





Children's Museums
Children's Museum of Virginia
📍 221 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–4 PM |
About Children's Museum of Virginia
Interactive learning for curious kids. Hands-on exhibits explore cities, space, music, energy, the human body & more, plus antique trains. Features a planetarium with passionate staff who present shows about the cosmos to visitors. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,938 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Children's Museum
- Location
- Portsmouth, VA
- Current Exhibit
- Leonardo's Lab (May 30 – September 5, 2026)
- Best For
- Kids — hands-on learning through building, experimenting, and creating
- Membership
- Available
💡 Did You Know?
- Features a planetarium with passionate staff who present shows about the cosmos to visitors
- Displays working antique trains as a major exhibit attraction, frequently mentioned in reviews as a highlight
- Leonardo's Lab temporary exhibit runs May 30 – September 5, 2026, featuring structures, gears, simple machines, and flying creations inspired by Leonardo da Vinci
- Offers two floors of hands-on STEM exhibits including interactive physics areas, with a dedicated STEM room for educational projects
💬 What Visitors Say
- Purchase tickets online in advance to reserve a specific time slot and avoid waiting, especially during afternoon visits when the museum tends to be busier.
- Plan for 3-4 hours to experience the museum fully, including the planetarium show. The planetarium manager is particularly knowledgeable and passionate—arriving early enough to catch a show is worth prioritizing.
- This museum is best suited for children ages 8 and under. Toddlers will especially enjoy the dedicated toddler area, trains, bubble room, and fire truck exhibits on the first floor.
- Visit on weekday afternoons for the best experience with fewer crowds. Free rear parking is available, though be aware that the upstairs can get uncomfortably warm even in mild weather.
- Don't miss the interactive STEM room and physics area for hands-on learning experiences that teach foundational science concepts. The working trains display on the first floor is also a major highlight.
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