Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center

Located on the banks of the Rivanna River in Darden Towe Park, the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center is a hands-on center focusing on the historic Lewis & Clark expedition as a gateway for learning about history, exploration, transportation, the arts, science, the natural environment, and native cultures. The Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center is a place where children and adults are encouraged to explore!

We are currently open by reservation only, except for special events. You can email us at lcecvirginia@gmail.com to request a reservation, or call (434) 996-7282 and leave a message. A special reservation gives you a dedicated guide for both indoor and outdoor tours and activities.

The Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center offers art, history, and nature programs based on the skills of exploration, as well as exciting workshops, activity stations, history games, and challenges. When we have a special event scheduled, we sell tickets through our Eventbrite landing page https://lewisandclarkexploratorycenter.eventbrite.com. Check out what programs are being offered!

Charlottesville is an important part of the history of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Meriwether Lewis was born in Ivy, near Charlottesville, and his relatives lived in the shelter of the Southwest Mountains where the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center is also located. William Clark's family once owned the land where the Center was built, and his older brother George Rogers Clark was born in a small cabin nearby. We are located off the beautiful Rivanna River, which was travelled by Thomas Jefferson, whose Monticello is only a 30-minute kayak or canoe ride downstream from our river launch. Criss-crossing trails fan out from the Center and along the river.