Springtime in Richmond is a magical time of year! As the weather starts getting warmer and the days start lasting longer, residents begin to emerge and return to all of the activities that make this city special.
Richmond, Virginia is one of the most friendly, welcoming cities where almost everyone is happy to stop and chat on a warm day. Check out some of the city’s favorite warm weather spring pastimes, and get out there and make some friends!
Flying Squirrels Baseball
Baseball fans know that the beginning of springtime means one thing… baseball is back! Baseball season in RVA starts at the beginning of April and families can once again catch The Richmond Flying Squirrels on their home field at The Diamond.
Check out their season schedule online to see when the team will be playing a home game, and head out for this perfect family-friendly springtime activity.
The staff at The Diamond keep things interesting with themed nights, dog-friendly Bark in the Park special events, and plenty of entertainment between innings.
Tickets start at just $8 each, so you won’t break the bank for an evening of fun!
Metro Richmond Zoo
As the warm weather returns to Richmond, life begins to reemerge at the Metro Richmond Zoo. This privately owned zoo about 20 minutes outside of downtown Richmond offers visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of over 2,000 animals including monkeys, giraffes, black bears, zebras, rhinos, and more – oh my!
Although the zoo is open year round, springtime is the best to visit because you can find many of the animals outside basking in the warmth of the sun’s glow.
General admission tickets start at $22 for adults and $16 for children under 12 with optional behind-the-scenes animal encounters, summer camps, and a treetop zoofari adventure course.
Maymont Park
Maymont Park has been a Richmond highlight for many generations. This 100 acre historic estate and park has so much to see, so plan on spending the whole day here and make sure you bring your walking shoes!
During the spring months, visitors can enjoy a stroll through the colorful rose blooms in the Italian Garden or skip across the stones along the Koi pond in the Japanese Garden. More points of interest in the park include farm and wildlife habitats, the historic Maymont mansion, and a nature center.
Check out the petting zoo for a chance to feed and pet goats, pigs, and more!
The Robins Nature center requires paid admission, but the rest of the park is free to the public with a suggested $5 donation. During the spring and summer, you can find donation-based outdoor yoga classes held each Tuesday evening inside the park hosted by One Drop Yoga.
Celebrate Easter at Brambly Park Winery
Brambly Park Winery is an indoor/outdoor winery and event space located in Scott’s Addition Richmond. This pet-friendly winery features 2 acres of land with a full-service restaurant, outdoor picnic area, event hall, and wooded viewing area for live music events.
Brambly Park routinely hosts live music and fundraising events, so make sure you check their schedule for upcoming events.
On Sunday,, they host a special Easter brunch from 11am-1:30pm for visitors to enjoy a specialty brunch menu and celebration with family photos and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Reservations are required for this event which can be made online by visiting their website.
Arts in the Park
Arts in the Park, an annual Richmond event, has been a popular springtime event in Richmond for more than fifty years! Each spring, artists and craftsmen from all over the country flock to Byrd Park to set up shop at this outdoor art show.
Explore over 400 booths featuring paintings, handmade jewelry, sculptures, and much more. There are plenty of local food vendors on site for you to refuel as you spend the afternoon at the show.
Admission to the event is always free and there are dedicated lots nearby with free shuttle service to the park. Visit Arts in the Park for your chance to take home a one of a kind piece!
Dominion Riverrock
This annual festival occurs each May on Brown’s Island and is the nation’s premier outdoor sports and music festival. Dominion Riverrock features outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country who come to compete in events like rock climbing, kayaking, fishing, and their hugely popular canine dock diving contest.
Even if you don’t plan on participating in the events, spectators can enjoy live music, food, and more while watching from the sidelines.
Photographers and videographers are welcome and can even compete in contests of their own during the festival. Admission is free to this family-friendly event and it’s even encouraged to bring your dog along to join in the fun!
South of the James Farmers Market
Springtime is the perfect time to stroll around the South of James Farmers Market in Forest Hill Park. Spend the afternoon exploring the booths featuring tons of fresh produce, honey and jams, breads, pasta, and more.
If you get hungry, grab a bite to eat at one of the hot food tents and enjoy a picnic in the park. You won’t miss the line at one of the most popular highlights of the market, Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen food truck. Mrs. Yoder’s is a local food truck that makes hot and fresh homemade glazed doughnuts right at the truck – trust me, it’s worth the wait!
With all of the variety at this market you can find everything you’re looking for to create a fresh home cooked meal or enjoy a springtime picnic with friends.
Carytown Shopping District
The warm weather is the perfect opportunity to do some window shopping along Richmond’s historic Carytown Shopping District. This area of the city was first established in 1938 and visitors can feel like they’ve taken a step back in time by visiting Bygones vintage clothing and accessories store.
After that, grab some frozen yogurt along the way before taking the kids to Richmond’s premiere toy store, World of Mirth to find unique games, books, toys, and more.
If you’re in the mood for a quiet afternoon, find a good read at Chop Suey Books, the most popular used book store among Richmond locals, before heading to one of the nearby restaurants and coffee shops to enjoy outdoor dining on the patio.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a family friendly botanical garden that is home to more than 50 acres of beautiful flowers and plants, located just minutes from downtown Richmond. The gardens are open daily from 10am-5pm and tickets must be purchased online or at the gate in order to gain entry.
During spring, the flowers begin to bloom and nature comes alive at this award winning botanical garden. Spend the afternoon smelling the flowers along the outdoor walking trails to see beautiful native flowers, plants, and wildlife.
When you’re ready to find some shade, head inside the conservatory to see the orchid collection and other tropical fauna. Keep an eye on their website for special events, classes, and seasonal or rotating exhibits.
Check out the Breweries
RVA is known for having one of the most popular brewery scenes in the country and spring is one of the best times to check out what the local breweries have to offer!
Make your first stop at Legend Brewing Company to enjoy their full menu and outdoor patio with spectacular views of the city skyline. Next, head over to the Scott’s Addition neighborhood and choose your own bar crawl!
With 10 breweries, 4 distilleries, 3 cideries, 1 winery, and 1 meadery all packed into this seven by seven block area of the city, you’ll find something for everyone here.
Most of the breweries have outdoor seating to enjoy basking in the warmth with knocking back a few brewskies with friends.
