Submitted by AidCookKnow t3_10lx5n3 in rva
Here I am with the REALLY important questions. My kid is obsessed with construction vehicles. Loves to watch them work. Anybody got any spots near them where there's big vehicles working? I know a few spots, but trying to do an epic tour tomorrow.
>truck and tractor museum in colonial heights.
Seconded. Well worth a visit if you like machinery, old cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles. The brightly painted equipment makes kids lose their minds. Unfortunately there's only one tractor kids can sit on.
> Unfortunately there's only one tractor kids can sit on.
Yeah depending on age and personality of the kids it may not be a great place to go - I took my son when he was (almost) 3 and he reaaally wanted to touch and get on everything and was not happy that he couldn't. Also be warned that it's enter AND exit through the gift shop so the first thing seen is all of the toys and stuff.
Their collection of vehicles is great though, I do plan to go back someday. Also a big second to James River Equipment.
Yes James River Equipment is the answer. Took my kid there so many times during the height of Covid when everything was closed. You can just walk in and browse the vehicles on their massive lot and potentially even sit in the cabs of some of them. Never had an issue but also never went there when it was busy, and always made sure to stay very clear of any of the moving vehicles
Also, I’m a firefighter. Never be shy to stop in any firehouse and ask. Especially one with a ladder truck
Touch a truuuuuck! The joy is palpable and also ear piercing.
We stopped by a firehouse in late 2020 and they said to come back when the pandemic was over because they weren't doing tours or anything. Any advice?
Yeah, we had a pretty strict policy for masks/exposures through 2021. Now that things are relaxed, it’s normal now.
Dope! Oh man my kids gonna be so excited to hear that!!
Not sure which area you’re in, but if you have issues north of the river, DM me
Mega crane putting up prefab concrete panels at 18th & E. Grace in Shockoe
I don't have any suggestions, but this is adorable! They're going to be so excited.
Call Luck Stone quarry in Goochland and see if they have an observation area.
They do, its at the office building right there.
I was going to suggest this- these are the BIG machines.
Try up at the old VCC site. Plenty of parking lot to sit in and active construction and demolition
New lego construction site down near rivers bend.
Do they need big equipment when the blocks are so tiny, though?
I believe the new CoStar building is under construction, but I haven't been down there to see it myself. At this point they're probably still doing earthworks/foundations.
It is, no heavy equipment though
There very much is, and they've been pretty active.
Thanks for posting the picture! This is a lot more activity than I was expecting. Now...if I can only find a webcam of the construction there. Can anyone help?
There are townhomes being built at the corner of Woodman Rd and Hungary. They have the framing up so I’m not sure how active the big vehicles are currently, but there’s still a ton of machinery out there.
There’s a Dunkin’ and a Little Ceasars that you might be able to park at and get a view.
Big crane working across from Willow lawn.
You could probably do a driving loop around Manchester and see several apartment towers in progress.
Awww we love to watch the construction at Westchester commons. We like to count the dump trucks and then try to guess where they are going and how many they must have running all together since they have a constant cycle of them coming and going
From the old Azalea Mall parking lot you could probably get a good view of all of the construction at Westminster Canterbury. There are some big cranes in the air over there.
I don’t give a shit about construction vehicles but this all sounds so fun and wholesome now I have fomo
Corner of Broad and Gayton they are working the land for an upcoming big development.
Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Robin Hood Rd.
I can confirm Dabney east of staples mill, one lane too so they may have plenty of time to stop and watch.
Edited to include: one of my kids loved construction equipment when he was little. One of his favorite books was about a construction site with all the machines and what they did. The page with the dump truck had a line, “dump that rubble”, and we would all yell it whenever we saw a dump truck. He’s almost 20 now, we still say it when we’re together and see one. I still say it when I see one when we’re not together.
Thanks now I’m crying
Can't believe no one has mentioned Chimborazo park. They're redoing the water runoff from the hill. All kinds of construction equipment, working all the time and you can get up close and personal if you wish. My dog does not wish to.
A few weeks ago I did a quick Google search to see if there was an app of some kind (to tell u where the construction sites are specifically for kids)...there isnt...my son also likes to watch...there is a construction site at willow lawn...but fence is rather high so he might not be able to see...
Try this link out. It’s maintained by the local Urban Planet forum. I believe Richmond BizSense also maintains a map on their website.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=11I7g6y2K7SiZYPUTpeoloZXmJI0
They are building a new school right next to John M Gandy in Ashland, lots of diggers! It’s also next to a fire station and sometimes you can go ask them for a tour and check out the fire trucks 🚒
You need to make your way over to Urban Planet's RVA forums page:
Y'all are the best, thanks!!!
The back of the Virginia Center Commons mall in Glen Allen has a huge sports complex going in. Lots of crane work coming up and you might see some demolition on the mall side too. Pretty sure most of that mall is coming down in the next several months.
Meadowville landing. Chester Lego factory being built. Many CAT trucks. Enjoy
They’re building two big apartment buildings right next to Westhampton Green Park off of Libbie and Grove. Just drove past & they have a bunch of trucks out today. Also bonus there’s a playground right next to it
You might visit the Carter Cat dealership - tons of gear on display and they've been pretty friendly to me in the past. James River Equipment also has some stuff out, but I haven't wandered there. And good tip by another user on the quarry - those are BIG trucks.
Scott's Addition. They are building several complexes and occasionally have a crane out.
​
And you can drink a beer while you watch.
[deleted]
There’s always something being built or torn down at the Capitol…though maybe not right now during the session.
A lot of digging about to go down at S 5th Street & Tredegar.
Uhaul on U.S. 1 North in Bensley has construction going on.
Libbie mill area?
Pouring the deck on the 7th street bridge today
Site across Lakeridge Parkway from Bass Pro has a bunch of equipment moving dirt.
Wonder what they are building there? I saw they had built a hotel behind Bass Pro too.
Hotel is a Woodspring Suites. Building a big warehouse by the gun range.
They're building a new building at the J Sarg on Parham back where the recreation area is. There's a parking lot you could park in and watch.
what used to be henrico plaza on Mechanicsville turnpike is a massive construction site right now.
You should take him also to watch a wrecking ball knock down a building it’s SO AWESOME
I think they are about to demo the Southern States Silos in Manchester. Might be a great opportunity there coming up soon. Heard there was a construction fence up already!
Well they’re currently building a new apartment building at Libbie mill. Maybe you could take your kid to the library before / after? There’s always some sort of construction going on around here lol
Belleville in Scotts Addition! Apartments being built and they have a crane
Downtown on the river…Costar is about to start on their new tower.
https://diggerlandusa.com/ not local, but maybe worth a summer trip
Went last summer. Well worth it! As an adult I even enjoyed operating the backhoe
If you go to quarry hill rd in Rockville, you can park your car on the side with the big fence and peak over to see the quarry pit with all the 80 ton haul trucks going up and down. Way bigger than anything you will see downtown.
Libbie at Cary is about to be a shit show until august. Might be nice for one person to enjoy the area
Literally just saw that article. What a disaster that's gonna be.
anotherpandamom t1_j5zkk6j wrote
James River Equipment Co in Ashland! Not a construction site but so many huge vehicles. I’ve also heard good things about the truck and tractor museum in colonial heights.