Must Visit Virginia Aquarium and Marine Centers with your Family
Aquariums provide a unique opportunity for children and adults to learn about marine life and aquatic ecosystems. They often have informative displays, interactive hands-on exhibits, and knowledgeable staff who can answer questions and share fascinating facts.
Many modern aquariums offer hands-on, interactive exhibits that allow visitors to touch or interact with marine animals like stingrays, starfish, and sea cucumbers. These experiences are not only fun but also educational.Aquariums are visually stunning, with colorful fish, mesmerizing underwater landscapes, and captivating marine creatures. Watching fish swim gracefully and observing exotic species up close can be a mesmerizing experience for people of all ages.
6 Must Visit Virginia Aquarium and Marine Centers
Aquariums often play a role in conservation efforts by raising awareness about endangered species and the importance of protecting aquatic environments. Families can learn about these issues and how they can contribute to conservation efforts. Read more to find out what the best 6 aquariums in Virginia are for fun for the whole family.
This Virginia aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in Virginia. It features a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, sea turtles, and otters. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center offers interactive exhibits and touch tanks where visitors can get up close and personal with marine animals, including horseshoe crabs, stingrays, and more.
Attractions at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center:
Main Aquarium Building: The main building houses a variety of marine life exhibits, including a 300,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon Aquarium that features sharks, rays, and other large species. Other exhibits showcase sea turtles, jellyfish, seahorses, and a wide range of fish species.
Boat Tours - Guests will enjoy dolphin tours, whale watching boat tours, Our low-riding vessel, the Scout, offers a 70-minute experience for guests ages 6 and up that brings you even closer to wildlife. Guests can also book Join us for our traditional 90-minute tour aboard the Atlantic Explorer. This is a great opportunity for passengers of all ages! Twilight cruise options are available as well.virginia aquarium boat tour is a must do for visitors of all ages!
Behind The Scenes Tours and Interactions: Encounter the animals more closely and learn about what happens in the nonpublic areas - from maintaining state-of-the-art technology to the important work of animal proper care and training! You can have behind the scenes fun with kimodo dragons, sharks, sting rays and sea turtles.
IMAX Theater: The Virginia Aquarium's IMAX options like huge theater screens nature and science films on a giant screen, providing an immersive experience.
Outdoor Exhibits: In addition to indoor attractions, the aquarium has outdoor exhibits like the Adventure Park, which includes eco-friendly zipline fun and aerial adventure experiences and ropes courses, and the Marsh Pavilion, featuring native Virginia animals.
Educational Programs: The aquarium conducts educational programs, live animal presentations, and animal encounters throughout the day, allowing visitors to learn more about marine science and conservation efforts.
Dining at Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center: Enjoy fresh menu items from pizza, pretzels, and rotating specials to salads, sandwiches, and sweets. Guests can enjoy both quick-service and grab-and-go options before or after their visit through our exhibits!
Admission Costs of Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center:
Adults (ages 18-64): $29.95
Seniors (ages 65+): $24.95
Active-duty military (with ID): $2 off of price for admission
Children (ages 5-17): $24.95
Children 4 and under: Free but do need a ticket
Members: Free (Membership options are available for individual and family)
Parking: 5$ and can be paid online ahead of time. Parking is free for members.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE VIRGINIA AQUARIUM AND MARINE CENTER HERE.
Hours of Operation at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center:
Open Daily 9:00am-5:00pm (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
Last Entry Time for General Admissions: 3:30pm
Last Entry Time for Members: 4:00pm
Address of Virginia Aquarium and Marine Center:
717 General Booth Blvd Virginia Beach, VA 23451
2. Virginia Living Museum (Newport News, Virginia)
The Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, this facility combines a natural history museum with an indoor and outdoor living exhibit showcasing the state's native wildlife, including various aquatic species. The Virginia Living Museum is home to more than 250 species of animals found in Virginia including reptiles, mammals, birds and fish. With its rivers and waterfalls, mountains and sandy coast, Virginia has an array of wildlife ranging from the extremely rare red wolf to jellyfish.
The Chesapeake Bay is the world’s richest marine-life estuary. Experience the Bay’s diversity year-round at the Virginia Living Museum. Your family will love to explore the underwater worlds of a steamy cypress swamp and a cool mountain stream. Most of the mammals and birds on exhibit could not survive in the wild because they were either injured, orphaned or born in captivity. The Virginia Living Museum is home to more than 100 species of fish and aquatic invertebrates. The Museum exhibits several endangered and threatened species including the short nose sturgeon, black banded sunfish and the loggerhead sea turtle.
Attractions at the Virginia Living Museum:
Living Exhibits: The museum is known for its living exhibits, which feature animals and plants native to Virginia. These exhibits include habitats like the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Mountain Cove, and Cypress Swamp, where you can see a wide range of wildlife, including otters, bobcats, red wolves, and more.
