Virginia Zoos, Aquariums & Wildlife Parks

15+

Wildlife Facilities

3

AZA-Accredited

2,000+

Animals (Largest Zoo)

4

Free Attractions

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AZA-Accredited Facilities (3 Total)

🦁 Virginia Zoo (Norfolk)

Location: 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA

Size: 53 acres

Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (last admission 3:00 PM)

Animals: 700+ animals representing 150+ species

Highlights:

  • AZA-accredited since 1987
  • Continent-inspired landscapes (Asia, Australia, North America)
  • Endangered species conservation programs
  • Reptile exhibits and Zoo Farm
  • Species Survival Plans for great apes, red pandas, rhinos, turtles
  • Discounts for military, first responders, teachers, Norfolk residents
  • Free parking

Conservation: Supports Act for Wildlife fund, partners with Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Red Panda Network, International Rhino Foundation, Turtle Survival Alliance, Elizabeth River Project.

Website: virginiazoo.org

🐟 Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Location: 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA

Hours: Check website for seasonal hours

Admission: Adults $29.95, Seniors $24.95, Children 5-17 $24.95

Highlights:

  • AZA-accredited through March 2028
  • 12,000+ animals representing 700+ species
  • Dozen species of sharks, rays, eels, reptiles
  • North American river otters, harbor seals
  • Komodo dragons, tomistomas (freshwater crocodile)
  • Restless Planet expansion with 100,000-gallon Red Sea exhibit
  • Whale watching (Dec-March), dolphin watching (March-Oct)
  • Adventure Park with 250+ rope elements, 30+ ziplines
  • Parking $5 April-October, free rest of year

Buildings: Bay/Main Building and South Building connected by 1/3-mile nature trail along Owls Creek Salt Marsh.

Website: virginiaaquarium.com

🌿 Virginia Living Museum

Location: Newport News, VA

Hours: Seasonal hours (check website)

Highlights:

  • AZA-accredited through March 2030
  • Also accredited by American Alliance of Museums
  • 250+ species of native Virginia wildlife
  • 30,000-gallon Chesapeake Bay aquarium
  • Coastal plain, Piedmont, Appalachian Mountain cove exhibits
  • Cypress swamp, underground habitats, nocturnal gallery
  • 0.75-mile elevated boardwalk through 10-acre nature area
  • Dinosaur Discovery Trail with 16 realistic dinosaurs
  • Wild Care Center for animal rehabilitation
  • Planetarium and botanical preserve

Animals: Bald eagles, bobcats, red wolves, beavers, otters, raccoons, foxes, wild turkeys, deer, coyotes. Aquatic exhibits with sharks, alligators, gators, ducks, longnose gar, catfish.

Website: thevlm.org

Major Zoos & Safari Parks

Metro Richmond Zoo Virginia's Largest

Address: Moseley, VA (near Richmond)

Size: 150 acres with 2,000 animals representing 190 species

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Sundays)

Description: Virginia's largest zoological park (not AZA-accredited, privately managed). Features endangered tapirs, cheetahs, rhinos, tigers, orangutans. Children's petting area, educational talks, giraffe feeding, safari train, safari sky lift, jungle carousel. Opened April 22, 1995.

Virginia Safari Park Drive-Through

Address: 229 Safari Lane, Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Size: 180 acres

Hours: March-November, daily 9:00 AM, closing 5:30 PM weekdays / 6:30 PM weekends

Animals: 1,200+ rare and endangered animals

Description: Virginia's only drive-through zoo featuring 3-mile maintained gravel road. Feed animals from your car including llamas, Scottish Highland cattle, bull elk, deer, ostriches, antelopes, bison, Pere David's deer, emus, wildebeest. Safari takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. Safari Village includes Tiger Territory, cheetahs (home of rare king cheetah), Giraffe Feeding Station, Kangaroo Walk-About, free flight bird aviary, reptile house, monkeys. Weekend wagon rides available.

Website: virginiasafaripark.com

Mill Mountain Zoo

Address: Mill Mountain, Roanoke, VA

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (admission ends 4:00 PM); Winter: Thursday-Sunday only

Admission: Adults $12, Children 3-12 $10, Seniors 55+ $11

Description: Located within 568-acre Mill Mountain Park overlooking Roanoke, next to famous Star landmark. Features vulnerable and endangered species including snow leopards, red pandas, wolves. Zoo Choo train runs hourly ($3). Free parking (limited). 10% military discount.

Website: mmzoo.org

Natural Bridge Zoo

Address: Natural Bridge, VA (I-81 between Exits 180 and 175)

Founded: 1972 (privately owned, no federal/state/local funding)

Description: Claims largest and most complete collection of birds and animals in Virginia. Features Bengal tigers, African elephants, mountain lions, bears, serval, alligators, baboons, capuchins, gibbons, lemurs, macaques, spider monkeys, zebras, ostriches, pythons. Petting zoo with giraffes, llamas, pygmy goats, exotic donkeys, camels, fallow deer, pot-bellied pigs. NOTE: Has received USDA fines for animal welfare violations.

