Memorial Day weekend is almost here, bringing the first taste of summer fun.
AAA predicts 1.23 million Virginians will travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend, mostly by car. That’s about 2.5% higher than last year and amounts to about 30,000 more Virginia travelers this year compared to last. There are plenty of war memorials and museums to visit, like the
Virginia War Memorial or the
Virginia Museum of History & Culture , but if you’re looking for more fun and family-friendly options in the Richmond area and beyond, we’ve got you covered.
Seeking a thrill?
Busch Gardens and
Kings Dominion just celebrated their 50th anniversaries.
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On Saturday, thrill seekers can take a ride on the newly remastered Big Bad Wolf coaster at Busch Gardens. Guests can also save up to half-off on tickets and memberships through Monday at
buschgardens.com . Busch Gardens is open Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1 Busch Gardens Boulevard, Williamsburg. At Kings Dominion, visitors can ride Rapterra, the theme park’s new roller coaster, which is the biggest, fastest roller coaster at the park in more than a decade. Saturday also marks the opening day for Soak City, a 20-acre water featuring several extreme water slides, a gigantic wave pool and an interactive splash pad for children. Admission to Soak City is included with tickets to the main park. Active and retired military personnel get free admission at the gate for any one day from Friday through Monday with military ID, and can get discounts for up to six family members or friends when booking their tickets in advance at
KingsDominion.com . Kings Dominion is open Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Monday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Soak City is open noon to 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Both are located at 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell.
Daydream Fest will feature eight bands, including local favorites DJ Harrison, Sam Reed and Nickelus F, plus artisan vendors and food trucks. If you’re looking to relax, grab a beer and listen to music, head to Main Line Brewery for
DayDream Fest on Monday. The festival will feature eight bands, including local favorites DJ Harrison, Sam Reed and Nickelus F plus, artisan vendors and food trucks. There is also the
Richmond Symphony Big Tent concert Saturday night at Chimborazo Park. The free outdoor concert, sponsored by the city of Richmond will carry the sounds of patriotic tunes and classical favorites. Big Tent: Free admission. Saturday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chimborazo Park, 3215 E. Broad St. DayDream Fest: $45. Monday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1603 Ownby Lane, Richmond.
Take a hike
If you want to get outdoors this Memorial Day, there are great hiking opportunities near and far. The James River Park System offers trails of varying difficulty levels on both sides of the river, including the popular North Bank and Buttermilk loop. Pocahontas State Park, located in the center of Chesterfield County, has more than 60 miles of trails conducive to hiking and biking. Hikers seeking a challenge can head out to the Blue Ridge Mountains area near Charlottesville and Waynesboro. Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park is an iconic nine-mile hike with some areas of challenging terrain. Other popular hiking options in the area include Humpback Rock, Crabtree Falls and Sugar Hollow, which leads hikers to the Blue Hole swimming area.
Frida: Beyond the Myth
If you haven’t been yet, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to check out the new temporary exhibit “Frida: Beyond the Myth” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibit features more than 60 works of art, many rarely seen outside of Mexico, including self-portraits, still lifes, and compositions from her imagination. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $20. 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.,
vmfa.museum .
Cool off by one of the nine public city pools open Saturday, Sunday and Monday from noon-7 p.m. Hit the
Cool off by one of the nine public city pools open from noon-7 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Randolph Public Swimming Pool, 1507 Grayland Ave. Powhatan Pool, Powhatan Community Center at 5051 Northampton St. Fairmount Pool, 2000 U St. Bellemeade Pool, 1800 Lynhaven Ave. Woodville Pool, 2305 Fairfield Ave. Hotchkiss Field Pool, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
Hikers can find plenty of spots for spending Memorial Day weekend outdoors along the James River. Make a wave
Last but definitely not least, Memorial Day weekend is synonymous with beach trips.
22 new Richmond area restaurants that opened this year
Julio’s Bagels
Julio’s Bagels, from Pizza Bones owners Ashley Patino, is now open on Brookland Park Boulevard, selling naturally leavened bagels. Read the story. Cirrus Vodka tasting room
The Cirrus Vodka tasting room is now open in Scott’s Addition in the Ballast complex at 1320 Summit Ave. Read the story. Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe.
Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe is now open in the space formerly occupied by 8 ½ Church Hill, (2709 E. Marshall St.). Chimbo Sandwich Shoppe sells 8- and 16-inch sandwiches that are packed to the brim with good stuff. Read the story. TBT El Gallo
TBT El Gallo is a Vaquero-inspired Mexican restaurant and bar that opened in the former Kreggers at Hand space at 2614 W. Cary St. Read the story. Scott's Shawarma Jackson Ward
Scott's Shawarma has opened a second Richmond location in Jackson Ward at 404 N. 2nd St. Read the story. Rice Field
New Vietnamese restaurant Rice Field is now open in North Chesterfield at 9031 W. Broad St., from the owners of Pho Thien Phat. Read the story. Chez Nous
Chez Nous, a wine bar and shop, is now open at 6 W. Cary St. in downtown Richmond. Read the story. Petit Four
Petit Four, a bakery from Jardin restaurant owner Donnie Glass, is now open at 1 N. Lombardy St. Read the story. Shirley's
Shirley's is a new fine dining restaurant at the Hotel Petersburg in Petersburg. Read the story. Brazen
Brazen, which focuses on braised dishes, opened at 2028 W. Cary St. Read the story. Sweetgreen
The first Sweetgreen for the Richmond area has opened in Carytown at 3502 W. Cary St. Read the story. Ugly Dumpling
Ugly Dumpling is now open at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, #840. Read the story. The Fishin' Pig
The Fishin’ Pig, a popular Farmville barbecue and fried seafood spot, has opened its first Richmond outpost at 4028 Cox Road, Suite J in Glen Allen. Read the story. 7 Brew
7 Brew drive-thru has opened a second location in Midlothian at 11601 Midlothian Tpke. Read the story. Ripple Ray’s
Ripple Ray’s is a Grateful Dead-themed bar that has opened in Carytown at 3123 W. Cary St. Read the story. Torch Kitchen + Bar
Torch Kitchen + Bar is now open in Midlothian serving Louisiana fare with a twist at 2077 Walmart Way. Read the story. Shawarma Inc
Shawarma Inc is now open in former Lebanese Bakery spot, serving shawarma sandwiches, falafel and fatayer, which is a savory meat pie, among other dishes. 6215 W. Broad St. Read the story. Cava Glen Allen
Cava has opened a location in Glen Allen at 9964 Brook Road. Read the story. Roots Natural Ktichen
Roots Natural Kitchen opened its third Richmond-area location in January in Midlothian. Read the story. Whisk at the Library of Virginia
French pastry shop Whisk opened a café in the Library of Virginia. Read the story. Chipotle
A new Chipotle Mexican Grill is now open in Midlothian at 13651 Lake Eloise Loop. Read the story. The Smoothie Spot
The Smoothie Spot is now open at Gayton Crossing at 9782 Gayton Road. Read the story.
