16 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Virginia

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The state of Virginia was founded as the first permanent colony in 1607 and the tenth state to join the union.

The state’s capital is Richmond, although its largest city is Virginia Beach.

The state’s geography is defined by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay – which means the animals native to Virginia vary widely.

The state bird of Virginia is the Cardinal. The Brook Trout and Striped Bass share honors as Virginia’s state fish.

And the state mammal is the Virginia big-eared bat, with the Tiger Swallowtail holding the distinction of the state’s butterfly.

The 16 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Virginia 

Virginia offers its residents and visitors a wide variety of zoos and aquariums across the state.

These public and private organizations and facilities range from underwater exhibits to boat tours to drive-through safari adventure parks.

Virginia’s Zoos

Virginia has more than a dozen zoos.

Virginia is for Animal Lovers of all ages!

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk

• 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504

The Virginia Zoo was founded in 1900 and is home to more than 590 animals representing more than 145 species on its various tours.

The 53-acre state-sponsored Virginia Zoo is the only zoo in the state to receive accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Exhibits at the Virginia Zoo include tigers, rhinoceros, retiles, bald eagles, and more.

 There are live animal presentations throughout the day so check the schedule upon arrival.

Hunt Club’s Petting Zoo

• 2388 London Bridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Hunt Club’s Petting Zoo is a part of a 35-acre Virginia Beach business that is family owned and operated.

The petting zoo is home to many friendly animals.

The Hunt Club’s Petting Zoo offers a day camp and other annual special events.

Check out their pony rides and Farm Markets events for different events and offerings throughout the seasons.

Alpaca Farm at Smith Mountain Lake Farm

• 830-839 Morewood Rd, Hardy, VA 24101

Alpaca Farm at Smith Mountain Lake Farm is a working farm that is also considered an Agri-tourism educational facility.

They offer an interactive and guided tour to learn everything about alpacas.

The farm has even been used to film the movie Princess Cut 3.

The Smith Mountain Lake Farm is open all year and offers tours daily and a chance to make memories for a lifetime when visiting the dozens of alpacas who call Smith Mountain Lake Farm home.

Check out Smith Mountain Lake Farm’s famous pillows crafted from alpaca.

The Virginia Living Museum

• 524 J Clyde Morris Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23601

The Virginia Living Museum is public and privately run, offering educational experiences connecting individuals with nature.

This unusual museum has received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

In addition to plants, feedings, geology, and gardening tips, the museum includes exhibits for birds, amphibians, aquatics, reptiles, and mammals.

The Mill Mountain Zoo

• Mill Mountain Spur, Roanoke, VA 24014

The Mill Mountain Zoo, which is located in Roanoke’s Mill Mountain Park, is a member of the Zoological Association of America.

The zoo covers more than 550 acres and is the only nonprofit wildlife organization along any part of the 450+ mile Blue Ridge Parkway

. Zoo animals and exhibits include a wide variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles.

There is even a spring-break camp at Mill Mountain Zoo.

Virginia Safari Park

• 229 Safari Ln, Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Virginia Safari Park offers over 175 acres of drive-through adventure or exploring the ten villages on foot, encountering all sorts of critters and creatures to delight children of all ages.

Virginia Safari Park also hosts special events and is home to rhinos, cheetahs, sloths, anteaters, and giraffes, plus 80 more species of animals.

Bluebird Gap Farm

• 60 Pine Chapel Rd, Hampton, VA 23669

Bluebird Gap Farm is a sixty-acre adventure and educational experience in which approximately 150 animal call home.

The park has picnic tables, a nature path, grills, a duck pond, an arboretum, and an antique barn.

In addition, there are machines to purchase food to feed the cows, pigs, goats, horses, chickens, and birds.

Fort Chiswell Animal Park

• 569 Red Hollow Rd, Max Meadows, VA 24360

Fort Chiswell Animal Park is one man’s childhood dream realized.

This zoo opened in 2004 and is now home to more than 200 animals.

There is no need to purchase tickets ahead of time to enjoy the adventure and exhibits at Fort Chiswell Animal Park but be prepared for plenty of animal interaction with deer, llamas, pygmy goats, deer, and monkeys.

