Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum
Waterfowl Seagull Pixabay Public Domain
Attracting bird, hunting, and history lovers alike, this gorgeous one-hundred-year-old cottage turned museum allows visitors to actively take part in learning the art and historical background of wildfowling. Gaining the idea in 1974 after attending the World Carving Competition, the local Back Bay Wildfowl Guild has put countless hours into planning, renovating, and stocking the de Witt Cottage and making it the unique learning experience that it now is.
Visitors will be immersed in a historical whirlwind of local waterfowl facts, award-winning life-size carvings, contemporary and antique decoys, and countless stunning paintings and murals. This museum also offers tours of surrounding outbuildings such as Virginia Beach's first library, multiple carving classrooms, and numerous themed art galleries. The museum is also home to a beautiful seaside garden with an unbeatable oceanfront view and containing approximately 50 various flower, shrub, and tree species that thrive in the salt air environment and is a must-stop spot for any garden enthusiasts. Open from 10 am to 5 pm most days (closed on Mondays) be sure to save plenty of time to stop by the loaded gift shop to pick up your “gem of the oceanfront” mementos on your way out!
