Manchester presents many fun and sunny activities for families to do outside! We chatted with the owner of Riverside Outfitters, Matt Perry, and the programs and operations manager of the James River Park System, Giles Garrison, about Manchester’s gorgeous outdoor spaces. As a neighborhood perfectly positioned on the James, what’s not to love?
“We’re told by Richmond tourism that upwards of 90% of Richmond tourists come to Richmond due to the James River Park system,” reports Garrison. “There’s roughly 2 million visitors a year.” And after an adventure-packed day on the JRPS, there’s no better place to wind down than at one of Manchester’s many great restaurants or bars.
She also mentions their efforts to refresh Manchester’s parks with plants that promote healthy and sustainable growth. “We're going to be doing more invasive removal this year and replanting that hillside with different pollinators and grasses and just trying to restore what we have there.”
This beautiful park system is meant to be loved many lifetimes over, and because of workers like Giles, it will continue to thrive. The people and businesses who share a passion for the outdoors truly are the heart of the JRPS. By encouraging city-lovers to get out of their comfort zones on trails or in the river, Giles and Perry take pride in giving everyone a chance to be adventurous.
The goal of Riverside Outfitters, as Matt puts it, is to “offer people old-fashioned fun on the river and along its banks in a way that fosters connections and a break from the daily grind.” He encourages you to “Leave your car at home. Walk or ride a bike to so many cool, off-the-beaten-track spots,” in Manchester.
Spring and Summer Events and Activities in the Manchester Neighborhood of Richmond
It doesn’t matter if you’re a thrill seeker or a chill seeker, Manchester has outdoor activities for people of all ages, interests, and experience levels. The neighborhood’s unique location on the James River makes it a prime spot for water sports, walking trails, bird watching, and more, so follow along for some hot tips.
Enjoy live music and a midday break outdoors this spring and summer with Frozen Treats, Live Beats. This pop-up series from Venture Richmond brings music to downtown and Manchester from April through July, with performances taking place from 12:00pm–1:00pm on select Thursdays.
Each event features live entertainment and a free frozen treat for the first 100 attendees.
In Manchester, you can catch the series at the following locations:
Thursday, April 23
Richmond Public Library, 1400 Hull St.
DJ Rayvon with ice cream from Gelati Celesti
Thursday, May 21
The Current, 410 Hull St.
Chris Leggett Duo with ice cream from Gelati Celesti
Thursday, June 25
Riverview Pkwy and W. 10th St., near the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
Pay Rent Brass Band with ice cream from Gelati Celesti
Thursday, July 23
The Current, 410 Hull St.
Jonathan Paige Brown, Jr. with ice cream from Gelati Celesti
Adventure: High Intensity
Kayaking or Rafting
Haul your own equipment to Ancarrow’s Landing and shove off from the boat ramp, or book a tour with Riverside Outfitters for the perfect flatwater paddling experience. There is no wrong way to enjoy a day on the James. Sit on the water for hours as you paddle the loop from 21st Street to Rockett’s Landing, seeing fish, birds, and turtles along the way; the sights alone are worth the trip. This is a must-do for all local adventurers looking to take advantage of the river city.
Rock Climbing
Calling all climbers! The Manchester Climbing Wall, formerly a trestle for the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad, was built nearly 200 years ago and still stands today as one of the hottest spots for Richmond climbers. Positioned south of the river, between Manchester Bridge and T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, you can find great parking on Semmes Avenue, just a short walk from the wall. With over 40 climbing routes, anyone from beginners to rock-climbing regulars can get in on the fun.
Mountain Biking
The Buttermilk Trail is full of steep climbs, rocky terrain, and “tight, twisty, fast descents,” making it an exciting challenge for mountain bikers in search of their next ride. Also great for hiking and bird watching, the Buttermilk Trail spans about 3 miles along the southern bank of the river. To hop on the trail in Manchester, park at the 22nd Street trailhead and get on the Buttermilk East trail that runs to Railroad Avenue. From there, follow Railroad Avenue east to the trail marker pointing left toward the Potterfield Bridge and Floodwall Walk. Your legs will be sore and your water will be emptied, but this trail is an accomplishment for anyone who decides to explore it.
Manchester Climbing Wall
Explore: Medium to Low Intensity
Belle Isle
If you’ve never been to Belle Isle, you need to move it to the top of your summer to-do list. This gorgeous island has made a name for itself as Richmond’s hub for good-weather gatherings. Push your bike or walk along the footbridge underneath the Lee Bridge for a scenic welcome, as you listen to the rushing water below. You can also use the wooden bridge on 22nd Street or leap across the rocks from the south shore. Swimming, biking, walking, picnicking; Belle Isle is the ideal setting for catching sunrays or cooling off from a long day at work. And for a sweet treat, you can hunt the delicious pawpaw fruit that grows along the river in the late summer.
Flood Wall Park
Flood Wall Park can be found across the street from the Richmond Railroad Museum and Riverside Cycling. Start your morning jog from atop the flood wall and take in stunning views of the James, or bait a hook and cast a line from the shore for a one-of-a-kind fishing experience. Connecting many other trails in the area, you can traverse the city’s prettiest locales without even stopping to look at a map. Now 30 years old, the flood wall is not just a safety measure; it has become a Richmond staple.
Riverside Cycling
Sometimes walking just doesn’t cut it; you want to feel the wind on your face and rocks under your tires. Luckily, Riverside Cycling is your one-stop shop for bike rentals, repairs, and sales. Sister company to Riverside Outfitters, these folks know a thing or two about extreme sports, and they would love nothing more than to share it with you. They offer coaching to mountain bikers and beginner cyclists, so anyone can hop behind the handlebars and try something new.
Richmond Slave Trail
Established in 1998, this trail walks you through parts of our city’s history, providing an interactive experience that loosely traces the route thousands of enslaved Africans had to take following their arrival. By understanding Richmond’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, we can better realize how it has impacted us as a city today. The trail stretches from Manchester to Broad Street, with parking in the Current Parking Garage on E 5th Street, you can walk to Ancarrow’s Landing to begin the trail.
