Henrico County, Virginia
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Region
Central Virginia
Type
County
Setting
Surrounds Richmond
Known for
Historic sites, parks and gardens
Henrico County wraps around much of Richmond, Virginia, combining suburban communities with a wide range of outdoor and cultural destinations. Visitors can pair a park outing or garden visit with local museums and historic sites, while using Richmond as a nearby base for a broader Central Virginia trip.[1]
The county’s history reaches back to the English settlement at Henricus in 1611, in a landscape already shaped by Indigenous communities and the James River. Today, places such as Meadow Farm Museum and the Virginia Randolph Museum interpret different strands of Henrico’s past; county parks, meanwhile, offer trails, fishing, open space and recreation. Check official sites before setting out, since museum access and program schedules can change.[2]
Plan a trip to Henrico County
Why visit Henrico County?
Henrico makes a useful base for exploring the Richmond area while offering plenty of reasons to linger within the county itself. Its attractions range from a living-history farm and a museum devoted to educator Virginia Randolph to a substantial county park system and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. The mix suits visitors who want to combine outdoor time with local history rather than plan a trip around a single attraction.[3]
The county’s historical story is especially layered: the James River was part of a long-established Indigenous trade landscape before English settlement, and Henrico’s identity has developed across centuries of change. Historic sites and museums offer ways to explore that history at a local scale, alongside the larger regional history of Richmond, Virginia.[4]
What to see and do
Explore a historic farm setting with exhibits and programs about the people and cultures connected to Henrico County. The surrounding Crump Park has open fields, playgrounds, picnic areas and a fishing pond. Confirm museum hours and farmhouse-tour arrangements with the county before visiting.[5]
Three Lakes Park and Nature Center
Pair time outdoors with a visit to the nature center. The county lists Three Lakes Park among its community parks and identifies a fishing pier among its features. Check the county’s current parks information for nature-center details and visitor arrangements.[6]
Henrico County parks and river access
Choose a park to suit the day: the county plan lists Deep Bottom Park with a boat landing, canoe launch and trail, and Osborne Park with a fishing pier and river overlooks. Confirm current facilities and access before traveling, especially when planning a water-based outing.[7]
Visit a major public garden within Henrico County. Garden displays and visitor offerings vary by season, so check the garden’s official site for current exhibits, hours and admission information.
Virginia Randolph Museum
This museum honors Virginia Randolph, an influential African American educator whose work focused on vocational training. The museum occupies a building associated with the Virginia Randolph Education Center; contact the county to confirm access or arrange a visit.[8]
History and character
The name Henrico recalls the early English settlement of Henricus, established in 1611 along the James River. The county’s own historical account describes a shift from a city in 1611 to a shire in 1634, followed by later changes in local government. That long timeline is one reason the area’s historic sites tell more than a single story of settlement: they also interpret Indigenous history, African American history, rural life and the growth of the surrounding region.[9]
Meadow Farm Museum presents local history through the landscape and buildings of a historic farm, with interpretation addressing Native American, African American and Shepperd-family histories. The Virginia Randolph Museum focuses on Randolph’s life and educational work. Together, these sites provide distinct perspectives on the county’s past; check with Henrico County for current schedules, programs and tour availability before planning around them.[10][11]
Planning a visit
Henrico is part of the Richmond metropolitan area, so visitors can combine county attractions with museums, dining and other destinations in Richmond, Virginia. The county is spread across several communities; grouping stops by area can help reduce backtracking. For park visits, check the county’s official Recreation and Parks information for the latest facility details, alerts, programs and reservation requirements.
Museum access can differ from park access. Meadow Farm’s historic farmhouse tours are arranged in advance, and the Virginia Randolph Museum advises visitors to contact staff about visiting. Confirm opening arrangements, event schedules and any access changes directly with the site before traveling.[12][13]
Nearby places and attractions
Richmond, Virginia
The neighboring capital city adds museums, historic sites, restaurants and cultural attractions to a Henrico visit.
Maymont
A Richmond estate and public destination with gardens, grounds and historic interpretation.
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Explore Civil War sites in and around the Richmond area; consult the National Park Service for current site conditions and visitor information.
Central Virginia Travel Guide
Plan a wider trip through the region’s historic towns, parks and cultural destinations.
Travel books and maps: Browse related Virginia travel books and maps on Amazon
References
- ↑ Visit Henrico County VA, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Things to Do in Henrico, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Things to Do in Henrico, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Henrico County Annual Report 2016, Henrico County, Henrico County. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Henrico County Vision 2026 Comprehensive Plan: Recreation, Parks, Open Space & Cultural Resources, Henrico County, Henrico County. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Henrico County Vision 2026 Comprehensive Plan: Recreation, Parks, Open Space & Cultural Resources, Henrico County, Henrico County. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Randolph Museum, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Henrico County Annual Report 2016, Henrico County, Henrico County. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Randolph Museum, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Virginia Randolph Museum, Visit Richmond VA, Richmond Region Tourism. Retrieved 2026-10-22.