Virginia’s capital city, Richmond, is a very popular city mainly known for its culture, food, and nature. There are a number of fun things to do in Richmond, VA, to enjoy staying in this place.
From multiple vibes consisting of giant artworks and antiques to festivals and wineries, the city of Richmond offers an entirely unique and unusual experience.
You can witness the french troops and artilleries at the Colonial Heights, enjoy dinner at the colonial-era tavern, and witness tour battlefields, fantastic antiques, and the world-famous Hanover Tomato.
Moreover, the city is also full of excellent restaurants, unique attractions, and art exhibits. You can also say that this place is an amalgamation of southern charm and urban edginess. Each area in the city has its own identity and offers activities that are not only unique but fun to visit.
If you are planning to visit Virginia, make sure to travel to the capital city of Richmond because of its picturesque view and history. There are a lot of places of cultural importance that visitors can explore in the popular US city.
We have narrowed it down to the 20 best fun activities to do with your partner, family, kids, and friends. Richmond has everything that you will fall in love with.
Let’s hop on this marvelous ride with us to learn about all the activities and places you can enjoy while visiting Richmond, VA.
Kings Dominion
Richmond is where you can have fun with all age groups, and one such place where you can have childlike fun is the Kings Dominion Soak City. This destination is the most preferred for fun with family and kids.
Kings Dominion offers over 60 rides and multiple events seasonally to entertain visitors. You can enjoy world-class rides and mesmerizing events and can have water activities at the popular soak city.
This adventure park also launched Jungle Xpedition, a new ride to get closer to the ancient civilization of the Jungle. It is the first 4D tumbling ride on Tumbili in Virginia.
At this fantastic place in Richmond, you can also enjoy group activities, twisted timbers, water fun, and giant rides.
Riverfront Canal Cruises
The Canal Cruise tours are also one of the best fun things to do in Richmond, Virginia. You can get to know about the history of the city through this boat tour.
You can enjoy this tour along with the Kanawa Canal in Downtown Richmond. You can enjoy watching the historic Canal walk of Richmond and visiting the Powhatan’s Chiefdom, the first commercial electric street car, triple crossing railroad, and tobacco warehouses.
These warehouses are now converted into the Virginia Capital Trail, trendy lofts, James river wildlife, and low-line gardens.
This tour took almost 40 minutes to cover the rich historical places in Richmond through the Canal Cruise. The tour is open every day a week during the season from May to September. It is also open in the month of April, October, and November for the public.
The tickets are available both offline and online for this tour. The cost for seniors and children is $8, and for adults, $12, while children under the age of four can board free of cost. Those serving as teachers, healthcare workers, military personnel, and first responders can get special discounts after showing their ID cards.
The tour’s starting point is Canal’s Turning Basin, 139 Virginia Street, Downtown Richmond. This boat can carry a maximum of 28 passengers at a time, or you can also choose a private charter at the price of $150 per hour with flexible and customizable services.
The Science Museum of Virginia
Nothing can be more fun than knowing more about the developments in the field of science. This Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond is perfect to ignite your imagination and create new ideas.
The museum exhibits inspirational artifacts and technologies that are interactive and capture the interest of the visitors. It also features an exhibition on speed, innovation, and wellness.
It also hosts exhibitions touring from all around the globe, along with several events like overnight adventures, summer camps, talks, etc. The Dome theater in this museum has the largest screen in Virginia, spanning 76 feet, and is used to cater the visitors with the best experience.
This place is best for the creative and curious minds of all age groups. That’s why visiting this museum is one of the interesting things to do in Richmond, Virginia.
The museum is operative from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 5 pm with an exhibition fee of $16, and a fee for the film is $21 for adults and below for all other age groups.
Canoe Run Park
South Richmond’s Canoe Run Park is located at West 22nd Street, halfway between Semmes Avenue and Riverside Drive. It is a great place to enjoy exciting activities in Virginia’s capital city.
In October 1990, the park was opened with a playground for young children and a gravel jogging route. Numerous kickball and flag football leagues are played in the open grassy area.
Due to the tanneries that were active along Canoe Run Creek in the 19th century, the area was formerly known as Tanners’ Bottom.
A certain set of rules have been laid down for those who are visiting the park. The park is open in the daytime. If there is any special occasion, then the timings will be posted otherwise.
Not all parks allow pet animals. Byrd Park, Chimborazoo Dog Park, Forest Hill Park, and Barker Field Dog Park allowed all animals. However, it is important to leash your pet before coming to the park.
If you are in the park for picnics and wish to enjoy a bit of fire, then a strict fire restriction policy is there. You are only restricted to the fire pits and picnic grills.
