Located in downtown Charlottesville, the Virginia Discovery Museum operates as a hands-on children's museum with rotating special displays and permanent exhibits. Appropriate for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers, museum visitors can enjoy activities like the Busy Ball Wall, Puppet Tree and Rain Forest Hallway. Besides exhibits, the museum also offers weekly and monthly programs like story time, poetry clubs and toddler hours. Visitors to Charlottesville who want to stay near the museum can choose from several nearby hotels.
Less than half-mile from the Virginia Discovery Museum, the Omni Charlottesville Hotel provides easy access to visitors wanting to enjoy the museum and other downtown attractions. The Omni boasts over 200 guest rooms with special amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, free parking and the Omni Kids Club, where each kid receives a backpack and suitcase full of games and books. Several restaurants are also within walking distance of the Omni Charlottesville, including Christen's Pizza, Damon's and Bizou, or guests can opt to dine at the on-site restaurant, The Pointe, or the Omni breakfast and lunch buffet.
Guests at the 200 South Street Inn enjoy historical ambiance in two restored houses that make up the inn, which is located only blocks from the Virginia Discovery Museum. Accommodation choices range from rooms with two twin beds to king suites with sitting rooms and queen pullout beds. Along with the Virginia Discovery Museum, guests can walk to a pedestrian mall full of shops, restaurants and an indoor skating rink. Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, is located four miles from 200 South Street Inn, and the University of Virginia is less than a mile away.
Just over a mile away, the Hampton Inn and Suites Charlottesville provides convenient accommodations for visitors wanting to experience the Virginia Discovery Museum and other area attractions. Just down the road from the University of Virginia campus, the Hampton Inn features large rooms, on-site laundry and free breakfast and drinks. The Hampton Inn is only steps from the Charlottesville Amtrak station and a variety of restaurants like Asian Express and the Wild Wing Café.
Also located next to the University of Virginia campus and just a mile from the Virginia Discovery Museum, the Courtyard Charlottesville offers a variety of room layouts along with free breakfast every morning and an indoor pool and fitness center. The on-site Café 1201 serves hot breakfast and a la carte items. Several restaurants can be found within walking distance of the hotel, such as Basil Mediterranean Bistro and the College Inn.
