Richmond, VA is one of my favorite cities. There’s a little something for everyone. If you’re outdoorsy, they have a great outdoor scene with options for kayaking, climbing, biking, and more. For art lovers, the city won’t disappoint with its famous art scene, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

There is an endless amount, not to mention variety, of things to do in the area, and - as we just moved to the area (!) - I am personally having a great time taking it all in. That’s why I am sharing a round-up of things to do in Richmond, VA.

What to Do in Richmond, VA

As I mentioned above, there is something for everyone here. Rich in history (it’s been the state capital since 1780, when Thomas Jefferson helped move it from Williamsburg, VA), it contains museums, outdoor spaces, shopping, restaurants, and special things you can do with family (Christmastime here is something else!), Richmond suits a variety of tastes and ages.

Weather in Richmond, VA

Before we get into the activities, let’s talk about the weather here. As someone who grew up in central Pennsylvania, I thought anything beneath the Mason-Dixon Line would be warm year-round. I quickly learned Virginia isn’t so different from Pennsylvania in terms of weather. We have seasons here, we get snow (it’s snowed twice this month already!), and we get the heat. That being said, it’s still a fairly pleasant place to visit at most times of the year. Here’s what you can expect each season.

Spring is a great time to visit the area. The temperatures are fairly mild, but the best thing is that the city is in bloom. The flowers are gorgeous, and there are multiple places to see them in all of their glory (more on that later). Temps range from lows in the 30s in March, but by May can get into the high 70s. Definitely bring layers - and an umbrella! Spring showers are common.

Summer is hot and humid, so while that is less fun for strolling around, it is great for fans of water activities on the James River. Richmond tends to get a lot of rain in the summer, so outdoor activities in the morning can help avoid the high humidity later in the day.

Fall (my favorite season) is pleasant with cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. It’s the perfect type of weather for layers as you get out and about. October is especially pleasant, as September still feels a bit summery.

Winter brings festive cheer and colder days. It’s not on the same level as the more northern states, but it can still get cold here. You’ll want to bundle up when exploring all of the local holiday cheer.

Now…for the list!

Things to Do in Richmond, VA

Art Scene

Richmond has a thriving art scene, and one of the best spots to visit is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. General admission is free, and they are open 365 days a year, so you won’t have to worry about that aspect of planning. You can also park in the parking deck for $6.00/day (free to VMFA members), and they even have a restaurant on-site.

In addition to the VMFA, you will find a plethora of galleries, or even grab a coffee and go on a graffiti walk to see what’s been created for the Richmond Mural Project.

Arthur Ashe Monument

One of Richmond’s most famous was tennis great Arthur Ashe, and you can see his bronze sculpture on Monument Avenue. The sculpture has him holding books in one hand and a tennis racket in the other, with the books higher (as he wanted to stress education over athletics).

The other statues on Monument Row were all historical members of the Confederacy and have since been removed, making Ashe’s monument the only one remaining. This is significant for many reasons, given Richmond’s history and the fact that Ashe had a hard uphill battle as a black man born in what was a segregated city at the time. If you find yourself in the area, consider taking a peek.

Scott’s Addition

For a younger crowd, Scott’s Addition has a lot to choose from. There are breweries (including one of my favorites - Starr Hill!), Cirrus Vodka, cideries, and even retro bowling. The vibe is definitely more geared towards people without kids, but this is a spot Brendan and I enjoyed on dates pre-baby.

Carytown

If someone is coming to visit, I’m definitely taking them to Carytown. Here you will find a ton of shopping (including vintage), dining, and entertaining options. It tends to get busy, so parking can be a challenge. We’ll often park a few blocks away and walk when it is nice weather. Try Fuel Pump for some unique coffee concoctions, and enjoy exploring the shops, where you can find local gifts like some of the ones I featured in my Virginia Gift Guide.

Breweries

Breweries look a little different for us now that we have a toddler in tow. We like to be cognizant of what’s appropriate/fair to other guests, so some are saved for date night.

