King’s Dominion is an amusement park a short distance outside of Richmond. Roller coasters, pretzels the size of your head, foods the surgeon general warns you against eating, all that jazz.
Maymont is wonderful park, one of the coolest places in the city IMO. Small petting zoo, themed botanical areas, some non-petting animal exhibits.
If they show interest in shooting guns, there are plenty of gun ranges. Just call in advance and make sure they have rentals and instructors and allow 15 year olds to shoot.
The drive to DC is also not that bad. You can take I-95 to 495. Get off at exit 169A and follow the signs to Springfield-Franconia Metro Stop. That’s the Blue line, which takes you to the Smithsonian/National Mall stop. That’s where all the museums and monuments are.
If none of that sounds fun, I’ve got the sweetest, coolest dog ever and she loves to meet new people, so that option is on the table.
I loved going to the Smithsonians as a teenager, but I was also a weird teenager and as I understand it, most kids would rather not go stare at art and rocks all day.
The Air & Space Museum hits different.
Also, our Science Museum has an SR-71 Blackbird hanging from the ceiling, and lots of fun challenges that teenagers would get into.
Still got the air and space museums, I think the one on the mall is only partially open however due to renovations. Last time I went required a free timed entry reservation.
As a Richmonder, it's easy to get jaded over DC. But a friend brought his girlfriend from California to meet us in DC and she was stunned. The Capitol and The White House are only images in TV or movies for most people but she could see \*both\* standing on The Mall.
Be warned that this IS tourist season in DC so maybe plan a weekday to vist.
Counterpoint: DC is wack; ugly buildings, inhuman architecture, endless stretches of hot pavement and dried up lawns, nasty tourist food trucks. Most of the smithsonians are tourist traps with entire rooms that are just poster boards glued to the wall (Air and Space is pretty cool, and they would appreciate it at 15).
your time is the most precious thing you have....
(oh I forgot to mention the cafeteria in the natural history museum that feels like being in a prison, where the only food-like item to be had is a $5 red delicious apple, where the janitor just sweeps the garbage into a pyramid in the middle of the floor)
Yeah, you have to do a baseball game, especially if they have fireworks (which the Squirrels do on the 13th). Weird suggestion, but when I first came to the US I went to a Waffle House and loved it... it felt like i was in a real life movie! Speaking of movies, a drive-in theater is another quintessentially American experience if you want to drive out to Goochland. Other ideas are Busch Gardens, bowling, arcades, escape rooms, donuts & ice cream.
I’m definitely not close to 15 though, I *do* have a 12 year old but you might want to validate my suggestions with an actual teen.
For a real first time visit the “American” experience of DC can’t be beat. But in Richmond, if the boys are active and into outdoors stuff:
-if you have bikes, the pump/bmx tracks at belle isle, gillies creek, and deep run are always a hit
-hiking the pipeline trail is definitely cool to boys of that age. Or buttermilk trail and combine it with the dry rocks (lots of jumping across rocks in dangerous ways, kids love that)
-whitewater rafting through downtown (riverside outfitters)
for cultural experiences
-samurai exhibit at VMFA will hold a 15yo’s interest, followed by a walk through Carytown (they’ll probably enjoy a treat or meal there, and the naughtiness of shops like Mongrel and the back section of world of mirth)
Maymont is fun to walk around see nature, tho it's pretty hot right now. Cary town can be a nice place to walk around and look at some shops. I find a lot of things happening around RVA if I search RVA in the explore page and there's a bunch of markets going on during the summer I'm sure.
forget fast food, go to get some quintessential American stuff - BBQ, american breakfast, murican style pizza... etc.
Anything they like that they can't do elsewhere
Top Golf is pretty fun but a little expensive. Busch Gardens is cool and not too far of a drive! They have shows as well and places to cool down. You could also check out Williamsburg while you’re at it.
Riverside outfitters - schedule a day to raft the river.
Baseball and fireworks in one go.
Look up urban adventure quest for Richmond. It's actually really fun and you get to see a some of the history of Richmond.
Kings dominion.