Website: naturalbridgezoo.com

Luray Zoo - A Rescue Zoo

Address: 1087 US-211, Luray, VA 22835

Description: Privately owned rescue zoo in Shenandoah Valley specializing in reptiles. 60-80 indoor reptile exhibits (one of largest snake collections on East Coast). Outdoor exhibits with primates, birds, mammals. Petting zoo section. Owners Mark and Christine Kilby rescue unwanted/abused exotic animals including crocodiles, alligators. Receives retired zoo animals, unwanted pets, confiscations, abused animals.

Website: lurayzoo.com

Smithsonian National Zoo Free

Address: Rock Creek Park, Washington DC (20 minutes from Virginia via MetroRail)

Virginia Campus: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), Front Royal, VA - 3,200 acres (not open to public)

Hours: Daily (timed-entry passes required, reserve in advance)

Admission: FREE (Smithsonian Institution)

Description: One of oldest zoos in USA (founded 1889). DC campus: 163 acres, 2,100+ animals representing 400 species. Virginia SCBI campus: rare species breeding including Mongolian wild horses, scimitar-horned oryx, maned wolves, cranes, cheetah cubs. Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao on Asia Trail. Allow 2-3 hours to tour.

Website: nationalzoo.si.edu

Additional Aquariums & Marine Centers

The Robins Nature Center at Maymont

Address: 2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, VA

Admission: Adults $8, Children 3-16 $6 (park grounds free)

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM; closes 7:00 PM (April-Sept), 5:00 PM (Oct-March)

Description: 29,000 sq ft facility (largest in central Virginia). 30,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing James River and Chesapeake Bay animals. Features otters, alligators, sharks, fish, crabs, snakes, turtles, river otters. Virginia Wildlife Trail with black bears, bobcats, bald eagles, elk, American bison. Interactive exhibits including 34-foot River Reach climbing sculpture, digital touch pools. Maymont is 100-acre Victorian estate with historic mansion, arboretum, Italian/Japanese gardens, carriage collection, petting zoo.

Petting Zoos & Family Farms

Leesburg Animal Park

Address: 19246 James Monroe Hwy (Route 15), Leesburg, VA 20175

Hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 10:00 AM-4:00 PM; Sat-Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM (closed Tuesdays)

Admission: $14-$21 (varies by day/month), Under 2 free

Description: 21 acres with barnyard animals plus exotics (lemurs, zebras, camels, gibbons, porcupines, African serval cats, sloths). Pony rides, wagon rides, camel rides, live animal encounters. Indoor facility year-round with 3-level play structure, birthday party rooms, theater. Feed rainbow lory parrots, pond fish. Fall: Pumpkin Village Fall Festival (mid-Sept to early Nov) with hayrides, bull rides, ziplines, moonbounces.

Website: leesburganimalpark.com

Bluebird Gap Farm Free

Address: 60 Pine Chapel Road, Hampton, VA

Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Admission: FREE

Description: 60-acre public city park and petting zoo with 150 domestic and wild animals. Standard farm animals (horses, cows, goats, sheep, chickens) plus llamas, alpacas, emus, raccoons, birds of prey, whitetail deer, tortoises, peacocks. Animal feed machines (bring quarters). Large playground, nature trail, Hampton Master Gardeners' Display Garden and Arboretum, picnic shelters. Opened 1966, moved to current location 1969. Annual Fall Festival in late October.

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers

Wildlife Center of Virginia

Description: One of world's premiere teaching hospitals for wildlife and conservation medicine. Expert staff trains dozens of trainees annually in wildlife rehabilitation.

Website: wildlifecenter.org

Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

Location: Clarke County, VA

Description: Premier wildlife hospital and education center. Rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured wildlife. Expert care and community education on wildlife conservation.

Website: blueridgewildlifectr.org

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 5450 Wheelers Cove Rd, Shipman, VA 22971

Description: Rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured and orphaned wild animals. Professional, compassionate care for return to wild.

Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke

Description: Helps conserve and care for native wildlife in Virginia.

Website: swvawildlifecenter.org

Animal Education and Rescue Organization (A.E.R.O.)

Annual Intake: 1,000 animals average

Description: Non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned, injured, sick native Virginia wildlife. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators devote hundreds of hours to restore wildlife for release.

Website: aeroanimalrescue.org

Rikki's Refuge

Description: No-kill animal sanctuary with 450 acres of protected woods and wetlands. 97.8% of donations go directly to animal care.

