Thursday, October 1, 2026
Created by Minotaur Mazes, Mission Botanica will be open October 4 through January 10
Virginia Beach, VA – Glide like a bee, climb like a vine, and hang like a sloth at Mission Botanica, a new changing exhibit coming to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center on October 4, with an exclusive member-only opening on Saturday, October 3. Created by Minotaur Mazes, the indoor maze will be open through January 10, 2027.
Designed for all ages, Mission Botanica explores the world of plants and their critical role in supporting life on Earth. More than 400,000 plant species are found worldwide, providing food, shelter, and other resources that animals and humans rely on every day.
Wander through the exhibit to experience life like a plant. Guests can scale a spider web to protect a garden, leap across the rings of a giant redwood tree, and glide on a zipline like a bee carrying pollen from flower to flower. Throughout the maze, discover surprising plant traits, pose with a corpse flower replica, the world’s largest flower, and solve question-and-answer challenges about plant diversity.
On Wednesday mornings, toddlers can enjoy weekly programming at the exhibit during Toddler Meet & Move, starting October 7.
The exhibit is included with Aquarium admission and is fully funded by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation as part of its commitment to bringing high-quality, science‑driven experiences to the community.
Purchase admission at VirginiaAquarium.com .
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium's exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientific research efforts, and the Aquarium's mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.
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