The Virginia Living Museum is home to a variety of wildlife found throughout Virginia, but it also has a whole section on dinosaurs and fossils, and caves. As we walked through, I kept thinking how much my students would truly benefit from the museum.
The museum is made up of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Indoors you can check out Virginia's Coastal Plans, Virginia's Piedmont and Mountain Region, Virginia World of Darkness, and Virginia's Underground Gallery. There are also two different two-story habitats: the Appalachian Cove and the Cypress Swamp. Upstairs there is a spot to view x-rays and footprints, plus a Chesapeake Bay Touch Tank. Downstairs is a play area where kids get to use imaginative play as a vet helping animals.
Outside on the 3/4 of a mile Boardwalk Trail you'll find everything from wolves to beavers, to deer, and more. Be sure to check the daily feeding schedule to catch the deer, otters, or birds having their lunch. Follow the trail to the very back corner and you'll find Dinosaur Discovery Trail, with 1/3 scale dinosaurs, dig pits, and areas to climb.
Once outside either head up the steps above the otters or follow the trail behind them to find the Living Green House, an environmental education center complete with a Lego table and opportunities for kids to create their own energy. From there you can easily access the Planetarium and then head to the Children's Garden. My kids loved the Hobbit House and climbing on the spider web. There are several gardens throughout the property to walk through.
