Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Henrico (just north of Richmond) is widely regarded as one of the finest botanical gardens in the Southeast, and families with kids discover quickly that it's also one of the best family days out in the region.

The key for family visitors is the dedicated Children's Garden — a separate area designed specifically around the experience of younger visitors. It includes a discovery labyrinth for kinetic exploration, a seasonal splash fountain where kids can cool off in summer, a butterfly house with live butterflies in warm months, and garden beds at child height that put the sensory experience of plants at the right level for little people.

The butterfly house is a particular highlight. During summer operation, visitors walk through an enclosed tropical environment with dozens of live butterflies. Butterflies land on visitors (and more reliably on people wearing brightly colored clothing), turning a passive observation into a participatory experience.

Kids who are normally reluctant to engage with nature experiences become fully absorbed.

Beyond the Children's Garden, the broader botanical grounds offer 50 acres of themed gardens — rose garden, Asian garden, healing garden, and more — plus a Victorian-era house and conservatory that provides indoor elegance year-round.

For the annual GardenFest of Lights (late November through January), the entire garden transforms into an illuminated wonderland with hundreds of thousands of lights. This is a separate admission evening event that's worth planning around if you're in the Richmond area during the holiday season.