Adventure Challenge
Something for every outdoor recreation enthusiast! Adventure Challenge offers trips,
lessons, and tours in whitewater kayaking, snow skiing, coastal kayaking, river tubing,
and rafting. Visit the web site for more information or call (804) 276-7600.
Amphitheatre at Strawberry Hill
Located at 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, the Amphitheatre at Strawberry Hill is a 10,000-seat
outdoor amphitheater at the State Fairgrounds at Strawberry Hill. Its season runs from
April to October with country, rock and pop shows. Jimmy Buffett, Travis Tritt, Crosby,
Stills & Nash, the Indigo Girls, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, the Dave Matthews Band,
Aerosmith and many others have performed at the amphitheatre. For more information,
call (804) 228-3233.
Get a Map
Arts in the Park
Arts In The Park, held the first weekend in May in Byrd Park, is the
largest outdoor arts and crafts show on the East Coast. The nationally
known arts show, now in its third decade, is sponsored by the Carillon Civic
Association and draws artists and craftspeople from 38 states. Admission is free,
and there is free parking at the nearby University of Richmond Stadium with free
shuttle bus service to and from the stadium. More than 100,000 people attend the show each year.
It's a must on any art lover's calendar.
For more information, call (804) 358-8198.
Busch Gardens Amusement Park
Located off I-64 East at exit 199 in Williamsburg, Virginia, Busch Gardens has been
acclaimed as America's "Most Beautiful Theme Park" for nine consecutive years.
It is also nationally ranked with two of the top 10 coasters in the US - the
Loch Ness Monster and Alpengeist. Shows and rides of all kinds fill the park's
European themed villages, dozens of thrilling rides and attractions, eight main
stage shows, a wide variety of authentic foods and shops, and a great kids place,
Land of the Dragons - all make Busch Gardens Williamsburg the ticket to a
world-class adventure. Open from mid-March to the end of October. Combination
tickets with Water Country USA are available. For more information,
call (757) 253-3350 or (800) 343-SWIM (7946).
Canal Walk
Adjacent to north bank of James River from Tredegar Iron Works at Fifth Street
to 17th Street, with pedestrian entrances to the walk at Tredegar Iron Works, Seventh, 12th,
14th, 17th and Virginia Streets (accessible to people with handicaps). Markers note people
and events associated with the area's history. Restoration of the Haxall and Kanawha Canals
and construction of the Canal Walk provide opportunities for waterfront strolling, canal
boat rides and venues for outdoor concerts and special events. For more information, call (804) 648-6549.
River District Canal Cruises
Enjoy 35-minute historically narrated tours or private charters of the James River & Kanawha Canal
along the historic Canal Walk in a covered boat that accommodates up to 38 passengers and departs on
the hour from the Turning Basin between 14th and Dock Streets in downtown Richmond’s River District.
Richmond’s canals began in 1789 after George Washington lobbied the General Assembly to proceed with
his vision of a canal and turnpike system that would connect the harbors of the east to the trade and
market opportunities in the west. Today, you can enjoy the journey through the River District from April
through November. For more information, or to book a private charter, visit
www.venturerichmond.com.
Call Venture Richmond at 788-6466 or 649-2800.
Venture Richmond
Located at 200 S. 3rd Street, this nonprofit organization produces a variety
of festivals and events all over Richmond. Included are Easter on Parade, Friday Cheers, Summer City Fest and the Second Street Festival. For more information, call (804) 788-6466.
Disc Golf
The City of Richmond is full of many hidden treasures! One of which happens to be
the Gillies Creek Park system. Located on the City's east side just off of Stoney
Run Drive and Williamsburg Road. Gillies Creek Park has an abundance of activities
to offer, some of which are refreshingly different. Gillies Creek Park sports an
18 hole "Disc Golf Course".
Disc Golf is golf played with a Frisbee-type disc which is hurled through the air into a chainlink
basket to score points. The least amount of putts (throws) it takes a golfer to land the disc into
the basket, the faster they can proceed to the next hole (basket location). The game takes about
an hour to play and covers a distance of about a mile.
Since 1956, it has been home to the Festival of Arts; a summer long celebration of the arts featuring
art exhibits, concerts, dance and theatre. In addition to these events the Festival of Arts
also incorporates a children's series with performances at our Ha' Penny stage.
For more information, call 804-646-1437 or download a program schedule.
Fitness Trails
The Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities maintains several
Fitness Trails. Users may either run or walk through the courses. You will
also notice that the trails provide written exercise instructions. Trails are
located at Byrd Park, Pine Camp Arts Center, Reid Community Center, Chimborazo
Park and Canoe Run Park. The Chimborazo Park Fitness Cluster is especially
designed for use by disabled residents.
Friday Cheers
Held weekly May through August on Brown's Island.
Every Friday thousands of people come to relax after the work week, meet friends
and hear some of the region's top bands. Admission is free. Contact
Venture Richmond at (804) 788-6466.
