100+ Fun Alcohol-Free Activities to Enjoy in RVA
Searching for ideas for booze-free fun in RVA?
While our city may be well-known for its ample breweries, wineries, cideries, and other boozeries, there are plenty of alcohol-free activities to be enjoyed here, too.
From outdoor adventures to artistic endeavors and beyond, here are dozens of booze-free ways to spend your day in RVA.
by Alicia Valenski
Image Source: @skphotography4
Image Source: @keepvirginiacozy
Take A Hike
Pocahontas State Park:
Located only 20 minutes south of the city in Chesterfield County, Pocahontas State Park boasts 7,000+ acres of pristine forest in Virginia’s Piedmont Region. Ideal for scenic viewing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and camping, you’ll find the short journey to this park well worth it.
Location: 10301 State Park Rd, Chesterfield
SEE MORE // 12 MUST-DO HIKES WITHIN 2 HOURS OF RICHMOND
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Go Sight-Seeing
The Valentine:
One of the oldest museums in Richmond, the Valentine is located in the heart of downtown and has been collecting, preserving, and interpreting Richmond’s history for more than a century. Here’s a handy guide on what to expect when visiting the Valentine.
Location: 1015 E Clay St
SEE MORE // EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS: 23 HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SPOTS TO VISIT AROUND RICHMOND
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Hop On Your Bike
Check out this interactive map by Sports Backers showing the location of each bikeway, the different types of facilities, and information about them.
Bike lanes at a glance:
Franklin Street
Virginia Capital Trail
Grayland Avenue
Floyd Avenue
W Leigh Street
Lombardy Street
Hermitage Rd/Brookland Pkwy
E Leigh Street
Oliver Hill Way/18th Street
Semmes Avenue
Forest Hill Avenue
SEE MORE // YOUR GUIDE TO BIKING RICHMOND
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Hit The Trails
James River Park System:
This unique Richmond park system includes acres of shoreline, trails, and islands extending from the Huguenot Bridge in the west to a half-mile beyond the I-95 Bridge in the east. It encompasses most of the fall line of the James River in 14 different sections, but a few local favorites would be:
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
SEE MORE // 20 THINGS YOU CAN EAT, DRINK & DO IN RICHMOND FOR $5 OR LESS
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Go Camping
Tyro, VA – 2 hrs from RVA
Tent camping, RV or Pop-Up, Cabins
Starts at $28/night for tent camping
Camping next to a stream, just a ½ mile from the Crabtree Falls hike entrance!
Spy Rock and Humpback Rock hikes also very close by
SEE MORE // 10 OF THE TOP CAMPING SPOTS WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE OF RICHMOND
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Bond With Your Bros
RVA BBQ Tours
Got a group of food lovers? RVA BBQ Tours will take you on a caravan tour of three killer ‘cue spots around the city where you enjoy generous portions of melt-in-your-mouth goodness. En route from place to place, your squad can tune into the RVA BBQ Tours podcast to hear from the pitmasters themselves as they dish about their meats. Beverages including alcohol are not included but you can bring your own as long as you follow all Virginia ABC laws. Basketball shorts (aka stretchy pants) are encouraged.
Cost: $59 per person
SEE MORE // MALE BONDING: 7 NOT-LAME ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR BOYS
Image Source: @arworkshoprva
Chill With Your Chicas
(I’m so sorry for these alliterations, I can’t help myself)
AR Workshop will supply everything you need to create beautiful home decor items — and all you have to do is show up, have fun, and follow their instructions.
With 15+ project types to choose (from including signs, chunky knit blankets, pillows, canvas bags, and beyond), you will certainly find one that is right for you and your girl gang. Bonus? You can head to Stony Point Fashion Park early and do a little shopping before class. Check out their member perk offer here!
Location: 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Ste. 192A, Stony Point
SEE MORE // MIX UP YOUR NEXT GIRLS NIGHT OUT
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Find Your Zen
The Japanese Garden at Maymont
There are so many different peaceful spots to choose from at Maymont, but in my opinion the most tranquil area is the Japanese Garden, pictured above. It’s the oldest public Japanese Garden on the East Coast — and its naturalistic design contrasts strongly with the formality of Maymont’s Italian Garden.
