It doesn’t require gas, it is safe for the environment, it is easy to maneuver, does not require technical expertise... and it can go places most vehicles can’t. It is being used for commuting, traversing malls and campuses, on golf courses, and now it even has an all-terrain capability.

The hottest travel news for 2009 is Segway...a ‘mean, green touring machine!’

Although the emergence of this ‘wonder machine’ began approximately 5 years ago, new improvements - including the ‘all-terrain’ X2 Model - have brought new interest to Segway. These improvements have added new appeal to Segway’s role in travel and touring.

Walking tours are ever-popular because they provide a truly ‘up-close’ and personal tour experience. Segway offers this same ‘up-close’ perspective, but on two wheels!

Where can you experience a Segway tour?

With this being Edgar Allan Poe’s Bicentennial... Richmond, VA , is a natural choice.

There are currently four different Segway tours being offered in Richmond, VA by Segway of Richmond. There is the Landmark Tour - a full length tour lasting approximately two hours. There are also two ‘Micro Tours’ - the Church Hill Tour and the Hollywood Cemetery Tour - each lasting approximately 2 hours. New this year, in honor of the Edgar Allen Poe Bicentennial- Tour Poe's Richmond. The tours includes approximately fifteen minutes of orientation on the handling and maneuvering of the Segway.

The Landmark Tour allows tour goers to explore wonderful Richmond historic landmarks including:The John Marshall House, the Wickham House, Valentine Richmond History Center, MCV/VCU, Museum of the Confederacy, White House of the Confederacy, Old City Hall, Egyptian Building, Monumental Church, Capitol Square/Executive Mansion/Bell Tower, St. Paul's Church, Shockoe Slip, Canal Walk, The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar and more.

Hollywood Cemetery Tour explores the historic resting place of 3 presidents, 18,000 confederate veterans, 26 generals, and others who played significant roles in Richmonds historic and cultural past. Dedicated in 1849, this park-like cemetery has scenic views and overlooks the Falls of the James River.

Church Hill Tour includes the original 32-blocks of Richmond as laid out by Major William Mayo in 1737.On this tour, visitors experience the many great examples of Greek Revival, Federal and Victorian styles of architecture.In addition, Segway-ers will also see St. John's Church where Patrick Henry gave his “give me liberty or give me death” speech, Main Street Station, Libby Hill Park, 17th Street Farmer's Market, Poe Museum, Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument, and Chimborazo.

Touring Edgar Allan Poe's Richmond in honor of Edgar Allan Poe's bicentennial, tour-goers have an opportunity to visit historic sites that were relevant to the much cherished author.

Linden Row Inn
Franklin Street, between 1st and 2nd Streets

When Poe was a child, this block was a garden belonging to Charles Ellis, the business partner of Poe's foster father, John Allan. When Poe was eleven, he lived for a year with the Allan's in Mr. Ellis's house across Franklin Street from the garden, where the public library now stands. Only a small part of the Ellis garden remains. It was once known for its linden trees, hence the name Linden Row.When he was about sixteen, Poe fell in love with a girl named Elmira Royster. Because her father disapproved of the relationship, Poe and Elmira met in secret (supposedly in this garden) and became secretly engaged before Poe left town to attend the University of Virginia.

Poe's Boyhood Home- Moldavia
The plaque is located on the 5th Street wall of the Bob Cole Salon at 5th and Main Streets.

On this site once stood one of Poe's boyhood homes, a mansion called Moldavia, built in 1790. It was a large mansion with a large, columned portico on the south end, facing the river. In Poe's day, the view of the river from the second floor of that portico would have been unobstructed by the large buildings that now stand in the way.

Poe Statue-Virginia State Capitol Grounds
(next to Bell Tower Visitor Center—close to 9th and East Franklin Streets)

This statue of Poe was placed in the Capitol grounds in close proximity to one of his boyhood homes and the house in which he was married (both now demolished). It was commissioned by Dr. George Barksdale of Philadelphia and sent to Richmond in 1956. It was not until 1958 it was placed on the Capitol grounds.

Monumental Church
12th and College Streets

On this site once stood the Richmond Theatre, where Poe's mother performed to enthusiastic audiences until within months of her death in December 1809. Just over two weeks after her death in 1811, the theatre burned during a performance on the night after Christmas. Among the seventy-two victims of the fire were the Governor of Virginia and a former United States Senator.

Elmira Shelton House
2407 East Grace Street

Built in 1844, this was the home of the woman to whom Poe was engaged both when he was seventeen and when he was forty.

The story of Poe and Elmira Royster is retold in a number of places by different parties. Even during Poe's lifetime, it inspired a story written by Poe's brother, and newspaper articles written at the end of his life also mention their relationship. Elmira's obituary also tells the sad tale of the two ill-fated lovers.

Club Velvet
(Site of the office of the Southern Literary Messenger)
Southeast corner of 15th and Main

It was in an office on this corner that Poe began his career in journalism as editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. In what would become a pattern of behavior, Poe quarreled with his boss, Thomas White, and left after 17 months, which is the longest period Poe ever worked for a single magazine.

Old Stone House
1916 East Main Street

After escorting Lafayette to the nearby Masonic Lodge, Poe and the honor guard took the General to the Old Stone House, the residence of the Ege family which had helped supply Lafayette's troops during the Revolution.

Talaverra
2315 West Grace Street

This farmhouse was built in 1838 by the Talley family. The daughter Susan Archer Talley, was a poet and friend of Poe's sister Rosalie. Poe and his sister spent many evenings here during the summer of 1849. Susan Talley, writing under her married name Susan Weiss, described Poe's final private reading, given here just two weeks before his death.

This year, 2009, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, a literary figure who had - internationally - a profound and lasting effect on literature. To celebrate this bicentennial year, Virginia historic sites, libraries and performing arts centers will be hosting performances, exhibits, book signings, lectures, and other educational and cultural opportunities to celebrate Poe's life and to explore his lasting influence on popular culture... and the city he once called home.