VLM is such a fun place to spend the day! They have fun interactive exhibits, a touch tank, animals…read moreand an amazing nature trail! Oh and can't forget dinosaurs! We spent a good portion of our day getting lost in some of Virginia's history, seeing native animals and plants, along with having some fun exploring the interactive areas. This is an amazing spot to check out as a family or even as adults if you have an adventurous gene. They also have a planetarium which was closed when we visited but has since been opened! Excited to return to check it out. They have great Groupon deals for tickets but even without it we found the tickets to be fairly priced for the experience.

This is a fantastic place for children to explore! I came here with my 4m daughter at the time…read morealong with friends and their children. They were mesmerized by every exhibit! Unfortunately at the time we went, a lot of exhibits were being switched out indoors and it was very cold so a lot of animals were not out. The otter is extremely friendly and my daughter loves going to see Nora! Well worth the membership if you and your family consider going more than once. We did eat at the cafe, and the food was not that good. It gave me a terrible stomachache.

Sophia and I have lived in the Peninsula since 2011, but rarely took trips to Fort Monroe to…read moreexplore its history. Shame on us since we've been to many museums for years. But, it's better late than never. And believe me, it's one you definitely want to check out. For admission, it's free. How it works is we're given a 15 min window for entering and plus, it gives you a chance to look around in the visitor center where the galley takes you to the history of Fort Monroe and how the Civil War changed everything. If you've been to museums in Virginia, just about everything is covered regarding the slave trade and wars between the North and South and against other countries. A lot to take in, but beneficial. After we were done scoping the visitor center, we entered the museum itself. A treasure trove of information to soak in regarding Fort Monroe itself. I just turned 45 years old and I can tell you I learned a ton from this visit alone. And there still is more to gain. It's wonderful to see that the staff put their heart and soul into keeping everything in place. You can do a self guided tour like we did or you can do a group tour. Also, the museum shops have goodies for you to buy. Believe me, you should not leave empty handed when you have the chance. A wonderful visit to a place where you'll leave with knowledge. And there's more on site at Fort Monroe. We''ll be back for some more tours when time persists :)

The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe is exceptionally well organized and free to visit. Be sure to…read moreswing by the Visitor Center to pick up a timed-entry ticket before heading across the bridge. They also offer guided walking tours throughout the day, though times vary. The fort itself is awe-inspiring- the largest bastion fort by area in the U.S., completed in 1834- and it's incredible to think it stood as a Union stronghold, designated "Freedom's Fortress," where escaping enslaved people found sanctuary during the Civil War. The massive interior arches are a testament to enduring design, and walking atop the fort offers an unforgettable connection to history.

Such an amazing and informative place. Most of the exhibits are outside which really makes it…read moreawesome because you experience the actual size of everything/display. The two ladies were sweet and full of information. Whether you're inside or out you see the care that goes into maintaining this place. Let's not forget ...It's FREE!!!! Nice spot

Interesting little outdoor, roadside museum in Hampton. It's free but they will accept donations…read more There's a small indoor museum as well. Outside there are several planes and a Mercury capsule showcase contributions to air travel and space exploration. I believe it was just recently renovated

The first impression was a positive experience. The museum was impressive and the volunteers were…read morehelpful and courteous. Unfortunately, the woman at the front desk was extremely rude to my four grandkids. She treated them disrespectfully. You really ought to have kind people greeting your guests.

The Mariners Museum and park was an absolute gem. I never expected our visit to be so spectacular…read moreas I hadn't really given the museum in Newport News too much thought before. The parking lot is huge and I was pleasantly surprised that the parking offered natural trails, a playground, and a pollination garden! The inside of the museum is full of history with some impressive displays. My sons were really impressed with the videos, and the walk-in models made for an unforgettable experience. The staff was friendly, you can't beat the price! They have a cafe and gift shop. If you're a history buff or your looking for something unique in Hampton Roads just check them out!

