rest! Pickup can be from a home, office or centralized meeting spot that’s convienent for the group.

What you ride in

You get to pick your ride! All our tours are private parties so the entire vehicle is just for you and your guests. We don’t offer any by-the-seat tickets so you’ll never be on a Richmond Tacky Light Tour with anyone who is not apart of your group. At Virginia Limousine, we offer the most diverse fleet of luxury vehicles in the Richmond and Central Virginia region so your ride will be just as fun as seeing all of the lights! Your group size will be a determining factor for the type of vehicle and length of the tour.

Light Tour Dates

Tours are offered nightly from the Friday following Thanksgiving throught New Years Eve (typically 11/27 – 12/31).

Friday and Saturday evenings are the most popular and sell out every year.

Light Tour Pricing

Pricing will vary by group size, vehicle type, day of the week and your pickup and drop off location. Pickups outside of Richmond will need more time than the standard tour block to see the full route.

Tour Length & Times

For tours with a pickup and drop off in the Richmond area, the full route takes an average of 3 hours.

Early Tour: 5:00PM – 8:00PM

Late Tour: 8:30PM – 11:30PM

An abreviated 2 Hour Economy Tour is available on weeknights if you meet us in the Park N Ride lot off Mayland and Gaskins.

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Christmas lights near me

Pro-tip: before you tour, christmas in vermont.

57 4149 Us Route 5 S, McIndoe Falls, VT 05821, United States 16,000 lights with 8 years of experience lit from December 2-January 7 5:00pm-8:00pm. Vote Save to Favorites View

Hand-picked cities with free tours.

Don't see your state? Try our search box at the top of your screen!

On the Tacky Light Tour

High country lights.

97 601 S Main St, Galax, VA 24333, USA 250,000 lights with 34 years of experience lit from November 23-January 1 6:00pm-10:00pm. Vote Save to Favorites View

Belvin Family Christmas

40 464 Cherry Lane Rd, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 178,778 lights with 13 years of experience lit from December 1-January 1 5:00pm-8:00pm. Supporting Pocono Township Fire Company . Vote Save to Favorites View

Kurtz Christmas Lights

30 219 Affirmed Dr, Havre de Grace, MD 21078, United States 5,000 lights with 14 years of experience lit from December 1-December 31 6:00pm-10:00pm. Vote Save to Favorites View

Santa's Secret Lights

19 2820 S Stoneridge Dr, Blue Springs, MO 64015, United States 20,000 lights with 8 years of experience lit from November 26-December 31 5:30pm-10:00pm. Supporting Wayside Waifs . Vote Save to Favorites View

PierceLights

18 370 Oak Terrace, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA 56,000 lights with 14 years of experience lit from November 23-January 5 6:00pm-9:30pm. Supporting Wounded Warriors Project . Vote Save to Favorites View

Smith Family spectacular

15 760 Boston Rd, Ontario, NY 14519 5,000 lights with 7 years of experience lit from November 1-January 1 5:00pm-9:00pm. Vote Save to Favorites View

Mission Holiday Lights

14 265 Mission Road,Hackettstown,NJ 07840 US 40,000 lights with 17 years of experience lit from December 7-January 7 6:00pm-10:00pm. Vote Save to Favorites View

Spindler's Family light show

13 2441+Candle+Ridge+Trail,Georgetown,TX 78626 US 12,000 lights with 13 years of experience lit from November 23-January 1 6:00pm-10:30pm. Supporting Brown Santa . Vote Save to Favorites View

11577 Paris St.

12 11577 Paris St.,Henderson,CO 80640 US 20,000 lights with 15 years of experience lit from November 25-January 2 5:30pm-10:00pm. Vote Save to Favorites View

How to find Christmas lights near me?

