If you want a more relaxing experience, go to Lewis Ginter. You can sit there and watch your kids play for hours. Maymont involves a lot more walking/crowds.

I think that Maymont is more fun for kids and there's also more to see at Maymont. The water play area at Lewis Ginter isn't that big and if it's a nice day, it will be very crowded. The butterfly area is no better than the butterfly exhibit at Natural History and the children's garden isn't anything to write home about.

Kids can spend a lot of time looking at the animals at Maymont and you can always hop on the tram if your kids start to get tired. Plus the lower gardens are awesome and the otters are lots of fun.

Why would you pick Maymont over Lewis Ginter? Just curious.

Lewis Ginter is slightly closer to the DC area. Personally, I don't think either is worth a four-hour round trip (we used to live in Richmond), but if I had to pick one to visit, I'd go to Maymont.

Trying to decide whether we should visit Maymont or Ginter tomorrow, in Richmond. Maymont has a petting farm and $5 carriage rides, but Ginter has water play, a children's garden, and the butterfly exhibit. We've never been to either one and have 2 children under 5. Any thoughts?