As Memorial Day weekend approaches, Richmond, Virginia, transforms into an active center of exploration with attractions that cater to history buffs, nature lovers, families, and everyone in between.
From exploring the diverse wildlife at Metro Richmond Zoo to honoring our nation’s past at the American Civil War Museum, the capital city offers a unique mix of education, entertainment, and outdoor adventure for the long holiday weekend. Whether you’re a local searching for something new or visiting the area, Richmond’s attractions provide meaningful ways to celebrate Memorial Day while creating lasting memories.
Memorial Day in Richmond: 3 Days of Meaningful Exploration
This year’s Memorial Day weekend promises perfect weather for exploring all that Richmond has to offer. With seven premier destinations, including the Science Museum of Virginia, historic Hollywood Cemetery, the scenic Belle Isle, craft beer tastings at Hardywood Park Brewery, and the family-friendly Maymont Nature Center, visitors can experience the distinctive character of this historic Southern city.
Each location features special holiday weekend hours and activities designed to accommodate the influx of visitors while honoring the memorial aspect of this important national holiday.
Wild Encounters at Metro Richmond Zoo: Extended Hours + Animal Talks
The Metro Richmond Zoo stands as one of the area’s most beloved Memorial Day destinations, housing an impressive collection of over 2,000 animals representing 190 different species from around the world.
Families particularly appreciate the zoo’s commitment to conservation, showcasing endangered species including Bornean orangutans, rhinos, and tigers. The zoo’s special Memorial Day weekend schedule includes extended hours from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, allowing visitors extra time to explore the expansive grounds and participate in special animal feedings.
What makes the Metro Richmond Zoo particularly special is the interactive experiences available to visitors. The giraffe feeding station operates throughout the day, offering an unforgettable opportunity to hand-feed these gentle giants. Children particularly enjoy the Safari Train ride, which provides a guided tour through recreated African Savannah habitats. For Memorial Day, the zoo has added special programming, including zookeeper talks and demonstrations that highlight the importance of wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.
A Walk Through Time: Special Tours at the American Civil War Museum
The American Civil War Museum offers a poignant Memorial Day experience, combining the historic White House of the Confederacy with comprehensive exhibits that tell the complex story of this pivotal period in American history.
As the former residence of President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War, the White House provides visitors with guided tours throughout the Memorial Day weekend, with special hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The museum’s three floors of exhibits showcase authentic Civil War artifacts, personal stories, and immersive displays that present multiple perspectives on the conflict.
For Memorial Day specifically, the museum has organized special programming that honors the sacrifices made during this turbulent period. Visitors can participate in historical reenactments, listen to period music performances in the courtyard, and attend special lectures focusing on the meaning of Memorial Day and its origins after the Civil War.
Museum curators have also created a temporary exhibit highlighting the personal stories of soldiers from Virginia who fought and died during the conflict, providing a deeply moving tribute appropriate for the holiday weekend.
The Science Museum of Virginia offers an intellectually stimulating alternative for Memorial Day weekend, particularly appealing to families seeking educational entertainment. The museum’s interactive exhibits span diverse scientific disciplines, including space exploration, electricity, health sciences, and geology.
For the holiday weekend, the museum extends its hours from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and reduces admission prices for military families as a special Memorial Day tribute. The museum’s crown jewel, The Dome Theater featuring Virginia’s largest screen at 76 feet, will showcase special documentary screenings throughout the weekend.
Science + Fun = SMV: Hands-On Exhibits and Dome Shows All Weekend
Memorial Day visitors to the Science Museum can experience several holiday-specific activities, including a special “Science On the Go” demonstration series exploring the science behind flight, appropriate given the holiday’s tradition of aerial demonstrations. The museum’s innovative “Speed” exhibit will feature additional hands-on stations where children can design and test their own racing vehicles.
Museum staff have also organized a special “Stars and Stripes” planetarium show exploring the astronomy visible to soldiers throughout American military history, creating a unique blend of science education and memorial reflection.
Reflections and Reverence: Memorial Traditions at Hollywood Cemetery
Hollywood Cemetery provides a more contemplative Memorial Day destination, honoring its role as the final resting place for thousands of Confederate soldiers as well as two U.S. Presidents—James Monroe and John Tyler. Recognized for its historical significance and stunning landscape architecture, the cemetery offers extended guided walking tours throughout Memorial Day weekend from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. These tours highlight the cemetery’s most notable monuments while sharing stories of the prominent Virginians interred within its grounds.
For Memorial Day specifically, Hollywood Cemetery hosts a special commemoration ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Monday featuring military honors, wreath-laying ceremonies, and historical readings. Visitors often bring flowers to place on the graves of soldiers, continuing a tradition that dates back to the origins of Memorial Day itself.
