Things to Do in Richmond in May

May Weather in Richmond

25°C (77°F) High Temp

15°C (59°F) Low Temp

91 mm (3.6 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect spring weather with daily highs of 25°C (77°F) - ideal for walking the 13-km (8-mile) James River Park trail system without overheating
Museum District comes alive with outdoor art installations and the VMFA spring sculpture garden tours running daily at 2pm
Local food scene peaks with spring ingredients - pea shoots, ramps, and morel mushrooms appear on menus citywide from farm partnerships within 48 km (30 miles)
Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to fall foliage season while maintaining full service - expect to pay $120-180/night vs $200-300 in October

Considerations

Spring rain showers occur 10 days of the month, typically lasting 45-90 minutes between 2pm-6pm, disrupting outdoor festival schedules
Pollen counts reach 8.2 on the 12-point scale by late May - tree pollen from the urban canopy affects 25% of visitors with mild allergies
Some Civil War battlefield sites in the metro area close sections for preservation maintenance during spring growing season

Best Activities in May

James River Rapids Kayaking and Tubing

May water levels are perfect at 1.2-1.8 m (4-6 ft) depth from spring runoff, creating Class II-III rapids ideal for beginners. Water temperature reaches 18°C (65°F) by late May. Morning launches avoid afternoon thundershowers that occur 40% of May days.

Booking Tip: Reserve 7-10 days ahead as weekend slots fill quickly with locals. Trips typically cost $45-75 for 3-4 hour experiences. All equipment included. Check current tour options in the booking section below.

Historic Richmond Walking Tours

Mild 20-25°C (68-77°F) temperatures make the 3.2 km (2-mile) Fan District and Monument Avenue routes comfortable all day. Spring blooming dogwoods and magnolias frame Victorian architecture perfectly for photography. Fewer crowds than summer peak season.

Booking Tip: Self-guided options available year-round, but guided tours run more frequently in May with 2-3 daily departures. Typically $15-30 per person for 90-minute tours. Book morning tours to avoid afternoon shower probability.

Virginia Capital Trail Cycling

The 83-km (52-mile) paved trail from Richmond to Jamestown offers perfect spring cycling weather with minimal headwinds. May mornings average 15°C (59°F) - ideal for the 4-6 hour round-trip without overheating. Trail-side wildflowers peak in late May.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals available from multiple downtown locations for $30-50/day. E-bike rentals $60-80/day for the full trail distance. Start early to complete longer segments before potential afternoon showers. See current rental options below.

Maymont Park and Gardens Exploration

94-hectare (232-acre) estate showcases peak spring blooms - azaleas, cherry blossoms, and tulips create Instagram-worthy scenes throughout May. Wildlife exhibits operate full schedules before summer heat. Free admission makes this perfect for budget-conscious travelers.

Booking Tip: No advance booking required for park access. Mansion tours cost $5-10 and run hourly 11am-4pm. Parking fills by 2pm on weekends - arrive before noon or use nearby street parking. Bring picnic supplies from local markets.

Craft Brewery Trail Experiences

Richmond's 40+ breweries within 16 km (10 miles) of downtown offer perfect patio weather in May. Spring seasonal releases feature local ingredients like honey from Goochland County apiaries. Walking between Scott's Addition breweries covers 2 km (1.2 miles) comfortably.

Booking Tip: Brewery tours typically cost $10-20 including tastings. Multi-brewery experiences run $65-95 with transportation. Weekend afternoon tours book out - reserve 5-7 days ahead. Check current brewery tour packages in the booking section.

Civil War Battlefield Tours

Mild spring weather makes outdoor historical sites comfortable for 3-4 hour explorations. Richmond National Battlefield Park's 10 sites within 32 km (20 miles) offer uncrowded experiences before summer tourist influx. Wildflowers bloom across historic fields in May.

Booking Tip: Self-guided battlefield apps available free, guided tours $25-45 per person. Multiple battlefields accessible by car within 1 hour. Some sites offer living history demonstrations on weekends. Book guided tours 3-5 days ahead for guaranteed spots.

May Events & Festivals

Late May

Dominion Energy Riverrock Festival

Three-day outdoor adventure festival featuring kayaking, rock climbing, and trail running competitions on Belle Isle. Live music, local food vendors, and gear demonstrations. Typically draws 40,000+ attendees to celebrate Richmond's outdoor culture.

Mid May

2nd Street Festival

Jackson Ward's premier street festival showcasing African-American culture with live jazz, blues, and gospel music. Historic neighborhood celebrates with traditional foods, local artisans, and community vendors along 8 blocks of 2nd Street.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable umbrella - May showers last 45-90 minutes and occur without warning 10 days of the month

Layerable clothing for 10°C (18°F) temperature swings between morning and afternoon - start with light sweater, add/remove as needed

Comfortable walking shoes with good tread - downtown cobblestone areas and James River rocks become slippery when wet

Allergy medication if sensitive - tree pollen peaks in late May with counts reaching 8.2/12 on severity scale

Light cotton or linen shirts - humidity reaches 70% during afternoon hours, synthetic materials trap moisture uncomfortably

SPF 30+ sunscreen - UV index of 6 requires protection during 10am-4pm outdoor activities, especially on river reflective surfaces

Small daypack for farmers market visits - Saturday South of the James and Sunday Byrd Park markets require carrying purchases 800m+ (0.5 miles) to parking

Casual dress clothes for upscale dining - Richmond's restaurant scene includes James Beard nominees requiring business casual after 6pm

Reusable water bottle - 25°C (77°F) afternoon temperatures and walking tours require staying hydrated, downtown fountains available for refills

Light scarf or wrap for evening dining - outdoor restaurant patios comfortable until 9pm but temperatures drop to 15°C (59°F) by 10pm

Insider Knowledge

Local farmers markets accept EBT and offer dollar-for-dollar matching up to $20 - doubles your purchasing power for Virginia-grown produce and artisanal goods

Free parking after 6pm and all day Sunday in downtown meters saves $8-15 daily - plan dinner reservations and weekend activities accordingly to avoid daytime rates

James River water levels peak from spring runoff in early May but drop significantly by month's end - book water activities for first two weeks for optimal conditions

VCU students leave by May 10th, creating 40% fewer crowds at Fan District restaurants and coffee shops - locals know to visit popular brunch spots after mid-month

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking outdoor events without checking weather radar - May thunderstorms develop quickly between 2-6pm and can cancel festivals or tours with little warning

Driving downtown instead of walking - Richmond's compact 2.6 km² (1 sq mile) city center charges $12-20 for parking while most attractions sit within 800m (0.5 miles) of each other

Overpacking for warm weather - May mornings start at 15°C (59°F), requiring layers that many visitors forget when seeing 25°C (77°F) afternoon forecasts