The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Went to see the trolls exhibit. Parking was $3 and then you kind of walked into the aquarium and right out the back to the property behind it and the trolls are located in different areas.If you want to visit the aquarium also then a ticket is required The troll exhibit is about to change on January 20th

The Virginia Aquarium is an absolute must-visit for anyone in the area! From the moment you step inside, you're immersed in a world of wonder, with exhibits that take you through the depths of the ocean and showcase incredible marine life. The displays are beautifully curated, and you'll find everything from playful otters to majestic sea turtles and vibrant fish.One of the highlights is the giant tank, where you can watch sharks, stingrays, and other sea creatures glide by--it's truly mesmerizing! The exhibits are educational, fun, and interactive, making it a great experience for both kids and adults.The outdoor nature trail is a lovely addition, offering a peaceful walk through coastal habitats and giving you a chance to spot local wildlife. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, always eager to share fascinating facts about the animals and their environments.Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Virginia Aquarium offers a captivating experience that brings the beauty of the ocean to life.

We came on Christmas Eve morning, which was the perfect day to come! It was off season so we didn't have to pay for parking and the place was pretty empty so my toddler had a blast wandering around. There are two buildings, which I couldn't figure out what was in the other one (or why there are two parking lots), but we stuck to the main building. It didn't take us too long to walk through everything as we weren't stopping to read the plaques. I loved that they decorated for Christmas too - that was a cute touch. Definitely a fun and easy family activity that we all enjoyed!

I thought I aquarium was sort of small compared to ones I've seen elsewhere. Expensive charge to enter as well. Many enclosures were closed. My favorite features were petting tanks and the troll trails.

We recently took our son here for his first and my first time at the Virginia Aquarium! We had a blast, between the two buildings-there is plenty to see. Our favorite parts had to be the outdoor play space that is provided for the littles! It is a great way to get out their energy and has many cool set ups for the kids and parents to interact together! The little trolls on the way to the South building are soooo cute and great for photos as well!

This was our first time here (Me & My children) , and we loved it. It tooks us 3 1/2 hours to walk through the aquarium and nature trail. I had no idea what to expect prior to going it, but I will say that this aquarium exceeded my expectations. The building itself is well-kept and the employees are well versed/knowledgeable about the feature animals along with being so very pleasant. If you're in the area.. I recommend you going !!!

So cool!!!! LOVED all the animals!! Clean, friendly staff, and entertaining exhibits!Yes... gift shop was overpriced...But aren't they lol?!

My family and I had a great experience at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center! We happened to be staying in Virginia Beach during our road trip and found the aquarium when looking for things to do in the area. We all love animals so naturally we wanted to go see the exotic sea animals at the aquarium!We purchased our tickets online through my husband since he is an active duty member and could get a discount ($2 off adult and youth rates). So just a heads up if you are a military family, they do offer discounted rates!The aquarium is pretty big! The entrance is also located right by the gift shop in case you'd rather do your shopping beforehand. I noticed when going to aquariums or similar places, gift shops are more busy at the end of the day when people are leaving. They have all the typical items for sale (toys, stuffed animals, aquarium merchandise, apparel etc.)There's a bunch of animals to see at the aquarium! Starting with the seals that are in the front, one animal you don't have to pay to see! They're so adorable and really know how to put on a show. Inside they have a big selection of different fish, amphibians, sea turtles, sharks, sting rays (you can pet them!) etc. Prepare for a decent amount of walking since the place is huge! They also have an outdoor area that you can walk around and enjoy the river that runs alongside the aquarium. It was very relaxing to spend a moment enjoying the beautiful views.Overall I highly recommend taking your family here! Kids and adults will have a great time seeing all of the gorgeous animals they have.

Maybe don't have "whale" tours when there haven't been any whales spotted yet. Waste of 35$

We enjoyed our day trip here! It was what you'd expect; an aquarium with fish and other sea creatures. It was a bit crowded when we visited (spring break, mid morning) but the flow was good. Staff is nice and helpful. It was clean and didn't have any weird smells. There's two parts included with your ticket, but the second part is about a 10 minute walk. For me, I could've done without it. There was t much to see. I was more impressed that they had a breastfeeding/pumping station! That is very rare and made my day!