Fun Things To Do In Richmond Va

Sample The Craft Brew Scene In Richmond Va

The Richmond Beer Trail includes more than 30 Virginia craft breweries in the Richmond area. The Scotts Addition neighborhood is home to Ardent, Vasen, The Veilhyt, Blue Bee Cider, and Hardywood Park.

If you’re in town on a Thursday night in the warmer months, combine a visit to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery with dinner at the food truck park. It’s a fun, family-friendly scene and the line-up of beers is delicious.

The downtown Capital Ale House offers a big line-up of Virginia brews and a good pub menu so it’s another good pick for a food and brews outing.

Triple Crossing Brewing on Foushee Street has a small deck that’s a nice spot on a warm evening,. Their newer location in Fulton has a much larger tasting room and a huge patio.

Its Easy For Everybody To Have A Great Time Here

Okay, pretend for a minute or two that youre 8 years old. Hello, 8 year-old! Would you like to go on a kayak ride right through the middle of a big city? Do you want to go to Kings Dominion and ride a ride like 800 times? Do you want to feed a giraffe out of your hand? Have you ever seen a giraffe tongue? Theyre bizarre. Do you want to go to a Childrens Museum? Or two? Or three? Do you love crazy ice cream flavors? Zip lines? Animals? Super-giant pieces of cake? Show this website to your mom and dad. Tell them you want to go to the Richmond region because its filled with kid-friendly learning opportunities. And ice cream.

Cool Off At Belle Isle

During the hot and humid summer months, theres no better place to go in Richmond than Belle Isle. This small island lies in the James River and is one of the nicest parks in the city.

There are a number of nice cycling and walking trails that run throughout the island and some large flat rocks for sunbathing at low tide.

The island has an interesting history and was first explored by John Smith in 1607 before being used as a Prisoner of war camp in the Civil War.

These days it is a much more peaceful place and is a great spot to chill out and maybe even take a swim.

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Hit The Jackpot At Rosies Gaming Emporium

If you want in on the action, check out Rosies Gaming Emporium during your time in Richmond.

With over 2,000 themed games the fun never stops and there are a whole bunch of jackpots to choose from.

The emporium is located at Colonial Downs racetrack which means you can really make a day of it and enjoy the best of horse racing, live entertainment and great restaurants all under one roof.

Take A Dip In The James River At Belle Isle Or Texas Beach

Belle Isle is a 54-acre island park in the middle of the James River in downtown Richmond. This was originally a prison camp for Union soldiers during the Civil War. This is a local favorite for things to do in Richmond, VA since the James River has massive, flat rocks that locals love to hop all over and then sunbathe on during the summer, but the rapids surrounding the island can be quite dangerous and swimming is not recommended.

There are a few other ways onto the island depending on the water level of the river, but the most common entrance to Belle Isle is across the suspended pedestrian footbridge on Tredegar Street. Parking can be a nightmare on the weekends so if you are going to check it out, get there before 9 A.M. Otherwise, expect to park up on the hill and walk down.

Texas Beach is a local spot along the James River and you must be adventurous to get to it. Beach is a relatively strong term for what this area is, but locals flock to it nonetheless to enjoy the river. You can access the beach by parking at the Texas Beach Parking Lot and walking the North Bank Trail for about 25 minutes. Please remember that alcohol consumption is not allowed and local police will be looking out for rule breakers.

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Find That Unique Fashion Item And Clap Along With An Organist In Carytown

Carytown is the top shopping destination in Richmond for local boutiques and stores and was coined as the Mile of Style. On this small nine-block stretch of Cary Street, youll be amazed at how many options there are for shopping and dining. Most of the shops in Carytown are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sundays.

Boasting an interesting collection of trinkets and inappropriate greeting cards, Mongrel is one of our favorite shops in Carytown .

With more than 25 restaurants and a local brewery/urban winery combination, you will be able to refuel and recharge after a day of shopping. Grab a seat at a table by the window and get your people-watching on!

We suggest trying lunch at the New York Deli or munching on some tasty sweets at For the Love of Chocolate. If you are up for a dive bar & diner, Galaxy Diner has been in Carytown since Samantha was a child and she still raves about the great milkshakes!

The Byrd just drips with history and has played thousands of movies over the years and even hosts the Richmond French Film Festival every year, too.

Most movie theaters charge $10+ for a movie ticket, BUT the Byrds ticket price of $4 is a steal, especially considering the relatively new releases they screen! On Saturdays, the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ is played throughout the day before showtimes by the house organist. Super cool, and local, experience and is a must-do when looking for things to do in Richmond, VA.