The cemetery’s location on rolling hills overlooking the James River provides not only historical significance but also peaceful natural beauty, with pathways shaded by ancient trees and landscape designs that reflect 19th-century memorial garden traditions, making it a uniquely appropriate destination for the holiday weekend.
Island Escape: Belle Isle Blends History With Outdoor Adventure
Belle Isle offers an outdoor adventure option for those seeking to combine natural beauty with historical significance this Memorial Day weekend. Accessible via a photogenic pedestrian bridge suspended beneath the Lee Bridge, this small island in the James River served as a Civil War prison camp but now functions as a beloved recreational area.
The island’s smooth riverside rocks have become a signature sunbathing spot for locals, while numerous walking trails wind through wooded areas showcasing native Virginia plant species and wildlife. For Memorial Day weekend, Belle Isle will feature extended park hours from sunrise to sunset.
Adventure seekers visiting Belle Isle during Memorial Day weekend can take advantage of the expanded activities scheduled for the holiday. Mountain biking enthusiasts will find the island’s trails freshly maintained for the weekend, with a special group ride organized for Monday morning.
History buffs can join ranger-led tours at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm each day of the weekend, learning about the island’s significant role during the Civil War while enjoying the natural beauty that has reclaimed this historical site. Park officials recommend arriving early on Memorial Day itself, as parking at the access points fills quickly during holiday weekends.
Raise a Glass at Hardywood: Beer, Music and a Veteran Tribute
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery represents Richmond’s thriving craft beverage scene and offers a more social Memorial Day weekend option. Known for its innovative brewing techniques and commitment to local ingredients, Hardywood has planned a special “Heroes Brewing” Memorial Day celebration running Saturday through Monday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
The event features the release of a special commemorative beer with proceeds benefiting veterans’ organizations, plus an expanded tasting room experience featuring brewery tours every hour on the hour.
The Memorial Day festivities at Hardywood extend beyond just excellent beer with a carefully curated lineup of food trucks offering everything from traditional American barbecue to innovative fusion cuisine. Live music performances are scheduled throughout the weekend, with local bands playing on the outdoor patio from 2:00 pm until closing each day.
For families visiting, Hardywood has created a designated kid-friendly zone with games and non-alcoholic craft beverages available. The brewery’s spacious grounds provide ample room for socializing while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a holiday weekend gathering with friends or family.
Animals, Gardens, and Gilded Age Charm at Maymont Estate
Maymont Nature Center rounds out Richmond’s Memorial Day offerings with its unique combination of historical mansion, carefully maintained gardens, and family-friendly children’s farm. Originally gifted to the city by James Henry and Sallie Dooley in the 1920s, Maymont now serves as one of Richmond’s most beloved public spaces.
For Memorial Day weekend, the entire 100-acre estate will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the Nature Center featuring special animal encounters every hour and the historic mansion offering guided tours highlighting how Memorial Day would have been observed during the Gilded Age.
The Children’s Farm area at Maymont provides particular appeal for families visiting during Memorial Day weekend, with baby animals often making their debut around this time of year. Visitors can observe river otters in their natural habitat, explore the Japanese and Italian gardens in full spring bloom, or simply enjoy picnicking on the expansive grounds.
Maymont’s special Memorial Day programming includes nature crafts for children, heritage garden demonstrations, and a special evening concert on Sunday featuring patriotic music against the backdrop of the historic mansion as the sun sets.
Virginia War Memorial Hosts Annual Monday Ceremony
As you plan your Memorial Day weekend in Richmond, several special events deserve specific mention. The Virginia War Memorial will host its annual commemoration ceremony on Monday at 11:00 am, offering a moving tribute to fallen service members.
Downtown, the Richmond Symphony will perform a free outdoor concert at Brown’s Island Sunday evening, featuring patriotic favorites culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over the James River. For those interested in military history, Fort Harrison will offer special ranger-led tours focusing on Richmond’s strategic importance during multiple American conflicts.
Planning your Memorial Day visit requires some practical considerations. Expect larger crowds at all attractions between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, with Monday typically being the busiest day. Richmond’s weather in late May generally provides warm temperatures around 80°F with moderate humidity, so lightweight clothing and sun protection are advisable for outdoor venues.
Parking downtown can be challenging during holiday weekends; consider using the GRTC Pulse bus line, which offers a $1.50 one-way fare with stops near many major attractions. For families with diverse interests, combining morning visits to indoor museums with afternoon outdoor activities creates a balanced itinerary that accommodates both the holiday’s commemorative nature and the recreational aspects of the extended weekend.
