There is something about pregnancy that just brings you closer to your spouse! It’s such an exciting time and I think it’s the perfect time to work on dating each other again. Because once that baby arrives date nights can be hard to come by for awhile. So I’ve put together 10 date night ideas in Richmond that are perfect for pregnant couples!
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ROMANTIC DATE NIGHT IDEAS RICHMOND
1. Walk along the James River
Living in Richmond, you probably spend a lot of time near the James River but there is something so relaxing and romantic about sharing a walk and watching the sunset with the person you love most in the world. Head to Belle Isle (access via pedestrian bridge from Tredegar St) or Pony Pasture (7200 Riverside Dr, Richmond, VA 23225) where you can catch breathtaking views of the river and skyline. These riverside pathways are perfect for a romantic Richmond date night or a maternity photography session like in the photo below!
2. Take a Dinner Cruise on the Canal
Early in your pregnancy is the perfect time to take a canal cruise! I can’t think of a better way to see historic Richmond than while enjoying a meal together on the water. The Riverfront Canal Cruises (139 Virginia St, Richmond, VA 23219) offer a unique perspective of the city as you glide through the historic canal system. Be sure to check seasonal schedules since cruises typically run April through November.
3. Visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Whether you’re a garden lover or a history buff, you’ll find something to love about Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228). Spend an afternoon or enjoy an evening strolling the beautiful gardens and greenhouse. The garden’s seasonal displays and special events like GardenFest of Lights in winter make this a year-round date spot. You can also have your maternity session at Lewis Ginter – the gardens make a stunning backdrop!
FUN RICHMOND DATE NIGHT IDEAS
4. Catch a Show at the Altria Theater
Get dressed up and enjoy a night of culture and entertainment at this beautiful historic venue. The Altria Theater (6 N Laurel St, Richmond, VA 23220) offers a variety of performances from Broadway tours to concerts to enjoy together. For expectant parents, I recommend checking for comfortable seating options when booking tickets. Make it a complete Richmond date night by grabbing dinner at one of the nearby restaurants in the Fan District before the show. I recently attended a Golden Girls show at the theater and had a blast!
5. Maymont Park Exploration
Explore the 100-acre Victorian estate and gardens at Maymont (1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220), one of Richmond’s most beloved landmarks. Tour the historic mansion, visit the nature center, and wander through the Japanese and Italian gardens. Pack a light picnic and find a quiet spot with beautiful views – it’s a perfect low-key date for expectant parents who need occasional rest breaks! It can also be a great place to come back to when you have a stroller and little one in tow.
6. Mini Golf at Hotel Greene
In my family we call this putt putt golf but that might be a Southern thing! Either way, this is a fun Richmond date night activity you can pair with one of my romantic ideas before hand and one of my late night ideas after for a well rounded date night. Hotel Greene (508 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23219) offers a unique indoor mini golf experience set in a fictional European hotel setting – both whimsical and challenging! I haven’t been here yet but it is on our list for our next date night.
7. Escape Room
I’ve done this personally as a Richmond date night and it’s super fun! You can book a room as a group or if it’s just the 2 of you, they’ll pair you with other couples. Places like Breakout Games (9200 Stony Point Pkwy Suite 152-A, Richmond, VA 23235), Escape Room RVA (7025 Three Chopt Rd Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23226), and River City Escape Room (8026 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23294) all offer different themed rooms where the overall goal is to solve little puzzles that lead to clues to the big puzzle that unlocks the room. Breakout Games on West Broad Street has some of my favorite themes and is perfect for couples who enjoy solving mysteries together!
LATE NIGHT DATE IDEAS RICHMOND
8. Evening Dessert at Shyndigz
Who doesn’t love dessert? Seriously is there anyone out there that is not a dessert fan? Shyndigz (1903 W Cary St, Richmond, VA 23220) in Richmond’s Fan District offers a 2-hour wait most weekends – that’s how amazing their cakes and desserts are! Their signature salted chocolate caramel cake will satisfy any pregnancy craving. This cozy dessert-only restaurant is the perfect sweet ending to your Richmond date night.
9. Comedy Show
A great way to relax and unwind is to let laughter flow and there is no better place for that than a comedy club! Richmond has great options for live comedy. The Funny Bone Comedy Club (11800 W Broad St Suite 1090, Richmond, VA 23233) at Short Pump Town Center brings in national touring comedians and offers dinner and drinks with your show for a complete night out.
Coalition Theater (8 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220) in downtown Richmond offers improv and standup shows in a more intimate setting. Both venues provide the perfect opportunity to share some laughs together – which is exactly what you need before the sleepless newborn nights begin!
10. Ice Cream at Gelati Celesti
We’ve all heard the stories that pregnant women crave pickles and ice cream and Gelati Celesti (multiple locations: 1400 N Boulevard, 5808 Grove Ave, 8906 W Broad St, and 3004 Stony Point Rd) has the perfect flavors to satisfy those particular cravings! With multiple locations around Richmond, their handcrafted ice cream comes in unique flavors that rotate seasonally. Even if you don’t make it to Gelati Celesti, you can hit up your local ice cream joint to finish off the perfect date night in Richmond!
11. Photo Session
You knew I wasn’t going to let you get out of here without suggesting a maternity session! Richmond has so many gorgeous locations for photos. The banks of the James River (multiple access points throughout Richmond) offer a natural backdrop with beautiful water views. Libby Hill Park (2801 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23223) provides stunning city skyline views, especially at sunset. Maymont’s (1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220) gardens, fountains, and Italian terrace create elegant and timeless settings.
For a more urban feel, Carytown (W Cary St between Thompson St and Boulevard) and the murals in the Arts District (primarily along Broad St between Belvidere and 4th St) add vibrant color and personality. And let’s not forget Brown’s Island (accessed via S 5th St or S 7th St) and the Pipeline walkway (accessed from 12th St or Virginia St) for that perfect mix of nature and city views!
I recommend aiming for when you are 32-36 weeks along. But as long as you have popped that bump you can do them anytime! Pick out a beautiful dress, get your hair and makeup done and let’s take some gorgeous photos! Then head out on the town for dinner while you’re all dolled up. Click the button below to learn more and book your maternity photo shoot!
TOP 10 DATE NIGHT IDEAS IN RICHMOND BEFORE BABY ARRIVES
Wondering what to wear for your date night in Richmond? Check out my blog post Maternity Clothing Richmond – Where to Shop to get some ideas and find the perfect outfit! If you are looking for a photographer in Richmond be sure to check out my portfolio and contact me today to chat about the perfect maternity session for you!
Looking for even more ideas? Check out this comprehensive guide to Top 20 Things to Do in Richmond, VA: Activities, Attractions, Outdoors, and More from Redfin for additional inspiration for your Richmond date nights!
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2024.
