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Welcome to the Virginia Living Museum
Virginia’s Animal Attraction & Dino Destination
The Virginia Living Museum is a successful public-private partnership, since 1966, between the City of Newport News and the Virginia Living Museum, a public non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (54-6055922). Together we connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation.
BUILT by the Community, BELOVED by the Community and SUSTAINED by the Community, the Museum depends on private donations to succeed. We appreciate your financial contribution to support engaging education, animal welfare and conservation experiences for you and your family. Please consider a gift to our Annual Fund or a planned gift to our Endowment for future sustainability.
What You’ll See
Animals in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is home to more than 250 species of animals found in Virginia including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish. We provide a sanctuary for orphaned, non-releasable or injured animals.
Plants in Action
The Virginia Living Museum has one of the largest displays of native plants in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Geology in Action
The Virginia Living Museum’s Underground Gallery is a journey back through Virginia’s ancient past, a past that has created a rich and colorful present.
Planetarium in Action
Travel the universe in the digital state-of-the-art Abbitt Planetarium Theater. The 71-seat planetarium theater, renovated and upgraded in 2008, offers a fully digital simulation of the sky.
Conservation in Action
The Virginia Living Museum is a certified Virginia Green attraction committed to minimizing its environmental impacts by preventing pollution wherever feasible in its operations.
Happening Today
Animal Feedings
Museum Public Events
Happening Now on Social Media
Newt, the American alligator, recently encountered a new enrichment for her: a floating PVC feeder! PVC feeders are an excellent tool for encouraging our animals to problem-solve while foraging. Food is stuffed into the holes, and the animal must manipulate the tube in specific ways to get the food out. This was Newt’s first time meeting a PVC feeder like this, so herpetology staff introduced it to her on land so that she could inspect it closely before it was moved into the water. Newt needed a little encouragement, but she got the hang of it after being directed to it with her blue target training pole a few times. Foraging enrichment like this is crucial for Newt as it prepares her for her future— One day, she will move to a different facility and live with other alligators, and she might not always get fed directly by people. Visit our alligator habitat every Monday and Wednesday at noon to see Newt participate in training and enrichment and learn more about alligators!
The dilophosaurus lived in desert conditions in what is now North America. It was well equipped for life in dry areas, with legs that could walk long distances and two large, thin crests on its head. The crests may have served dual purposes: as a colorful display to attract mates or show threats and as a heat radiator to cool its brain and blood. Pop culture depicts this dinosaur as a frill-necked venom-spitter, but there is no evidence to suggest it had either frills or venom. The purpose of Dilophosaurus' distinctive double crests has yet to be discovered. Believed too fragile to provide protection, they may have been used to attract mates or intimidate rivals.
Pre-purchase museum tickets by visiting this link thevlm.org/visit/your-visit/timed-tickets/
Are y’all open on Memorial Day?