The Robins Nature Center

Meet the new porcupettes!

A baby porcupine (porcupettes) is eating leaves inside an enclosure

For a limited time, two porcupettes — baby North American porcupines — named Sandy and Barb, are being raised in a specially designed nursery room in The Robins Nature Center.

Visitors can watch these normally elusive youngsters as they play, nap and grow up through large observation windows — with a general admission ticket. Learn how to get an Up Close experience, below!

In 2026, they will move to their new outdoor habitat on the Virginia Wildlife Trail, when the Maymont 2025 initiative is complete.

Book an Up Close experience, ending Nov. 30

Book a behind-the-scenes experience led by Maymont staff for 4 to 6 people at a time inside the porcupettes' nursery. Each session includes a talk, Q&A, enrichment exercise and photo op; all proceeds support Maymont's animal care and the Maymont 2025 initiative. Full details and reservations below.

Book a Sunday in November for 35% off

FAQs

Can I book all six spots within a time slot? Saturday reservations are available on an individual basis, up to 6 per time slot at $85 per person. Sunday reservations are specially priced for groups of 4 people in a single booking, for a total of $220.

Note for Saturdays: If one or more spots in a given time slot are already reserved, and you wish to bring a party of 6, you will receive an error message and be prompted to choose a different time slot. If a time slot has all six spots open, you will be able to book up to 6 spots per time slot. Please enter the number 6 in the ticket quantity window.

Does each person need to complete the liability waiver? Can I preview it? Waivers will be available at the front desk in the lobby of The Robins Nature Center. We ask that your whole group arrive at least 30 minutes in advance so that each person can complete a waiver. Click here to preview the waiver.

Can my child attend the program without an adult? No. all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Is this program ADA accessible? Yes, the parking lot, restrooms, hallways, exhibit space and experience space are all accessible.

The description says it includes an enrichment exercise. What is that? Animal enrichment is the practice of providing animals with stimulating environments and activities that promote natural behaviors and mental engagement. Enrichment can include a novelty food item, new smells, sounds or objects or a combination of these things. Staff will lead participants to put together some enrichment items and then watch the animal choose to engage or not engage with the items presented.

Will participants have an opportunity to touch the porcupettes? No, participants will not be able to have direct contact with the porcupettes. There will be some biofacts (such as animal fur or antlers) available for participants to interact with during the experience.

Can I take photos with the animals? Yes! You will have an opportunity to take photos with the animals with your personal cameras or phones.

I have pet allergies. Will this be a problem? Porcupines do not have dander, which is the cause of many allergies.

I am very sensitive to smells. How smelly are porcupines? Porcupines do have an odor. Our staff clean their space daily and the space has air filtration.

Can I bring food and drink with me into the experience? No, outside food and drink are not allowed inside the porcupette nursery.

I want to support the care of the porcupines. How can I do that? Maymont has an Adopt an Animal program. Learn more here, or speak with one of our Guest Services associates.

Book your 'Pettes Up Close experience

TICKETS

Hours: Fri–Sun, 10am-4pm Oct. 12-Nov. 9

Advance reservations recommended, but not required. Last ticket slot 45 minutes prior to closing.

General Admission:

Adult: $10
Adult 65+ & Child (16 & under): $8
Infants (under 1 year): FREE

Maymont Members:
FREE

Museums for All:
FREE with EBT card, on-site only

Get Tickets

Explore the James River ecosystem!

The Robins Nature Center showcases the remarkable ecology of the James River and Chesapeake Bay watershed. It is the largest facility of its kind in central Virginia, with close to 30,000 gallons of aquaria filled with fish, turtles, reptiles and amphibians, plus two river otters.

Explore the “Run of the River” experience:

Recreation – Play on rocks, a beaver lodge and a kayak, or climb the 34-foot River Reach* sculpture with a series of netted platforms depicting river microorganisms
Manmade waterfall – Watch water cascading into the 30,000 gallons of aquaria
Immersive education and inspiration – Learn about the ecosystem through giant river murals, maps and figures, animal models, digital pool touch stations and other engaging displays

Inside a nature center with a 34-foot play structure, aquarium tanks below it, and engaging play areas. Plus a mural of the James River on the back wall.

