The highlight of our vacation was the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. It was not only an awesome experience for the kids, but I actually enjoyed myself as well! You would think that taking a 16 month old there would end up in disaster, but she enjoyed everything just as much as our 3 year old.
My favorite part of the Aquarium is the turtles. It's set up so you can walk right up to the side of the aquarium and almost touch the turtles! There were three different types of turtles - leatherback turtles, sand turtles, and green sea turtles. The leatherback turtles (p
ictured above and to the right) were very friendly. The kids loved trying to touch the leatherback turtles. They would swim back and forth in front of everyone watching. It was almost like they were trying to get a good look at you!
ictured above and to the right) were very friendly. The kids loved trying to touch the leatherback turtles. They would swim back and forth in front of everyone watching. It was almost like they were trying to get a good look at you! Matilda's favorite part of the Aquarium was being able to pet sting rays. I was very hesitant about doing so, but I finally gave in the second time going by the exhibit. The kids absolutely loved petting the sting rays. They felt soft and not as slimey as you would imagine. The small brown rays would actually seek out your hand and nuzzle almost as if a puppy would. It was very amazing! Some of them would splash 
and the kids thought that was amazing. The larger ones were very pretty and had a pink/purple coloration, though it was very light. They had spines down their back, and would hide in the sand if they didn't want to be touched.
and the kids thought that was amazing. The larger ones were very pretty and had a pink/purple coloration, though it was very light. They had spines down their back, and would hide in the sand if they didn't want to be touched.A lot of the exhibits were getting renovated, but there were also harbor seals, all kinds of sharks, quite a bit of fish, a very large lobster, and other science exhibits that even young kids could explore and learn from. We never did venture over to the marshes and wetlands building. We spent about 2 or 3 hours in the marine building alone! They also had a play area for kids somewhere near the IMAX and conference rooms. It had a coral tank in it that I couldn't keep my eyes off of! Everything was so beautiful in it. If it wasn't for my kids being unsupervised while I was gazing at that tank, I would have looked longer.
I absolutely enjoyed the time we spent at the Aquarium. If we ever venture down that way again, we'll definately stop back in!
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