NAUTICUS, The National Maritime Center

The Nauticus Museum The National Maritime Center is located in Norfolk, Virginia and celebrates the area's maritime history. There are a variety of permanent exhibits including 1907: The Jamestown Exposition and Launching of the Steel Navy, An Enduring Legacy: The U.S. Navy and the 1907 Jamestown Exposition, Secrets of the Deep, SOS Station, the Aegis Theater, the Modern Navy, the Design Chamber: Battleship X and the Horseshoe Crab Cove. The Cove is a popular exhibit featuring a chance to get up close and personal with horseshoe crabs, urchins, hermit crabs and starfish. Kids love this part of the museum because it offers a hands-on opportunity to learn about the sea. The exhibit simulates a tide pool so the creatures feel right at home. The museum features a variety of educational programs for children of all ages. Camp Nauticus offers a day's worth of hands-on science adventures for kids. Camps occur throughout the year. The Nauticus overnight programs offer a chance for groups of kids to spend a night in the museum, learning and exploring after traditional museum hours. The museum also offers home school programs, family programs and programs for scout troops. The museum is available for rent for special events and parties.