Children's Museum of Virginia

Children's Museum of Virginia, the state's largest children's museum, offers more than 80 hands-on exhibits, temporary rotating exhibits, a 64-seat planetarium and a $1 million antique toy and model train collection. Two full floors packed with over 90 hands-on exhibits. An awesome toy train collection and display that even serious railroad buffs rate "top of the line." Gadgets and gizmos and games galore. From the make-believe to the unbelievable, the Children's Museum of Virginia caters to all ages and interests. Whether you're ringing up groceries or digging up dinosaur bones or exploring the very fringes of the Universe, there's always something new and exciting, interesting and enthralling and, yes, even educational around every turn.

Winter Hours: The Children's Museum of Virginia is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Open for Monday holidays.

Summer Hours: (Memorial Day to Labor Day) The Children's Museum of Virginia is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Children, under 14 years of age, must be supervised at all times. You must be 18 years or older to accompany a child into the museum.

Admission is $6 per person, with children under two free. Cash, checks or major credit cards accepted. 221 High Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.5258. Admission.

Lightship PORTSMOUTH Museum

The Lightship PORTSMOUTH Museum, located next to the Portsmouth Renaissance hotel, this restored lightship, a National Historic Landmark, was commissioned in 1915 to guide ships through treacherous waters. Like lighthouses and buoys, lightships were navigational aids. The lights atop their masts were similar to those in lighthouses, but their portability made them much more versatile.

The Lightship PORTSMOUTH was built in 1915. She served for 48 years off the coasts of Virginia, Delaware and Massachusetts helping mariners avoid dangerous shoals or enter safely into harbors at night. Typically, the ship would anchor at a strategic location at sea and remain there for months at a time. The maximum crew for the Lightship PORTSMOUTH during her half-century in service was 15 men.

In 1964, she was retired to Portsmouth and renamed according to the custom of naming lightships after the site where they are stationed. In 1989, the Lightship PORTSMOUTH was designated a National Historic Landmark. Now a museum, the ship’s quarters are fitted out realistically and filled with fascinating artifacts, uniforms, photographs, models, and more.

Winter Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; open on Mondays that fall on a holiday.

Summer Hours: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day; Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Water and London Streets, Portsmouth. 757.393.8741. Admission. Tour the Lightship.

Portsmouth Naval Lightship Museum

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum pays tribute to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, a government-owned shipyard in Portsmouth and the oldest shipyard in the country. Memorabilia includes uniforms, cannon balls, models of ships and a piece of the CSS Virginia (the Merrimac). The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum offers a unique perspective on U.S. history, from Colonial to Civil War times and beyond. You’ll find beautiful ship models, uniforms, military artifacts and exhibits portraying life in 18th, 19th and 20th century Portsmouth

Winter Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; open on Mondays that fall on a holiday.

Summer Hours: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day; Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 2 High Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.8591. Admission.

Courthouse Galleries

The building that houses the Courthouse Galleries itself is a lesson in aesthetics. The 1846 Courthouse, home of the Courthouse Galleries, is on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. This beautiful setting is just a starting point. The museum offers quality aesthetic, cultural and educational experiences through changing visual art exhibits, lectures, classes and performances. Local, national and international themes are represented, as well as craftsmen and artists of various genres. Classical to contemporary, mainstream to the fringe, this museum promotes the interest and understanding of visual fine art.

Winter Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mondays except observed holidays.

Summer Hours: Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 206 High Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.8543. Admission.

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in Portsmouth designated the Official Sports Hall of Fame for the Commonwealth by the Virginia General Assembly in 1996. The roster of inductees is truly a "Who's Who" of the Commonwealth's most incredible sports heroes. The Hall of Fame honors Virginia sports heroes ranging from golfer Sam Snead to tennis star Arthur Ashe. Thirty-four National Hall of Famers are amongst its ranks, as are 29 of the top 50 Virginia athletes of the century recognized by Sports Illustrated. Visit and get an intimate look at Virginia's sports greats through the museum's impressive collection of artifacts and memorabilia, one of the country's largest.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays and most major holidays. 420 High Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.8031.

Portsmouth Museums Key Pass (Discounted Passes):

Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend without spending a lot of money? Visit the Portsmouth Museums and ask for a "Key Pass," which admits you to the Children's Museum of Virginia, the Naval Shipyard Museum and the Courthouse Galleries for only $9. And don't worry about seeing it all in a day. The Key Pass is good for ninety days (One Visit Per Museum). Key Passes are sold at the cashier's counter of each city museum or may be purchased online at Museums are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Historic Sites

The Hill House

Four-story 1825 English basement home furnished entirely with original family belongings. It is evident from the furnishings that the Hill family was avid collectors and lived graciously over a period of 150 years. The house remains in its original condition, with limited renovation through the years. Open April through December. Hours: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday - Sunday. 221 North Street, Portsmouth. 757.393.0241. Admission.

Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve

The 142-acre Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve includes vast wetlands, a heavily wooded forest, and a unique saltwater lake. Located on the shores of Hoffler Creek in northwest Churchland, the preserve is the last viable wilderness area in Portsmouth and is a thriving habitat for countless species of plants and animals - both aquatic and terrestrial - native to Southeastern Virginia. Plans are being made to build a 3,200 sq. ft. nature center, along with an outdoor classroom, a habitat display, a butterfly garden and pond, a wildlife meadow, an oyster garden, walking trails and a wildlife observation tower. Programs are free and open to the public. Call for reservations. 4510 Twin Pines Road (near River Shore Road) Portsmouth. 757.398.9151.