Free Things to do in Richmond

Fun, interesting, and rewarding adventures and experiences don’t need to break the bank or even cost a thing! After living in Richmond for over a year and a half, I have discovered a wide range of free activities. Check some out below!

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)

The VMFA, a personal favorite of mine, is open 365 days a year with free admittance for the public. Not only does it have a diverse, extensive, and interesting collection of art to explore, but it offers free events and beautiful spaces to hang out in. The VMFA hosts a Jazz Café every Wednesday night, which includes free performances by the area’s best jazz musicians. They have other free events, such as its annual ChinaFest, which includes art activities and performances revolving around the Chinese Lunar New Year. Outside, the VMFA has a picturesque, spacious sculpture garden with expansive grass to lie on or seating to relax in. Spending the day hanging out, reading, or working in the VMFA garden is one of my most cherished activities in Richmond. Inside, the VMFA offers public seating in the bright and contemporary Best Café and on its adjoining patio, surrounded by a glistening reflecting pool of water. The VMFA is an incredible resource in Richmond with its wide range of free experiences, from browsing art to listening to jazz music.

Texas Beach and Belle Isle

If you go to Texas Beach or Belle Isle on a sunny day, you’ll find crowds of people sunbathing, listening to music, and laughing on the rocks nestled on the shore of the James River. Texas Beach, located on the north end of the river, is more secluded and involves a longer hike through the woods to access it. Belle Isle, on the south end of the river, is a more urban experience, with the view of high-rises and access by bridges connected to the city. Surrounded by trees and the sound of trickling water, both Texas Beach and Belle Isle offer an experience that can be both relaxing and lively. You will find both partiers with a rack of beer and reclining readers enjoying these places. And, for those looking to exercise, they both offer winding pathways along the river, great for a run or a walk. Whether you want to hike, relax on a rock, or swim, there is something for you to enjoy at Texas Beach or Belle Isle, and all for free!

Scuffletown Park

If one explores the alleys between Strawberry St and N Stafford Ave in Richmond’s Fan District, one will come upon a charming, lush, and quaint park known as Scuffletown. With a small, well-kept community garden, benches and picnic tables, and fenced-in grass areas to lie upon, Scuffletown provides an idyllic atmosphere hidden within city alleys. During the day, you’ll find people reading, eating lunch, or sunbathing in the park. At night, the park becomes packed and lively, full of people crowded together listening to music, laughing, talking, and drinking. Scuffletown is the idle spot to spend solo time basking in the sun or connect with both familiar and new faces alongside the setting sun.

Maymont

Maymont, a 100-acre Victorian estate transformed into a public park with lush gardens, winding paths, and various wildlife exhibits, offers a free place to picnic, sunbathe, or walk. Maymont is a great place for children as well. It has a petting zoo and informative wildlife exhibits. Maymont offers countless idyllic places to hang out. People can enjoy sitting in the Italian Garden surrounded by colorful flowers or among the Koi ponds or waterfalls in the Japanese Garden. Maymont has many nooks and crannies, giving you a wide range of places to explore and enjoy.

Read more about my experience at Maymont in my previous blog: Ants in My Pants at Maymont's Garden Glow.

Pony Pasture

Pony Pasture, located across the James River on Richmond’s Southside, hosts trails lined by the James River and lush trees. People can hang out by the water, swim, or go on a walk, run, or bike ride. Depending on which fork in the trail you take, you can find a variety of experiences at Pony Pasture. One direction may lead you along the river, and another takes you into the woods to marshes and meadows. Pony Pasture’s explorative experience, paired with crisp air and the sound of rushing water and chirping birds, provides a tranquil, restorative experience. Pony Pasture is a great place to get outside and enjoy relaxing and exploring.

Read more about my experience at Pony Pasture in my previous blog: A Sunday South of The James.

Carytown

While there are certainly many opportunities to spend money in Carytown, with its wide range of shops and restaurants, you can also easily have a fun, free experience there. At no cost, you can walk along its lively streets and enjoy people-watching, live street music, and window shopping. Carytown has many fun, quirky local stores to explore as well. It has aesthetic kitchen stores, unique tea shops, charming bookstores, trendy novelty shops, and more. If you can control yourself not to buy something, it’s an extremely fun and free activity.

Exploring The Fan

Not much beats a walk through Richmond’s vibrant Fan district. The homes are beautiful, historic, and colorful, and you’ll come across quaint stores or parks that you least expect. You can take a break and sit in the charming, lush parks or step inside and explore local, quirky shops. Each house you walk by is unique, and each time you walk by one, you can notice something new. Walking through The Fan is a simple, pleasurable, and free experience full of character and surprises.

Richmond Events and Activities

Richmond has a plethora of free events constantly happening. My favorite source to discover what’s going on is the RicToday newsletter. Some free events regularly happening in Richmond are First Fridays, various markets, and group bike rides.

Every first Friday of the month, Richmond’s Art District hosts First Fridays, a free community event celebrating the city’s arts and culture. It features an art walk filled with gallery hopping and exploring the area. Read more about a First Friday event here: ‘Mother India’: art show celebrates Indian art.

Richmond constantly has various markets that are free to explore. For instance, every month, Richmond Makers Market hosts a dog-friendly art market and craft show. Each month it has a different theme, and it features a wide range of artists' booths to explore. The markets have a bustling energy and provide a great opportunity to learn about and connect with local artists. Read more about their January market here: ‘Quit your day job’: Local market supports full-time artists.

Since Richmond is a bike-friendly city with flat roads to cruise down, many people gather together for group bike rides. The group rides are free – beyond the fact, you need a bike – and offer a great place to explore Richmond, meet new people, and create a community. Many of the bike groups host weekly rides. You can learn more about one group, the Broad Street Bullies, here: A social movement’: Richmond bike group claims the road.

While countless other free events occur in Richmond, these are three regular and lively ones to count on.

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Whether you are a Richmond local or visiting from out of town, there are many rich and rewarding – and free – things to do in Richmond. Richmond has unique and accessible public areas and events that provide a fulfilling experience. If you are in Richmond, in your local city, or visiting another one, remember there are free activities to find and explore!