Found by accident just driving by. Solid collection, if not extensively displayed. If you are into…read moremilitary history the shortcomings are irrelevant, so drop in. There is a small fee for admission, but it doesn't go to waste.

A self guided tour through out the history of the United States wars. They had so many different…read moreartifacts it was hard not to spend hours wondering through the building staring at different items they had placed on the walls. Some of my favorite items included creepy old gas masks, the war propaganda posters and the tank they had outside the building. If you are really into old guns this would be a great place to go because they have so many of them. It's really neat to see how everything has evolved through history including the clothes, grenades and even the silverware. I definitely recommend this to everyone in the surrounding area.

My husband and I recently participated in the 400 years forward tour in Hampton and visited the…read moreHampton History Museum as apart of our trip (https://www.visithampton.com/400yearsforward/). One of the amazing things about this museum is that although it is small there is so much great information in this building. Although we were there for an hour we could have easily spent the day there reading everything and speaking with the educators there about 1619, the history of Hampton, and connecting to the history of Virginia. We look forward to getting back to the Museum and giving it the time and attention it deserves!

Being born and raised in this area and being away for so many years, I visited this museum as a…read more"tourist". We had the entire museum to ourselves which was exciting but sad because it shows people aren't ready to return to visiting places like this. I am glad I went. Although I've always held a bit of skepticism on how a museum will articulate slavery, I must say this museum goes into the history respectfully enough for children to understand and learn. Zero glorifying and straight historical fact. My mom has partial mobility issues so I would have liked to see more seating throughout. Navigating the museum from start to finish is like walking through history on a timeline. Easy to follow. I wasn't expecting to see them touch on NASA and how much it is connected to this area for the last few decades so there's a multitude of things to take from your trip here. Upon leaving, the staff provided friendly service to where else you can learn more about the area. They are well informed with plenty of resources right there in the main galley. Sadly due to the current health situation with covid, some recommended places were closed. Overall, it was a pleasant journey through that areas background.

Great exhibits. There are interesting inside exhibits that explore transportation through time…read more Included are numerous interactive activities. Outside includes numerous vehicles, boats and trains.

A secret gem of a museum hidden in FT Eustis!…read more We had so much fun and there was a ton to do at this Ft Eustis museum! It was awesome seeing all the trains,planes and automobiles in the Army's history! This was extremely well put together and was fantastic to go through! It is located on the base itself, so access is limited to being able to get onto the base.

I attended a Fantastic Planet event at Old Dominion University which seemed to center around Barry…read moreArt Museum. Admission was $15, free for students. There is a check-in of your information for their statistics. The museum is two floors. The bottom is mainly compromised of glass with some items from Chihuly. Everything in the entire museum is behind plastic. A bit disappointing. Restrooms, water fountain and elevator are in the rear. The second floor has a hands on video game display and dolls. Surprisingly I found the dolls to be the most fascinating aspect of the museum. The Madame Alexander Dolls were impressive. My wife is a collector of the brand. They have a small display of Barbies. However the most intriguing display was a three story wood doll house the Barry Family commissioned. It reflects their Suffolk, Va home they lived and raised their family for decades. The different rooms represent with extreme details their home. The doll house could easily be insured over a million as the tiny bulbs in one chandelier alone cost $3,000 each I was told. Although I recommend the Barry Art Museum it's small. However, it's worth a visit and support. You have an option for membership when providing your information. 4.5 is a great fit.

Wowww what a gem!! I found this museum on a humble. While searching for things to do indoors on a…read morerainy day. This museum popped up. Also guess what's even better. It's FREE YES you heard me correctly. They also offer a free parking garage right around the corner. The gallery has four sections with the lower level and the upper level. Everything was truly amazing!! You can take the stairs or the elevator. They have a restroom on both levels. Expect to see amazing sculptures also some very fine art. There was never a dull moment. So expect to stay at least an hour or longer to enjoy it all. They have the staff around to explain any questions you might have. I am so glad I found this place and would highly recommend. This was perfect for my rainy day and not overly crowded. So if you're in the area. Come check them out.