The Tacky Light Tour website provides many ways to find Christmas lights near me. Visiting Christmas lights near me is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit! Whether you’re looking for a Christmas light drive-thru near you, or just seeking out the nearest holiday display, searching Christmas lights near me can help. All you need to do is search Christmas lights in your area to find a map of Christmas light displays nearby. You’ll then be able to get driving directions so that you can easily find and enjoy Christmas lighting nearest you. Christmas lights come in all shapes and sizes, from colorful walk-along displays to dazzling drive-thru scenes. With Christmas Lights Near Me, you’ll have no problem finding something that fits your taste.

Search for lights near me

Use our search in the top navigation to find lights near your zip code, city or state.

Filter lights by state

Filter the entire application by your state using the drop down list in the left navigation.

Checkout curated cities

Checkout our curated cities above where each city features several Christmas light displays within driving distance.

What is the Tacky Light Tour?

The Tacky Light Tour is the collection of the best Christmas lights in the world. The platform allows you to find, view and learn about holiday displays near you. The platform also enables you to generated driving directions to your favorite Christmas lights. It allows you to upload your pictures, videos and reviews from your Tacky Light Tour. Make the Tacky Light Tour a part of your annual holiday traditions!

Get on the Tacky Light Tour

Have more than 5,000 Christmas lights? Then, you deserve to be featured on the Tacky Light Tour. The Tacky Light Tour is the list of the best Christmas lights in the world. If you have a great Christmas light display, then register them here on the Tacky Light Tour. That allows fans from around the world to enjoy the splendid, electric artwork you have created.

Spice Up Your Trip

Find Your Tacky Stuff

As seen on tv, tacky light tour is the original christmas lights mapping website, about tacky light tours, plan your tour.

Questions? Call or text us at (804) 213-2330

Richmond Tacky Lights Tours

See richmond’s best holiday lights displays on our festive bus, tacky lights tours of richmond.

Hop aboard for some holiday cheer!

Grab your friends, your family, or your co-workers – we’re going tacky light spotting! You and your group will ride in our comfortable, climate-controlled bus to see all the best holiday light displays in Richmond and the surrounding area! 

Highlights include:

• See the wildest, brightest, zaniest, and tackiest light displays all over town
• Customizable – if you have specific homes to see or pit stops to make, let us know (or let us handle everything and see the best of the best)
• BYOB – that’s right, you can bring your beverages on board
• Pick-up and drop-off anywhere within Richmond city limits included

From $500 for a 4-hour tour with up to 14 guests aboard the bus ($550 on Fridays)

New this year: public tours at 5PM and 8PM on Saturday nights! Individual tickets are available for $35 for a 2.5-hour version of our Tacky Lights Tour that visits only the very best spots around town!

What can I bring on the bus?

You may bring all sorts of beverages (just no liquor or glass) and any snacks you want! You may also bring your own music playlist on your phone to plug in to our bus’s audio system.

What CAN’T I bring on the bus?

We do not allow the following on our bus: glass containers, liquor, any kind of smoking, firearms, glitter, or pets.

Are there bathrooms on the bus?

No, but we can make a pit stop during your tour for a bathroom break or a refill.

What if it rains?

The tacky lights tour goes on! We’ll be able to see the lights through the rain with no problem.

What about children?

All passengers require their own seat. Per Virginia law, passengers under 18 must wear a seatbelt, and passengers under eight must have a child safety seat or booster seat.

Book your Tacky Lights Tour:

Why choose Discover Richmond Tours? We have hosted 25,000+ guests to date!

Other Ways to Discover Richmond

Celebrate the holidays with gift boxes, food tours, and more!

Discover Richmond Boxes

Our gift boxes are a collection of Richmond food items and make great holiday gifts for the Richmond lover in your life!

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Private Tacky Light Trolley Tours

Celebrate the holiday season on the trolley.

3 hour Tacky Light Trolley Tour with the RVA on Wheels!

Bring your family, friends, or coworkers on board one of our classic trolleys to celebrate the holiday season and see all the tackiest lights Richmond has to offer!

