Children's Museums

Children's Museum of Virginia

Name: Children's Museum of Virginia
Address: 221 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704, Portsmouth, VA, US
Telephone: (757) 393-5258
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (2938 reviews)

📍 221 High St, Portsmouth, VA 23704

📞 (757) 393-5258

🌐 childrensmuseumvirginia.com

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 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

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

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.