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Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA

Photo: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsFreeRainy-Day PickHistory Buff

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd · Richmond, VA

Why you should go…

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1936 and is owned and run by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and general admission is free. Its permanent collection of more than 50,000 works spans ancient, African, American, British sporting and Himalayan art. The museum owns five Fabergé Imperial Easter eggs, including the Peter the Great Egg, and you can bring a picnic to the Robins Sculpture Garden. Some galleries are temporarily closed during an expansion and renovation project.

  • #art museum
  • #faberge eggs
  • #free museum
  • #museum district

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Virginia Tourism Corporation

    Free

    Virginia's official state tourism agency, promoting travel across the commonwealth from its Richmond headquarters.

    2.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    History Buff

    American Civil War Museum

    Under $25

    Two floors of Civil War exhibits and artifacts on the grounds of the old Tredegar Iron Works beside the James River.

    2.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Date Night

    Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

    Under $25

    Stroll more than a dozen themed gardens, a glass Conservatory and a year-round butterfly exhibit just north of Richmond.

    4.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Jamestown Settlement

    Under $25

    Board full-size replicas of the 1607 ships, explore a recreated James Fort and Powhatan village, and see 17th-century artifacts.

    44 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Historic Jamestowne

    $25–$50

    Walk the site of the 1607 James Fort, see the 17th-century church tower and watch archaeologists at work.

    45 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Colonial Williamsburg

    $25–$50

    Walk an 18th-century capital where costumed interpreters work trades and restored buildings line Duke of Gloucester Street.

    47 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing