Water Play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Water Play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers a newly renovated outdoor splash pad with diverse spray features suitable for a wide range of ages. It comes with convenient amenities like ample seating and a dedicated bath house. However, parents should be prepared for a long walk from the parking area to the splash pad, and some reviewers feel its value for money, specifically for the splash pad, does not exceed that of free local alternatives, despite the general garden's perceived value.
Key Highlights
- ✓Newly renovated splash pad.
- ✓Lots of spray features, both high and low, catering to all ages of kids.
- ✓Ample seating available with a concrete bench wall for parents and kids.
- ✓Dedicated bath house for changing and restrooms right at the splash pad area.
- ✓Treehouse for climbing located right next to the splash pad.
Standout Features
- ⭐Modern, newly renovated splash pad experience.
- ⭐Convenient seating options for supervision and relaxation.
- ⭐On-site bath house for easy changing and restroom access.
- ⭐Proximity to a treehouse provides an additional activity for kids.
- ⭐General botanical garden setting offers a 'beautiful fall day' ambiance (implies pleasant environment).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be prepared for a considerable walk from the parking lot to the splash pad, especially if visiting with elderly individuals or very young children.
- →Consider the overall garden experience when assessing value, as the splash pad alone may not justify the cost for those expecting a premium water park.
- →Plan to explore nearby attractions like the treehouse to maximize your visit.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Splash pad is located 'all the way in the back' of the garden, resulting in a very long walk from the parking area.
- ⚠One reviewer feels the splash pad is 'no better than the free splash pads all over Henrico and Richmond'.
- ⚠Charging a fee for this splash pad is considered 'crazy' by one reviewer who expected more from Richmond offerings.
Price & Value
One review mentions a $13.00 per person cost for general garden admission (during a Christmas display), which they found 'well worth' it. However, specifically for the splash pad, a reviewer felt the fee was 'crazy' and that it offered no better value than free splash pads in the area. This suggests the value depends on whether visitors are utilizing the entire botanical garden experience or solely the splash pad.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Long walk from the parking area to the splash pad poses a significant accessibility concern for elderly visitors or those with mobility challenges.
- •Ample seating (concrete bench wall) is a positive for resting.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Review 1 mentions hot chocolate and coffee for sale during a Christmas display, and shops on the grounds. No specific policy for outside food or drinks at the splash pad area is mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •A parking area exists, but the splash pad is located 'all the way in the back' of the garden, requiring a 'very very long walk' from parking.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not mentioned in the provided reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Not explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you have elderly family members or very young children who cannot manage a very long walk from parking.
- • If you are looking strictly for a high-value, unique water park experience that significantly surpasses free local splash pads.
- • If the primary goal is just the splash pad and a paid entry is a concern compared to free alternatives.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Waterway Closure (Groovin’ in the Garden concert)
September 25
N/A
Waterway will be closed for the day ahead of the evening’s Groovin’ in the Garden presented by Capital One concert.
Waterway Seasonal Closure
September 28
N/A
Final day of Waterway before it closes for the season.
Garden Closed Days
Thanksgiving, December 24-25
N/A
The Garden is closed on these holidays.
Bi-Lingual Storytime
October 17, 2025
Regular Garden Admission
Special bilingual storytime at 10 a.m. with RPL Youth Services Librarian Summer Bowling Michau, reading books and singing songs in both English and Spanish.
Costume Caper Storytime and Parade
October 31, 2025
Regular Garden Admission
Wear your Halloween costume for a festive Storytime, craft, and parade through the Central Garden.
The Earth Exhibition
August 23 – November 5, 2025
Regular Garden Admission
Exhibition by artist Leah Raintree and La Amatista, offering perspectives on Earth’s material history.
A Wonder-full World (Sophia's Paintings)
August 30 – October 29, 2025
Regular Garden Admission
Exhibition of paintings by Sophia, a 21-year-old artist with Down syndrome, capturing the vibrant wonder of the world.
Groovin’ in the Garden: Rumours ATL
September 25, 2025
Concert ticket (Waterway closed this day)
Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band returns.
Groovin’ in the Garden: Stephen Wilson Jr.
October 2, 2025
Concert ticket
National act Stephen Wilson Jr. performs.
The Earth Exhibition: Artist Talk and Poetry Reading
October 9, 2025
Event ticket
Discussion with Lisa Cusano (La Amatista) and Leah Raintree about their work, plus a reading from poet George Teschner.
Groovin’ in the Garden: Jeff Tweedy
October 25, 2025
Concert ticket
Jeff Tweedy w/ Sammy and Spencer Tweedy, Sima Cunningham, Macie Stewart and special guest Liam Kazar perform.
HarvestFest
October 26, 2025
Regular Garden Admission
Fall fun with live music, seasonal crafts (pumpkin painting, petal pounding), comfort foods, and educational demonstrations.
For the Love of Flowers: Photos by Tom Hennessy
October 31, 2025 – January 31, 2026
Regular Garden Admission
Exhibition in the Community Art Gallery by nature photographer Tom Hennessy.
As Seen in the Garden: Photos by the Camera Club of Richmond’s Garden Members
November 1, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Regular Garden Admission
Exhibit featuring photographs taken throughout the year at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden by the Camera Club of Richmond.
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
November 17, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (also Nov 18, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025)
Special event ticket, timed entry, online only
Holiday tradition with over a million lights, botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, hot chocolate & s’mores for purchase. Advance tickets required.
Blooming with Pride
June 1
Regular Garden Admission
Kickoff Pride Month with music, a makers market, and drag performances in Grace Arents Garden.
