Virginia Living Museum
Virginia Living Museum
4.5
Science Museums • Zoos
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
View endangered red wolves. Get up close to a loggerhead turtle and moon jellies. See fish with no eyes and frogs that change colors. Touch live spider crabs and fossilized dinosaur tracks. It's all at the Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, where living exhibits depict Virginia's natural heritage from the mountains to the sea. Experience a steamy cypress swamp and cool mountain cove. Explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay and the underground realm of a limestone cave. See flying squirrels, stingrays and other creatures of the night. Touch famous Bay creatures. Kids will especially enjoy the Touch Tank with its sea stars and horseshoe crabs. Enjoy hands-on activities. See spectacular views of the sun from the observatory and travel the universe in the state-of-the-art digital planetarium. Outdoors, stroll the boardwalk to view coastal birds, beavers, otters, coyotes, endangered red wolves and other animals in naturalized habitats. Butterfly Garden, Virginia Garden and landscape plantings display one of the most extensive displays of native plants in Virginia. Learn how to live, build and garden green in the Conservation Garden and Green Living House.
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from $22.39
All you need to step foot in the door.

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See what travelers are saying
  • Dee
    24 contributions
    Remember: We do have wildlife right here in Virginia.
    Come here for the day, better yet, get a membership. It is well worth the price. Bring a camera and wear good walking shoes, walk the outdoors on wooden plank walkways suspended above and next to the outdoor habitats of their wildlife patrons. Take the kids to the outdoor Dinosaur models exhibits. The admission goes to help provide lasting homes for injured wild animals and for once wild animals that are too comfortable around humans to be released to the wild. The animals here are kept in spacious, well maintained outdoor areas. There are exhibits inside and outside but plan to go on a sunny day, so you can see all the outdoor exhibits. I have been here many times and kids seem to love this place. They have several interactive play areas for young children. Don't forget to visit the touch tank. They also have a Planetarium. They have a drinks and food court/cafe with reasonable prices and large portions. A gift shop with a large assortment of unusual gifts and toys and T-shirts. It is a fairly large facility so plan to stay for a few hours, have lunch and explore some more.
    Visited January 2020
    Written February 28, 2020
  • Passport52094083724
    Yorktown, Virginia1 contribution
    Amazing!
    It was amazing! Bathrooms are clean and the animals are amazing. I would go early and not on a hot day as about half of the museum is outside. Staff is super nice and will give you so much info. I would rate this 10 stars if it was an option! We had a wonderful time and will definitely go back!
    Visited June 2020
    Written June 8, 2020
  • bcamp001
    Frederick, Maryland2 contributions
    Great Way to Spend a Sunday Morning
    On a recent trip to Newport News, VA we decided to check out the Virginia Living Museum. My husband, 11 year old daughter and I very much enjoyed ourselves. Lots of different animals to see. Museum is spacious and well organized. If we're in the area again, we would definitely return for another visit. We went on a Sunday morning and it wasn't overly crowded. Very easy to get close to each exhibit.
    Visited February 2020
    Written February 25, 2020
  • cheryl h
    Durham, North Carolina57,525 contributions
    We really enjoyed our time there
    I found this to be a very nice living museum which offers over 250 species of animals, reptiles, birds, fish,and more that's found in Virginia. The glass on the aquariums was clean of nose and finger prints which made for good photo taking. Along with the animals inside they have an outside boardwalk and during the walk you will see different animals that have been rescued and for one reason or the other are not able to be released back into the wild. Since the boardwalk is raised you are looking down on the animals and some were hard to find. It also takes you around a lake. Also outside they have a dinosaur trail that will be fun for kids of all ages. That trail also has fossil huts loaded with fossils and bones which I found very interesting. They also have excavation areas so the kids can dig for fossils and bones.
    Visited December 2019
    Written July 24, 2020
  • Nomarama
    Fredericksburg, Virginia23 contributions
    The Virginia Living Museum is Amazing!
    Ive just always loved places like this! Spots like this will forever hold a special place in my heart. If you have ever wanted to get outside, step 1. Get up and go! Step 2. tho, I’d recommend getting a little familiar with things you may encounter while being outdoorsy af 🙌🏾 You know answering questions around what leaves you may not want to touch and how insects don’t actually want to kill you! It’s one thing to google them but to see real examples at this hybrid aquarium, zoo, 🌺botanical garden and science center is just super dope to me. If you have never been, be a tourist where you live, pack a lunch and make a day out of it, I think you’ll dig it!
    Visited April 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written December 15, 2022
  • jessicafb_16
    King George, Virginia176 contributions
    Lots of animals!
    We got to see all the outdoor animals awake except the possums. Even heard wolves howling. The apiary was closed due to bird flu risks. The aquariums could have used a little better signage, but we still enjoyed the indoor exhibits as well. It looked like a great place to bring kids.
    Visited February 2022
    Written February 22, 2022
  • Katie S
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania35 contributions
    Sea life
    My husband and I visited in late October 2020 during the week so it was pretty dead, which was nice as we could roam around freely without having to worry about social distancing in a crowd. I'm not sure the size in total of this place but there is a large out door portion and then the inside is pretty big as well. I was beat tired and ready for a seat when all was said and done. The outside I think was my favorite. I love coyotes, wolves, etc. and many animal places up where we live in PA don't have any canines. All the outdoor exhibits I feel were well designed, so you could always see the animals. Everything had a very natural setting for the animals which was nice to see. The inside had so many fish, so, so many fish! If you or anyone you know like fish, this is the place to go.
    Visited October 2020
    Written February 19, 2021
  • abigailsarah523
    Bowie, Maryland28 contributions
    Amazing center
    We got here early and it was absolutely perfect. If you have school aged kids, I would suggest getting there when it opens before all the strollers arrive. The displays were clean, clear, and educational. The energy efficient house was so informative! There were so many animals to see. Highly recommend. It’s also a part of the science center reciprocity program.
    Visited December 2019
    Traveled with family
    Written January 1, 2020
  • Edie
    Castle Hayne, North Carolina21 contributions
    Enjoyable Experience
    We came with 2 of our grandchildren and enjoyed the visit very much. The downside is that It was so cold so we rushed our outdoor experience a bit. Loved seeing the animals and the kids loved the dinosaur area. Sad to see the snakes in such small areas and a few other creatures as well.
    Visited November 2021
    Written November 22, 2021
  • Katty W
    Houston, Texas143 contributions
    Great Museum!!!
    So.... Wednesday (7/15) my husband and I set out to go to museums.... (or that was what we thought). We try several different museums with no luck. And then my husband found the Virginia Living Museum! WHAT A FIND!!! Great for children of all ages (1-100)! Great information and live exhibits. I really enjoyed the outside portion through the "swamp/marsh" area. Part museum, aquarium and nature walk. LOVE IT
    Visited July 2020
    Written July 21, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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cheryl h
Durham, NC57,525 contributions
Dec 2019
I found this to be a very nice living museum which offers over 250 species of animals, reptiles, birds, fish,and more that's found in Virginia. The glass on the aquariums was clean of nose and finger prints which made for good photo taking.

Along with the animals inside they have an outside boardwalk and during the walk you will see different animals that have been rescued and for one reason or the other are not able to be released back into the wild. Since the boardwalk is raised you are looking down on the animals and some were hard to find. It also takes you around a lake.

Also outside they have a dinosaur trail that will be fun for kids of all ages. That trail also has fossil huts loaded with fossils and bones which I found very interesting. They also have excavation areas so the kids can dig for fossils and bones.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nomarama
Fredericksburg, VA23 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Ive just always loved places like this!

Spots like this will forever hold a special place in my heart. If you have ever wanted to get outside, step 1. Get up and go!

Step 2. tho, I’d recommend getting a little familiar with things you may encounter while being outdoorsy af 🙌🏾

You know answering questions around what leaves you may not want to touch and how insects don’t actually want to kill you!

It’s one thing to google them but to see real examples at this hybrid aquarium, zoo, 🌺botanical garden and science center is just super dope to me.

If you have never been, be a tourist where you live, pack a lunch and make a day out of it, I think you’ll dig it!
Written December 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jessicafb_16
King George, VA176 contributions
Feb 2022
We got to see all the outdoor animals awake except the possums. Even heard wolves howling. The apiary was closed due to bird flu risks. The aquariums could have used a little better signage, but we still enjoyed the indoor exhibits as well. It looked like a great place to bring kids.
Written February 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katie S
Pittsburgh, PA35 contributions
Oct 2020
My husband and I visited in late October 2020 during the week so it was pretty dead, which was nice as we could roam around freely without having to worry about social distancing in a crowd. I'm not sure the size in total of this place but there is a large out door portion and then the inside is pretty big as well. I was beat tired and ready for a seat when all was said and done.
The outside I think was my favorite. I love coyotes, wolves, etc. and many animal places up where we live in PA don't have any canines. All the outdoor exhibits I feel were well designed, so you could always see the animals. Everything had a very natural setting for the animals which was nice to see.
The inside had so many fish, so, so many fish! If you or anyone you know like fish, this is the place to go.
Written February 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

abigailsarah523
Bowie, MD28 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We got here early and it was absolutely perfect. If you have school aged kids, I would suggest getting there when it opens before all the strollers arrive. The displays were clean, clear, and educational. The energy efficient house was so informative! There were so many animals to see. Highly recommend. It’s also a part of the science center reciprocity program.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Edie
Castle Hayne, NC21 contributions
Nov 2021
We came with 2 of our grandchildren and enjoyed the visit very much. The downside is that It was so cold so we rushed our outdoor experience a bit. Loved seeing the animals and the kids loved the dinosaur area. Sad to see the snakes in such small areas and a few other creatures as well.
Written November 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katty W
Houston, TX143 contributions
Jul 2020
So.... Wednesday (7/15) my husband and I set out to go to museums.... (or that was what we thought). We try several different museums with no luck. And then my husband found the Virginia Living Museum! WHAT A FIND!!!

Great for children of all ages (1-100)! Great information and live exhibits. I really enjoyed the outside portion through the "swamp/marsh" area. Part museum, aquarium and nature walk. LOVE IT
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

annabear_87
Morristown, TN53 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
Love this place! It’s a unique combination of museum, aquarium, and zoo. It’s laid out very nicely with the indoor and outdoor areas intersecting nicely. The animals looked well cared for. I love that it includes all the ecosystems of Virginia and breaks it down for even smaller kids to understand. It entertained a teen, child, and adult. Not easy to satisfy all three of those!
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BaltimoreRedbird
Baltimore, MD358 contributions
Dec 2019
Looking for something a bit different? Go for the late night laser shows. Cool shows to great music. We saw Metallica and Pink Floyd: The Wall and really enjoyed both.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

schneewitchen
Lancaster, PA235 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Love this place! Great for families in particular but also good if you just want to commune with nature. The staff is wonderfully welcoming, and it is obvious that they take good care of their charges. It's a quiet spot right off a busy area of Newport News, but you forget all about the hustle and bustle as you watch otters frolic in the water or suddenly spot an animal secreting itself behind foliage. It's one big adventure!
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Virginia Living Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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