Family Things To Do In Richmond Va

Best Things To Do In Richmond Va

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1. Inquisitive kids can satiate their curiosity at the Science Museum of Virginia.

2. Cruise Fountain Lake in Byrd Park in pedal boats, a popular summertime activity.

3. Explore the Black History Museum and Cultural Center for both famous and forgotten stories of African-Americans’ lives in Virginia.

4. Visit Richmond’s landmarks while taking a ride on a historical Richmond trolley.

5. Meet the lions, tigers, and bears at the Metro Richmond Zoo.

The George Washington Equestrian Monument is just one monument in Richmond’s Capitol Square. Photo by author

6. Stroll through Richmond’s Capitol Square, a 12-acre park designed by Thomas Jefferson, and home to the oldest purpose-built U.S. executive mansion still serving as a governor’s residence. One of the many monuments and memorials is the George Washington Monument.

7. Catch a flick at the IMAX Dome in the Science Museum of Virginia, the largest film screen in Virginia.

8. Or see a great childrens production by The Childrens Theatre of Virginia.

9. Spot Bald Eagles in their natural habitat with a tour along the James River.

10. Discover what it was like in colonial times by visiting Colonial Williamsburg, just an hours drive from Richmond.

Learn from the blacksmith at Henricus Historical Park.

11. Or learn about the area’s early settlers at Henricus Historical Park.

12. See what history the archeologists are digging up in Jamestown.

13. Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for one of its family programs .

Take Your Own Fall Photos

As youre making memories this fall, be sure to bring your camera along. Take it along for hikes, for fall foliage viewing, for apple picking, for the pumpkin patch and for all of the other fall moments that you want to make last a lifetime. Dont worry if youre not a pro, any picture is better than none! But if you would like to get better, consider taking a photography class, alone or with other family members. Here are some class suggestions:

The Footbridge And Belle Isle

Belle Isle is the second-largest island in the James River. It’s a wonderful spot to hike or just laze on the flat rocks overlooking the Hollywood Rapids. Walk the 1,040-foot long footbridge suspended under the Lee Bridge, and getting there is part of the fun.

Once on Belle Isle, take the 1-mile trail around the island and check out the remains of a power plant and a Confederate gun emplacement. The island was the site of a notorious Civil War prison camp where over 1,000 Union soldiers died under horrific conditions. Today, the island offers hiking, mountain biking trails, and rock climbing, and it’s a very popular destination on a warm sunny day. It’s fun to watch kayaks and rafts shoot the rapids, but the current is not safe for swimming.

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Historic St Johns Cemetery

Located at St. Johns Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous Give me liberty or give me death speech, this cemetery served as the first public cemetery in Richmond and was the final resting place for a number of significant historical figures. to learn about daily guided tours through the church, graveyard, and grounds.

Location

Bear Creek Lake State Park

Driving time from Richmond: Just over an hour

About an hour west of Richmond in the Cumberland State Forest, youll find Bear Creek Lake State Park. This beautiful, secluded park offers cabins, campsites, picnic sites, hiking, playgrounds and an archery range, as well as plenty of water sports like boating and fishing. You and your family will have access to the 329-acre park, as well as the adjoining Cumberland State Forest. Go to the link above for more information about how to get there or how to reserve a campsite or cabin.

Location22 Bear Creek Lake Rd Cumberland, VA 23040

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Things For Kids To Do In Richmond

Whether its summer, fall, winter, or spring there are plenty of things to do with kids in RVA. Check out these ideas and let us know of others! And dont miss our lists of more activities and attractions in Historic Sites, Museums, Parks & Fun Places, Report Card Rewards, Orchards & Berry Farms, and Special Needs Resources. Visit attraction websites for current hours, exhibits, features, and costs.

  • Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Just a short jump down the interstate and youre at Busch Gardens where the fun takes you to far-away lands. Attractions include rides, roller coasters and exciting shows and dont miss the incredible food and beverages. Water Country USA is 3 miles down the road. Check website for special holiday events and pricing.
  • Chesterfield County Museum & Jail. Built as a replica of the countys 1750 Courthouse, the museum is located directly behind the historic 1917 courthouse. The Old Jail, adjacent to the museum, was built in 1892 and housed prisoners for 70 years. A Civil War Trails sign is located nearby which describes the April 1865 retreat from Petersburg through the county by Robert E. Lees Confederate Army. Free admission.
  • Cheswick Park. Henricos oldest neighborhood park features picnic shelters, approximately a mile of walking trails, and a playground. Great playground for kids. Free.
  • Escape Room RVAoffers a fun activity where you have to work as a team to escape a themed room.
  • T Tyler Potterfield Bridge

    The .3-mile-long T Tyler Potterfield Bridge is fun during the day and evening. On a summer day, the bridge offers a great view of people swimming, kayaking, and rafting in the James River. On the south side of the river, you can watch climbers practicing their skills on the Manchester Wall. You’re sure to see joggers and cyclists as you make your way across the T Pott.

