May 3, 2024

Today’s Forecast

85º | 6% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:11 a.m. | Sunset 8:02 p.m.

A Message From Our Team

We have a goal to raise $2,500 for RICtoday over the next nine days. Support our positive, hyper-local approach to journalism with a donation — this is the one time a year we’ll ask you for contributions. We love you, Richmond.

Early Riser — $25

Avid Reader — $50

Inspired Consumer — $100

Give a custom amount

☀️ It’s officially picnic season

Our complete article includes 10 picnic-friendly locations, including Maymont and Libby Hill Park.

Now that the weather has warmed back up, picnicking is a delightful way to spend a shady afternoon afternoon or a breezy evening in Richmond. We’ve put on our excursion-expert hats and thought up some ideal spots matched with nearby eats.

Oregon Hill Overlook

Bring a blanket, spread out in the shade, and settle in to watch the river flow. There are also several benches — plus one rope swing — if sitting on the ground isn’t your style. Grab a pizza from Pupatella or some donuts from Oh! Mochi and enjoy one of the best views in the River City.

VMFA Sculpture Garden

Surround yourself with art and soak up some sun at the VMFA. Get coffee from Black Hand or Paix, try a burger from the newly-opened Texas Inn, or snag a bite from the Best Cafe in the museum itself, then set up shop on the grassy lawn.

Belle Isle

If you’re looking for a closer view of the James, trek across the pedestrian bridge with your basket and settle in at one of the several riverfront spots Belle Isle has to offer. Approach from the east to pick up some takeout at Casa Del Barco or Soul Taco and enjoy your tacos on the rocks.

Sunset over the James river. — Belle Isle has plenty of riverside spots to stop for a picnic.
|
Photo by RICtoday

Byrd Park

The lakes of Byrd Park provide a perfect opportunity for a waterside snack. If you’re really feeling ambitious, the Fountain Lake has public grills by the pond. Grab a steak from Belmont Butchery and get in touch with your inner grillmaster — just watch out for hungry geese.

Pony Pasture

Pony Pasture and the Huguenot Flatwater have rocky riverside spots similar to Belle Isle. Head out in the morning, stop by Eat 66 on the way over, and meditate on the placid waters over a breakfast sandwich or two.

5 more picnic havens

Asked

To what language does the word “picnic” trace its roots?

A. Finnish
B. French
C. Old English
D. Latin

Take a guess

Events

Friday, May 3

Virginia Stories: Indigenous Community | Friday, May 3 | 5-8 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Check out displays by Virginia artists, enjoy refreshments, and explore the exhibition “Indigenous Perspectives” at this First Fridays event.
VCU Baseball vs. George Washington | Friday, May 3-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $7-$10 | Cheer on the Rams in a three-game series against GW.
“Raiders of the Lost Ark” | Friday, May 3 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $9 | Kick off the Indiana Jones series at the Byrd with the original.

Saturday, May 4

Paralympic Experience Day | Saturday, May 4 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Colonial Heights Middle School, 500 Conduit Rd., Colonial Heights | Free | Try out sports including wheelchair basketball, adaptive pickleball, and blind soccer, and don’t miss the vendor resources fair.
Bootleg Shakespeare: “Love’s Labor’s Lost” | Saturday, May 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Dominion Energy Center Gottwald Playhouse, 600 E. Grace St., Richmond | Free | Line up early to score a free ticket to this one-night-only production where actors do not rehearse until the day of the performance.

Sunday, May 5

FETCH Fest Pet Wellness Festival | Sunday, May 5 | 1-4 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln., Richmond | Free entry | Bring the whole family — furry friends included — to celebrate animal companionship with live music, food and drinks, and pet health stations.

Monday, May 6

Spring Market | Monday, May 6 | 4-9 p.m. | Helen’s, 2527 W. Main St., Richmond | Free entry | Shop handmade crafts, vintage clothing, stained glass, and fresh flowers from local vendors and enjoy food from Horne Dogs.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Arts

Head to Gallery5 this evening for food, music, shopping with the RVA Moon Market, and an exhibit featuring 40 art pieces inspired by model trains. The First Friday block party will run from 5 to 10 p.m.

Civic

This morning, early voting in Chesterfield relocated from the General Registrar’s Office to the Central Library at 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd. Residents can cast their ballot Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m, until June 14. Early voting will also be available at the same hours on Saturday, June 8 and 15.

Sports

After winning their first USL Jägermeister Cup match in Greenville last Saturday, the Kickers return to City Stadium tonight for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Tickets start at $17.

Older Adults

The Science Museum of Virginia’s next Senior Morning will feature complimentary coffee and birdwatching. Participants ages 60+ can register for the free event, which will take place on Wednesday, May 15 at 8 a.m.

Edu

Local high schoolers are encouraged to submit art to the Virginia War Memorial’s contest in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Students have until Friday, May 31 to submit, and could win up to $500 if their work is picked.

Drink Up

Drink Up Week — our annual celebration of Richmond’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming July 22-July 26. If you’re a local business, you’re going to want to get in on the buzz. Be our exclusive presenting sponsor and advertise your brand with us during Drink Up Week.

Shop

Meet: Lady Meow Meow Tea Shop. This biz offers herbal teas crafted to be just as delicious as caffeinated alternatives. Make your morning routine a natural + caffeine-free experience with the variety of teas.*

Travel

Need a reason to visit the North Carolina Zoo? We’ve got 50. Celebrate the Zoo’s 50th Anniversary with these 50 Fabulous Finds in Randolph County. Bonus: Snag a free 2024 travel guide, too.*

Theater

🎂 Shakespeare Festival turns 25

RICtoday_AgecroftHall_RichmondShakespeareFestival

Agecroft Hall hosts the Richmond Shakespeare Festival each summer. | Photo by RICtoday

All the world’s a stage — but this summer, Agecroft Hall will host the players. Richmond Shakespeare’s annual festival will return to put on two classic plays in the garden this summer.

The festival will kick off with “Much Ado About Nothing” — considered one of the Bard’s funniest plays even today — from May 23 to June 2. From July 4-21, you can catch Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus.”

Performances will take place Thurday-Sunday nights on Agecroft Hall’s back lawn. The spacious area provides a view of the James and the façade of the Tudor house.

Pro tip: Bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket to spread out for a show under the stars. Small coolers for picnic items are permitted, but leave umbrellas, tents, and tables at home.

Tickets are at $42 for adults, $37 for adults 60+, and $22 with a military or student ID.

The Buy

Ingredients for a perfect margarita. Try the Simple Times Mizers Margarita Bundle to get a taste of something new, like the Strawberry Safe mix.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

This morning’s picnic roundup was inspired by a wonderful dinner I had on the slopes of the Oregon Hill overlook on Wednesday. I’m determined to spend as much time outside as possible before the summer heat really kicks in.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Feedback on Today's Newsletter

Did you like today’s newsletter?

😍 Loved it 🙂 Solid effort 😞 Changes needed

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP