Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Are you ready for an educational journey like no other? Well saddle up, we’re heading to Virginia Beach, class!
1
Virginia Aquarium - The Virginia Aquarium is located right off of the Rudee Inlet, in Virginia Beach. This is certainly the perfect spot for excellent marine life diversity. Here at this spectacular aquarium, you will explore tanks of over 800,000 gallons full of vibrant animal life, the entire complex considered to be one of the best aquariums and animal habitats in the entire country. Enjoy plenty of fun hands-on exhibits, nature paths, and marshland adventures while here, as well as the always fun Adventure Park, a zip-liner's paradise. Children will love the Smokey the Bear interaction, Mermaid Mondays, and Big Screen Saturdays, and everyone will enjoy the Sea Adventures, National Geographic 3D Theater, Big Science exhibits, and food and shopping opportunities. Here you will encounter two full gift shops providing the best educational gifts and toys, as well as the scenic Aquarium Cafe, Otter Snack Bar, and Theater Snack Bar.
Dolphin Cruise - With arguably the absolute best location Virginia Beach has to offer, Rudee Tours allow visitors to get up close and personal with dolphins using its wide array of sea-faring vessels that travel in and out of the Rudee Inlet. Located in the only inlet like it on the East Coast, boats such as the most popular Rudee Flipper will take you to the best dolphin sighting areas as close as 3 minutes away from its dock. During a tour, any aquatic aficionado or thrill-seeking vacationer can enjoy 90 minutes of narrated travel in which all of the seas experienced staff will answer any questions you may have about the boat, the area, or most importantly, the dolphins. Rudee Tours are so sure that you will see a dolphin during one of their 5 daily tours (every day between Memorial Day and Labor Day) that they will refund your money for the visit and set you up for another tour immediately.
2
Cape Henry Lighthouse - Very near to the ‘first landing spot’ of English settlers in 1607, the still-standing sentinel brick lighthouse is a shining beacon in the sea of American history. Located on the army base of Fort Story, George Washington commissioned this lighthouse in 1772 and it has since lived on to provide a century of guiding light to the merchant and government boats traveling through the Chesapeake to larger ports. After being condemned as unusable for cracks in the wall and lantern oil-soaked steps, a new Cape Henry Lighthouse was built across from it, this time made of iron. Still in commission today by the U.S. Coast Guard, this lighthouse is private, but a great view of it can be seen from the windows of the original lighthouse. Views of the army base, the forest on which it sits, and the beautiful Virginia Beach oceanfront are all accessible from this well-preserved piece of history, as well as an educational opportunity that dates back to America’s roots.
First Landing State Park - The entire site is considered to be an important historic and natural park site, the biodiversity in ecosystems here quite amazing, and quite untouched by time. See marshes, maritime forests, waterways, swamp, dunes, beaches, and wetlands. To explore all of these biomes on the 2888 acres of land take to hiking or biking, or even canoeing or boating. There are 19 miles of trails and 1 and ¼ of beach along Chesapeake Bay Beach, ensuring your group never runs out of spots to explore!