Lots of hands-on activities for children. Huge train display of vintage model railroad equipment. Well worth the price of admission. Plan on spending at least 4 hours.

we visited here this past weekend and truly enjoyed the museum lots of interesting kids things to do, and even the parents can get involved. We liked the bubbles , the music room and the physics rooms. The museum kept our son busy the entire time. If we live in the area we would have a membership.

This is the newly renovated museum that was closed for two years during the renovation.
It costs ten dollars admission fee. It was very nice for my 3 year old. There are some things intended for slightly older children but it is a good balance for a 2-3 year old too. I am not going to go into detail about the exhibits, their webpage should be enough for that. That downtown area is safe. (I was a cop there for 20 years) I would NOT stay in the hotels downtown Portsmouth though specifically not the Super *, Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn Olde Towne, America's Inns and Suites, Quality Inn. I REPEAT DO NOT STAY THERE! DO NOT! Remember I just said I am a retired cop from there? Trust Me! Do NOT stay anywhere in downtown Portsmouth except for the Renaissance (which is pricey)

If you are travelling to the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, Suffolk, Smithfield, etc) it is VERY worth the trip to Portsmouth to attend this children's museum. There is on street parking, but it would probably be easier to use the parking garage at the rear of the museum. The museum faces High Street. The parking garage is one block over on County Street. You enter and pay at a pay station. Price is reasonable. THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED ON MONDAY !!!!
NOTE: THERE ARE ALOT OF SCHOOL TRIPS. MAKE SURE YOU COME AFTER 1PM TO MISS THE HUGE SCHOOL GROUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My 5 year old son absolutely loved the museum. The staff was very friendly and helpful..