Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Reviews
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center has an overall rating of 4.5 based on 94 reviews. Customer feedback on Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is mixed: Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center reviewers highlight positive aspects like engaging exhibits, friendly staff, educational programs, well-maintained facilities, which strongly appeal to families with children, school groups, marine life enthusiasts. However, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is often criticized for its high ticket prices, limited parking, crowded on weekends, some exhibits under maintenance.
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All Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Reviews (94)
hello_carolyn442
May 22, 2026
"Kids had fun, but parking was a headache"
The kids liked it and had a good time, so I’ll give them that. But the parking situation was really annoying and made the whole visit more stressful than it needed to be. I feel kind of stupid for trusting that it would be easy to just show up and enjoy the place without a hassle.
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StephanieSkaggs_72
May 06, 2026
"Great Care, But the Wait Was Frustrating"
The animal care was really good, and I could tell they genuinely cared. The only frustrating part was having to wait longer than expected, which got a bit annoying. Still, once we were seen, the care was great
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RalphJackson
May 03, 2026
"We ended up spending about three hours..."
We ended up spending about three hours there, which was longer than we originally planned. The kids had a great time and didn’t want to leave. Overall, it was a very pleasant visit and definitely worth the stop...
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michael2004
April 24, 2026
"Super helpful before our aquarium trip"
So... I checked out virginiaaquarium with my kids before we went, and it was really helpful. The site had a bunch of easy-to-understand info about the animals, exhibits, and conservation work without feeling overwhelming. My kids kept asking questions after we looked through it, which made me happy because they were actually interested. It made our aquarium visit feel a little more educational, but still really fun. Definitely 5 stars from us
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johnnie.Brooks
April 11, 2026
"The gift shop actually had a solid…"
The gift shop actually had a solid selection, especially if you’re into plush animals and ocean-themed stuff, which, shockingly, an aquarium gift shop seems to be. The prices were a little high, but I guess that’s part of the magical underwater experience. I ended up grabbing a cute turtle magnet and a shirt for my niece. I do wish they had more adult-size options, because apparently adults like souvenirs too, but overall it was a nice stop.
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ARMITAGE
April 02, 2026
"Easy Lunch at the Aquarium"
We ate at the aquarium during our visit. It was better than I thought it would be. The line moved fast. The kids got chicken tenders. I had a sandwich. Everything tasted fresh. Prices were about what you’d expect for a place like that. It was quick and easy. Really nice not having to leave for lunch.
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LOTT
March 19, 2026
"Fun Visit With the Kids"
We had a really fun time. The touch pools were a big hit. My kids also loved the little interactive stations. They stayed busy the whole visit. The staff was friendly too. They explained things in a way that was easy and not boring. We’d definitely go again.
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Hank.huntley
March 14, 2026
"Super Clean and Great for Kids"
Had a really nice visit to the aquarium with the kids. I was impressed by how clean everything was — the tanks were spotless, the floors looked freshly taken care of, and even the bathrooms were tidy, which I always appreciate on a family outing. It made the whole experience feel comfortable and well managed...
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Dorothea_cherry82
March 14, 2026
"I pulled in and found a…"
I pulled in and found a spot almost immediately, which was such a relief. That’s pretty much what you hope for, right? Super easy and no circling around wasting time.
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DianaMosholder
March 14, 2026
"Busy, but still a decent spot"
It was crowded when I went, like definitely busier than I expected, and at first I was kind of wondering if it was going to be worth dealing with all the people, but it ended up being decent. Not perfect, a little hectic, but still a fine experience overall
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denise1973
February 16, 2026
"Easy to Get Around"
It was really easy to walk around today, which made the whole visit feel relaxed. No crowding or anything like that, just a smooth experience overall...
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JamesWidmer_37
February 15, 2026
"I noticed the savings after just…"
I noticed the savings after just two visits. I was expecting it to take longer to feel worth it, but it’s already been cheaper than... well, you get the idea
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kathy1971
February 12, 2026
"It was easy to find what I..."
It was easy to find what I needed. The layout made sense and the signs helped a lot. I’m not totally sure how well everything is kept up quality-wise, but for just getting in and finding stuff, it was fine.
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william.Choi
February 02, 2026
"Okay visit"
Staff was nice. They answered my questions. A few things felt a little unorganized though. Overall, it was fine. Just not great
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carlkaplan9295
February 01, 2026
"Super easy tickets tbh"
Bought our Virginia Aquarium tickets online and it was easy overall. Got the email right away, showed it at the door, and they scanned it with no problems. The line moved quick too, even with kids everywhere lol. Only took off one star because choosing the time slot was a little confusing at first.
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teresa_Murphy80
January 29, 2026
"I felt like the ticket prices were pretty…"
I felt like the ticket prices were fair, especially for a family outing. For us, it seemed like an easy choice and worth it without having to overthink the cost
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violet_Mccraken00
January 27, 2026
"Pretty good visit, though a bit crowded"
I took my kids to the Virginia Aquarium and overall they seemed to have a decent time. A few of the exhibits were really fun for them and easy to follow, and the staff we interacted with seemed friendly enough. I can’t really say if it’s always like this since we only went the one time, but it did feel crowded when we were there. Some areas were tough to navigate with younger kids, especially when people were packed in. It wasn’t a bad trip by any means, just not quite as smooth or relaxed as I was hoping for
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Gladys_chapman88
January 11, 2026
"We booked a boat tour through the Virginia..."
We booked a boat tour through the Virginia Aquarium and had a really good time. Check-in was simple, the staff were easygoing and friendly, and the captain shared interesting info without making it feel like a lecture. I thought it might be just an okay way to spend the afternoon, but actually, it ended up being one of the nicer parts of our trip. We saw dolphins close, the boat felt safe the whole time, and the good weather definitely didn’t hurt. I’d do it again if we’re back in Virginia Beach
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JamesManzo_38
January 09, 2026
"I was feeling mentally drained…"
I was feeling mentally drained when I came in, so I really appreciated that I could find everything fast. It made the whole trip way easier than I expected...
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Aaron.menzel
January 08, 2026
"Fun little visit"
We had a really nice time checking out the exhibits. They were cool, and my kids were especially obsessed with the turtles. Definitely a fun stop for the family.
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