50 Ways to Enjoy Each Other Around Richmond, Virginia

I spend a lot of time helping couples talk through hard things. But relationships aren’t built only in those conversations -- they’re also built in ordinary Tuesday nights, Saturday mornings, shared meals, walks, and little adventures.

Relationship researcher Arthur Aron has written about the idea that part of what draws us to relationships is the way they help us grow. Early on, that tends to happen naturally. You’re learning about each other, trying new things, and having experiences you haven’t had before. Over time, most couples settle into familiar routines, which makes sense, but it can also mean there are fewer opportunities to experience that sense of discovery together.

Research has found that couples who do things that are new, interesting, or a little challenging often report greater relationship satisfaction than couples who stick only to familiar routines. That doesn’t mean every date needs to be exciting, expensive, or especially creative. It can be as simple as trying a new restaurant, walking through a part of Richmond you’ve never explored, taking a class, or doing something together that falls outside your usual routine.

Hours, prices, exhibits, and reservation policies in the below list can change, so check the linked website before heading out. This guide was updated in July 2026.

Happy exploring! I hope you find something here that helps you enjoy each other a little more.

Outside and Around Town

1. Pack a Picnic for Maymont

Pick up lunch on the way and bring a blanket. Enter near the gardens if you want to spend most of your time around the Italian and Japanese Gardens, or add a tour of the mansion when tours are available. The grounds are open daily, while mansion tours and some indoor attractions have more limited schedules. Plan your Maymont visit.

2. Walk from Brown’s Island to Belle Isle

Start on Brown’s Island, cross the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, and continue onto Belle Isle if you want a longer walk. Bring water and wear shoes that can handle rocks or mud. Parking is available in several downtown lots and garages, but it’s worth checking a map before leaving rather than trying to figure it out once you arrive.

3. Watch the Sunset from Libby Hill Park

Pick up takeout and arrive roughly an hour before sunset. The main overlook has a clear view toward downtown and the river. Afterward, walk through Church Hill or stop nearby for dinner, dessert, or a drink.

4. Ride Part of the Virginia Capital Trail

There’s no need to ride the entire 52-mile trail. Start at the Richmond trailhead near Dock Street and choose an out-and-back distance that works for you. Check the official trail map for parking, restrooms, mileage markers, and places to stop along the route. View the Virginia Capital Trail map and trip information.

5. Book a James River Trip with Riverside Outfitters

Riverside Outfitters offers guided rafting and other river trips through Richmond, with calmer and more challenging options. Their outings generally take several hours, so treat this as a half-day plan and bring dry clothes for afterward. Reservations and river-condition checks are important. See current trips and booking information.

6. Spend an Afternoon at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Check the garden’s current exhibits before going, especially if you want to see the conservatory or a temporary installation. Daytime admission is generally available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online or at the garden. There are also places to eat on-site. Plan your Lewis Ginter visit.

7. Walk Through Hollywood Cemetery

Use the cemetery’s map to choose a route instead of driving around without a plan. Popular stops include Presidents Circle and the river overlook. Wear comfortable shoes, remember that it is an active cemetery, and check the current visitor guidelines before going.

8. Explore the Canal Walk

Start near the Turning Basin or Brown’s Island and follow the historic markers along the canal. This works well as a shorter downtown date because you can add lunch, dinner, or the nearby riverfront without committing to an entire day.

Museums, Movies, and History

9. Visit the VMFA in the Evening

General admission to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is free, although special exhibitions may require tickets. It stays open until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, making it one of the easier Richmond museums to use for an actual date night. Add dinner at Amuse or drinks nearby. Check VMFA hours and current exhibitions.

10. See a Movie at the Byrd Theatre

Check the schedule rather than assuming it will be showing a current release. The Byrd programs classics, newer films, special screenings, and themed series. The theater is in Carytown, so you can easily add dinner, drinks, shopping, or dessert before or afterward. See current Byrd Theatre showtimes.

11. Go to the Science Museum on a Friday Evening

The Science Museum of Virginia is open later on Fridays, which makes it less of a daytime field-trip experience. Check the daily schedule for Dome shows and demonstrations before buying tickets. The museum is at 2500 West Broad Street and has on-site parking. View hours, tickets, and the daily schedule.

12. Visit the Poe Museum

The Poe Museum is small enough to pair with another Church Hill or Shockoe Bottom stop. Leave time for the Enchanted Garden as well as the indoor exhibits. It is currently open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays. Check Poe Museum hours and tickets.

13. Learn More About Richmond at The Valentine

The Valentine focuses specifically on Richmond’s history and includes changing exhibitions and the Wickham House. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, with later hours on Thursdays. Check the website for current admission information and tour availability. Plan a visit to The Valentine.

14. Visit the Virginia Museum of History & Culture

The museum is open daily and is a good option when you want something indoors that doesn’t require a fixed event date. Look at the current exhibitions before going rather than trying to cover the whole museum. It is next to the VMFA, so you could visit both or have lunch in the Museum District. See current exhibitions and visitor information.

