Virginia Beach

[lbgraves]

Sorry to hijack....

Which aquarium is nicer for a almost 3 and 6 year old the one in Norfolk or VA Beach?

How is the zoo in Norfolk? We went once but I really don't remember much.

We have been to both with the kids & we all liked Naticus in Norfolk better. The added attraction for DS7 there was the battleship that you get to tour. DD5 liked it as well. The aquarium had lots of hands on things for the kids to do. DS got up the nerve to pet a shark. He was so proud of himself!

Anyone with kids can go to the McCarthy Center in downtown Norfolk. DH stayed at a nearby hotel for a conference & we went to visit over the weekend. They have a really neat play area in the food court. The kids loved to go there at the end of the day & they wore themselves out. Slept great after that.

 

[ntburns22]

We have been to both with the kids & we all liked Naticus in Norfolk better. The added attraction for DS7 there was the battleship that you get to tour. DD5 liked it as well. The aquarium had lots of hands on things for the kids to do. DS got up the nerve to pet a shark. He was so proud of himself!

Anyone with kids can go to the McCarthy Center in downtown Norfolk. DH stayed at a nearby hotel for a conference & we went to visit over the weekend. They have a really neat play area in the food court. The kids loved to go there at the end of the day & they wore themselves out. Slept great after that.

Thanks for this info. I think we may do the aquarium this time around. The kids are more into all the animal exhibits right now. THe Naticus sounds like something that would be good for DS when he is a little older.

Is that Center the mall they put in about 6 years ago? We went there once before we moved and from what I remember it was really nice.

 

[hiwaygal]

It's actually McArthur Center...and yes, it's a mall. It started out as more "high-end" retailers but quite a few of the original stores have left. There are still lots of good stores, and many that you don't find anywhere else around here...but everyone around here laughed when the Dollar Store (or Dollar Tree) opened up in there! Said the place was going downhill!

I can't say anything about Nauticus, 'cause I've never been...but I've gone many times to the Aquarium. I love the exhibits there...

I've only been to the zoo once and I was a bit disappointed. I'm used to a much bigger zoo (one that has access to more funding, apparently). I think Norfolk Zoo does a lot with what they have...

You might also consider the Air and Space Center in Hampton (it's a bit of a drive, I'll admit) but the exhibits are AMAZING!!! It's kind of the welcome center for NASA Langley and there are lots of space and aviation and related exhibits...lots of hands-on stuff!

 

[hiwaygal]

Right now, the restaurants on my list, are One Fish, Two Fish, Tautogs, Mahi Mahs, II Giardino, Rudee's, Lynnhaven Fish House, Sal's for pizza and Hot Tuna. Since we only have 4 nights there, which of the 4 would you go to?

I like Tautogs and One Fish Two Fish MUCH better than the Lynnhaven Fish House. Tautogs will give you a very local influence...and One Fish is a bit more "upscale"...but still casual!

And, I for one am SO GLAD the Duck-In is closed!!! UGH! Many locals (if pressed) will admit the food wasn't "all that"...there are much better places in the area!