Looking for something to do that doesn’t break the bank? We’ve got the ultimate guide to help you find free things to do this summer in Chesterfield because we know cost-free activities are the real MVP. Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun, stay cool indoors, or go on an epic adventure, let this list of free activities guide you through a fun-filled summer in Chesterfield!

Let’s Groove
Let the music fill your soul at the free Westchester Concert Series located in the Westchester Commons Shopping Center in Midlothian – 15786 WC Main St. Midlothian, VA. Concerts occur every other Thursday through Oct. 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and feature bands of all genres. While the concert itself is free, be sure to have some extra cash on hand if you’re interested in purchasing food or beverages. And what’s better than a free concert on an open lawn? Each concert benefits a local non-profit organization so if you do purchase food or drinks, you can feel confident knowing it’s benefiting a great cause. So gather your friends, your family or just you and your lawn chair and prepare to dance the night away to some of the region’s best tunes! Visit the Westchester Commons website to see the full line-up of bands.

HOME is where the heART is.
Summer in Virginia can be a scorcher so how about stay inside and delve into the art scene with a free self-guided tour of the beautiful gallery at the Perkinson Center for Arts and Education. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and switch about every six weeks. Enjoy art from a variety of artists including local high school students, professional photographers, poets, and so much more! Be sure to check the Perkinson Center for Arts and Education website prior to your visit to learn more about the current exhibit. Please note that the gallery closes in between exhibits so staff has time to prepare.

Workout.. but in a fun way
Did you know that Chesterfield is home to 67 parks? With an abundance of parks, there’s certainly no shortage of trails that each offer something a little different. Enjoy walking, running or biking along miles of trails and if you’re up for it, complete our free trail challenge to earn a limited-edition water bottle!

If exploring miles of trails isn’t enough of a workout for you, why not cook up some fun outside of the kitchen by playing pickleball at one of the county’s many outdoor pickleball courts like Rockwood Park, Huguenot Park, Daniel Park, CTC Hull, and more.

Discover waterways while working on that upper body strength by exploring the water in Chesterfield County! We’re home to the James River, Appomattox River, Swift Creek Reservoir and Lake Chesdin so whether you’re interested in kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding, the options are endless!

Compete with friends, or enjoy time alone at the disc golf course at Goyne Park that offer a full 18 holes. Choose between short or long tees, offering free fun for all skill-levels!

Go Sports!
If playing sports isn’t your thing, how about watch them? Chesterfield County is home to some of the region’s best sports tournaments, welcoming athletes from all over the country. Did you know that the PONY World Series is hosted in Chesterfield? That’s right, the world’s best youth baseball teams travel right here to Chesterfield to compete for the title at Daniel Park! You can also catch soccer and lacrosse tournaments at River City Sportsplex, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier tournament destination! Or, check out swim meets at SwimRVA, where the pool from the 2008 Olympic Trials now resides! Yep – you can practically be in Olympic territory when you walk through the doors. To stay up-to-date on all the sports happenings in the county, be sure to follow our Play Chesterfield brand on Facebook and Instagram. You can also check out the Play Chesterfield website.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side at Rockwood Nature Center
If you haven’t visited the county-operated nature center at Rockwood Park, then what are you waiting for?! This log cabin-style building offers free fun for the entire family. Home to an array of native reptiles and amphibians, visual displays, a small pond, and a garden, this is one walk on the wild side you don’t want to miss. And while you’re there, be sure to say hello to Dottie, the spotted turtle, along with many other turtle species!

Step Back in Time
Featuring nearly 400 years of county history, the Chesterfield County Museum is a replica of the 1750 Courthouse and offers exhibits on Native American culture, early English settlements, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the first iron and coal mines in North America. Talk about a step back in time! While there is no entry fee, donations are welcome. This free activity is perfect for all ages and history buffs!

Birds of a Feather
They say birds of a feather flock together, and you can witness this for yourself by going on a free bird watching adventure in Chesterfield! Our parks and open spaces offer a plethora of bird watching opportunities so be sure to bring along a pair of binoculars for your adventure. Whether your goal is to escape your day-to-day routine, or to seek a deeper connection with nature, birding in Chesterfield offers a free summertime activity to get to know your community’s residents – both human and avian!

