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Water Play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden — Indoor Water Parks in Richmond

Water Play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

4.2(5)4.2 out of 5 stars, 5 reviews Richmond, VA

About Water Play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

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.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families looking for a clean, updated outdoor splash pad experience.Parents seeking a venue with good amenities like seating and changing rooms.Families who plan to enjoy other botanical garden features in addition to water play.Groups with a range of children's ages, from young children to early elementary.Suitable for 'all ages of kids' (toddlers to older children) due to varied spray heights.

Why families love it

  • 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.
  • Modern, newly renovated splash pad experience.

Insider tips

  • 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.

Good to know before you go

  • 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.
  • 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'.
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.
Food
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.
Accessibility
Long walk from the parking area to the splash pad poses a significant accessibility concern for elderly visitors or those with mobility challenges.
Safety
Not explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews.

What parents say

Jeff
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"I 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."

5 years ago

Rachael Duarte
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Newly 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.."

10 months ago

Kimberly Benton
1.01.0 out of 5 stars
"Splash 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"

9 months ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.