Welcome to the Virginia Living Museum, where we connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation!
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through nature, science, and history at the Virginia Living Museum! Whether you’re exploring our immersive exhibits, learning about animals up close, or diving into hands-on activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Purchase your tickets online in advance or in person and get ready to discover the wonders of our museum.
New! Flexible Admission Times
As of January 2, 2025, your ticket allows entry at any time during operating hours, giving you the flexibility to explore the museum at your own pace. No more timed tickets—just a day of discovery on your schedule.
You are welcome to enjoy the Museum until we close at 5:00 p.m. Boardwalk closes at 4:30 p.m.
Events Calendar
Ticket prices
Members
FREE with valid membership
Adults (ages 13 and above)
$19.95 – $23.95
Children (ages 12 and below)
$16.95 (ages 2 & under free)
Add a Planetarium Show
Schedule: Thursday through Sunday at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 1:30pm
Members
FREE with membership
Non-Members
$6 additional per guest (ages 2 & under free)
Behind the Scenes Tours
Go behind the scenes and get a closer look at the Virginia Living Museum’s animals and exhibits!
Please note: Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied at all times by an adult guardian 18 or older.
Admission Discounts
Military: The VLM offers active military personnel and veterans $1.00 off admission with valid ID.
Senior: The VLM offers seniors 65 and older $1.00 off admission. Must present a photo ID at the front admissions desk to receive discount.
AAA: The VLM offers $1.00 off admission to AAA members. Must present a current AAA membership card at the front admissions desk to receive discount.
Enhance Your Experience with a Behind the Scenes Encounter!
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.
Niche Services to Suit Your Needs: Are you new to the area or a new homeowner? Let us identify the plants already growing in your yard! Interested in attracting pollinators to your garden? Are you a bird lover or looking to become one? Dreaming of a specialty garden, like a beautiful cut flower space? Newly passionate about native plants but unsure where to start?
What We Offer: A one hour consult with the Horticulture Curator within a one hour radius of the Virginia Living Museum (properties outside of our service area may be subject to additional cost).
This consult will cover up to one acre of connected property.
Expert guidance for planting in both shady and sunny areas, recommendations for different types of terrain, insights into native versus invasive or introduced species, strategies for planting with specific goals in mind, tips on soil amendment for optimal planting, safe pest control techniques (e.g., managing deer), what to expect in your yard, such as common animals (moles, voles) and potentially toxic plants.
What We Will Not Do: Installation of plant material, removal or transplanting of any plants, pruning services, detailed landscape plans or drawings.
Special Offer: Spend $250 or more at our Plant Sale and receive 10% off any ONE of our consultations or tours. Members enjoy 15% off when they reach the same threshold. Start building the garden you’ve always wanted with expert, personalized advice.
- Capacity: A one hour consult with the Horticulture Curator within a one hour radius of the Virginia Living Museum (properties outside of our service area may be subject to additional cost).
- Timeframe: Available
- Cost: $200
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.
- Capacity: Up to 10 guests
- Timeframe: Saturday and Sundays 1:00 - 1:30 PM
- Cost: Member Price: $15 per person; Non-Member Pricing: $20 per person (does not include museum admission)
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Dates Available:
Horticulture Tours
Go behind the scenes with our Horticulture department to learn how they take care of our museum!
- Includes a walking tour of the behind-the-scenes world of the Horticulture department.
- A deep dive into how the horticulture department works here at the VLM. We start with seedlings, move to cuttings, and end with full-grown perennials, trees, and shrubs.
- Guests will receive one one-on-one time to ask their burning plant questions and learn from professional horticulturists.
- Guests will learn about how native plants support the local environment, and what alternatives to invasives and non-natives are available.
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.
- Capacity: Up to 10 guests
- Cost: Member Price: $150 / Non-Member Pricing: $175 (does not include museum admission)
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!
Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP or WIC benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 850 participating museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT or WIC card. Recipients may receive up to 4 general admission tickets at the reduced rate* of $3.00. Click here to find other participating institutions.
*Reduced admission does not apply to special events and exhibits.
A special thanks to the sponsors of this program: the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the Annie Belle Reavis Tuccori Foundation, and the Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s Outdoors Fund.
Who is eligible?
The offer is valid for individuals and families receiving food assistance benefits through SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or WIC and includes up to four visitors per EBT card.
What do you need to bring?
Bring your SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or WIC card and valid photo ID to the front admissions desk at the museum.
What is included?
- Single day admission during normal operating hours.
- Access to daytime special events and changing exhibits that are included with museum admission offered throughout the year. Reduced admission does not apply to separate ticketed programs and events.
