The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Overall it is just not worth the cost. Sure they have some dedicated spots for the preschool aged but nothing was impressing. I went with 4 adult family members and 4 kids under 3. The little ones enjoyed the new smokey the bear exhibit but I’m still trying to figure out how preventing forest fires and the ocean relate? Don’t get me wrong… There were a few cool tanks filled with incredible fish. But it was a few. I remember taking my oldest to the Myrtle Beach Ripley’s one a couple years back and I was impressed with that one but this experience was underwhelming. I just don’t see a reason to return to the aquarium part. Maybe in the spring for the ropes course but that’s a separate area and cost. Hope this review helps before you make a long drive like we did.

This place is pretty cool. It’s a very active aquarium with a lot going on. I assume that during the warm weather months that this place get super crowded.
They have the entrance fee and you can see a 3D movie. Small separate fee. We watched a film called walking with the Dinosaurs. I enjoyed it. The entrance fee was about $ 25.00 with a separate fee if you wanted to catch the 3D movie. This location also have zip lining outside. How cool is that. Also a separate fee, not exactly sure of the amount because we had so much going on. This is a very good place to take your date. Or bring the kids and the whole family would enjoy it. We had so much fun! My favorite was walking under the glassed water. It made me feel like we were there personally underneath the water. Such as scuba diving but not getting wet. The best part in my opinion. Off season is the best time to go with way less of a crowd. They also have plenty free parking outside. Can’t wait to return. When visiting the Virginia Beach area. I would love to go for that boat ride during warmer weather. Nice way to enjoy the activities and everything else they have to offer. Kudos to the Aquarium :)

This was a fun aquarium, but it seems a bit small for the entry price. They have a nice outdoor wooded area for zip-​lining. More of a destination geared for those with kids.

I have to give this place credit where it’s due. They have done a rather fantastic job of this place in making it very fun and family oriented.
Every detail from the entrance to the new and upcoming dinosaur exhibit; my daughter was continually amused and fascinated. The only thing pending was that she was a tad too young for everything (only 10 months). I can’t wait to bring her here when she’s old enough to be more fascinated with comprehension.
Pricing wise they seem very fair. It’s not crushing but just enough for you to say. .“sure”.
I’ll update this review when we go here again and the experience is more detailed. =)

We visited the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center the week before Thanksgiving and enjoyed ourselves. Our 3 year old grandson liked the «hands on» activities and we enjoyed watching him. The Aquarium is actually in 2 different buildings and you either have to walk to it or drive. The day we visited it was raining so we drove.
Overall, everyone enjoyed it.

Love, love, LOVE this place! It was informative, the staff friendly, and the exhibits beautiful!
There was a cool photoshoot in which they posed you to look as if you were being chased by a shark and a really cute frame for it. The gift shop was great, too. I bought an adorable fish vase and a picture painted by a seal! (Looked like a 5 year olds abstract art but I still loved it)
The shark tunnel was amazing. My husband and I paced it for almost an hour looking at everything and just marveling in its beauty! There were many different exhibits (shark tank, crocodiles, jelly fish and clams!) And at the end of the aquarium there was even a sting ray touch pool! No reviews for the food because it was closed when I got there and I didn’t do their zip line «adventure park» but I still highly recommend it.
Even the staff was happy to be there! Each one had giant smiles on their faces and cheery attitudes.
It was cool to know that the aquarium uses water FROM the bay as its more eco-​friendly and actively try to make a difference in the lives or nearby marine life and human residents. They’ve even made a sea food safe wine!
Very impressed. Planning to go back as soon as I can!

We had a blast here! My boys are 5 and 9 and they loved it, did not want to leave. Luckily we purchased season passes, honestly more cost effective if you live near by, we plan to go back a lot! Not a huge aquarium, but there is a lot to see and a few hands on activities.

