No matter what interests your kids, there are science museums in Virginia that they will love. With just a short drive from Charlottesville, you can encounter wildlife, get an insider’s look at a space station, walk through a rainforest, study reptiles, get messy, learn about the night sky, and much more in these hands-on science day trips that both kids and parents will enjoy.
From tech challenges for older kids to places where babies and toddlers can enjoy hands-on exploration, Virginia science museums will inspire wonder and stimulate creative exploration through fun interactive science for the whole family.
Science Museums in Harrisonburg & Shenandoah Valley
John C. Wells Planetarium
Prepare to be star-struck. At the John C. Wells Planetarium at James Madison University (JMU), your family can journey through the solar system with full-dome videos that are two-and-a-half times sharper than high-definition television. The planetarium can display the nighttime sky as it would appear from anywhere on Earth at any time of year. The planetarium offers free Saturday shows to the public from September through May (except when JMU is on break).
Explore More Discovery Museum
The Explore More Discovery Museum offers kids an interactive, multi-sensory experience through hands-on exhibits and activities. Visit the museum’s kitchen and farmer’s market exhibit to pick fruits and veggies and learn about cooking. Build skyscrapers with Keva planks in the Construction Zone. Learn about the human body in the Friendly City Medical Center, deliver breaking news at the TV station, or make new discoveries at the fully functional lab. Admission is $9 for adults and kids over age one or $3 for SNAP/EBT recipients. Visit on the first Friday of the month for free admission between 5:00 and 7:00 pm.
Science Museums for Kids in Richmond
Science Museum of Virginia
The Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond inspires kids with hundreds of experiential exhibits on topics such as space, health, electricity, the Earth, dinosaurs, Lego, and more. The 223,000-square-foot space includes live science demos, as well as eco, animal, and art labs. Shows in the museum’s Dome Theatre rotate regularly and offer in-depth look at engaging topics like dinosaurs in Antarctica and visiting the moon. Daily admission is $10-$17.50 for the day, or free for members and kids ages 2 and under. Discounted admission is available for SNAP/EBT recipients. Dome tickets can be added to regular admission for $5.
My Three Chambered Heart Reptile Museum
Located approximately halfway between Charlottesville and Richmond in Louisa County, My Three Chambered Heart is Virginia’s only dedicated reptile natural history museum. This nonprofit institution offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages, featuring over 65 unique species of live reptiles, and more than 150 specimens including skulls, skeletons, and fossils. Families can enjoy hands-on interactions with creatures such as corn snakes, bearded dragons, and leopard geckos, guided by knowledgeable and passionate staff. The museum also hosts scheduled demonstrations, including feeding sessions and educational talks. You can even invite them to your birthday party. Admission is $15 per person; free for ages 2 and under.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great place for the whole family to visit and features many exhibits and areas designed specifically for kids. The Children’s Garden was created so that kids of all ages can enjoy the great outdoors by observing wildlife, digging in the dirt, and climbing a hundred-year-old mulberry tree. The Klaus Family Tree House includes sloping ramps to make climbing easy, even for wheelchair users and strollers. Children get hands-on at the Farm Garden or visit the Waterway splash pad during the warmer months. Seasonal art exhibits in the garden as well as special events like a butterfly pavilion and the holiday GardenFest of Lights make each visit unique. Admission is $10-$20 per person or free for members and children ages 3 and under. EBT/SNAP participants can receive discounted or free admission.
Maymont Nature Center, Farm & Virginia Wildlife Trail
The Maymont estate includes multiple nature-themed areas designed to cultivate a love or and curiosity about the outdoors in its youngest visitors. The Robins Nature Center, which highlights the ecology of the James River, includes two virtual shallow pools with touch responsiveness to teach kids about wildlife and native plants. The Maymont Farm allows kids to feed and interact with animals such as goats, chickens, bunnies, and more. Nearby you can walk on the Virginia Wildlife Trail, where kids can spot habitats that house local rescue wildlife including foxes, bears, and more. Admission is $6 or $8, depending on age; Maymont members, children under age 1, and EBT recipients receive free admission.
