8 Cool Activities to do on Memorial Day in Richmond

Metro Richmond Zoo is known for having over 2,000 animals and if you come here you will find over 190 different species of wildlife that hail from all over the world.

Many of the animals that are homed here are endangered species like orangutans from Borneo as well as rhinos and tigers, and there are giraffes, tapirs, and cheetahs at Metro Richmond Zoo.

You can even feed the giraffes if you visit the zoo on Memorial Day at certain times of day, which is certainly an unforgettable experience.

As well as animals you will also find birds here including a budgie aviary and there are fun attractions like a Safari Train that will take you on a tour of the African Savannah.

The White House of the Confederacy is better known as the official residence of President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War.

Nowadays your can join guided tours of the mansion and learn all about this historically and culturally significant place.

The museum is located next to the White House and spans three floors where you will find exhibits full of Civil War memorabilia that tell the stories of those who lived and fought during this amazing period of history.

The Science Museum of Virginia is the place to come during Memorial Day if you love science and want to know more.

If you are travelling with children and need a rainy day activity, then the museum is ideal, as you will find a huge range of interactive exhibits that will pique the interest of younger visitors.

There are permanent exhibits here that are divided up into themed sections such as space, electricity, health, and geology, as well as rotating galleries.

You will also find The Dome Theater which is home to a 76 foot screen that has the claim to fame of being the largest in all of Virginia.

Hollywood Cemetery was first founded in 1847 and is known for the number of famous figures who have been interred here over the years.

These include not one but two former presidents of the United States namely James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as many other prominent figures from Virginia.

The cemetery is also the final resting place of thousands of Confederate soldiers and there are guided tours offered here daily where you can learn all about the history of the cemetery.

Belle Isle makes up a piece of the James River Park System and you can get there by crossing a scenic footbridge that leads to the island.

Belle Isle is a small area of land that is known for being surrounded by rocks that have been smoothed by the water so that they are flat in shape, and many locals come here to sunbathe on the rocks in the summer months.

As well as sunbathing, you will find walking trails all over the island that take you through romantic and wild woodlands, and mountain biking is also popular on Memorial Day.

In recent years Richmond has become known for its breweries, and one of the most famous of these is the Hardywood Craft Brewery.

Here you will find a brewery that features a delicious tasting room, and you can take a tour and learn how the beer is made before sampling some of the most iconic beverages on offer here.

There are also food trucks that work with the brewery as well as live music nights and special events and festivals, so make sure to check out what’s on when you are in town during Memorial Day weekend.

Maymont Nature Center was actually a gift to the city by James Henry and Sallie Dooley who owned the property from 1893 until the 1920s.

Nowadays Maymont is known as one of the jewels in the crown of the city of Richmond, and is a great place to come with youngsters on Memorial Day.

The center is an ode to art and architecture as well as the flora and fauna of the region and you can tour the mansion that sits on the grounds, or just go for a wander through the gorgeous flower gardens.

The river goes through Maymont and you can sometimes find otters swimming in the waters, or you can play with the animals on the farm that sits in the grounds.