Summertime is here! The weather is heating up, and the days are becoming longer, so it’s the perfect time to explore and experience some new outdoor activities. Check out our list below of some of our team’s favorites! We know you’ll get inspired to go experience some new adventures of your own.
Biking
Biking adventures truly abound in and around Richmond! Mountain bikers of any level will find suitable fun trails at Pocohontas State Park. Advanced riders will like the challenge of the Buttermilk Trail or Northbank Trail of the James River Park System.
The whole family will love trying any section of the 52-mile Capital Trail that runs from Richmond to Williamsburg! Or make a day of it and pack the bikes to head out to High Bridge Trail State Park in nearby Farmville. An easy flat scenic ride that you can take into town for lunch or ice cream.
Maymont Park
Maymont is such a local gem. With 100 acres of beautiful green space, you need to visit multiple times a year to appreciate how its beauty changes through the seasons. You’ll find specialty gardens, majestic native and exotic trees, and historic architecture.
The Maymont Farm enables families to visit chickens, sheep, goats and more! On the beautiful winding paved Virginia Wildlife Trail you can check out rescued animals who are native to Virginia living in natural habitats created and maintained by Maymont staff.
Don’t forget the Robin’s Nature Center that features fish, turtles, reptiles, amphibians and even otters of the James River and Chesapeake Bay in almost 30,000 gallons of aquariums! You and the kids will learn a lot and there’s even a recreation area to climb their “River Reach” sculpture!
River Rapids
For the more thrill-seeking families, there’s nothing like the James River Rapids. You can enjoy the unique experience of Level III and IV rapids without ever truly leaving the city. Check out the James River map to plan your trip.
If you’re looking for a more guided experience, especially as a beginner, check out RVA Paddle Sports. They offer a variety of rafting excursions, from a calm float in the upper James to the higher classed rapids of the lower regions. You can even tackle the James in its entire 7.5-mile glory.
Family-Friendly Hikes
Finally, it wouldn’t be a summer adventure without exploring some of the beautiful hikes in Virginia. You can splash around the river at Pony Pastures. Or you can climb across a real suspension bridge on the Belle Isle Trail loop. There’s so much to explore right in Richmond’s backyard.
Want a completely unique experience? Head out west towards Shenandoah and try the Blue Ridge Tunnel. Once part of the historic transcontinental railroad system, this tunnel was boasted to be the longest train tunnel in the United States. Now that it’s been retired from active use, you and your family can explore the entire 4,273ft. Just make sure to bring a flashlight, as the tunnel is almost entirely pitch black for most of its length!
No matter where you roam this summer, make sure to stock up for your trip! Good Foods Grocery is your neighborhood store that’s ready to help you with all your outdoor activities needs, from healthy and organic snacks to keep up your energy, to easy electrolyte mixes, to mineral based sunscreen! Check out our article here on how making the switch to mineral sunscreen can not only be good for you, but also our environment.