Explore RVA with Your Partner & These 3 Outdoorsy Day-Date Ideas
Now that summer has officially begun, it’s time to bring out the picnic blankets, Chacos, and coolers because outdoorsy day dates are #peaking. That sticky, mid-summer RVA humidity will be here before you know it, and now is the time to take full advantage of the great outdoors.
If you read Axios Richmond in the morning, you probably saw that our city ranks high on the list of top US cities for public parks, coming in at number 39 on the list. While going for a stroll during lunch, taking the kids for some fresh air, or giving your furry friend a change of scenery are all viable uses for our plethora of parks, how about turning up your romantic side this summer and engaging with the outdoors for an afternoon sipping rosé on the banks of the James or some charcuterie on one of our lovely hillsides? Surprise your significant other and take them along one of these outdoorsy day dates.
— by Andrew Knight, Contributing Writer (and the brains behind RVA James River Fishing Report. Follow him @rvajamesriverfishreport!)
Canoes are for lovers
OK, that might be stretching our state’s tourism slogan a bit too far, but if you’ve ever paddled a canoe with a romantic partner, you know just how peaceful and harmonious each dip of the oar can feel. Canoeing has been around Richmond for centuries, thanks to the mighty James River, and there are some traditions that don’t lose their charm. So, where do we begin this canoe adventure?
Step 1: Rent a canoe, two paddles and life jackets from one of the region’s river organizations, such as RVA Paddlesports or Riverside Outfitters.
You’ll also probably need a few straps or bungee cords to tie the canoe down on your roof rack, so come prepared with a few handy. Getting the actual canoe up on your vehicle can also be a slight challenge if you’re solo, as the weight of the canoe spread out over 12 feet is awkward. My best advice is to lean it up against your vehicle and then pick it up from behind or bring a strong friend along with you.
Step 2: Find a canoe launch on the James River.
My favorite spot for a casual canoe paddle and date afternoon is at Huguenot Flatwater, which is right above Pony Pasture near Bon Air. This boat ramp was recently renovated to include more accessibility features that allow people with disabilities improved access to the boat ramp and river. You can pull your car right up to the ramp, slide the canoe off your rack and be paddling upriver in no time! I also love this location because of the island just upriver. Within five minutes, you can paddle up to a small island, dock on a sandy beach with your date, uncork some wine and start enjoying the Richmond Caribbean. If you have small camping chairs, there’s plenty of space to set them up and get cozy. Stick around for a few hours and soak in the sunset. As the Corona commercial goes: find your beach!
If your date is nudging you on for a more adventurous afternoon, you can paddle a mile or two more upriver up to Bosher’s Dam (the large dam you see when you drive over Chippenham Parkway). The paddle upriver to reach the dam can feel grueling having to go against the current, but you will be rewarded with a peaceful float all the way back to where you started at the end. If you decide to paddle downriver toward Pony Pasture, it’s important to know that there is a large dam you will need to portage (go around). It can be hard to spot the dam until the very last minute, so I don’t recommend paddling downriver unless you are with an experienced paddler who knows the river well.
Step 3: Return to the shore, load up your gear, and treat yourself to ice cream!
While you’re over on the south side of the city, you might as well swing by Gelati Celesti or Coco + Hazel for a sweet treat to top off the evening. If you’re feeling extra spicy, think about ending the night with a drink at Southbound or Joe’s Inn!
Rip n’ Dip: Date Style
No, this phrase doesn’t include skinny dipping in Swan Lake…or Maymont’s koi pond..or the VMFA’s sculpture garden pool. A rip n’ dip is a biking phrase used to describe a bike ride that ends with a swim in a body of water. And in RVA, that body of water is usually the James River. But what does a rip n’ dip have to do with a date? A lot.
Biking in the summer can totally ruin the romantic vibe. When you have sweat dripping down your forehead from your helmet, you’re not always looking your best. So, that’s where the dip part of the equation comes into play. When biking is combined with a casual dip in the river, all your worries wash away, and the heat of the moment is back in action. Here’s how you engage in a proper rip n’ dip with your date.
Step 1: Find a bike and a bathing suit.
The latter part should be fairly straightforward, but finding a bike that doesn’t have a flat tire is always hard, at least in my house. The city has a new bike sharing service called RVA Bike Share, but it is currently in “repair mode” and not operating. So, your best bet is to head over to one of the region’s bike rental shops to get started. Riverside Cycling, the sister company to Riverside Outfitters, provides bike rentals, along with The Kickstand, which operates out of the nonprofit Richmond Cycling Corp. Other places like Carytown Bikes and Agees offer demo rides for potential buyers, so you can always go that route and treat yourself and your date to a shiny new bike for the day.