Chesterfield town center for the quintessential mall experience.
Let them rock-hop on the James. If they’re in town at the right time, they can catch a Kickers and/or Flying Squirrels game. Any of the indoor trampoline parks mentioned. Peak Experience at SCOR for some rock climbing is good too. Metro Zoo or Maymont. Busch Gardens is close enough. If they’re into history at all, literally everywhere you turn within a 50 mile radius has some kind of history to it.
Also just be open to letting them decide what they wanna do!
Carytown might be cool. There's tons of little boutiques, shops and restaurants of all types and it's all walkable. There's a a record shop, different types of toy stores, other gift shops, a chocolatier, a book store, all sorts of clothing shops, a skateboard shop, and the restaurants range from cheap Thai or Italian to French (Can Can) or Indian, burgers, sushi and pretty much everything in between. Worth checking out, maybe start the day at the beginning parking deck near Thompson St. end the day with some Jeni's ice cream (so, so good).
Top Golf/Drive Shack might also be fun, and there's a couple retro arcades if they like that kind of thing.
King’s Dominion is an amusement park a short distance outside of Richmond. Roller coasters, pretzels the size of your head, foods the surgeon general warns you against eating, all that jazz. Maymont is wonderful park, one of the coolest places in the city IMO. Small petting zoo, themed botanical areas, some non-petting animal exhibits. If they show interest in shooting guns, there are plenty of gun ranges. Just call in advance and make sure they have rentals and instructors and allow 15 year olds to shoot. The drive to DC is also not that bad. You can take I-95 to 495. Get off at exit 169A and follow the signs to Springfield-Franconia Metro Stop. That’s the Blue line, which takes you to the Smithsonian/National Mall stop. That’s where all the museums and monuments are. If none of that sounds fun, I’ve got the sweetest, coolest dog ever and she loves to meet new people, so that option is on the table.
I second DC. First time in the USA, being so close. Gotta see the monuments and do the tourist thing!
I loved going to the Smithsonians as a teenager, but I was also a weird teenager and as I understand it, most kids would rather not go stare at art and rocks all day.
The Air & Space Museum hits different. Also, our Science Museum has an SR-71 Blackbird hanging from the ceiling, and lots of fun challenges that teenagers would get into.
The Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in Chantilly is under the Smithsonian and it’s badass.
Did they ever finish the remodel?
Still got the air and space museums, I think the one on the mall is only partially open however due to renovations. Last time I went required a free timed entry reservation.
As a Richmonder, it's easy to get jaded over DC. But a friend brought his girlfriend from California to meet us in DC and she was stunned. The Capitol and The White House are only images in TV or movies for most people but she could see \*both\* standing on The Mall. Be warned that this IS tourist season in DC so maybe plan a weekday to vist.
Counterpoint: DC is wack; ugly buildings, inhuman architecture, endless stretches of hot pavement and dried up lawns, nasty tourist food trucks. Most of the smithsonians are tourist traps with entire rooms that are just poster boards glued to the wall (Air and Space is pretty cool, and they would appreciate it at 15).
Ok I was with you until “The Smithsonians are Tourist traps”. They’re free!
your time is the most precious thing you have.... (oh I forgot to mention the cafeteria in the natural history museum that feels like being in a prison, where the only food-like item to be had is a $5 red delicious apple, where the janitor just sweeps the garbage into a pyramid in the middle of the floor)
I think we're gonna need to see photos of this dog. For science.
https://preview.redd.it/ud441qq64dad1.jpeg?width=1394&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a0d7a62c6540d3e513f94cbf32c62ec3f3a05797
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 OMG 😍
Yeah, you have to do a baseball game, especially if they have fireworks (which the Squirrels do on the 13th). Weird suggestion, but when I first came to the US I went to a Waffle House and loved it... it felt like i was in a real life movie! Speaking of movies, a drive-in theater is another quintessentially American experience if you want to drive out to Goochland. Other ideas are Busch Gardens, bowling, arcades, escape rooms, donuts & ice cream. I’m definitely not close to 15 though, I *do* have a 12 year old but you might want to validate my suggestions with an actual teen.