Some of our favorites, given that we go everywhere with James, include Richbrau (a lovely, quieter spot in the city with great sours and stouts) and Hardywood West Creek. Hardywood has been an especially great option for us. They have a huge outdoor space, fire pits that you can reserve for a fee, and you're even welcome to bring your dog to the outdoor area. We like this spot because it offers good craft beer (I’m a fan of the seasonal Gingerbread stout family of beers) and is family-friendly.

Restaurants

I’m never shy to admit how much I love food, and Richmond is a great city for foodies. I’ll be doing a post about this soon, as I am excited to try a bunch of the restaurants I’ve been hearing about. Stay tuned!

Outdoor Activities

What always amazes me about Richmond is the number of outdoor activities. One of the spots to visit is James River Park, which is an actual urban oasis. You can tackle rock climbing (the Manchester Climbing Wall is particularly cool, as it is centered on 19th-century railroad trestles), or you can find a reprieve on a hot summer’s day by going kayaking, tubing, paddleboarding, or canoeing. The park goes up to Class IV rapids, for those who like more intensity.

For mountain biking novices, the park has beginner-friendly routes. Another option for fans of hiking and biking is to tackle the Capital Trail. Fully paved, this runs through four jurisdictions and is perfect for walkers, bikers, runners, skateboarders, families, and dogs. You can check out planned itineraries on their site, which gives information about parking and attractions along the way.

Museums

In addition to the fantastic Art museum, Richmond has a collection of other museums to check out.

For families, the Science Museum of Virginia is a great option. Open Tuesday - Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and they offer discount days and $1 off when you purchase tickets online. There is an on-site parking garage, and it’s next to the downtown Richmond location of the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

For toddlers, we learned that, while the Science Museum is fun and has a play area for toddlers, the exhibits were a bit much for that age.

Other museums worth checking out include the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Offering free off-street parking, entry costs $10 for anyone over 18. Anyone under 18 gets free admission. They have permanent exhibits, along with rotating exhibits, and include a Children’s Memorial. Given the difficult subject matter, it is better suited for older kids.

From there, you can walk up the street to visit the Poe Museum. Tickets for adults are $12, and they always have something unique going on (check out the Unhappy Hour offerings). It is also cool to check out the Old Stone House. This historic site is the oldest residential building still standing in Richmond, and currently holds an exhibit about Poe’s childhood.

Another museum of note is the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Entry tickets are $10 for adults, and the exhibitions highlight untold or forgotten elements of African American history and culture.

There are several other museums, and I’ll update this post as I explore more.

Outdoor Gardens

Just like James River Park offers an oasis in the city, Maymont and Lewis Gitner do the same.

Maymont is a historic estate and park spanning 100 acres. Walking the grounds is free of charge and includes spots like the Italian Garden and the Japanese Gardens (my husband’s favorite). As there are farm and wildlife animals on the premises, pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. It is also important to note that some of the ground is a bit uneven, so those with mobility issues might have a challenging time.

Another great spot is the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Tickets are $20 for adults, but they do have a few free admission days throughout the year.

At Christmastime, they put on the Dominion GardenFest of Lights, and it is a fun event for the family. Advanced tickets are required for this event and can only be purchased online. If you are looking for a fun way to see a ton of lights while drinking hot chocolate, this is the event for you.

Tours

Many moons ago, I surprised Brendan with a Segway tour of Richmond. It was a true comedy of errors (including me sending my Segway out into traffic when I got a little cocky), but we had a blast. We did the general tour, but they offer ghost and street art tours (and others) as well. It’s a great way to explore the city.

If Segways aren’t your thing, there are ebike and trolley tours. You can check out what they offer here.

I’m not sure how much the helmet and giant scarf were offering in terms of protection.

Metro Richmond Zoo

The Richmond Zoo is wildly chaotic. Family-owned and operated, it is quite an experience. From freely roaming chickens and peacocks to giraffes angling for food, it ultimately feels pretty immersive. It’s worth a visit if you have any zoo lovers in your midst.

Tickets are $27.95 for ages 12 and up, and 20.95 for children 2-11. You can also purchase a feed cup for the giraffes, which is a lot of fun.

That is my list of what to do in Richmond - for now! As I get to know our new home more, I’ll be adding more and using my Tips for Organizing Your Calendar to plan it all out. Until then, cheers and here’s to new adventures!