It is also advised to take care of all park property, including bushes, trees, benches, and athletic amenities. Also, if you want to do some extra activities, then special permits are mandatory for stages, amplified sounds, tents, or conducting sales.
If you are staying in Richmond for a few days and want ot relax and have some leisure time, then this park is all you need to visit for fun. You can enjoy having a peaceful time at this park.
Edgar Allen Poe Museum
The Poe museum is the world’s largest archive of the popular American writer Edgar Allen Poe. Those who are literary fans can amuse themselves by visiting this amazing place located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia.
This place is mainly a place to recognize the famous Edgar Allen Poe, who wrote The Raven, The Fall of the House of the Usher, and the Tell-Tale Heart. It consists of several letters, first editions, manuscripts, personal belongings, and memorabilia.
This museum is in the Old House Stone House, which is said to be the oldest original building of the city of Richmond. Also, it has a collection of movie posters and action figures of Poe along with his clothing, boyhood bed, and a lock of his hair.
For visiting this place, the attraction fee for adults is $9 and for other age groups costs $7. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
Virginia Capital Trail
In Richmond, you will find several trails that are good for biking tours. You can enjoy the fun-filled bike tours on the famous Capital trail in Richmond. It is a dedicated bicycle trail and paved pedestrian that connects Richmond and Jamestown.
You can easily rent out bikes that are both electrical and self-propelled. Segways and Scooters are also available on th nearby rental facilities of this trail. The trail has over 400 years of history, along with 52 miles of trail covering four jurisdictions. It is also one of the first inland routes in Northern America.
There are a lot of options for renting out bikes, Segways, and scooters to visit the city. The closed one on the Capital Trail includes Adventures in RVA, Kul Wheels Electric Bikes, Tours & Rentals, Virginia Bike Routes, Trailhead Tours RVA, and many more.
The timings and prices of all the rentals vary from each other and are available, and you have to book your bikes in advance before the tours. It is mandatory to bring valid Identification proof for renting a bike.
The Richmond Garden Trail
This trail covers the most fascinating and spectacular green spaces in the city. The starting point of this trail is not available as all the gardens are under an area of 10 miles.
There is always something new and refreshing about these gardens. The lushness of these gardens is the main attraction for tourists.
Those who are looking for a thing to enjoy in Richmond can consider visiting these gardens. Surely, they will have leisure time with their friends and family here.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Maymont Gardens, Agecroft Hall, Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, Great Shiplock Park and the Low Line, Capitol Square Preservation Council, Jefferson Hotel, John Marshall House, The Valentine, and Linden Row Inn are a few of the sites having the splendid gardens.
The Botanical Garden on the trail is one of the best botanical gardens in the United States and covers an area of 50 acres. It also offers a garden for Children along with dining and shopping facilities.
The Maymont Gardens is older by a century now and includes fragrant roses, a waterfall, and splashing fountains that mesmerize visitors with their beauty.
There are several gardens like these two in Richmond, showing the preservation of nature in Richmond, VA. The landscape of these gardens is beautiful, and you can visit them by paying the attraction fee. The timings of these gardens also vary from each other.
Richmond Liberty Trail
If you are enthusiastic about experiencing the important historical landmarks of the beautiful city of Richmond, then follow the popular Richmond Liberty Trail. Visiting here will help you enjoy a fun time with your loved ones. Also, it will help you gain insights about history in great depth.
The liberty trail in Richmond is a walking route that connects several historical attractions and sites in the capital city of Virginia. This trail covers an area of 6.2 miles and has 15 national historic landmarks.
There is no requirement for a tour guide because of the self-guided nature of the trail. The arrows are marked alongside the trail, which points out the direction for those following the trail.
Logos are also painted on the sidewalls of the path, and there is no starting and ending point on this trail. You can choose the path which seems intriguing to you. You can understand the history of this beautiful city and reach all the historical points through the Liberty trail.
Richmond Food Tours
This tour activity is must recommend if you are visiting the beautiful city of Richmond. It is a great way to taste exquisite food from the vast number of choices.
There are more than 900 restaurants that offer outstanding food to customers. You will have an ample number of choices to start with. If it is confusing to decide where to start, you can also have an option for signing up for a foodie tour.
This tour leads to a neighborhood that is completely focused on food tours. You can also reach there while enjoying the biking tour.
You will find several food tour providers in the city with whom you can step into this food journey and enjoy one of the best delicacies in the world. If you are a foodie, then this tour is a perfect fun activity to do for you in Richmond VA.
