VIRGINIA BEACH — The Virginia Aquarium will celebrate its 30th birthday by cutting its admission price 30 percent June 11-17.
During the promotion, tickets will cost $15 for adults, $10 for children, $14 for seniors and military adults, $13 for military seniors and $9 for military children. The Adventure Park — part of the marine museum — will cut its zip-line prices by 30 percent June 13-17, and concessions stands will also have discounts, according to a release.
The aquarium had one full-time employee when it opened June 14, 1986, as the Virginia Museum of Marine Science. It has since changed its name and ballooned in size, now employing 200 workers and 1,400 volunteers.
More than 625,000 people visit the aquarium annually, and more than 50,000 students visit for educational purposes, the release said.
In 1996, the aquarium added to the Bay & Ocean Pavilion and built the Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion. In 2009, it added the Restless Planet Gallery.
“One of the most important things about the Aquarium has been the people,” Executive Director Lynn Clements said in the release. “We’ve been fortunate to have a cadre of devoted volunteers, several of whom have worked at the Virginia Aquarium for all our thirty years of operation, dedicated board of directors, and an immensely caring staff. Our first Executive Director, C. Mac Rawls, was an educator at heart, and his vision and leadership have been inspirational during our three decades of education, conservation, and research.”
