Brown’s Island

Richmond is a peaceful place with kind people everywhere to help since we were new to town and lots of questions. We saw a Friday Cheers concert with Future Islands, our favorite band and it was the most perfect evening and venue. Great food, fun, drinks and music. Can’t wait for 2016’s lineup!

Best venue for concerts and festivals in RVA. Also a beautiful spot to walk around and has great access to belle isle.

Park! It is a Park! A Few Trees, Open Field almost and good spot though probably not legal for a friendly American or European FootBall! Speedo Time? Probably! It is an Island (in Name) and with the lack of trees and strong presence of «grass» it could happen pretty easily!
Maybe I’m missing the Historical significance? Belle Island is WAY better! Glad I saw it once! Some good Views of the James River is the best part of this!

How is it I’ve never reviewed Brown’s Island?
It is, of course, a hot spot for Richmond music events and festivals, but even when there’s nothing going on, it’s a beautiful place to go to relax, take photos, or explore.

Brown’s Island is surrounded by the James River and the Haxall Canal. You can’t really drive to the pier area but would have to find garage parking around the area. When we were in town, it was the 6^th annual Dominion Riverrock, where it was a combination of an outdoor sports and a river life festival. It was noted that over 100,000 people attended. They have vendors, music festivals, and other outdoor sports that you can participate in. It’s really interested to take a gander as the water is literally brown, but large and expansive, and kind of cool to see the water rushing around the pier.
+Dominion Riverrock festival
+James River & Haxall Canal

I kind of have a love-​hate relationship with Brown’s Island. It is a fantastic oasis in the middle of a mid-​sized city. It’s surrounded by a canal and the James River and really quite beautiful! The sound of water is everywhere!
Many events are held here, including the Dominion River Rock and Filthy 5K but the size of the crowds makes it uncomfortable at times. There are lines for food, lines for the bathrooms, lines to get on and off the island with their limited egress. You bump into people just walking across the island.
I do make it to the big events, but I usually duck out and before the big crowds arrive. The atmosphere changes about 8pm when families go home and the younger crowd arrives with a mission of drinking to excess.
I ride my bike, and there usually is a free bike valet from UCI Road World Championships or some other local group. Beats the Hell out of $ 5 and $ 10 parking.

Do the river walk!
–Rooster

Brown’s Island is located next to Belle Isle. Located so close, they seem like two different worlds. Brown’s Island is a lot more laid back than Belle Isle. There’s less foot traffic on Brown’s Island. I like Brown’s Island because it’s a great place to relax or exercise (alot of space to jog). It’s nothing better than relaxing enjoying the beautiful scenery of Richmond. There’s a bridge on Brown’s Island to walk across. You can take some nice pictures from the bridge. Benches are scattered across Brown’s Island for visitors. During the week, workers from downtown Richmond are usually walking around. If I worked close by, I would walk around Brown’s Island as well during breaks. The parking is hit or miss depending on the weather and time. Brown’s Island is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Richmond scenery.

Since I often visit Brown’s Island for concerts and festivals, I sometimes forget how beautiful and peaceful the park can be in its native state. I decided to take a little stroll down to the island yesterday evening and man, am I glad I did.
I didn’t have a care in the world as I entered through the newly finished (ADA compliant) walkbridge that crosses the canal and moseyed along the walkway. The trees were beginning to bloom and looked picturesque against the backdrop of the James on one side and the high-​rise buildings of downtown on the other. Tell me what’s better than feeling like you’re in a little piece of natural paradise smack dab in the middle of a vibrant city?
Whether you’re looking to relax on a bench, chill on the amphitheater-​style stairs, frolic in the grass, or walk/​run along the outer edge of the island, Brown’s has got you covered.
If I worked downtown, I’d become a permanent resident. All I need is my trusty pillow, my orange tabby (he’s just as good as a guard dog!), and my iPhone charger and I’d be good to go. Brown’s Island: Population 1.