    The bridge begins with a history lesson. The installation Three Days in April tells of the fall of Richmond during the Civil War. In the evening, clusters of light tubes add a slightly alien look to the scene. The bridge is always open, and it’s one of the best things to do in Richmond VA at night. It’s also a perfect spot to watch a beautiful sunrise or sunset over the river.

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    Take A Fall Cooking Class

    Wondering what to do with all of those fresh fall and winter vegetables? Want to know how to make the most of the apples that you picked? Or perhaps you just need some inspiration for all of the holiday cooking and baking that lies ahead. Answer these questions and find some fall-themed inspiration with a cooking class. Take it alone, just send the kids, turn it into a date night, or go with the whole family. Here are a couple of great places to get you started:

    Richmond Va With Kids: 50 Fun Things To Do In Richmond

    The Best Richmond Breweries | Fun Things To Do In Richmond Virginia | Richmond VA Beer Tour

    Richmonds place in U.S. history is distinct, and many of the best things to do in Richmond, VA, include a stroll past monuments or an icon central to America’s origins. One of the oldest cities in the nation, Richmond was the capital city of the Colony of Virginia. It was the site of Patrick Henrys Give me liberty, or give me death speech in 1775, and during the American Civil War, Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy.

    Today, Richmond is known as the River City, and more colloquially as RVA, and there are plenty of modern attractions and things to do for kids and families. While the deep history is evident in monuments, battlefield sites, and the architecture, Richmond is also home to an expansive parks system, 550 aces of river shoreline, and a growing small business economy, including delicious Richmond restaurants, breweries, fun festivals, children’s museums and science centers, as well as a nearby theme park, Kings Dominion.

    To help you navigate this incredible Southern city, weve put together a list of the 50 best things to do in Richmond with kids, as well as a guide to the area.

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    Unique And Fun Things To Do In Richmond Va

    We’ve rounded up more than 25 of the best places to visit in Richmond Virginia. Destinations and activities are grouped based on interest, so you can explore them all or focus on your favorite. Our list includes outdoor fun, historic sites, art museums, cool neighborhoods, places to eat and drink, and great places to stay in downtown Richmond.

    What To Do In Hampton Roads Today

    • Virginia Air & Space Science Center. 541. Speciality Museums Science Museums.
    • Bluebird Gap Farm. 157. Farms.
    • Fort Monroe National Monument. 211.
    • Buckroe Beach and Park. 409.
    • Sandy Bottom Nature Park. 110.
    • Hampton Coliseum. 118.
    • Grandview Nature Preserve. Nature & Wildlife Areas.
    • Old Point Comfort Lighthouse. Lighthouses.

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    Take A Fall Foliage Tour

    When it comes to fall foliage, few places in the world rival Virginia. If youre planning a foliage tour , be sure to check the Virginia Department of Forestrys Fall Foliage Map to find peak viewing times and locations throughout the state. You can also try one of the Department of Forestrys recommended driving routes:

    Of course, if youd prefer to stick closer to home, youll have plenty of chances to see changing leaves at local spots like Maymont and Forest Hill Park.

    Take A Trip Back In Time With A Visit To The Maymont Estate

    Learn how the upper crust lived in the Gilded Age of the 1880s through 1910s while getting hands-on education about nature today. The 100+ acres of the Maymont Estate has something for the entire family. Begin with a tour of the Victorian-era mansions 33 rooms, where you can see what life was like both Upstairs and Downstairs. Then, give the kids some time to run around in the estates vast lawns and gardens. After a picnic lunch, stop by the Nature Center to see hundreds of aquatic and amphibian species, from seahorses to otters to venomous snakes.

    Maymont also has a calendar full of kid-friendly events, ranging from geocaching to their unique One House, Two Worlds experience, scheduled for September 14, which helps kids 8 & up learn about the dichotomy of life between the well-to-do and their service staff.

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    Get Ready For Some Football

    For many of us, fall means one thing FOOTBALL. Whether you support the local University of Richmond Spiders, always cheer on your alma mater or just cant get enough of the Friday night lights at your local high school, fall football is a must. Tailgates, team colors and cheering crowds.theres just nothing quite like it. You can even add some excitement to your next family gathering by starting a friendly game of your own!

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    Coastal Virginia:In less than two hours by car from Richmond, tourists can soak up even more history by visiting Norfolk, best known as the home of the world’s largest naval base. In addition to several military attractions, like the Battleship Wisconsin and tours of the base, Norfolk is home to fine museums, a botanical garden, and an excellent zoo. The family-favorite Virginia Beach is not far from here, where you can find plenty of traditional beach town recreation, as well as an impressive aquarium and many other things to do.

    Beaches Galore: Despite its size, the coastal state of Delaware has an incredible amount of shoreline thanks to its shape and position on the eastern side of the peninsula it shares with Maryland. Most of Delaware’s most popular beaches are located within the protected area of Delaware Bay, which provides calm swimming conditions, although the highly popular Rehoboth Beach sits right on the Atlantic, beckoning tourists and locals alike.

