Food
You’re bound to work up an appetite on your journey through the Virginia Aquarium’s two buildings and nature trail, so we’ve got three convenient options:
The Aquarium Café
Offers dining in with daily lunch specials, salads, sandwiches, kid-friendly foods and beverages. Located in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion near the entrance to the nature trail. Open daily 10 am - 4 pm.
Hours subject to change. The IMAX® Snack Stand
Located just across from the IMAX theater, offers popcorn, pretzels, candy, drinks and more. Open daily 9:30am - 4:30pm;
open for some evening movies and events.
The Otter Snack Bar
On the nature trail near the Marsh Pavilion and offers snacks and beverages late May to early September, 11am - 4pm.
Please keep our wildlife wild – don’t feed the animals!
Shopping Options at the Aquarium
The Aquarium hosts two stores for your shopping convenience. Water's Edge is located in the Bay & Ocean Pavilion. This store features merchandise ranging from jewelry to toys, all with the ocean and bay in mind. Fiddler's Cove, located in the Marsh Pavilion, carries items that reflect the salt marsh and woodland themes.
The Aquarium’s unique Seal Signature paintings and t-shirts can be purchased at both stores. Painted by our very own Harbor Seals, these make a spectacular one-of-a-kind gift!
No admission fee is necessary to shop at either Aquarium store. In fact, the staff is so eager to assist you, they offer a personal shopping service, even when you can't be there in person. This service now reaches beyond the stores through its special personal shopper phone line, (757) 385-0321.
Store Hours
Both stores are open and personal shopping services are available during normal Aquarium hours.
Note: The Aquarium and IMAX® Theater are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.