We are traveling to Richmond,VA the weeked of 4/23-4/25 and are looking for an attraction for a few hours on Sunday afternoon. The one requirement is that it must appeal to 3 generations! We are having a mini-family reunion of sorts.

We will be hitting Kings Dominion on Saturday and wanted a short excursion before we left on Sunday.

Would one of the James River plantations (Route 5) fill the bill?

Maymont may be a good choice. The park has an array beautiful gardens and landscapes, nature center, a museum and a children's farm.

www.maymont.com

I just read a blurb about Belle Island. Any recommendations on Belle Island or maybe downtown Richmond?

Here are a few ideas. Belle Island and Brown's Island have trails for walking, historic info, is a nice walk on a pretty day. Across the street from Brown's Island is the old Tredegar Iron Works, now the National Park Service headquarters for the Richmond Civil War sites, go to the website for info: www.nps.gov/rich/home.htm The Edgar Allan Poe museum is very small but charming, www.poemuseum.org Science Museum on Broad Street is in the old restored train station, has an IMAX theatre, lots of hands-on exhibits, www.smv.org How big is your group? Do you need any restaurant suggestions? Have fun!

any restaurant suggestions would be great for a sunday brunch with all ages of children. I've also seen several mentions of Canal St? Is this worthwhile to explore?

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg has something for all generations! It's a bit of a drive, but well worth it.

Wanted to second the idea for Maymont. Nice family place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
For brunch, you might try Strawberry Street Cafe, on Strawberry St. in the Fan area, not too far from Maymont.

Forgot to mention two sites that might help. www.richmondva.org which will list goings on for specific days and www.styleweekly.com which will give restaurant listings. Have fun.

There is a history walkway thru the downtown canal locks area - It starts by Brown's island/ Tredegar Iron Works and goes to 14th Street. If it is a pretty day, it is interesting to walk along the canal, there are lots of markers/ photos of old canal and locks system. If you want to stay near the downtown area, the Peking Restaurant at 1302 East Cary Street has an elegant Sunday lunch buffet. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE River City Diner at 1712 East Main Street (6449418), they are opne 7AM to 3 PM Sundays, you can order breakfast anytime, and their milkshakes are the BEST! If you are staying north of the city, the Smokey Pig Restaurant just south of Ashland on Route 1 is a local favorite, terrific BBQ! (212 S. Washington Hwy. Ashland 798-4590) If I think of anything else I will post.

thanks for all your input, I'm still evaluating but have now added maymont into the mix.

any other suggestions would be appreciated. I'll throw in a recap when I get back on 4/25/04.