We had a nice time at this aquarium. I agree it is kind of pricey for its size even with the military discount. It was kind of crowded but I’m used to that being from Philly the adventure aquarium is always PACKED so that didn’t bother me. It’s not as good as the Adventure Aquarium or the Baltimore Aquarium but it’s still a formidable one. There are a lot of nice animals to look at and it was very educational. I really enjoyed walking around here.

It hi k this place is a good place to be on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with the kiddos:) this place is big and has a lot of cool things to offer. The tickets are decently priced and they do offer a military discount.

This review is regarding the dolphin boat ride. They decided to cancel the prebooked boat tour (and our reservations) at the last minute leaving us with multuple babysitters for 7 children, an hour drive and no advanced notification.
Rudee’s on the other hand, was able to get us in with no advanced tickets, without excuses. The upside is we now know who is reliable enough to book future boat tours with; [hint: not the Virginia Aquarium].

We enjoyed the shark tank and petting skates.
The entrance was $ 22 per adult and free for kids under 3 years old.
Parking was free.

Another outing to a fun attraction… with all of my family!
After waiting in the painfully slow line of cars, we finally found a parking spot. We arrived at the Aquarium around 2pm, so we only had three hours left to enjoy everything. It’s quite a walk from the lot to the main entrance, so be ready. Once you reach the counter, staff greet you warmly and set you on your way for adventure. My family and I stayed in the same building to enjoy the marine exhibits.
Once you pass the ticket checker/​stamper you step into a «picture trap.» I only say that b/​c it seems like you are forced to take a photo when you just want to view the sights. You don’t expect this until you turn the corner. Once you make it out of the flashing frenzy, you enter the first exhibit. Each showing has the animal expected to be there, unlike one zoo I have been to. Sometimes I make it a game to find the «hiding» animal (s). Each exhibit also has podiums with fun facts and information on the animal (s) shown. There are Aquarium staff also available that share tidbits and knowledge as well. Once you reach it, the stingray tank is quite fun. Watching them swim around while little kids laugh and pet them. But these are the same kids that yell, scream, and bump/​push into you w/​o remorse! Be on guard!
Before I knew it, we are back at the start of the walk and the family was getting tired and hungry. I checked my watch it was an hour before closing (5pm). I wanted to go on the nature trail or at least drive to the Marshland exhibits, but my stomach was growling too.
Thanks VA Beach Aquarium for an enjoyable experience w/​the family. Being here made me feel like a kid again!

Let me just start by saying, we came here for the kids enjoyment. They had a blast! They loved seeing all the animals. My enjoyment came from seeing them have a good time.
This was our first visit here. We made the mistake of coming on a rainy Saturday afternoon because I think all of Virginia had the same idea.
There wasn’t «much» of a line when we got here– at least, it didn’t extend outside… like it did when we were leaving.
Once inside, it was definitely crowded. I get very anxious in crowds so I tried to stand back out of the chaos, which limited what exhibits I could see up close. No big deal because after awhile, all the fish seemed to look the same to me anyways. I kind of got annoyed when we’d be waiting in line to make our way to the glass (to view the animal) and other people and kids just push their way through and «budge» in line.
Oh, and I «loved» how they ended the aquarium walk through by forcing you to go through the gift shop. Smart. So when your kids are already pretty tired and cranky, you then get to fight with them about not buying over-​priced, made in China, aquatic merchandise. :-)
We stayed in their main building but they had different buildings you could walk to. Due to the rain, we didn’t hit up any of the other ones.
Like I said, by the time we left, the line was astronomical. I was more surprised that it didn’t deter these people from still wanting to go in… Especially since it was getting a little later in the day and would be closing soon.
Cost-​wise, eh, adults were $ 22/​pp. Our daughter was free because she was 1 but I think they start charging a kid-​fare at 3. They do not offer a discount if you are a NC zoo member (which I know a lot of aquariums and zoos across the country will give a discount with certain zoo memberships).
Parking was crowded. We ended up parking in the lot across the street, which had plenty of open spots. (Made for a fun race to the car for my husband in the pouring rain). There is a covered area for pick up/​drop off but that was a joke because people would just sit there waiting clogging up the drive and no one could move anywhere.
All in all, I guess it is a decent place for the kiddos. I didn’t have the greatest time but hey, it wasn’t exactly for me. I’d recommend going at least once.

