14 Fun Free Things to Do in Richmond, Virginia

Dozens of craft breweries and a farm to table foodie scene in Richmond, VA may capture your attention. But there’s more. This river city has the only urban rapids in United Sates, plus easy access to the ocean, mountains, and Washington DC. Virginia’s capital, Richmond has many free attractions and fun things to explore!

Are you an urban adventurer? Then Richmond, Virginia, is for you. You can experience the thrill of the urban rapids right in the city of Richmond by kayaking or rafting on these class IV rapids. You can also swim in the James River. Since Richmond is close to Washington, DC, it has sophisticated places to eat and drink. A trip to Richmond is easily combined with a trip to the historic triangle of  Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown. In fact, the Virginia State Capitol was in Williamsburg until it was moved to Richmond in 1779.

But, travel can be expensive. If you want to explore without breaking the bank, Richmond has a ton of free attractions. Since there are so many free things to do in this southern city, you need a few days to explore.  Museums, natural areas, as well as lots of history await you.

TMOM TIPS:

Due to COVID-19, some of the attractions listed below may be closed at the time of your visit. Check beforehand to make sure places you want to visit are open, which we think is a good travel rule of thumb any time.

Richmond is in the heart of the Confederacy. Remember that before sharing opinions about the Civil War. Or, at least, remember you are in a state that seceded from the Union.

Free things to do in Richmond, VA

Hollywood Cemetery

The final resting place of U.S. Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, this cemetery was established in 1847. Also buried here are numerous Virginia notables and thousands of Confederate soldiers. There is a monument to the Confederate War dead, along with one to a Newfoundland dog. You can get great views of the James River from Hollywood Cemetery.

The Hollywood Cemetery is also a renowned arboretum, with many specimen trees. You can take a free self-guided tours, by foot or car. You can also purchase a paid tour by by trolley, Segway, or electric car. Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Library of Virginia

Collections include ledgers of plantation owners and petitions of slaves and free blacks, as well as Indian treaties and Virginia’s original copy of the United States Bill of Rights. This is a great place to learn about Virginia’s women in history. A variety of activity books will engage young visitors. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Maymont

Explore the grounds and gardens at Maymont House Museum for free. There is a $5 suggested donation to see the barn and wildlife exhibits and a $5 suggested donation to tour the house. Animals at Maymont include owls, black bears, bald eagles, river otters and goats. The grounds open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. October through March, and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. April through September.

Monument Avenue

See Southern mansions and monuments to Confederate generals. The National Historic Landmark area starts in the Fan District. It is THE place to see an Easter parade. Everyone in Richmond dresses in their Easter best and promenades down the avenue. There is also music, arts, crafts, children’s activities, food, balloon artistry, and a petting zoo. In addition to an annual People Bonnet Showcase, there is Pet Bonnet showcase.

Richmond National Battlefield Park Civil War Visitor Center at Historic Tredegar

Meet a National Park Service Ranger and see three floors of exhibits. Learn about Richmond during the Civil War and hear about the battlefields that surround downtown Richmond. You can run or hike the trails, and leashed dogs are allowed. Biking is permitted on the Totoptomoy Creek trail and most park roads. Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

You might also like: Cool things to do in Biloxi with kids

Nature for free in Richmond VA

Three Lakes Nature Center

This year-round facility has tons of hands-on activities. Learn about air, water and land, from the wetlands to woodlands. The nature center has a 50,000 gallon aquarium.

Rockwood Nature Center

The park, just outside Richmond, has nature exhibits and live animals. The Children’s Corner features hands-on activities, both outdoors and in the log cabin visitors center. Animal life includes native reptiles, amphibians, and a honeybee hive. You can hike five miles of paved and unpaved roads. Rockwood Nature Center is open noon – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The nature center is closed in winter.

History for free

Maggie L. Walker National Historical Site

This National Park Service site commemorates the life of a progressive African-American woman who grew up in post-Civil War Richmond. Walker was the first female founder/president of a chartered bank in the United States. Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rangers lead tours every hour from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 St. John’s Church

St. John’s Church is the site of Patrick Henry’s impassioned oratory “Give me liberty or give me death.” This was the first church built in Richmond and is the oldest wooden church in Virginia. St. John’s remains an active congregation. Visit summer Sundays at 2 p.m. to see a free re-enactment of the 1775 debate among 10 of our nation’s founding fathers. You can make a reservation for $5, but there may be day of seats for free. Guided church tours – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture

The museum has a suggested admission fee, but you don’t have to pay anything. Formerly the Virginia Historical Society, the museum features exhibits on Southern history, civil rights and art. The museum also showcases a more progressive side of Virginia, with the exhibit Coming Out, Affecting Change. The exhibit ensures the LGBTQ+ community is represented in the museum’s collection. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1–5 p.m. on Sunday.

Free museums

Virginia Holocaust Museum

Learn about the Holocaust and survivors’ stories of the Kovno Ghetto and Dachau concentration camp. There are also exhibits on civil rights and hate crimes around the world.  What makes the museum extra poignant is that its founder is a Holocaust survivor. Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is also free parking.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The VMFA is open 365 days a year, and the permanent collection is always free. Some special exhibitions require paid admission. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts includes French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art and British sporting art. It has the largest public collection of Fabergé outside Russia. There is also a sculpture garden. Free tours are offered throughout the day. Pick up a family gallery hunt at the Visitor Services desk. Families can join hands-on art projects and kids will find interactive exhibits.

Virginia Capitol and Executive Mansion

Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the Capitol houses America’s oldest legislative assembly. The design is of a classical Roman temple. Daily one-hour guided tours showcase historical statuary and paintings, rare exhibit objects, and newly restored legislative chambers. Self-guided tours are also available. The Virginia State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark. It is also nominated as a World Heritage site. Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Branch Museum of Architecture and Design

This design museum is housed in a historic Tudor Revival mansion on Monument Avenue. Designed by renowned architect John Russell Pope, The Branch House is on the National Register of Historic Places. If you’ve visited Richmond’s breweries, you might be pleased to know that this house was designed with a hidden storage area for illegal liquor during prohibition.

Other Things to Do in Richmond

Bring your bicycle!

The Virginia Capital Trail offers a free way to sightsee and use no fossil fuels. The 52 mile dedicated paved trail connects downtown Richmond with Jamestown. Biking just a portion of it is a great way to see the area.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

This gorgeous botanical garden offers free admission every July 4th and on a Community Day in September. It also has free admission for a week in January, after its annual nighttime night spectacular, GardenFest, closes for the season. And if you are traveling with a dog, GardenFest has special nights where dogs are allowed. Both owners and dogs have to pay admission.

Carytown

Carytown is known as the ‘mile of style.” This nine block neighborhood is filled with boutiques and local eateries.

Paid things to see in Richmond

Richmond has so many great free things to check out but the following activities also deserve a place on your “must do” list:

Note: this is an update of a post originally by Cindy Richards.