Three-Hour Private Tours for up to 25 Guests per trolley - $1000.00 Call us → 804-343-1850 10% discount will be applied for tours that are booked and paid in full by November 15th!

Sit back, relax and enjoy the best lights Richmond has to offer!

About this Tour:

Tours available daily from December 2nd through 30th, expect for December 24th and 25th.

Groups are able to choose their pick up and drop off spot. Pick up in the downtown area will not be any additional cost. Pick ups further outside the city may incur additional costs to account for travel time.

Custom Tours

We would also be happy to customize this tour if you would like to arrange for a stop at a restaurant or brewery in addition to seeing some Tacky Lights!

What Is Not Included?

Food and drink are not provided. Bathroom facilities are not available on the trolley, but we can arrange for a bathroom stop along the way.

Enjoy a Great Experience with the Tacky Lights Tour

Tacky Light Tour

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICES TO CHECK AVAILABILITY AS IT CHANGES BY THE MINUTE!

Each friday, saturday, sunday tour includes a stop at a local food partner for a short rest break and refreshments if your group is interested..

James River Transportation

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Richmond Tacky Light Tours

Book a Private Tour for your group or individual tickets on one of our Scheduled Tours

Annual traditions are part of what makes the holiday season so special, and the Richmond Tacky Lights Tour is one of unique ways area residents display their holiday spirit. Each year the houses on the tour up the ante, making the experience feel new every time. That’s what has earned the tour a spotlight on TLC and has made it a popular attraction up and down the East Coast.

When you see the Tacky Lights Tour from our charter buses, you won’t have to navigate traffic or worry about plotting the best route, we’ll handle it all! Whether you’re a seasoned Tacky Lights Tour aficionado or brand-new to the area, the tour experience aboard our buses will quickly make it to the top of your holiday must-do list.

You have your choice of chartering one of our vehicles for your group for a Private Tour or buying individual tickets on one of our Scheduled Tours .

Scheduled Tour Details

Our 3-hour scheduled tours depart at 6:00pm from our Passenger Center: 900 North Allen Avenue Richmond, VA 23220

Scheduled Tour Price: Only $34.00 per person.

• Each tour will have a Guide to provide background information on the houses that are part of the tour
• We anticipate passengers will be able to get off the bus at designated stops subject to CDC recommendations at the time of trip
• A 55-passenger bus will be used with full capacity seating
• A minimum of 25 seats must be purchased in advance in order for the Tour to go
• Ticket email confirmation IS your ticket, print or bring on your mobile device.
• Online ticket sales only.
• No glass containers allowed.
• Paid reservations are required for all ages.
• Buses have Power Outlets for each seat and Wi-Fi.
• All sales final.

James River Guidelines for Scheduled Tacky Light Tours

Reservations are only available on-line or by phone. Reservations at our office or at the bus are not available.

Passengers must sit in their reserved seat.

The first two seats will be reserve for the tour guide.

No paper tickets will be issued.  Drivers will check off passengers on the manifest as they board the bus.

By boarding our bus, every passenger certifies that they:

• Have not knowingly been exposed to anyone with a virus.
• Do not have any symptoms based on CDC guidelines.
• Do not have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher.

Please review James River Transportation’s  Clean Care guidelines  for more information about our commitment to your safety and comfort while travelling with us.

Paid reservations and seat requests may only be made  online  with a VISA, MasterCard or American Express card. Currently, reservations  cannot  be made in-person at our Richmond sales office or at the bus.

Grab Your Friends

Private Tours

Richmond Holiday Light Tours

Text or Call (804) 266-2800

Why Choose Us?

The Best Houses

The best chauffeurs, the best vehicles.

We have been doing these tours for years and we continue to find the best houses year after year.  Count on the Experienced Professionals at Richmond Limousine.

We have the Newest & Nicest Fleet located right here in Richmond, Virginia.  We offer everything from Sedans to Buses ranging from 2-50 passengers.

