Things To Do In Richmond! 

With activities ranging from minor league sports to art exhibits to children's programs, Richmond has plenty of fun and sometimes free or low-cost activities, for the whole family.

Whether you're into live music, museums, art galleries, live theatre, or sports your possibilities are virtually limitless.

Our top choices to learn about what's going in and around Richmond include:

• The Richmond Times-Dispatch's Weekender Section published every Thursday and accessible online.
• Richmond.com
• STYLE Weekly
• The Weekly Rank

Our top list of things to do in Richmond includes:

17th Street Farmer's Market

• This open-air market offers seasonal produce and handmade goods in Shockoe Bottom virtually year-round. The annual Brunswick Stew Festival delights families at the market each fall.

The Barksdale Theatre

• This professional not-for-profit theatre company presents area, regional, and world premieres of diverse and contemporary plays, along with some classics.
• Performances held at The Shops at Willow Lawn and occasionally at the historic Hanover Tavern frequented by Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Broadway under the Stars

• Offering Broadway's hottest shows, including Tony Award-winning musicals at the Landmark Theatre.
• Season tickets are available. Call 804-780-0200 for more information.

The Children's Museum

• This Richmond gem is all about interactive play for toddlers through 12-year-olds.
• Climb to an eagle's nest, explore a real cave, dabble like an inventor, experiment with kitchen chemistry or paint without the mess in its art room.

Belle Island

• A hospital for prisoners and an iron factory during the Civil War, this island adjacent to downtown Richmond on the James River is the perfect place for a walk or hike.
• It offers exceptional views of the city from a pedestrian footbridge directly under the Lee Bridge.
• Belle Island is part of the James River Park System and readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine named it the "Best Urban Park" in 2005.

Dogwood Dell

• Catch a free musical or concert during the summer at this 2,400-seat amphitheatre owned and operated by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities and located in Byrd Park.
• Its annual July 4th concert and fireworks are a favorite for thousands of Richmonders.

Hanover Tavern

• After a decade-long hiatus, Barksdale Theatre will be staging additional theatrical productions at the historic Hanover Tavern, its ancestral home.
• Listed on the National Register as a contributing property in the Hanover Courthouse Historic District that dates back to 1735.
• Grab a bite at Michelle's at Hanover Tavern, a restaurant at the newly renovated historic site.

Kings Dominion

• Located about 20 minutes north of Richmond, this park is one of Richmond's biggest attractions.
• It brings Hollywood entertainment to the Mid-Atlantic with one of the largest coaster collections on the East Coast.
• Two children's areas and WaterWorks, a 19-acre water park, make this a family favorite.
• If you go more than once, a season pass or family pass can make sense for your budget.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

• Offers more than 40 acres of beautiful gardens and the mid-Atlantic's only classically styled Conservatory.
• Grab a gourmet lunch at the onsite Garden Café or Tea House.

Maymont

• Take a picnic, take the kids and take the camera.
• This city park operated by the Maymont Foundation offers a petting farm and zoo, acres of rolling hills and lush grounds and beautiful gardens.

The Richmond Braves

• As a minor league baseball team for the Atlanta Braves, the Richmond Braves offer plenty of family fun.
• Buy your tickets early for the Braves' July 4th game that includes fireworks.

The Richmond RiverDogs

• This professional minor league ice hockey team plays its home games at the Richmond Coliseum.
• Season tickets are available.

Riverfront (along the James River)

• Richmond grew up along the James River, and today it flourishes with fine dining, residential areas, shopping and attractions.
• Grab dinner at Morton's Steakhouse, The Hard Shell or dozens of other restaurants along the James.
• Stroll along the canal and take a leisurely boat ride from the Turning Basin, between 14th and Virginia Streets.

The Richmond Symphony

• One of Central Virginia's premier performance orchestra performing year-round.
• Season tickets are available.

The Science Museum of Virginia

• Touch, observe and explore fun and interesting aspects of science.
• Watch the Foucault pendulum as it demonstrates how the Earth's rotates.
• See a film in Ethyl Corporation IMAX®DOME & Planetarium.

The State Fair of Virginia

• Held annually in late September and early October at Richmond International Raceway, the State Fair of Virginia offers food, games, rides and exhibits for the entire family.

