Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

When travelers think about going to an aquarium, most of them think about San Diego, bit on the other side of the country is one of the top facilities in the nation, the Virginia Beach Aquarium. Live animal habitats and over 700,000 gallons of aquariums, an outdoor aviary, and10 acres of marsh habitat, this is definitely a chance for visitors to get to know the indigenous locals.

See sharks up close, huge sea turtles, see the mystery of the stingray, and take a whale or dolphin watching tour seasonally. Virginia Beach and the State of Virginia are committed to preserving the sea life, and expand the public's knowledge of marine creatures. This facility is one of the best places to visit for families in the area. Most of the tours, excluding the boat trips, are self guided, so spend as long as you like at the different exhibits. Sights in the two building compound take approximately five hours to see, including the 45 minute IMAX feature presentation, so plan accordingly.

Your tickets will be good all day for both buildings, and parking is available. The Atlantic Ocean Pavilion and Main Building is where the sharks and stingrays live in over 300,000 gallons of aquarium. Visit the turtle hatching laboratory and experience hands on exhibits in the octopus and jellyfish tanks, and see a life size model of a humpback whale.

The other building is called the Owls Creek Marsh pavilion, and features otters, seahorses, and an exciting macro-marsh where you can view the smallest of sea creatures magnified to ten times their normal size. This is where the outdoor aviary is located, containing over 55 species of birds. 10-15 minute informational programs are available throughout the day in both buildings, and staffs as well as trained volunteers are available to answer any questions. Connecting both buildings is a 1/3 mile trail through the salt marshes--Owls Creek includes a 30 foot observation tower, so walking from one building to the next is as much fun as visiting inside!