Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
DESCRIPTION: A new 23,000 square foot Visitors Center has an expanded gift shop and dining facilities, gallery space for exhibitions; three acres of new gardens are in development will include a Four Seasons Garden and a Garden of the Senses

ADDRESS: 1800 Lakeside Avenue  MAP

PHONE: 804-262-9887

WEBSITE: http://www.lewisginter.org

James River Park System
DESCRIPTION: Named the “Best Urban Park” by some sources, it’s a really mega-park with diverse sections along 450 acres and the James River; see unspoiled natural beauty and enjoy canoeing, jogging, swimming, hiking, rock-climbing, fishing, boating and nature study; many of the best sites are within blocks of Downtown and visitors can enjoy a different experience each season; major park section are:

•    Main Section is located on the south side of the James River between the Boulevard and Lee Bridges

•    Pony Pasture Rapids on the south bank two miles downstream from the Huguenot Bridge on Riverside Drive inner tubing and easy whitewater canoeing run begins here; the fishing is excellent

•    Huguenot Flatwater on the Southside, directly under the Huguenot Bridge; this is a good place to for flat water boating

•    North Bank Park is on the river’s north side at the end of Texas Avenue. A pedestrian bridge takes visitors across railroad tracks and the canal down to the river’s edge; the fishing is very good

•    Belle Isle under the Lee Bridge is reached from the Northside of the river via the pedestrian bridge; the island is the site of a Civil War prison and a historic iron foundry; suitable whitewater for kayaking and canoeing

•    Wetlands – A scenic wildlife meadow surrounded by a small swamp forest at the end of Landria Drive. Includes a small pond and a tiny sand beach.

•    Whitewater rafting trips over Class I to IV whitewater are an excellent recreation for those with chops. No other city in the United States has class IV rapids

ADDRESS: Southwest of Downtown Richmond  MAP

PHONE: schedule adventure with experienced rafters 800-540-7238
WEBSITE: http://www.jamesriverpark.org