Fun in Central VA - Museums

Artisans Center of Virginia
      Official state center for fine craft. Demonstrations and educational classes available. Handmade crafts in wood, ceramic, glass and iron, as well as cloth items and jewelry.
      Willow Oak Plaza
      801 W. Broad St., Waynesboro
      877-508-6069, 540-946-3294
      www.ArtisansCenterofVirginia.org
   
Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum
      Official state center for Blue Ridge Folklore. Costumed interpretation. Hard-to-find authentic folk crafts in museum store. Galleries and store are open year-round, Farm Museum open weekends mid-May through mid-August. Admission: $5.00-Ad.-$4.00-Chil.
      Ferrum College
      20 Museum Drive, Ferrum
      540-365-4416
      www.blueridgeinstitute.org

    Canal Basin Square
      Transportation history of Scottsville from the era of the Native American Monacan canoes to modern transportation systems. Emphasis is on the batteaux and packet boats. Self guided tours year around. Guided tours and school field trips by appointment.
      249 Main Street, Scottsville
      434-286-9267

    Car and Carriage Caravan Museum
      Over 140 items relating to transportation—cars, carriages, coaches and costumes dating from 1725, including an 1892 Benz, one of the oldest cars in the country still in operating condition. Entrance fee is included in Luray Caverns general admission.
      Luray Caverns
      970 US Hwy 211 West, Luray
      540-743-6551
      www.luraycaverns.com

    Children’s Museum of Richmond
      Kids learn through interactive play. Great family fun for ages toddler to eight. Admission Fee: $7.00
      2626 West Broad Street, Richmond
      804-474-7000
      www.c-mor.org

    Civil War Museum at the Exchange Hotel
      Exhibitions on the history of Gordonsville and Civil War artifacts in the 1860 railroad hotel that served as a battlefield receiving hospital. Admission fee.
      400 S. Main St., Gordonsville
      540-832-2944
      www.hgiexchange.org

    Foamhenge at Natural Bridge
      A full size scale replica of Stonehenge on the property of the Natural Bridge of Virginia made entirely of foam. “Foamhenge at Natural Bridge” is painted to resemble the real Stonehenge. Located 1 mile north of Natural Bridge.
      Rt. 11, Natural Bridge
      800-533-1410
      www.naturalbridgeva.com/foamhenge.html

    Frontier Culture Museum
      Four different historic farms moved from their country of origin and reconstructed at the museum site in Staunton. Rare and minor breed animals, authentic gardens, and farm interpreters.
      Rt. 250 W, exit 222 from I81, Staunton
      540-332-7850, TTY: 540-332-9212
      www.frontiermuseum.org

    Harrisonburg’s Children’s Museum
      Hands-on museum where children ages 2-12 and their families can explore and learn together. Wide range of activities. Admission Fee: $3; under 2 free
      30 North Main Street, Harrisonburg
      540-442-8900
      www.hcmuseum.org

    Haunted Monster Museum
      You will experience the very best of fun family entertainment. Bizarre and unique.
      U.S. 11 South, Natural Bridge
      540-464-2253
      www.naturalbridgeva.com/monster.html

    Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm
      Interpretive trail through a re-created late 19th century farm which explores Appalachian pioneer life. Hiking trails. Traditional musical events and cultural demonstrations. Free
      Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 5.8
      540-943-4716

    IMAX® Dome & Planetarium
      Five-story domed theater. The 70mm IMAX® projector makes you feel like your part of the movie. Admission Fee
      Science Museum of Virginia
      2500 West Broad St., Richmond
      804-864-1400, 800-659-1727
      www.smv.org
   
James Madison Museum
      Exhibits the life and times of Madison and include furnishings from Montpelier, correspondence, fashions, and books from the Madison library. Admission fee.
      129 Caroline Street, Orange
      540-672-1776
      www.jamesmadisonmus.org

    James River Trail/Overlook
      Restored Kanawha Canal lock used for transporting packet boats between Lexington and Lynchburg. Moderate level nature trail.
      Blue Ridge Parkway, Amherst County

    JMU Meteorite Collection
      Features fragments of meteoroids; includes specimines from Diablo Canyon, the Sahara Desert and the Central European Strewn Field.
      John C. Wells Planetarium Hallway, Miller Hall
      800 S. Main St., Harrisonburg
      540-568-6109
      www.jmu.edu