Check out the self-guided petting zoo at the animal park.

The Metro Richmond Zoo

• 8300 Beaver Bridge Rd, Moseley, VA 23120

The Metro Richmond Zoo is a magical place home to more than 2,000 animals representing nearly 200 species from across the globe.

The Metro Richmond Zoo also has zip lines, rides, and a chance to help feed the otters, penguins, and other animals.

Check out the Metro Richmond Zoo’s Treetop Zoofari, the Jungle Carousel, the Penguin Drop Tower, the Safari Train Ride, and the Safari Sky Lift for a relaxing ride at the park.

The Metro Richmond Zoo participates in a variety of globally-based conservation programs.

Leesburg Animal Park

• 19246 James Monroe Hwy, Leesburg, VA 20175

Leesburg Animal Park was established in 2000.

The activities at the park include petting and feeding areas for llamas, alpacas, bunnies, goats, cows, ducks, donkeys, budgies, pigs, sheep, and more.

The Leesburg Animal Park also offers live animal shows, camel rides, pony and wagon rides, and indoor/outdoor playgrounds.

Check out the safari or fall festival birthday package options as well as the animal park’s Jr. Zookeeper’s Camp.

The park also offers mobile exhibits.

Infinity Acres Petting Ranch

• 136 Joppa Rd #4242, Ridgeway, VA 24148

Infinity Acres Petting Ranch operates as a nonprofit educational organization offering programs to enrich the community.

The ranch is available for private animal encounters, classes, summer camps, tours, and parties.

The ranch also offers day support programs for adults with disabilities, including animal-assisted therapies, and can provide mobile animal exhibits.

Infinity Acres now offers outdoor camping at the ranch – sort of an outdoor Airbnb.

Creation Kingdom Zoo

• 1692 Snowflake Rd, Gate City, VA 24251

Creation Kingdom Zoo is among the state’s best zoos and a highlighted attraction for the Tri-City region.

The more than two hundred animals that call this zoo home include hyenas, fossa, giraffes, badgers, and more.

Check out the summer Safari Nights to discover how the park’s nocturnal residents live.

The Natural Bridge Zoo

• 5784 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578

The Natural Bridge Zoo was established in 1972 and has been delighting children of all ages since the zoo began.

This privately owned facility seeks to help threatened or endangered species while providing educational opportunities for those who wish to participate in ecological and conservation efforts.

Animals that call Natural Bridge home include giraffes, kudus, cranes, macaws, parrots, ibises, zebras, monkeys, antelope, African honey badgers, and camels.

Virginia’s Aquariums

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center

• 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, which is accredited by AZA, is recognized to be one of the best aquariums in the nation.

Its exhibits represent hundreds of aquatic species.

The Virginia Aquarium has thousands of animals, representing more than 290 species.

The center was developed to be at the forefront of research on marine conservation while providing educational outreach resources.

The Virginia Aquarium offers adults a quiet evening at the park known as Sharks After Dark or an interactive adventure park during the day.

Three Lakes Nature Center and Aquarium

• 400 Sausiluta Dr, Henrico, VA 23227

Three Lakes Nature Center and Aquarium offers a variety of exhibits native to the wetlands and woodlands in the Henrico County region.

Visitors get a fish-eye view by looking through the aquarium’s 50,000-gallon tank/exhibit.

The park is open daily and offers live exhibits, picnic areas/shelters, playground equipment, fishing, nature trails, and interactive displays in the 6,500-square-foot nature facility.

Seaquest Lynchburg

• 405 Candlers Mountain Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502

Seaquest Lynchburg offers an exciting aquatic and Amazon adventure for families, class trips, birthday parties, and more.

The Lynchburg location offers more than 20,000 square feet of animal adventure to its more than 2 million visitors each year.  

In 2022, Seaquest celebrated more than 1,200 live births.

Animals who call Seaquest home include otters, sloths, porcupines, stingrays, and more.

16 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Virginia – Summary Table

Virginia Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Virginia Safety Review

Safety Index:

87

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW