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!
Bobcat Tour
Book this BTS encounter and discover the ways we use training and enrichment to care for our animals’ physical and mental wellbeing!
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
Step behind the scenes and discover what it takes to care for two of the Virginia Living Museum’s most graceful residents, our white-tailed deer Artemis and Orion.
The Otter Side: A Behind-the-Scenes Otter Encounter
Ready to see the otter side of the Virginia Living Museum? This small, exclusive experience takes you behind the scenes for a rare look at how our animal care team works with one of our most playful and popular species.
Bird of Prey Tour
Step behind the scenes for an unforgettable encounter with some of the Virginia Living Museum’s most incredible avian ambassadors. Join our expert animal care staff for an exclusive look at the daily care, training, and conservation of our resident birds of prey.