    Jumbo Antique Fire Engine Museum
      Jumbo antique fire engine museum houses a 1911 Robinson chemical fire engine and a collection of fire service items, some from the Civil War era. Free.
      500 N, Augusta Street, Staunton
      540-332-3886

    Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection and Study Center
      Over 1600 objects and paintings created by Aboriginal artists from different regions of Australia. Exhibitions rotate from the permanent collection. Numerous lectures and programs. Most events free unless indicated.
      400 Worrell Drive, Charlottesville
      434-244-0234
      www.virginia.edu/kluge-ruhe

    Museum of the Middle Appalachians
      Learn about the geology of the region. Full size replicas of ice age, dig site, artifacts and fossils recovered locally, display of Woodland Indian artifacts and two Civil War battles. Admission fee.
      123 Palmer Avenue, Saltville
      540-496-3633
      www.museum-mid-app.org

    Natural Bridge
      One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it was owned by Thomas Jefferson and initialed by George Washington.
      15 Appledore Lane , Natural Bridge
      800-533-1410

    Natural Bridge Wax Museum
      Three-dimensional trip through Valley history with over 150 life replicas incorporating sound, light and animation.
      U.S. 11, Natural Bridge
      540-291-2426

    P. Buckley Moss Museum
      Resembles early 19th century house and exhibits works by P. Buckley Moss. Free.
      150 P. Buckley Moss Dr., Waynesboro
      540-949-6476, 800-343-8643
      www.pbuckleymoss.com

    Plumb House Museum
      Tour the grounds of the Battle of Waynesboro. Visit the Plumb House Museum, which was between the battle lines.
      1012 West Main Street, Waynesboro
      540-942-6644
      www.waynesboro.va.us

    Science Museum of Virginia
      Exhibits and displays, some hands on, designed to entertain and educate the public about science.
      2500 West Broad Street, Richmond
      804-864-1400
      www.smv.org

    Toy Museum at Natural Bridge
      Largest collection of childhood memorabilia on display in the world.
      6477 South Lee Highway,
      Natural Bridge
      540-291-9920
      www.awesometoymuseum.com

    Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
      Houses a remarkable permanent collection of more than 20,000 works of art from almost every major world culture.
      200 N. Boulevard, Richmond
      804.340.1400

    University of Virginia Art Museum
      Art from around the world dating from ancient times to the present day. Changing exhibitions. Free.
      Rugby Road, Charlottesville
      434-924-3592
      www.virginia.edu/artmuseum/

    Valley Turnpike Museum
      Highlights the Rt. 11’s history from its beginnings as a buffalo path to the Civil War and today’s use of it as a more scenic way to experience the Valley.
      212 South Main Street, Harrisonburg
      540-432-8935
      www.harrisonburgtourism.com

    Virginia Discovery Museum
      A hands-on children’s museum with exhibits on the arts, sciences, humanities, history and nature. One of the top 50 children’s museums in the country.
      524 East Main Street, Charlottesville
      (434) 977-1025
      www.vadm.org

    Virginia Holocaust Museum
      Teaches tolerance to combat racism and anti-semitism, seen through the experiences of the Ipp family who survived the Kovno Ghetto-Concentration camp by hiding for under a potato field.
      2000 E. Cary Street, Richmond
      804.257.5400
      www.va-holocaust.com

    Virginia Museum of Natural History
      An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, seeks to increase appreciation for the natural history of the Virginia. Large dinosaur collection.
      21 Starling Avenue, Martinsville
      276-634-4141
      www.vmnh.net

    Virginia Quilt Museum
      The Commonwealth’s official quilt museum. Rresource center for the study of quilts and quilting in the cultural life of society.
      301 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg
      540-433-3818
      www.vaquiltmuseum.org

    Walton Mountain Museum
      The Walton’s Museum where young Earl Hamner, Jr. attended school contains replicas of sets from the The Waltons, television series .Museum’s gift shop.
      6484 Rockfish River Road, Schuyler
      434-831-2000, 800-282-8223
      www.nelsoncounty.com
   

    Waynesboro Historical Museum
      Collection of pictures, photographs, antiques, collectibles, a world-class doll collection, and a Valley Native American artifacts collection.
      Corner of Main Street & Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro
      540-943-3WHF

    Wilton House Museum
      Built in 1753 for the family of William Randolph III, this Georgian plantation manor house holds a rich collection of 18th and early 19th century furnishings, portraits, silver, ceramics, and textiles.
      215 S. Wilton Road, Richmond
      804-282-5936
      www.wiltonhousemuseum.org