Fridays at Sunset
Fridays at Sunset (May - August) at Kanawha Plaza located at Cary and Eighth
Streets. For tickets or additional information visit the web site or contact
Johnson Inc. at (804) 644-8515.
Get a Map
Golf Driving Range - Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range
The City of Richmond's Golf Range is located at 400 West School Street.
For more information about golf programs with the Department of Parks, Recreation
& Community Facilities, click here.
For information about the driving range, call 804- 646-4074.
Get a Map
Hiking in Richmond
Visit this web page to get information on hiking trails around Richmond.
James River The James River Park System, the largest park in Richmond, may well be the
most popular, most diverse and most unusual! It includes nearly 450 acres lining both
banks of the James River from Huguenot Woods to Ancarrow’s Landing. The City of Richmond
is full of many hidden treasures, click here
to learn more about the James River. For additional information, contact our Park Naturalist, at (804) 646-8911.
Paramount's Kings Dominion
Located off of I-95 at exit 98, in Doswell, this 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. For more information, call (804) 876-5000.
Paramount's Water Works
Located off I-95 North in Doswell, Paramount's Water Works is bigger, better, wetter and
one price covers both Paramount experiences! There was a major redesign in 1999 of
Paramount's Hurricane Reef Water Park! Cool off and chill out on those hot summer
days with some quality time spent in a cool wet world with some great water slides,
rapids and thrills! Try Pipeline Peak, the tallest fully enclosed water ride in the
country! Check the weather, open May through early September and swimsuits are required.
For more information, call (804) 876-5000.
Parks
No matter where you are in Richmond, you're never far from one of the many
City parks. Each park offers a wide range
of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
At our parks, you can enjoy a picnic, jog, go fishing, or find a quiet spot
to get away from it all. Come see what we have, just for you.
Pools
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities operates nine
pools.
The eight outdoor pools are open from mid-June until Labor Day and
the indoor pool is open year-round. The department also has an award winning
swim team. For more aquatics information, call (804) 646-1174.
Rafting on the James River Visit this
web site for information on whitewater rafting, kayaking, river tubing, coastal kayaking, trips
and river rafting tours in Richmond. Participants can select from scheduled trips or have them
arranged as an activity for your business, church, school, or private group. Previous experience
is not necessary for the outings. River City Rafting Company (804) 232-RAFT
Riverside Outfitters (804) 560-0068
2nd Street Festival
The Jackson Ward District, Second Street north of Broad Street was once the focal point of
African-American business and nightlife in Richmond. It is now undergoing rejuvenation,
but the old days are recalled in the annual Second Street Festival produced by
Venture Richmond every October.
Music has always been important to the area; if you like jazz and R&B music, this is the place
to be. There's always dancing in the streets. For more information, call (804) 788-6466.
Summer City Fest - Concerts
Summer City Fest, Richmond's Summer music festival in July, consists of small and
large concerts held Downtown and all around the city. Visit their website for a
full schedule. Contact Venture Richmond at (804) 788-6466.
Virginia State Parks Web site
In the Richmond area, there are seven state parks within an hour's drive, so boating,
swimming, miles of trails, and other outdoor adventures are closer than you imagine.
Visit this web site for more information on Virginia State Parks or call (800) 933-PARK.
Water Country USA
Located off I-64 East at exit 199 in Williamsburg, Water Country USA, is the largest
water park on the east coast. Seasonally open from mid-May through early September,
this is a wet and wild 50's beach party for the whole family. A great respite from
those hot summer days, the park has something for everyone, from lazy raft rides
to lots of spiralling water slides and just for the little ones, play lagoons.
Combination tickets with Busch Gardens are available. For more information, call (757) 229-9300.
900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804)646-7000 Contact Us.
Enjoy 35-minute historically narrated tours or private charters of the James River & Kanawha Canal
along the historic Canal Walk in a covered boat that accommodates up to 38 passengers and departs on
the hour from the Turning Basin between 14th and Dock Streets in downtown Richmond’s River District.
Richmond’s canals began in 1789 after George Washington lobbied the General Assembly to proceed with
his vision of a canal and turnpike system that would connect the harbors of the east to the trade and
market opportunities in the west. Today, you can enjoy the journey through the River District from April
through November. For more information, or to book a private charter, visit
Located in Byrd Park, Dogwood Dell is a 2,400 seat amphitheatre owned and operated by the
The James River Park System, the largest park in Richmond, may well be the
most popular, most diverse and most unusual! It includes nearly 450 acres lining both
banks of the James River from Huguenot Woods to Ancarrow’s Landing. The City of Richmond
is full of many hidden treasures, 
Visit this
web site for information on whitewater rafting, kayaking, river tubing, coastal kayaking, trips
and river rafting tours in Richmond. Participants can select from scheduled trips or have them
arranged as an activity for your business, church, school, or private group. Previous experience
is not necessary for the outings.