Our Chauffeurs are all fully screened & background checked.  They undergo rigorous training to make sure you have a safe & memorable experience.

About the Tour

The tacky light tour is a richmond tradition that is fun for all ages..

It's a great way for you and your family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors to get into the holiday spirit.  We have mapped out a tour that includes the most decorated homes from the official list.  We can make stops along the way and even finish out the tour Downtown at the James Center for their outdoor light display.  Our holiday light tours start at just 2 hours in length and may be customized to include time for dinner and/or drinks.  With a complete range of vehicle options, from our 2 passenger sedans to our Stretch Limousines, Party Buses, and Mini Coaches up to 50 passengers, we can handle any size group.  With at least a 3 hour tour we can pick you up from a home, office, or any other location, even a shopping center or restaurant.  During our light tour, you'll be put into the mood with holiday music inside the vehicle.  Our limousines are stocked with bottled water, ice, and glasses.  Guests may bring food and any other beverages.

There's still time left

Mins Minutes

Secs Seconds

3 Hour Holiday Light Tour Rates

Sedans & suvs.

Here is our ALL INCLUSIVE PRICING

Sedans (Sun-Thurs)

2-3 passengers

Full Size SUV (Sun-Thurs)

5-6 passengers

Sedans (Fri & Sat)

Full size suv (fri & sat), limousine style seating, stretch limo (sun-thurs).

6-8 passengers

7-9 passengers

8-10 passengers

SUV Stretch Limo (Sun-Thurs)

12-14 passengers

Sprinter Limo Party Bus (Sun-Thurs)

11-13 passengers

Limo Party Bus (Sun-Thurs)

14-16 passengers

17-19 passengers

18-20 passengers

20-22 passengers

24-26 passengers

26-28 passengers

34-36 passengers

Stretch Limo (Fri & Sat)

Suv stretch limo (fri & sat), sprinter limo party bus (fri & sat), limo party bus (fri & sat), shuttle style seating, luxury shuttle (sun-thurs).

13-14 passengers

 23 passengers 

 31-32 passengers 

 37-38 passengers 

MotorCoach (Sun-Thurs)

48-50 passengers 

Luxury Shuttle (Fri & Sat)

 13-14 passengers 

23 passengers

MotorCoach (Fri & Sat)

Our ALL INCLUSIVE RATES may seem higher than others at first glance, but ours already include gratuity for your chauffeur and all service fees. These are items that other sites leave out until booking. The Tour is located in Henrico and Richmond so depending on how far out your pickup is you may need to add some additional time in order to see the entire tour. There will be a $100 Holiday fee added for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Call today to setup your Reservation!

Tacky christmas light tours - limos & buses.

10101 West Broad Street, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060, United States

Tours from Thanksgiving to New Years

Save 25% with our 2 hour tours.  

2 hour tours depart from the GRTC Commuter Parking Lot at Gaskins & Mayland (Just off 64).

3 hour tours depart from your (local) location.

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Tacky Light Tours

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Plan for a high-voltage holiday.

Holiday tacky light tours celebrate a richmond tradition with a safe and fun activity for family and friends.

Call 804-273-1540 Today  or Request A Tour Online

• Our vehicles are cleaned and disinfected prior to each tour, and drivers wear masks
• Our team knows the tackiest and best award-winning homes
• Tours run from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve
• It’s never too early to book a Tacky Light Tour
• Tours run 7 nights a week with a variety of vehicles to choose
• We design each tour in order to create the best memories and traditions
• Most vehicles have roaring fires (on-screen) and all rides include holiday music
• Tacky Light Tour gift certificates are always available

It’s never too early to book one of our fabulous tacky light tours! Relax with friends, family, or co-workers in one of our elegant vehicles while taking in the views of thousands of twinkling lights and stunning holiday displays. We have already done the work of compiling the most up to date list of homes, some as seen on the Discovery Channel.

