Maymont — Rich Life in Richmond, Virginia

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Victorian Estate with lawns, mansions, gardens, farms and a nature center, also has experiences and event offerings.

Maymont landscape, viewing from Nature and Visitor Center.

“Maymont was given to us by James and Sallie Dooley, who lived here from 1893 through 1925. They wanted Maymont to be preserved so that new generations could enjoy it as much as they did. Whether strolling through the gardens, touring the mansion, watching river otters play, petting a goat or picnicking on the lawn, Maymont is a gift of 100 acres for all to enjoy.”

— maymont.org

The Victorian estate Maymont is one of the best preserved and maintained public park complexes in Richmond, Virginia. Located next to William Byrd Park and Carillon Neighborhood, Maymont is one of the jewelries in the green bands of James River running across Richmond City. Maymont has large lawns, mansions, gardens, stone roads and bridges that are preserved from the beginnings. It also hosts wildlife exhibits, a Children’s farm, and a Nature & Visitor center, as the additional attractions built later on. Other than being a popular destination for sightseeing, walking and sitting, Maymont also provides opportunities for outdoor weddings, birthday parties, educational tours, animal encounters and family events. Maymont is a versatile leisure and recreational place for Richmonders, and a must-see for visitors.

Maymont has more than 10 themed gardens of varying scales, with the highlight of them being the Japanese Garden and the Italian Garden. In the southern lower land of the estate, under a hill waterfall and before James River lies the Japanese garden. Built in 1911, the garden offers classical Japanese elements including a large waterfall, a koi pond, a pergola, rock gardens, small canals and red maple trees. When they are combined with the surrounding temperate broadleaf trees, bamboos and the warm-colored northern American sunlight, a unique aura floats around the place. The leafy grounds, floating stone lanterns, peaceful waters, kois, and American geese are combined to create a scrolling scenery, making the garden a unique mix between East and West in aesthetic. It is a beautiful retreat for meditation and relaxation year round. Connecting the Japanese garden and overlooking James River, the Italian garden locates in the upper side of the waterfall hills. The Italian garden is well-designed both architecturally and botanically. The long pergola covered by roses and vines is shaped after the garden styles of Rome. In different ground levels, domestic and exotic plants are blooming in urns, flower beds and floors, sewing lively and seasonal ground patterns. The exotic plant examples include enkianthus, larches, lavenders and ironwoods. The Italian garden is a hotspot for outdoor wedding, while everyone can enjoy the sunlight and vegetations in this openfield garden. Maymont also have several smaller gardens and gazebos. Some of them grow vegetables and fruits for children to play and learn, and some others are themed after butterflies, herbs and sunflowers.

The Nature and Visitor Center, located in the north side of Maymont, is the entrance, information center, and gift shop of the estate. It is the recommended entrance for first time visitors. It also hosts a small but robust aquarium exhibiting inhabitants in the waters and lands of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay system. The animals include turtles, fishes, crabs, frogs and alligators, with the highlight of them being the river otters living in the largest tank. The visitors can admire the fluid movements of the otters above and beneath water, with their cute, soothing and relaxing interactions.

For families and animal lovers, the children’s farm and the wildlife exhibition are exciting attractions, additional to the gardens and plants. The farm host a collection of common poultries and livestock, including chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheeps, pigs, cows, horses, and donkey. They are well-tempered, and close encounters between them and visitors are common. The wildlife exhibition is a nearby enclosed area where the estate settles some rescued animals, including American bisons, black beers, foxes and hawks. For cat lovers, the exhibition also has a tamed bobcat available for close encounters.

Maymont Children's Farm