Virginia Living Museum
4.7(4,597)4.7 out of 5 stars, 4597 reviews Virginia Beach, VA
About Virginia Living Museum
The Virginia Living Museum offers a unique, highly educational blend of a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and science center focusing on Virginia's diverse ecosystems, featuring interactive indoor exhibits and an engaging outdoor boardwalk.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a mix of indoor and outdoor educational activitiesSchool field trips and educational group outingsToddlers and Preschoolers (highly enjoy the Dinosaur Park and hands-on touch tanks)School-age Children (benefit from the educational conservation and ecosystem exhibits)
Why families love it
- The Dinosaur Discovery Trail featuring life-sized replicas which is a massive hit for families with young kids
- The outdoor boardwalk allowing close-up views of native animals like red wolves, bald eagles, and river otters
- Immersive indoor exhibits including a Chesapeake Bay aquarium, a nocturnal gallery, and interactive touch tanks
- Excellent crowd management that handles large school field trips and holiday events effortlessly
- Friendly, passionate, and knowledgeable staff providing great customer service both online and in person
- Dinosaur Discovery Trail
Insider tips
- Be prepared that some animals may be off-exhibit or resting during your visit
- Check out the Dinosaur Discovery Trail if you are visiting with toddlers or young kids
- Do not expect to see all outdoor animals on hot or off-peak days
Good to know before you go
- Expecting guaranteed visibility of all animals, as some may be off-exhibit without online notice
- Some animals like the bobcat and eagle may not be visible in their enclosures without prior online notice
- A report of a pervasive cannabis smell inside the indoor exhibits during one visit
- Inappropriate behavior from other visitors, such as touching animals or banging on enclosures to wake them
- Admission price is noted as slightly high by some visitors
- Crowds
- Handles large crowds, spring break visitors, and school field trips effortlessly with a great exhibit flow
- Value
- While some find the admission price a bit high, it is widely considered worth the cost due to the high quality of the exhibits and the museum's dedication to wildlife rescue and conservation. School field trip rates are noted as very decent.
What parents say
"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."
a week ago
"The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News is a fantastic destination for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates wildlife and conservation. It offers an incredible blend of zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and science exhibits—all focused on Virginia’s diverse ecosystems. The indoor exhibits are well-designed, featuring a Chesapeake Bay aquarium, a nocturnal animal gallery, and immersive displays of Virginia’s forests, wetlands, and coastal plains. The outdoor boardwalk is a highlight, allowing you to observe red wolves, bald eagles, river otters, and even a cool Dinosaur Di"
2 months ago
"My daughter had a field trip here for school, and it was our first visit. This is a really cool place to bring kids to teach them about wildlife and different environments and how to keep the world clean. Really cool experience and at a very decent price! The animals were great too!"
a month ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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