First Place: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

200 N. Boulevard
340-1400
vmfa.state.va.us

Second Place: Science Museum of Virginia

Third Place: The Valentine

It’s tough to beat VMFA when it comes to major, crowd-pleasing arts shows. Most recently, the big draw was “Rodin: Evolution of a Genius,” the fifth collaboration between the museum and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It’s a good bet that the Kehinde Wiley portrait exhibit in June will be a huge hit with younger audiences. Things seem to be moving in the right direction, at least from an outside view. The Science Museum of Virginia, which remains a hit with kids and adults alike, offers science-themed exhibits and such events as model railroad shows. Plus of course, the big dome with the largest screen in Virginia, at 76 feet, for astronomy presentations and science and nature films. The Valentine museum, a favorite of history lovers, is known for its fascinating collection and exhibits of Richmond-specific history. It also recently announced a new outdoor concert series for June.