Family Science Museums in Tidewater Virginia
Virginia Air & Space Center
The Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton is the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center. The facility features interactive aviation exhibits, historic aircraft, a space exploration gallery full of hands-on exhibits, and more. Kids will be able to see the Apollo 12 Command Module and the Orion PA-1 Test Vehicle in person or explore the solar system through state-of-the-art exhibits. Don’t miss the Center’s IMAX theatre, with shows like the Grand Canyon, Great Bear Rainforest, and The Story of Earth. General admission, which includes an IMAX show, is free for members or $19-$22.50 for all others. IMAX-only tickets are $8-$10 or free for members.
Need more spots to explore? Find our round-up of the best zoos and aquariums in Virginia!
Virginia Living Museum
Just down the road from Hampton is the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News. The museum is home to over 250 species of Virginia animals and one of the largest displays of native plants. Watch the veterinary team care for animals in real time. Visit the Underground Gallery to experience geology in action or the Abbitt Planetarium Theater to see a digital simulation of the sky. Young paleontologists will want to visit just for the permanent outdoor dinosaur exhibit, where they can walk through the woods to discover realistic dinosaur models or dig in the fossil pits. Admission is $16.95-$23.95; members and children ages 2 and below are free.
Science Museums for Families in Washington, D.C.
Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History features dozens of permanent and rotating exhibits that include displays, hands-on activities, video presentations, and more. Visit the life-size African Bush elephant in the Rotunda or marvel at the gems and minerals, including the famous Hope Diamond. Step back in time to explore prehistoric life with dinosaur fossils and skeleton casts, see a 52-foot model of a mega-toothed shark, find the giant squid, or stroll through the insect zoo and butterfly pavilion. Admission to Smithsonian museums is free, but families should reserve timed entry passes ahead of their visit.
National Air & Space Museum
Visit the National Air & Space Museum to explore the world’s premier collection of air and space artifacts and stories. Learn the history of flight from the first airplane to the first steps on the moon, and beyond. Catch a show at the IMAX theatre or sit inside real spacecraft. To see more, including some of the larger air and spacecraft from the museum’s collection, including the space shuttle Discovery, visit the museum’s annex at the Udvar-Hazey Center near Dulles Airport. Be sure to reserve your free timed entry passes before your visit. Kids who love transportation may enjoy a train day trip too!
National Arboretum
Outdoors-loving families can explore the National Arboretum’s 446 acres by bike, car, or on foot. The Arboretum includes dogwood and magnolia collections, a bonsai and penjing museum, and a grove of state trees. You’ll find parts of the Capitol’s former east porch displayed as marble columns around a reflecting pool in the center of the grounds. The Arboretum is well known for its stunning array of azaleas in spring. The Perennial Collection features blossoming peonies, day lilies, and daffodils, while the National Herb Garden features holly, juniper, pansies, and over 100 stunning rose varietals. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
Science Museums for Kids in Baltimore
Maryland Science Center
Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the Maryland Science Center lets kids explore a wealth of scientific topics, from astronomy to paleontology to the human body. The facility is packed with innovative displays and hands-on activities that demonstrate the wonders of scientific discovery with a focus on open-ended exploration. Exhibits include Math in Nature, Newton’s Alley, SpaceLink, Dinosaur Mysteries, and The Shed, where kids can learn a new skill, create an invention, and find a solution to a design challenge through various drop-in activities. Admission is $21.95-$29.95, depending on age; free admission is available for members and members of participating ASTC Passport museums. Add on a show at the IMAX theatre for another $5 per ticket.
Check the CharlottesvilleFamily Events Calendar for even more local, family-friendly activities and experiences.
Ellen Sewell is our associate editor. With a degree in Communications and Media Studies and a gift for the written word, she especially enjoys interviewing local people making a positive difference and sharing events with other parents. Passionate about hands-on-learning and being active, she loves to explore museums, playgrounds and outdoor attractions of all kinds with her three amazing children.