For starters, don’t miss my Wednesday posts of Free & Cheap Events to fill your weekend. I comb through a lot of sources to find fun things happening around Richmond that cost $5 or less (and usually free!)
If you’re looking for kids activities, you’ll find lots of ideas on the Kids Stuff page.
Ongoing Events and Anytime Activities
Recommended reading: Historic Richmond Region, Free of Charge – A list of free activities and places to visit around Richmond, compiled by the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Parks:
Richmond has a wealth of parks to explore…
Maymont – A unique Richmond treasure and where you’ll find most of the city on beautiful spring days. “100-acre Victorian country estate on the banks of the James River donated to the city of Richmond by Major & Mrs. James H. Dooley. Now maintained and operated by the private, nonprofit Maymont Foundation, it features the opulent Maymont Mansion and original Italian and Japanese gardens in addition to a Carriage Collection, Children’s Farm, Nature Center, Native Virginia Wildlife Exhibits, Aviary and extensive Arboretum.” Free entrance; $5 fee for Maymont Mansion, $3 fee for Nature Center
City of Richmond parks information (look for Parks link on the left)
The James River Park is technically part of the city park system, but you’ll find much more helpful information on the Friends of the James River Park page. This park has it all – hiking, fishing, birdwatching, mountain biking, canoeing/kayaking, and more! It is truly a system in that it has a number of separate sections, each offering different attractions.
Henrico County park information – Some of the big ones are Deep Run Park, Dorey Park, and Three Lakes Park. Crump Park/Meadow Farm Museum has an historic house which is open for tours certain hours, and a farm with animals.
Hanover County park information
Chesterfield County park information
Pocahontas State Park – Located in Chesterfield County and covering almost 8000 acres (the largest state park in Virginia), Pocahontas offers “many various activities, including biking, hiking, picnicking, swimming, camping and family-friendly nature programs… Swift Creek Reservoir and Beaver Lake offer visitors a chance for excellent wildlife viewing and fishing.” There is a parking fee of $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. Additional costs for swimming pool, camping, etc. You can search for upcoming events at Pocahontas here
National Battlefield Park – Richmond was the scene of a number of battles during the Civil War, and the park encompasses 13 separate sites with four visitor centers along a 80 mile route through the City of Richmond, and Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield counties. Park admission is free. Visitor centers at Tredegar Iron Works (fee), Chimborazo and Cold Harbor are open daily 9am to 5 pm. Visitor centers at Glendale and Fort Harrison are open daily June through August, 9am to 5pm.
Miscellaneous:
Flying Squirrel Ticket Discounts – Richmond’s own Double-A baseball team, along with its ubiquitous mascot Nutzy, is housed at the Diamond every spring and summer. General admission is $6, but read my post to learn about ways to save on tickets!
Tax Deductible Museum Memberships
Theme Park Discounts
Busch Gardens Ticket & Pass Discounts – Including the Forest of Fun Preschool Pass (free admission for kids 5 and under, VA residents only) and the Busch Gardens Fun Card (Pay once, visit all spring and summer!)
Save on Kings Dominion Admission – Cheapest tickets are usually through county parks & recreation departments, or with corporate discount codes
Movies:
Byrd Theatre – $1.99 second-run movies, as well as special events which are sometimes free. On Saturday evenings, enjoy a live organ performance by Bob Gulledge in between the two evening shows
Movieland – Join the Criterion Club to get rewards and special rates, including $6 tickets on Tuesdays. Every Saturday and Sunday morning at 11am, Movieland shows a classic movie for Movies & Mimosas ($4.50 w/membership, $5.50 reg.), and Friday and Saturday nights at 11:30pm, Insomnia Theater screens cult classics at ($4.50 w/membership, $5.50 reg.). (1301 N Boulevard)
Cinema Classics – Henrico County offers showings of classic movies throughout the year at Henrico Theatre, and the cost is only $1
Style Weekly – watch for offers of free passes to a new movie in current issues
Redbox – Kiosks offer current movie rentals for $1 a night. Codes DVDONME and BREAKROOM will get you a free rental at any Redbox. DVDATWAG and DVDKROG will get you a free rental from a Walgreen’s and Kroger kiosk, respectively.
Events
Here’s my long list of Free Outdoor Concerts
Event listings:
- Modlin Center at University of Richmond
VCUarts Events Calendar
Randolph-Macon College Events
Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen (click on Calendar)
Hanover Tavern
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Richmond Concert Band
Libraries
Media:
Chesterfield Observer
Richmond Family Magazine
Weekly Rant
Richmond.com
Parks and Recreation Programs: These are a fabulous source of free and low-cost activities offered through respective county departments. You’ll find family festivals, children’s classes and sports, seniors programs and much more.
- Henrico – “At Your Leisure” Program Guide
Chesterfield – Program Guide
Richmond – Activity Guide
-Especially noteworthy is the Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts every summer
Hanover – Recreation Program Information (look on left sidebar)
Goochland – Program Guide (left sidebar)
