19 Indoor Activities In Richmond, VA To Try Next Time It Rains (2024)
- Date: July 6, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Peerspace
Richmond, VA, is the third largest city in the state and filled with things to do. The city’s pleasant climate ensures it’s easy enough to have a good time outdoors but what happens when the inevitable rains visit? If your outdoor plans are going to be ruined, don’t cancel everything! Simply use these indoor activities in Richmond VA instead.
From historic museums to a fantastic brewery scene, rainy days are the perfect chance to see Richmond from a new angle. Peerspace is here to help; after all, we specialize in both event ideas and venues for all occasions!
1. See the Virginia Capitol Building
Richmond is a city steeped in history. It is not just one of the oldest major cities in the USA; it also played a key role in the Civil War as the capital of the Confederacy. The Virginia Capitol Building was the seat of the Confederate government during the war and is one of the main historic venues to explore. You can take guided tours of the Capitol building seven days per week!
2. Book a private yoga class
Yoga classes are a chance to work on your asanas and perfect your form. Group classes are easy to find but you won’t have the attention from the instructor that a private lesson provides.
If you’re truly passionate about yoga, why not book a private lesson instead? Contact your favorite teacher and book a yoga studio for an hour or two of dedicated attention! Peerspace has plenty of amenity-filled studios near you, like this spacious wellness studio in Midlothian, VA!
3. Explore the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Botanical gardens often get overlooked as indoor activities in Richmond on a rainy day since portions of the grounds are outdoors. But like most botanical gardens, the Lewis Ginter grounds have indoor displays to explore as well! The 11,000 sq. ft. Conservatory is a climate-controlled space filled with tropical species like orchids and cacti year-round.
4. Visit the American Civil War Museum
Richmond played a key role in the American Civil War and it is one of the best places to rediscover the history of this critical moment in our history. The American Civil War Museum houses one of the best collections of exhibits, educational films, and artifacts from this era of conflict. You can also join group tours for an even more in-depth look at how the Civil War shaped our nation’s history.
Is one of your favorite indoor activities taking pics? Then step up your game with a Peerspace portrait studio and book one of these talented Richmond portrait photographers to do the honors!
5. Go on a coffee shop crawl
Coffee shops are the best indoor retreat once the rains come! You can enjoy a cup of your favorite hot beverage while reading a book or catching up with a friend. We all have our favorites and searching for new cafes is a lifelong endeavor! Have you been to Buna Kurs yet? This Ethiopian cafe serves authentic beans and cuisine for a truly unique coffee experience!
6. Enjoy afternoon tea at a tea parlor
Tea isn’t just an English tradition; you can enjoy a cup in elegant surroundings right here in the United States! The Queen’s Library Tea Room is a beautifully decorated space serving tea with traditional pairings like sandwiches and scones. You can visit for a quick rainy date experience or make plans to hold a tea party, bridal shower, or other special occasion here that’s guaranteed to be rain-free!
7. See the Elegba Folklore Society
The Elegba Folklore Society is an exploration of African cultural arts that you might not have heard of! You can see (and partake in) traditional dance, purchase original art from local craftsmen and women, find cosmetic products, and more! The Elegba Folklore Society also hosts special events year-round to celebrate West African traditions and educate the public on the history of Africans in America.
8. Take a cooking class
Impress your friends and family by leveling up your culinary skills with a cooking class! You can also make a cooking class the core of a memorable date night experience where you both learn something new while getting to know each other. Cooking classes are held at culinary institutes across Richmond.
You can also hire a private cooking instructor and book a space with a proper kitchen and dining room if your apartment isn’t big enough. Peerspace has hundreds of venues near you suitable for a private cooking class! Have you seen this spacious home in Woodland Heights? Your reservation comes with a kitchen and dining room. And unlike an Airbnb, you can book it for a few hours instead of an entire day. It’s a delightful space for a fun cooking class followed by a romantic dinner for two!
9. Learn at the Science Museum of Virginia
Rainy days are a chance to learn more about the world of science. Take the entire family to the Science Museum of Virginia, one of Richmond’s star attractions! There you can explore the collection of permanent and rotating exhibits featuring biology, astronomy, robotics, and other topics. From theater films to live demonstrations, the Science Museum is a delightful place to escape the rain!