Dinosaur Discovery Trail: This outdoor trail features life-size dinosaur replicas and allows visitors to step back in time to the Mesozoic Era. It's an educational and interactive experience suitable for all ages.
Planetarium: The Abbitt Planetarium offers a variety of astronomy-related programs and shows, making it a great place to learn about the night sky and the universe.
Nature Discovery Zone: This outdoor exhibit provides hands-on experiences for children, allowing them to explore and learn about nature through interactive play.
Butterfly Garden: Visitors can enjoy a stroll through the butterfly garden, where native butterfly species and their host plants are showcased.
Observation Tower: Climb the observation tower for panoramic views of the museum's surroundings and the nearby Deer Park Lake.
Special Programs and Events: The museum hosts special programs, events, and educational workshops throughout the year, including summer camps and wildlife-related activities.
Admission Costs of Virginia Living Museum:
Members– FREE with valid membership
Adults (ages 13 and above) $19.95 – $23.95
Children (ages 12 and below) $16.95
(ages 2 & under free)
BUY TICKETS FOR THE VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM HERE.
Hours of Operation at the Virginia Living Museum:
Open daily 9am-5pm Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1
Address of Virginia Living Museum:
524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Newport News, VA 23601
3. Roanoke Center in the Square Aquariums (Roanoke, Virginia)
Situated in Roanoke, Virginia this small, family-friendly aquarium features a variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, and seahorses. With six new aquariums, an eco-friendly rooftop space and a coral lab, Sea creatures that call this aquarium home include Gorgonians, Marine Sponges, Sea Cucumbers, Snails, Hermit Crabs, Sea Biscuits, Sea Stars and more.
Attractions at the Roanoke Center in the Square Aquariums:
Living Coral Reef Aquarium - Our spectacular 8,000 gallon living coral reef aquarium is the largest aquarium of its type in the Mid-Atlantic Region. It is home to 250 colorful marine fish and 150 live soft and stony corals. The living coral reef system will grow and change over time and offers exceptional value. Exciting new technologies with interactive screens provide a learning experience for everyone.
Get Schooled! Educational Program gives 500,000 patrons a free opportunity to learn about ocean life and sustainable green architecture. Center in the Square could offers schools SOL compliant field trip tours at low costs. Center in the Square now provided teachers with a new educational resource and another stream of revenue flowed into the non-profit. There is also a guided tour option where the staff bring “textbooks to life” for field trip students. Our SOL compliant tours allow students to see real life applications of what they have learned or will learn about in class.
Special Exhibit Tank: Predators of the Amazon
Turtles of Virginia Fresh Water Aquarium -The Turtles of Virginia aquarium features several species that live in the lakes, creeks and rivers of Western Virginia. It has become an instant favorite. Current residents of the aquarium include a Map Turtle, two Painted Turtles and a Red Eared Slider. The turtles take turns swimming and resting on a 300 lb piece of driftwood collected from the side of the river. They are already
Chomp Tank & Moon Jellyfish - The Chomp Tank features a handful of aggressive marine fish species that can be found in various oceans around the world.
Koi Pond (Rooftop)
Admission Costs of Roanoke Center in the Square Aquariums:
FREE TO EVERYONE!
Hours of Operation at the Roanoke Center in the Square Aquariums:
Tue-Sat: 10 am - 5 pm / Sun: 1 pm - 5 pm
Address of Roanoke Center in the Square Aquariums:
1st Floor at Center in the Square 1 Market SQ Roanoke, VA
While you are at Center in the Square enjoy the Children's Museum, Pinball Museum and arcade for additional family fun!
4. Maymont Nature Center (Richmond, Virginia)
Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and park, located in Richmond, Virginia, with many unique experiences for all to enjoy. Stroll through the gardens and arboretum, see native wildlife habitats, feed friendly goats, explore The Robins Nature Center and visit the Mansion.
The Robins Nature Center, a 29,000-square-foot attraction, is the largest facility of its kind in central Virginia and holds close to 30,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing animals of the James River and Chesapeake Bay.
Attractions at the Maymont Nature Center
Themed “Run of the River,” The Robins Nature Center highlights the remarkable ecology of the James River located along Maymont’s southern border in Richmond.
River Reach – A 34-foot-tall centerpiece sculpture that inspires active play and learning within a series of netted rising platforms that depict microscopic river microorganisms. Made possible through the generosity of Jeanette Lipman through The Lipman Foundation in memory of her grandson, Sage MacFarlane, who loved everything in nature.
Freshwater Interactive Animation – An extraordinary multimedia experience that replicates lifelike interactions with animals and water in a river environment. A collaboration of the Digital Life Project, the Natural History Museum at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Richard Lewis Media Group.
Digital Pool Touch Stations – Two virtual shallow pools with touch responsiveness, teeming with wildlife and native plants waiting to be discovered.
Run of the River, Activity and Exploration – Lively recreation with rocks to climb, a beaver lodge to visit, a kayak to hop in, and other playful pursuits.
