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BACK in 2026! Wild Explorations - Season of Discovery is back at the Virginia Living Museum. Plan your visit here!
Plan your next visit to The Virginia Living Museum, where you will encounter more habitats, wildlife and plant species than would be encountered in a lifetime of outdoor adventures in Virginia. The exhibits of The Virginia Living Museum showcase all of the state’s regions from the upland coves of the Appalachian Mountains to the salty offshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean and feature more than 245 different animal species.
Visitors enjoy hands-on activities, observatory, planetarium, outdoor boardwalk, native plant and conservation gardens, and 250 living species. Birthday parties available. Spring and summer camps. Homeschool Programs.
Find information on camp programs at The Virginia Living Museum on this link.
This place was fantastic! Took a 5 yr old and almost 3 yr old. We all had so much fun! Lots of amazing animals and cool exhibits to see. The kids really loved playing in the vet center play area and the dinosaur digs. My favorite was the otter and the eagle, and the foxes we got to see them getting fed. Highly recommend
Absolutely fantastic and fun place for families with children, and generally people of every age. It was fully accessible for people with mobility differences, and interesting and suitable for those with sensory or intellectual differences as well. We went in mid- October and EVERY exhibit and enclosure was decorated with fall or Halloween themed enrichment for the animals, and frankly for us, the patrons.
The museum exhibits are well curated. Informational, educational, and engaging. The live animals were plentiful, including turtles, seahorse, snakes, giant fish and more in enormous aquariums and specialized exhibits including a touch tank. They had a childrens science 'research canter' that was packed with things to explore and do. It was staffed by a Biologist who works to engage the kids in learning crafts and activities, encouraging conservation and responsibly enjoying nature, answering many questions along the way too.
Downstairs, a veterinary clinic play center was fully stocked with x rays, full (play) hospital set up, (play) kitchen for preparing the animals food, kennels, a library of children's books on animals and care- the works.
There are outdoor exhibits of the local fish and wildlife, as well as trails leading out around the river, and to the Wildlife Rehab and care center. Visitors can see any procedures being done, Keeper talks and presentations, and see the many critters that have received care. On the trails, native animals who have been rescued and cant be released to the wild can be seen in natural living enclosures off the raised boardwalk trails that are well tended, and accessible for people of all ages and ability levels, including mobility differences.
They have several areas for kids off the outdoor trails. A amall sensory and children's garden & play area, and a HUGE Dinosaur trail play and learning area. The Dinosaur Trail area is set up as a paleontologist camp. Dig and excavate Dinosaurs bones/fossil (reproductions) with brushes, Climb a tree house or play on slack rope toys, climb dinosaur reproductions and use a life size Allosaur rib cage as a jungle gym, interactively hear Dinosaur sounds... My child could go there once a week just to play at the Dinosaur area, and see the animals on the trails.
Surprisingly engaging, relatively inexpensive. If youre a local, take every visitor, every child in the family, and go anytime, and definitely buy a season pass. Note, the planetarium is only open on the weekends.
The museum exhibits are well curated. Informational, educational, and engaging. The live animals were plentiful, including turtles, seahorse, snakes, giant fish and more in enormous aquariums and specialized exhibits including a touch tank. They had a childrens science 'research canter' that was packed with things to explore and do. It was staffed by a Biologist who works to engage the kids in learning crafts and activities, encouraging conservation and responsibly enjoying nature, answering many questions along the way too.
Downstairs, a veterinary clinic play center was fully stocked with x rays, full (play) hospital set up, (play) kitchen for preparing the animals food, kennels, a library of children's books on animals and care- the works.
There are outdoor exhibits of the local fish and wildlife, as well as trails leading out around the river, and to the Wildlife Rehab and care center. Visitors can see any procedures being done, Keeper talks and presentations, and see the many critters that have received care. On the trails, native animals who have been rescued and cant be released to the wild can be seen in natural living enclosures off the raised boardwalk trails that are well tended, and accessible for people of all ages and ability levels, including mobility differences.
They have several areas for kids off the outdoor trails. A amall sensory and children's garden & play area, and a HUGE Dinosaur trail play and learning area. The Dinosaur Trail area is set up as a paleontologist camp. Dig and excavate Dinosaurs bones/fossil (reproductions) with brushes, Climb a tree house or play on slack rope toys, climb dinosaur reproductions and use a life size Allosaur rib cage as a jungle gym, interactively hear Dinosaur sounds... My child could go there once a week just to play at the Dinosaur area, and see the animals on the trails.
Surprisingly engaging, relatively inexpensive. If youre a local, take every visitor, every child in the family, and go anytime, and definitely buy a season pass. Note, the planetarium is only open on the weekends.
My family had a blast at the Virginia Living Museum! It was so fun to walk the boardwalk and see animals native to Virginia. We also got to watch an otter feeding and learn about otters. I thought the dinosaur section would be camp-y but was surprised to find real fossils displayed in little cabins there. My two-year-old loved seeing the dinosaur replicas, of course. We will definitely visit again!
Been making memories here since I was a kid and recently visited while vacationing in my hometown. The staff loves what they do and it shows. The animal husbandry is better than most zoological facilities. And I love that it focuses on educating on local wildlife!
The otter was definitely the star of the show though ????????
The otter was definitely the star of the show though ????????
We have had a membership for over 5 years now. This is hands down one of our favorite places to visit over and over.
Even before we had children, my husband and I always had a fantastic time visiting.
With children and it's obviously such a great place to go and explore.
Every time you're there, there's always a hidden corner to find a new activity to keep the kids busy.
Nora is a favorite of ours, but all of the animals have a special place in our heart.
Even before we had children, my husband and I always had a fantastic time visiting.
With children and it's obviously such a great place to go and explore.
Every time you're there, there's always a hidden corner to find a new activity to keep the kids busy.
Nora is a favorite of ours, but all of the animals have a special place in our heart.
I hadn't visited this museum for many many years. Took my grandkids here and my daughter and we had an absolute ball. The current traveling exhibit is dinosaurs, and what they had was amazing. Lots of hands-on activities, and lots of great information, the kids were in heaven. The otter was adorable and we made it to the feeding which was quite a treat. The exhibits are all outstanding and the staff was very friendly and informative.
Loved all of the interactive exhibits here, they were fascinating. My family and I were particularly entranced by a sand pit that had a projected topography that changed depending on the hills and valleys we created in the sand. Great place to take children, wonderful indoor exhibits and a fantastic outdoor trail that was fun and inspiring. My family and I got through the entire building and nature trail in about three hours without rushing past interesting signage.
The parking is fantastic. The customer service both online and at the front desk is phenomenal. My kids were thrilled and enjoyed every aspect of this museum. I love the flow of their exhibits. Regardless if there are school field trips or Earth day celebrations during spring break, this museum handles large crowds of people very well and effortlessly. The dinosaur park and adventure is a well worth the museum visit alone.