Richmond Beer Trail
Richmond is called the Number 1 Beer Destination in the World by Vinepair for a reason. There are more than 40 craft breweries in Richmond, and people can have fun visiting these breweries for beer tasting.
You can get a chance to visit several craft breweries from north to south and from east to west. When you visit these breweries, make sure to stamp your map because these stamps are your ticket to be a step closer to the limited edition Richmond Beer Trail gear. All you have to do is to collect five such stamps on your map.
Moreover, the history of Richmond has been linked with the culture of beer for over 150 years now. In fact, the first beer in a can was sold in Richmond in 1935.
To name a few, Ardent Craft Ales, Dancing Kilt Brewery, Garden Grove Brewing, and Urban Winery, Main Line Brewery are some of the breweries at the RVA beer trails.
Richmond Murals Street
If you visited Richmond and did not witness the street art, then you have missed experiencing the real essence of this place. There are more than 100 street murals in the city.
A magazine name Bella also recognized Richmond as the best street art city in the United States. This city is a hub of wall paintings that are made by international and local artists.
Every wall in this street is a canvas for artists and for those having an interest in street art. Also, it is one of the favorite places for enthusiasts of arts.
You can experience this street on a bike or car or choose to cover the neighborhood on foot.
Segway Tour in Richmond
Segways is a great and really simple way to see Richmond. Compared to walking, you can travel a greater distance while still being in close proximity to all the beautiful sights in Richmond.
You can get to know about the history, street art, food, and many more through the Segway Tour. In fact, you can save time by walking less and covering more ground because of Segways.
It is a fun activity to enjoy with your friends, family, and colleagues. In fact, there are several tour providers in the city providing tours to the places like Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond Landmark, Civil Rights History, Street Art, Women in Richmond, Church Hill, and Shockoe Bottom Tour.
To ride a Segway, you need to be above 14 years, and those who are under 18 years require a guardian to sign the waiver. No maximum age limit is defined for the Segways; however, a few restrictions are there depending on the situation.
A training session is provided before the ride. You can have a day full of fun and enjoy the richness and culture of the city through Segway Tour.
Richmond’s Belle Isle
The Belle Isle of Richmond is a small island that lies on the James river and has been treated as a city park. It’s for cyclists, hikers, rock climbers, hula hoopers, and others looking to get their vitamin D.
A restored park island called Belle Isle is situated in the center of James rives in downtown RVA. This area of the James River Park System is accessible by footbridge from Tredegar St. on the north shore.
You can enjoy sunbathing on the large, flat rocks that encircle the island. However, swimming is not advised due to Hollywood Rapids’ strong currents.
You can have a chance to witness the other features like wooded pathways, historical sites with interpretive signage, mountain biking routes, fishing at the quarry pond that is accessible to people with wheelchairs, and a granite wall for rock climbing.
Earlier, a Native American fishing village once included Belle Isle. In the 1600s, Captain John Smith lived here, a nail business operated there in the 1800s, and a Confederate military prison existed there during the Civil War.
At Belle Isle, there is no attraction fee. You can visit here any time without any cost and relish exciting park activities like birding, fishing, hiking/trail running, paddling, and mountain biking.
James River in Richmond
The James River is 105 feet lower between Bosher’s Dam at Richmond’s western boundary and Mayo’s Bridge, where the tides start.
You can find America’s best urban whitewater within seven miles at the Falls of the James. The majority of the rapids between Bosher’s Dam and Reedy Creek are Class I and II.
The downtown Richmond rapids, below Reedy Creek, are a challenge to even seasoned boaters with their constrained runs through Class III and IV water.
You cannot kayak or raft on class III and IV rapids in an urban environment in many other cities. The only spot in the nation where you can run the rapids is Richmond.
You can enjoy boating, kayaking, rafting, etc., in the James river to have fun. Also, you can visit the Belle Isle, which is in the center of the James River and is a tourist attraction itself.
All the activities in Richmond revolve around the James River. From Water sports to mountain adventure sports, everything is nearby the James.
RVA Trolley
If you are visiting Richmond, another thing to experience here is that you will experience a rich 400-year history by taking a tour of Richmond city in the classic RVA trolley.
The first trolley system was launched in the capital city of Virginia. It was established back in 1888. This fun activity offers Richmond history in a vintage trolley that is excellent for both visitors and locals.
You can enjoy the sights of Richmond from the comfort of our enclosed 20-person trolley. Also, you can relax on cushioned seats with old-fashioned iron seat frames. Our compact seating arrangement provides a unique and interesting approach to learning about one of America’s oldest cities.
