Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden at Bloemendaal- Lewis Ginter, a Richmond millionaire, first established the house and grounds as an elite club. It has since been a hospice for sick children, and in 1926 was left to the city as a botanical garden and park. Many exotic and foreign species as well as Virginia native plants are cultivated here, with plaques to denote their scientific name and origin. Serious horticulturists will enjoy the variety, and visitors are often seen with field guides and garden manuals in hand. The recreational gardener will also enjoy the leisurely paths, arches, and trellises. There are ponds where children can feed the fish for a coin, and a lake behind the gift shop and house where blue herons and king fishers are sometimes seen. There is also a Tea House which overlooks a lake, perfect for lunch after meandering the gardens and grounds. Shop in the gardens. 9:30-4:30 daily. Adults $4, Seniors $3, ages 2-12 $2.
1800 Lakeside Ave.
804-262-9887
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Mystery Dinner Playhouse- Mystery Dinner Playhouse is Virignia's very popular dinner theatre with locations in Richmond, Williamsburg, & Virignia Beach. Audience members participate in solving a hilarious comedy murder mystery while enjoying a delicious four course dinner. The dinner is served to you at your table by a zany cast of characters, who all the while are providing clues to help you solve the evening's crime. Year-round weekly shows in all three locations. Inside the Best Western Governor's Inn.
9826 Midlothian Turnpike
888-471-4802
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Hollywood Cemetery - This beautiful, expansive cemetery was designed to harmonize with the landscape. Winding paths and foot bridges lead the visitor by the graves of such notable persons as Presidents John Tyler and James Monroe, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and General J.E.B. Stuart. The most stunning feature of the cemetery is a granite pyramid dedicated in 1869 to 18,000 Confederate soldiers. This is a trip worth making for those interested in Civil War history. It is also a good place to experience the people of Richmond, as many locals enjoy a quiet day in the park here. May-Oct 8-6, 8-5 the rest of the year. Free of charge.
412 S. Cherry and Albemarle St.
804-648-8501
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Richmond National Battlefield Park - The history of Richmond is deeply intertwined with the Civil War, and the visitor will find it difficult to visit the city without its mention. Battlefield Park chronicles the Union struggle to take the Confederate capitol and examines both the tactical and human side of the struggle not to let it fall. Films and artifacts in the visitors center commemorate the soldiers and their trials, walking tours and plaques detail the actual battles out in the park. This is not a compact park, but several sets of battlefields and trenches. Consult a map in the brochure. Headquarters at Fifth and Tredegar. Free.
Fifth and Tredegar
804-226-1981
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White Water Rafting - Richmond is the only urban area in the country with white water rafting. The city's concessionaire offers rafting trips with up to Class IV rapids Spring through Fall. All equipment provided, advance reservations required.
4400 E. Main St.
804-222-RAFT
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Paramount's King's Dominion - This nearby theme park draws on Paramount movies and TV series for its inspiration. Star Trek characters such as Klingons, Vulcans, and Romulans stalk the grounds and the rides are patterned after such movies as Days of Thunder, Top Gun, and Wayne's World. Shows, simulator rides, water slides, and roller coasters offer traditional theme park thrills. Doswell, VA. Call for Hours.
Exit 98 off I-95
804-876-5000
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Canal Walk - A 1.25 mile loop following the restored Haxall and James River & Kanawha Canals as well as 4 centuries of Richmond's history. Anchored by a new 10,000 square foot Civil War Visitor Center, history medallions, new exhibits and monuments, and seasonal special events. Narrated canal cruise, boat rentals and new restaurant and retail shops along the Canal Walk and in historic Shockoe Slip. (888)RICHMOND.
804-649-2800
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Science Museum and Ethyl Universe Planetarium - The Science Museum is the best Richmond has to offer in the way of hands-on science. Adults and children alike will be fascinated by the exhibits which explain the physics of aviation, the insides of a computer, or the astronomy of the night sky. Fly a flight simulator, write a computer program, grow your own crystals, or catch an omnimax film in the planetarium. Traveling and seasonal exhibits give the visitor a dynamic, current perspective on science. Mon-Sat 9:30-5, Fri-Sat 5-7, and Sun 12-5.
2500 W. Broad St
800-659-1727
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Maymont - The Dooleys, another prominent Richmond family, built their opulent mansion on 100 acres in 1893. Now visitors can enjoy tours of Maymont House, Italian and Japanese Gardens, a Children's Farm, Nature Center, wildlife Exhibits, aviary and more. Kids love feeding the animals at the Children's Farm and watching the bears, bison, fox, deer and other native Virginia wildlife in their natural habitats. The property overlooks the James River and the gardens are some of Virginia's finest. Look for peacocks which roam free and can often be seen strutting their feathers in the lane. This is the perfect place for frisbee and picnics and is stroller accessible. Tram tours and carriage rides are available and you can easily spend and entire day here. Grounds and gardens open daily 10-7, Apr-Oct, 10-5 Nov-Mar. Indoor exhibits closed Mondays, call for tour, and activity schedules. Admission free but donations encouraged.
1700 Hampton St.
804-358-7166
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