Short Pump Town Center

If you’ve heard people talk about Short Pump, chances are they are referring to the shopping. And while the ultimate shopping spot is Short Pump Town Center, it also happens to be the perfect day outing.

This beautiful outdoor mall has plenty of stores, but did you know that it also has a train, Children’s Museum, and - during the holidays - a three-story Christmas tree that lights up inside when you walk through it? It’s all true!  The middle of the shopping center has a small train station where you can purchase a ticket and climb aboard a miniature train (about 2-4 people can fit in each car).  The train ride is fun for kids of all ages, but doubles as a tour of the stores and restaurants!

On your journey, you will pass lush gardens and plantings surrounding tons of outdoor seating, including pavilions with comfy sofas and chairs, outdoor fireplaces with wrought-iron tables and chairs for folks to meet, enjoy a snack or avoid going into one more store.  Fountains are found throughout Short Pump Town Center, giving the bustling mall a tranquil feel, but the showstopper is the modern fish pond stocked with koi fish.  Perfectly placed pavers allow adventurous kids (old and young) to hop and skip around and, even over the pond! And the main fountain at the center of the mall features water spilling from a series of hand-pump fountains...that’s right, a bunch of short pumps.

Hungry? Short Pump Town Center features local fare from a variety of sit-down options like Boathouse, Baker’s Crust, Lehja, or Casa Del Barco. There are also more standard mall dining options if speed is what you are looking for. In that case try Great Steak, Auntie Anne’s, or Chick-Fil-a.  Of course, if you are too tired and full after a day of shopping at the Apple Store, Crate and Barrel, and L.L. Bean, Short Pump Town Center has a Hyatt House hotel for you to rest up for the next day of RVA adventures.