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Children's Museum of Virginia Tickets
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About Children's Museum of Virginia
The Children's Museum of Virginia (CMV) is Virginia’s largest children's museum, offering two floors of interactive exhibits and the Beazley Planetarium. Located at 221 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth, CMV provides engaging experiences for kids and families, with exhibits designed to spark curiosity and hands-on learning. Tickets must be purchased in advance online, and hours run Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Whether you’re planning a family day, a birthday event, or a private rental, CMV is a reliable, straightforward option with plenty to explore. We’ve got you covered with practical details on parking, transit, nearby hotels and dining, plus insider tips to help you secure your visit without hassle.
Parking options near CMV include Middle Street Garage, Water Street Garage, and Central Garage, with affordable hourly rates and free parking nights/weekends. The museum is accessible by Hampton Roads Transit routes and other local transport options, making it easy for visitors from across the region. For overnight stays, consider nearby hotels like Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront and Quality Inn Olde Towne Portsmouth, both within easy reach of the museum. The CMV hosts regular events such as Planetarium shows, Second Saturday activities, Monster Mash, and Night at the Museum fundraisers, and also offers private rental opportunities for special occasions.
Note: The current CMV address is 221 High Street; historic references list a prior location during renovations. Public seating charts are not published, but planetarium shows follow published schedules. To confirm details for a specific date or event, check the official CMV website and plan to buy tickets online in advance.
Good to know
Seating, Parking & Venue Information
- Location and hours: 221 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704; hours: Wednesday–Sunday 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Tickets must be purchased in advance online. (Official site) ([childrensmuseumvirginia.com](https://childrensmuseumvirginia.com/))
- Venue type and space: The CMV is a museum with two floors of interactive exhibits and a Beazley Planetarium; the facility is widely described as Virginia’s largest children's museum. (Official site; MDG project data) ([childrensmuseumvirginia.com](https://childrensmuseumvirginia.com/))
- Facility size: Approximately 72,000 square feet of exhibit space after renovations. (McPherson Design Group) ([mdg-eng.com](https://www.mdg-eng.com/portfolio/museum/childrens-museum-virginia?utm_source=openai))
- Parking: Nearby public garages include Middle Street Garage (441 Middle St), Water Street Garage (500 Water St) and Central Garage (801 Water St) with rates around $1.25/hour and up to $10/day; parking is free nights/weekends. (Portsmouth Tourism Parking) ([portsvacation.com](https://portsvacation.com/parking/))
- Transit: CMV is served by Hampton Roads Transit (regional bus/ferry network) with Portsmouth routes; Downtown access via GRTC/HRT, plus ferry options along the Elizabeth River. (Portsmouth Transportation Planning) ([portsmouthva.gov](https://www.portsmouthva.gov/473/Transportation-Planning?utm_source=openai))
- Nearby hotels: Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel (425 Water St) and Quality Inn Olde Towne Portsmouth (347 Effingham St) are within walking distance or a short drive of CMV. ([oldetowneportsmouth.com](https://oldetowneportsmouth.com/listings/renaissance-portsmouth-norfolk-waterfront-hotel/))
- Notable events and rentals: The museum hosts frequent events (e.g., Planetarium shows, Second Saturday, Monster Mash) and offers private rentals; a notable fundraiser is Night at the Museum. (CMV Events pages; Portsmouth Museums Foundation) ([childrensmuseumvirginia.com](https://childrensmuseumvirginia.com/events?utm_source=openai))
- Historical note: The current CMV address is 221 High Street; during renovations a prior listing referenced 420 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth. The museum operates today from 221 High Street. (CMV site; MuseumsUSA) ([childrensmuseumvirginia.com](https://childrensmuseumvirginia.com/))
- Public seating/chart: No public seating chart is published for CMV; the Beazley Planetarium pages confirm regular show times (Planetarium shows), but no official seating chart is listed publicly. (CMV site; Planetarium page) ([childrensmuseumvirginia.com](https://childrensmuseumvirginia.com/events?utm_source=openai))