Unique Things to Do in Richmond, VA

The Byrd Theatre

See a film in Carytown’s historic movie palace, with its original Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

Why try it: Carytown’s historic movie palace turns a film outing into a visit to a Richmond landmark.

Check film listings and buy tickets through the theatre; the organ plays before most screenings.

Visual Arts Center of Richmond

Visit the gallery or try a class in clay, painting, printmaking and other creative media.

Why try it: Make something yourself in a registered class, or see what local and visiting artists are showing in the gallery.

Classes require registration. Check current gallery exhibitions and visiting details.

Hollywood Cemetery

Take a self-guided walk among historic monuments, trees, and river overlooks.

Why try it: A self-guided outing combining historic monuments, mature trees and river overlooks.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views

Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU

Explore changing contemporary art exhibitions, installations and creative programs.

Why try it: Changing exhibitions and installations offer a fresh perspective on contemporary art.

Free admission. Some programs require registration; preview exhibitions before visiting with children.

Dutch Gap Conservation Area

Explore the lagoon trail, look for birds, or paddle the quiet water.

Why try it: Explore lagoon trails, look for birds or plan a quiet-water paddle.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Biking
• On the Water

Agecroft Hall & Gardens

Explore formal gardens, a lawn maze, and a woodland walk at this historic estate.

Why try it: Formal gardens, a lawn maze and a woodland walk offer a different kind of Richmond afternoon.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views

Great Shiplock Park & Chapel Island

See the historic canal locks, follow an island path, or launch a non-motorized boat.

Why try it: Historic canal locks and an island path give you another perspective on the riverfront.

• Walks & Hikes
• Gardens & Views
• Biking
• On the Water

Crump Park & Meadow Farm

Follow the park trails, play outside, and see the farm animals from public areas.

Why try it: Pair park trails and playtime with a look at farm animals from the public areas.

• Walks & Hikes
• Playgrounds

Taylor Farm Park

Try the nature play area or check the all-wheel park for riding.

Why try it: Nature play and an all-wheel park offer more than a standard playground visit.

• Playgrounds
• Biking

Révéler

Listen to jazz, soul and roots music at this Carytown venue.

Why try it: Discover jazz, soul and roots performances at a Carytown music venue.

Check the current calendar, tickets and the age policy for your chosen performance.

The Poe Museum

Explore Edgar Allan Poe’s life and writing through artifacts, historic buildings and a courtyard garden.

Why try it: Explore Edgar Allan Poe’s life through artifacts, historic buildings and a courtyard garden.

Check admission and accessibility details for the historic buildings and grounds.

Hotel Greene

Play indoor mini golf through rooms inspired by an old European hotel.

Why try it: Play indoor mini golf through rooms inspired by an old European hotel.

21+ after 5 p.m., with ID required. Check walk-in and brunch reservation details.

Henricus Historical Park

Explore a reconstructed colonial settlement and learn about the region’s Indigenous and English history.

Why try it: Explore a reconstructed colonial settlement and the region’s Indigenous and English history.

Check admission and current programming. Most of the visit is outdoors, with gravel and dirt paths.

• Walks & Hikes

Great Big Game Show Richmond

Compete with friends in a live-hosted game show with trivia, strategy and quick challenges.

Why try it: Step into a live-hosted game show with friends for trivia, strategy and quick challenges.

Book a session and check group size and age guidance before visiting.

Art Factory & Party Place

Choose a canvas, wooden project or decorative figurine and make something in the drop-in art studio.

Why try it: Choose your own project and make something to take home from a self-guided art session.

Open Studio is self-guided and priced by project. Check current hours; acrylic-painted projects go home the same day. Groups of eight or more should call ahead.

Historic Polegreen Church

Explore an outdoor historic church site and follow a self-guided audio tour about religious freedom.

Why try it: An outdoor historic church site offers a self-guided introduction to the region’s religious-freedom story.

The grounds are free to visit from sunrise to sunset. Visitor-center hours are more limited; check the official visiting information.

• Walks & Hikes

Hanover Tavern

See a theatre performance, dine at the restaurant or explore the museum and historic rooms at Hanover Tavern.

Why try it: Discover live theatre, a restaurant and a museum inside a historic Hanover tavern.

Check theatre tickets, restaurant reservations and museum-tour availability before visiting. Historic tours have an admission charge; guided tours require advance booking.

Clay Ground

Try a beginner pottery workshop or book an all-level clay session at a studio in Richmond’s East End.

Why try it: Book a beginner workshop or all-level session to make something with clay in the East End.

Book an appropriate class in advance. Check materials, firing and collection arrangements; open-studio access has different requirements.

