How did these dinosaurs end up with such unique traits? | Photos provided by Science Museum of Virginia
Journey back 250 million years and come face-to-face with extraordinary dinosaurs from South America, Africa, and Madagascar.
Now open at the Science Museum of Virginia, “Ultimate Dinosaurs” features colossal skeletons, real fossils, and hands-on experiences that let you step into the world of these ancient giants.
You’ll discover how the breakup of Earth’s supercontinent — aka, Pangaea — triggered an explosion of evolutionary diversity, giving rise to entirely new dinosaurs with fascinating and unique adaptations. Sounds like something straight out of “Jurassic World.”
From the tiny, agile Eoraptor to the massive, ferocious Giganotosaurus, explore 16 fully mounted dinosaur specimens and watch them come roaring back to life with augmented reality.
Plus, don’t miss the fun lineup of dino-themed events happening all summer:
Richmond Public Schools Registration | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Broad Rock Public Library | Free | Enrollment is open for the 2025-2026 school year, and you can head to the library to tackle your to-do list in person.
Binghamton Rumble Ponies vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels | Tuesday, June 10-Sunday, June 15 | Times vary | The Diamond | $13+ | Join the stands for special games like Gardening Day, 2000s Night, and Little League Night.
Wednesday, June 11
Live at The Branch: Fuse Ensemble | 6-8 p.m. | The Branch Museum of Design | $35+ | This installment of live music at the Branch features a clarinet and cello duo performing works by contemporary composers.
Richmond Ivy | Wednesday, June 11, Saturday, June 14 | 7 p.m. | City Stadium | $15 | It’s the official Summer Kickoff match, so pack some sunscreen and hit the stands.
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth | 8 p.m. | Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront | $56+ | You can still snag tickets to see this popular band, performing at Richmond’s brand new outdoor stage.
Thursday, June 12
Community Transformers Awards Gala & Brunch | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Virginia Union University Living and Learning Center | $80 | Celebrate the innovation of community members making a change with a local nonprofit.
Quoit Club: Hard-Hat Tour of Shockoe Institute | 6-8 p.m. | Shockoe Institute | $30 | Take a sneak-peek tour of this major Shockoe development — you don’t have to be a Quoit Club member to tag along.
Sunday, June 15
Father’s Day: Free Admission for Dads | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History and Culture | Free | Dads enjoy free admission on Father’s Day — stop by Guest Services to claim your complimentary ticket.*
Friday, July 4
July 4th Naturalization Ceremony | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History and Culture | Free | Celebrate America’s newest citizens at this special naturalization ceremony, part of VMHC’s 250th anniversary commemoration.*
A new state courthouse building is coming to Downtown Richmond, and final design plans have officially been approved. The Commonwealth Courts Building will occupy the site of the Pocahontas Building at 900 E. Main St., which is slated for demolition. See what’s in store. We’ll keep an eye on the developing timeline for you. (Richmond BizSense)
Open
Slack Tide Fish Co. opened its doors in Scott’s Addition last Friday. The new restaurant specializes in coastal flavors + raw bar eats. We’re eyeing the Swordfish Ham + Tiger’s Blood Shaved Ice for dessert. Located on Summit Avenue, it’s just a jump from the new Arthur Ashe bridge development.
Drink
Quirk Hotel launched Wine & Wander RVA, a guide to “sipping your way through the city.” How to participate: 1. Grab a trail card from any of the 12 participating locations. 2. Taste-test + collect a stamp from each spot. 3. Bring your completed card back to a participating biz for a goodie bag.
Biz
Starting this weekend, Julio’s Bagels will be open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Since this change in hours falls on Father’s Day, Julio’s owner gave a shoutout to her dad— the shop’s namesake — for his continued support and his love for The Beatles.
Theater
Did you catch the Tony Awards last weekend? It’s Broadway’s biggest night of the year, but we have Broadway in Richmond. And Shakespeare. And Matilda. Richmond’s theater scene is on fire this June. See what’s on stage, from “Waitress” to “Matilda the Musical.”
Try This
Are you guilty… of winning? The Virginia Lottery recently launched a CLUE Scratcher, based on the classic murder mystery board game. Bonus: You can play from anywhere, including the kitchen, ballroom, and conservatory, with the online version.*
Sports
Kick off summer under the lights at City Stadium as Richmond Ivy takes on the Annapolis Blues on Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m. Enjoy tasty bites + brews from local food trucks, free parking, and great views from every seat. Snag tix.*
Older Adults
Are you 62 or older with limited income? This is a must-read. Did you know a reverse mortgage lets homeowners 62+ turn home equity into cash without monthly payments? See how it works and view Money’s list of the best annuities to find options with A+ BBB ratings and competitive pricing.*
Wellness
Improve gut health + boost natural production of GLP-1 (the same hormone Ozempic mimics for weight loss) with Bioma’s 3-in-1 formula. Use code 6AM10 for an extra 10% off.*
Category
Development
The city wants your input
The bridge, located between Broad Street and Interstate I-64/I-95, is slated to remain open during construction. | Photo provided by the City of Richmond
City officials will host a community meeting on Wednesday, June 11, to discuss plans to replace the Arthur Ashe Boulevard bridge. Now over 75 years old, the bridge has been deemed outdated for use.
This $38 million project is still in its early phases, which means community input is more valuable now than ever. Final designs are slated for March 2026, followed by construction starting in the fall of 2026, and completion in late 2028.
Built over the CSX railroad, this route connects interstate traffic to the Diamond District and Scott’s Addition. Photo courtesy of Google Street View, 2021
Gather your thoughts
We browsed the project plans for you + put together a few questions to help prompt your feedback.
Designs are only at 30% completion now, so there is plenty of room for your input. | Photo provided by the City of Richmond.
Access + safety:
How can the new bridge improve accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars?
What features would help increase safety while minimizing travel times and decreasing congestion?
Appearance:
How can the new bridge serve as a visually appealing development?
How can nature be incorporated into the final design?
We rounded up plenty more prompts to get the wheels turning, from economic benefits to historic preservation.
The shoe of the summer: sneaker mules (aka smules). Effortlessly stylish and easy to slip on, these can be paired with your go-to shorts, sundresses, linen jumpsuits, and more. These are five of our favorites:
👟 Under $150: Dolce Vita’s sporty-chic sneaker mules in a fun + flirty pink floral pattern.
👟 Under $80: This pair by Anne Klein that will go with practically everything in your closet.
👟 Under $60: Blowfish Malibu’s platform style with adjustable lacing and a unique patterned insole.
👟 Under $50: These Naturalizer white leather smules made with comfort technology for all-day walking.
👟 Under $30: These canvas kicks available in 15+ colors and constructed with a memory foam insole for maximum comfort.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
While putting together our ice cream guide, I couldn’t stop thinking about Scoop’s Brown Sugar Cookie Dough flavor. As a patron of my own free will, I stopped by to try it out (with a scoop of peanut butter ice cream to pair).
My partner and I took our ice cream to go — that is, across the street for an evening walk through Scuffletown Park. All this to say, I highly recommend.