Summer is here, and there’s no better time to dive into all that the Greater Richmond Area has to offer. Whether your family is in search of festivals, a place to cool down, or another activity to keep the dog days of the season full of fun, my daughter Amelia and I have you covered. Each spring, in anticipation of summer vacation, our crew composes a “school’s out bucket list” that includes some of the best activities around, so we’re happy to share some of our favorite family-friendly picks.
Festivals
Carytown Watermelon Festival
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a crisp slice of watermelon in the height of the August heat. The free, 44th annual homage to the red and green fruit is held on the streets of Carytown, which will be packed with vendors, live music, food, an impressive children’s area, and, of course, watermelon in more ways than you can imagine.
Chesterfield County Fair
In operation since 1911, the Chesterfield County Fair runs August 28 through September 5 at the fairgrounds on Courthouse Road in Chesterfield. Whether your aim is riding on the Ferris wheel, checking out the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, or sampling delicious local cuisine, the fair is sure to offer something to please all ages.
Hanover Tomato Festival
Does your family also have a child who says they dislike tomatoes but loves tomato sauce? If so, everyone will be in luck at the Hanover Tomato Festival held on July 10 and 11 at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville. Expect free fun for the whole family — pets included — from tomato tastings and live music to children’s activities and a vendor market.
Sports & Activities
Catch a Baseball Game (and Maybe a Foul Ball)
Both diehard baseball fans and even those new to the sport can enjoy the sights and sounds as the Richmond Flying Squirrels take the field at the new CarMax Park. This is one of our favorite activities in the area that the whole family enjoys. From the on-field action to the tasty food options, catching a Squirrels game is always a good way to spend a summer evening in the city.
Amelia adds: One of the most entertaining experiences of the summer is attending a Flying Squirrels game! The Squirrels knock it out of the park — literally and figuratively. You’ll never feel more immersed in the classic summer pastime than when you’re enjoying a scrumptious hot dog and attempting to catch foul balls.
Cheer On the Kickers and Ivy at City Stadium
Support Richmond’s professional men’s and women’s soccer teams — the Kickers and Ivy, respectively — at a match at City Stadium. The women’s club plays through June, and the Kickers’ season runs through October. The food, atmosphere, and fandoms are all top notch.
Ways To Stay Cool
When the temperatures rise, nothing beats a dip in the pool, the refreshing spray at a splash pad, or a day on the James River. Fortunately, the greater Richmond area has plenty of options to help you cool down during the heat of the summer.
Public Pools & Splash Pads
In Richmond, Battery Park Public Pool, Fairmont Pool, Randolph Public Pool, and Powhatan Public Pool are ready for families hoping to swim. Also, Frank J. Thornton YMCA Aquatic Center in Richmond offers Henrico residents free swimming during specific times on the weekends.
Beulah Park in North Chesterfield opened its new splash pad and playground last August, so it’s sure to be a favorite this summer. There are also plenty of splash pads in Henrico, with Dunncroft/Castle Point Park, Twin Hickory Park, and Short Pump Park all offering spray fountains. One of our favorite splash pads is at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. This summer, guests will be able to enjoy newly expanded spaces at the garden including “Waterway,” where younger visitors can cool down and interact with water. Although my kids are older now, I’m sure we’ll still stop by to check out all the fun.
Amelia adds: I remember when I went to Lewis Ginter with my family and friends when I was younger. The splash pad was both entertaining and refreshing, especially considering the walking and heat in the gardens during the summer months. My sister and I had a blast playing, but we probably shouldn’t have gotten as soaked as we did before the car ride home.
Experience the James River
Tube it, raft it, rock hop it, kayak it — there are many ways to enjoy our city’s waterway during the summer. Whether a leisurely tube from Huguenot Flatwater to Pony Pasture is your speed, or you’re looking for something a bit more adrenaline-inducing like navigating Class IV whitewater rapids, the river is waiting. And there are plenty of local outdoor outfitters that can help set your family up with everything you need to cruise the James. Not feeling quite as adventurous? There are plenty of places to safely and leisurely splash in the river, too.
More to Explore
If your family is anything like ours, there comes a time when you’ve checked off your big summer must-dos and the “Mom, there’s nothing to do” refrains creep in. While boredom is healthy, and we encourage our kids to find ways to entertain themselves when there’s nothing planned, it’s always good to have more options to make the most of the long summer days.
