Ready to explore Richmond with your baby? If so, this is the perfect guide for you - all about stroller friendly walks around RVA. I've tried so many walking trails around Richmond with my kiddos, and these are my favorite ones to explore with a stroller. Each one of these parks, walks and trails are open to the public, free to visit, and of course, stroller friendly.
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Need a stroller? This is the double jogging stroller I use with my children, and here is the single version. I love this stroller so much - it is great for every day walks and trips to Disney World!
The Best Stroller Friendly Walks in Richmond, Virginia by county:
Henrico County's stroller friendly trails
1. University of Richmond: This is my top recommendation for a stroller friendly walk in Richmond, Virginia. We love U of R for many reasons: the ease of parking, the availability of bathrooms & shelter, the paved paths around the lake, the beautiful architecture, the new eco-corridor, and all the hidden places to play and explore.
The paths are mostly flat, but you can choose some of the steeper inclines if you want more of a workout. There are shady paths, a gazebo, and benches (perfect for nursing), too. This one is dog friendly (on a leash) and free!
Nearby: Tyler Haynes Commons has bathrooms and quick service food options on campus - this is the building by the lake. Christian's Pizza is less than 5 minutes away.
*Check here for my review.
2. Regency Square Mall: This is my top choice for an indoor, stroller friendly walk around Richmond. This indoor mall in Henrico County is currently undergoing a massive renovation, but it's still a family friendly spot to escape the weather. Regency has a Virginia LOVE sign, a fish pet store, and lots of room to get wiggles out. Since becoming a mama, this has been one of my go to spots when we need to get out of the house but can’t explore outside. Bring quarters for the ride-on vehicles and claw machines.
You will find Surge Adventure Park and Play RVA, ride on trains and play area, inside, too.
Hours: Monday-Saturday from 11am-7pm, Sunday from noon-6pm
*Check here for my review.
3. Deep Run Park: This 165 acre park is at the corner of Gaskins Road and Ridgefield Parkway. Deep Run has a pond, 3.4 miles of paved, mostly flat trails, three separate playgrounds, picnic shelters, bathrooms, a basketball court, soccer fields, and multiple open spaces.
This park has a lot of shade in the summer! All of the trails, except the ones around the soccer fields & around the lake, are in full shade. The trail around the lake has partial shade.
Nearby: Glory Days Grill is less than 5 minutes away.
*Check here for my review of the playground by the lake, and check here for my full review of the park.
4. Cheswick Park: Henrico’s oldest park just REOPENED with lots of new upgrades! While the swings haven’t been added just yet, the two playgrounds & exercise equipment are ready for guests now. The bathrooms are also brand new!
Most of the other trails are paved, and they are mostly flat with slight inclines. There’s a loop around the playground & exercise area - great for strollers, bikes & scooters.There’s a gravel travel past the boardwalk behind the playground. It laps around the gravel trail near Alvarado Road (there’s a pedestrian entrance).
Nearby: Ukrops Market Hall is 5 minutes away.
*Check here for my review.
5. Dorey Park: At 400 acres, Dorey Park is the largest park in Henrico. With 7 athletic fields, 8 baseball fields, tennis courts, a recreation center, a dog park, two playgrounds, a lake, and a frisbee golf course, there’s plenty of places to explore! The little kid playground has great shade, while the big kid play area has full sun. The entire playground space is surrounded by trees too.
It’s also has a connector trail to the Virginia Capital Trail. Located in the East End, Dorey Park is less than 5 minutes from Richmond International Airport.
The walking trails are almost completely flat. The woodland trails have a gravel surface (very fine), and the path around the lake is paved. You'll see ducks, turles and fish!
*Check here for my full review,
6. Echo Lake Park: Located off Nuckols and Springfield, Echo Lake Park has a lake, nature trails, two playgrounds, a picnic shelter, and bathrooms. There's also lots of open space for children to play. The playgrounds are completely in the shade, and the nature trails are mostly in the shade. The decks overlooking the lake are in full sun.
The trail has a fine gravel surface, so scooters don't work very well. Strollers, bikes (even balance bikes and ones with training wheels) work fine here. There are a few areas that do not have a barrier between the path and the lake - heads up with little kids.
This is one of the best parks to visit in the summer because the playground has almost complete shade.
*Check here for my full review.
7. Innsbrook Path: This paved path weaves in and out of Innsbrook's shops, restaurants and businesses. While there are no public restrooms, Starbucks and Panera are close by! I like this path because it's flat, partially shaded, and easy to get to. There are a few places to sit along the paths like a deck and benches. There's lots of parking, and it's right off Broad Street.
