The Coastal Plain Aviary is temporarily closed. 

Encounters

Go behind the scenes and get a closer look at the Virginia Living Museum’s animals and exhibits! Tours can be customized for families, couples or small groups (not to exceed 9 people). These unique opportunities give you a chance to experience how our Animal Welfare Staff cares for the animals in an up-close and personal setting.

Don’t see the tour your looking for below?

Contact our Reservations Department to create your custom tour!  757-534-7410 or email us.

Enhance Your Experience with these Behind the Scenes Encounters!

Animal Training & Enrichment

Discover the ways we use training and enrichment to care for our animals’ physical and mental wellbeing! Learn how our keepers teach our animals voluntary behaviors that enable them to take an active role in their own care. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Museum’s enrichment collection and make your own enrichment for an animal!

Private Ambassador Animal Encounters

The Virginia Living Museum cares for a wide variety of animals, but some aren’t commonly seen in the wild. Join our education team for an up-close ambassador encounter where you will learn about their adaptations, habitats, how we care for them, and their role in our ecosystem. Our expert educators are happy to answer your questions and share all about our amazing animals.

Horticulture Tours

Go behind the scenes with our Horticulture department to learn how they take care of our museum!

Public Ambassador Animal Encounters

The Virginia Living Museum cares for a wide variety of animals, but some aren’t commonly seen in the wild. Join our education team for an up-close ambassador encounter with one of our skunks or opossum where you will learn about their adaptations, habitats, how we care for them, and their role in our ecosystem. Our expert educators are happy to answer your questions and share all about our amazing animals.

Home Consultations

Book a home visit for tips on how you can manage your own plants! Transform your outdoor space with expert advice tailored to the unique conditions of the Hampton Roads area. Whether you’re dealing with full sun, deep shade, or tricky soil, we’re here to guide you through choosing the perfect plants for your garden’s specific needs.

Cold-Blooded Encounters

  • Payment must be made at the time of the reservation. We accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa over the phone.
  • Cancellation Policy: $10.00 fee per person if cancellation occurs 2 or more weeks before program, within two weeks fee is raised to $25.00 per person. Rescheduling program has no fee or penalty.

The Virginia Living Museum will open at 9am and close at 1pm with no admissions being accepted after 12pm. The trail will be closed all day tomorrow to allow for ice preparation. Tickets will be discounted.

Be safe and stay warm!