Once you pass through its distinct gates, you’ll find trained and pruned trees and shrubs, raked sand pools, stone groupings, water areas, stone lanterns, and a variety of paths and bridges. Noises are muted aside from the sound of the waterfall.
Location: 1700 Hampton St
SEE MORE // 5 LOCAL SPOTS WHERE YOU CAN FIND YOUR ZEN
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Pack A Picnic
Scuffletown Park: Tucked away in the Fan, Scuffletown Park is accessible from Strawberry St across from Idle Hands Bread Company. If you blink, you might miss it! While there’s a small, fenced-in area, avoid allowing your dog to roam off leash as it is prohibited. Scuffletown has a few concrete benches so if you don’t have a blanket or forget to bring one, don’t fret!
You can even skip packing a basket and opt for some coffee and pastries from Idle Hands or a pizza from 8 1/2. Top it off with a sweet treat from Scoop!
Location: 418 Strawberry St
SEE MORE // 9 PICNIC SPOTS AROUND THE CITY
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Head to the Farmers’ Market
Trust me when I say that you could spend days wandering the South of the James Market. One of Richmond’s largest and most popular farmers’ markets, this is the place to find all of the local produce, food, drink, and art that you could ever need.
Despite the name, the South of the James Market was recently relocated North of the James to Bryan Park where it will remain until further notice. Grab a friend and your pup (the market is dog friendly!) and spend a few hours roaming this enormous market! The Market is open year-round, with their Summer Hours of 8 am – 12 pm in effect through October.
What you’ll find here: produce, baked goods, coffee, food trucks, meats, dairy, eggs, pasta, cider, dog treats, kombucha, honey, arts, and more.
Location: 4308 Hermitage Rd
SEE MORE // 8 LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS TO VISIT
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Go Thrifting
Ashby
Whether you're on the hunt for a unique treasure, looking for quality pieces to refresh your wardrobe, or experimenting with different styles, Ashby is your go-to store for fun and affordable shopping. You can find everything from clothes and accessories to accessories and gifts, too.
Location: 3010 W Cary St
SEE MORE // A GUIDE TO LOCAL THRIFT STORES AND CONSIGNMENT SHOPS
Image Source: @visartsrva
Get Artsy With It
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
Take a multi-week class and learn or refine a new skill, take an intensive class over the course of one day or weekend, pop in for a single open figure drawing class, or slide by for their Second Friday art samplers. The options are endless at VisArts, a nonprofit helping children and adults explore their creativity. Classes include wheel throwing, drawing, painting, knitting, photography, intro to interior design, and so much more.
Location: 1812 West Main Street
SEE MORE // GET CREATIVE WITH LOCAL ART CLASSES
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Read Local
Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom
This National Book Award Finalist (2019, Non-Fiction) boasts a provocative, transgressive collection of essays touching on technology, higher education, class, race, gender, and more.
Renowned author Tressie McMillan Cottom deftly blends the personal with the political in a way that scholar Dorothy Roberts likened to “holding a mirror to your soul and to that of America.”
McMillan Cottom is also an award-winning Associate Professor of Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University and a faculty affiliate at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.
SEE MORE // 8 CAN'T-PUT-THEM-DOWN BOOKS BY RICHMOND AUTHORS TO ADD TO YOUR READING LIST
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Listen Local
COFFEE WITH STRANGERS
In its ninth season, Coffee With Strangers has been around for five years, meaning the host, Kelli Lemon, has enjoyed coffee with TONS of Richmond personalities! Check out the complete episode list here to find interviews with people you may have always wondered about or start on Season 1, Episode 1, and binge all the way through! The interviews are upbeat, and you’re bound to learn something new.
Bonus: Follow @rvastranger as Kelli hosts a few popup IG Live interviews.
SEE MORE // LOCAL PODCASTS TO BINGE DURING QUARANTINE
Image Source: Scents of Serenity
Pamper Yourself
Scents of Serenity Organic Spa
Voted best day spa for the past seven years by Virginia Living Magazine, this organic spa is so calming and nourishing you’ll never want to leave! Snag their member perk before you make a reservation!
Location: 5707 Grove Ave
SEE MORE // 5 SPOTS TO GET PAMPERED WITH YOUR TRIBE