Our Holiday Light Tours are 3 to 4 hours in length depending on pick up location and size of your group. Want to get the most out of your tour? Start at the phenomenal Garden Festival of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

James Limousine will pick you up at your home, hotel, or office and whisk you away for a wonderful Richmond holiday tradition. James Limousine’s Holiday Light Tours are available every night from Thanksgiving weekend (some homes may not be lighted) through New Year’s Eve, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Day.

During our Holiday Light Tour, you’ll be kept warm with a roaring fire on the video screen (not available on all vehicles) and we’ll put you in the holiday mood with Christmas music. Our limousines are stocked with water and ice. Guests may bring their favorite champagne, wine, or other beverage if desired.

Reserve a Richmond Tacky Lights Tour

Package pricing is based on the capacity and vehicle type selected for your party. Prices are inclusive of all charges and a suggested gratuity. Please call 804-273-1540 today to make your reservation or Request A Tour Online . Available tour dates fill out fast, so book now.

****  Travel time fees will be added to tour cost for pick ups and drop offs more than 20 minutes away from our facility at 2415 Anniston Street, RVA 23223

We also offer tacky lights tour gift certificates – perfect for holiday gifts..

Call 804-273-1540  or Request A Tour Online

Donna Thornburg

Amazing tacky light tour with robert brown.

I just want to drop you a note about our AMAZING experience last night with James Limousine and our driver Robert Brown.

The Ranallo Family & the McGuire Family – Fantastic Tacky Light Tour

Hannah defrank – squirrels baseball, dean porter andrews – principal, easton & porter group llc.

I just wanted to pass along that I was truly impressed with Daryl -- he was engaging and thoughtful. Wonderful conversation -- and I normally don't particularly engage! You have a true winner!

Nicole Vaughan recommends James Limousine Service

Highly recommend them - I have never had an issue in booking transports for my faculty recruitment needs. Always prompt, courteous, trustworthy, and timely. Glenda who assists me in booking is also fabulous! You cannot go wrong with this company.

Great Customer Service

James Limousine is the best. Have enjoyed working with you and the team -- great customer service!

- Private Client

Christina Childs

Denny grew up in the Richmond, Virginia area and served in the United States Air Force. He worked on fighter aircraft, and spent time in Florida, Alaska, Georgia, the middle east, and Okinawa, Japan. In his travels, he has held a 400-year-old treasure from a Spanish Galleon, flown in an F-15 Eagle, toured Viking cemeteries and Japanese feudal castles, and rode a Camel in Saudi Arabia.

He is married, and has three children and three grandchildren. He enjoys Civil War Reenacting, travelling with his wife, and easin’ on down the road in a shiny, black limousine.

Leave a review for this chauffeur:

Kimberly was born, raised and still resides in Matthews, Virginia. Before joining the James Limousine Driving team in Spring 2019, Kimberly previously worked for 20 years as a CNA in the Healthcare industry, primarily in long-term care and home health.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, particularly her grandmother.

Aaron was born and raised in Richmond, VA and graduated from Potomac Senior High School in Woodbridge in 2011. He has been a Chauffeur since 2018 shortly after returning to the Richmond area. As much as he likes to chauffeur, he also likes to go on long distance trips with family and friends. His favorite city to visit is Miami.

Born in Washington, D.C., raised in Amelia, Virinia, Michael went to Longwood University and used to be a radio DJ. He lives in Chesterfield County, has three children and enjoys playing basketball with his son and riding dirt bikes with his twin daughters. Michael started working at James Limousine in 1997.

Alan is from New York and had a 14-year US Army background serving as a heavy equipment operator. His wife, Annette, also served in the US Army for 12 years as a Nurse. Annette continues her nursing career to date as a civilian. They have 5 children and grandchildren. To relax, Alan enjoys reading novels, working out at the gym, boxing, and playing football and basketball. Alan came to James Limousine with 6 years of limousine driving experience that he gained in New York.

