Museums
in Portsmouth, VA

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Did you know that there are approximately 850 million visits to museums every year in America? They contribute $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year. If you think about how marvelous museums are, these numbers make sense. Museums can transport you to old worlds, future worlds, worlds you never thought you could be a part of.

If you’re looking to add some of those unknown worlds to your day, check out our list of museums in the area. They are all within driving distance and offer a variety of topics that will enchant every member of the family.
Children's Museum of Virginia
Children's Museum of Virginia

(757) 393-5258

221 High St
Portsmouth, VA 23704   Directions Website

When you and your family first step into the Children's Museum of Virginia, it will be very clear that you are about to embark on a truly special experience. The facility has the distinction of being the largest children's museum in the state of Virginia. Over the course of its impressive 64,000-square-feet, the whole family will find much to capture their interest. There are dozens of interactive exhibits and attractions, a model train collection, and a stunning planetarium that are sure to capture the imagination of every visitor.

Jewish Museum and Cultural Center
Jewish Museum and Cultural Center

(757) 391-9266

607 Effingham St
Portsmouth, VA 23707   Directions Website

Whether you are Jewish or not, you will find something truly compelling and thought-provoking when you pay a visit to Portsmouth's Jewish Museum and Cultural Center. The Chevra T'helim Synagogue now serves as the museum and center and offers visitors a chance to see a stunning example of European Jewish Orthodoxy. Various exhibits and presentations offer the opportunity for visitors to learn about the tradition of the faith as well as key historical events that have both shaped it and challenged it.

Lightship Portsmouth Museum
Lightship Portsmouth Museum

(757) 393-8591

London & Water St
Portsmouth, VA 23704   Directions Website

The kids will love learning about the history and tradition of lightships and their nautical significance when you visit the Lightship Portsmouth Museum. Lightships were originally known as “floating lighthouses” that guide ships into harbors our out to sea. Their legacy is kept alive thanks to the preservation of Lightship Portsmouth, a vessel that now serves as a museum to tell its story and of similar types of watercraft through exciting exhibits and attractions.

Naval Shipyard Museum
Naval Shipyard Museum

(757) 393-8591

2 High St
Portsmouth, VA 23704   Directions Website

Given the fact that Portsmouth is situated right on Virginia's coastline, it is little wonder that the city has been a key site in the history and development of the shipping industry. Learn about it all when you visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. You will get the chance to see various exhibits that highlight the many aspects of naval and nautical history, plus see memorabilia that dates back to this centuries-old Southern port. The museum is a piece of history itself, as it was established in 1949 within the confines of the nation's oldest shipyard.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

(757) 393-8591

2 High St
Portsmouth, VA 23704   Directions Website

Fans of history will not want to miss the opportunity to visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum in Portsmouth. This is much more than a history lesson–this impressive facility houses an incredible collection of military artifacts, pictures, weapons and many historic ships including the CSS VIRGINIA (EX-MERRIMAC) as well as the world's first aircraft carrier, the LANGLEY.

The Hill House Museum
The Hill House Museum

(757) 393-0241

221 N St
Portsmouth, VA 23704   Directions Website

The Hill House in Portsmouth still stands as a slice of historical domestic splendor. Upon visiting the Hill House, you will get the opportunity to peer at what the privileged life was like around 1825. The structure is a four-story example of regal living as it is meticulously adorned with belongings and personal effects that once belonged to the Hill family. This is a truly memorable piece of Portsmouth history that is understandably on the National Register of Historic Places.

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

(757) 800-1555

249 Central Park Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23462   Directions Website

Whether your kids are sports fans or not, they will enjoy the experience of visiting the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Portsmouth. Over the course of this impressive two-story facility, you and your family will discover the stories and victories of more than 300 past and present athletes who have earned their rightful place in this Hall of Fame. Additional points of interest include the popular NASCAR driving simulator, an exhibit that will test the speed of your baseball pitch, as well as various other interactive attractions.

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