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Adventure Awaits in RVA

T Tyler Potterfield Bridge Photo - Dwight Snead Jr.

Richmond, known as the River City, is home to the James River and is one of the only cities in the United States with Class III and IV rapids in an urban setting. Adventure-seekers come from all over to experience adrenaline-filled days both on and off the river. Come see why Travel + Leisure named Richmond one of the "Best US Cities for Adventurous Travelers" in 2017.

Trip Highlights:

  • Kayaking trip down the James River with Riverside Outfitters
  • Climbing lesson with Triangle Rock Club
  • Bike to Upper Shirley Vineyards and back on the Virginia Capital Trail

Outfitters and Guides:

  • Riverside Outfitters - provide guided tours on the James River for kayaking, whitewater rafting or standup paddleboarding. Guides can also include an optional picnic lunch.
  • Triangle Rock Club - offers indoor rock climbing classes. This facility also offers yoga and fitness classes including TRX.
  • Peak Experiences - offers both indoor and outdoor climbing expeditions and summer camps for children.
  • PedegoRVA - electric bike rentals and tours. Tours include Hollywood Cemetery tours, Richmond neighborhood tours or a BBQ tour along the Virginia Capital Trail.
  • Segway of Richmond - Segway tours of Richmond including the popular Richmond Landmark Tour and Public Arts Tour.
  • Richmond Rides - offers themed bike tours of Richmond, including the Along the River tour where riders can discover the historic canals and lively rapids of the James River.
  • RVA Paddlesports - offers kayaking instruction for all skill levels and whitewater rafting on the James River.

Day 1

James River Rafting - RVA Paddlesports

The day begins with breakfast at Pop's Market on Grace. After breakfast, it's off to a whitewater rafting trip with Riverside Outfitters down the James River with Class III and IV rapids. Lunch and beers will be served at Triple Crossing Brewing's Fulton location, which offers a pizza kitchen menu. After lunch, it's time for a hike over/around Belle Isle Historic Park, a 54 acre island is the heart of Richmond. Massive cliffs, crashing rapids and stone ruins all beckon you to 300 years of changing land use.

With a bit of time to head back to the hotel and rest, there will be a farm-to-table dinner at Rappahannock for fresh oysters and seafood.

Day 2

Pocahontas State Park

Start the day off with breakfast at Perly's Restaurant and Delicatessen. Directly after that will be an indoor rock-climbing class at Triangle Rock Club, a state-of-the-art indoor climbing, fitness, and yoga facility.  Lunch will be at Lunch. |Supper in Scott's Addition.

Then it's time for a hike through Pocahontas State Park. The park has more than 58 miles of trails throughout the 7,724 acre park open to hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. We will spend some time shopping in Carytown and will end the day with dinner at The Daily Kitchen & Bar.

Day 3

Virginia Capital Trail

Grab a coffee and pastry at Sub Rosa Bakery before the bike tour down the Virginia Capital Trail, a unique bicycle and pedestrian route linking the first settlement in Jamestown, the Colonial Capital in Williamsburg, and Virginia's modern seat of government in Richmond. The 52-mile-long shared-use trail highlights the rich historic, cultural and environmental assets along the Route 5 Virginia Byway.

After that, it will be time for lunch at SB's Lakeside Love Shack, a funky lil' place. Head to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with its year-round beauty on a historic property with more than 50 acres of spectacular gardens, dining and shopping. A classical domed Conservatory is the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic with more than 200 orchids. See its latest exhibit, Origami in the Garden.

Have a beer or two at the nearby Final Gravity Brewing and will cap the day off with Alpine cuisine at Brenner Pass.

Suggested Places to Stay:

The Linden Row Inn, a historic boutique hotel located right in downtown Richmond.

Graduate Richmond, a pet-friendly property with a rooftop bar and pool

This Outdoor Adventure was submitted by Richmond Region Tourism. 

