Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center: Fun for the Whole Family

Thanks to the heat and the humidity in Virginia beach right now the Oceanside is packed with beach bum's trying to cool off. If creeping along in oceanfront traffic, cruising up and down the streets looking for a spot and fighting your way for a square of sand to park your beach towel on doesn't sound like fun, here's an alternative. Just down the road from the oceanfront is an exciting, air conditioned, fun place called the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. It used to be called the Virginia Marine Science Museum and is right off of General Booth Boulevard, just past Birdneck Road.

Pack the kids up and take them for a fun learning experience at the museum. There is plenty of space for them to run around and get some of that summer energy out while learning some new things. The best part of all is that you get to enjoy the air conditioning on a hot day while they do.

There is the aquarium to visit and an Imax to view as well. You can buy a ticket to just one of the two or get a discount if buying for both. There are different prices for adults, children and seniors. The prices range from $7.50 to $16.95. If you live in the area and plan to visit frequently then I suggest buying a membership as the aquarium is free for your family and two guests (one child, one adult). It comes in handy if you have out of town guests and take them there for some sight seeing.

Just outside the entrance is a large pool where you are greeted by some of the harbor seals that live at the aquarium. Kids love watching these seals swim around having fun in their tank. Other animals you will see inside are sharks, turtles, sting rays and skates and plenty of others. There are two buildings to visit as well as an outdoor nature trail.

One of the best exhibits this aquarium boasts is a petting tank for the sting rays and skates. There is an informative session where the workers discuss the differences between the two and other interesting information. The main building also boasts a 300,000 gallon fish tank that contains dozens of different fish and even a few sharks. There are programs conducted at each exhibit during regular intervals during the day. They are very informative and teach both parents and kids a ton of information about the sea life there.

If you're up for something a little more adventurous, the museum hosts boat trips out on the local waterways. You can sign up to go dolphin watching or whale watching on one of their trips. Spotting a whale or dolphin isn't guaranteed but is very possible. You do have to make reservations so be sure to do so ahead of time.

If you're looking for something to do with the little ones or even with some out of town folk, then I suggest visiting the museum. It caters to people of all ages and there is something for everyone there. Other than the hefty prices I found everything else reasonable and well worth the trip.