Top 20 Virginia Museums

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1. National Gallery of Art, DC

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6th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565
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The National Gallery of Art preserves, collects, exhibits, and fosters understanding of works of art at the highest possible museum and scholarly standards. Masterworks by the most renowned European and American artists, including the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas and the largest mobile ever created by Alexander Calder, await visitors to the National Gallery of Art, one of the world’s preeminent art museums. The Gallery’s collection of paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, medals, and decorative arts traces the development of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present.

2. Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach

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1341 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23457
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The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest private collections of World War I and World War II era military aircraft in the world. Each has been beautifully restored to its prior military condition, using original parts whenever possible. Most of the planes are airworthy and flown at the museum during flight demonstrations and at air shows throughout the year.

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3. Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, DC

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10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560
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The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s preeminent museum and research complex. The Museum is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall was among the first Smithsonian building constructed exclusively to house the national collections and research facilities.

4. Maymont Mansion, Richmond

maymont
1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220
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At Maymont Mansion, the gardens and historic artifacts have been masterfully restored so that the Gilded Age estate looks much as it did as the Dooleys’ home from 1893 to 1925. Come for the beautiful scenery, but stay for this history lesson!

5. Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg

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Jamestown Settlement : 2110 Jamestown Road, Route 31 S, Williamsburg, 23185, Williamsburg, Virginia
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Jamestown Settlement lets you enter the world of 17 century settlers. You can explore their forts, speak to villagers or explore Powhatan village.

6. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Charlottesville

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931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902
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Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who, after inheriting quite a large amount of land from his father, started building Monticello when he was 26 years old. Located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Piedmont region, the plantation was originally 5,000 acres.

7. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond

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200 North Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23220
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Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution created for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, to encourage the study of the arts, and thus to enrich the lives of all.

8. The Virginia Living Museum, Newport News

valivingmuseum
524 J Clyde Morris Blvd Newport News, Virginia
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Get up close and personal with Virginia wildlife or watch the stars in the planetarium.

9. Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke

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303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
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In the Rail Yard, explore historic steam and diesel engines, cabooses, and other rail equipment as modern trains rumble past. Inside the Museum, enjoy model trains and hands-on exhibits, stroll among antique automobiles, and explore the truck, bus, and aviation exhibits!

10. Henricus Historical Park, Chester

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251 Henricus Park Rd, Chester, Virginia 23836
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Henricus Historical Park is a living museum dedicated to the second successful English settlement.

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11. Taubman Museum of Art

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110 Salem Ave SE, Roanoke, VA 24011
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As a center for the visual arts, Taubman Museum of Art encourages a free exchange between the making of art, the display of art and the interpretation of art. Their programs endeavor to explore creativity from inspiration to presentation with the goal of engaging and intriguing audiences.

12. The Mariners’ Museum, Newport News

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100 Museum Dr, Newport News, Virginia
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The Mariners’ Museum has a 3D theater, shows and fascinating rotating exhibits.

13. Amazement Square, Lynchburg

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27 Ninth Street, Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
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Central Virginia’s first multidisciplinary, hands-on children’s museum! Climb, slide and discover as you make your way through four floors of exciting, interactive exhibits, activities and programs.

14. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach

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2200 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
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MOCA is a non-profit institution which exists to foster awareness, exploration and understanding of the significant art of our time. Through excellence and diversity in their exhibitions and educational programming, MOCA stimulates individual thinking and dialogue throughout the community.

15. Shirley Plantation, Charles City

shirleyplantation
501 Shirley Plantation Rd, Charles City, Virginia
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Shirley Plantation is America’s first plantation. They host several events throughout the year.

16. The Fralin Museum of Art, Charlottesville

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155 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia maintains a collection of approximately 13,000 objects in support of our mission. The Fralin exhibits American and European painting, works on paper, and sculpture of the 15th-20th centuries; art from the ancient Mediterranean; Asian art; Native American art. Highlights of the collection of modern paintings, sculpture and works on paper include American figurative art and photography.

17. Old City Cemetery Museums and Arboretum, Lynchburg

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401 Taylor Street , Lynchburg, Virginia 24501
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The Old City Cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Virginia still in use today and Central Virginia’s most unique public garden!

18. Berkeley Plantation, Charles City

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12602 Harrison Landing Rd, Charles City, Virginia
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Berkeley Plantation is the former home of both Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison. There is a beautiful historical interior and garden to explore.

19. Price House Nature Center, Blacksburg

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107 Wharton St SE, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060
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Rain or shine…Nature & discovery right in town. It’s a museum and more for children and the young at heart!

20. Schooner Alliance, Yorktown

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425 Water Street, Riverwalk Landing Pier, Yorktown, Virginia
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You can set sail on a historical voyage or take a pirate cruise.

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