Run of the River, Education and Inspiration – Giant river murals, vividly illustrated facts and figures, animal models, and other engaging information about the river ecosystem.
My James River Learning Tools – Fun facts, short videos and river trivia in an entertaining app on multiple screens.
Dynamic Fish Identification – Realistic digital animal illustrations to identify the aquatic and terrestrial life in the aquariums, learn about their remarkable abilities and instincts, and test your water wisdom.
Cost of the Maymont Nature Center
General Admission:
Adult: $8
Adult 65+ & Child (ages 3-12): $6
Ages 2 & under: FREE (no ticket needed)
Maymont Members: Free!
Museums for All: Free *with EBT card, on-site only
Visiting the grounds, gardens and outdoor wildlife is FREE.
Hours of Operation of the Maymont Nature Center
Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10am-5pm
Note that the Grounds, Gardens & Outdoor Wildlife are Open daily, 10am-7pm
Address of the Maymont Nature Center
1000 Westover Road Richmond, VA 23220
There is an additional parking lot at the nature center.
5. SeaQuest Aquarium (Lynchburg, Virginia)
Your family can walk through the aquarium and zoo stopping at each animal and reading information and asking questions of the staff about each exhibit. Wandering through the aquarium and zoo you can see animals ranging from birds to tropical fish to a giant sulcata tortoise, savannah cats and pigs! These are just a few of the animals you will see during your great experience to SeaQuest Lynchburg.
Attractions at the SeaQuest Aquarium:
Take a safari adventure through 5 continents, where you’ll get to hand feed animals in each area. You’ll learn about Amazon rainforest, Mayan Jungle, Egyptian Desert and so much more. From snakes and tortoises to exotic birds and a variety of shark species, you’ll meet so many amazing and magnificent ceatures from around the globe.
While there isnt dining inside of SeaQuest there is a snack stand to recharge. My family spent 5 hours at this Aquarium. So stopping and eating lunch in the mall or nearby should be factored in if you plan on spending all day like we did.
Cost of the SeaQuest Aquarium:
Adult Admission (12+) $24.99
Child Admission (2-11) $18.99
Senior(55+)/ Military/College $21.99
There are various add on packages for behind the scenes and animal feeding experiences that are additional cost.
Annual Passes to Sea Quest Aquarium are 39.99 and I highly recommend this ticket option.
Hours of Operation at SeaQuest Aquarium:
Monday – Saturday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Sunday: 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Address of the SeaQuest Aquarium:
3405 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502 Inside of the Lynchburg River Ridge Mall
6. Three Lakes Park and Nature Center (Henrico, Virginia)
While at Three Lakes to visit the Nature Center and aquarium be sure to also check out the play equipment, fishing, and nature trails.
Attractions at Three Lakes Park and Nature Center:
The Nature Center is a 6,500 square foot facility featuring a variety of exhibits designed to provide hands-on experiences. The 50,000 gallon aquarium also gives visitors a “fish-eye” view of the underwater world. Guests will see reptiles and amphibians, engage in animal-based programs, and meet our animal care team and animal ambassadors!
Three Lakes Park & Nature Center brings together the three worlds of air, water, and land for visitors to explore.
The exhibits in the Nature Center will introduce visitors to the plant and animal life native to the area and wildlife living in the wetlands and woodlands of the park. By providing an assortment of live exhibits, dioramas, and interactive displays, the Nature Center offers something for every field of natural interest and is appropriate for all ages.
Cost of Three Lakes Park and Nature Center:
FREE
Hours of Operation at Three Lakes Park and Nature Center:
Three Lakes Nature Center is open Thursdays-Sundays, noon-4:00 p.m
Address of Three Lakes Park and Nature Center:
400 Sausiluta Drive | Henrico, VA 23227
Aquariums frequently feature entertaining shows, feedings, and presentations that are engaging for kids and adults alike! Exploring an aquarium as a family can be a bonding experience. It's a shared adventure where you can discuss what you're seeing, share excitement, and create lasting memories together. Aquariums offer an escape from everyday life. Aquariums showcase a wide variety of life forms, from tiny seahorses and colorful coral reefs to majestic sharks and massive sea turtles.
This diversity captures the imagination and keeps visitors engaged. Many children leave aquariums inspired to learn more about marine biology, conservation, and the natural world. It can ignite a lifelong interest in science and environmental issues. Overall, aquariums offer a combination of education, entertainment, and wonder that can make family trips not only enjoyable but also enriching experiences. They provide an opportunity to connect with nature and each other in a captivating and memorable way.
I hope you and your family enjoy the amazing animals and live animal habitats that are found in these incredible exhibits around the state of Virginia highlighting the Atlantic Ocean and local marine life that our natural habitat offers as well as the work that the marine conservation teams all over the state are doing every day. Enjoy the interactive activities and educational exhibits at these Virginia aquariums and learn something new!