American Civil War Museum White House & Museum Of The Confederacy

Source: acwm

The White House of the Confederacy is better known as the official residence of President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War.

Nowadays your can join guided tours of the mansion and learn all about this historically and culturally significant place.

The museum is located next to the White House and spans three floors where you will find exhibits full of Civil War memorabilia that tell the stories of those who lived and fought during this amazing period of history.

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Maggie L Walker National Historic Site

Learn more about Maggie L. Walker, one of Americas pioneer civil rights activists who grew in recognition and acclaim during the Jim Crow era. The commander of a fraternal organization named the Order of St Luke, Maggi Lena Walker is credited for helping the IOSL grow to more than 100,000 members across 24 states, and for leading them in a manner that boosted racial pride, created advancements for women, and helped uplift the economy. The historic site preserves the family home of Maggie Walker, where she and her family lived from 1905 until her passing in 1934. By 1978, the home became a national historic site and is today regularly visited. Visitors can see Ms. Walkers belongings, the original furnishings of the home, and learn many stories from her legacy.

600 N 2nd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Phone: 804-771-2017

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Take Part In A Tour At Maymont

Another one of the best things to do alone in Richmond is going to Maymont.

You can find here Maymont Mansion, which is a Victorian-style mansion. This is a large mansion that is very interesting to see.

Furthermore, you find a garden and an arboretum here with beautiful nature.

What’s great is that you can do a self-guided tour of the estate. Through this, you can learn more about the estate, which is great!

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Tips And Tours: How To Make The Most Of Your Visit To Richmond

• A Segway through the City: Those who want the convenience of a guided tour and the ability to see a great deal in a short time but prefer to see the city up-close will enjoy the Richmond Landmark Segway Tour. Tourists can choose between one- and two-hour tours, and the guided tour cruises through the Canal Walk, Monument Avenue, and the historic Court End neighborhood, visiting historic landmarks like the State Capitol and the Old City Hall.
• Spooky Doings: Explore the citys haunted past and spooky secrets on a Richmond Ghosts Walking Tour with a local guide. Get ready for some scary ghost stories and spooky tales as you walk the dark streets of Shockoe Bottom and Church Hill. Youll visit nearly a dozen spots with a dark past during your 90 minutes of easy walking in this city that was the capital of the Confederacy and the second largest slave trading center in the south.

Shop Till You Drop At Short Pump Town Center

The open-air mall, Short Pump Town Center is the ideal place for those shopping for luxury high street brands.

Many of the major retail names can be found there including, Michael Kors, lululemon, Pottery Barn and Sephora.

There is a wide selection of shops covering everything from jewelry and clothing to electronics and houseware.

There are also over 20 restaurants and cafes to choose from producing the best of local and globally-inspired flavors.

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Buttermilk Trailforest Hill Park

Running four miles long, the Buttermilk trail is the perfect destination for steady hikers, brave bikers, and nature lovers.

If you are a fan of morning runs, sunrises, forest canopy, and sloppy roads, this Buttermilk trail will be a great ride in the city. But, not for the faint hearts, the trail is one of the oldest and scariest loops of the townwith bikers speeding up and steep alleys pulling you down.

If you want to relax, choose a day thats least frequented by bikers and riders to enjoy a safe and risk-free journey. If traveling with family and kids, its best to avoid this path.

Although at a moderate elevation, the Buttermilk trail offers many small wooden paved paths and is only a stones throw away from Forest Hill Park. Every season will offer beautiful views throughout the trail.

To take a quick stop, Forest Hill Park serves a beautiful scenic pause with a glittering lake, a stone house, a childrens playground, and multiple other small trails. The park features picnic sheds, gazebos, and benches.

Forest Hill Park is a perfect destination for families looking for a fun picnic time and resting area!

Other Trails in Richmond

• Belle Isle Trails: Crossing some huge stones and steep pathways, Belle Isle is a river-side trail giving you scenic views of the massive James River crossing by.

139 Virginia St, Richmond // +18046492800

With the Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises, you can cruise over the historical sites of Richmond while relaxing in a sunshade.

See The Graves Of Presidents At Hollywood Cemetery

While a cemetery may not seem like a fun place to visit, Hollywood Cemetery is the final resting place to no less than two United States Presidents.

James Monroe and John Tyler, the fifth and tenth US Presidents, are both buried here as well as the Confederate States President Jefferson Davis and over twenty Confederate Generals.

The cemetery has a 27-meter high pyramid memorial to the Confederate dead which was constructed in the mid-1800s. Definitely check out this historic and fascinating cemetery while in Richmond.

