The Virginia Discovery Museum is a small, nonprofit children's museum located at 524 E Main Street in Charlottesville. It welcomes families with children from newborns to age 8, providing a fun and educational environment for over 70,000 visitors each year. The museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to encourage exploration and imaginative play. It features sensory, motor, literacy, science, math, and arts programs, making it suitable for young children, including babies and toddlers who enjoy crawling and playing. Visitors often find the museum to be charming, well-maintained, and full of engaging activities that keep kids entertained for hours. The museum is situated on Main Street, which is a nice area for walking and exploring nearby shops. Parking can be challenging, as the museum is in a pedestrian-friendly area, but parking garages at Market Street and Water Street offer the first hour free, with the second hour validated. Many visitors note that it takes some planning to find parking due to one-way streets and limited parking options. Inside, the museum resembles a shop filled with activities tailored mainly for younger children up to 5 or 6 years old, though older kids may also enjoy some parts of it. The experience often concludes with a visit to the nearby carousel, coffee, or ice cream shops, making it a pleasant outing for families passing through Charlottesville.
We love this place. It has lots of discovery activities for kids to interact with.
August 2023
Lots of fun, kids played for hours and still didn’t want to leave. At least the adults can have fun too!
July 2023
I have been coming here for years. First with my children, now with my grandson.This is a fun place for kids and adults alike!Today, the volunteer in the back room was amazing. He interacted with the children and worked hard to keep it tidy! Reed, you are doing a great job!