Theatre IV

• Offers extraordinary theatrical production including original musical adaptations of classic children's stories.
• Located at 114 West Broad Street in the historic Empire Theatre.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

• Offers a world-class art collection spanning 6,000 years including French Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and others.
• Hosts one of the world's leading collections of the art of India, Nepal and Tibet.
• Houses the largest collection of Faberge objects outside of Russia.

The Virginia Historical Society

• Founded in 1831, it collects, preserves, and interprets Virginia's past for the education and enjoyment.

The Virginia Opera

• The Commonwealth is home to one of America's finest and largest opera companies in the nation.
• The Virginia Opera performs in Richmond at the Historic Landmark Theater, in Norfolk at the Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House, and in Fairfax at George Mason University's Center for the Arts.

Westhampton Lake at the University of Richmond

• Tucked away on the campus of the University of Richmond.
• A beautiful spot to picnic or take a stroll early in the morning or at dusk.

With food, entertainment and activities for kids, Richmonders love their events throughout the year. Collectively, these events weave the fabric that is the culture of the Richmond community.

Below are some of our favorites "can't miss" events.

Arts around the Lake at the University of Richmond

• Held annually in September this event showcases some of Richmond's top artists through displays set up around Westhampton Lake at the University of Richmond.

Arts in the Parks

• Shop for fine and original work produced by top-quality artists and crafts people from all over the country at this classic Richmond event held each May at the Carillon in Byrd Park.

Auto Racing

• The NEXTEL Cup Series and the Busch Series call Richmond International Raceway home with races in May and September. Buy your tickets early as these events typically sell out fast.
• The open-wheel Indy style racing comes to Richmond International Raceway with the IndyCar Series each June.

Carytown Watermelon Festival

• Held each August, this fun family festival is in funky and ecceltic shopping area of 250 stores along a twelve-block area that extend from the Powhite Parkway to the Boulevard.
• Bring the kids, the dog and your camera, but don't swallow the seeds.

Cinco de Mayo on Brown's Island

• Enjoy bands and brew to celebrate the fifth of May.

Easter on Parade

• This street festival on historic Monument Avenue is one of Richmond's favorite spring celebrations.
• Held annually on Easter Sunday, this event brings out nearly 25,000 people to celebrate Easter with live music, entertainers, food and fun.

Friday Cheers

• This Richmond tradition has been around for more than 20 years.
• Every Friday from May through August, thousands of people meet friends and hear some of the region's top bands at American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar (across from Brown's Island) in downtown Richmond.

Fridays at Sunset

• If you like music, you won't want to miss Fridays at Sunset in Kanawha Plaza located in the heart of downtown Richmond's business district.
• This concert series runs every Friday from May through August.

Greek Festival

• Hosted each June for four days (Thursday through Sunday) at the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Malvern Avenue in between Grove Avenue and Cary Street, this is the place to come for souvlakia, spanakopita and Greek wine.

Groovin' in the Garden

• This concert series runs Thursdays from May to September at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Innsbrook After Hours

• This is a mid-week concert series running from the middle of April until the end of August in the corporate park of Innsbrook in western Henrico County.
• Past artists have included Blues Traveler, Blondie, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Beach Boys.

James Center Grand Illumination

• Held in early December at the James Center in downtown Richmond at 10th & Cary Streets, you will not want to miss the holiday event.
• The holiday lights are on display through the end of December.

July 4th at Dogwood Dell

• Feeling patriotic? Mark your calendar and pack your picnic basket for fireworks and music at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park.

Komen Greater Richmond Race for the Cure®

• This annual 5K held in May has become a community fundraiser to fund breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Award and Research Grant Program.

National Folk Festival

• Held in Richmond for the first time in 2005, this annual event will be held here each fall until 2007.
• It offers diverse music, food, dance and crafts.

Richmond Kickers Games

• If your kids are into soccer they will love attending a Richmond Kicker's game.
• Richmond's own professional soccer team is a part of the United Soccer Leagues and plays their home games at the University of Richmond Stadium or Sports Backer Stadium.

The Maymont Flower & Garden Show

• For nearly 20 years, the Maymont Flower and Garden Show draws crowds to Central Virginia in search of the perfect spring garden.
• Exhibits, speakers, shows and a bustling marketplace make Maymont Flower and Garden a "can't miss" for many gardening enthusiasts.