Ernesto has a Bachelors in Computer Science and over 25 years in the Transportation industry in Puerto Rico and Virginia. Outside of work, he is an avid car enthusiast and amateur circuit auto racer.

Vic has been a professional chauffeur for over 16 years. He began his driving career in Denver, Colorado and then worked in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to Richmond, Virginia. He has lived in the Richmond area since 2010. When not working, he loves to spend time with his wife and son.

Born and raised in Charlottesville, Sam moved to Richmond in the mid-80’s for a computer programming job. He spent 30 years in the computer business and retired from the Federal Reserve in 2016. He and his wife live in Hanover where he enjoys playing with his dog Bandit and keeping up with his 3 grand-children. Through the years, Sam has had several part-time jobs outside of his computer work including concert security, massage therapist, and paramedic. He assisted in the delivery 2 babies which was the highlight of his paramedic career.

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Pat and his wife have been Chesterfield residents for over 40 years. They have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren, but Pat is originally from Newport News. He attended Atlantic Christina College in Wilson, NC. During his early adult career he was a tennis coach at The Biltmore Forest Country Club in Asheville, NC and then coached tennis at Winthrop College, in Rock Hill, S.C.. When not driving he enjoys time with his family and following sports, particularly, football and baseball.

As a Richmond native, Tripp’s career includes 25 years in the moving & storage industry and as a Virginia Realtor since 1999. Tripp’s loves are his daughter, son and 3 beautiful granddaughters! He enjoys time with family and friends, church, sports, the outdoors, concerts, meeting people, and exercise. Tripp has always strived to provide a quality service to his clients, so joining the JL Team made perfect sense.

Will joined James Limousine as a driver in early 2019 and is a Richmond, Virginia native. When not driving, he produces commercial music, electronic music, and is a DJ.

Will studied Classical Bass at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and enjoys also enjoy traveling, and yard work in his spare time. He recently got married in Australia.

Andrew joined the James Limousine Driving team in early 2019. In addition to driving, Andrew is an artist, photographer and recreational runner.

He has lived in Virginia his whole life, and loves living in Richmond. When he’s not driving, you can find him drawing or taking photographs, running, or spending time at the rivah.

Born and raised in Petersburg, VA, Nate and has two sisters and a brother. Nate is married, with two sons and a daughter and is the grandfather of three grandsons. He retired from Phillip Morris & has been driving for over 20 years. In his younger years, he was a motorcycle tricks rider and racer, but while adventurous, he always put safety first. Currently, he now enjoys relaxing with family and friends, listening to music and at times playing games. Nate is passionate, caring and an all-around loving guy! When you’re riding with him, know you’re in good hands, because you’re in caring hands!

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As, we cannot guarantee that the group shall be able to travel together as one group, therefore we will reduce the group size down to 4-5 smaller groups per ticket (depending upon group size).

City Sightseeing: Moscow Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

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• The Bus Tour offers unlimited 360° panoramic views of main sights of Moscow.
• Access to audio-guide in 10 different languages which enables to know about Moscow’s history and traditions.
• The three-bus tour routes and 40+ stops around Moscow completes the trip. Draw an itinerary to explore the city on your own.
• There can be a boat tour and bus tour to enjoy panoramic views of Moskva River.
• Smartphone Voucher Accepted. (No need to print)

The City Sightseeing at Moscow begins at Bolotnaya Square with Hop-on-Hop-off bus service. The bus operates on the Red, Green and Orange lines. If you have limited time in Moscow, start your trip on the Redline and get yourself acquainted with the city’s 16 best attractions. The green line, however, covers 26 amazing spots so if you are staying for an extended period catch the green line.

• Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
• Alexander Garden
• GUM State Department Store
• Sofiyskaya Embankment
• Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
• University Square, Vorobyovy Gory Observation Deck
• Hotel Ukraina Pier
• Zaryadye Park
• Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics
• VDNKh Metro Station
• Cosmonauts Alley
• Ostankino Television Tower
• Red Route: Schedule: 10:00 - 18:00 , Loop: 60 Minutes , Frequency: 15 Minutes
• Green Route : Schedule: 10:00 - 18:00 , Loop: 120 Minutes , Frequency: 30 Minutes
• Orange Route : Schedule: 10:00 - 18:30 , Loop: 140 Minutes , Frequency: 30 Minutes
• 24 / 48-Hours Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket
• Red Line Audio Guide: Russian, English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, Farsi
• Green Line Audio Guide: Russian, English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Chinese, Arabic
• Orange Line Audio Guide : Russian English, German, Spanish, Italian, French
• Guided walking tour
• Boat Tour (If option selected)
• Hotel Transfers
• Entrance Fees (Unless Specified)

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You can board the bus at any stop and voucher can be exchanged directly with the driver. Printed vouchers required for this tour and are accepted at all stops. You will receive a ticket in exchange for your voucher, which you must keep until the expiry date/ tour. Please check your ticket to know when it expires. After exchanging your voucher for a ticket, your voucher will no longer be valid. In loss of voucher/ticket, company is not liable for any refund. Book Now! You can use your ticket any day within 12 months.

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Wheelchair Access, Heating Please note that face masks must be worn on board the bus. Orange Route is temporarily suspended   

Operational Details: Walking Tour

• Daily at 10:45 a.m.
• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Meeting point: next to the monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius (Kitay-Gorod metro station)

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• May - October: from 11:30am to 6:30pm (Subject to change)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Departure Point: Zaryadye Park Pier

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Moscow at Night: City Sightseeing Tour by Car/Bus

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When the Sun begins to set, the myriad lights and firefly-like cars buzzing around on the wide highways see Moscow burst into life. This unreal sight is best enjoyed from the height of the capital’s famous viewpoints, Moscow in the evening is truly, truly spectacular. We invite you with pleasure to see the magic of Moscow under the bright night lights!

On this tour, you can expect to see incredible views and the magical transformation sunset has on Moscow’s most iconic buildings, the highlights of which being:

• The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a more solemn yet festive sight with its dimly lit lanterns.
• Basil's Cathedral’s fun and colourful onion domes give off the aura of a mysterious castle, growing out of the darkness of the imposing State Duma building nearby.
• The spectacularly illuminated Bolshoi Theatre and the Alexander Garden walkway, itself painted in a whimsical pattern of shadows.
• The legendary Lubyanka Square, steeped in secrecy; just its hearing its name after dark is enough to trigger goosebumps, given its murky past.
• The House on the Embankment, where old legends are revived and ghostly silhouettes lurk.
• The Russian State Library, where vague shadows have been seen flickering in its windows. Who knows, could this be the legendary bibliologist Rubakin protecting the works of literary art that lie within its walls?
• Incredible views from the height of the observation deck at Sparrow Hills. The candle-like skyscrapers of "Moscow-City" shoot into the night in a blaze of glorious light, all reflected back to the observer by the dark waters of the Moscow River. Lest not forget the blood-red fountains on Poklonnaya Hill! An absolutely fantastic spectacle which cannot be seen by day.

Our expert guides will share one thousand and one interesting stories about the aforementioned and other sights, whilst at the same time detailing the vast history of our beautiful capital, past and present.

Come with us and treat yourself to an unforgettable experience amongst the bright lights if Moscow!

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Meeting point We'll pick you up at your hotel

St. Basil's Cathedral

House on the Embankment

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Vorobyovy Hills

Poklonnaya Hill

Moscow-City

Alexander garden

Russian State Library

Bolshoi Theatre

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• Excursion Moscow at Night: City Sightseeing Tour by Car/Bus
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In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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