Chesterfield is also home to numerous playgrounds, dog parks, and 10 public libraries, each offering incredible free fun for all ages! We could go on and on about all the free things to do in Chesterfield this summer, but we want to leave time for you to get out and explore. Be sure to stay in-the-know about all the incredible ways to experience Chesterfield by following us on Facebook and Instagram. And don’t forget to share your free outdoor fun by tagging us on social media (@ExperienceChesterfield) and using #chooseChesterfield and #experienceChesterfield. Enjoy!

If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat this summer, we have a blog for that too!

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.

The post Free Things to do This Summer in Chesterfield, Virginia appeared first on Experience Chesterfield.

Widely known as the home to the first pickleball courts in the region, Chesterfield has established itself as a welcoming destination for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels.

Are you a visiting pickleball player? Chesterfield has over 2,300 Pickleball Club members with games happening all over town. Visit the club website to see where you can join a friendly game. If you’re a local looking to break into the game, be sure to check out Chesterfield County’s Parks and Recreation Department for beginner, supervised drill and play, and strokes and strategy classes that are offered throughout the year.

View the county-wide monthly pickleball calendar and check out the places to play for scheduled times and locations of outdoor and indoor rotation play opportunities. There’s also seasonal pickleball activities including clinics, courses, leagues and tournaments.

If it’s raining, be sure to visit Banger’s and Dink’s, where non-members can purchase a day pass at their eight climate-controlled regulation size indoor courts.

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.

The post Pickleball for All appeared first on Experience Chesterfield.

Chesterfield County is home to the region’s best public golf courses that cater to both hackers and scratch golfers alike. We promise you won’t be disappointed… even when you’re in the rough. Hit ‘em straight!

Image Credit: Birkdale Golf Club

Birkdale Golf Club

 Whether you’re looking to challenge your golf game, leisurely golf with friends or relax and enjoy member benefits, Birkdale Golf Club offers everything that you may need. Birkdale Golf Club is home to one of the best course designs in the region with rolling terrain and a diverse mix of holes, and also offers amenities such as delicious grille dining and a member only swimming pool.

Image Credit: First Tee of Chesterfield

First Tee of Chesterfield

Come develop your golf game at First Tee of Chesterfield. It offers a par six, 18-hole executive course that will challenge players of all skill levels, a Bermuda grass practice tee, a three-hole development course, a designated area to practice your short game, and professional golf services. Then after working hard on the golf course, you can enjoy the newly renovated club house.

Image Credit: Lake Chesdin Golf Club

Lake Chesdin Golf Club

Lake Chesdin Golf Club, located alongside the stunning Lake Chesdin, offers an 18-hole championship golf course that is challenging and suitable for all golf players. In addition to its unique location and excellent course, the golf club offers desirable amenities such as a swimming pool and a restaurant.

Image Credit: Magnolia Green Golf Club

Magnolia Green Golf Club

The Magnolia Green Golf Club is the centerpiece of the resort-style community Magnolia Green. This community focused golf club offers membership options suitable for everyone so all can come together to enjoy its 18-hole championship caliber golf course and delicious Grille.

Image Credit: Providence Golf Club

Providence Golf Club

Providence golf course offers its visitors a stunning course recently designed by Virginia’s own Lester George, a world-renowned golf architect. The thoughtfully designed course incorporates and features rolling hills, ponds, creeks, bird-filled wetlands and striking trees. Every time you play the course, you’ll meet a new variation and challenge, and nature will never fail to delight.

Image Credit: The Golf Club at the Highlands

The Golf Club at the Highlands

The semi-private and open to public play golf club, set among rolling hills and lush landscapes of Chesterfield County, hosts a unique golf course. It’s topography and its five par 3 holes and five par 5 holes sets this club a part. The five sets of tees allow the challenge of the course to be varied – allowing each visitor to have a unique, enjoyable experience each time they visit the course.

Windy Hill Golf Course and Sports Complex

Located at the highest point in Chesterfield County, Windy Hill Golf Course and Sports Complex transcends a traditional golf club. It offers a driving range, batting cages, miniature golf, a regulation 9-hole golf course, a lighted par 3 course and a quarter-mile Go-Kart track! Windy Hill Golf Course and Sports Complex will meet everyone’s desires.

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 golf course 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.

The post Public Golf Courses in Chesterfield County appeared first on Experience Chesterfield.

Chances are wherever you’re located in Chesterfield County, you’re close to a beautiful body of water. From kayaking, canoeing, power boating, fishing, or walking along waterside trail, you can use 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!

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

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.

And don’t forget fishing is regulated by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Management (DWM). A fishing license is required to fish in Chesterfield County.

Here’s where to enjoy the water in Chesterfield County:

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