Do you need to book in advance to visit Pagoda & Oriental Garden?

We recommend booking Pagoda & Oriental Garden tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Pagoda & Oriental Garden tours on Tripadvisor

What hotels are near Pagoda & Oriental Garden?

Hotels near Pagoda & Oriental Garden: (0.20 mi) Glass Light Hotel & Gallery, Autograph Collection (0.28 mi) Hilton Norfolk The Main (0.35 mi) Norfolk Waterside Marriott (0.35 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Norfolk Downtown (0.26 mi) The Inn at Four Eleven York View all hotels near Pagoda & Oriental Garden on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Pagoda & Oriental Garden?

Restaurants near Pagoda & Oriental Garden: (0.00 mi) The Pagoda Restaurant & Tea House (0.13 mi) Chocollage (0.16 mi) Byrd & Baldwin Bro Steakhouse (0.27 mi) Varia (0.28 mi) Saltine View all restaurants near Pagoda & Oriental Garden on Tripadvisor

Pagoda & Oriental Garden (Norfolk) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

92

#22 of 77 things to do in Norfolk

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The area

Address

Best nearby

Restaurants

396 within 3 miles

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1,063

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Wine Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

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1,401

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly

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301

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

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124

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub

Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant

187

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Irish • Bar • Pub

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115

0.2 mi$$$$ • French • International • European

Chartreuse Bistro

104

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88 within 6 miles

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130

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See what other travelers are saying

Dewayne P
Elizabethtown, Kentucky1,809 contributions
Surprising oriental garden in Norfolk
It was a relaxing place to stop during my walk in Norfolk. I didn't go inside the building, but walking around it, taking in the sounds of the water and views of the plants/flowers was quite peaceful. It is free so take some time and enjoy!
Written October 26, 2020
Anne O
Argyle, Texas3,803 contributions
Pretty Nature Path
This is a beautiful little Asian garden that was gifted to Norfolk by Taiwan. Asian foliage surrounds a pond and a short walking path. The restaurant was closed, but its pagoda inspired architecture is beautiful. It will just take a few minutes to walk through and it's worth a look.
Written May 16, 2022
Michelle W
Lawrenceville, Illinois399 contributions
Pretty
This is a free park open to the public. There is a nice little walkway around. There are some statues, lots of trees and flowers and a koi pond. It is located next to the USS Wisconsin. Easy to walk to.
Traveled with friends
Written July 20, 2020

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0

92 reviews

Excellent

41

Very good

29

Average

14

Poor

4

Terrible

4

cheryl h

Durham, NC57,463 contributions

lovely, just lovely

Dec 2019

These gardens are so peaceful, relaxing and beautiful. The gardens aren't large and it's an easy stroll through them. It's on the waterfront in Freemason Harbor with views of the USS Wisconsin.

The Pagoda offers sandwiches, has a bar, and has some of the best bakery items I've ever tasted. The second floor has nice views. You can also take in the garden from the second floor balcony. We didn't even know about this place until we came upon it while walking along the Elizabeth River Trail.

Written July 2, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Brandon

Pittsburgh, PA297 contributions

Relaxing Stop

Feb 2021

This was a relaxing stop located in Norfolk. We had some time to kill and decided to stop by and it did not disappoint. We went in January so there wasn't any flowers in bloom like I'm sure there is in summer but it was still a beautiful stop.

Written March 14, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Violet B

Miami, FL64 contributions

Not What I Expected

The Pagoda and Oriental Garden is actually a small park open to the public where the oriental trees, plants, etc. are maintained by the VA Agricultural Society. The restaurant isn't really a restaurant, it's a bar with very scarce indoor and outdoor seating. That is probably why the menu is also limited. The place is nestled on the waterfront in-between gated condos and townhouses. It is also a block over from the USS Wisconsin attraction. The scenery is nice, the food was not excellent and I was disappointed by the trip because all the reviews I read ahead of time were high. We had to eat outside and our food and drinks were attacked by a unending assault of flies. If you think you're going to find some kind of major attraction by going here that is not what you're going to get. If you are a local or tourist who likes Asian influence this would be a nice stop for lunch. Their lunch menu is affordable but their dinner menu is much more costly and probably because the evening ambiance is supposed to be breath taking as the Pagoda is lit up with a color schematic. They have an area for outdoor dancing/live entertainment. There was a two person band there when we visited. It was nice to stumble across something we didn't know even existed before. Kind of made it feel almost like we did go somewhere far away from home even though we really didn't. Nice place but not how the other reviewers made it sound like. It probably isn't a family kind of outing either. It's more of a lunch with friends or romantic couple outing instead.

Written July 19, 2014

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Savvy Traveler

31 contributions

How about losing

Feb 2020

...the 1950's moniker "oriental?"

It was an ignorant shorthand for different countries, each with their own culture.

Written November 1, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Ronald W

Grand Rapids, MI209 contributions

A pleasant stop in downtown nice walking trails near a battleship.

Mar 2020 • Couples

Lovely garden and a beautiful pagoda building that could use a little TLC. Nice walk around walk over and you get a good view of the river. Spring flowers beginning to bloom. The building is very authentic. A gift from Taiwan!

Written March 12, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

TravelKat21

Bel Air, MD259 contributions

Peaceful park

Jul 2017 • Couples

We enjoyed walking around the Pagoda and garden. The area is very well kept and has many traditional Japanese features. It was quiet and peaceful with not many people here early in the morning on a Monday. There is plenty of 2 hour free street parking. The restaurant inside the pagoda is closed on Mondays, so can't really comment on that. There is one of the Mermaids of Norfolk located in this park.
Would recommend a quick visit here, especially if you are touring the nearby Nauticus or Battleship Wisconsin.

Written July 24, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

notravelsurprises

Chesapeake, VA156 contributions

Best venue ever!!

Aug 2016 • Friends

We rented the Pagoda for a wedding brunch. They also do weddings. Beautiful venue directly on the Elizabeth River, convenient walk from downtown Marriotts, parking lot. The kids loved the koi in the pond and the photographer loved the footbridge and beautiful landscaping. Pagoda Foundation people are very nice! Site is owned bt the City of Norfolk.

Written August 24, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

wanderlust

Centralia, PA152 contributions

Architectural Gem, and a lovely garden

Oct 2019

There is a small section of free 2-hour parking next to this pagoda, which is miraculous for downtown Norfolk.

We enjoyed the garden which has a koi pond with lily pads as well as all sorts of plants and decorative statues. Then after marveling at the exterior of the pagoda we ventured inside.

Someone is inside selling ice cream and macarons as well as coffee and tea - the main attraction is clearly the building, though. It is well painted and designed, and the space feels exhilarating. As you climb the spiral staircase you can admire fine artwork. And from the top you can walk around outside or sit at the lovely furniture - either way the view of the city and the harbor will surely bring cheer to your spirit. It would be an amazing place to escape into a good book away from the bustle of the city.

One of the most enjoyable architectural attractions I've seen, and (aside from the cost of refreshments) completely free admission and parking. Norfolk should be proud to host this pagoda.

Written October 24, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Karen G

Indiana, PA53 contributions

Must visit

May 2018 • Couples

We actually went to this restaurant because of the unique building. The food was delicious and staff was very personable.

Written May 19, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

jehenson81

Washington DC, DC22,204 contributions

Naval Observation Tower

Apr 2018 • Solo

The pagoda in this tiny garden used to be a Naval Observation Garden and is now a restaurant. The garden is very tiny and is just a block away from the USS Wisconsin. It was a nice break from the crowds at the museums. And the pagoda is pretty cool.