Virginia Living 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
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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 s

pecies 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!

Danni hanging out in his tree with 0 thoughts in his head šŸŒ³
08/30/2026

Danni hanging out in his tree with 0 thoughts in his head šŸŒ³

Our otters have an important announcement to makeā€¦ MORE OTTER TOURS HAVE BEEN ADDED!You can now join us for an up-close ...
08/28/2026

Our otters have an important announcement to makeā€¦

MORE OTTER TOURS HAVE BEEN ADDED!

You can now join us for an up-close look at our otter residents on Tuesdays and Saturdays through December.

If youā€™ve been waiting for your chance to meet the otters, this is your sign!

Check the calendar and grab your spot before they fill up. šŸ¦¦
https://thevlm.org/encounter/the-otter-side-a-behind-the-scenes-otter-encounter/

08/27/2026

Not a total eclipse.. but 96% will still be a spectacular view! Dr. Kelly is here to tell you Whatā€™s Up with the lunar eclipse happening tonight!

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Thereā€™s nothing like a raccoon with a dream šŸ¦ Edgar is ready for his shot. Lin-Manuel Miranda , your move.
08/27/2026

Thereā€™s nothing like a raccoon with a dream šŸ¦ Edgar is ready for his shot. Lin-Manuel Miranda , your move.

In the early summer of 2025, we were honored to welcome Joel Sartore, National Geographic Explorer, photographer, and fo...
08/26/2026

In the early summer of 2025, we were honored to welcome Joel Sartore, National Geographic Explorer, photographer, and founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark, to VLM.

Since 2006, Joel has been building the Photo Ark, a monumental photography project documenting species living in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries around the world. His goal is about more than creating beautiful photographs. By putting each animal front and center, the Photo Ark helps people see the individuality and importance of species that might otherwise be overlooked, inspiring people to care about wildlife and take action to protect it.

Joel has now photographed more than 18,000 species and counting, and we are incredibly proud that animals from the Virginia Living Museum are part of this growing visual record of Earth's biodiversity.

šŸ“ø Photo Ark / Joel Sartore / National Geographic
www.joelsartore.com

Have you ever wondered why turtles spend so much time soaking up the sun?The turtles living in our lake use these baskin...
08/24/2026

Have you ever wondered why turtles spend so much time soaking up the sun?

The turtles living in our lake use these basking platforms as a safe place to rest while getting the sunlight they need. Basking provides the UV light and vitamin D necessary for digestion, bone health, and a healthy immune system.

These new basking platforms were made possible through an Eagle Scout project led by Jackson Berrier of BSA Troop 94 in Yorktown, who completed the project and fundraising needed to bring it to life. We are grateful for his work helping improve habitat for the turtles that call our lake home.

Next time you visit, take a look at the lake and see how many turtles you can spot!

Red-eared Slider: Look for the red stripe behind the eye.
Yellow-bellied Slider: Look for the yellow markings on the face.
Painted Turtle: Look for the two yellow dots behind the eye.
Snapping Turtle: Look for its large head and distinctive shape.

How many species can you identify?

08/21/2026

We have some exciting news from the Wild Care Center!

We know just how much our guests love our resident skunk, Lux, so weā€™re thrilled to introduce two new skunk ambassadors: Lafayette and Rochambeau!

You may have already caught a glimpse of Lafayette making his debut in the Wild Care Center, while Rochambeau is still getting settled behind the scenes.

As they get comfortable in their new roles, we canā€™t wait for you to get to know these two new members of the VLM ambassador program and discover what makes skunks such fascinating animals.

Havenā€™t met Lafayette yet? Come say hello! šŸ¦Ø

And donā€™t worry, Lux fans. Thereā€™s plenty of skunk love to go around.

Todayā€™s the day, the sun is shining! ā˜€ļøAnd this little sea star says itā€™s a stellar day to visit the Virginia Living Mus...
08/20/2026

Todayā€™s the day, the sun is shining! ā˜€ļø
And this little sea star says itā€™s a stellar day to visit the Virginia Living Museum. ā­ļø

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us Monday for Nocturnal Neighbors! Together, we explored the Conservation Garden...
08/19/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us Monday for Nocturnal Neighbors!

Together, we explored the Conservation Garden after sunset, searched for nocturnal wildlife, and used blacklights to discover some of the tiny neighbors that come alive after dark.

But this isn't just a nighttime adventure. It's citizen science in action! By observing, documenting, and learning about the frogs, insects, and other wildlife we encounter, participants get a firsthand look at how scientists study the species living right here in our community.

Didn't make it Monday? There's another chance to join the search!

šŸ“… September 15 | 7:30ā€“9:30 p.m.
Ages 6+
$20 non-members | $15 members
Space is limited to 20 participants

Come prepared to spend two hours outside in the dark, bring a flashlight or headlamp, and get ready to see what comes out when the sun goes down!

Wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed, but the adventure is.

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

Website

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