This River Ain't No Chopped Liver

One thing I’ll say about August, and summer in general, it goes by in a blink. Take advantage of some of the options below before it’s too late. Forgot that frozen snow and the weeks of single digit perdition a few months ago? Yeah, didn’t think so. 

Outdoor & waterfront

• Paddle the James River: tubing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding around Belle Isle, Texas Beach and Huguenot Flatwater. A friendly reminder that this is the time of year where water craft go on sale, and you can find something inflatable if transporting and storage is an issue. 

• Belle Isle & Brown’s Island: great locations for just hanging out and listening to the rapids, take in the sunset skyline views, pack a picnic, and enjoy the easy hikes and rock scrambles.

• Canal Walk & Riverfront parks: take in the scenic strolls, public art, and you can’t beat the people-watching.

Live music & festivals

• Outdoor concert series: look for pop-up shows, rooftop gigs, and parks concerts like Fridays After Five at the VMFA.

• Richmond Jazz Festival: big-name jazz/soul acts and yummy food vendors, August 8th and 9th.

• Local neighborhood festivals and street fairs. The classic is the Carytown Watermelon Festival on August 9th.

Food & drink

• Think rooftop bars and beer gardens: weather-friendly patios, and the craft breweries in Scott’s Addition and the Fan.

• Food truck nights and popup markets for an easy dinner: sample the local eats without the formality.

• Farmers markets: we are in peak season for farm grown produce, late-summer tomatoes, peaches, and preserves.

Museums & indoor escapes

• The recently completed Virginia Museum History & Culture: major exhibits and newly designed interactive galleries.

• Science Museum of Virginia and children’s activities—good for rainy or scorching days.

• Historic tours are a nice September option: St. John’s Church, Monument Avenue, and local walking history and ghost tours.

Parks & outdoors options

• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: late-summer blooms, evening events, cooler garden paths.

• Maymont Estate: gardens, nature center, animals, and shaded picnic spots.

• Byrd Park & the Fan: jogging paths, paddleboats on the lake, and Shakespeare in the Park-style programming in fall.

Just go out and spread a little carpe on your diem before that biscuit gets cold. 

Enjoy!