3.5 stars. The kids enjoyed it so that is what matters. There were interactive stations for the kids, a movie theater an outdoor activity place called the adventure park that looked like a lot of fun. You would buckle up in harnesses and zip line or climb around the obstacle course in the trees.

The aquarium is beautiful! So many lovely animals to gaze at, from octopus to sharks, sea turtles to sting rays, etc… (You can even touch the sting rays if you dare.) Place is extremely diverse and very kid friendly (kids were EVERYWHERE). The setting and décor was beautiful and felt like you were in the sea. Tickets were 44 dollars for my boyfriend and I (22 an adult) but it was well worth the money! They have a lot of activities such as a 3D theatre and adventure park we didn’t go to, but looked like fun. It was a great day!

Great little aquarium and I don’t mean that as a slight by any means. We had a great time here. Our group included both a 3 and 19 year olds so we ran the gamut and BOTH had a really good time so I’d say this place is a grand success. We went with friends who live in the area so they had a family membership — a bargain by the way = all you have to do is go at least twice and it pays for itself.
They have a nice café as well — burgers, pizza, salads, sandwiches and some really pretty tasty fries. Decent prices (seeing as you don’t have any other options) so that was a nice plus.
I’d highly recommend this as a stop if your in the area visiting (take an afternoon or morning instead of the beach) and really enjoy yourself while learning a little at the same time.

First time at this Aquarium, this is a great place to visit. The displays are all very well setup and the staff/​volunteers are polite.
The Aquarium also includes admittance to the Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium and a number of nature trails connecting both facilities.

Fun times to be had by all here at any age. I’ve had lots of fun my very first time here on a field tip in third grade, my most recent time here the other week as a grown man, and many other times inbetween as an adolescent (check my throwback thursday pictures lol). Lots of fun and educational exhibits regarding marine life, beautiful scenery, and the two best things in the world here; the «pet a stingray» exhibit, and the otter tank. I could pet those cute little stingrays and watch those cute little otters all day long. They even put in zip lining here that I would love to try in the near future.

I hadn’t been here in a REALLY long time before January 2015. It had been at least 7 or 8 years since my last visit — when I first moved to this area. I hadn’t been since before they had done all the renovations.
I have to say I was impressed and had a really good time. Of course, my favorite place was, and has always been, where you can pet all the cute little sting rays.
But they’ve done a good job with this place. My boyfriend and I paid for the year pass since once you visit 2x you’ve made your money back. They sell a pass in a few tiers where you can bring in a specific amount of visitors in one day. We chose 4. So because we have a year pass (two of them) we can bring in up to four people in a single visit in a single day every day. It’s a pretty good deal.
When my boyfriend’s grandma visited from out of town for her first trip to Virginia last month, we brought her and she had a good time learning about the Chesapeake Bay and seeing the turtles (one of my favorites).
We plan to visit when the weather is warmer and walk around the outdoors and bring my mom her when she visits in May.
Employees are always super friendly and willing to answer any questions as you encounter them throughout the displays.

My wife and I brought our 2 daughters here and they had a great time. Unfortunately it was raining when we decided to check the aquarium so we weren’t able to take advantage of the hiking trail to the Marsh Pavilion.
The great part about it was that currently they have a Mr. Potato Head exhibit. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her time over at the exhibit and then it was off to the aquarium itself. I do enjoy the way all the exhibits are presented and integrated in those exhibits are fun hands on exhibits. They really makes it fun for the kids. Throughout the tour you will view a myriad amount of fish, Komodo dragons, huge sea turtles, and sharks to name a few.
If you have time make sure to drop by. It may get crowded at times but your kids will love it.