Virginia Living Museum

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Virginia Living Museum Connecting you to nature by visiting more than 250 living species native to VA. Celebrating 60 Years of Wild Wonder! 1966-2026
(4353)

Don't let the word "museum" fool you. Much of what you see at the Virginia Living Museum is very alive and interactive. There is no better place to experience Virginia's rich natural heritage from the mountains to the sea. Located just 20 minutes from Williamsburg, the VLM is part zoo, nature park, aquarium, botanical garden, planetarium and science center. Visitors can view 700 plant and animal species including the red wolf, bobcat, otter and bald eagle. Discover native Virginia animals in naturalized habitats including a limestone cave, mountain cove and cypress swamp. Explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay with a loggerhead sea turtle and touch a horseshoe crab. Enter an aviary of coastal birds, See spectacular views of the sun from the observatory and voyage across the galaxies in the state-of-the-art planetarium theater Learn how to build, live and garden "green." Young kids particularly enjoy the Nature Playground and the "Wild & Well" exhibit where kids can role play to be a vet and zoo keeper. Explore our new permanent outdoor Dinosaur Discovery Trail with 16 life-like dinosaurs, paleo camp and dig pit. Explore Virginia's natural world while creating lifetime memories with your family!

10/22/2026
Captains! Don't forget to take advantage of your $10 daily admission during family weekend at the Virginia Living Museum...
10/22/2026

Captains! Don't forget to take advantage of your $10 daily admission during family weekend at the Virginia Living Museum. You also receive discounts on memberships!

Something special is taking flight...
10/21/2026

Something special is taking flight...

Did you know you can make a difference for one of North America’s most endangered canids? This Wolf Awareness Week, show...
10/20/2026

Did you know you can make a difference for one of North America’s most endangered canids?

This Wolf Awareness Week, show your support for red wolf conservation by symbolically adopting one of our red wolves at the Virginia Living Museum!

Your symbolic adoption helps support the care of our animals and inspires greater awareness of the conservation efforts needed to protect these incredible animals. It’s a meaningful way to celebrate wolves, support wildlife education, and be part of the story of red wolf conservation.

Adopt our Red Wolves at: https://thevlm.org/support/adopt-a-wild-thing/

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our SOLD OUT Houseplant Bingo this past Friday! We loved seeing our commu...
10/19/2026

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our SOLD OUT Houseplant Bingo this past Friday! We loved seeing our community come together for a little friendly competition, plenty of plant love, and a whole lot of fun.

We’re so grateful for your enthusiasm and support for events at the Virginia Living Museum.

Missed out on a spot this time? Don’t worry! Keep an eye on our social media and event calendar for more exciting events, unique experiences, and opportunities to have fun with us. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!

Happy Wolf Awareness Week!At the Virginia Living Museum, conservation isn't just something we talk about. It's something...
10/19/2026

Happy Wolf Awareness Week!

At the Virginia Living Museum, conservation isn't just something we talk about. It's something we put into action every day.

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we're proud to support AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction and efforts to protect one of the nation's most endangered mammals: the American red wolf.

Our resident Red Wolves, Katniss and Hyde, are now in their golden years. As they age, our animal care team continues to adapt their care to meet their changing needs, ensuring their comfort and well-being remain a priority. Together, they help us share the story of this critically endangered species and inspire guests to care about its future.

Creepy, crawly and surprisingly cool! Join us for Bug-tacular October 24th and 25th from 11AM-3PM, a weekend of fascinat...
10/18/2026

Creepy, crawly and surprisingly cool! Join us for Bug-tacular October 24th and 25th from 11AM-3PM, a weekend of fascinating insects, arachnids and other misunderstood creatures. Meet community partners, explore the world of bugs and get special daytime access to our bugtacular room!

All activities are included with Museum admission.

Sponsored by National Exterminating Company

Night of the Living Museum is full of Halloween excitement, but we know that sometimes a quieter moment can make all the...
10/17/2026

Night of the Living Museum is full of Halloween excitement, but we know that sometimes a quieter moment can make all the difference. As part of our commitment as a KultureCity Sensory Inclusive® organization, guests with sensory needs can visit our designated Sensory Friendly room during the event.

Take a break from the sights and sounds of the evening and enjoy a calm paper pumpkin decorating activity before heading back out for more Halloween fun.

Grab your tickets:
https://thevlm.org/night-of-living-museum/

Meet Dr. Zoë Rossi, the Virginia Living Museum’s Lead Veterinarian!From keeping our animals healthy to helping them thri...
10/17/2026

Meet Dr. Zoë Rossi, the Virginia Living Museum’s Lead Veterinarian!

From keeping our animals healthy to helping them thrive through thoughtful welfare and behavioral care, Dr. Zoë plays a vital role in making sure our animal residents get the very best care possible.

Her journey to the museum started at Dartmouth College, where she double-majored in Philosophy and Biology with a focus on Evolutionary Ecology, before earning her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating in 2021, she gained experience in emergency and critical care medicine and even worked as a relief veterinarian for the Aquarium of Niagara!

But what does a veterinarian do when she’s off the clock? You guessed it: more animal care! Dr. Zoë spends much of her free time making sure her three dogs live their very best lives. When she’s not spoiling her pups, you can find her traveling or playing video games with her husband, Jon.

We’re so lucky to have Dr. Zoë on our team, helping our animals stay happy, healthy, and thriving.

Help us give Dr. Zoë a warm welcome! You can see her in action Saturday mornings at 10AM in the Wild Care Center!

Address

524 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard
Newport News, VA
23601

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(757) 595-1900

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Virginia Living Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Virginia Living Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category