Hand/Thrown Ceramics Studio

Try a single-session pottery class in a community ceramics studio on Brookland Park Boulevard.

Why try it: Try wheel throwing or handbuilding in a registered class at a neighborhood ceramics studio.

Book ahead; there are no public walk-in hours. Wheel classes are for ages 16 and up; children ages 5 and up can join one-day handbuilding with a booked adult. Fired pieces usually need pickup two to four weeks later.

Ashland Museum & Red Caboose

Explore Ashland’s history through local exhibits, then step inside a restored railroad caboose next door.

Why try it: Explore Ashland’s local history, then step inside a restored railroad caboose next door.

Check museum and caboose opening times before visiting. Groups should make arrangements in advance; tours and special programs may have separate fees.

Fine Creek Brewing Company

Visit a family-owned farmhouse brewery in rural Powhatan for small-batch beer, seasonal food and indoor or outdoor seating.

Why try it: A small farmhouse brewery offers a rural Powhatan outing with seasonal food and indoor or outdoor seating.

Check current taproom hours and food offerings. Only service animals are allowed, and outside food is not permitted.

Varina Area Library

Browse books, enjoy woodland views or explore creative projects at a library with a Digital Media Lab and outdoor walking trail.

Why try it: Pair a quiet reading break with woodland views or explore creative opportunities in the library’s Digital Media Lab.

Check current hours and Digital Media Lab booking or library-card requirements. Some programs require registration; printing and materials may carry fees.

• Walks & Hikes

Richmond Railroad Museum

Explore railway artifacts and a model railroad inside a historic station, then see locomotives and railcars outside.

Why try it: Explore a historic station, a model railroad and full-size railcars without booking a train journey.

Admission is charged. Public opening hours are on weekends; check current hours before visiting. This is a museum visit, not a train ride.

Mid-Lothian Mines Park

Explore free public woodland paths and discover stone ruins connected to one of America’s earliest commercial coal-mining sites.

Why try it: A woodland walk reveals traces of the Richmond region’s early coal-mining history.

Check park hours and trail conditions. View historic remains from designated paths; this is not an underground mine tour.

• Walks & Hikes

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

Tour the home of Maggie L. Walker and learn about the Richmond entrepreneur and civil-rights leader’s work in Jackson Ward.

Why try it: A guided home tour introduces a pioneering Black entrepreneur and civil-rights leader in Jackson Ward.

Admission is free. Start at the visitor center at 600 N 2nd Street; check guided-tour availability. Larger groups need advance arrangements.

Swift Creek Mill Theatre

See professional live theater in a historic gristmill for a distinctive evening out in Chesterfield.

Why try it: See professional live theater inside a historic gristmill in Chesterfield.

Book tickets for a scheduled performance. Check the show’s audience guidance; pre-show dining is a separate option.

Goochland Drive-In Theater

Make a movie night different by watching a scheduled screening under the stars at Goochland’s drive-in theater.

Why try it: Turn a movie outing into an evening under the stars at a rural drive-in.

Check current screenings, ticket arrangements, arrival guidance and film ratings. Outdoor showings depend on the schedule and weather.

Unplugged Games Cafe

Choose a board game from the library, settle in with food or drinks and ask staff to help you learn something new.

Why try it: A staffed board-game library makes it easy to try a new game together over food or drinks.

Check current game-pass charges and table availability. Food and drinks are separate from the game pass.

Gnome & Raven

Solve puzzles together in a fantasy-themed escape-room adventure at Stony Point Fashion Park.

Why try it: Work together through an immersive fantasy escape room designed for a shared adventure.

Reserve a session and check age and sensory guidance. Children under 13 need an adult in the room; private experiences have a four-person minimum charge.

Richmond Pinball Collective

Try a roomful of pinball machines at a nonprofit club that welcomes first-time players and experienced competitors.

Why try it: Explore a collection of pinball machines with a local nonprofit club, without feeding coins into each game.

Guest passes are paid and limited to three visits per person per year; regular visits require membership. Check public hours and tournament arrangements.

Mojo Glassworks

Try a beginner glassmaking class and shape a handmade piece at a local glass studio in Manchester.

Why try it: Make a glass piece in a hands-on class at an independent Manchester studio.

Book a scheduled paid class. Check age requirements, safety guidance and collection arrangements for your finished piece.

Gallery5

Discover art exhibitions, live music and community programs inside a former Jackson Ward firehouse.

Why try it: A historic firehouse brings together contemporary art, live music and community-led events.

Check the current calendar and gallery opening times. Performances may require paid tickets; other visits may need an appointment.