Butterfly Haven is Now Open Through September!

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.

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?

Call our Reservations Department at 757-534-7410, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm or email us.

  • Payment must be made at the time of the reservation. We accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa over the phone.
  • Cancellation Policy: No fee is applied if cancellation occurs more than 2 weeks before the program, within two weeks 50% of ticket order will be kept. Rescheduling your program has no fee or penalty.

Enhance Your Experience with these Behind the Scenes Encounters!

Animal Training & Enrichment

Book this BTS encounter and discover the ways we use training and enrichment to care for our animals’ physical and mental wellbeing!

Private Ambassador Animal Encounters

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.

Horticulture Tours

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

Public Ambassador Animal Encounters

Get up close with one of our Ambassador Animals at the Virginia Living Museum and learn about their adaptations, habitats, and role in our ecosystem from our expert educators!

Home Consultations

Schedule an in-home consultation to discover the perfect native plants for your garden, with expert guidance tailored to the distinct climate and soil of the Hampton Roads region.

Cold-Blooded Encounters

On this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, you’ll witness firsthand what it takes to care for reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. 

Did you know that VLM membership unlocks access free admission to over 360 science centers and museums worldwide!

Explore other exclusive member benefits here!

Join as a member by June 30, 2025 and unlock 12 months of unlimited exploration!