The Virginia Aquarium is one of the best in the mid-Atlantic, a substantial facility housing more than 800,000 gallons of exhibits spread across two connected buildings. The emphasis is on local and regional marine life — the species and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay, the coastal Atlantic, and the inland rivers of Virginia — which gives it a coherence that more generic aquariums lack. Standout exhibits include the Norfolk Canyon, a deep-sea section with sharks and rays, and the Red Sea tunnel, where fish surround you on all sides.
Touch tanks offer close encounters with horseshoe crabs, stingrays, and other tactile creatures. The river otter habitat is a favorite with children. The facility also has a 3D IMAX theater, though it operates independently and requires a separate ticket. Allow at least two to three hours for a thorough visit; the facility is large enough to be genuinely tiring.
The aquarium runs seasonal boat excursions from its dock on Owls Creek, including dolphin-watching trips from late spring through early fall — bottlenose dolphins are abundant in local waters — and humpback whale-watching cruises in winter. These sell out well in advance during peak season and are worth booking before you arrive. The aquarium is located inland from the boardwalk near Rudee Inlet, about a ten-minute drive from the resort strip.