Ive just always loved places like this! Spots like this will forever hold a special place in my heart. If you have ever wanted to get outside, step 1. Get up and go! Step 2. tho, I’d recommend getting a little familiar with things you may encounter while being outdoorsy af 🙌🏾 You know answering questions around what leaves you may not want to touch and how insects don’t actually want to kill you! It’s one thing to google them but to see real examples at this hybrid aquarium, zoo, 🌺botanical garden and science center is just super dope to me. If you have never been, be a tourist where you live, pack a lunch and make a day out of it, I think you’ll dig it!

Love this place! Great for families in particular but also good if you just want to commune with nature. The staff is wonderfully welcoming, and it is obvious that they take good care of their charges. It's a quiet spot right off a busy area of Newport News, but you forget all about the hustle and bustle as you watch otters frolic in the water or suddenly spot an animal secreting itself behind foliage. It's one big adventure!

Very doable space in a morning or afternoon. Enough to see, but not too much that you feel you missed something. Outside space is well designed and easy to traverse. Not all animals were out when we were there. Child centric and several field trip groups there when we were, but adults will find it interesting too. Friendly staff.

My first visit, and am I impressed! This is a combo zoo that you explore on a lovely boardwalk through trees and ponds; the animals have well thought-out enclosures, and are well signed. There is a planetarium that my group had no time to explore, various snack shops, a very nice visitor/information center and gift shop. Did I mention the dinosaurs? oh yes…..for kids of all ages. Don’t miss this attraction. I’m returning soon.