Things to do / Travel Guide
Those who want to see some fabulous aquariums in the eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland region will not be disappointed; think surf and turf at its best!
Eastern Virginia Aquariums
The Virginia Aquarium, in Virginia Beach, offers more than 700,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats, over 300 hands-on exhibits, an outdoor aviary, 10 acres of marsh habitat and a 1/3-mile nature trail. Come see the creatures that make Virginia's waters their home - sharks, sea turtles, harbor seals, river otters, and stingrays. Cruise the creek on the Rudee Explorer. The 30 minute boat ride on Owl Creek will show you the best (and only) undeveloped salt marsh on Virginia Beach. There are even seasonal whale- and dolphin-watching boat trips available. Boat trips may be purchased without Aquarium admission.
For those who prefer IMAX-watching, there are shows throughout the day. The screen is six stories high and eight stories tall and of course, 3D. Several ocean-themed titles rotate during the day – expect to go deep, go wild and get real close to some pretty mean looking sharks.
Virginia Zoos near Williamsburg
While a day of colonial Williamsburg, Virginia life is one of the highlights of a summer vacation for many Americans, some kids may have had their fill of muskets and period costumes by the end of the day. No problem for kids who are animal lovers. Only an hour away, the Virginia Zoological Park, in Norfolk, near Williamsburg displays nearly 400 land animals, including African elephants and Siberian tigers. You'll see animals of all shapes and sizes, from the Masai giraffe to the pancake tortoise. A bit pricey, but worth it – the zoo offers family packages offering individual tours that spend time up close with the animals. Feed a giraffe, paint with elephants and even feed and hold some reptiles.
Richmond Aquarium, VA
Visitors to Richmond, VA are a bit too far inland to spot sharks and whales, so ocean wildlife seekers should probably head down to Virginia Beach, home of one of the Virginia Aquarium on the best ones on the east coast.
North Carolina Aquariums
Another great aquarium in the region is the North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island. Creatures from coastal freshwater, as well as the local wetlands, rivers, marshes, and sounds, are featured. See indigenous frogs, turtles, and otters, as well as bluefish, pinfish, and eel. There's even a sky-lit atrium with a wooden path that lets you walk through an environment of towering trees, creeks, and streams.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores offers remodeled aquariums and features exciting new exhibits of jellyfish, river otters, and a 306,000-gallon ocean tank.You can even see what Blackbeard's flagship: the Queen Anne's Revenge, looks like on the ocean floor, and check out the sunken German sub U-352, all in the “Living Shipwreck” exhibit, which features a viewing window more than 60 feet long!
Zoos and Aquariums in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, North Carolina's Outer Banks
Zoos-Aquariums
|
|
|