Richmond Virginia

More Adventures

  • Shenandoah Valley Adventures
    Journey through Virginia’s magnificent Shenandoah Valley by horseback, kayak, and on foot during this 3 day getaway in the foothills of Shenandoah National Park and George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
  • Three Days, Five Adventures, Two Coastlines
    A 70-mile peninsula bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia’s Eastern Shore is the perfect outdoor destination for water sports enthusiasts. Discover rare wildlife, epic views, and plenty of memorable experiences when you plan an adventure on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
  • Virginia's Blue Ridge Adventures
    Located about three hours west of Richmond in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia’s Blue Ridge communities are becoming well-known for their outdoor adventures.
  • Adventure Awaits in RVA
    Richmond, known as the River City, is home to the James River and is one of the only cities in the United States with Class III and IV rapids in an urban setting. Adventure-seekers come from all over to experience adrenaline-filled days both on and off the river.
  • Eastern Shore Outdoor Sampler
    Experience the wild barrier islands, Chesapeake Bay, and Chincoteague ponies and lighthouse by kayak, while staying in an historic lodging in the 1680 Colonial port of Onancock.
  • Historic Hikes and Outdoor Adventure
    Hike, Bike or Paddle your way through Prince William County, VA at one of the many National, State and Regional parks and forests found here. Stretching from the banks of the Potomac River to the foothills of Bull Run Mountain, visitors can re-connect with nature.
  • Outdoor Obsession in MHC
    Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southern Virginia, Martinsville - Henry County has plenty of adventures awaiting to guarantee that you have fun in record time in the great outdoors. Experience paddling, fishing, hiking, camping, and many other activities
  • Get your “Paddle & Hike On” in scenic Chesapeake, VA
    Enjoy a two night getaway in Coastal Virginia! With over 22 miles of wave- and wind-free water, locals and visitors consider Chesapeake Waterways one of the best kayaking spots in the country.
  • Make Mountains Move on a Summer Mountain Vacation
    Virginia is for adventurers, and if you’re looking for a true mountain adventure, look no further than this 3 day getaway in the majestic mountains of the Shenandoah Valley.
  • Explore Pocahontas: The Park & The Story
    Spend a wonderful outdoor weekend at Pocahontas State Park, where Swift Creek is the nucleus and you are sitting in a wildlife management area!
  • Over and Under the Blue Ridge Mountains
    With mountains to the east and the Shenandoah Valley to the west, Waynesboro’s prime location offers adventurers an almost limitless combination of excursions to enjoy by foot, bike, or kayak.
  • Get to Know the Rappahannock - on the River, on the Rocks and with a Rod!
    Fredericksburg is a gateway to adventure, welcoming all experience levels and all ages. Fredericksburg sits on the fall line of the longest free flowing river in the eastern United States, the Rappahannock River.
  • Explore Central Virginia with The Market at Grelen
    Explore central Virginia’s breathtaking scenery by horseback, kayak and even from the sky with The Market at Grelen’s Outdoor Adventure itineraries.
  • Tour de Seafood: Middle Peninsula Waterways
    Explore the coast of two Chesapeake Bay towns (Gloucester and Mathews Counties) on the Middle Peninsula by kayak, charter and stand-up paddle board (SUP)!

More Hiking Ideas

  • Hiking in Virginia

    10 Unforgettable Virginia Backpacking Trips
  • 10 Lesser-Known Payoff Hikes

    Virginia’s Five Highest Peaks
  • Circuit Hikes To Check Out This Summer

    Shenandoah County’s 5 Best Hikes For Fall Foliage
  • 25 Hikes For Wildflowers (And A Few Waterfalls, Too!)

    10 Trails For Spring Adventure

    10 Must Do Hikes In Shenandoah National Park

More Mountain Biking Ideas

  • Mountain Biking in Virginia

    Rip It & Grip It! Epic Mountain Biking Trails
  • Mountain Biking Trails For Everyone

    Seven Most Bike Friendly Cities And Towns
  • Virginia’s Rails To Trails

    4 Virginia State Parks With Incredible Mountain Biking Trails

More Paddling Ideas

  • Paddlesports in Virginia

    17 Canoeing And Tubing Adventures
  • Kayaking Adventures To Explore This Summer

    Best Overnight Paddling Adventures In Virginia
  • 10 Virginia Coastal Paddling Destinations

    Virginia’s Best Guided Paddling And Biking Adventures
  • Exploring Virginia’s Water Trails And Blueways

    Virginia Trips For Paddle-In Camping

    Explore Wild Barrier Islands On Virginia’s Eastern Shore

More Adventurous Ideas

  • All Things Horses in Virginia

    Unique Getaway Ideas For Adventurous Couples
  • Adventures In The Air

    Zip Lines in Virginia

    Hang On Tight! Ten Rock Climbing, Bouldering And Rappelling Spots
  • Six Adrenaline Pumping Adventures

    Four Epic Virginia Experiences For 2018

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Spring in Virginia

  • Lesser-Known Spring Break Spots

    Affordable Family Activities

    Spring Road Trips

    Get Outdoors

    Scenic Wineries for Spring

    Family-Friendly Resorts

    Pick-Your-Own Farms
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