The Virginia Living Museum is a nonprofit museum in Newport News focused on Virginia’s natural heritage, with living exhibits, discovery centers and hands-on activities. It makes a local outing from a two-star inn in Newport News, with indoor galleries and outdoor habitats to explore.
- Location: 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, Newport News, Virginia.
- Collection: more than 250 living species native to Virginia.
- Typical hours: daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; outdoor areas close earlier.
- General admission: $21.95–$23.95 for adults and $16.95 for children age 12 and younger; children age 2 and younger enter free.
What to See at the Museum
The museum brings Virginia’s native wildlife and natural environments together through living exhibits and hands-on learning. Its collection includes more than 250 species native to the state, giving you a broad look at local habitats and the animals that live in them.
The museum opened as the Junior Nature Museum and Planetarium on November 13, 1966. The new Virginia Living Museum opened on May 17, 1987.
Indoor Exhibits and Outdoor Habitats
Indoor galleries cover several Virginia landscapes, while the outdoor boardwalk connects wooded habitats and wetlands. You can start inside with the galleries, then head outdoors for the elevated loop and aviary.
Indoor areas include Appalachian Cove & Cypress Swamp, the Underground Gallery, the World of Darkness Gallery, the Piedmont & Mountains Gallery, and Virginia’s Coastal Plain. The outdoor boardwalk forms a three-quarter-mile loop over Deer Park Lake and through 10 acres of woods and creeks, passing naturalized animal habitats.
The Coastal Plain Aviary is a walk-through outdoor habitat with pelicans, herons, egrets and ducks. The museum’s garden, landscape and exhibit plantings display what it describes as Virginia’s largest collection of native plants.
Tickets, Hours and Visitor Access
You can buy general admission online in advance or in person. The museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though outdoor areas, including the boardwalk, close at 4:30 p.m. It closes on Thanksgiving, December 24, December 25 and January 1.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Public areas and classrooms are accessible to mobility aid users. Wheelchairs and strollers are available at no charge from the Admissions Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. All restrooms are accessible, and a family restroom is in the Health Service Room next to the Wild Things Museum Store.
Sensory bags and a weighted lap pad are available at no cost from the Front Admissions Desk in exchange for an ID; return sensory bags at the end of your visit. Service dogs are welcome and are the only animals allowed on museum property. Children under 16 must stay with an adult guardian age 18 or older.
Hours, admission prices and access arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
How do you get to the Virginia Living Museum?
The museum is at 524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, between Williamsburg and Norfolk/Virginia Beach, just off Interstate 64 at exit 258-A. For additional stops around town, Newport News area attractions can help shape a wider itinerary.
Free parking is available in lots next to the museum; bus parking is in a secondary lot near the entrance to the grounds.
Newport News Park offers another outdoor stop, with details in this Newport News Park visitor guide.
FAQs
Are planetarium shows included with museum admission?
Planetarium shows have a separate charge in addition to museum admission. Show schedules vary, so check the museum’s official site for current offerings.
Can you bring a pet to the museum?
No. Service dogs are the only animals allowed on museum property.
Can children visit without an adult?
No. Children under 16 must be accompanied at all times by an adult guardian age 18 or older.