Hands On Itinerary

Dig into the many hands-on activities available in the Richmond Region.

• Cooking Schools - Whip up some fun at a cooking school. Designed for cooks at every skill level, classes offer hands-on cooking for smaller groups and demonstrations for larger groups. Larger groups can choose to divide their groups and allow half to shop or explore while the other half cooks. The University of Richmond’s Center for Culinary Arts, opened in 2008, is the latest addition to the group cooking circuit. For more information about cooking schools call (800) 370-9004. Allow a minimum of two hours.
• Bass Pro Shops - Explore your inner outdoorsman at the mother of all outfitters. A new Bass Pro Shops, a 150,000-square-foot outdoor store, features uniquely designed aquariums, an expansive boat showroom and museum-quality wildlife displays. The Islamorada Fish Company restaurant seats 200, and the store also offers special events and outdoor skills workshops. Allow a minimum of one hour.
• Guided Segway Tour - Explore dozens of Richmond landmarks from the unique vantage point of the Segway® Personal Transporter, a self-balancing vehicle designed to go anywhere you go. The Guided Segway Tour is approximately 2 ½ hours, with a 15-minute lesson to make sure you’re safe and comfortable gliding around town. Custom tours are also available. Allow three hours.
• Ravenchase Adventures - See the sights through the lens of intrigue and adventure. Ravenchase Adventures offers an adventure race that will lead you through historic sites, museums, parks and more. Numerous customized games and hunts are available for all group sizes and ages. Allow a minimum of three hours.
• Virginia Aviation Museum - Check out more than 100 years of aeronautic history including antique aircraft, reproductions of the Wright brothers’ gliders and 1903 Flyer, and the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. Experience an interactive presentation on the forces of flight, create an aerodynamic paper airplane or view a specialized presentation. Allow 90 minutes.
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden - The garden’s 40 acres include one of the largest and most diverse perennial gardens on the East Coast and the only classical, domed conservatory open to the public in the mid-Atlantic region. Hands-on educational workshops and group dining options are available. Allow one to two hours.
• Civil War Adventure Camp at Pamplin Historical Park- Dress in Union or Confederate uniforms, sleep in a re-created encampment, participate in guard duty, join in weapons firing demonstrations and eat Civil War-era meals. Choose a two-day, one-night or one-day adventure. Allow two days or one day.
• Museum and White House of the Confederacy - The museum houses the nation’s most comprehensive collection of military, political and domestic artifacts and art associated with the Confederacy. Students can participate in interactive programs on the common soldier, life on the home front and medical practices. Allow one to two hours.
• Shirley Plantation - A short drive from the Richmond Region is Shirley Plantation, the oldest family-owned business in North America, dating back to 1638. Hands-on activities for students include learning games, playing the role of an apprentice to an 18th-century builder, art lessons, discovering the outbuildings with a treasure map or becoming a history detective. Allow two hours.
• Wine Tastings and Tours - Explore the grounds of New Kent Winery on a leisurely paced tour and taste any wines in current production. James River Cellars is another regional winery; it won the 2005 Governor’s Cup for best Virginia wine of the year. Private wine tastings, tours and dinners can be scheduled for groups. Wine stores and restaurants also offer wine tastings and pairing dinners. Allow a minimum of one hour.