Beat the Heat in Chesterfield, VA: Things to Do Indoors

Hot, sticky, humid and sweaty are all ways we describe summer in Virginia, am I right? As much as we love spending time outdoors, sometimes Mother Nature has other plans. With the heat index easily soaring into the 100s, beat the heat in Chesterfield, VA this summer with these fun, family-friendly things to do indoors. And if you’re looking to cool off, scroll all the way to the bottom to find ways to access the water.

Unplugged Games Café
Let the good times roll at Midlothian’s Unplugged Games Café where you can sip adult beverages and indulge in delicious bites while exploring the fun of tabletop gaming! With more than 1,300 games available, you’re sure to find a game that’s a perfect fit! The board game selection consists of nostalgic childhood favorites, new classics, and brand-new releases. And if you’re looking to try out a new-to-you game, the Unplugged Games team is happy to assist you with game setup and instructions, so say goodbye to wasting time reading lengthy instruction manuals. What a fun way to spend time indoors!

Photo taken from indoors at Unplugged Games Cafe. Seven people sit around a table with food and drinks, all while enjoying a board game. One person is looking at a menu. Theres a wooden bar in the background with one patron sitting at it.
Photo from Unplugged Games Cafe website
Photo zoomed in of someone's hand with a tattoo on their arm. The person is about to pick up red and blue board game pieces from a table indoors at Unplugged Games Cafe. On the table are board games that are blue, white, orange and red.
Photo from Unplugged Games Cafe website

That’s the Spirit!
Chesterfield’s craft brewery and winery scene has expanded steadily over the past several years and lucky for you, they all offer indoor seating so you can stay cool while sipping! Head to Steam Bell Beer Works, Chesterfield’s first craft brewery, where they offer a plethora of events like live music, paint nights, beer releases, trivia and more. Or, head on over to Hidden Wit Brewing Co., the county’s newest brewery. This farmhouse-style brewery offers craft beer, wine, cocktails, and a dynamic food menu.

If wine is more your style, be sure to check out Ashton Creek Vineyard where you can unwind with cold wine while sampling a food menu with farm-to-table selections. Sip sip, hooray!  

The Need for Speed
Get that adrenaline pumping at K1 Speed, an indoor go karting experience. Here, you’ll find all-electric European-style karts that produce tremendous torque and horsepower! These zero-emission karts are better for the environment, quieter and may even be easier to drive. At K1 Speed, you’ll find one challenging course, adult and junior electric karts, a lounge restaurant, and more. Let your hair down and feel the breeze at this exhilarating indoor facility!

Photo taken from inside of K1 Speed, an indoor go-karting facility. Black and white checks line the beginning of the track with red and white bumpers surrounding the track.
Photo from K1 Speed Richmond website

Strike Up the Fun
If you’re looking for things to do indoors that include 57,000 square feet of multi-level entertainment, look no further than Uptown Alley, featuring 38 high-tech bowling lanes, an arcade including more than 60 games, a full-service restaurant, billiards, a lounge and more! This “modern playground” will offer endless indoor fun for the entire family!

Jump for Joy
Flip, jump and soar at one of Chesterfield’s trampoline parks: Launch or Sky Zone

Launch Entertainment Park offers nine attractions including laser tag, a ninja obstacle course, tumble tracks, dodgeball, slam dunk basketball, an arcade and more! When not jumping, you can relax at their Krave Restaurant which serves up pizza, cooked in-house, as well as other fan favorites!

Fly high at Sky Zone which also offers nine unique attractions such as parkour, dodgeball, sky slam, a warped wall, a toddler zone and more! Be sure to check their calendar for special events like Glow Night, where lasers, music and blacklight transforms the entire park into an epic jump party!

Steel Magnolias
Have a history buff on your hand? Experience a piece of history at Magnolia Grange, a Federal-style plantation home built in 1822. The home was preserved in 1984 and today, Magnolia Grange House Museum offers tours, popular events and programs, festivals and more. This is yet another great thing to do indoors this summer to help beat the grueling heat!

photo taken of Magnolia Grange, a historic white brick home built in the 1800s. The home features magnolia trees on either side and a balcony on the top level.

Cool Off
If you really want to be outside and are looking for a place to cool off, you’re likely close to a beautiful body of water. While swimming is prohibited from county parks for safety reasons, we encourage kayaking, canoeing, power boating, or fishing, using this interactive tool to find every water access point in Chesterfield. Did you know that Chesterfield County is home to the James River, Appomattox River, and Lake Chesdin? Not to mention the three lakes and waterfall located within Pocahontas State Park (Swift Creek Lake, Beaver Lake, and Camp 7 Lake). For a small fee, Pocahontas State Park also offers an Aquatics Recreation Center with a toddler pool, fountain wet-deck, leisure pools, two water slides, and much more!

If you’re interested in one of Chesterfield County’s many programs that offer access to the water, be sure to check out Parks & Recreation’s Explore the Water programs and events.

COMING SOON: Three public splash pads at Bensley Park, Beulah Recreation Center, and River City Sportsplex.

kayakers on water in individual kayaks with trees in background

Experience Chesterfield promotes and celebrates all the things to see, do and experience within Chesterfield County. The website is not paid to endorse individual businesses or events and any that you may see mentioned are just a sampling of the many wonderful places to visit in Chesterfield. If you operate a hospitality related business in Chesterfield, please be sure to reach out to our partners at Richmond Region Tourism to create a business listing for our website. You can also reach out to Virginia Tourism Corporation to create a business listing on their site for additional exposure.