• Hollywood Cemetery tours

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Learn About Virginia’s History With A Tour Of The Virginia Museum Of History & Culture

Going to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture is great if you want to learn about the state’s history.

At the museum, you can find all kinds of exhibits that together showcase 16,000 years of the state’s history.

What’s great is that the objects of the collection vary a lot. There are paintings, maps, letters, diaries, and more items.

Besides the collection, there are also great events. These are lovely to attend when you are doing solo travel in Richmond.

These events also vary a lot. For example, there is a lecture series, there are classes, and there are tours. All these events are great if you want to learn even more about the state’s past.

Tour The City On A Scavenger Game

If youre looking for a fun activity to do as a family that gets you out and about exploring Richmond, you should definitely try a scavenger game.

Simply download an app to your phone and follow clues and coordinates to interesting locations around the city.

Solve puzzles and answer trivia in these fun self-guided tours. Visit popular landmarks around the city as well as lesser-known spots thatll get you exploring like a local. These games are great for groups as well as individuals.

• scavenger games in Richmond

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Feed Baby Animals And Picnic At Maymont

For the non-locals visiting Richmond, Maymont is a hidden oasis near the downtown area and needs to be added to your things to do in Richmond, VA list! Maymont was originally a private 100-acre Victorian estate but was gifted to the city of Richmond which made it into a public park.

Whether you are picnicking on the grounds, feeding baby goats and sheep, touring the historic house museum, or wandering through the Japanese Garden, Maymont is a great half-day adventure in Richmond for all ages. It is important to note that there are extensive hills so be prepared to walk a lot.

The grounds, gardens, and petting zoo are all free, though donations are suggested. The Nature Center and House Museum charge between $3-$5 per person. Make sure you bring water, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes as there are many hills all over the property.

Local tip: If the weather is nice , you may get lucky and find the snow-cone man near the historic house museum! A refreshing treat to cool you down and sugar you up for the walk to your car, and yet another excuse to be a kid again!

Take Photos Of Richmond During A Group Tour: Nice Thing To Do Alone In Richmond If You Like Photography

There are many photogenic places in Richmond, and seeing these during a tour is great during a solo trip.

You can do the “A Photo Safari” experience in Richmond for this.

During this, you walk through the city together with a guide and other people. A guide shows you the best murals and other great places for photography.

At each spot, you have enough time to take great pictures!

What’s great is that you do this tour with other people. This social aspect makes it, even more, one of the best things to do alone in Richmond.

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American Civil War Center

Things arent always black and white, and with the perspective provided by 2020, many people recognize the importance of learning from our past to continue to evolve and grow as a nation. With this goal in mind, the building that once supplied about half the Confederate Armys artillery has been converted into a 30,000-square-foot museum dedicated to sharing multiple points of view about life in the South in the mid-1800s.

Pro Tip: History buffs will also want to visit the White House of the Confederacy. It served as the home of Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate United States.

Richmond National Battlefield Park

Zack Frank / Shutterstock

More of the importance of Richmond during the Civil War can be gauged by visiting Richmond National Battlefield Park.

This site takes you back to a time of cannons and Gatling guns. You can get a thorough sense of what it was like to be on the grounds during the Civil War.

In this VA park, you can witness up to 13 distinct battle areas. With tens of square miles of land, you can understand how much Virginia mattered in the Civil War.

You can also learn about how wounded soldiers were treated by visiting the biggest hospital of the Confederacy.

With a museum, lectures, and exclusive events, the Richmond National Battlefield Park is one of the best parts of any visit to Virginia.

Theres a lot of stuff to unpack about the Civil War, and this is a great place to do it. This is one of the best things to do in Richmond if youre a Civil War buff.

Address: 470 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA 23219, USA

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Start Planning Your Trip To Richmond

Richmond is one of the best cities in VA and in the south, full of activities and life.

If youre planning a trip to Richmond, this list hopefully showed that there are so many points of interest.

The tourist attractions of Richmond are ones that teach you about our countrys amazing history and leave you feeling mentally richer.

All of the things to see in Richmond, from the historic sites to the museums, are attractions with tons of depth.

In case youre wondering how to plan a trip to Richmond, there are many travel tips and travel hacks worth pursuing.

If youre a fan of cities like Gainesville and Kansas City, Richmond should definitely suit your travel desires.

Make plans for a weekend vacation to Richmond, and youll have so many things to see and so much stuff to do.

Your time in the VA capital is going to be something you tell people about for weeks on end.

What to do in Richmond or what to see arent the important questions. Instead, its what to do and what to see next?

Hopefully, this list of fun things to do in Richmond will serve you well! Happy travels!