Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour in Richmond

History moves faster on two wheels. Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour combines an unusual ride with stories about the city’s most important people, letting you cover more ground than you could on foot. I especially like the chance to see two U.S. presidents, Lewis Ginter, Ellen Glasgow, and JEB Stuart in one visit, and I like that a guide adds context you could easily miss alone. The main drawback is the minimum age of 14, which rules out younger children.

The tour lasts about two hours and begins at 2:00 p.m. at 412 S Cherry St. You need to arrive 30 minutes early for preparation, so plan on giving the experience about two and a half hours of your day. The small maximum of six people should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions, though a Segway may not suit everyone.

Key Points At A Glance

• A cemetery best seen with wheels: The Segway helps you cover more of Hollywood Cemetery without spending the full visit on foot.
• Major Richmond names in one outing: The route includes burial sites connected to two presidents, Lewis Ginter, Ellen Glasgow, JEB Stuart, and other notable figures.
• A small-group experience: The maximum group size is six, which allows for a more personal tour.
• A guide adds the missing connections: You hear how cemetery figures connect to Richmond and wider U.S. history.
• Plan for early arrival: The tour starts at 2:00 p.m., but you should arrive by 1:30 p.m.
• A strong rating with one useful warning: The tour has a five-star rating from 12 reviews, while one rider noted there was no phone number available for a lost water bottle.

Why Hollywood Cemetery Makes A Good Segway Route

Hollywood Cemetery is not simply a place to check off a list of famous graves. It is one of Richmond’s major historic sites, and the tour presents it as the second most visited cemetery in the country after Arlington. That gives you a sense of its scale and importance before the ride even begins.

The cemetery contains the graves of two U.S. presidents, along with people tied to politics, business, literature, military history, and Richmond’s growth. The names supplied for the tour include Lewis Ginter, Ellen Glasgow, and JEB Stuart. Each offers a different path into the city’s past, so the visit is not limited to one period or one kind of historical figure.

I like the Segway format here because cemeteries can be deceptively large. On foot, you may spend much of your time walking between locations, checking a map, and trying to decide which graves matter most. A Segway gives you better visibility and lets you reach more parts of the grounds during a two-hour outing.

That does not mean the ride removes all physical effort. You still need to stand, listen, steer, and follow directions. But for anyone who wants to see more than a short walking route allows, the vehicle has a clear practical benefit.

What The Two-Hour Route Covers

The only listed stop is Hollywood Cemetery, but that single stop contains the whole experience. This is not a tour that rushes you from one attraction to another. Instead, your time is spent moving through the cemetery while the guide points out important burial sites and explains why the people connected to them mattered.

You can expect the guide to introduce the cemetery’s notable figures, including two presidents, Lewis Ginter, Ellen Glasgow, and JEB Stuart. The value is in the links between these people and the wider story of Richmond and the United States. A name on a marker can be easy to overlook. A guide can explain the role that person played and why the grave deserves your attention.

The route also gives you a broader view of the cemetery than you might get by wandering alone. The Segway lets you see more sights in less time, and its raised position gives you a useful line of sight. That can help you stay oriented in a large cemetery rather than focusing only on the next path or marker.

At the end, the activity returns to the starting point. That makes the outing simple to fit into a day of sightseeing, since you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the finish.

Why The Guide Matters Here

The strongest part of this experience is the guide’s role. The tour is not just a Segway rental with a map. It is a guided history ride, and the guide supplies the stories and connections that turn a cemetery visit into a clearer picture of Richmond.

Andrew receives specific praise for explaining the cemetery, the city, and the way both fit into U.S. history. That combination is important. You are not only learning who is buried at Hollywood Cemetery. You are also hearing why those people matter beyond the cemetery gates.

The guide must handle two jobs at once: teaching Segway safety and operation, and leading a history tour. One five-star comment specifically praises the guide’s ability in both areas. That balance matters because a nervous first-time rider needs clear instructions before the historical talk can really begin.

A small group of no more than six people should help. You are less likely to be lost in a crowd, and it should be easier to ask Andrew or another guide for clarification. Small groups can also make the pace feel less mechanical, though the experience still depends on the day’s guide and the group’s comfort with the Segways.

Learning To Ride Before The History Begins

Arrive 30 minutes before the 2:00 p.m. start. That early arrival is not a minor suggestion. It gives the operator time to prepare you for the Segway, explain safety procedures, and make sure you are ready before the group enters the cemetery.

