We took my sister out for her birthday and the Lost Planet was on her list of what she wanted to do…read moreand we did. We arrived as soon as they opened, the girls behind the counter were very sweet and informative. They were very matter of fact type of energy so it might rub some people the wrong way. Reasonably priced. I wouldn't suggest that anyone under 12 try the upstairs portion. They do have a mirror maze though for all ages. They will ask you to wear plastic gloves though. I would say it could take between 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many people are there or how long you stay in one area. There is a photo op room first; they say it's two but really one large area where a worker (our girl was funny as heck) will help you take photos and offer suggestions. There are a few other rooms with different aspects that are super cool or interactive. I'd share exactly but wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. They also do a "scavenger hunt where you take a photo of the item and at the end get a surprise. It's just a small kids trinket (like a squishy). They could use some updates and fresh paint. Biggest suggestion is having a broom for the confetti. Picking them up with your hand was gross. It's definitely a one type thing but still fun. Overall enjoyed our experience.

It's tiny and gimmicky but my sisters and I had a blast. I could see if there were a lot of people…read morehow it wouldn't be enjoyable because you're trying to get pictures with strangers also trying to do the same thing. It's priced a bit high for what you get, but if you go with the right people at the right time, you can get tons of goofy pictures. The people that worked there were helpful and friendly. Wish there were more photo opportunities and less strangers.

This review is for Thank You Gallery…read more Tucked inside another museum, Thank You Gallery is a hidden gem in Virginia worth seeking out. The space is intimate but thoughtful, and the curation feels fresh and intentional. Andrew (who worked there) was excellent -- welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the work on display. Definitely a nice surprise and well worth a stop if you're in the area.

Don't know why this place was moved here but here we are. This place was a huge let down. The size…read moreis small and the self guide tour is over pretty quickly. There are two main rooms and a kids room before the exit where arts and crafts can be done. Viewing the entirety of the museum takes 20 minutes tops. The art itself is creative and eye catching for sure. The best part is it's free, otherwise this place would have no value at all.

Stop by the Aquarium just to have something to do + We love marine life…read more It was a very nice and relaxing experience. The Staff was very helpful, friendly and welcoming; We had a great time!

The exhibits were good and informative info. The river otter exhibits was closed and no one…read morementioned it throughout the entire time we were there. So we walked all the way to the South building only to find out it was closed. There is no trolley or transport from the north to south building except by the trail that closes 20 minutes before the facility closes which is 5pm (seems early for a tourist attraction). The trail is about a half mile walk. More communication by staff about the exhibits, timing and what's closed and open would have been helpful.

This is a cool lighthouse to see and you can actually walk up to the top of the oldest one. It is…read moremaybe about 100 steps or so and there are good views. You can also walk down the street some and go to an look out point over the ocean. There is also an old chapel there but it is currently under construction. What makes this lighthouse a pain to see is that it is located on a military base and it seems apparent that it is an inconvenience for them and thus they will make it so for you. Once you go through a TSA like process and show you ID 3-4 times, they take the ID for your ticket. Then you are shuttled in by a van. The driver was nice enough and they do come around often to take you back to get your idea. I do NOT recommend doing this if there is any line to get through. It is a slow process. There was no one else in the screening shed and it was SLOW. Plus it must be a hang out location as well because when we got back there were 4 people laid out in all the chairs in there just hanging around. Good lighthouse- unfortunate location

