by Cynthia Wall

Created on: March 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Family Fun in Richmond, VA

If your family travels lead you to Richmond, Virginia, you're in for a good time. From Civil War history to roller coaster thrills, it's got it all. This southern city, so important in U.S. history is also a place that puts southern hospitality emphasis on enjoying life.

On any visit to Richmond, you'll want to visit Kings Dominion at least once. At 16000 Theme Park Way in Doswell (40 miles from Richmond), this amusement park with the most fantastic roller coasters in the state will get everyone's adrenalin flowing. But there's plenty to do here for even the littlest of kids as they meet Sponge Bob Square Pants and Dora in person and ride the Scooby Doo junior roller coaster.

Maymont Park, 1700 Hampton Street, Ph.804.358.7166 is another family-friendly way to spend the day. With over 100 acres overlooking the James River, beautiful gardens, and wildlife habitat enclosures from bears to bison, the park is a wonderful place to share a picnic and make memories. Have fun watching the koi in the peaceful Japanese Garden and be sure to smell the roses in the lovely rose garden on the terrace below the Victorian manor. The Children's Farm has farm animals for children to pet and the many wildlife enclosures are home to animals once injured in the wild and now rehabilitated living out their lives in Maymont.
If you're in the mood for a river cruise, take the Annabelle Lee at the Intermediate Terminal on Dock St. Ph. 804.644.5700.Travel back in time when river travel was part of American culture. On the beautiful paddle-wheel riverboat, you'll be treated to a delicious Southern buffet, fun entertainment, and dancing yes, the kids can dance, too. Cruise down the river while enjoying spectacular plantation views. At some point in the cruise, you'll probably hear the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe, the origin of the boat's name.

IT was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
As long as we're talking about Poe, make a visit to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, 1914 East Main St. Ph. 804.648.5523. Teens studying American Literature will be especially appreciative but even little ones will enjoy the scariness of "The Raven" and "The Pit and the Pendulum." The Old Stone House, as the museum is known, attempts to re-created 19th Century Richmond as it was in the time of Poe.
The Canal Walk, 1.25 miles along

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