The tour is designed for participants aged 14 and older. You should take that age rule seriously when planning a family visit. A younger child cannot simply join because the cemetery itself is open to the public.

The guide’s safety instruction is one of the better parts of the setup. A five-star rating specifically praises the combination of Segway operation and cemetery history, suggesting that the training is treated as part of the experience rather than an afterthought. You should still expect to pay attention and follow directions closely.

The casual dress code keeps packing easy. Wear clothes that allow you to stand comfortably for the length of the tour, and consider bringing water. One rider accidentally left behind a good water bottle and found there was no phone number available for checking on lost property. That is a small point, but it is useful: keep hold of your belongings during the ride and check your gear before leaving.

How The Segway Changes The Visit

The key reason to choose this tour is efficiency. Hollywood Cemetery has enough notable sites and stories that walking can limit how much you see in two hours. On a Segway, you can move between areas more quickly and spend more of the tour listening rather than simply covering distance.

The raised viewpoint is another advantage. The tour information specifically points to the Segways’ good visibility. You will have a different view than someone walking at ground level, which can make it easier to take in markers, paths, and the general layout of the cemetery.

I would not choose this experience simply because a Segway sounds entertaining. The real value is the combination of mobility and interpretation. The vehicle helps you reach more sights, while the guide explains what you are seeing. Remove either part, and the outing becomes less useful.

There is also a tradeoff. A Segway requires your attention. You may need to concentrate on steering and balance, especially at the start, instead of giving every detail your full focus. If you prefer to stop often, read markers quietly, or move at your own pace, a self-guided walking visit may suit you better.

Value, Group Size, And Time

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost against competing Richmond activities. I can still assess what you receive for the time involved. The package includes a professionally guided two-hour tour, all taxes, fees, and handling charges, and a maximum group of six.

That small group is important when considering value. You are not paying only for transportation around the cemetery. You are paying for a guide who handles safety, route planning, and historical explanation, while the Segway allows you to see more than a short walk might cover.

The experience does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, Virginia. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are not driving, but the exact transport option is not specified.

The 2:00 p.m. start also shapes your day. You can use the morning for another Richmond sight, have lunch, and arrive by 1:30 p.m. for check-in and preparation. Since the tour returns to its starting point, you can continue with dinner or another activity without arranging a second pickup.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

This is a good fit if you want history with a bit of movement. You will probably appreciate it most if you are curious about Richmond’s political, military, literary, and business figures but do not want to spend two hours walking across cemetery grounds.

It also suits first-time Segway riders who want instruction before setting off. The guide’s role in safety and operation is part of the appeal, and the small group should make the introduction less intimidating than a large commercial tour.

Families with teenagers aged 14 and older can consider it, provided everyone meets the age requirement. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes standing for extended periods, feels uncomfortable on wheeled vehicles, or prefers complete control over the route. The tour is guided, so you follow the group rather than stopping wherever you please.

Practical Details Before You Book

The tour is offered in English, and your confirmation arrives at the time of booking. The meeting point is Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220. The activity finishes back at that same location.

Allow at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start. For a 2:00 p.m. departure, arrive by 1:30 p.m. That buffer should prevent a rushed start and gives you time to deal with any preparation required before riding.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refundable, and changes within that same period are not accepted. The cutoff follows Richmond’s local time.

Because the group is capped at six, I would book ahead if this is a key part of your Richmond plans. The small capacity is good for the experience, but it also means fewer places are available for each departure.

Should You Book The Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour?

I would book this tour if you want to see a large, important cemetery without spending the whole visit on foot. The strongest reasons are the access to multiple notable burial sites, the guide’s historical storytelling, and the small group size. Andrew’s ability to connect Hollywood Cemetery with Richmond and the wider United States is a particular reason to look forward to the experience.

I would skip it if you want a quiet, self-paced cemetery visit or if you are unsure about riding a Segway. The age minimum also makes it unsuitable for families with younger children.

For most visitors aged 14 and older who enjoy history and want to cover more ground, this is a practical two-hour choice. Arrive early, keep track of your belongings, and treat the Segway as a useful way to reach the stories, not as the whole point of the outing.

FAQ

Where does the Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour begin?

The tour begins at Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 2:00 p.m. You should arrive 30 minutes early, by 1:30 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour finish?

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

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 14 years old.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.