15 Best Things To Do in Norfolk, Virginia

Fun Things to do in Norfolk, Virginia

These are some of our favorite things to see and do in Norfolk, Virginia.

Hampton Roads Naval Museum

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is a maritime museum in Norfolk’s nautical center. Operated under the Naval Historical Heritage Command, this museum celebrates the military history of the Norfolk area. The collection includes ships, naval prints, and underwater archeological finds from the collections of the Museum.

The books contain information about the Battle of Chesapeake from 1781, the American Civil War, World War II, and the Cold War. A couple of Civil War ships have remained at sea, including the HM Cumberhill and USF Florida in the area. Visiting programs include seminars, tours, and special exhibitions.

Mermaid Factory

Mermaid Factory is a family-friendly attraction that has been open since 2012. Located downtown Norfolk, you can visit Mermaid Factory by car or bus at 711 W 21st St., Norfolk VA 23504. The studio is open year-round and is completely free to visit! You can also purchase items from their craft store if you want to take home some souvenirs from your trip. The Mermaid Factory is best known for its clay mermaids and dolphins but they also create other sea creatures such as sharks, whales, seahorses, and even dinosaurs! So if you know someone who loves the ocean or just wants some unique artwork then this place might be right up their alley!

Nauticus National Marine Center

The National Maritime Center is a museum and educational center that is dedicated to the history of the United States maritime heritage. The museum has a wide range of exhibits, including ship models, maritime art, artifacts, and interactive displays on topics such as coastal ecosystems and oceanography.

The National Maritime Center of Nauticus was incorporated in 1988 by Jiangwangkun and opened in 1994 on the site where the Banana Pier used to be located. The nautical center offers numerous events and things to see. The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is located 2 levels away where visitors are welcome to see other scientific objects, including a shark laboratory and horseshoe crab touch tanks.

The half-moon ship-related cruise and celebration center opened in 2007 offering cruise ship docks, venues for events marinas museums USS Wisconsin was also included within Nauticus but has since been moved into its own facility just outside Norfolk

Hunter House Victorian Museum

Hunter House Victorian Museum is located at West Freemason Street in Freemason Street in central Norfolk. The historic house was constructed by James Willian Hunter in 1884 for the banker who married Lizzi Ayer Barnes Hunter. The Hunter house was opened by the Hunter family as a museum in 1988 and consists of Victorian ornaments and furniture.

The home has appeared on the US National Historical Register. It also hosts various events. The Hunter House Victorian Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

General Douglas MacArthur Memorial

The General Douglas MacArthur Memorial is located at 1 Chester Arthur Drive Norfolk, VA 23504. The memorial is a tribute to General Douglas MacArthur, who served as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific during World War II. It has been open since 1970 and welcomes visitors from around the world every day except Christmas.

The General Douglas MacArthur Memorial is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays (except Thanksgiving Day). Admission is free, but donations are encouraged for those wishing to support the museum’s programs and services.

Harbor Park, Norfolk, Virginia

Harbor Park is a 36-acre park on the Elizabeth River that includes a sports arena on Park Avenue. The 1993 venue hosts the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball team, who have been playing at Harbor Park since 1993. The facility offers two seating levels, an outdoor picnic room for private parties, a luxury skybox bar, and an expansive view of the playing fields. Other concessions sell food and beverages for customers who want to enjoy themselves while attending events at this venue.

Harbor Park is open year-round from 10:30 am until 6 pm (except during special events) with extended hours until 9 pm during holidays such as Easter Sunday or Independence Day when games are played later into the evening than usual to accommodate crowds’ demands for entertainment throughout these fun days off from work!

Fun Things to do near Norfolk: Virginia Zoo

Virginia Zoo is a fun and exciting place for families who want more than just an ordinary day at the park. This zoo is one of the best because it has giraffes, elephants, and gorillas that you can see up close! There’s also an aquarium with sharks and rays so if you like fish then this will be perfect for you too!

The Virginia Zoo is situated near Lafayette Park, Norfolk. It hosts more than 500 animals including elephant frogs and the dart frog. It also houses numerous plants and animals. The Zoo features several different habitats that contain animal species from Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America and varying exhibits.

Trail of the Tiger includes unusual Asian species including Malays tigers, tapir or sand-eater tigers, and siamangs. The Zoo offers a variety of programs and events, including summer camp and birthday parties.

Hermitage Museum and Gardens

You won’t want to miss the Hermitage Museum and Gardens! Located along the Lafayette River, this museum is home to a collection of paintings, furniture, glassware, and textiles from all over the world. The Sloane House was built in 1913 by Dr. William H. Sloane who collected art and antiques during his travels around Europe with his wife Rosalie (a descendent of Alexander Hamilton).

Today, you can enjoy amazing permanent exhibits like “The World of Fortuny” which features works from artist Giovanni Battista Fortuny; or “The Age of Impressionism: Masterworks from America’s Best Rooms” which showcases some of our country’s greatest artists such as Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas.

Chrysler Museum of Art

The Chrysler Museum is a museum located in the city of Norfolk Virginia. The museum was originally established as the Norfolk Museum of Art and Science in 1933 and was built on a large donation by automotive heirs. The building was designed by architect Edward Durfee Taylor and includes four levels with more than 10 thousand pieces of art spanning centuries of world history.

The museum has been renovated several times since it opened including a major renovation completed in 2016 which added new galleries for contemporary art, rotating exhibits by local artists, upgrades to lighting systems throughout all galleries as well as improved accessibility features including elevator access from street level up into galleries on all floors (with ramps continuing upwards)

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Norfolk Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to take a leisurely stroll. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this botanical garden has over 8,000 different types of plants from around the world! The garden is open year-round and has events and programs available throughout the year.

Take a walk through Norfolk’s 175 acres of lush brilliance to enjoy a wonderful experience. You will wonder how far back there has come. Listen as endangered birds warble in the tree. Kids love going on scavenging and scavenger hunts at Children’s Adventure gardens, where there are many activities for them to explore.

The Elizabeth River Trail

The Elizabeth River Trail runs for approximately 10 miles from Harbor Park Stadium to the Norfolk International Airport along Coastal Road. The trail is located along I64 in the north and I264 in the east. Parking can be found at several points along the trail and many businesses provide restrooms for walkers or runners traveling through their area.

The trail is open for walking, jogging, and running. It’s also a popular place to cycle: cyclists should be mindful of pedestrians and other users so they can pass them safely if needed. Pets on leashes are allowed on the trail as well.

Conclusion

The best part about Norfolk is that you can find a wide range of things to do. However, we highlighted some of the most popular options for visitors and locals alike. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to explore, these are some great places to start!