Guest amenities include rest rooms, vending machines, and a gift shop filled with engaging books and nature-inspired toys.

*The River Reach sculpture was made possible through the generosity of Jeanette Lipman through The Lipman Foundation in memory of her grandson, Sage MacFarlane, who loved everything in nature.

Getting Here

Find a map of the entire estate and park, plus other entrances, on our Map & Directions page.

The Robins Nature Center Address and Directions

2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, VA, 23220
This entrance is the best place for new visitors to begin.

Public Transit

The GRTC transit system is zero fare until further notice. Take GRTC Line 78 to Meadow + Nevada, then walk about 0.4 mi, entering via the 1700 Hampton Street gates and through the park.

From Interstates 64 & 95

Take Arthur Ashe Boulevard exit #78 (Route 161)
Go south on Arthur Ashe Boulevard (Route 161) for two miles to the Byrd Park Reservoir
Turn right at Grant Street/Blanton Avenue (Route 161) and go .03 miles to the Carillon monument
Turn left at Park Drive (Route 161) and go .03 miles
Turn left at Shirley Lane (last left before the Boulevard Bridge) and go one block (past the Maymont Farm entrance)
Bear left (not the hard left onto Westover Road) and go one block into Byrd Park
Turn right at Shields Lake Drive and continue around the lake to The Robins Nature Center parking lot on the right

From the Powhite Parkway (Route 76) via the Downtown Expressway (I-195) (From Southside, Midlothian)

After the James River Bridge toll plaza, get in the right lane
Bear right onto the Downtown Expressway (I-195 East)
Take the first exit, bear left onto Maplewood Avenue, and go one block
Turn right at S. Sheppard Street and go one block
Merge onto Grant Street/Blanton Avenue (Route 161) and go .03 miles to the Carillon monument
Turn left at Park Drive (Route 161) and go .03 miles
Turn left at Shirley Lane (last left before Boulevard Bridge) and go one block (past the Maymont Farm entrance)
Bear left (not the hard left onto Westover Road) and go one block into Byrd Park
Turn right at Shields Lake Drive and continue around the lake to The Robins Nature Center parking lot on the right

From the Downtown Expressway (I-195) South (Heading south from the West End)

Take the Cary Street/Grove Avenue exit ramp and bear left
Turn left at the first stoplight, Cary Street (Route 147) and go east .09 miles
Turn right at Arthur Ashe Boulevard (Route 161) and go .03 miles to the Byrd Park Reservoir
Turn right at Grant Street/Blanton Avenue (Route 161) and go .03 miles to the Carillon monument
Turn left at Park Drive (Route 161) and go .03 miles
Turn left at Shirley Lane (last left before the Boulevard Bridge) and go one block (past the Maymont Farm entrance)
Bear left (not the hard left onto Westover Road) and go one block into Byrd Park
Turn right at Shields Lake Drive and continue around the lake to The Robins Nature Center parking lot on the right

From the Boulevard Bridge (North from Forest Hill, Westover Hills)

Once through the Boulevard Bridge toll plaza, get in the right lane
Take the first right at Shirley Lane and go one block (past the Maymont Farm entrance)
Bear left (not the hard left onto Westover Road) and go one block into Byrd Park
Turn right at Shields Lake Drive and continue around the lake to The Robins Nature Center parking lot on the right

From Downtown Richmond (Heading west from Ninth and Main Streets)

Take Main Street west about two miles
Turn left at Meadow Street and go one mile
Turn right at Amelia Street and go two blocks
Turn left at Shields Lake Drive and continue around the lake to The Robins Nature Center parking lot on the left.

Note: We do not accept wild or domestic animals from the public.

The Robins Nature Center was extensively redesigned and expanded in 2020 thanks to major funding provided by Moses D. Nunnally, Jr. Charitable Trust, The Lipman Foundation, Beirne Carter Foundation, Mary Anderson Harrison Foundation, Barbara A. Peers Trust, and Marietta McNeill Morgan & Samual Tate Morgan, Jr. Trust.