happyly approved

Wilton House Museum

215 S. Wilton Rd. Richmond, VA 23226

Wednesday through Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday 1pm - 4pm

$$

indoor-activities, museums, fun-paid-activities

Allow yourself to be whisked back in time at the historic Wilton House Museum.

At the end of South Wilton Road, among private residences, you will find the treasure that is Wilton House Museum. A preserved (albeit relocated) eighteenth-century mansion that was once surrounded by over 2,000 acres of tobacco, the home is now a self-guided tour through the late-colonial era of luxury amid hardship.  The Randolph family, (a very prominent Virginia family) called Wilton House home for over 100 years, and many of their antiques remain in the house giving visitors a feel for what daily life may have looked like during the plantation era.

Wilton House is situated on a beautiful piece of property overlooking the James River, and the railroad tracks that helped launch Richmond into prosperity in the nineteenth century.  As my kids ran around the lower lawn, a real train rolled by, capturing everyone’s attention and imagination. My older school-aged children enjoyed Wilton House (and ghost stories shared by the staff!), especially since the tour is self-guided.  My kiddos love history, but long-winded tour guides can be a problem for anyone, and a self-guided option -- complete with an audio app -- can be the perfect compromise.  This would be a great destination for an afternoon with grandparents, after grabbing lunch at Toast or Palani Drive. 

NOTE: One-hour tour slots are available at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm. Self-guided tours are available at the reduced price of $5.00. Please note that the Wilton House Museum is accessible by stairs only. If you have questions about your self-guided tour experience or need assistance booking a tour, please contact Education Director Katie Watkins at kwatkins@wiltonhousemuseum.org.

Features

Historic Area Museum River views
Thoughtfully captured by:
Eliza Milcarek
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