Virginia Aquarium

The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center provides a unique educational adventure which you will not find anywhere else!  The museum is one of the top ten most visited aquariums in the nation... and rightly so!   View sharks, seals, sea turtles or touch live sea animals, create hurricanes, design your own fish on a computer and more!  Virginia's marine environment is represented through 800,000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats.   Explore more than 300 hands-on exhibits, as well as  1/3-mile nature trail, plus ½-acre aviary. 

I-Max Shows:
Under the Sea 3D
Dolphins & Whales 3D

  The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s new multi-million dollar, 12,000 square renovation.

In early 2009, IMAX released its latest 3D creation, Under the Sea 3D. Moviegoers will be transported to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing them to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It will offer a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the impact that global climate change has had on ocean wilderness. In IMAX 3D, the images literally leap off the screen and float around the theatre, putting the audience “in” the movie.

Under the Sea 3D is the third IMAX 3D co-production between Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. and IMAX Corporation. The film is a “sea-quel,” so to speak, to IMAX’s Deep Sea 3D, which is still out in theaters and just crossed the $60 million mark.

The documentary will be narrated by Jim Carrey. “Jim Carrey is a favorite of film audiences everywhere and of every generation, so he is the perfect choice to narrate this undersea adventure for moviegoers of all ages,” said Dan Fellman of Warner Bros. Pictures. “His voice will draw people into this world of mysterious creatures and dazzling colors,” added Greg Foster of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

Under the Sea 3D is filmed by award-winning director/cinematographer Howard Hall, produced by Toni Myers, executive produced by Graeme Ferguson, and produced for Howard Hall Productions by Michele Hall. In addition to the 2006 release of Deep Sea 3D, Hall, Ferguson and Myers were all part of the accomplished filmmaking team behind IMAX’s first underwater 3D adventure, Into the Deep, which has grossed more than $70 million since its 1991 release.

717 General Booth Blvd., Va. Beach.  (757) 385-FISH

http://www.cacv.org/

The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia is a nonprofit, noncollecting institution founded in 1952 to foster awareness, exploration and understanding of the significant art of our time. Regularly changing exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and other visual media from internationally acclaimed, artists as well as artists of national and regional renown. This museums offers activities including monthly exhibits, adult & children's education programs & outdoor art shows.  Its Annual Boardwalk Art Show is the largest on the East Coast. 22nd & Park Ave. Va. Beach. (757) 425-0000.  

http://www.oldcoastguardstation.com/

The Old Coast Guard Station honors and preserves the history of Virginia’s coastal communities and maritime heritage.  Relive the victories and tragedies of men and women at sea.  Formerly a life-saving station built in 1903, the museum gives visitors a rare insight into the early days of shipwrecks and life-savings efforts.  The museum's two galleries depict the history of the United States Life-Saving and Coast Guard Services and shipwrecks on the Virginia Coast. 24th Street & Boardwalk.  757-422-1587 

http://www.awhm.org/index.htm

The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, located in the historic de Witt Cottage on the Virginia Beach oceanfront and displays art and artifacts documenting migratory wildfowl that pass through Eastern Virginia.  The museum exhibits of wildfowl and shorebird carvings and traces the evolution of this American art form from the simple traditional decoys to the contemporary lifelike carvings.  Make sure to visit our museum when you are in Virginia Beach.  Virginia Beach Boardwalk and 11th St. (757) 437-8432 

http://www.edgarcayce.org/

Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. (A.R.E.®), is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1931 by Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), to research and explore transpersonal subjects such as holistic health, ancient mysteries, personal spirituality, dreams and dream interpretation, intuition, and philosophy and reincarnation.

With an international headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va., a regional headquarters in Houston, regional representatives throughout the U.S., Edgar Cayce Centers in 37 countries, and individual members in more than 70 countries, the A.R.E. community is a global network of individuals who offer conferences, educational activities, and fellowship around the world. Thousands of books have been written on the subject matter found in the readings, and dozens dedicated to the story of Edgar Cayce himself.

In addition to study groups and local regional activities, A.R.E. offers membership benefits and services, a body-mind-spirit member magazine titled Venture Inward, a member newsletter covering topics including ancient mysteries, personal spirituality, and holistic health, publications, conferences, international tours, a massage school curriculum, a retreat-type camp for children and adults, an impressive volunteer network, and A.R.E. contacts across the globe. A.R.E. also maintains an affiliation with Atlantic University (which offers continuing education classes and a master's degree program in Transformative Theories and Practices), and an onsite Health Center & Spa at its Virginia Beach headquarters, where many of the health readings remedies are offered along with massage therapy.

This formidable structure on Atlantic Avenue also houses a library, ESP testing center and bookstore.  Tours are available. 800-333-4499

http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/

The Military Aviation Museum, located at the Virginia Beach Airport is home to one of the largest private collections of World War 2 and Korean War era fighters, bombers, trainers and seaplanes. Many aircraft have been fully restored to their World War II condition and are available for flight demonstration*, static display or movie production or commercials.  This attraction is a must see for all history buffs. Open 9am-7pm / 7 days a week. 1341 Princess Anne Road Va. Beach. 757-721-PROP

http://www.chrysler.org/

The Chrysler Museum is home to some of the most fascinating, world-renowned Tiffany and contemporary glass, photography, Impressionist paintings, Art Nouveau furniture, works of art from Egyptian, African, and Pre-Columbian cultures, and an extensive European and American collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.  It also offers significant educational programs and has an encyclopedic collection of over 30,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art history and cultural and art-travel programming including lectures, tours, and films. As well as a popular gift shop, Cuisine & Co. Restaurant invites visitors to dine in the museum's architecturally acclaimed atmosphere, and the 400-seat Theatre is host to many musical and theatrical performances, children's programs, and lectures.  757-664-6200

http://www.nauticus.org

The National Maritime Center, located on the downtown Norfolk waterfront, features exciting hands-on exhibits that explore the naval, economic, and natural power of the sea. Nauticus' uniqueness is evident throughout its 120,000-square foot building.  Feel the unique texture of a nurse shark's skin, touch a tornado, design a battleship, or participate in a simulated naval battle aboard an Aegis-class destroyer. Plus, experience a main deck tour of the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. While on-site at Nauticus, be sure to visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Education Resource Center and check out some of NOAA's engaging exhibits including "Science on a Sphere" — a dynamic six foot globe that displays 3-D animated images of our oceans and atmosphere. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum, located on Nauticus' second floor, examines more than two centuries of naval activity in and around the Hampton Roads harbor. The Banana Pier Gift Shop and Iron Whale café are also on site.  757-664-1000 

http://www.mariner.org/

 The Mariners' Museum, one of the largest and most comprehensive maritime history museums in the world.  It boast more than 35,000 items inspired by human experiences with the sea.  For over 70 years, The Mariners' has illustrated the spirit of seafaring adventure through a strikingly diverse collection of maritime artifacts: figureheads, hand crafted ship models, decorative arts, and small craft from around the world.  757-596-2222