Groovin' in the Garden: Fitz and the Tantrums
August 20, 2025
Concert ticket
Fitz and the Tantrums w/SnackTime perform against the backdrop of the Cochrane Rose Garden.
Genworth Free Community Day (Labor Day)
September 1, 2025
Free Admission
Garden admission is free on Labor Day for a day of relaxation and fun.
Kennanee Native Arts Festival
September 14, 2025
Regular Garden Admission
Celebrate Indigenous culture with short films, live game of Shinny, music, crafts, storytelling, seed-saving, and an arts market.
Fall Plant Sale
September 19 – September 20, 2025
No admission fee (held in Parking Lot B)
One of Central Virginia’s most-anticipated plant sales with dozens of vendors and knowledgeable Garden volunteers.
Seasonal Garden Tours
Sept 9, Oct 7, Oct 22, Nov 4, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Guided tours featuring seasonal aspects of the collection. Drop-in only, first-come, first-served. Limited to 15-30 participants.
Evening Seasonal Garden Tours
Sept 4, Oct 16, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Evening tours enhancing understanding and appreciation of featured seasonal aspects. Drop-in only, first-come, first-served. Limited to 15-30 participants.
Garden Entrance/Glen Stream Talk & Tour
Oct 29, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Tour of the area around parking lots, Garden entrance, and a walk through the Glen Stream restoration project. Wear appropriate shoes.
Grace Arents: The Invisible Philanthropist Tour
Sept 17, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Dive into the life of Grace Arents and her impact on Richmond, including a rare tour of the first floor interior of Bloemendaal House. Drop-in only.
More Than a Witch’s Brew: Beneficial Uses of Plants Tour
Sept 27, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Learn about plants used in medicine, tires, insect repellants, and as unusual sources of food or clothing. Drop-in only.
Lake Sydnor Garden Tour
Sept 30, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Learn about gardens adjacent to Sydnor Lake, featured plantings, and the diversity of each garden landscape. Easy walk around the lake. Drop-in only.
Hidden Life of Trees Tour
Oct 4, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Explore how trees interact, migrate, avoid extinction, and other stories of trees at the Garden. Drop-in only.
Fall Migration Tour
Nov 1, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Walk to learn how birds use the Garden’s 80 acres to rest, refuel, and continue their journey south for winter. Drop-in only.
Behind-the-Scenes of Gardenfest Tour
Dec 3, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Excursion to the Kelly Education Center basement to see how Gardenfest light forms are created. Includes a guided tour to see this year’s creations. Drop-in only.
Gardenfest Interiors Tour: Featuring Nature
Dec 9, 2025
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Learn how volunteers collect and preserve natural items for holiday décor, with amazing examples of wreaths, swags, and tree decorations. Drop-in only.
Themed Friday Drop-In Tours (30-minute mini-tours)
Fridays in Sept-Oct 2025 (e.g., Sept 5, Sept 12, Sept 19, Sept 26, Oct 3, Oct 10, Oct 17, Oct 24, Oct 31)
Free for Members, Regular Garden Admission for Non-members
Mini-tours on unique topics like 'The Language of Flowers', 'The Healing Garden', 'Ravens & Vultures & Owls – Oh My!'. Meet in the Atrium of the Robins Visitors Center at 1 PM. No pre-registration required. Limited to 15-30 participants.
🍎Food Policy
- • Outside food or picnics are not allowed to be brought into the Garden.
- • Dining available at the Garden Cafe (soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts).
- • Vending machines are available in the Children’s Garden.
- • Water fountains are available with a touchless water bottle refill feature.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Children must be supervised (in Waterway and generally).
- • Swimwear/swim diapers and footwear required (for Waterway).
- • No running, pushing or shoving (in Waterway).
- • Thunder or lightning will close the Waterway for 30 minutes.
- • No glass (in Waterway area).
- • Use Waterway at your own risk.
- • The Garden is a smoke and tobacco free zone, prohibiting smoking, vaping, or tobacco use. The only place guests may smoke, vape or use tobacco is inside their personal vehicles.
📅Booking Policy
- • For admission, tickets can be purchased online in advance or walk-in at the Guest Services desk.
- • Children under age 4 do not need a ticket for general admission.
- • Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights tickets have a timed entry and are available online only.
- • Public Guided Tours and Themed Friday Drop-In Tours no longer require pre-registration starting September 2025. They are offered as drop-in only on a first-come, first-served basis.
🚗Parking Information
- • Park strollers out of walkways.
- • The Fall Plant Sale is held outside in Parking Lot B (no admission fee or ticket necessary).
- • Smoking, vaping, or tobacco use is only allowed inside personal vehicles.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Jeff
5 years agoI have not been in the summer yet but I did go to the Christmas display and I was impressed. It was much better than I expected. They have hot chocolate and coffee to drink as you walk around the grounds and the shops. They even have some model trains running around. The cost was 13.00 per person which is well worth what you get in return.
Rachael Duarte
10 months agoNewly renovated splash pad at the Park.. lots of spray up high and down low for all ages of kids… also they have a concrete bench wall for parents and kids to sit on so ample seating.. a bath house for changing and restroom… right next to this is the treehouse to climb in..
Kimberly Benton
9 months agoSplash pad is located all way in back which for elderly is a very very long walk from the parking area also this is no better than the free splash pads all over Henrico and Richmond charging a fee is crazy for this pad I thought Richmond would have more to offer kids but truth be told if your going on vacation with kids pick Greensboro so much more to choose from and better pricing and the people in Greensboro are a lot friendlier I'm very disappointed ☹️ and so was my granddaughter
Janet Williams
a year agoMy grandchildren and I had a wonderful time
Cheryl Clayton
5 years agoExcellent! It was a beautiful fall day with second graders!