Step 2: Plan your route.
OK, now it’s time to get the rip on. My go-to ride with my current fiance who is a lesser-experienced cyclist starts out at Dogwood Dell. Head across the Nickel Bridge and make a turn toward the river as you begin to climb the hill (you should see a small trail map and entrance). You can also start at Reedy Creek and then make your way toward the bridge along the trail by the river. Take the trail down to the river and cross the railroad tracks. Don’t try to bike across them, unless you are a total baller. The swimming hole is about 10 yards above the bridge, and you’ll see how the river flattens out after descending over the pipeline rapid. Dip away and soak in your surroundings!
Another great place to do an even more laid back ride and dive is Pony Pasture Park. There are hardly any hills at the park, so you can reassure your date that this outing won’t leave them in pain. I love Pony Pasture because of the variety of rocks to hop on and the connection to another small park called the Wetlands. You can do the entire loop of Pony Pasture→ Wetlands and back in less than 30 minutes, and there are a variety of swimming holes you’ll bike by, along with plenty of sandy beaches. Plus, you can get away from the crowded spots much easier on a bike, and the river will be all to yourself!
Step 3: Ice cream, again?
Ice cream complements every outdoor date idea in this guide, but it really pairs nicely when you’re right by Charm School on Forest Hill Ave. If you’re like me and prefer dessert before dinner, then you can walk five steps and indulge in tacos and beer at Y Tu Mama and The Veil. Or, swing by Little Nickel to keep the tropical cuisine vibe going all night long.
No Frills Hills
While biking and canoeing might sound great on paper, by the time you return from your afternoon journey, which probably morphed into a late-night adventure, you might be wishing you’d just kept it simple for your outdoorsy date. Well, we have that in RVA, too.
Longtime Richmonders know the saying, “Like Rome, Richmond was built on seven hills,” and the Richmond Times-Dispatch lists seven hills in our city being Church, Libby, Shockoe, Capitol, Navy, and Gamble’s Oregon. While some of these hills might not be known to most, there’s a lot to work with for planning a romantic picnic to watch the sunset and gaze at our small but mighty skyline.
Step 1: Pack your bag with charcuterie and wine.
Stella’s Grocery, Taste Unlimited and the trusty Kroger have been stepping up their prospective cheese offerings, and you will have plenty to choose from, maybe even too many to choose from, as you prepare your picnic basket for the hillside. If you’re looking to add some wine, the same places have you covered, but I also enjoy the special selection offered at Jardin, along with Celladora and Penny’s Wine shop, especially if you’re looking to treat yourself and your date.
Step 2: Find the hill.
When it comes to selecting the best hillside for your outdoorsy outing, my personal favorite is Jefferson Park. It doesn’t seem to get as crowded as the other popular overlooks and has a wraparound trail with grassy views of the city skyline that provides multi-level viewing and more privacy. This park is tucked away and quiet, and there’s also a great playground if you do decide to bring your kids along. There are also picnic tables and benches for couples looking to avoid the blanket and grass. What also makes this one of my favorites is the never ending breeze that flows through the park. I visit this park nearly every day at lunch and have yet to find a day without a breeze. So, keep that bonus perk in mind when it gets even hotter this summer.
Another lesser-known hill can be found below the Virginia War Memorial. You can access this expansive hill, which is also above Belle Isle, by parking on 2nd Street directly across from the Memorial. For some reason, everyone seems to walk by this picnic paradise, and you’ll probably have it to yourself if you decide to give it a shot. The hill features beautiful views of the James River and the downtown skyline, which is unique compared to the other hills on the list. And if you’re picnicking on a Friday night, you’ll be welcomed with some live music from Friday Cheers in the background. Enjoy!
The hills without frills list wouldn’t be complete without Libby Hill Park, which is one of the three original parks formed in the Richmond City Park System. Libby Hill has beautiful sunset views and open grassy spots that welcome date nights and picnic blankets. It can get more crowded than the others on the list, but there’s a reason why you’ve seen so many RVA engagements on this hill. It’s beautiful and has it all.
Step 3: Soak it in.
Now that you’ve laid out your blanket and poured your first glass of wine, the rest is pretty self explanatory for this part of the journey. We’re approaching the summer solstice on June 21, so you’ll have to wait a bit for the sun to go down, but take your time, enjoy the outdoors. and embrace the moment.
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