Unearth The Voyage
Virginia holds treasures beyond its scenic landscapes and historic battlefields. The state houses some of America’s most fascinating museums, each telling unique stories through art, science, and history. From world-class art collections to interactive science centers, these cultural gems offer something special for every visitor.
1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond)
Free admission opens doors to one of America’s largest comprehensive art museums, where 6,000 years of world history unfold before your eyes. The collection spans continents and centuries, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary masterpieces. Fabergé eggs sparkle alongside African sculptures and European paintings. Major traveling exhibitions regularly transform gallery spaces, bringing world-renowned collections to Richmond. Plan several hours to explore properly, as the museum’s vast halls contain surprises around every corner.
2. Colonial Williamsburg (Williamsburg)
Step back 300 years into America’s colonial past across this sprawling 300-acre living museum. Costumed interpreters work as blacksmiths, bakers, and tavern keepers, bringing authentic 18th-century life to bustling streets. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past restored buildings where real craftspeople practice historical trades. Evening ghost tours add mysterious excitement to daytime educational experiences. Purchase multi-day passes to fully appreciate this immersive historical journey through pre-Revolutionary America.
3. American Civil War Museum (Richmond & Appomattox)
Located within the historic Tredegar Iron Works, this powerful museum presents Civil War history from multiple perspectives – Union, Confederate, and African American experiences interweave throughout compelling exhibits. Authentic artifacts include soldiers’ personal letters, weapons, and battlefield relics that bring human stories to life. The Appomattox location marks where Lee surrendered to Grant, ending America’s bloodiest conflict. Interactive displays help visitors understand complex social and political issues that divided the nation.
4. Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk)
Glass art reaches spectacular heights within these galleries, showcasing one of America’s finest collections of blown, cast, and sculpted glass pieces. The Perry Glass Studio offers daily demonstrations where skilled artisans create molten magic. Beyond glass, over 35,000 works span European masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary art. Photography exhibitions rotate regularly, featuring both established and emerging artists. Free admission makes this cultural treasure accessible to everyone seeking artistic inspiration.
5. Virginia Living Museum (Newport News)
Nature comes alive through this unique blend of aquarium, zoo, and science center featuring over 250 native Virginia species. Outdoor trails wind through recreated habitats where otters play and eagles soar. The planetarium transports visitors beyond Earth’s atmosphere, while hands-on discovery centers engage curious minds of all ages. Seasonal butterfly exhibits add colorful wonder to already diverse displays. Family-friendly programming includes animal encounters and educational workshops that make learning an adventure.
6. Virginia Museum of Natural History (Martinsville)
Dinosaur skeletons tower over visitors in galleries containing over 22 million specimens that tell Virginia’s prehistoric story. Ancient marine fossils reveal when oceans covered the region millions of years ago. Interactive exhibits let children dig for fossils and examine minerals under special lighting. The museum’s research collections support ongoing scientific discoveries about Earth’s geological past. Science lovers find endless fascination in displays ranging from meteorites to mammal fossils discovered throughout the Commonwealth.
7. DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum (Williamsburg)
Hidden beneath Colonial Williamsburg’s streets, this underground treasure showcases British and American decorative arts from 1670 to 1840. Silver tea services gleam alongside handcrafted furniture that graced colonial homes. Ceramics, textiles, and metalwork demonstrate the sophisticated craftsmanship of early American artisans. Period room settings transport visitors into wealthy colonial households. The museum’s climate-controlled environment perfectly preserves these delicate historical artifacts for future generations to appreciate.
8. Maymont (Richmond)
Victorian elegance meets natural beauty across this 100-acre estate where the opulent Maymont Mansion overlooks manicured gardens and wildlife habitats. Japanese and Italian gardens provide peaceful retreats from city life. Farm animals delight children while native wildlife roams naturalistic enclosures. The mansion’s original furnishings showcase Gilded Age luxury and sophisticated Victorian tastes. Free admission makes this combination of history, nature, and architecture accessible to all Richmond visitors seeking diverse experiences.
9. Jamestown Settlement (Williamsburg)
America’s first permanent English colony springs to life through recreated ships, Powhatan Indian village, and James Fort. Costumed interpreters demonstrate daily colonial life from multiple cultural perspectives. Climb aboard full-size replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery that carried settlers across the Atlantic Ocean. Archaeological discoveries continue revealing new insights about early colonial struggles. Interactive exhibits explore the complex relationships between English colonists, Native Americans, and enslaved Africans in early Virginia.
10. Nauticus & USS Wisconsin (Norfolk)
Naval history dominates Norfolk’s waterfront through this impressive maritime discovery center featuring interactive exhibits about ocean exploration and military technology. The USS Wisconsin, one of America’s largest battleships, offers deck tours. Hands-on exhibits let visitors experience submarine periscopes and naval communication systems. The battleship’s massive guns and armor demonstrate the engineering marvels of World War II. Harbor views enhance the maritime atmosphere while educational programs connect naval history to modern oceanographic research.