15. Take a Free Tour of the Virginia State Capitol

The Capitol offers free guided tours throughout the week, and self-guided visits are also possible. Tours last about an hour. Check entry procedures before going, since the building is an active government site and security screening is required. See Capitol hours and tour information.

16. Visit the Black History Museum in Jackson Ward

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is housed in the historic Leigh Street Armory. It is currently open Wednesday through Saturday, so this one requires a little planning. Pair it with lunch or a walk through Jackson Ward. Check current hours and exhibitions.

17. Tour the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

The National Park Service offers tours of Maggie Walker’s home in Jackson Ward. Tour schedules and availability can be more limited than regular museum hours, so check the site or call before going. Admission is free. See current visitor and tour information.

18. Visit the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar

The museum’s Tredegar location is beside the James River and is open daily. Give yourselves enough time for the exhibits, then walk toward Brown’s Island or the Potterfield Bridge afterward. Check admission and visitor details.

Play Something

19. Play Indoor Mini Golf at Hotel Greene

Hotel Greene has a themed indoor mini-golf course, lobby bar, and restaurant downtown. Reservations are a good idea, especially in the evening or on weekends. It is 21 and over after 5 p.m. Golf currently costs more after 5, so check rates when booking. Reserve a round at Hotel Greene.

20. Bowl at River City Roll

Reserve a lane at River City Roll in Scott’s Addition and plan to eat there rather than treating it like a traditional bowling alley. In addition to bowling, it has table shuffleboard, skee-ball, a full menu, and occasional live music. It is closed on Mondays. Check hours and reserve a lane.

21. Book a Bay at Topgolf

You don’t need golf experience because the games track the balls and give you specific targets. Bay prices vary by day and time, so earlier reservations are often less expensive. Food and drinks are available at the bay. Check Richmond hours and reserve a bay.

22. Paint Pottery at All Fired Up

Choose a ceramic piece, paint it at the studio, and return later to pick it up after it has been glazed and fired. All Fired Up is in the Short Pump area and recommends calling ahead, particularly on weekends and holidays. See studio hours and reservation information.

Make or Learn Something

23. Take a One-Day Pottery Class

For something more hands-on than painting premade pottery, look for a one-day beginner class at Hand/Thrown or a workshop at Still Life Studio. Schedules rotate, so this takes advance booking rather than a same-day decision.

24. Choose a Class at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond

VisArts offers classes in clay, glass, painting, photography, fiber, woodworking, printmaking, metals, and other media. Look specifically for one-day or weekend workshops unless you both want a multiweek class. Registration can fill up early. Browse current VisArts classes.

25. Take a Cooking Class Together

The Kitchen Classroom in Henrico offers date-night classes, cocktail classes, and courses focused on particular cuisines or skills. Mise En Place also runs hands-on cooking classes from its downtown studio. Compare the menus and class length before booking, since these are scheduled experiences rather than drop-in activities. Browse The Kitchen Classroom or Mise En Place.

More Arts, Activities, Food, and Places to Explore

26. Visit the Institute for Contemporary Art

Admission to the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU is free. Exhibitions rotate, so check what is currently showing before going. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday, and the building also has a café and shop.

27. See a Show at Firehouse Theatre

Firehouse Theatre presents plays, musicals, dance, comedy, cabaret, and other small productions throughout the year. Check the calendar rather than waiting for a particular season, and read the parking instructions included with your ticket. Browse upcoming Firehouse performances.

28. Go to Richmond Triangle Players

Richmond Triangle Players produces professional theater centered on LGBTQ+ stories and artists. Its Robert B. Moss Theatre is near Scott’s Addition, making it easy to add dinner or drinks before the performance. See the current season and tickets.

29. Choose a Performance at Dominion Energy Center

Rather than waiting for one particular show, browse the calendar for touring musicians, comedians, plays, Richmond Ballet, Virginia Opera, and other performances. The Dominion Energy Center is downtown at 600 East Grace Street, so check parking options when purchasing tickets. View upcoming events.

30. Hear the Richmond Symphony

The Richmond Symphony offers traditional orchestral concerts as well as pops programs and collaborations with contemporary musicians. Look through the full calendar and choose something that interests both of you rather than assuming every concert will be strictly classical. Browse Richmond Symphony performances.

31. Browse Shelf Life Books in Carytown

Give yourselves a spending limit and choose a book for each other, or pick one book to read together. Shelf Life Books is Richmond’s largest independent bookstore and is open seven days a week. Check its events page for author visits and book clubs.

32. Spend an Afternoon Exploring Carytown

Start at one end of Cary Street and walk rather than moving the car between stops. Browse Shelf Life Books, Plan 9 Music, clothing and gift shops, then choose somewhere for coffee, dinner, or dessert. This works best when you leave a couple of hours open instead of planning every stop.