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    Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

    Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg is 67,000 square feet of splashing good times. How does a four-story treehouse, 1,000 gallon tipping bucket, four pools, eight slides, two giant hot tubs, and a wave pool sound? Stay the night and enjoy the waterpark all you want passes are included. Arrive early to maximize your park fun time!

    Forest Hill Park Loop

    Maymont Park & Deep Run Park | Fun Things To Do In Richmond Virginia | Parks In Richmond VA

    With an incredible array of natural beauty from open fields to forested ravines to wetlands Forest Hill Park Loop offers a chance to be surrounded by nature without ever leaving the city. But, the park itself also provides a peek into the areas history. Forest Hill Park is listed in Virginias Historic Register and was once home to a quarry, served as an estate, and even operated as an amusement park in the 1920s. Enjoy the trails, but be sure to explore the rest of the park, play on the playground, have a picnic or just sit back and enjoy a beautiful spring day.

    Hiking Time: 1 ½ 2 hoursActivities: Hiking, biking, trail running, bird watching, picnicking, playgroundsParking: Parking is available in the parks main lot.Location: 4021 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23225Contact: 646-0036

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    Virginia Beach And Boardwalk

    Virginia Beach, VA Who doesnt love the beach? When it comes to free places in Virginia, this is a staple. Virginia Beach is only a 2 hour trip for Richmond which makes it perfect for a family day trip! While there is a parking fee during the summer but the beach is free and there are public restrooms all along the boardwalk. If you go all the way to the end of the board walk you can find cheap parking, a public restroom right off the sand and a huge play area for the kids!

    Know of some other incredible free places in Virginia? Share them with us and well add them to our list!

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    Peanut Butter And Pine Cone Feeders

    This classic project is fun and easy for all ages. Simply gather a few pinecones from your yard or local park, coat them in peanut butter , then sprinkle them with bird seed. A piece of yarn, ribbon or twine tied to the top of the pinecone can be used to hang the completed feeders from a tree or porch railing. Find complete instruction at Fountain Avenue Kitchen.

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    Short Pump Town Center

    Short Pump Town Center

    Despite its name, this site is anything but short on attractions. Its one of the best places to visit in Richmond. Short Pump Town Center has so much for locals and tourists to visit.

    This is a shopping and entertainment complex unlike any other in Virginia.

    At Short Pump Town Center, you can choose between a plethora of stores, including plenty that are unique to the area.

    Theres also all kinds of great dining to be had here. You can get Mexican, Italian, and Vietnamese, among other cuisines.

    Short Pump Town Center is one of the best places to visit in VA due to how exciting it is.

    You can also catch musicians and hilarious comedians around here. Come by for a weekend thats sure to be packed with fun.

    Address: 11800 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233, USA

    Science Museum Of Virginia

    Heath Oldham / Shutterstock

    Few places make learning come alive quite like how science museums do. The Science Museum of Virginia is one of the best science museums in the country.

    Its one of the most fun and enriching experiences you can have on a vacation.

    The beauty of science is that it involves so many things. Theres physics, chemistry, biology, and more.

    This wondrous VA museum provides minds of all kinds and all ages with inspiration.

    Should you want to be really awestruck, you should catch a movie at The Dome, which features the biggest screen in all of Virginia.

    If you have a child with a budding interest in music, the Science Museum of Virginia is where to take them.

    Go through various exhibits and interactive displays to help them get their minds opened even more.

    Its the kind of experience theyll be sure to cherish for the rest of their lives.

    Address: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA

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    Mt Rogers National Recreation Area

    Marion, VA This location is a haven for lovers of the outdoors! Spanning across nearing 200,000 acres, this location boasts hundreds of miles available for hiking, biking and walking. There are beaches for fishing or just sun bathing! For the more adventure members of your family, the hike to the top of Virginias highest mountain! If a day trip isnt enough, there are plenty of camping locations.

    Childrens Museum Of Richmond

    Meanwhile, the Childrens Museum of Richmond checks all the appropriate childrens museum boxes. It houses every exhibit that youd expect to find at a childrens museum is here. Grocery Store? Check. Water table with balls and boats? Check. Dinosaur Exhibit? Check. Tree house with slide? Its got that too.

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    Walk Or Cruise Along The Canal

    It was George Washington who urged the Virginia General Assembly to build a canal and roads to connect east coast harbors to western markets. The result was the James River-Kanawha Canal, which you can follow today along 1.25 miles of paved promenades interspersed with historic sights, statues, and markers telling Richmond’s four-century story.

    Along the Canal Walk is Brown’s Island, the scene of outdoor concerts and the annual Richmond Folk Festival, and the American Civil War Center at the former Tredegar ironworks. You can also cruise the canal on 40-minute historical tours, which depart on the hour from the Turning Basin, between 14th and Dock streets on Virginia Street.

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