You can easily incorporate this walk with your errands or grabbing lunch. This is a dog-friendly park, and it's free park.
*Check here for my full review.
8. Short Pump Mall: This local open-air mall has multiple spaces to play & explore with kids and hosts a bunch of family friendly events, like their summer concert series! We also enjoy eating at Baker's Crust - it is very causal, has outside dining options & is easy with kids. It's also stroller friendly - you can stroll around the entire mall with access to restrooms, nursing spaces, and food!
*Check here for my review.
Stroller Friendly Walks in City of Richmond, Virginia
1.The VMFA's Sculpture Garden: Located in the Museum District, The Claiborne & Lora Robins Sculpture Garden at the VMFA and the sidewalks around it are some of the best places to stroll in Richmond. The garden itself encompasses 3.5 acres, and it’s part of the RVA Garden Trail. It has green space, blooms, waterfalls & stroller-friendly paths. If you want to extend your walk, add the sidewalks around it. You’ll pass by classic Richmond row homes and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
The paths around the VMFA and the sidewalks around it are completely flat.
Nearby: The VMFA’s Best Cafe is on property. If you visit on Wednesdays between 6pm-8pm, you can enjoy the Jazz Cafe, too. This is a free, indoor concert series.
*Check here for my review.
2. The Capital Trail: The Capital Trail is a 51.7 mile paved trail from Richmond to Williamsburg. One of the most popular portions is from Great Shiplock Park to Rockett's Landing, a 2.4 mile round trip. It is riverfront with amazing views of the city. Parking can sometimes be limited at Great Shiplock Park, but you can parallel park in Rockett's Landing and easily jump on the trail.
There are a lot of restaurants and businesses along the trail, and there are also porta potties. Shade is limited, so wear sunscreen! This is a fun walk for the whole family, including our furry babies (on a leash). It doesn't cost a thing to walk The Capital Trail.
*Check here for my full review.
3. Maymont Park: With over 100 acres, Maymont Park is the perfect place to explore with children. You can feed animals in the Children’s Farm, picnic on or roll down the hills, and explore the Japanese Garden. Most of the property has paved paths, so it’s stroller friendly too.
Heads up: All areas except portions of the Japanese Garden. There are a lot of large hills - this is a great workout!
Nearby: Boulevard Burger and Brew is a 10 minute drive.
*Check here for my review.
4. Bryan Park: Dedicated as a park 1909, Bryan Park sits between the City of Richmond & Henrico. It’s a gorgeous park with rolling hills, ponds, streams, and trails through the woods. The 17 acre azalea garden is a family-friendly spot to see blooms in the spring, and its large farmers market is a fun event for families all year.
Heads up: The bathrooms have been locked when we've visited. Only porta potties are available.
Nearby: SB’s Lakeside Love Shack is a 3 minute drive, and if you visit on a Saturday morning, you can enjoy RVA Big Market between 8 and noon.
*Check here for my full review.
5.Forest Hill Park: Located in Forest Hill, this 105 acre city park is the perfect spot for a play date, picnic or family walk. It has tennis courts, picnic shelters, walking trails, a playground, and wetlands. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places: it used to be a terminal for the Forest Hill trolley & an amusement park with a carousel and roller coaster.
The playground has two structures - one for big kids and one for little kids, so it keeps both of my kiddos happy. There are so many hills and large trees that also provide opportunities for pretend play. We also love visiting on Sundays – the South of the James Market is open from 10AM to 1PM.
*Heads up: This park does not have restrooms - it has porta potties. Bring your stroller with a portable changing station or a travel potty.
*Check here for my full review.
6. Hollywood Cemetery: Looking for a serene & unique hike? Check out Hollywood Cemetery. Established in 1847, Hollywood Cemetery spans 135 acres with hills, valleys & over 2,000 trees! It is an active cemetery, a registered arboretum & an outdoor museum. Hollywood Cemetery is also the final resting place of two United States Presidents, James Monroe and John Tyler and many other notable figures. With views of the river, the city & the fall foliage and spring blooms, this is a peaceful walk you’ve got to try!
When walking the cemetery, you are on the same road as cars. They do go very slowly, but just a heads up with little kids. These paths and road do have hills.
Nearby: The Pit and The Peel is 5 minutes away.
*Check here for my review.
7.Tyler Potterfield Bridge: Completed in 2016, this pedestrian & cycling bridge connects Brown’s Island to Manchester. It’s 1,600 feet long with gorgeous views of the city & the river. This is one of our favorite stroller-friendly places to walk because of the views and the other nearby places to explore like Brown’s Island & The Canal Walk.
Nearby: Casa Del Barco is about a 10 minute walk.