Currently, these tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am. The touring fee for adults is $38 and for seniors is $35. The Children aged 4 to 14 are charged $25, and those under four are free.
If you are planning to tour the city in this historical trolley, make sure to register in advance. Also, you can have private chartered tours on these trolleys for educational purposes and to know about the history of Richmond in a fun way.
RVA Hiking and Climbing
Other fun things to do in Richmond are Hiking and Climbing. You can earn a breathtaking and stunning view of the city by discovering all of the top outdoor spaces for mountain sports, including hiking and rock climbing.
For all ability levels, there are rock faces and pathways. There is a separate area for nature lovers in Richmond. You can enjoy hiking and have a fun-filled day here with your friends and family.
This area is a beautiful blend of urban, natural beauty, and challenges. The Buttermilk and North Bank paths in Forest Hill Park provide hikers with mesmerizing views while still being close to the city’s center.
The natural havens in this area of Richmond include Pony Pasture, Henricus Historical Park, and Pocahontas State Park.
The Manchester Climbing Wall is located downtown and offers climbing with the city skyline as a backdrop while you hone your abilities on boulders and walls.
You can also enjoy visiting Peak Experiences or the Triangle Rock Club to climb indoors or watch the pros compete at Dominion Energy Riverrock on Brown’s Island each year.
Those who are novices to the concept of hiking and climbing can also register with some local groups and take packages that will provide you with all the facilities and enable you to reach your destination.
American Civil War Museum
This museum will take you to the beginning of the Civil war. It is situated in downtown Richmond nearby James River, and is located at a distance of 10.5 miles from Richmond Airport.
The main purpose behind setting up this American Civil War Museum is to study the American Civil War and its repercussions from a variety of angles. This includes Union and Confederate forces, enslaved and free African Americans, soldiers, and citizens.
The residents, students, and tourists to Central Virginia can gain a more fair and thorough understanding of the intricate history of the Civil War because of ACWM.
The learning provided in this museum has a lot of weight today. ACWM offers a thorough educational experience that includes exhibits, tours, distance learning, living history, classroom education, lectures and symposia, collection resources, a digital manuscript collection, and presentations at three museum sites and in the community.
You can be a part of this fun educational experience and let your kids understand the rich history of the American Civil War.
The museum remains open from 10 am to 5 pm daily. To visit the museum, the attraction fee for adults is $18, the fee for seniors, students, and veterans are $16, and Children will be charged $9.
Ghost Tours
You can have a thrilling experience in the city of Richmond by choosing Ghost tours. The city offered a memorable ride across the city and made you familiar with the time of 1920 on the trolley.
You can embark on a Ghost Tour to discover the darker side of Virginia’s capital city. Richmond’s ghosts come to life right after museums shut and the sun sets, and we can’t wait to tell you about their horrifying tales.
You will be taken to several locations where any tragedy occurred. Also, you are going to get familiar with the places where paranormal activities are still happening. You can learn about the eerie secrets and long-forgotten horrors that linger in one of the most haunted and scariest places in the country.
The walking and trolley ghost tours, in which guides dressed in period attire, special effects makeup, and in the role of a Richmonder from the 1800s or 1920s, will take you to a number of historically significant and haunted locations.
This tour is mainly recommended for the older crowd and not for the kids. However, some providers allow children to be a part of these haunted and eerie tours. During this genuine show on a trolley, your zombie tour guide will keep you interested the entire time.
Music in RVA
If you are in Richmond and wish to have some fun-filled activities in this beautiful city, I bet nothing is better than enjoying a musical night in the amazing capital city of Virginia.
The music industry of the Richmond region is expanding, encompassing everything from classical to classic rock, hip-hop to jazz, and indie to metal. So, if you are planning to visit Richmond, you can check the list of events that will be happening at the time you are in the city.
There are several significant yearly musical events organized in the city, to name a few, the Richmond Jazz Festival and Richmond Folk Festival, as well as rooftop performances.
Moreover, outdoor concerts and historic music venues are also popular in the city to have a fun time. Open mic events are also organized in the city, which is a very good place to visit and learn about the local artists and their art.
You can also visit clubs to have some fun and relax time. Make sure to reserve your seats prior in clubs as the lines here will extend beyond the doors.
Final Note
Richmond is a splendid place to visit at any time of the year. You have a plethora of options in this city. All you have to do is to decide the type of adventure you want for yourself.
From adventure sports to educational tours, everything is available in this beautiful city of the United States. You can also visit other beautiful places in the states like Texas or Dallas, where you can have fun and enjoy the culture.
You can have endless options to travel and experience the best cultures and traditions in the form of Art and can have many fun things to enjoy.
