Your *Kid-Friendly* Fall Bucket List
Ready to celebrate autumn with your family? From enjoying the cooler temperatures and fall foliage to visiting pumpkin patches, Richmond’s got plenty of fall-themed activities for you to enjoy with your kiddos. And don’t worry — I’ve got all the inside tips and tricks to make them fun for the whole family, parents included!
Here are five activities and events to try this fall with your crew.
— Contributed by Megan Ariail, the brains behind The West End Mom | Follow her @thewestendmom!
Richmond Metro Zoo
Since the Richmond Metro Zoo has full sun all day, the fall is the ideal time to schedule a visit. Located on 150 acres, it’s home to thousands of animals and hundreds of different species. Visitors will see kangaroos, ostriches, penguins, giraffes (our favorite!), and more! Besides self-guided tours, guests can also zip-line around the property on the Treetop Zoofari.
Why we love it: The animal interactions are some of the best in the area, and the entire property is stroller-friendly. My children absolutely love feeding the giraffes — this is a can’t-miss stop during your trip. We also love the Safari Train Ride, which allows you to ride a train through the “savanna” and experience animals right next to your vehicle.
Cost: $17.95+
Stroller-friendly?: Yes
Hours: Found here
Location: 8300 Beaver Bridge Rd (Moseley)
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
Completed in 2016, this pedestrian and cycling bridge connects Brown’s Island to Manchester. It’s 1,600 feet long with gorgeous views of the city and the river. This is one of the best places to walk by the James because of the views and the other areas nearby, like Tredegar Iron Works, Virginia War Memorial, and the Canal Walk. And since this trail has full sun and is surrounded by nature, the fall’s cooler temps balance things out for an enjoyable hike.
Why we love it: This stroller-friendly trail has so much for kids to see. My children love to watch the kayakers on the river and see the rock-climbers on the Manchester Climbing Wall. We especially like walking from the bridge to Legend’s Brewing Co. (about a 30-minute excursion) for some good eats and drinks.
Cost: Free
Stroller-friendly?: Yes
Hours: Open 24/7
Location: Tredegar St and S 5th St (Gambles Hill)
Garden Glow
Maymont’s annual Garden Glow starts each night at sunset. This event includes a festival-like experience and a self-guided hike through the illuminated displays in the Italian Garden, the Woodland Trail, and the Japanese Garden. The Carriage House Lawn offers an art installation, fire pits, food trucks, and cozy seating.
Why we love it: This is such a magical event for the whole family! My children love following the lights, seeing the illuminated displays, and sitting on the glowing cubes to have a bite. It’s definitely worth missing bedtime!
Cost: $16+
Stroller-friendly?: Somewhat; the historic pathways are not stroller-friendly, but there’s typically stroller parking at the Glow Village.
Hours: 6 - 9 pm, October 16 - November 10
Location: 11700 Hampton St (Maymont)
Gallmeyer Farms
This 100-year-old family farm has a veggie stand, berry patch, and pumpkin patch. Gallmeyer Farms is also famous for their sweet corn! In September and October, the farm opens for pumpkin season. They have a corn maze, a playground, hayrides, and a picnic area. Families are invited to bring their own food and drinks and enjoy the free play area and shaded picnic space.
Why we love it: This farm is free to visit, and parking is also free. It’s also open every day — a huge plus for busy families.
Cost: Free admission
Stroller-friendly?: Yes
Hours: Found here
Location: 4506 Millers Ln (East End)
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
This iconic property has 50 acres of themed gardens that are ADA-accessible. They have wonderful educational programs for children and adults (like Storytime in the Garden), and they host special events, too. From September through November, the garden is filled with fall flair, including seasonal displays and harvest-themed activities.
Why we love it: This is the best multi-generational place to visit because of the ADA-accessible paths and special family programming. People of all ages can appreciate the beauty of the garden, especially in the fall. The Children’s Garden has lots of hidden spaces to explore, a large tree house, sand play, and a block area.
Cost: $10+
Stroller-friendly?: Yes
Hours: Found here
Location: 1800 Lakeside Ave (Lakeside)
For more family-friendly fun:
