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 you’re 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!

Horticulture Tours

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

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. 

Animal Training Experience

Join our animal care team to learn how we improve the wellbeing of our animals through positive reinforcement training!

Browse Behind the Scenes: A Deer Encounter with Orion and Artemis

The Otter Side: A Behind-the-Scenes Otter Encounter

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Heads Up!

The Virginia Living Museum staff will begin setting up for an after hours event around 3PM on the main floor.

This should not interfere with your experience and we will not be closing early.

 

Wild Explorations

Heads Up! The Changing Exhibit Gallery, where our Wild Explorations exhibit lives, will close at 3PM today in preparation for an after hours event!