Free(ish) Fun Around Fort Lee
You don’t need a big budget, a three-day weekend or a long drive to have fun around Fort Lee. Sometimes the best local adventures are the ones that cost little or nothing at all. Whether you’ve been here for three weeks or three years, there are plenty of ways to get out, explore the area and find something new without spending much.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Go Thrift Shopping
Head to the Fort Lee Thrift Shop, operated by the Gregg-Adams Spouses’ Club (GASC), and see what you can find. Browsing is free, although we make no promises about what you might leave with.
And while your treasures may cost a few dollars, the proceeds help support GASC scholarships, grants and programs that give back to the military community.
So that’s shopping with a purpose.
Get Outside
Sometimes you just need to get out and explore.
Take a walk along the water, find a trail, wander through a historic site or spend an afternoon in the fresh air. A few places to put on your radar include Appomattox River Regional Park, the Appomattox River Greenway, Petersburg National Battlefield and Hopewell Boardwalk.
Not every outdoor adventure has to be a hike. Look for walking paths, waterfront views, historic grounds, public parks and other places where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the outdoors.
Explore Some History
You don’t have to spend money to learn something new.
Visit the U.S. Army Women’s Museum or U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum at Fort Gregg-Adams and learn more about Army history and the installation you call home.
Wander Somewhere New
Sometimes the best way to explore is simply to park the car and walk around.
Spend an afternoon in Olde Towne Petersburg, taking in the historic architecture, murals and public art. No itinerary required. Just wander and see what you find. If you accidentally get ice cream, we can get behind that.
Find Something Happening
Free fun is often hidden in the local event calendars.
On post, check the FMWR and Garrison calendars for upcoming events and activities at Fort Lee, and don’t forget to check the GASC calendar for upcoming club events and activities too. Then check local community calendars for what’s happening in Hopewell, Petersburg, Prince George and the surrounding communities. Local tourism offices, community organizations and libraries are great places to start.
Look for:
Free concerts
Festivals and community celebrations
Outdoor movies
Workshops and classes
Family events
Seasonal activities
Community games and sporting events
Farmers markets
Local art and cultural events
You might find something fun happening just a few minutes from home.
Put the Library on Your List
Libraries are about a lot more than books.
Check out local programs, story times, book clubs, workshops, exhibits and community events.
Put these on your radar:
Community Library on Fort Gregg-Adams
Appomattox Regional Library — Hopewell
Appomattox Regional Library — Prince George
Petersburg Public Library
You might find your next free activity just by checking the calendar.
Ask a Local
Sometimes the best way to discover a new area is to know someone who knows the area. That’s one of the benefits of GASC!
Have a question about a trail, a free event, a family-friendly activity or a local hidden gem? Ask us! Send us an email, DM us on Facebook or Instagram, or comment on one of our posts. Members and non-members are welcome to join the conversation and share their favorites.
Already a member but haven’t made it to an event or sub-club? Come hang out with us. You might show up to Pickleball or Brewer’s Delight with ulterior motives…to pick everyone’s brains, and we are here for it 😉
New to the area, or just haven’t found your people yet? GASC is a great place to start.
Your Free-Fun Challenge Checklist
How many can you check off?
☐ Explore a local trail
☐ Visit the Fort Gregg-Adams Museums
☐ Browse the Fort Lee Thrift Shop
☐ Explore Olde Towne Petersburg
☐ Attend a free concert
☐ Go to a local festival or community celebration
☐ Catch a free outdoor movie
☐ Attend a free workshop or class
☐ Visit a local farmers market
☐ Check out a library program or event
☐ Explore a local park or historic site
☐ Find a free family event
☐ Discover a new local mural or public art
☐ Attend a free game or sporting event
☐ Find a free seasonal event
☐ Ask a GASC friend for a local recommendation
Go find something fun. And when you discover a new favorite, tell us about it!