33. Have Afternoon Tea at The Queen’s Library

The Queen’s Library Tea Room at Stony Point offers a full English-style afternoon tea experience. Reservations and advance payment are required, so this is one to book rather than attempt as a walk-in. See current tea times, menus, and pricing.

34. Book an Escape Room

Breakout Games Richmond offers several private, 60-minute escape rooms with different themes. Choose the room before booking and arrive early enough to complete the required waiver. The location is on Midlothian Turnpike, roughly 10 miles southwest of downtown.

35. Try Indoor Rock Climbing

Triangle Rock Club’s Richmond location has top-rope climbing, auto-belays, bouldering, and beginner instruction. First-time visitors need to complete a waiver and orientation, and rental equipment is available. Plan a first visit to Triangle Rock Club.

36. Race Indoor Go-Karts

For a more active indoor option, check the current hours and requirements at G-Force Karts. Closed-toe shoes are usually the practical choice, and height or footwear rules may apply. Richmond Region Tourism also lists G-Force among the area’s main indoor sports options.

37. Take a Richmond Mural Drive

Richmond has more than 100 murals, so choose one part of the city rather than trying to find all of them. Start in the Arts District or Scott’s Addition, park, and walk between several murals before stopping for lunch or coffee. Richmond Region Tourism maintains information about the city’s public art and free attractions.

38. Tour Agecroft Hall and Its Gardens

Agecroft Hall is a 16th-century English manor that was dismantled, transported to Richmond, and rebuilt here in the 1920s. General admission includes the house, gardens, woodland walk, and sunroom exhibit. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, but confirm hours before going. Plan an Agecroft Hall visit.

39. Visit the Virginia War Memorial

The Virginia War Memorial has free indoor exhibits, memorial spaces, and views over the James and downtown. It is open throughout the week, although Sunday hours begin later. Free parking is available for visitors. Check current hours and exhibits.

40. Walk at Pony Pasture

Park at the Pony Pasture Rapids entrance and follow the riverside trails. Wear shoes that can handle mud and uneven ground, and stay off the rocks when the river is high or fast. This is an easy date to pair with coffee or lunch in the West End.

41. Explore the Trails at Pocahontas State Park

Choose your route before leaving because the park has hiking, biking, and multiuse trails of different lengths. A parking or entrance fee may apply, and some amenities operate on limited schedules, so check the Virginia State Parks website before going.

42. Have Dinner at Blue Atlas

Blue Atlas is located in a former schoolhouse at the end of Union Avenue in Fulton Hill. Its dinner menu is globally inspired and designed around dishes that can be shared. Reservations require a credit-card hold, and the menu changes seasonally. View the current menu and make a reservation.

43. Use the Date-Night Special at Garnett’s

Garnett’s Café offers a nightly date special that currently includes two menu items and a bottle of wine or pitcher of beer for $35. The restaurant is small, so arriving early or making a backup plan nearby is sensible. Check the current Garnett’s offer.

44. Go Out Only for Dessert

Choose dessert as the entire plan instead of adding it after dinner. Shyndigz is an obvious Richmond option for cake, but you could also pick two different bakeries or ice-cream shops and split something at each. Check hours first, since dessert shops often close on particular weekdays.

45. Plan a Progressive Dinner

Choose a walkable neighborhood such as Church Hill, Carytown, or Scott’s Addition. Have an appetizer at one restaurant, dinner at another, and dessert somewhere else. Reservations are helpful for the main course, but leave the first and last stops flexible.

46. Try a Restaurant Neither of You Would Normally Choose

Use a current Richmond restaurant guide, or a neighborhood you rarely visit to narrow the options. Pick a cuisine neither of you eats often and look at the menu before making a reservation.

47. Create a Coffee-Shop Comparison

Choose two Richmond coffee shops in the same general area and order something small at each. Compare coffee, pastries, seating, or whatever matters to you, then keep the better one for a future date. Limiting it to two stops keeps this from becoming an all-day caffeine project.

48. Take a Self-Guided Architecture Walk

Choose one neighborhood with a clear route, such as the Fan, Church Hill, or Jackson Ward. Park once, walk for 45 to 90 minutes, and look up a few buildings or historic markers as you go. Add a specific restaurant or coffee shop at the end so the date has a defined finish.

49. Spend a Morning at a Richmond Market

Check which farmers or artisan markets are operating on the day you are free, then give yourselves a shared budget for breakfast and something to take home. Market locations and schedules change, so verify the current vendor list and hours before leaving.

50. Let the Calendar Choose

When neither of you has an idea, check the event calendars for the ICA, Firehouse Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond Symphony, Shelf Life Books, and local museums. Choose from what is actually happening that week instead of waiting for a major festival. Those calendars offer rotating options throughout much of the year.

Sarahbeth Spasojevich, LPC, MEd, MA, MBA, NCC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Connected Resilience, LLC

For scheduling: (804) 220-0388 (text/phone) 

sarahbeth@connectedresilience.us 

www.connectedresilience.us