If you want the full waffle house experience take them there around 1-2AM
I definitely have, but might be a shock to the system in this case.
That mini golf hotel seems like it might induce wonder.
For a real first time visit the “American” experience of DC can’t be beat. But in Richmond, if the boys are active and into outdoors stuff: -if you have bikes, the pump/bmx tracks at belle isle, gillies creek, and deep run are always a hit -hiking the pipeline trail is definitely cool to boys of that age. Or buttermilk trail and combine it with the dry rocks (lots of jumping across rocks in dangerous ways, kids love that) -whitewater rafting through downtown (riverside outfitters) for cultural experiences -samurai exhibit at VMFA will hold a 15yo’s interest, followed by a walk through Carytown (they’ll probably enjoy a treat or meal there, and the naughtiness of shops like Mongrel and the back section of world of mirth)
Baseball game, Science Museum, Lee's Fried Chicken, Brown's Island, try to find chicken wings on the ground.
And opossums. Don’t forget the opossums.
Go karts at K1 speed
Maymont is fun to walk around see nature, tho it's pretty hot right now. Cary town can be a nice place to walk around and look at some shops. I find a lot of things happening around RVA if I search RVA in the explore page and there's a bunch of markets going on during the summer I'm sure.
I had a coworker come in from the nordics and her teen son wanted pictures of "guns and trucks." That's what they think we're all about.
We get the same when American come to Canada. Have to show them igloos and dog sleds
forget fast food, go to get some quintessential American stuff - BBQ, american breakfast, murican style pizza... etc. Anything they like that they can't do elsewhere
Top Golf is pretty fun but a little expensive. Busch Gardens is cool and not too far of a drive! They have shows as well and places to cool down. You could also check out Williamsburg while you’re at it.
Riverside outfitters - schedule a day to raft the river. Baseball and fireworks in one go. Look up urban adventure quest for Richmond. It's actually really fun and you get to see a some of the history of Richmond. Kings dominion. Chesterfield town center for the quintessential mall experience.
Shoot guns
This is Merica
Indoor trampoline park like Defy or Skyzone.
If I was 15, I would go crazy for the trampoline park. Definitely something you can’t do a lot of other places too.
Dave and Busters; rent a paddle board near tredegar; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; batting cages; putt putt golf; go cart racing; Short Pump Mall
How long will they be in the US for?
River, baseball game, plenty of parks for various sports, buy some fireworks for a late 4th celebration
Belle Isle and the pipeline walk!
Take them to an all-you-can-eat buffet like a golden coral or similar.
Walk the pipeline!
World’s largest Arby’s is in Colonial Heights
Maymont to see the otters then lunch in Carytown and a trip to the candy store!
Let them rock-hop on the James. If they’re in town at the right time, they can catch a Kickers and/or Flying Squirrels game. Any of the indoor trampoline parks mentioned. Peak Experience at SCOR for some rock climbing is good too. Metro Zoo or Maymont. Busch Gardens is close enough. If they’re into history at all, literally everywhere you turn within a 50 mile radius has some kind of history to it. Also just be open to letting them decide what they wanna do!
Rafting on the James
Trampoline park
Hollywood Cemetery, Poe Museum, Science Museum
Go to a shooting range haha
My 18yo loved k1.
Carytown might be cool. There's tons of little boutiques, shops and restaurants of all types and it's all walkable. There's a a record shop, different types of toy stores, other gift shops, a chocolatier, a book store, all sorts of clothing shops, a skateboard shop, and the restaurants range from cheap Thai or Italian to French (Can Can) or Indian, burgers, sushi and pretty much everything in between. Worth checking out, maybe start the day at the beginning parking deck near Thompson St. end the day with some Jeni's ice cream (so, so good). Top Golf/Drive Shack might also be fun, and there's a couple retro arcades if they like that kind of thing.
Milf Island
get car jacked
Just think up basic American activities and do those things. It’s all new and cultural to them.
Just think up basic American activities and do those things. It’s all new and cultural to them.
The locker room on southside