Activities and Resources

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, VA 23451

3 out of 5 stars (1 review)

717 General Booth Boulevard

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

757.385.3474
Fish@VirginiaAquarium.com
http://www.v... aquarium.com
Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day: daily, 9am-7pm; Labor Day to Memorial Day: daily, 9am-5pm; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Cost: Adults $11.95; Seniors $10.95; Children (3-11) $7.95; Members free
Ages: All Ages

About Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center has over 700,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats with hundreds of hands-on exhibits, an outdoor aviary, a nature trail, marshlands, and a 3D IMAX Theater. You're sure to see seals, sea turtles, sharks, dozens of fish varieties, sting rays, and sea otters among other exhibits.

The Aquarium offers lots of cool programs as well, including children's nature classes, summer camps, and encounter programs such as the Seal Splash (which allows visitors to interact with harbor seals), boat trips for whale and dolphin watching, a creek cruise, and behind-the-scenes programs with the seals and sea turtles.

Birthday party options include a Marsh Animals theme for kids ages three to 12, or a Bay Lab Beach Party for ages seven to 12. Check the website for details.

Tips

Family membership ($80 per year) includes free admission and numerous other discounts - including a big one on birthday parties.

Getting There

One mile south of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on General Booth Boulevard.

Events At  Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

Parent Reviews (1 review)
Average Parent Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Rated by 1 parents

  • 3 out of 5 stars
    The Aquarium is a great place to visit once. For the amount of money you spend, seeing the fish and large turtles, petting the sting-rays, and exploring the learning areas can be interesting for kids and adults alike. You can take a walk on a nice day between the buildings (there are two), to look at their outdoor pond/lake/river thing, and try to glimpse a bird or read up on the types of foilage that grow here in VA. (Might not want to do that on a hot day, its about a 10 min. stroll with your toddler in toe, if you don't stop to look at stuff between the buildings.)

    As I was saying, the amount of money you spend for tickets does not represent the amount you get to see. Furthermore, after the first time you've been there, you really could just go to the local pet store with your toddler and look at he fish there...for free. Everyone tries to take pictures of the large turtles swimming in the tank and fish and whatnot, only to get blurred images and their flash reflecting off the glass. Your kids will enjoy it once, and move on.

    The areas where you can learn stuff are not really interesting for those 3 and under. Except the small "submarine" that you can walk into, look through the portholes at fish, and then walk out of. If you have kids in the preteen or young teen years, they might enjoy the educational exhibits more than a toddler.

    This place is ALWAYS packed with tourists and families. Plan on waiting in line for your tickets for a very long time. Plan on being in cramped spaces with lots of people trying to look at the same thing you're looking at. Plan on trying to get your stroller through a winding pathway filled with others. Plan on everyone driving through the parking lot looking for a parking space that isn't forever away from the entrance.
    [Submitted by Tiffany5/11/09

Rate This Attraction

1 out of 5 stars Don't bother
2 out of 5 stars It's just okay
3 out of 5 stars Has some good points
4 out of 5 stars Good for kids & families
5 out of 5 stars Great for kids & families
0 out of 5 stars I prefer not to give a rating

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