Plan Your Visit
Cville’s Best Discovery Spot for Kids 8 & Under
Explore, imagine, discover, and more at the best hands-on discovery spot in Charlottesville for families with newborns to children age 8! The Virginia Discovery Museum is a nonprofit children’s museum and welcomes more than 70,000 visitors each year. For more than 25 years, VDM has provided enrichment opportunities in literacy, science, math, and the arts through interactive exhibits, exploratory and imaginative play environments, and educational programs. The Museum also hosts annual community events like our Kid*Vention science festival in February, Discovery Dash track race in May, Boo Bash Halloween party in October, and Santa Pancake Breakfast in December.
Location & Hours | Admission | Parking & Directions | Questions?
Location
524 East Main St.
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(East End of the Downtown Mall, near the Sprint Pavilion)
Hours
Monday-Saturday
9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sundays & Evenings: Available for birthday parties and event rentals.
Contact Us
marketing@vadm.org
(434) 977-1025
Have a specific question? Click below to find out how to direct your inquiry.
Daily Admission
Enjoy all-day admission! Pay once when you arrive, then come and go as much as you wish until the Museum closes at 5:00 p.m. Your payment receipt serves as your ticket for re-entry. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, and visitors must have one adult for every three children under 3 and one adult for every five children 3 and older. Visiting the Museum with a school class or other formally organized community group? Reservations are required for large groups, so check out our Group Visits page for more information about booking a field trip.
Discounted Admission
: Half Price with Valid ID (
: Free with Valid ID (Parking & Directions
VDM validates parking for Museum visitors at the Market Street Garage and Water Street Garage. Both locations provide the first hour of parking for free, and Museum guests receive an additional hour of free parking – for a total of two hours – when they request a validation ticket at VDM’s front desk. The Museum is also located next to the Downtown Transit Station and Visitors Center, and Charlottesville Area Transit offers a Free Trolley that stops at the station as it travels through Downtown and the University of Virginia. Click to learn more about parking downtown or more about public bus routes and fares.
Click the icon in the upper left corner for map legend and details.
To Market Street Garage
To Water Street Garage
Questions?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? For more information about the Museum, please visit Museum Rules & FAQs, call (434) 977-1025, or email marketing@vadm.org.