Shop ‘Til You Drop at a Local Market
The Richmond area has no shortage of farmers and makers markets where you can browse some of the best food, handmade goods, and art in the region. Some of our favorite options include the RVA BIG Market held at Bryan Park, the South of the James Market in Forest Hill Park, and the Carytown Farmers Market at City Stadium. We’ve also heard great things about the Richmond Night Market on 17th Street, the Lakeside Farmers’ Market, and the Huguenot-Robious Farmers’ Market. No matter which you choose, it’s always a great feeling to support local farmers, makers, and artisans throughout Richmond.
Amelia adds: I love going to farmers and makers markets in the summer because it’s great to get outside and browse all the neat goods and tasty food made by our neighbors. You never know what you’ll find, and we usually purchase some pretty great gifts for loved ones at the markets.
Immerse Yourself in Nature and History at Maymont
At this point, Maymont feels like a second home for our family. From summer camps and tours to strolling the grounds or attending one of its signature events, we’ve taken full advantage of the Gilded Age estate over the years. Kids will enjoy visiting the Robins Nature Center and feeding the farm animals, and all ages will appreciate spending time in the pristine gardens or touring the mansion. Be sure to check out Maymont’s calendar since there are always fun events scheduled.
Check Out Your Local Library
Books. Movies. Children’s programming. Air conditioning. There’s nothing like a visit to your local library branch on a hot summer day. We’ve spent hours browsing the shelves and engaging in children and teen programs offered by our local branch. If you want to keep your kids reading during their school break, libraries throughout Richmond offer summer reading challenges with prizes.
Amelia adds: Over half of my summer reads originate from our local library. Whether you’re looking for novels, comics or manga, or other media, the library will have something for you. The library is not somewhere you want to miss during the summer, and it’s all free!
Catch a Drive-In Movie
Since 2009, the Goochland Drive-In Theater has hosted families for screenings of both new releases and retro favorites. The theater offers a full menu of drive-in classics, ice cream and sundaes during the summer, as well as a kids’ playground and all-ages games area. Enjoy a movie from the comfort of your car or bring a chair to watch from the lawn.
Metro Richmond Zoo
When the weather is nice, a visit to the zoo is always a good idea. We’ve been many times and always discover something new. Animal lovers will enjoy feeding the towering giraffes and observing the adorable friendship between Labrador Retriever mix Kago and Kumbali the cheetah. Those who love adventure can ride the Safari Sky Lift with a bird’s eye view of the rhinos below. Don’t forget to say hi to Poppy, the baby pygmy hippo, while you’re there too.
Head to a Museum
There’s no shortage of museums to explore in Richmond, including the Science Museum of Virginia, the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and one of our favorites, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. As a mom and teacher, I appreciate how many of our area’s museums present local history in a global context in ways that all patrons can appreciate.
Amelia adds: Whether you’re a history lover or want to view beautiful pieces of art, Richmond has a museum for you. You can observe artifacts while acknowledging their historical importance at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. The museum even contains family-friendly activities — like when my mom and I practiced square dancing while learning about Virginia’s regions. If you’re in an artsy mood, there are some amazing ancient and contemporary pieces at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and you can purchase a snack at the cafe and eat outside in the shadow of sculptures.
Visit the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
When my family and I first moved to Richmond, one of the first things we did was check out the T. Pott Bridge that connects Brown’s Island to Manchester. The bridge provides spectacular views of the city’s skyline and the James River below. This is a fun walk to take during the summer months, but you’ll want to go again and again no matter the season. Plus, the bridge is a favorite among local dog owners, so the dog watching there is second to none.
Take a Hike
Check out Friends of the James River Park online. They have amazing recommendations for where to get out and walk or hike throughout the James River Park system. Many of the trails and riverfront paths offer stunning natural scenery and access to historical points of interest like the Trigg Shipyard, the Richmond Slave Trail, and the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar. Outside of the park system, Pocahontas State Park to the southeast of Richmond is always a safe bet, and Libby Hill Park’s green space offers fantastic views of the city.
And there you have it — our recommendations for a family-friendly summer in Richmond! We hope your family will love some of these ideas enough to make them mainstays on your summer bucket lists.
Amelia adds: I hope you enjoyed our rundown of activities for your family and learned some new information about our community. Enjoy your summer in wonderful Richmond, and remember — some of the most memorable activities can be unexpected, so get out there and explore!
Mother/daughter writing duo Laura and Amelia Boycourt had a blast crafting this article together. Amelia Boycourt is a middle school student who enjoys reading, writing, music, and theater. In addition to writing for RFM, she has been published in the RVA Youth Poetry Anthology.
