9 must-visit museums in richmond, virginia
what are the best museums in richmond, va?
it depends on what you’re into! we are lucky to have so many amazing museums around the river city, ranging from art to history to science and so much more. whether you want a quick trip or to spend hours browsing, there’s a museum for you.
9 musuems i’ve been to and recommend:
virginia museum of fine arts
📍200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220
Museum with a varied, sizable collection of modern art, antiquities & Asian art, plus Fabergé eggs.
💭 my beloved! the vmfa is an absolute treasure and we’re lucky to have all of this art in rva. you can go explore most of the museum for totally free, and it’s open 365 days a year. amazing, right?! i am a member and gladly pay to be able to see all of the traveling exhibits — they’re amazing, diverse, and fascinating, every time. there’s a cafe and espresso bar here, as well as a swankier restaurant, and even a tea room, plus a top notch shop i also looooove going to their outdoor grounds and camping out with a book, too — every corner of this place is beautiful.
science museum of virginia
📍 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
Kid-focused, hands-on exhibits about animals, the human body, the cosmos & the environment.
💭 while they tout themselves as kid-focused, i’ve always loved my visits to the science musuem! their special exhibits are always really intriguing (especially when they had one all about sharks!!) and a really fun way to learn new things and nerd out while engaging in cool activities and displays. big fan of this one!
children’s museum of richmond
📍2626 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
Interactive exhibits enable kids to move, climb, farm, draw, play & learn about their world.
💭 i’m a bit biased since my mom works here, but this is such a fun space for kiddos! they’re in the midst of redesigning their downtown location (there’s one in chesterfield, too!) and it’s going to be even more amazing with really interactive, fun activities and experiences for kiddos of all ages. it’s a fun place to spend an afternoon!
shockoe institute
📍1500 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23219
a national organization dedicated to revealing the evolution of American racial slavery, its enduring impact, and using the lessons of that history to improve our civic life.
💭 this museum should be required for all richmonders (and americans, honestly). it’s incredibly designed, so thoughtful and compelling, really engaging and interactive, and will completely sober you. it’s remarkable. give yourself a few hours to really take it all in!
branch museum of design
📍2501 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
Guided tours & exhibits offered in a stately house & event venue with Tudor Revival details.
💭 the branch has had an amazing glow-up in recent years, and is now an incredible (albeit small!) museum focusing on design. its exhibits pack a punch and tell really fascinating stories, highlighting diverse expressions of design with brilliant curation. i love that this one is walking distance from my front door!
virginia museum of history and culture
📍428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220
A 1913 neoclassical building houses a research library & expansive collection of Virginia artifacts.
the valentine
📍1015 E Clay St, Richmond, VA 23219
Circa-1812 landmark house turned museum with exhibits & artifacts exploring Richmond's history.
american civil war museum
📍480 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA 23219
History museum exploring the Civil War from 3 perspectives: North, South & African-American.
institute for contemporary art
📍601 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
a non-collecting institution that showcases a changing slate of exhibitions, performances, and programs
museums on my list to visit:
virginia holocaust museum
📍2000 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23223
Free museum featuring powerful exhibits on the Holocaust & the survivors who settled in Richmond.
Black history museum and cultural center of virginia
📍122 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23220
Snug museum with exhibits & artifacts devoted to African-American history plus a gift shop & more.
poe museum
📍1914 E Main St, Richmond, VA 23223
This stone house, the oldest in the city, displays photos & memorabilia of Edgar Allan Poe.
looking for a good museum in richmond? i’ve got you covered with 9 recommendations of ones i’ve been to and love, ranging from science to art to design and so much more!