*Check here for my review.
8. Belle Isle: A part of the James River Park System, the Belle Isle Trails are relatively easy hiking paths with scenic views and river access. These trails total 1.5 miles around Belle Isle & are perfect for strollers, bikes and scooters. One of the popular ways to access this trail is by crossing the pedestrian suspension bridge under the Lee Bridge. The bridge offers gorgeous views of the city, the railway & the river. There’s even a dirt bike park once you cross the bridge!
Other than the pedestrian bridge, the trails are very flat. The paths have a fine gravel surface, so it's easiest with strollers and bikes. Scooters do not work very well.
*Check here for my review.
9. Carytown and its neighborhood streets: Carytown is one of the cutest shopping districts in RVA, and sidewalks go down West Cary and through the neighborhood. This is such a great place to walk with your family because of the ample dining options, including coffee shops and ice cream shops.
There are so many ways to walk in Carytown since all the neighborhoods have sidewalks. I love to start at Grayland Tot Lot – the playground has all new equipment! After playing, we stroll down Belmont to West Cary for as long as we want. My children love watching all the busyness in Carytown, and they love eating at Zorch!
Heads up: there are no bathrooms available on this walk unless to dine at a local restaurant! If you have a Capital One card, you can use their cafe.
*Check here for my review of Grayland Tot Lot, Carytown's playground.
Stroller friendly walks in Chesterfield County, Virginia
1. Midlo Mines Park: Mid-Lothian Mines is a 44 acre park in Midlothian with a lake and streams, forest and wildlife. Since this is where the first commercially coal was mined in America, there are historical markers and signs throughout the trails. There is also a giant replica of the original headstock. The paved loop in the forest has full shade, and a tunnel connects it to a path around the lake. This paved loop is mostly in the sun.
I love this park because it is perfect for strollers, scooters and bikes. It's also fun for the entire family, including dogs (on a leash). There are lots of geese, ducks and turtle for little ones to look for while walking. There are two parking lots, so it's easy to find parking. The only bathrooms I saw were porta potties. This is a free park.
Nearby: Urban Farmhouse is less than 5 minutes away. It's right next to the new Midlothian Library (reopened January 2024).
*Check here for my full review.
2. Huguenot Park: Located in Bon Air, this 53 acre park has an all-inclusive playground, picnic shelters, athletic fields & basketball courts, and stroller friendly trails! Our favorite feature of this park is the large sand play area in the fenced playground. My littles love playing here with the trucks, shovels & other sand toys. This park is very popular, so it’s easy to make friends too!
Nearby: Brusters Real Ice Cream on Robious is less than 5 minutes away. The Great Big Green House is in the same shopping center, and there is a farmers market on Tuesdays.
*Check here for my full review.
If you're ready for a splurge-worthy walk around Richmond, check out these stroller friendly walks:
1.Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: Lewis Ginter is one of the most beautiful places in Richmond, and it is so peaceful to walk in! It has been our most used membership for the past three years, and I recommend it to all everyone. I love it because there are paved paths throughout the gardens, and they are mostly flat - perfect for strollers, new walkers & toddlers.
There are multiple bathrooms, two of which are large - perfect for maneuvering with a stroller. It's also very nursing friendly: there's a lounge in the library, and there are benches throughout the gardens in the shade. As our children have gotten older, we have been able to enjoy the Children's Garden (splash pad, tree house & sandbox), the children's activities (painting, story time, gardening, and more), and Flowers After Five (a family friendly concert series on Thursday nights).
The garden is free for members, and the daily admission is relatively inexpensive: adults $17, children $8, and under 3 are free.
*Check here for my full review.
2. Richmond Metro Zoo: Located on 150 acres in Moseley, The Richmond Metro Zoo is home to 2,000 animals and 190 different species! Besides walk-in tours, guests can zip line on the Tree Top Zoofari or participate in kids camps. Our favorite part about this zoo is the feeding experiences with the giraffes, barn yard animals and birds.
Quick Facts & Tips: We are members of the zoo & it is worth it - visit 3x in a year & it’s paid for itself. An adult membership starts at $59 and a child membership starts at 23.95 It costs $23.95 for adults and $17.95 for children 2-11 each visit. Children 1 and younger receive free admission.
Click here for the Instagram Review.
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Did your favorite stroller friendly walk my list? If didn't, send me an email at megan@thewestendmom.com so I can check it out!
Looking for more things to do with your little kid around Richmond? Check out this guide on The Best Weekly Activities for Little Kids in RVA.
For more details on these getaway spots and more Richmond adventures, follow our family on @thewestendmom on Instagram!