Science Museum of Virginia — Attraction in Richmond

During our Summer vacation trip to Virginia, my husband and I make it a tradition to bring our three teens to an educational or historical place and the Science Museum of Virginia was on our bucket list.

In short, it was not without it's positives and negatives, but it definitely was worth the time. Along with the ticket entry fee, we also opted to see the Dome Theater Show about the different weather on each planet and most appreciatively they offered us a military discount.

When we first visited the museum, we were welcomed by some amazing Earth sculptures in the front of the building. These sculptures spun slowly from the force of the water and the information gave us some insights as to the distance of the Earth to the Sun.

Upon entering the museum, there was a swinging pendulum in the center of the vaulted entry that showed the entire map of the world. Then the first room past the ticket area was filled with information, examples, and real time interactivity on speed and motion. This room displayed an amazing shell of the SR-71 Blackbird supersonic jet. It was rather breath taking to us as we were prior Air Force and take pride in such amazing aircraft. We were also able to experience the feel of various different hurricanes through a wind tunnel and we even challenged a robot to some air hockey. You can see the video of our game from our travel blog in my profile.

Moving further into the museum we saw how much mobile technology and social media had changed from then to now. It was a perfect example of how speed through the wires has advanced over time. The amount of people who are using these devices and accessing social media networks is mind numbing and yet a bit frightening as to how much we depend on these.

We made our way through the museum in a little under 65 minutes before reaching the Dome Theater. ​The Dome features live astronomy presentations, Cosmic Expeditions, and Giant Screen Movies on the most technologically advanced digital dome theater in the world. The theater had a concession stand where we bought popcorn, snacks, and drinks before getting in line to watch the show. The show itself was quite educational and very motion strong. Since I have motion sickness and equilibrium issues, I found myself looking away every now and then as the Dome provides a virtual reality effect of space travel. If you have any similar issues, I would recommend passing up on the Dome Theater.

The museum is smaller than some of the other museums we have been through, but it was quick enough for us to learn quite a few new discoveries and have time left over in the day to move onto...

First time visitor. Drove in circles in the parking garage before realizing that I was driving in circles. Specifically went to see the dinosaur exhibit. Given incorrect directions to the exhibit by a staff member. The only spark to the day was the next staff member we ran into, whose comment "you'll never find it from here. Let me show you" stunned us. Ran into him several times throughout our visit. Extremely awesome, interactive, helpful and informative! The dinosaur exhibit was less than thrilling as we did not recognize any of the specimens in display. Note: the only t-rex and triceratops were located in the gift shop. Next we went to the Legos display and found the super helpful staff member once more, who suggested that we had to see a dome show, but would need to purchase tickets at the front desk, and had to see rat basketball. He was throwing a lot of information at us and we got a little confused. We saw on the schedule that the rat basketball was at the Thalhimer something or whatever. Thanks to the unhelpful advice from the first staff member we encountered, we knew the Thalhimer Pavilion was on the same level as the Dino exhibit, but we couldn't figure out where the rat basketball was. Again, super confused and get annoyed, we accidently asked a staff member how to get to the dome. Directions given were "go to the big screen, turn right and just keep going." In case you are wondering, those are great instructions to the Dino exhibit, not the dome. Finally found the dome on our own, but didn't see much more than a theater closed sign. Certainly nothing about rat basketball. We head back to the elevator to figure out where to go next and remember the helpful staff member saying something about the 3rd floor. We decided to give it a shot and discovered rat basketball at the Thalhimer Theater, because having 2 locations at the same place with the same name is not confusing at all (please read extreme sarcasm font). Very grateful for the assistance and suggestions from the staff member who took the time to understand we were first time visitors. While our visit was memorable for all the wrong reasons, it could have been so much worse. Strongly doubt there will be a return visit anywhere...

A recent trip to the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond was an absolute delight, offering a captivating blend of education and entertainment that truly impressed me. From the moment we stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere and engaging exhibits promised a memorable experience, and it certainly delivered.

One of the undeniable highlights was the dinosaur exhibit. It's not just a static display; these incredible prehistoric creatures are brought to life through impressive animatronics, showcasing their movements in a way that's both realistic and awe-inspiring. Watching the "dinosaurs moving the dolmen" – a fascinating reference to their potential interaction with ancient structures or simply their powerful presence – was a particular standout, sparking wonder in visitors of all ages.

Be prepared for an active visit, though! The museum is expansive, with multiple floors and a vast array of exhibits to explore. Comfortable shoes are an absolute must as you'll be doing a lot of walking to take it all in. Every step is worth it, however, as each turn brings new discoveries and interactive displays.

Mid-visit, the concession area was a welcome find. It offered a nice variety of options, from quick snacks to more substantial fare, all served efficiently and with a friendly smile. It was the perfect spot to refuel and recharge before diving back into the scientific wonders.

Finally, the parking situation was remarkably convenient. There's ample dedicated parking available on-site, making arrival and departure stress-free – a significant bonus for any popular attraction.

Overall, the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond is a fantastic destination for families, science enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an enriching and enjoyable day out. With its dynamic dinosaur displays, vast exhibits, pleasant concessions, and easy parking, it's a place we'd highly recommend and look forward to...