Virginia Living Museum
October 26 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Virginia Living Museum
Open daily 9am-5pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1
The Virginia Living Museum is home to over 250 species of animals native to Virginia, from reptiles to mammals, birds, and fish! It’s a safe haven for orphaned, non-releasable, or injured creatures who find a permanent home here.
Dinosaur Discovery Trail
Get ready to step back in time with the Virginia Living Museum’s Dinosaur Discovery Trail, where 16 awe-inspiring giants from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods come to life! Wander through the woods and encounter lifelike dinosaurs ranging from a mini Ankylosaur to a towering 16-foot-tall Brachiosaurus. You’ll even find a baby T. rex waiting for the perfect photo op, along with a half-size T. rex and nests full of baby dinos!
The trail doesn’t stop there—adventurers can dig into the Paleo Camp, where aspiring paleontologists can explore dig pits and uncover fossils, including an actual whale specimen from Hampton Roads! Guests are encouraged to bring their own paintbrushes for the dig pits, or they can snag one at the front desk to join in the fun.
Don’t forget to check out the new dinosaur additions circling the Paleo Camp area. There’s always something new to discover on this prehistoric adventure!
And if you’re dreaming of the stars, buckle up and soar through the universe in the high-tech Abbitt Planetarium Theater! This 71-seat planetarium, fully renovated and upgraded in 2008, offers a dazzling, digital simulation of the night sky that’ll leave you starstruck!
Wild and Well
Calling future animal keepers and vets! Come play, learn and dream in Wild and Well, the exhibit that offers hands-on exploration and learning about animal health with a secondary message about human health. Designed primarily for PreK to 3rd grade, children will be able to cook, clean and care for native wild animals that live at the VLM. Guests can also learn about how our bobcat Sarge came to be with us and how we are taking care of him.
Located downstairs in the main museum building next to the Virginia World of Darkness Gallery.
And for all the plant lovers out there, the museum boasts one of the largest collections of native plants in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.
Step into the Underground Gallery for a blast to the past, where visitors can explore Virginia’s ancient history—a journey that shaped the vibrant present.
