Are you a Southern belle who calls Richmond, VA, home? Or are you looking to visit the capital of Virginia for a getaway filled with stunning sightseeing, delicious food, and quirky hidden gems? Whoever you are, you'll be able to find dozens of fun and exciting activities in Richmond, VA.
We've covered all the bases with this activity guide. Are you traveling with kids? City Lifestyle has your back. Are you working on a budget? We have the best free spots picked out for you. Looking to go out on the town while you're there? We'll show you just how lively the nightlife is in Richmond, VA. No matter who you are or what you like to do, anyone can create an itinerary out of City Lifestyle's guide to Richmond, VA.
Fun Things To Do In Richmond, VA
An absolute must-see spot in Richmond, VA, is Belle Isle. Access the isle by crossing a scenic footbridge, but once you're there, you probably won't want to leave. This sanctuary is surrounded by rocks smoothed by water, perfect for sunbathing or sitting on while you dip your toes in the water. The isle also has multiple trails that you can walk through or even mountain bikes across. We're not exaggerating when we say we would do anything to be there right now. So if you're lucky enough to be in Richmond, spend a warm day soaking in the sun and magic of Belle Isle.
If you're visiting the area for the first time, try the RVA TukTuk Sightseeing Tour of Richmond. That's right, you and your travel companions can ride around town in an electric TukTuk! Plus, it's an entirely private tour. You will start on Jefferson Street, then head to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Hollywood Cemetery. The last stop is at the Virginia State Capitol before it ends back on Jefferson Street. This tour is an excellent way to get a feel for the city before really diving into the wonders of Richmond.
Things To Do Outdoors and Indoors In Richmond, VA
If you're in Richmond during warm months or braving the cold for a good time, there are plenty of places to visit while outside. We're going to start with a bang by suggesting you spend an afternoon at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This outdoor adventure land is one of the most visited attractions in the city of Richmond, VA. You can leisurely walk through the grounds, admiring the beautiful flora, or you can immerse yourself even more by digging into the gardening game (pun intended) with gardening classes. Plus, there are fairy houses and Christmas lights during the holidays that will make you feel like you've stepped into another world. As you can tell, there's plenty to do at this uniquely Richmond spot.
If you're recovering from sunburn or the weather's not working in your favor, have no fear. Richmond offers great indoor activities too. We recommend that everyone who visits Richmond make it a priority to go to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This museum is free, which is such a treat considering the abundance of art within the walls. These works of art come from all over the world and can be up to 5,000 years old. The Wall Street Journal even named it a "two-day museum" because one day isn't enough to take it all in.
Fun Things to Do with Kids in Richmond, VA
If it's a bad weather day, but you have kids to entertain, head to the Science Museum of Virginia. This is an excellent attraction for curious kids because there are so many exhibits. The themes range from space to geology, plus they're interactive. The Science Museum offers unique experiences like Animal Lab, where visitors can see snakes or scorpions. Or, if you're okay with rodents, you can watch two rats play basketball while learning about classical conditioning. The whole family will get a great story out of that!
It's easy to enjoy the great outdoors in Richmond, especially at Pony Pasture Park. This park is within the James River Park System, and it's chock-full of activities for families with kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. It's accessible to small watercraft so you and the family can take out a canoe or kayak. There are also tons of trails that will get the kids nice and tired up before a picnic, which you can also have on the grounds! An extra perk is free, convenient parking, so you have one less thing to worry about.
Unique Things To Do In Richmond, VA
You might be surprised by the cool yet weird things Richmond has to offer. For one, there's a museum dedicated to one of the most famous horror writers in history, Edgar Allen Poe. Called The Poe Museum, this unusual stop is located in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood of Richmond. Here you can walk inside The Old Stone House and learn more about the literary figure's life. The museum even showcases Poe's childhood bed and early editions of his work. One of the three buildings, the North Building, is dedicated to exploring the mysterious circumstances of Poe's death. You can also find a courtyard, garden, and fountain. If you see two black cats wandering around the premises, don't worry. It's not your imagination. Cats Edgar and Pluto are residents of the museum, which we think is too perfect.
Another pleasantly unusual place in Richmond is Carytown. You can shop until you drop, walk around, enjoy local restaurants, and more at this quirky center. An especially whacky place located in Carytown is the World of Mirth, which sells rare toys for adults and children. If you need a souvenir or gift for a special occasion, you must go to the World of Mirth. Afterward, you can stop at the For The Love of Chocolate candy store to reward yourself for all your hard work. Now that's an adventurous day.