Whether you're a local or visiting, make sure to carve out 30 minutes to an hour to visit…read more Located on Fort Story - a military base, Cape Henry Lighthouse is a historical site with 191 steps leading to the top opening to beautiful views of the ocean and the newer Cape Henry lighthouse in the backdrop. IDs are required to enter base as well as proof of car insurance. Please refer to their website for more up to date info for entrance. If you are a civilian visiting you can still visit but must park to the left upon checking in at the gate. From there a tram will pick you up and drive to the lighthouse entrance. If you have military base access you can park right in the lot at the entrance of the lighthouse. I suggest purchasing tickets on groupon for the best prices. The only restrooms are port a potties to the left of the gift shop entrance. Check in is at the counter in the gift shop. One person from your group needs to sign in. As someone mentioned before, the wifi can be spotty so if you have a groupon or ticket on your phone, you might want to do a screenshot. There are a lot of steps to navigate once you exit the gift shop to the actual entrance of the lighthouse. There was a docent at the top of the stairs that automatically spouted out facts and history about the lighthouse. Although there are 191 steps it's manageable for most people even if you don't exercise on the daily and as long as you have ability to navigate stairs in general. There's one landing on the spiral staircase and a straight ladder to climb to get to the top. It can get hot up there. All three of us were sweating but it wasn't the hottest day either. Maybe roughly 5-10 people max can fit at the top. The views of the ocean are relaxing. We even had a sailboat peacefully sail by. I wouldn't wear a dress to the lighthouse if you're climbing up. If you decide to, wear shorts underneath. Probably not a long dress or skirt or flip flops either so you don't trip going up the ladder. If you have sandals with ankle straps you should be fine. There really isn't much else to see at the lighthouse though. At the base there are more scenic photo ops and a compass on the ground. The newer lighthouse isn't open to the public except on lighthouse day, August 7th, the main reason it's not open to the public the rest of the year is it's a working lighthouse.

This museum is one of my favorites in the area is very nice and has a lot of interactive activities…read more They happen to have a cool event and my friend and I attended they did a silent disco, which was really cool I love seeing everybody dress up and all the lights and we were able to see that exhibit as well

Really enjoyed ourselves at this museum! Our toddler has been obsessed with airplanes and this…read moreplace was a dream come true for her. They had a lot of different aircrafts along with interesting facts and history. We loved that they had activities and hands on things. We were glad to see a separate toddler play area that she really liked and found intriguing. Parking is a little walk from the garage so try and find street parking for the closest access. IMAX tickets are included with general admissions price so that's nice. Perfect museum for families of all ages. Our daughter didn't want to leave.

This is such a great spot! While I haven't actually toured the museum itself, we love to visit the…read moredinosaur park that is located before you get to the museum. I also enjoy running to the VA Beach Run To Remember Memorial Day 5K.

Had a wonderful afternoon touring the Virginia Beach Military Aviation Museum…read more The Museum houses one of the world's largest private collections of warbirds in flying condition. It includes examples from Germany, France, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, from both World War I and World War II. Our tour guide, a veteran of the Royal Air Force, was very knowledgeable and an absolute delight. 10 out of 5 stars and higher recommended.

I was very impressed with the art here at the museum. It's free too, which is great since the…read moreexhibits were quite varied and interesting! Two floors of art and spent most of my time on the second floor. Didn't have time to have a detailed look on the first, but the glass exhibit and Eastern arts were cool. The museum itself is very pretty too. Would love to come back again if I have time.

The Chrysler is such an amazing and beautiful museum in the local area, that's free. I often visit…read moreto check out some new exhibits and also get some steps in! The staff is always so friendly; they great you at the door. A few things I've learned is that events are hosted here, sometimes for a fee, that allow you to be at the museum during the late evening a nights. I've attended an event that had a DJ and was fully decorated; I had a blast! I know also that they do host weddings! Overall I believe it to be a wonderful, well taken care of museum! There is also a glass shop across that street that I still have not checked out, but I heard it's great!

i went to nauticus and did the self guided tour of the uss wisconsin battleship museum. we got to…read morego inside the battleship and walk through a bunch of different areas, which was probably the best part because it made everything feel more real instead of just looking at pictures or exhibits. the ship itself is huge, and seeing everything up close was really interesting. i liked being able to walk around at my own pace instead of being rushed through it. the deck views were really nice too, and the giant guns were honestly crazy to see in person because they're so much bigger than i thought they'd be. overall it was actually really fun and i'd definitely recommend it if you're in norfolk because it's something different and really interesting to experience. note -- it isn't handicap accessible, there are a lot of stairs you need to go up and down on.

