Free and low-cost family activities in Virginia

85 entries for Virginia (2 programs and places, 83 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Virginia

Virginia State Parks: parking fees and free days

Low costOutdoorsVirginia

A parking fee is required at most Virginia State Parks. Parking fees are waived on Jan. 1 and National Public Lands Day and on any other day the Director specifies, and veterans' parking fees are waived on Nov. 11. False Cape, Natural Bridge, Sailor's Creek Battlefield, Staunton River Battlefield and Southwest Virginia Museum do not charge parking fees (admission fees apply at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum). For parks with a parking fee there is no charge for visitors entering on foot or by bicycle.

Who it's for: Everyone; veterans on Nov. 11

How: Pay at the entrance contact station or buy an annual pass. See the parking fee page for current prices.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Virginia State Parks license plate holders: free parking days

Free days / free for someOutdoorsVirginia

Virginia State Parks license plate owners receive free parking on Earth Day, Arbor Day, Kids to Parks Day, Virginia State Parks Anniversary Day (June 15), Veterans Day and Opt-Outside Day (the day after Thanksgiving). The 2026 dates still ahead as of Oct 17 are Wednesday, Nov. 11 and Friday, Nov. 27.

Who it's for: Owners of a Virginia State Parks license plate

How: Requires the specialty plate; see the DCR plate page. Everyone's parking is free on Jan. 1 and National Public Lands Day (see the parking fee entry).

Source: official page · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Virginia (83)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

Agecroft Hall & Gardens Richmond, VA
Amazement Square Lynchburg, VA
The American Civil War Museum Richmond, VA
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Yorktown, VA
Arlington Historical Museum Arlington, VA
Bacon’s Castle Surry, VA
Ball-Sellers House Arlington, VA
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum Bristol, VA
Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia Richmond, VA
Blue Ridge Children’s Museum Waynesboro, VA
Blue Ridge Institute & Museum Ferrum, VA
Cape Henry Lighthouse Fort Story, VA
Children’s Museum of Richmond Richmond, VA
Children’s Museum of Virginia Portsmouth, VA
Children’s Science Center Lab Fairfax, VA
Clarke-Palmore House Museum Henrico, VA
Colonial Williamsburg Williamsburg, VA
Courtney Road Service Station Henrico, VA
Dabbs House Museum Henrico, VA
Danville Science Center Danville, VA
Deep Run School Henrico, VA
Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park Deltaville, VA
Explore More Discovery Museum Harrisonburg, VA
Frontier Culture Museum Staunton, VA
George Mason’s Gunston Hall Lorton, VA
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Mount Vernon, VA
Henricus Historical Park Chester, VA
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop Fredericksburg, VA
The Hunter House Victorian Museum Norfolk, VA
Institutional History Museum and Galleries – Washington & Lee University Lexington, VA
Jackson House Museum Lexington, VA
James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage Orange, VA
James Monroe’s Highland Charlottesville, VA
Jamestown Settlement Williamsburg, VA
John Marshall House Richmond, VA
Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden Alexandria, VA
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Richmond, VA
The Mariners’ Museum and Park Newport News, VA
Mary Washington House Fredericksburg, VA
Maymont Richmond, VA
Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park Glen Allen, VA
Menokin Warsaw, VA
Mill Mountain Zoo Roanoke, VA
Monticello Charlottesville, VA
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley Winchester, VA
NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility Visitor Center Wallops Island, VA
National Sporting Library & Museum Middleburg, VA
Nauticus Norfolk, VA
Norfolk Botanical Garden Norfolk, VA
Owl Creek Landing Virginia Beach, VA
Patrick Henry’s Red Hill Brookneal, VA
Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown Beaverdam, VA
The Poe Museum Richmond, VA
The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler Schuyler, VA
Rising Sun Tavern Fredericksburg, VA
Roanoke History & O. Winston Link Museums Roanoke, VA
Rocktown History Dayton, VA
Science Museum of Virginia Richmond, VA
Science Museum of Western Virginia Roanoke, VA
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum Winchester, VA
Smith’s Fort Surry, VA
Springfield School Henrico, VA
St. Luke’s Historic Church & Museum Smithfield, VA
Steamboat Era Museum Irvington, VA
Stratford Hall Historic Preserve Stratford, VA
Taubman Museum of Art Roanoke, VA
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Lynchburg, VA
Three Lakes Park & Nature Center Henrico, VA
The Valentine Richmond, VA
Virginia Air & Space Science Center Hampton, VA
Virginia Living Museum Newport News, VA
Virginia Military Institute Museum Lexington, VA
Virginia Museum of the Civil War New Market, VA
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Richmond, VA
Virginia Museum of History & Culture Richmond, VA
Virginia Museum of Natural History Martinsville, VA
Virginia Randolph Museum Glen Allen, VA
Weems-Botts Museum Dumfries, VA
Wilton House Museum Richmond, VA
Wonder Universe Christiansburg, VA
Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House Alexandria, VA
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum Staunton, VA

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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