A Day Full of Fun at Virginia Living Museum

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

Mobile ticket

Explore Virginia's spectacular ecosystems in the only place where museum, zoo, aquarium, garden, and planetarium combine into one unforgettable adventure for all ages. Journey from indoor touch pools and a 32,000-gallon aquarium to a real cypress swamp with live alligators, then venture outside to our ¾-mile boardwalk trail featuring playful river otters, endangered red wolves, and 16 lifelike dinosaurs. Experience hands-on learning at our Wild Care Center, Conservation Command Center with seahorse nursery, interactive dig pits, and butterfly gardens, while discovering sustainable living at our Conservation Garden and Green House. Cap off your visit with a cosmic journey at the Abbitt Planetarium, where full-dome shows reveal how we're all connected in one big ecosystem—all proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and certified as a Virginia Green attraction.

Additional Info

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Wheelchair accessible

Limited number of wheelchairs and strollers available for no extra fee.

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Admission ticket to Virginia Living Museum

Behind-the-Scenes tours are offered for an additional fee.

Planetarium shows are available onsite for additional fees.

Saté Café offers breakfast, lunch and snack items plus outdoor seating in a patio area.

Photo booth is offered in lobby for additional fee.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Virginia Living Museum

524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd, Newport News United States

End points

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Virginia Living Museum

Take a natural history tour of Virginia with indoor and outdoor live animal exhibits and hands-on activities. Stroll the elevated boardwalk to view coastal birds, bald eagles, beavers, bobcat, river otters, red wolves and other animals in naturalized habitats. Explore the outdoor Dinosaur Discovery Trail with 16 life-like dinosaurs, interactive paleo camp and dig pits, plus dinosaur and ice age fossils. Role play in out Wild and Well Clinic. Exhibits correlate with and reinforce national science standards. The museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Newport News (I-64, exit 258-A). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.daily. Outdoor areas open until 4:30pm. Cafe and Museum Store available.

Admission Included

Options

A Day Full of Fun at Virginia Living Museum

Reviews

4.49

35 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Don't miss this amazing place
Connie J,
Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This is a wonderful museum. Rhere is so much to do for kids. This is a fun and educational place to visit. It has indoor and outdoor areas to explore. The play areas are amazing. The staff are friendly and engaging to visitors. The changing exhibits has been a hit every time we visit. A must do for families visiting the area.
Fantastic!
701bettyu,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
How much it has grown over the years! Except for the kids running unchecked through the dinosaur exhibit ( no parents with them) , it was perfect. Unfortunately they need to put a staff member in that section to keep brats from tearing it up.
Vacation with the grand children
Paulette B,
Jul 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Getting this combo tickets was a great idea. It takes you out of the lines and get you straight to the attraction .
A wonderful day at a museum/zoo/aquarium all in one.
peteroK9931GT,
Feb 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We loved the Virginia Living Museum. We were amazed at the variety and diversity of animals native to Virginia. The museum is not just a museum, it is also a zoo and aquarium all in one. We were so impressed that when our visit was over we turned in our day pass toward the purchase of an annual pass. We will definitely be back!
Great place but cafe closed
Ann0503,
Sep 2, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Wonderful place with much to see. However the food cafe was closed but there was supposed to be food trucks. None. We feed a very hungry group with crackers from gift shop. I would make sure there is food available on the day you visit.
Nice Place to Visit
cindim319,
Aug 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
A nice place to visit, however, many of the exhibits were under renovation, not a smart idea in the middle of summer when a lot of people would visit. What we did see, we enjoyed, we spent several hours here. Very informative.
Great walkability!
kellybethc2024,
Jun 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Smallish museum, easy to walk, and interesting exhibits. We had a great time exploring inside and out. We all loved the different stuffies at the museum gift shop too.
Call in advance to be sure VLM is open or closing early.
54cornellc,
Feb 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
This probably isn’t fair to VLM but my out of town son and his family accompanied my wife and me to VLM or tried to do so yesterday. Got there at 1400 and the museum was closing for a “by invitation” wine and cheese event. So lesson here: Just call ahead to be sure they are on their advertised hours. It is a wonderful place for children and adults to experience and learn about the fascinating mysteries of nature and learn.
Great family Museum
musicmel,
Oct 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice museum even when it rains! We enjoyed our trip to this museum Lots if hands on exhibits for families and many opportunities for children Our grand daughter (4yrs) enjoyed putting on butterfly wings and traveling through an obstacle course (an indoor activity) When the rain stopped we walked on the board walk through the beautiful wooded area to the dinosaur park! It was really nice even though it was wet. Loved the informational stops on the boardwalk including the wingspan of an eagle. Indoors there was a great area showcasing the flora fauna and animals of VA including a great aquarium. They did not forget an area showcasing the caves of Va . The Vet area for the babies and toddlers was really a nice hands on exhibit. The ordering on line was great. Since this was a fall excursion, the place was not as crowded as I would imagine a spring or summer crowd might be. The timed entrance was easy and we got in very quickly so we could enjoy our visit.Great visit really easy to see in a morning or afternoon visit.
Visit
Judy K,
Sep 1, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00
Enjoyed the dinosaurs. Nice for children to learn and play. My Great Grandsons had a Good time exploring.