A Must-See Winterfest Experience! I had such a magical time…read moreat Winterfest on the Wisconsin battleship! I went last Wednesday with family, and exploring the ship completely decked out in lights was honestly unforgettable. I knew ahead of time that they offered mocktails and cocktails, but I was not prepared for the surprises waiting onboard--like fresh donuts and spiked hot chocolate! Speaking of which... the spiked peppermint hot chocolate with a shot of white chocolate peppermint bark RumChata has officially changed my life. I don't think I can go back to regular hot chocolate for the rest of the season. It's the perfect holiday drink, and clearly a huge hit with the 21+ crowd. Beyond the festive drinks, Winterfest had so much more to offer, including a charming winter mini circus with magic and other fun acts. It was genuinely enjoyable for both kids and adults. I loved the added light displays leading up to the ship and throughout Town Point Park--they make the whole area feel like a glowing winter wonderland. Even if you can't make it onboard for the full Winterfest experience, the nighttime walk from the Pagoda in lights to Town Point Park is absolutely worth it. Such a wonderful holiday outing for families, friends, and anyone looking to soak up the season!

Neptune's Park is a must-visit if you're in Virginia Beach. That giant bronze statue of King…read moreNeptune? It's basically the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben of the Oceanfront; towering, iconic, and perfect for photos. I got an amazing pic there with my little brother that I'll always treasure. The park itself is a chill, grassy space right off the boardwalk, often buzzing with live music and people just soaking up the vibe. It's the perfect spot to relax after a stroll or while waiting for the next show to start, there's also beach access not too far from the park if you want to feel the sand in-between your toes, soak up the sun, or hop in the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounding the park is a whole world of things to do; plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop within walking distance. Whether you're in the mood for seafood, a cocktail, or something sweet, it's all right there. Great views, good energy, and that unforgettable Neptune statue this spot is a Coastal Virgina staple for tourists and locals alike.

I went to Neptune Park to participate in the SOLD OUT She Crab Soup competition…read more It was a great experience. The restaurants really came out for this competition. There was even the Food Network doing a special! The only downfall was that the space was crowded! I definitely believe they should move it to a larger park either in VB or Norfolk. The winner was Tempt! 100000/10 recommend.

Ordinarily, plantations would not be on my list of places to visit, given the history of slavery…read more However, I discovered a statue of Grace Sherwood while living in Virginia Beach, and I was intrigued. I had mentioned this to one of my students, and she suggested I visit Ferry Plantation House. I planned a tour with her as I was interested in their ties to Grace Sherwood and stories of paranormal activity. The tour did not disappoint, and I'm always interested in history when it is presented in creative ways. I appreciated that they include tales of the slaves that were a part of the plantations past. As for the paranormal, I felt very drawn to a particular tree on the property. Though, nothing felt menacing, I did get pushed on the stairs after visiting an upstairs room where a former slave women spent a lot of time with the children of the plantation. The push was on my leg leading me to believe it could have possibly been a child. Lastly, I did stop by the gift shop at the end of my tour. My favorite purchase was a Ferry Plantation tea blend. It's worth a visit if you are interested in Virginia Beach history or the paranormal.

I came Ferry Plantation house this past Saturday the 21st. I have been vacationing for years at the…read morebeach but due to the rain and to look for alternative things my family and I could do. While researching I cam across the story of Grace Sherwood (not going to ruin it) which lead me to the plantation. After researching it I decided it would be a great place to drop by to put the story in motion. Since it is fall and almost Halloween I knew my stepdaughter would love it. We unfortunately could not get tickets as I waited last minute so we couldn't go into the house but just roamed the property. They have signs all around of historic significance and just seeing the house puts everything into perspective. I will definitely be back to tour the inside of the house and we heard from a volunteer who was arriving as we were leaving they do tours on Thursdays and Saturdays as well as was in the process of setting up for an event (some kind of funeral/mourning) that they do every year. If we lived closer we would definitely attend. No matter if you believe in the paranormal side of things or not it is still a great place of history located smack in the middle of some beautiful million dollar homes on the waterfront.