Cheap or Free Things To Do In Richmond, VA
Spending a day, week, or more in Richmond can be cost-effective if you plan it out. On a lovely spring or summer day, you can easily spend hours at Deep Bottom Park. This spot has a dock where you can fish or swim. You can also walk around to admire the hundred-year-old trees or try bird watching. The park has plenty of plant and animal species to observe on top of the typical beach activities.
You can also get a taste of history on the cheap at St. John's Episcopal Church. This is the oldest church in Richmond, and many have passed through it. One of those visitors was Patrick Henry. This Founding Father delivered the famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech to the Second Virginia Convention, which helped fire up the fight for America's independence. Small, half-hour tours are offered at the church, and afterward, you can stop for lunch at the Proper Pie Co. Although this is not a free pie shop, because that's only something of our dreams, it does offer an inexpensive brunch and some of the best pie you can get your hands on. Reviewers note that it's "consistently perfect," so even the harshest pie critic should love it.
There's something so charming about trolleys, and lucky for you, Richmond has the best trolley rides. That's because the very first place in the world to introduce the trolley was Richmond, VA. Yep, it's true. In 1888, Richmond birthed the cutest mode of transportation, and since then, they've kept up with their trolley legacy. Decorated in a period style, the RVA trolleys offer you a chance to tour around the city with the utmost ease.
Things To Do At Night in Richmond, VA
So what's the nightlife like in Richmond? In a word, it's vibrant. The Fan District is a lively, trendy spot with bars, live music, and the best midnight snacks. The Fan District is located near Virginia Commonwealth University's campus, so it's bustling with energy. The Altria Theater is located there too, and it's a hot spot for concerts. However, free live music isn't hard to find. Many people say the Fan District resembles Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is quite the party.
If you're looking to stay in one spot for the evening with alcohol in hand, head to the Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. This brewery is a treat in itself, but they also work with local food trucks, performers, and other events to make Hardywood Park an entire experience. In one place, you can have a beer in one hand, a taco in the other, and your head is bopping along to good music. If you go to a brewery in Richmond, make it Hardywood. You'll be wondering why all breweries don't have food trucks right outside their window too.
After living it up for the night, wake up, put on your walking shoes, and enjoy a scavenger hunt during the day! This grand adventure is through City Spectacles' Let's Roam app, and it's highly entertaining. The great thing about this tour is that you can move at your own pace while looking at the many treasures of Richmond, VA. These hunts are also an excellent idea for any corporate team because you can work on team building in a playful manner. But just a head's up; the scavenger is for ten players or less.
Romantic Things To Do In Richmond, VA
In Richmond and ready for romance? Take your significant other on a sunset walk down the Riverfront Canal because strolling arm in arm has never been more picturesque. You can also go on a canal cruise if you want to pretend like you're in Venice, Italy. The canal has sculptures and exhibits along the way that will take you through four centuries of history.
Do you and your sweetie have a sweet tooth? Take a gourmet chocolate cooking class with Chocolates by Kelly. Located in Short Pump Town Center, this gourmet chocolate shop makes their treats in house, and you can make your own as a gift for your sweetheart. If chocolate isn't your thing, take a home decor class with AR Workshop. There you can craft anything from a framed sign to custom pillows with the help of an instructor. This boutique DIY studio will leave you with knowledge, sentiment, and love-filled home decor that you can gift each other or put in a shared living space.
Things To Do In Downtown Richmond, VA
Wander through the beyond cool Maymont Nature Center and Park located downtown. This well-loved attraction isn't just a park; it's also a farm near the Maymont River. So you can visit with the farm animals or check out the river and look for otters, which occasionally make a special appearance. You can even set up a picnic if you and your travel companions are hungry. This is an excellent activity for toddlers, teens, and adults because there's so much to see, and it's incredibly peaceful. Plus, what person doesn't want to see some otters?
Nothing says tourist like being on a segway, but hey, they're kind of great. Explore the downtown area with Richmond's Segway Landmark Tour. The tour starts on Cary Street, heads past the American Civil War Museum, stops at the Canal Walk, and finishes up at the Virginia State Capitol before heading back to Cary Street. It's the perfect loop around the city! This tour is excellent if it's your first time in Richmond because the guides provide such detailed commentary.
Whenever you find yourself in Richmond, VA, you can enjoy the city and its many activities as a resident or visitor. You won't have any trouble planning out your days there either since you just read a jam-packed itinerary. Now go forth and explore!