Virginia Living Museum
524 J Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, Virginia
Visit the Virginia Living Museum to escape the static setting of your average museum. Instead, the zoo-like natural heritage site comes alive with interactive and educational displays of native animals and plants. View endangered wildlife, touch live marine creatures, and explore the region’s distant past on the Dinosaur Discovery Trail.
Explore the Virginia Living Museum on a self-guided walk through the indoor and outdoor exhibits or join a guided tour and learn about the care, habitats, and life cycles of the museum's inhabitants. Experience the plants and animals of Virginia’s varied natural landscapes as you visit areas that replicate habitats ranging from the sea to the mountains. A planetarium, underground geology exhibits, and conservation-focused displays create a dynamic learning experience.
The museum is a must-see for nature lovers and families.
The on-site cafe and store sell meals, snacks, and souvenirs.
The museum is accessible, and wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and strollers are available.
Choose from general admission tickets or upgrade to an array of special-interest tours.
Located in Newport News, the museum is about 70 miles (112 kilometers) or an hour's drive from Richmond and about six miles (9.6 kilometers) or a 15-minute drive from the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. From I-64 E, follow Avenue of the Arts for four miles (6.5 kilometers) to the museum.
The museum is open year-round, but some exhibits are only open in summer. To see the outdoor gardens at their height, visit spring through fall. To avoid crowds, don't visit on weekends or school holidays.
The museum is focused on teaching kids through hands-on learning. The outdoor Dinosaur Discover Trail includes an interactive Paleo camp and dig pits where children experience what it's like to be a paleontologist. At the Wild and Well exhibit, kids try out their veterinarian skills with play props. Outside, youngsters learn about healthy habitats, diets, and conservation at the Children’s Garden and Playground.
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