Website: rikkisrefuge.org

Practical Information

Best Time to Visit

  • Spring: Mild weather, baby animals, fewer crowds
  • Summer: All facilities open, longer hours, hot/humid
  • Fall: Comfortable weather, beautiful foliage, festival season
  • Winter: Indoor aquariums open, some outdoor zoos limited hours

Admission Tips

  • Free: Smithsonian National Zoo, Bluebird Gap Farm, Maymont grounds
  • Discounts: Military, seniors, teachers, residents often qualify
  • Online Tickets: Usually $1 cheaper than at door
  • Memberships: Cost-effective for multiple visits

Getting There

  • Norfolk/Virginia Beach: Virginia Zoo, Virginia Aquarium (I-64)
  • Richmond: Metro Richmond Zoo, Maymont Park (I-95)
  • Shenandoah Valley: Virginia Safari Park, Luray Zoo, Natural Bridge Zoo (I-81)
  • DC Metro: Smithsonian National Zoo (MetroRail)

Planning Tips

  • Duration: 2-4 hours for most zoos, full day for large facilities
  • Parking: Usually free (Virginia Aquarium charges $5 in summer)
  • Food: Most zoos have cafes/snack bars, picnic areas available
  • Accessibility: AZA facilities fully ADA accessible

Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia has 3 AZA-accredited facilities: Virginia Zoo in Norfolk (accredited since 1987, through September 2029), Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach (through March 2028), and Virginia Living Museum in Newport News (through March 2030, also accredited by American Alliance of Museums). These facilities meet rigorous standards for animal care, conservation, education, and safety set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Metro Richmond Zoo is Virginia's largest zoological park, spanning 150 acres with over 2,000 animals representing 190 species. The zoo opened on April 22, 1995, and features endangered species like tapirs, cheetahs, rhinos, tigers, and orangutans. Visitors can enjoy a children's petting area, educational talks, giraffe feeding opportunities, and animal-themed rides including a safari train, safari sky lift, and jungle carousel. The zoo is privately managed and not AZA-accredited, open Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed Sundays).

Yes, Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge is Virginia's only drive-through zoo. The 180-acre park features a 3-mile maintained gravel road where visitors can feed over 1,200 exotic animals from their car, including llamas, Scottish Highland cattle, bull elk, deer, ostriches, antelopes, bison, and Pere David's deer. The safari drive takes 90 minutes to 2 hours. Animal feed buckets are sold with admission tickets. The park also includes Safari Village with walk-through exhibits featuring tigers, cheetahs (including the rare king cheetah), giraffes, kangaroos, and more. Open March through November.

Yes, Virginia offers several free wildlife attractions. The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC (accessible from Northern Virginia) offers completely free admission as part of the Smithsonian Institution, with 2,100+ animals representing 400 species. Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton is a free 60-acre petting zoo with 150 domestic and wild animals, open daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Maymont Park in Richmond has free admission to its 100-acre grounds, including outdoor wildlife exhibits (The Robins Nature Center charges $8 adults, $6 children). These free options provide excellent family-friendly experiences without admission costs.

Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center houses over 12,000 animals representing 700+ species across two main buildings. You can see over a dozen species of sharks, rays, eels, and reptiles, plus North American river otters and harbor seals. Exotic animals include Komodo dragons and tomistomas (freshwater crocodiles). The Restless Planet expansion features a 100,000-gallon Red Sea exhibit with spotted eagle rays, zebra sharks, Egyptian cobras, hedgehogs, and cuttlefish. The aquarium also offers guided boat trips for whale watching (December-March) and dolphin watching (March-October), providing opportunities to see marine mammals in their natural habitat.

Several Virginia zoos actively work with endangered species. The Virginia Zoo participates in Species Survival Plans for great apes (orangutans), red pandas, rhinos, and turtles, partnering with organizations like Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation and Red Panda Network. Metro Richmond Zoo houses endangered tapirs, cheetahs, rhinos, tigers, and orangutans. Mill Mountain Zoo features vulnerable and endangered snow leopards, red pandas, and wolves. Virginia Living Museum displays endangered red wolves native to Virginia. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal (not open to public) breeds rare species including Mongolian wild horses, scimitar-horned oryx, and maned wolves.

Virginia has numerous licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers. The Wildlife Center of Virginia is one of the world's premiere teaching hospitals for wildlife and conservation medicine. Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Clarke County is a premier wildlife hospital offering expert care and community education. Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary in Shipman rescues and rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife. A.E.R.O. (Animal Education and Rescue Organization) treats approximately 1,000 animals annually with licensed rehabilitators. Regional centers include Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke, Richmond Wildlife Center, and Wildlife Rescue League serving Northern Virginia. These facilities provide professional care for sick, injured, and orphaned native Virginia wildlife.

Leesburg Animal Park is excellent for young children with 21 acres of barnyard animals and exotics, pony rides, wagon rides, camel rides, and a 3-level indoor play structure. Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton offers free admission with hands-on petting zoo experiences and a large playground. Virginia Safari Park provides an exciting drive-through experience where children can feed animals from the car window. Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke features the Zoo Choo train ride that kids love. For aquatic animals, Virginia Living Museum's elevated boardwalk and interactive exhibits engage young learners. All of these facilities offer age-appropriate educational programs and safe animal interactions for children.

Related Virginia Resources

Last updated on November 27, 2025