Free Family Activities in Richmond, Virginia

No matter where you live, if you have children you need to find someplace fun to take them from time to time that will not break your budget. Kids need recreation and entertainment, on occasion, which is different from their day to day routine. Even if you do not have children, adults can occasionally use a nice, quiet get away and not have to pay for it. Furthermore, this place needs to be safe, clean, and, for the kids, have activities or amusements to catch their attention. If you live in or around Richmond, Virginia you are in luck. Such a place exists and it is absolutely free to get into.

Maymont was originally the home, built by Major James H Dooley, for his wife Sarah "Sallie" May Dooley, in 1893. The stone for the home was quarried onsite and the rock quarry is now the site of the bear pen in the park. The Dooley's never had any children of their own but dearly loved them. Mr. Dooley served on the board of St. Joseph's Orphanage (now St. Joseph's Villa) and, upon his death, left three millions dollars to the orphanage. Upon the passing of Sallie May Dooley, who outlived her husband, and in accordance with their will, the Maymont estate was left to the City of Richmond as a park for the children of the city to play in with the stipulation that the city could not charge admission. Today children may still play upon the immense lawns, among the green trees, and in the flowery gardens of this beautiful park without having to pay for the privilege.

There are just over 100 acres open to the public. Inside you will find Italian and Japanese gardens, a petting zoo, a carriage house with a collection of old carriages, a herb garden, several animal displays, a nature center, a bamboo forest, an arboretum, the historic mansion and vast lawns. Maymont has well paved walking paths winding throughout its scenic grounds but be aware, it is extremely hilly with steep grades. In the summer, or on busy winter days, a tram is operated (for a fee to cover gas and maintenance) by the parks public safety department and runs through the main areas of the park as long as an officer is available to drive it. If there is an emergency in the park which over taxes the public safety department the tram may have to be stopped.

There is no kite flying allowed in the park due to the trees of the Arboretum. No bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades are allowed in the park because of the large number of children playing. Not pets are allowed in the park because they do not mix well with the animals. Maymont once lost its entire collection of gray foxes because someone brought a pit bull into the park or so the story goes. The park has a staff which keeps up the buildings, gardens, animals, and collections as well as a public safety department which patrols the park providing first aid and seeing to it that the park remains safe. This is one of the big differences between Maymont and several of the surrounding city parks; Maymont is fenced and patrolled by its own staff. Most other city parks rely on occasional police patrols which rarely happen.

Maymont Park sits overlooking the James River above the Nickel Bridge (which costs several nickels to cross) in Richmond. It is bounded by Park Drive, the road which crossed the Nickel Bridge and goes on to become the Boulevard, Shield Lake Drive, and Hampton Street. There are three entrances to the park. Any of them will let you get anywhere in the park but some are closer to certain points than others.

The easiest to get to, and the best one for small children, is nearest to the Nickel Bridge. This one is actually off Spotswood Drive, a small road running parallel to Park Drive. Just turn off Park Drive, just above the bridge, onto Shirley and then make an immediate right onto Spotswood. The parks large stone gates will be immediately in front of you. Inside this entrance you will find ample parking and the Children's Farm petting zoo.

Children will enjoy the wide variety of animals available in and around the barn. The animal staff at Maymont are quite knowledgeable and dedicated to taking care of their wards and love to show them off. Many children never make it beyond the petting zoo. The Spotswood entrance is also the best one to use if you want to go down to see the bears. Just continue down hill from the Children's Farm, cross the stream and circle back past the foxes and bobcats. You will be "down in the bottom." You will pass the raptors on your right and come up on the bear pen on your left. The bear pen is rather large and you may not see the two bears at first. Bear in mind (pun intended) that this was the quarry where the stone for he house came from, hence the pond, so there are a lot of places for the bears to "disappear." However, if you walk around and look you will spot them sooner or later. Unless it is after five PM when the bears are fed dinner and put up for the night. If you do get there after five do not be too dismayed, you may still be entertained, there are two lively red foxes which live in the bear pen also. Though sometimes difficult to spot, "red foxes" are not red all year long, these two playful rascals scamper and cavort endlessly. Kids get almost as big a kick out of them as they do the bears.

If you continue on from the bear pen, the trail wraps around the bottom. On your right you will see a waterway through the woods. This is the James River and Kanawah Canal running alongside the James River. On the other side of the canal is a Norfolk & Southern Railroad track which follows the old towpath of the canal. As you continue on the path you will pass the bottom of the bamboo forest on your left. Riddled with little maze like pathways and tunnels this bamboo is always a fun time for children but I caution, bamboo is sharp. Next you will come to the Japanese gardens.

Maymont's Japanese gardens are built on the original location of the canals turning basin and the designers used this low-lying site to good effect. The artificial waterfall is beautiful, when it is running, and the Koi ponds, with their brightly colored carp, are lovely though the water can be quite smelly with algae growth. Apparently the park does not believe adding anything to control the algae since that might harm the environment and would rather put up with the, at times, overwhelming stench.

From here you are at a dead end and have a choice between walking all the way back, climbing through the Italian gardens (caution, steep hill), or, if it is running , you may pick up the tram (for a fee) just outside the gardens.

The second entrance is off Shields Lake Drive at the Nature Center. The Nature Center is also free to get into but there is a donation box at the entrance to the exhibits. Inside the Nature Center building you will find a snack bar, gift shop and the best restrooms in the park. If you utilize this entrance be aware of the time the park grounds close and the time the nature center closes since you must pass through the nature center building to get back out to the parking lot and your car.

Once inside the park, from the nature center, you will find the buffalo and deer lot on your right. The mansion will be across the small valley in front of you and the Children's Farm across the small valley to your right.

The third entrance is actually considered to be the main entrance to Maymont, though most people find it the most difficult to get to. The Hampton Street entrance is located at 1700 Hampton Street and was the original service gate to the Maymont Estate. The original stone Main gates are right up Hampton Street and visible from the end of the parking lot. This gate will bring you in near the Italian gardens, the herb gardens, the stone barn, the carriage house, the Mansion and above the Japanese gardens, which are located down a rather steep hill.

If you come in this gate you will see a small house, just inside the gate on your left as you enter the park. This house is a private residence; the chief of the public safety department resides there. Past this house you will find the herb garden and stone barn on your left. In the spring and summer do take the time to stop and smell the magnificent scent of this delightful little garden. Past this, also on the left you will find a path leading down to the Italian gardens, a popular wedding spot.

If you would like to plan a Maymont wedding you should make certain to contact the park and schedule your event well in advance. There are fees involved and you will have to schedule around other events. Do not try to show up unannounced, you will be disappointed. For those who do plan ahead, the Italian or Japanese gardens offer stunning wedding settings.

Beyond the path to the Italian gardens you will find the carriage house. In the courtyard area of this building you will find Maymont's fine collection of stately carriages. Some of these are actually used on various holidays and special events. Upstairs in the carriage house are located the parks administrative offices.

Continuing on you will pass the water tower and a walled enclosure which, at one time was the various support buildings of the estate. Today they still are support buildings for the park. There are restrooms at the end of the walled in area on the left.

Straight ahead you will see the mansion house. The mansion is open for tours for a "suggested donation" and is well worth it. This magnificent example of the "gilded age" in America has survived fairly intact and with many of its originally furnishings and owner's belongings still in place. Upon entering this house the word "overblown" springs to mind but in a marvelous way. It is truly like something from the movie "Titanic," which just happens to be sitting on land. This was one of the first houses in Richmond to have electricity and one must keep in mind that the owner, Major Dooley had one of the first telephones in town, at his office downtown. Just to keep him in touch with Wall Street.

If you get the chance on a weekend you can sign up for one of the various behind the scenes tours which may take you into the places regular tours do not. The basement, the third floor and other "nooks and crannies" are worth the effort.

The house faces the west and, in the late afternoon, in the rays of the setting sun you can sit on the steps and just take in the beauty of it all. Throughout the year various special events are held at the park. Victorian Christmas, Maymont by Moonlight, Easter, in the summer Musical Mondays, just to name a few. Just to make a suggestion, particularly for the summer time, try getting there in the morning and walking the park, then taking the tour of the mansion around lunchtime, then, during the heat of the afternoon, take the children into the nature center. That way you will not be walking up and down the hills during the hottest part of the day.

Sitting on the South lawn of the house you will find the mausoleum where Mr. and Mrs. Dooley are interred together at their beloved Maymont. Today children play around them daily. If you get a chance you might stop and pay your respects to the generous couple who gave us this beautiful park.