The Richmond Forum

• The Richmond Forum brings internationally known speakers, including scholars, scientists, public officials and journalists to our city each year.
• More than 18,000 people participate in the five annual programs, recognized as "the premier public forum in the United States" according to program officials.

Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K

• This 6.2 mile has become one of the largest 10K's in the country.
• It is held annually in April along one of America's most famous and beautiful streets.

Ukrop's Retail Merchants Christmas Parade

• This 90-minute parade is held on the first Saturday of each December along West Broad Street.
• Good viewing spots are available in front of the DMV building and at the Virginia Commonwealth University parking deck at the Siegel Center.

Sometimes Richmond newcomers are surprised to learn that Richmond is a Mecca for those who consider themselves "foodies." There are many culinary treats to enjoy in our region. Here are a few that we like, including a few that are new:

Favorite Date Night Spots

• Acacia - 3325 W Cary St, Richmond, 23221 - (804) 354-6060
• Bistro R - 10190 W Broad St, Glen Allen, 23060 - (804) 747-9484
• Bookbinder's Grill - 1244 Alverser Dr, Midlothian, 23113 - (804) 379-3338
• Chez Max - 10622 Patterson Ave., Richmond, 23233 - (804) 754-3464
• The Copper Grill - 11800 W Broad St., Richmond, 23233 - (804) 364-9408
• Crab Louie's Seafood Tavern - Sycamore Square Shopping Center, Richmond, 23113 - (804) 275-2722
• Dogwood Grille - 1731 West Main St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 340-1984
• The Ironhorse - 100 S Railroad Ave, Ashland, 23005 - (804) 752-6410
• LeMaire (at the Jefferson Hotel) - 101 W Franklin St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 788-8000
• Morton's Steakhouse - 111 Virginia St., Richmond, 23219 - (804) 648-1662
• Ruth's Chris - 11500 W Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, 23113 - (804) 378-0600
• The White Dog - 2329 W Main St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 340-1975
• Zeus Gallery Café - 201 N Belmont Ave, Richmond, 23221 - (804) 359-3219

Favorite Places to Go With Friends

• Bottega Bistro - 11400 W Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, 23113 - (804) 379-9899
• Café Gutenberg - 1700 East Main St., Richmond, 23223 - (804) 497-5000
• Can Can - 3120 W Cary St., Richmond, 23221 - (804) 358-7274
• Comfort - 200 W Broad St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 780-0004
• Edo's Squid - 411 N Harrison St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 864-5488
• Frank's Pizzeria - 3054 Stony Point Rd., Richmond, 23235 - (804) 560-1613
• Grafiti Grille - 403 N Ridge Rd., Richmond, 23229 - (804) 288-0633
• Millie's - 2603 E Main St., Richmond, 23223 - (804) 643-5512
• Pasta Luna - 8902 W Broad St. # D, Richmond, 23294 - (804) 762-9029
• The Positive Vibe Café - 2825 Hathaway Rd., Richmond, 23225 - (804) 560-9622
• Sensi - 2222 E Cary St., Richmond, 23223 - (804) 648-3463
• TwentySeven - 27 W. Broad St.., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 780-0086

Favorite Casual Eateries

• Baker's Crust - 3553 W Cary St., Richmond, 23221 - (804) 213-0800 and 11800 W Broad St., Richmond, 23233 - (804) 377-9060
• Bottoms Up Pizza - 1700 Dock St., Richmond, 23223 - (804) 644-4400 and 11271 Nuckols Rd., Glen Allen, 23059 - (804) 377-7499
• Café Caturra - 1282 Alverser Drive, Midlothian, 23113 - (804) 897-4773
• Grove Avenue Grill - 5808 Grove Ave, Richmond, 23226 - (804) 288-9439
• The Hill Café - 2800 E Broad St., Richmond, 23223 - (804) 648-0360
• Nacho Mama's - 3449 W Cary St., Richmond, 23221 - (804) 358-2295
• Palani Drive - 401 Libbie Ave, Richmond, 23226 - (804) 285-3200
• Strawberry Street Café - 421 Strawberry St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 353-6860
• 3 Monkeys - 2525 W. Main St., Richmond, 23220 - (804) 204-2525
• Ukrop's Super Markets - with more than 20 cafés across the region