Richmond and Wayne County, IN, are so much fun to visit, especially when it comes to a weekend girls getaway. Both the city and county have cool mom and pop restaurants, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, and there’s no shortage of lodging. So, when you’re planning a visit, where do you begin? right here, my friends! From a fun waterfall to dining inside a double decker bus to feeling at home at a B&B, here are 14 things to do in Richmond Indiana right now!
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now
A couple of years ago, my daughter and I visited Richmond and Wayne County for a family getaway, but it was a much different vibe. Complete with face masks, we were able to check out some cool spots with ease. But, I made a pact with myself to make a return visit when things to back to normal. Here are my favorite places to visit.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Check out Some Cool Sister Pottery Collaboration
located inside the Cambridge City Library, the Museum of Overbeck Art Pottery is quaint but packs an artistic punch. From 1911 to 1955, six sisters did their own pottery thing (“borrowed art is bad art”) and used what they viewed daily as inspiration.
What I love about the pottery pieces is the pastel-colored glaze they used. And, keeping with the borrowed art is bad art theming, they never disclosed how the glazes and colors were created.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Shop at Warm Glow Candle Co. Outlet
Always a sucker for a good scented candle, making a pit stop at Warm Glow Candle Co. Outlet Store is a must. The massive building is half candles of every scent and color you could imagine, half local artisan wares and vintage shops.
But what is really surprising to me is the fact they have a small avian building with live peacocks!
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – See the Beauty at Richmond Rose Garden
roses are my daughter’s favorite flower, so when we learned about the Richmond Rose Garden we couldn’t wait to check it out in person. Since the 1970’s, Richmond has dubbed itself “Rose City”, so it’s very fitting to have a community rose garden opened 365 days a year.
The gardens showcase over 100 varieties of roses, all absolutely gorgeous in their own way.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Visit Wayne County Historical Museum
I love being pleasantly surprised by local museums and the Wayne County Historical Museum did just that. With two floors of gorgeous displays (my favorite was the recreated shops in the basement!), and several buildings outside to mosey through, it’s ideal for both adults and families wanting to learn about the local history and culture.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Kayak Middlefork Reservoir
On gorgeous weather days, taking the kayak out on calm waters is right up my proverbial street, and Middlefork Reservoir is the best place to do it in the area. If you have your own kayaks, there’s an in and out area to use. If not, head to the guest services building to rent them.
The lake is spring fed, so the water is very pretty. Additionally, there are free fishing days (so, no license required), a dog park, picnic areas, and paddleboat rentals.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Visit Hayes Arboretum
Another gorgeous spot to visit for a few hours is Hayes Arboretum. Unique for me, we were able to drive through the massive space and see not only the foliage that makes up most of it, but woodland animals as well.
If you love butterflies, make sure to check out the outdoor butterfly garden and then head inside the main building to watch native birds feed and fly.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Visit Thistlethwaite Falls
I’ve only ever seen a waterfall in the heart of a city one other time and that was in Rochester, NY. Thistlethwaite Falls is quaint, beautiful, and an easy hike to see.
Compliments of Timothy Thistlethwaite blasting a channel to provide more water for his mill, the manmade beauty is a haven for fossil hunting and photography.
Things to Do in Richmond Indiana Right Now – Trip on The Chocolate Trail
There’s no way not to mention the Richmond and Wayne County Chocolate Trail as it’s deliciously fun and free. A recent online digital upgrade has made visiting the trail even easier, so make sure to stop into at least one of the 14 locations to grab a small thank you gift.
Once you’ve collected several stamps, you can earn prizes including decals and t-shirts.
Where to Stay in Richmond and Wayne County
The older I get, the more I really enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts. And during my recent visit to Richmond, I had the absolute pleasure of calling Seldom Seen Meadow B&B my home base for the stay.
The B&B is meticulously cared for by its owner, Leighanne, and it offers an outdoor hot tub, several styles of guest rooms, a patio , and a home-cooked breakfast each morning.
As for our guest room, we had a king room with a western theme. Featuring both a king bed and a single bed, it sleeps three with plenty of space to mosey about. Additionally, I can’t write about the property without mentioning its affordability as well.
Where to Eat in Richmond
Richmond and Wayne County have plenty of cool restaurants to satisfy those midwestern comfort food cravings. Here are my picks:
Lumpy’s – A no-frills style diner, I loved everything about Lumpy’s. On the Indiana Foodways Tenderlion Lovers Trail, if you’re not a fan of massive sandwiches, you’ll find plenty of other delicious items on the menu.
Fricker’s – Fricker’s is not only a cool name to say, it’s a fun place to eat at. The restaurant has an almost whimsical setting with comfort food menu items like giant pretzel sticks, chicken quesadillas, and its famous wings.
Little Sheba’s – A mom and pop restaurant you have to try at least once, Little Sheba’s has the nicest wait staff! An all-around American restaurant, Chef Moises is really good at crafting fun menu items including French Onion Soup (so good!), veggie wraps and peanut butter pie.
Pizza King – If you’ve never had the honor of dining in a double decker bus, head to Pizza King and give it a try. We actually had a phone at our booth to order straight to the kitchen and our pizza was brought to the table hot and steamy.
Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream – Ice cream is my favorite food (don’t judge!), so a visit to the local ice cream heaven, Ullery’s, was a must. After sampling several flavors in a massive dish, I’ve come to the conclusion that one scoop is never enough. And if you’re not sure what to taste test, try the seasonal flavors, they’re absolutely delish.