11. Virginia Holocaust Museum (Richmond)
Powerful personal stories and historical artifacts create sobering reminders of humanity’s darkest chapter. A restored German railcar, once used to transport prisoners, provides visceral connection to Holocaust experiences. Survivor testimonies and historical documentation educate visitors about persecution, resistance, and liberation. Interactive exhibits encourage reflection on tolerance and human rights. The museum’s educational mission promotes understanding and prevents historical amnesia about genocide’s devastating consequences for individuals and communities.
12. Science Museum of Virginia (Richmond)
A former train station transforms into scientific wonderland where hands-on exhibits make physics, health, and technology accessible to curious minds. The 76-foot Dome theater presents Virginia’s largest screen experience. Interactive displays encourage experimentation while giant-screen films and planetarium shows transport audiences to distant worlds. Rotating exhibitions feature cutting-edge scientific discoveries and innovations. Educational programs inspire future scientists through engaging demonstrations that make complex concepts understandable and exciting for all ages.
13. Edgar Allan Poe Museum (Richmond)
Richmond’s oldest building houses the world’s largest collection of Edgar Allan Poe manuscripts, letters, and personal belongings. Gothic gardens reflect the dark romanticism that influenced his haunting poetry and stories. Interactive exhibits explore Poe’s mysterious life and tragic death while showcasing first editions of famous works. The museum debunks myths while revealing truths about America’s master of macabre literature. Literary enthusiasts discover how Richmond shaped Poe’s imagination and contributed to his enduring influence on horror and detective fiction.
14. The Valentine (Richmond)
Richmond’s first museum, founded in 1898, chronicles the capital city’s evolution through changing exhibitions examining civil rights, fashion, and cultural movements. Local history comes alive through personal stories and community artifacts. The museum’s collection spans Native American cultures through contemporary urban development. Special exhibitions often feature Richmond residents’ contributions to American culture and society. Educational programs connect historical events to current community issues while preserving important stories that shaped Virginia’s capital city identity.
15. Virginia Museum of History & Culture (Richmond)
Operated by the Virginia Historical Society, this comprehensive museum sweeps through the Commonwealth’s entire timeline from Native American settlements to modern developments. Artifacts and documents tell Virginia’s complete story. Permanent exhibitions explore colonial settlement, the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and social movements that shaped state identity. Research collections support scholars studying Virginia’s role in American history. Interactive displays help visitors understand how historical events influenced contemporary Virginia culture and continue shaping the state’s future development.
16. Frontier Culture Museum (Staunton)
Living history unfolds across 200 scenic acres where authentic farms and villages represent the diverse peoples who settled early America. European, African, and Shenandoah Valley cultures blend through interactive demonstrations. Costumed interpreters practice traditional crafts, farming methods, and daily activities that sustained frontier communities. Seasonal events showcase harvest celebrations, blacksmithing, and textile production. The museum’s outdoor setting provides immersive experiences that connect visitors to the challenges and triumphs of America’s early multicultural settlers.
17. Amazement Square (Lynchburg)
Four stories of interactive wonder await curious children in this award-winning hands-on museum designed to spark imagination and learning. Climbing towers challenge physical abilities while art studios encourage creative expression. Science discovery zones make learning fun through experimentation and play. Each floor offers different themed experiences that engage multiple senses and learning styles. Educational programs complement exhibits by providing structured activities that reinforce concepts through guided exploration and collaborative problem-solving experiences.
18. Hampton University Museum (Hampton)
America’s oldest African American museum, founded in 1868, preserves over 9,000 objects representing African, Native American, Asian, and contemporary cultures. The collection reflects Hampton University’s historical commitment to education and cultural preservation. African art and artifacts showcase diverse tribal traditions while Native American pieces document indigenous cultures. Contemporary works by African American artists demonstrate ongoing artistic innovation and cultural expression. The museum’s educational mission connects historical collections to current discussions about cultural identity and artistic heritage.
19. Hampton History Museum (Hampton)
Four centuries of Hampton’s history unfold through exhibits chronicling the arrival of first English colonists and enslaved Africans to the city’s role in space exploration. Local stories connect to broader American historical themes. Colonial artifacts share space with space program memorabilia, demonstrating Hampton’s evolution from agricultural settlement to technological center. Interactive displays engage visitors in historical problem-solving and decision-making. The museum’s location near NASA Langley Research Center emphasizes Hampton’s continuing contributions to American innovation and scientific advancement.
20. Virginia Air & Space Center (Hampton)
NASA’s Langley Research Center partnership brings authentic space exploration to this impressive museum featuring the Apollo 12 command module and interactive flight simulators. Aviation history spans from early flight to future space missions. Hands-on exhibits let visitors experience astronaut training while learning about aerodynamics and space technology. IMAX theater presentations showcase current NASA missions and scientific discoveries. Educational programs inspire future astronauts and engineers through engaging demonstrations that make complex aerospace concepts accessible and exciting for all ages.