10. Have drag brunch at Godfrey’s
Looking for something to do in Richmond that’s unique and not a museum? Enjoy a brunch of quiche or banana french toast while performers in drag strut their stuff at Godfrey’s! Their drag brunch is a weekend-only activity, so watch the weather forecast if you’re looking to make it a rainy-day outing. As a happening nightclub, Godfrey’s is also a great place to dance and have a few drinks, regardless of the weather!
11. Host a paint and sip class
Paint-and-sip events are a fun activity you can weave into a wedding reception or bachelorette party. You can also host one as a standalone event for a rainy day evening with your besties! Some of our favorite paint and sip ideas include asking everyone attending to bring a selfie to paint, a pet portrait, or working with a hired model. As for the wine, we’re sure you already know your favorites!
12. Go bowling at Holiday Bowl
With 24 lanes, 6 pool tables, and a snack bar, Holiday Bowl is a great place to escape the rain and bowl a few games! Holiday Bowl has been in business for over 60 years, serving good food in a retro-inspired atmosphere. Each lane offers automatic scoring and large, comfortable seats for your group.
13. Explore the Richmond Beer Trail
Did you know that USA Today rated Richmond, VA, as one of the top 10 beer cities in America? With 30+ breweries, cideries, and distilleries to choose from, the Richmond Beer Trail is a fun way to explore the city. You can use a printed map to find each spot. Or you can connect to the Trail using your phone as an exclusive mobile passport that will get you extra beer swag the more breweries you visit!
14. Throw an indoor party at LAUNCH
Is rain threatening to ruin your plans for an outdoor kids’ birthday party? Take them to LAUNCH instead, one of Richmond’s best indoor activity centers! LAUNCH specializes in active games for high-energy youngsters. They can play games of trampoline dodgeball, scale the ninja warrior obstacle course, blast each other in laser tag, or play arcade games. LAUNCH also has pizza and private party rooms for special events!
Check out more fun and creative kid’s birthday party ideas here!
15. Play indoor cornhole at N.E.S.
Cornhole is usually played outdoors but what if you want to play a few games when it’s raining? Check out N.E.S. Cornhole Lounge on Old Brick Road for an indoor experience! N.E.S. has a cafe and beer lounge where you can grab drinks and a snack in between games. You can even sign up for tournaments and book lounges for parties ahead of time.
16. Discover a new restaurant
From classic Southern home cooking to international fusion fare, Richmond is one of the top food cities in the nation. If you’d like to experience authentic Central European cuisine, check out Brenner Pass, specializing in Austrian and German cuisine you’d normally need a plane ticket to enjoy! Richmond also has fantastic barbecue options, including ZZQ Texas Craft BBQ, rated one of the top 41 barbecue joints in the USA by Thrillist!
17. Paint pottery
How about exploring some of the more creative indoor activities in Richmond? You can paint pottery at All Fired Up, where everything you need is included, from pots to paints. All you need to do is show up the next time it rains and have fun! Pottery options include vases, plates, figurines, and other clay sculptures in need of a coat of color.
18. Go indoor rock climbing
Rock climbing is one of the best full-body workouts you can engage in. But it’s also a sport that’s very weather-dependent…Or is it? When the rain visits, head indoors to a climbing gym instead! Have you been to Triangle Rock Club yet? They offer 27,000 sq. ft. of climbing space, including 5,000 sq. ft of bouldering. As a fitness facility, the Triangle Rock Club also has a yoga studio, workout room, sauna, and hot tub to enjoy after a bracing climb!
19. Play a game of laser tag
Looking for a more competitive indoor activity in Richmond? Head to one of the many local laser tag arenas and blast away at each other! Mission Laser is one of our favorites and has lots of game options filled with obstacles, glowing lights, mist, and up to 50 enemies to shoot at!
Indoor activities in Richmond VA: conclusion
From food to festivals, Richmond has a lot to offer if you need to take the fun indoors! There’s enough here to satisfy any interests. And if you want something a little more unique, you’ll find event venues by the thousands with us! Peerspace has party halls, yoga studios, quiet home rentals, and other venues where you can host the Richmond event of your dreams!
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